Hello dear readers, I am sorry for the late update as I am attending to some personal stuff. Will try to update one more today, but if I can't do it, I will update tomorrow. Thank you for sticking with me until now. Love, J Cruz
Noah POVNight of the Party.I watched Briana the minute she stepped inside the reception area for the senior Bennett’s anniversary party. She was flanked by her four brothers on both sides.Charles, her eldest brother, had his arm around his wife's shoulder.They looked formidable from the outset. Two beautiful young women and four dashing young men – all have the power to command attention.Their presence seemed to magnify the whole place, making everyone seem insignificant in comparison.Briana looked stunning in her gown with her upswept hair. She looked regale, like a princess from a fairy tale with her four bodyguards.Her four brothers looked dapper in their matching suits. She was their Queen. Jenna, Charles’s wife, looked pale in comparison to her.I chuckled secretly to myself while my eyes swept the grand ballroom. Who am I kidding?No one compares to her. Briana's beauty glowed, and all eyes, especially male ones, were enraptured by her beauty.My jaw clenched when I saw
Noah POVI saw Bennett walking briskly to catch up to us, but I didn’t allow him a chance to get close to Briana again.He already monopolized her time from the moment she stepped inside the ballroom. It’s my turn, and I don’t intend to let Briana go now that I have her in my arms.My eyes connected with Brent. With one nod, he went to deftly block Bennett’s path, preventing him from getting close to us while we escaped.Bennett looked frustrated as he tried to escape Brent’s claws, but my friend got his instructions from me. Engage Bennett, and do not leave him alone to catch up with Briana and me.I could only rejoice when our path cleared. No Bennett chasing after us.“I haven’t said goodbye to Luke and his parents,” Briana told me, seeming disappointed when I bundled her into my waiting car.Despite voicing the complaint, she automatically pulled the seatbelt’s strap to her chest.I did the same before starting the engine and leaving the hotel.“You can talk, but not now. Luke
Hanna POVWhen I got to the office this morning, a box waited for me on my table. I opened it, and it contained a gown and a pair of heels. “It was delivered from the office of the CEO.” Jane disclosed when she came in to follow me. I checked my office email and found Chris’ message.“The bossman orders me to attend a party with Chris on his behalf,” I told her. Jane had this knowing look on her face. In the past, I had often worked with Chris, and Jane teased me about it. She thinks we make a great pair.“You are smiling. You are excited for tonight.” Jane commented.I shook my head, denying her claim. I am excited, but not for the reason Jane was thinking. The party tonight would give an excuse to delay going to Rowan’s home. That night, he took me to his home, and his driver came to the hotel and waited for me to clock out. Rowan had been true to his word. He keeps an eye on me. The lack of freedom was stifling. It was just a few days, but I already felt like Rowan’s pris
Hanna POVThe party became livelier right after the Ford siblings’ arrival.People started flocking to their side. It seemed like everyone wanted to get to know them, especially the women.The four brothers were all attractive males, but my eyes kept shifting to Rowan, probably because I knew he was mad at me. Chris and I were a few good distance from the stars of the party, yet I could still feel his glare.“You are shivering. Are you cold?” Christ tapped my arm, and I noticed goosebumps forming on my skin when I looked at his hand that touched my skin.I pulled back as if torched.“Hey, why are you jumpy?” Chris said when he noticed my unusual behavior.I shook my head. “Nothing. I was just surprised, that was all.”I winced because my excuse sounded lame.It was not the first time Chris touched my arm.My reaction must have been confusing to him.Due to our working relationship, Chris and I would accidentally brush each other’s skin, or sometimes we tend to be tactile – part of
Hanna POV“Why didn’t you answer my calls?”Rowan lashed out in the aftermath of Briana and the Bossman’s escape.I don’t want to argue with him because this is a party, and I do not want to ruin my night. So, instead of responding, I decided to walk out and get as far away from Rowan as possible.But before I could take a step, Rowan snagged my wrist to pull me back.The movement caught me off-guard. I lost my balance, and my back landed on his chest.Rowan held me by the waist to steady me. The heat of his palms caused a burning sensation on my skin.“Rowan,” I warned when I tried to pull away, but he held me back.I don’t know where I got my inner mettle to fight, but the way he was trying to dominate me, curtailing my freedom and such, had taken its toll on me.What I did not count on was how close our faces were when I lifted my chin to confront him. Our nearness caught me by surprise.It made me fully aware that Rowan is a man, and his responses were all male.Rowan’s eyebrows
Hanna POVMy eyes widened when I saw who stopped Britney from hurting me.“Rowan.”Without warning, my heart began to beat fast while Britney tried to loosen his hold on her.She struggled, but Rowan had a firm grip. She could not shake his hand off even when she used her weight.“Let me go, b*stard! You and your sister are the thorns to my side. If you didn’t come to Woodside, Noah wouldn’t meet Briana again and he wouldn’t leave me.” Britney lashed out.She was so angry.I watched my sister’s tirade with dead eyes.Britney had always been a spoiled b*tch. She grew up always getting what she wanted, and when denied, she would knock everyone and everything out of her path.Despite her daring attitude, I saw tears brimming her eyes. My sister was hurting.A part of me wanted to help her, but the other half wanted to turn a blind eye. Britney deserves Rowan's anger.Britney had it coming.She continued to struggle, but she was no match for Rowan.“Hurt Hanna again, and you will answer t
Hanna POVMy heart beat fast as I paced the four corners of my room, thinking about how to avoid the feelings I was developing toward Briana’s brother.I can’t be feeling anything for my captor. The idea is insane.I should hate him, not fall for him.Not a moment later, I heard footsteps. They stopped outside my door.My heart started to beat faster than before. It felt so much like there were galloping wild horses in there.I placed my palm to my chest to quell the wild beating of my heart in time to the sounds of Rowan’s knocks on the door.“Hanna! Open the door!”Gone was the gentle Rowan from before as I sensed a tinge of impatience in his voice.Fear and an insane sense of self-preservation froze me on the spot.My feet stayed footed, unable to move.The silence from my end must have caused Rowan to lose the last shred of his patience, and he started pounding on the door hard.“Hanna! Are you alright?”It surprised me to note a hint of concern in his voice, adding to my growin
Rowan POV“What is the likelihood of Noah Hunter suffering from amnesia when he divorced Briana?” I asked my brothers.I called an impromptu late-night meeting with my three brothers after I left Hanna in my apartment.Marcus, Flint, and I started discussing the possibility.We thought about what happened five years ago – how Noah Hunter changed his mind right after waking up from a coma due to the accident.“And where did you get this incredible idea?” Marcus asked.Of all our brothers, he was the most protective of Briana. It may be because they were closer in age.Marcus took her under his wing and made life easier when she transitioned as the missing Ford heiress.I shook my head. “It does not matter where I get that. Do you think it’s plausible?” I asked.Marcus had a doubtful expression.“Remember the report we got? Noah disliked Briana the first time the Hunters brought her into their home as a child.“What about the report that says they were inseparable when Noah came back t
Flint POVI could not believe it.Brinaa had us arrested! The f*ck!After the police handcuffed the three of us, Briana took our phones.“Why are you confiscating our phones? I need that!” Marcus cried.Between the three of us, he was the most uncooperative and talkative.Briana ignored him. “You will get your phones later. For now, I am going to keep it.” She promised before the police officers led us out of her study.Downstairs, I saw the household staff gathered in
Flint POVRowan’s question, asking me about fathering Anna’s baby, hangs in the air.It wrapped around us like an elephant in the room.I took in my brothers’ look, feeling like the odd man out.Can’t I be man enough to take on my responsibility? Can I not be trusted to care for my own family?The dam inside me burst, and I lashed out at my brother, Rowan.“Yes, so don’t cross my line and stop meddling in my wife’s life. They don’t need you.”Rowan stared m
Flint POV“I am not talking to you, Flint. You embarrassed me in front of Linda, and that was unforgivable.”I winced, feeling guilty.In my eagerness to defend my family, I had forgotten that Briana was never an enemy.She was my sister.“I am sorry.”“I am just looking out for you. Haven’t you forgotten how hard women tried to trap you into marriage, not because they loved you but because they loved what you represented?” She lashed out at me.I chuckled. &ldqu
Anna/Linda POV“Hey, sis! ” Flint walked toward his sister with a wriggling Penelope in his arms.When he reached her, he stooped to kiss her cheeks.Penelope saw what he did and did the same. She kissed Briana’s cheek.Briana was left stunned, especially when Penelope showed her natural cuteness.She bounced in Flint’s arms, raising her hands to clap."Yay! Kwin ver gud!" Penelope said in a stilted manner.On the other hand, Flint looked like he was ready to burst into pride. He puffed
Anna/Linda POVWe spent three days secluded in the exclusive villa Flint rented for us. It was nothing short of idyllic. Penelope had a wonderful time. “Dad-dy!” She squealed and jumped on her little feet to evade the coming waves. “Bubbles!” She would cry in gibberish, pointing at the sea foam that crowded her feet and ankles. Then she would run to Flint, and Flint would swoop down to capture her and put her to dry sand. Then, she would stroll toward the waves again, repeating the same actions until Flint rescues her.“You are silent,” Flint said when he deposited Penelope beside me. I was sitting on the sand with my legs stretched out in front of me. He quickly worked on the sand, digging with his hands and throwing them to cover my legs. It attracted Penelope, and she mimicked her father. She took clumps of sand in her hands and threw them to my legs. “You need a spade, my little Queen,” Flint said.He looked around our surroundings before his eyes focused on something no
Flint POVAfter dinner, I was excited to put Penelope to sleep, but to my chagrin, she wouldn’t sleep however hard I coaxed her.She was too busy playing with the rose petals. She kept stepping on them while she walked around our rented villa.“Maybe she loved the downy feel of the rose petals on her soles.” Anna offered a likely explanation for our daughter’s seeming propensity for the flowers.She even pulled her shoes off before she jumped, skipped, and kicked on the petals covering the floor.I dropped my head playfully in response, but inside, I was dying for Penelope to lay her head on the bed so t
Flint POVI saw a myriad of emotions playing on Anna’s face and it made me want to crush her to my chest to offer assurance. I am a Ford.I have everything, but when it comes to Anna, I felt lacking as a man. Of course, it was different with our daughter.Would it be selfish of me if I wanted to be the only man for her, not just the father of her daughter? I wanted to be the best man for them both. “One day, I will make you fall in love with me,” I told her and saw her taken aback. I wanted to add that I will erase every feeling she has for my brother.I will be the only man she would need. The wedding ended. “Congratulations.” The priest held out his hand to send us his best wishes. He even patted Penelope’s head, making her giggle. “You have a lovely daughter.” He told us.Anna and I exchanged a look. She smiled, feeling proud of our daughter. I was, too. We did not linger. Our group left the church and ended up in the parking lot, where we went in separate directions.
Anna/Linda POVIt was not a grand wedding.The only attendees to our wedding were Flint, Penelope, and me.A man I did not know rose from the back pew to approach us."Goldstone!" Flint said in greeting when the man neared us.They shook hands while my eyes surveyed the church.A red carpet was laid in the center aisle decked with flowers. The church was prepped for a simple and solemn wedding."This is Anna, my soon-to-be wife. My Queen, I want you to meet Goldstone, our family's magician. He solv
Anna/Linda POVThe whole ride to Flint’s home, Penelope clung to her father.It was not a problem since Flint did not want to let her go either. He would point out the other cars outside the window, and Penelope would watch them race past us. Sometimes, he would make faces at her, and she would try to mimic them.They also played peek-a-boo. From time to time, Flint would cover his face with his palm, and Penelope would pull up or down the hand that blocked his face from her sight. And when she exposed his face, Flint would cry.“Peek-a-boo!” “Boo!” Penelope would shout before she broke into giggles. From time to time, the father-daughter tandem would include me in their play. When Flint noticed I was looking outside the window, he would pull me close to him and our daughter. One time, he wrapped an arm around my waist while his other hand supported Penelope, who bounced on his lap, enjoying the ride. It was a rare treat for Penelope.What makes this moment even more special