“He is. I can’t reach him, and his daughter needs his blood to survive. Please, don’t hesitate to add some compensation for whoever can find him as soon as possible and haul his ass down here too. I don’t care how much.”“Interesting,” Officer Guy said. “Does his daughter really need his blood or is that a metaphor of some sort?”“It is a matter of life and death, officer,” Maxwell answered earnestly.“Do you have a picture?”“Not at the moment, but I can get it,” Maxwell said.Officer Guy quickly passed the pen and note to Maxwell and told him to write down everything he could remember about the man, including the last time and place he had seen him.He made a call to the station and called for an urgent announcement.“I am going to need that picture,” he said as he disconnected the call.Then, as if he had just remembered, he dipped his head into his jacket and took out Reyona’s phone. “Here we found this on the dead guy. We thought it was his, so our tech guys unlocked it and went
Everything had gone downhill from that sick bet.Everything had been set and shaped from that fateful day.Right down to his lumbering walk on the sidewalk where he sweated heavily and struggled for a mile, which would have been nothing to him when his body was still in top shape.“Almost there,” he thought to himself as he saw the last sign of the hospital.“What are you looking at?” he thought as he saw two men looking at him from where they sat on the stairs of a closed shop.He saw them whisper to each other and pointed to their phone.“It must be fun to be that carefree,” he thought in disgust as he remembered a time he had been like that.He had had everything working for him.Flourishing businesses in his chosen field, a beautiful wife, and a home he was always welcome to. Life was going well for him.And now he had nothing.No, not nothing. He had two children. He just needed to shape up enough to stand for himself, and they would come to him.Yes, he would start by being a go
The men looked at the two formidable men and gauged if they were the ones to pay them.Their status did shine through despite their current slightly dishevelled appearance, but the men wanted to be sure that they were not about to lose the money. After all, they had already discussed how they would spend it even before they saw Thomas.“We were asked to bring him to this hospital. By the police. You don’t look like a police officer.” one of them said to Maxwell.“Is this your work, Rohan? Why would you have me humiliated like this? I was coming to see Allysyn and these assholes grabbed me! What are you taking pictures for?!” he shouted at the people around him, who were stylishly recording the scene while snickering and mocking him behind their hands.“Put him down now, or you can forget about your rewards,” Maxwell said sternly.“Oh, we are sorry, sir.” the men quickly dropped Lanoth.He fell on his butt with a yell.Then “You want to reward them? I am coming already! Why would no on
The oxygen therapy worked faster than the nurses had expected.As she started stirring groggily, one of the nurses removed the cannula from over her nose.Maxwell was looking at the window and the slowly darkening sky increased his dread.It would devastate Reyona if anything happened to that girl.For the moment, he did not even dare to think of how much losing her would hurt him.He just knew he couldn’t let Reyona have that weight on her for the rest of her life.Also, no child should have to be dealt such a cruel fate because of the actions of an unhinged parent.He would get the answers he needed, even if he had to shake it out of her.The doctor had been a bit reluctant at first when he told him to reverse the effects of the sedative she had been given.He had to tell him how urgent it was.Then Officer Guy also told the man the importance of waking her immediately.“Maybe you can help to convince her about the amputation as well,” the doctor said.That was when he suggested oxy
One Hour LaterMaxwell ignored the knock on the door again as he continued to check the messages from the broadcast stations he had sent the announcements.The groans, tossing and teeth-chatters from the bed did not faze him as he sent a message to his men to increase their reach and double the rewards offered.“Sir, please we need to check on the patient.” the doctor knocked again.He finally raised his head after he sent the last message and said “There is no need. We are still having a discussion,” he said casually.“It doesn’t seem like it, sir. Please, we need to check on her. Any agitation could affect her splinted arm, and it could rupture the damaged tissues again, which could endanger her life.”“Is that so?” Maxwell said in consideration as he moved closer to where Susan was shaking like a leaf while sweating profusely.He looked like he was about to give in to what the doctors were saying, but at the last minute, he shook his head and said “It is fine. Nobody will miss her.
Maxwell met Reyona having a video call with her parents.Their worried voices and Gladys' sobs cut through Maxwell deeply.In a way, he was responsible for causing them pain again.He stood aside as he watched her reassure them over and over again.Apparently, Celia had stopped the calls after seeing Toria's reaction.Reyona was the one who called them to tell them before they could see the news.She looked at him and inclined her head so he would come closer.Yet, Maxwell couldn't face her parents at that moment without feeling ashamed, so he shook his head and stayed where he was.Reyona told her parents again that they didn't need to come over.Then she promised them to take better care of herself, after which she disconnected the call.“Hello, stranger.” She said wearily as she gave him a curious look.He came closer and gingerly kissed her forehead. “How are you doing?”“Better,” she smiled and added as she patted the space beside her on the bed, “I ate something.”“Oh? That is wo
“What did you…”“What the fuck is he doing here?” Maxwell’s furious voice overshadowed Thomas’s question. “Why is he still here?” “He never left,” Andrew answered.Then he looked at Celia.“I am sorry, but he just said he wanted to apologise to Reyona, and he would leave…” she said with a look indicating she was already blaming herself.Maxwell’s fury was directed at her as he said “You brought him to my wife to apologise? For what exactly?!”“Don’t shout at my wife, Rohan.” Andrew’s voice had undergone an immediate change as he stepped forward and lay his hand on Celia’s shoulder.“Then maybe your wife should learn to think things through before doing them!” Maxwell snapped immediately.“What did you say?” Andrew said as he took a step towards Maxwell, but Celia quickly held him back.“Guys, guys, you two need to…”“Will someone answer me? Did I hear you right?” Thomas chose that moment to speak.“Shut up!” Maxwell, Andrew and Celia shouted at him.He stood there wide-eyed with his
Reyona was telling Maxwell that he also needed to eat something when the doctor came to her room.He asked to speak to Maxwell and the two of them went outside.“What's going on?” Maxwell asked anxiously.“It is almost three hours, sir. I just wanted to ask if you have been able to get anything. We just got a response from the last organisations with such a type of blood reserve. They don't have any at the moment. They are helping us to get in touch with some beyond-border organisations who might have it, but the problem is, even if they do have it, their last documented destination was Sierra Leone. It might be too late to get it down here.” The doctor explained.“I understand,” Maxwell responded. “I think we might have our perfect match soon. They are getting him down here as we speak.”“Great. That is great news” the doctor said. “We will get things ready.”Maxwell nodded, and the man hurried off.He quickly took out his phone and made a call again.“Boss, I was just about to call
Dear Reader, Thank you so much for following this journey from the beginning to this point. I appreciate your comments, votes, review and continuous reading. You are my real MVP. Reyona's story has come to an end here as she went on to live happily ever after while navigating the beauty and trials of life with the love of her life. But then Toria's story is just about to begin. What do you say to navigating Toria's new journey as she confronts her rollercoaster feelings for Andreas while dealing with the powerful Kanellis family and forces determined to keep them apart? Would you like to see if a headstrong, free-spirited lady like Toria can fit into the imperious and honourable family while she fights her demons? Let me know your thoughts in the comment section. Thank you for being here. Do check out my other books. I am Kabirat Aleem.
“.... I promise to love and cherish you for as long as we live and beyond. I will respect you and always remember that you are my partner before anyone else. I will put you and our family first in my decisions. You are mine in totality just as I am yours. Together we shall grow in loyalty, in abundance, in comradeship, in support and eternal love. I will forever be by your side in everything that comes our way on this journey of life….”“I, Maxwell Rohan, take you, Reyona Beatrice Dexter, as my lawfully wedded wife today in the presence of God and man, with the promise to cherish our vow until I breathe my last.”“I, Reyona Beatrice Dexter, take you, Maxwell Rohan, as my lawfully wedded husband today in the presence of God and man, with the promise to cherish our vow until the day I die.”As her sister and her husband completed the vows they had worked on themselves and slid the rings on each other's fingers, Toria tried hard to keep her tears at bay as the minister said, “You may kiss
The past month had been the most heart-filling one for Reyona.She watched as Allysyn lolled Sophie's bassinet while showing her something in the picture book she had in her hand.Meanwhile, Junior jiggled the rattle above Lucas to the delight of the baby and the hopping dog.An inexplicable bliss filled her at the thought that these belonged to her.These beautiful blessings that had been bestowed upon her when she least expected them were a solid part of her story.Reyona leaned back in her chair with a big smile on her face as she reached for her drink.“Rey, you are glowing. I mean, you are literally glowing. You should see your face right now. Hold on.”Toria quickly took a few snaps with her phone before turning the phone around to face Reyona.Reyona smiled as she looked at the pictures while sipping her mimosa.Although she couldn't see herself literally glowing as Toria had said, she loved what she saw.The woman in the picture looked…fulfilled.Long gone was the anxious, sad
Two Months Later“Does this mean we will have to call you Mum and Dad now?” Allysyn asked in a solemn tone.Reyona looked at Maxwell with a smile before responding to Allysyn.“It means we are forever your family now. It means we have got you forever. In as much as you do not forget that, what you call us doesn't matter.”Although she knew how beautiful it would be to hear them use those words.“I am Thomas Junior Rohan?” Junior asked with his head tilted after he pronounced what he had been using his hand to trail in spelling.“Do you like being Junior Rohan?” Reyona asked with a smile.He looked thoughtful for about ten seconds before saying, “I love it.” To Maxwell, he said, “Does this mean I get to drive your car now?”Reyona and Maxwell laughed as Allysyn rolled her eyes.Reyona sucked in her breath as the laughter waned.“Well, maybe in the future, if you've been very good, of course. But not yet.”“Aww,” Junior said with a pout. Then he brightened in the next second. “I will be
The call was from his head of security.Reyona listened to his terse response to the person on the call.Then, just as he took the turn towards his estate, she felt her phone buzz.She frowned as she saw that it was a message from Maxwell.“We have a guest,” it says.She looked at the back of his head as she wondered why he couldn't just say that directly instead of sending it as a message.She was about to ask him who it was when she looked beyond the windscreen and saw the police cruiser.Her heart kicked against her rib and she looked downwards to check if the even-breathing Allysyn had slept off or something.“Look, Max! The police!” Junior shouted excitedly as he pointed at the spot where the police officer was just turning away from the man he was speaking to, the head of security.Allysyn's lax body went taut as she jerked upward, looked in the direction that Junior was pointing at, and then back at Reyona.She had a mixture of fear, question and uncertainty in her face.Reyona
Reyona and Maxwell went together to take the kids from school that day.Despite their fears that some unrelenting reporters might have decided to call them about what happened or ambush them for an interview about what they felt about Thomas's death, nothing of such happened.The school was also free of any lurking reporters or paparazzi.It was either they had decided that Thomas's death was not as worthy of news as his scandal had been, or they were still jeering up to blast the family with all they got later.Whatever it was, they were glad as they waited in silence in front of the school for closing time.Soon enough, school was over for the day.Maxwell came out as the students came out en masse.Soon enough, they saw Allysyn and Junior.Junior was skipping alongside Allysyn while dragging his backpack along and shouting some words at a friend who was going towards another car parked close by.He was being his jovial self as he waved hard at the friend and asked him not to forget
Reyona's head jerked upward as she heard Maxwell's voice.Then she looked sideways when she heard a growling sound.Jerking his head from Reyona to Maxwell, Skippy's pupils had dilated so much that they almost covered his entire eyes.His growl continued as he looked confused about where he should escape.Reyona realised what was going on as she saw Maxwell standing at the entrance, blocking his escape route.He felt cornered!She realised as the dog backed away while his growl increased in pitch.“Maxwell, move,” she said urgently, and he automatically stepped aside.The dog hopped past him in a flash.The dog kept going without stopping at all.Maxwell shook his head and went to Reyona. “What was that about?” He asked in an incredulous voice.“We were building a friendship,” Reyona said with a pout.“That was friendship?” Maxwell asked in disbelief.“Well, we were about to. Then you…do you think they do therapy for dogs?” She asked in contemplation.Maxwell started chuckling, “Ah, a
The soothing sound of the water reminded Reyona of the brook that ran through their homes in Bellevue Hill.She felt completely blissful in the oasis that Maxwell had surprised her with.It was exactly a replica of the one in her home in Sydney.After their dinner that night, Reyona was still pretending to be miffed at him because he wouldn't tell her if he really was the one who donated to the orphanage she had opened in her grandmother's name.Then, as if he didn't notice, he told her to check out something.“I am still mad at you,” She had said as she folded her arms above her belly and gave him a mutinous look.“It is a good thing that you are a versatile woman then. You could be mad at me and still come check this out. You will be glad you did. I promise.” He said innocently.Then, just as Reyona pretended she had not made up her mind yet, he swept her off her feet.How can he still carry her so effortlessly? She wondered as she squealed “Maxwell!”That was the first time the pap
Reyona had no intention of having the wedding while she was still pregnant.“It is called ‘walk down the aisle’, not waddle down the aisle'. Thank you.”That had been her argument and everyone had agreed with her.Not after Toria had added that their dad could carry her.“Then it will be ‘float down the aisle'” she had said in jest.They all came to an agreement that the wedding preparations would start after she had given birth in about two months.They spent the night in the hotel, and they all visited The King’s Creek to pay obeisance to Grams before their parents’ and Toria's departure.Maxwell, Reyona and the kids will stay back in Boowag until the jet got back.Stefan and his co-pilot were to carry Gladys and Carlisle to their destinations before coming back for them.It would take Gladys home first, then make a stopover at Milan to drop Carlisle before coming back.Toria had a standby jet that had brought her to Boowag and Kayooma for the preparation of the surprise and all.Of