“You Old bastard!” My mother is first to shout, infuriation radiating all over her as she storms down to the table, my father equally spitting nails beside her. “How dare you arrest my daughter?!” My father follows, his face redder. “You think you can get away with this? You drop the charges now against marigold, or I swear you'll regret it!” My eyes meets my kids and their innocent faces are wearing bewildered expression as the two STRANGE people in the midst is creating ruckus. Shit! I cussed mentality already wanting to get them out of here. “What nonsense!” Mr. Stewart bellows at once, his face toughens up like the typical Mr. Stewart. “You didn’t seriously didn’t came here to threaten me do you?” “Take it however you want, I am just warning you to better release marigold. She’s damn innocent! My baby would never hurt anyone.” My mom’s vein could burst through her throat if care isn’t taken with the way she is screaming and I scoff. So, she knows how to defend the
Dahlia pov With a shaky exhale, I lean against the sink and press my palm against the cold porcelain to hold me up. The fluorescent lights above casts streaks of shadows across my face in the mirror. My reflection stares back, tired and skeptical. What game is Tristian playing? At first it seemed like we were in this together. Now, it's like he's chasing vehemently after a personal gain. The door creaks open and from the mirror, I see Carlton step inside. My stomach drops to the pit of my stomach. His face is a storm of anger, confusion and something else I can't place my finger on. “What are you doing here?” My voice falters at the end but I don't care. He has no business being in here. He doesn't answer right away. Instead, he leans against the wall, arms crossed. “I couldn't stay there any longer. What exactly have you done to my father to gain his favor?” I squint my eyes in shock at his question. “What do you mean?” He chuckles but that's not the sound of amusement. “Fi
The car comes to a stop in the garage and I open the door for the kids to file out. On their faces are looks of gloom and that might be my fault. Instead of asking, I just let them go into the house.Sunny welcomes us with her usual burst of energy, pulling me into a tight hug the moment I step in through the door. “Oh, finally! You're here! I thought you were planning on ditching me for good.”I force a small smile, letting her hug linger longer than it should for the sake of politeness. “Yeah. Long day.” I pull back, muttering. I try not to reveal too much but Sunny has always had a keen eye for little details and she notices everything. Thankfully, she chooses not to press but turns her attention to the kids. “Hey, sweeties. How was your outing? Was it a lot of fun?” She asked with that enthusiastic smile. “Yes, it was.” Gianna chirps.Gavin shrugs. “I guess.”Grayson and Griffin say nothing but grin at her since the others have spoken for them. Then Sunny starts saying somethi
DAHLIA“No,” I say to him firmly. “That's not how I want to do this. That's not exactly how we planned for this to happen.”He stares hard at me but I don't waver.“This isn't about Marigold being in prison. I didn't put her there, Tristan. That's her mess. My revenge for her isn't that cheap. As for Carlton, I intend for him to feel it slowly, deeply, and I'm almost there.”“You're being reckless and letting your feelings cloud everything. We're supposed to pull out now!” He snaps. “I’m being reckless? I'm the one letting emotions soil our plans? Spoken like the true hypocrite.” I hiss, glaring at him. My fingers curl into fists at my sides. “This is my plan for Carlton, not yours. I don't need you second-guessing me.”Before he can reply, a small voice cuts through the tension.“Mommy?”We both turn at the same time, and there she is at the foot of the stairs, clutching a sheet of paper covered in vibrant splashes of paint. Her wide eyes flicks between me and Tristian. She looks co
DAHLIALater when we finally stop to eat, Andre still remains full of energy, bouncing in the booth beside Carlton. “Can I pick, Dad? Please?”Carlton laughs. “Within reason.”With an excited squeak, he flips through the menu like it holds the secrets of the universe. “I want…the flat bread with dips! And maybe the spicy fries. And dessert.”“Dessert?” Carlton raises a brow. “You've been eating sugar all day.”“Fruit isn't sugar,” Andre argues, and both of them look to me for backup. I'm too amused to butt in. “Don't drag me into this,” I tell them with my hands raised.Andre sighs dramatically but settles on his choices and when the food comes, he dives in with gusto. It's almost hard to place side by side the boy I first knew to this one right now. They're nothing alike. And deep down, I'm delighted about the changes. “This dip is spicy!” he exclaims after a few bites with red cheeks.“Good spicy or bad spicy?” Carlton asks him. I stifle a smile.Andre fans his mouth. “Both!”Car
TRISTIAN'S POVIt isn't what I had in mind but we end up in the beach and it's to my advantage because the kids absolutely love it here. The momentt we step foot on the beach sand, they kick off ther shows and take off with energy. Gianna spins in the sand with her curls bouncing as she throws her arms out wide. “The water’s so big! I can't believe it,” she yells, full on astonishment.Grayson races ahead. His eyes never leave the water and I can almost tell what he's going for. “I'm going to find seashells.” He declares, legs pumping as if the ocean might disappear if he doesn't get there fast enough. Behind them, Gavin and Griffin are locked in a sprinting contest, their laughter ringing out like music. As I watch them play, I can't help but smile. I'd give anything to have this carefree nature once more. This is what kids are supposed to feel. Pure joy. No boundaries. Just freedom. “They're so excited.” Oh, it's Sunny and her voice grates on my nerves. She keeps her eyes crosse
DAHLIAIn a little while, Carlton comes to call me and together, we head to his mother's ward. The moment we step inside, her eyes flit between Carlton and me. Then that faint, knowing smile plays on her lips. Even in her frail state, her eyes glint with mischief. “So,” she say, her voice coming out very weak. “Are you two finally together?”My stomach knots but I keep my focus on wiping my palms on my dress. I can feel Carlton tense beside me, his silence heavier than words.“Mom,” he chuckles carefully, avoiding my eyes. “You need to rest.”She waves him off like his words are nonsense. “I'll rest when you two stop dodging my questions.” Her smile widens and then her focus zeroes on him. “Did you divorce that Marigold yet? That woman…I never liked her for you.”I'm tempted to scowl at her words. The exact words she said when Marigold framed me for pushing her down the stairs. Now she thinks that's enough to win me back.Not even in a million years.When I glance at Carlton, he loo
MARIGOLD I pace the suffocating cell, reading the bold lettering on the newspaper. In rage that sets my blood boiling, I crumple and fling it to the floor. Still the headline remains burned into my brain: Carlton Stewart spotted dining with Dahlia Campbell. The details portrays them as business partners. As if. They can fool everyone but me. “Snake. She's been waiting for this. Waiting for the perfect moment to slide right in and play the Martyr. Thirsting for that which is no longer hers.” The entrance door to the cells corridor buzzes open and I've been in here long enough to know that a visitor just entered the premises. “You have visitors.” The gruff voice of the jailer says and I raise my head just in time to see my parents. The door slides open and they step in. They don't look happy to see me in such a sorry state. I don't even let them take another step before I bombard them with questions. “What are you doing about this?” I snap before they can open their mou
Carlton “How could you Marigold? How could you be so devilish to pull up such a stunt on me and dahlia?!” I vibrates with visible rage radiating all around me. Right now we are back at my mansion. Andre is upstairs in his room as I’ve instructed him to do so before I began lashing out on marigold. After Tristan explained all that had transpired in Marigold’s party leading on to how the table turned, I had been in shock. Honestly, I know marigold is capable of the worst things but guess I have underrated her way too much. I could never imagine that her obsessive insecurity over dahlia would ever push her to framing dahlia up to get her sex tape and spread all over the net. She even involved me! Her husband. I’m seriously blowing off steams and I can’t control my fucking temper. It’s taking my will power to restrain myself from slapping marigold. “You caused it Carlton!” Marigold dares to yells back at me. Her eyes glistening with aggressive tears. Anyone who walks in now would th
Carlton’s pov “The hell was that for?” That’s marigold. Her voice booms the whole place as I approaches the place that slapped just came from. And turns out in the kitchen area. I burst into it and I meet the ugly scenerio of my mother and marigold in a heated fight. With the way marigold is rubbing her reddish cheek, difinately she’s the one that just received the slap from my mother. I release a sigh of frustration. “What exactly is going on here?” I asks and that’s when they apparently notices my presence. “What does it matter? You would definitely take your mother’s sides anyways!” Marigold yelled as she speaks first, undiluted anger brewing all over her. “Carlton good thing you are here. It’s high time you come back to your senses and realize the kind of snake you are married to!” “What happened?” I groan, honestly not in the mood to accommodate their banter. “Do you know your wife was telling someone over the phone that she’s going to steal from the company’s funds?” M
Carlton’s pov “The hell was that for?” That’s marigold. Her voice booms the whole place as I approaches the place that slapped just came from. And turns out it’s the kitchen area. I burst into it and I meet the ugly scenerio of my mother and marigold in a heated fight. With the way marigold is rubbing her reddish cheek, difinately she’s the one that just received the slap from my mother. I release a sigh of frustration. “What exactly is going on here?” I asks and that’s when they apparently notices my presence. “What does it matter? You would definitely take your mother’s sides anyways!” Marigold yelled as she speaks first, undiluted anger brewing all over her. “Carlton good thing you are here. It’s high time you come back to your senses and realize the kind of snake you are married to!” “What happened?” I groan, honestly not in the mood to accommodate their banter. “Do you know your wife was telling someone over the phone that she’s going to steal from the company’s funds?”
Dahlia POV, I’ve been a panicking mess right from the moment I enters the guest room with Carlton. More like I rushed in. Grayson’s condition had heightened. The coughing stopped while I was carrying him up but his body is all swollen, red and his body temperature is burning like hot coals. I can’t even recognize his face as I lay him on the bed… he’s barely breathing. Gosh, Grayson is barely breathing. And the worst part is that I don’t know what the hell is happening to him. “I think it’s an allergy reaction dahlia. Stop panicking. He would be fine.” Carlton had been trying to pacify me since the past few seconds but nothing he’s saying had made any sense to me. I’m busy touching different parts of Grayson’s body, my hands trembling and fear taking the major part of my heart. Thankfully It doesn’t take long before Mrs. Stewart arrive in the room with a nurse. I stands up from the bed immediately paving way for the nurse to attend to Grayson. As the nurse checks out Grayson’s
Dahlia’s POV, Sunny was discharged from the hospital in the evening. Perfect time for Tristian as he is serious about escorting me to the Stewart’s Mansion. When we returned to the house with sunny, we and the kids got prepared and zoomed off to the Stewarts villa. We are walking into the mansion and as we gets in, I bump into someone who seem to be angrily storming out. Marigold. “The hell!” She barks, Anger marring her face. I don’t respond to her before my kids shrilling voices booms the whole place. They all chorus Andre’s name as they gleefully runs towards him. Andre Is watching the tv with his grand father Mr. Stewart. The whole mansion is actually bustling with life. the tv sounds filling the place. Carlton and Mrs Stewart are setting up the table and for some reasons marigold was storming out. But our presence brings everything to a halt. Everyone makes different reactions, starting with marigold who just yelled at me, raw anger radiating around her. Everyone els
Marigold’s POV, After a long and quiet drive, we finally arrived at the Stewart’s compound. As soon as Carlton pulls over, he vacates the car like he’s being pursued. He walks to the back and opens the car for Andre to step out. I’m pretty sure his next move is to proceed to the mansion without me. Which he actually try to but I don’t let him. Slamming the door open, I also steps out and catches up with him. We end up walking side by side, obvious indignation radiant all around him but I cared less.When we arrives at the mansion, Andre first shocks me with his instant switching of mood. He had been so moody and annoyed throughout the drive down but the moment he sees Mr. and Mrs. Stewarts, he squeals gleefully like a siren and ran towards them. More like he runs towards Mr. Stewart who’s on the couch reading news paper. “Grandpa!!!” Is what he screams as he runs off to him and Mr. Stewart immediately drops his papers to receive him. “My boy!” He mused, taking Andre into his ar
Marigold pov ‘Dear Mrs. Stewart, this is a reminder that New Dimension Academy’s kids BOOTCAMP is in Four days time. Please we employ you to make the necessary preparations for your kids as it is a parents - kids BOOTCAMP.’After reading the message from my phone, the anger I’m already feeling intensifies. Scoffing, I angrily flings the phone to the couch. “Really now!” I snaps out. “What’s wrong?” Chloe inquires as my other friends who’ve been keenly watching me has curiosity on their faces. “It’s nothing important… It’s Andre’s school sending a reminder of their bootcamp or whatever nonsense!” I lash and takes one gulp from the glass of liquor in my grip. I’m presently in a bar with my all three friends. Last night when I left home, I headed straight to Chloe’s house solely because I was completely loosing it. I either needed money urgently or an idea on how to raise such an amount in couple of hours. But unfortunately I got absolutely nothing tangible from Chloe other tha
Dahlia’s POV, My kids did a great job cheering sunny up for the rest part of the morning. Griffin, the last of my Quadruplets wrote an heart warming letter for sunny which he read out loud to her. Dear Aunt Sunny,Hi!Don't be sad anymore, okay? You're the best Aunt Sunny in the whole wide world! I love you so, so much! You're the loveliest person in the world, and nobody should ever make you think you're not. You're super beautiful, inside and out!Don't be sad, Aunt Sunny. You're amazing, and I love you more than ice cream!With Love,Griffin. After reading the letter, sunny was moved to tear up. She purs like a kid and give griffin a very big hug. Gianna showed a painting to sunny which she had been sketching for days. It’s the portrait of a very pretty woman who has her hair adored with flowers. A big heart symbol is etched on her chest. Gianna named the lady Aunt sunny and presented it to her. Sunny was now reeling with amusement and she’s grinning from ear to ear as she obs
Dahlia’s POV,—Next morning—It’s weekend Today which means the kids are all at home causing a ruckus as usual. And me, I have no schedules for today. Neither with Carlton or anyone else. When I woke up this morning, I had prepared to a host of scolding to pour on sunny for getting drunk last night but reverse became the case when I walked in on her to meet a gloomy version of her. It was so unlikely for sunny to be in stuck in her room, not joining me to prepare breakfast nor eating with me and my kids. I had thought she couldn’t wake up due to the hangover, but I walk into the room, I’m stunned to meet her sobbing. Another heartbreak? That was My first assumption but After series of persuasion, she finally opened up the me the reason why she ended up in some bar to drown herself in Alcohol. “Am I a horrible person?” She started, sniffling as I’m sitting beside her on her bed. Her eyes is so red, huge bags under her eyes and her face horribly puffy. Evidence that she had cried so