CHAPTER 144ROBERT’S POV~ “Go!!!” He blew the whistle so hard I saw the veins in his neck bulge.The athletes like bulls released from a gate took to their heels. However, as Liam was about to take off, one of his feet slipped off the track, sending him crashing hard on the ground. ~Loud gasps echoed from every corner of the field and bleacher where the parents and sponsors sat as though the audience could feel Liam’s pain as he crashed on the floor.At that moment, my heart pounded so hard I thought it would burst, and I stood frozen on the spot as if caught in a nightmare. Liam wasn’t moving. He just lay there motionless, his elbow covering his face as he buried it on the floor. A wave of fear unlike anything I’d ever felt gripped me at the thought that he might be paralyzed. With the way he fell, it was obvious he’d suffer a very bad injury.Before I could react, I saw Lily running down the stairs of the bleachers like one whose house was on fire.“Liam…” her voice broke out i
CHAPTER 1 “Congratulations Mrs. Wilson,” the nurse said with a soft smile. “The test came out positive, you’re a month pregnant.” I felt a cold wave of shock wash over me as though someone poured a bucketful of ice water on me. My heart jolted painfully in my chest and my lips parted involuntarily as the memories that led to this unexpected event came rushing back at me like a violent wind. Robert, my childhood crush and husband who I was in a contract marriage with returned that night drunk and overjoyed, the reason being the advertising company landed a huge advertising deal with one of the biggest luxury establishments in the city. I knew he was drunk. I knew he wasn’t in control of his actions. I shouldn’t have let that night happen. But I have loved him dearly for a very long time and was unable to resist him. I was willing to do anything for his satisfaction and happiness. For a long time, I have craved to have such intimate moments with him. Since we got married two an
CHAPTER 2 The other woman was Scarlett Johnson, who I learnt was Robert’s first love and ex-girlfriend. She had just returned after a long time of being away to who knows where. And since then, has been all over Robert like a moth to a flame. Even though I didn’t know much about her, I hated her. She seemed fake. But Robert can’t see through her façade. I know she was his first love, beautiful with doll-like features and enchanting figure but she wasn’t worth the kindness and care he was giving her. I could tell she was taking advantage of that side of him. If she could leave him hanging years back, there was every chance she could leave him again. I wish Robert would open his eyes and see that. See she wasn’t good for him or the company. Ever since he offered her job at the advertising firm without going through the normal procedures, she has been treating me like trash and trying to make me look bad in front of him and everyone because of how close I was to him as his personal
CHAPTER 3 “Now isn’t the right time. I’m planning to surprise him and everyone back at the family house during an important dinner,” I lied to her again, managing another smile. She shrugged, believing me anyway. I was full of lies today. This was my third lie today. And to Jane, I have been lying to her ever since I got into this marriage with Robert, always defending him and trying to paint the perfect picture of everything being alright while they weren’t. I hated myself more than anything now. Shortly after, Jane left to pick up her child from school and make lunch for her family. My mum was admitted to the same hospital, but in a different ward a bit further away. I wanted to take the pregnancy test first before visiting her because I knew I’d spend a long time with her. I still couldn’t believe Robert didn’t recall me mentioning she was sick to him at some point. I did tell him several times this week when I wanted to leave work early to visit her. Despite that, I
CHAPTER 4 Though I had an apartment I stayed in at times, I lived here. With Robert when it was necessary to play our parts as a couple. The mansion was a sophisticated one situated in the upscale part of the city, surrounded by luxury and servants. I got in and quickly prepared myself for the dinner. As I was making my way to the dining area, I stopped by the mirror in the hallway to adjust my cocktail dress; the sapphire blue colour brought out the blue in my eyes. I also adjusted the wealth of my long brown hair, making sure my appearance was intact before his mother could see me. I learnt his mum was a star actress while young. She has been away since Robert and I got married. We only met briefly, so I didn’t know much about her. Though I overheard the servants once complaining of her being too excessive, easily irritated and difficult to please. So I was in for one heck of a ride. I didn’t understand why she called for such an abrupt dinner. But whatever the reason, I jus
CHAPTER 5 That evening, immediately after what occurred at the dinner table, I took a ride to my apartment. I didn’t have the heart to stay in that mansion after the last statement Robert made. It hurt more than his mum’s own, and I could tell he wasn’t going to spend the night there either. I was so stupid to think he was standing up for me. I should have known better. After undressing and getting ready for bed, I suddenly felt sick, coming down with a fever. I took something to slow the fever and pain and decided to sleep early so I could wake up early for work tomorrow morning. I had a lot on my table this week so I can’t afford to be late or worse, fall sick. Gently, I wrapped my hands around my belly, shaking off every bad thought and feeling. Shaking off everything Robert’s mum said about me. I wasn’t a barren desert. I was a real woman with no fertility issue, and sooner or later I’ll prove it to her. That night as I dozed off without knowing, I had a dream. A sweet d
CHAPTER 6 At the office, I was going through the details of my presentation, and putting everything together when I received an SMS from Robert through the company’s private line, informing me to schedule all his meetings and visits till after the presentation later that evening. I took note of that, and just then saw Scarlett making her way past me like a proud peacock to his office. As much as I didn’t want to admit, she looked radiant in her professionally done makeup but her gown was way too skimpy and seductive to be worn in a workplace such as this. Quickly, I left what I was doing to stop her from going in. “Miss Scarlett you can’t go in now. Come back later in the evening. Mr. Robert is busy.” She washed me head to toe with an icy glare, snorting derisively in disbelief. “Excuse me, and what are you supposed to be? Have you forgotten who I am? Because it seems you have. How dare you stop me going to see the love of my life!” she growled. I sighed nonchalantly and ro
Chapter 7 LILY'S POV "What's going on here?" Robert's gruff, provoked voice sounded as he came out of his office. Quickly, as Scarlett looked at him, I wiped the teardrops threatening to spill from my eyes and held back the sobs forming at the back of my throat. I summoned the courage to lift my gaze to Robert's eyes. The eyes of the boy I fell in love with the first time I saw him walk into our class. The eyes of the man I longed for his love and wanted to spend the rest of my life with even though he was so dumb he couldn't see it that way. It was hard to believe that one day those eyes would be seeing me out of his house and life forever, welcoming Scarlett as his new wife. No doubt his family members will approve especially his mum since Scarlett will be giving her what I couldn't - a child. A child that didn't come about by mistake. A child Robert approves of. "Nothing is happening," I said and forced a smile, my heart as heavy as a rock in my chest. "Everything's fine. I wa
CHAPTER 144ROBERT’S POV~ “Go!!!” He blew the whistle so hard I saw the veins in his neck bulge.The athletes like bulls released from a gate took to their heels. However, as Liam was about to take off, one of his feet slipped off the track, sending him crashing hard on the ground. ~Loud gasps echoed from every corner of the field and bleacher where the parents and sponsors sat as though the audience could feel Liam’s pain as he crashed on the floor.At that moment, my heart pounded so hard I thought it would burst, and I stood frozen on the spot as if caught in a nightmare. Liam wasn’t moving. He just lay there motionless, his elbow covering his face as he buried it on the floor. A wave of fear unlike anything I’d ever felt gripped me at the thought that he might be paralyzed. With the way he fell, it was obvious he’d suffer a very bad injury.Before I could react, I saw Lily running down the stairs of the bleachers like one whose house was on fire.“Liam…” her voice broke out i
CHAPTER 143ROBERT’S POVThe day was brighter and livelier than ever. White fluffy and cotton-like clouds stretched thinly across the blue sky, the sun peeking out to cast its rays on the school field which was buzzing with excitement. Colourful banners and balloons were used to decorate every part of the school and some mascots were gambolling around the environment, helping make the kids and parents happier. Loudspeakers blared from the corners of the field, playing loud, upbeat music and occasionally stopping whenever an announcement was to be made.The students were dressed in their special sports uniforms that represented the houses they belonged – red, green, yellow, blue and eagerly waiting to compete. The teachers who were acting as the house masters stood by the sideline assembling, clapping and encouraging the young athletes.Students who weren’t competing or done competing were seated in a small canopy, each for every house, chatting, taking refreshments or cheering on th
CHAPTER 142LILY’S POV~ “It’s not that Lily,” he countered with a defeated voice.“Then what is?” I crossed my arms against my chest, pinning him with a hard expectant stare as I tried to keep my flaring temper in check. “Tell me because I really want to know. What makes you think I still have feelings for Robert?” ~Even though he was right, I put on a defensive demeanour so as not to make it obvious. I didn’t know how he was able to figure that out because yesterday I acted all vicious towards Robert, and all these while that I have been asking him for help to destroy Robert was more than enough to prove I hated him with a passion. So, I was so eager to hear what he had to say.“I don’t know, Lily,” he shrugged, his expression grave as if the answer was obvious. “Maybe it’s because you hesitate when it comes to hurting him even though you claim you hate him so much. You let chances of getting back at him slip by, always giving one excuse or the other. And honestly? It’s starting
CHAPTER 141LILY’S POV~ “Noah… Noah…please stop, I’m really not myself today,” I said, trying to stop him but that only made him double his effort.“Don’t push me away Lily,” he said with a breathy lust filled voice. “Please, Lily. Let me make you feel better. I’ll make you feel so good you’ll forget everything about that man.” ~Suddenly, he gripped my chin, angling my face toward his as he leaned in for a kiss, while his other hand moved lower, reaching for my right breast.“I said I’m not in the mood today Noah!” I said with an outburst, standing abruptly and facing him with a shockingly bitter expression on my face. “Can’t you respect that?...”“I’m sorry Lily…” he apologized, pinching his nose as though he wasn’t his usual self earlier and was just regaining his sanity. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know what came over me.”My brows pulled in as I stared at him as if I couldn’t recognize him anymore. But he seemed so guilty and ashamed of his action he couldn’t keep a steady eye contac
CHAPTER 140LILY’S POVAfter we dropped the kids off at school, I headed to the office. Robert had wanted to take me in his sedan but I refused bluntly, having no other choice but to board a taxi. The last thing I wanted was to keep being close to him. If I didn’t have to see him again then the lingering feelings I had for him will dissipate completely. Worse, if he dropped me off at the company and Noah saw him, it could spark another fallout between them—something I wasn’t willing to risk after seeing how badly they both injured themselves yesterday.Robert persisted, even instructing his driver to tail me as I walked down the road, attracting a few people’s attention. The only way I was able to ward him off was by threatening to scream and alert nearby policemen that he was harassing me. The fear of those made him give up, although reluctantly.Just because he took the kids to school today and will be bringing them back home doesn’t mean it’ll happen again. I made that clear to h
CHAPTER 139LILY’S POV~ “I have to talk to you about something,” I said, breaking the silence because it was becoming unbearable for me.“What?” He raised his brows.“Can we talk over there?” I tilted my head towards the back of my car. “I don’t want the kids to hear it.” ~“Ok…” His eyes flickered with puzzlement as he followed me.Once we were settled, I brought out the DNA test results Liam was holding last night and showed it to him. I had taken it from him last night without him knowing. That’s the reason I wanted to talk to Robert in a secluded area because I didn’t want Liam to see it. I didn’t know how he’d feel if he knew I took it without him knowing. From the way he held it tightly in his sleep last night, it was obvious it was important to him. But at least, he hasn’t realized it’s missing.“How were you able to get this DNA test done?” I asked, my hard gaze unflinching on his. “Have you been seeing the kids long before now?... Did you take their samples without them
CHAPTER 138LILY’S POV~ “I want you and your fancy toy car off my property and this estate for good. I won’t say it again.” I said sternly, fishing out my phone to call the estate security. Maybe he thought I was joking about calling them.However, the door to the house flew open, stopping me. The kids came rushing to him with big smiles on their faces, shouting “Daddy! Daddy! You’re back.” ~Before I could react, Liam and Lila thudded him with a tight hug as if he were their long-lost father who finally came home after years of being away.My eyes burned seeing how much body contact they were making with him. But there was nothing I could do about it. Ripping them off of him will make me seem like the wicked mother, denying them a chance at happiness. Not to mention they were still angry with me for yesterday, the ultimatum they gave me was a cruel reminder I should tread carefully with them to avoid any further escalation.I didn’t make the call to the estate security again. My b
CHAPTER 137LILY’S POV~ Amid my frustration, a sleek black Sedan car, one of the latest models glided smoothly into my driveway, stopping just a few feet away from me as if in a showcase.I thought maybe Noah had somehow managed to find out the kids and I were stranded and sent someone. But as the passenger door opened, I was surprised to see Robert stepping out in style and approaching like a superhero coming to save the day.Seriously? Can this day get any worse? ~Rage quickly filled me. My lips pressed firmly together and my fist balled on seeing him.“Just what are you? A monitoring spirit?” I hissed, my voice laced with irritation. “Why won’t you leave us alone? I thought I made it very clear to you yesterday to stay away from us. It’s that so hard for you to understand? That’s it. I’ve had just about enough of your unwanted presence. I’m calling the estate security to kick your ass out and ban you from ever coming here. I don’t even know how you got access to this place in
CHAPTER 136LILY’S POVThe next morning, I got up earlier than usual because of two reasons. The first was that I couldn’t sleep even after feeling better after I talked to Jane. I kept thinking about how Robert managed to get the kids’ DNA samples and run that paternity test. Does it mean he’d been seeing them long before now because I know it takes quite some time before one can get their DNA results. Robert was just full of surprises. Just how desperate can he be?!The second was I needed to prepare the kids for school. It was hard doing it alone without Nana Mae’s help while also preparing for work. This made me realize how valuable she was and how much I needed her back. I have to get her back. I hope she agrees to come back even after what I did. I messed up big time and deeply regretted my actions.Coupled with the kids' attitude, the morning was torturous, one of my worst. It was clear they were still angry with me. Whenever I tried to make a conversation, they only remained