Noah POV
Briana looked stricken when I pulled her to my side so I could protectively wrap an arm around her.
“Are you alright?” I asked in concern.
I tilted her face up, seeing her eyes growing wide as she took in Luke Bennett’s bloodied face.
He lay limply on the floor while the waiter and other customers attended to him.
“Briana?” I asked, panicking when she did not respond.
I shook her body. It was then that she got back to her senses.
“I am fine.” She said with a slight tremor in her voice.
I don't know what Luke said earlier, but whatever it is, it undeniably left her shaken.
Without waiting for Luke Bennett to recover, I gently guided Briana out of the restaurant and back to our car.
“It’s alright. He is not going to hurt you anymore.” I said, referring to Bennett.
I drove away quickly and stopped at the nearest convenience store.
BrianaI lifted a hand to pound on his chest when he teased me like that, but Noah caught my hand and very suavely pulled it to his lips to kiss the knuckles warmly.He stared into my eyes, and it brought butterflies to my stomach when he said that.“I am not a man without you.” That brought tears to my eyes.I often thought that part of the reason why he so desperately wanted me back was because of the children. Still, as he gazed into my eyes, I could feel his love overflowing.My old Noah is back. I could feel it through the way he stared at me.So when he brought me to his chest to wrap his arms around me, I returned his embrace.We sat like that for a long time before Noah let me go. Then, his arm reached for the backseat. It looked like he was searching for something, and when his hand reappeared, he was now holding a single-stem rose.“Where did you get that?”My eyes sparkled in delight as I took the rose from him.“I saw an old lady selling in the parking lot. I needed someth
Briana POV“The Bennetts are stirring trouble for the Fords. “ I told Noah after ending the call with Marcus.“You looked worried. Was it because of breaking the marriage-merger agreement?” He asked, grabbing my hand and placing it on his chest.The steady rise of his chest comforted me, allowing me to think.“Yes. The Bennetts are warning the business community against us. They said that as businessmen, we shouldn’t back out on our words.”“Did you sign any contract with the Bennetts?” Noah asked, frowning.“Not yet. Marcus had exploratory talks with Luke before we met and agreed to date.”“It’s alright. Don’t worry too much.” Noah must have sensed how this new development had affected me, so he tried to comfort me, taking me into his arms.I snuggled close to him, and we sat there for a while like that.Then, Noah’s phone started ringing nonstop.He did not want to answer the call at first because he did not want to leave my side, but I persuaded him.“Answer it.”Reluctantly, he let
Noah POVBriana looked like she was geared for battle earlier, but upon hearing my statement, she wilted like a day-old flower.A ghost of a smile laced my lips, knowing how my words affected her.It was not just talk on my part. I can and will do anything to protect her and the children. They are my life now.Briana excused herself. She wanted to go to the bathroom.I showed her and waited outside.“Chris, get all my files on Luke Bennett,” I instructed my assistant when he answered my call.Chris has always been a capable assistant. He manages the fort while I am away. I heard some rustling of papers and knew he was putting away whatever paperwork he held to attend to my orders.“I put it in one file, boss. Where do you want me to send it?”“My email.”“Done, boss,” Chris said before I received a notification on my phone alerting me of a new message.I checked the files and nodded in silence.“Thanks for this, Chris. Also, arrange for a meeting with Luke Bennett within two hours.”
Noah POVWhen we reached Luke Bennett’s office, he pretended not to notice our arrival as he continued reading from the paper he was holding.He was trying to stall us. He was making it appear that we are at his mercy.I cleared my throat to get his attention.When he raised his head, it was to meet my impatient gaze.He did not smile as he acknowledged our presence.“Hunter, come in.” He said, referring to me and ignoring Briana purposely.I knew he was trying to make her uncomfortable, but Briana was holding her fort. I could not be prouder at the way she was holding herself. Proud and beautiful.I stepped inside. Briana followed close behind me.I itched to hold her hand to stake my claim, but that would demean Briana’s power in the eyes of our host.“I did not come here for chitchat,” I told him before throwing the folder Chris handed me to his desk.“What’s this?”Luke Bennett asked as he picked the folder from the table.I waited for his reaction when he opened the file and was
Noah POV“I am sorry,” Briana said when we were riding the elevator on our way down to the lobby of Bennett Holdings.The battle with Luke Bennett is over. I didn’t think that it would be that easy.I heaved a sigh of relief, knowing we already averted the crisis.I thought Luke would make it hard for us.I knew how much he wanted Briana to be his trophy wife, but he conceded early.“For what?” I asked, clueless.“You warned me against him, but I did not listen.” She explained, referring to Luke Bennett.Briana seemed lost in thought.I knew that she was blaming herself for trusting Luke Bennett.That is how Briana is. She takes people at face value, which sometimes could be her bane and a blessing.Briana has a pure heart. She believes that every person is good unless proven otherwise.“It was not your fault. You were angry at me. You don’t trust me that time. I hope that after this, you will trust me more. You should know that I will always put your best interests at heart. I love
Marcus POV“Have you talked to Briana?” Martina asked.I do not want to respond, but I can't keep her anxious for long. She was also worried about my sister.Briana is her friend, too.“Yeah. Briana and Noah will be here in a while.” I told her and stood up.“Marcus.” She said in her soft, feathery voice that involuntarily sent shivers down my spine.The feelings she evoked in me were unexpected and unwelcome, so my response was a bit harsh.“What?”She was taken aback. I itched to reach out a hand to comfort her.“I am sorry. I did not mean to be rude."She winced.“Can’t we at least be civil to each other?” She asked.I closed my eyes, summoning strength. Martina is the only woman I want, but she kept rejecting me. How can I get over her if she wants us to be civil to each other?I brushed my hair back and looked wearily at her.“Do you know how many times I wanted to grab you when you passed by me? We can’t be friends.” I told her, shaking my head to compound my words.My voice
Marcus POV“What do you mean?” Martina swallowed hard.I knew that she was nervous. It was not my intention to make her upset, but her hard-headedness upsets me, too. She was stubbornly spurning me at every turn, and it was starting to freak me out.“You heard me. If I found out that you are pregnant with my child, you won’t shoo me that easily.” I retorted in a strained voice due to my mounting frustration.Can’t Martina see what she was doing to me?My patience is slowly dipping low, and I can’t hold back the threat that escaped my lips.“I am not getting you off the hook.”Martina looked shaken by my threat.“I am not going to be pregnant.” She declared like she was sure of it.I cocked a brow.“How can you be so sure?”It gave me immense satisfaction to see her blush.I walked toward to close the gap between us.Martina fought me all the way.With every step I took, Martina stepped back until she reached the wall, and there was no way she could escape me.I chuckled at the look of
Marcus POV“You are scaring her, Marcus.” Briana accused after Martina ran out of the room like a scared rabbit.She was Briana’s friend. It won’t come as a surprise to me that she would take Martina’s side. Though I am her brother, Briana had a soft spot for Martina.Probably because they shared the same experience, Martina grew up in the orphanage, the same as my sister. The only difference was that Braina was taken in by the Hunters when she was six. Martina remained in the orphanage until she turned eighteen. Since eighteen is considered an adult, the system let her go to fend for herself. She started working to support herself until Briana met her and hired her to be her assistant.High-strung, I brushed my hair back in frustration.“I was so tired of our push-and-pull set-up. Something has to give. It’s either me or her, but I can’t let go, Briana.” I told my sister sadly.“But you know it’s hard for Martina to trust people. Unlike me, nobody wanted her. Imagine spending ei
Charles POVThe next day, our other two babies were born one after the other.Jenna and I were also there to witness everything and become part of our children’s birth.Jenna’s eyes were puffy when she held our two other newborns in her arms. She had been crying nonstop since yesterday because it still had not sunk in that she was a mom of four babies.When we visited Briana, she and Jenna had a long talk.Briana was smiling, but I could see that she was at a loss when it was time to take the baby away from her.I realized that this ordeal put a lot of strain on
Charles POVThe phone in the delivery room rang, and a nurse went to answer it.“Dr. Martin, it’s delivery room 2.” She said from across the room, allowing us to hear.Dr. Martin went to answer it. Her face was serious when she placed the phone back in its cradle.Then, she turned her head back to her medical team.“Are you still up for another delivery?” She asked her team.Their high spirits rubbed off on Jenna and me. We were smiling when they shouted, of course.
Charles POVIt was a crazy day.We were having a meeting when I heard that Briana had been rushed to the hospital.“Brie is having our baby,” I told my brothers and friend after I dropped the call.It was Jenna. She, Noah, and Biana were already in the hospital because Briana's water broke.My face contorted as emotions I could not name assailed.A mix of fear, excitement, nervousness, worry, and happiness barraged me.Briana, my baby sister, was going to deliver my and Jenna's baby right now. 
Jenna POVThe days quickly passed by.Though we did not talk about it, it seemed as if Charles and I were in tacit agreement to take things slow concerning our careers and concentrate more on each other.We go out of town and do things we had never done before as a couple.It was marvelous.“It’s good that you spend more time with each other because I tell you, once the four babies arrive, you won’t get even a wink of sleep,” Briana told me when I came to her house that afternoon to catch up and to check on her.It’s the baby’s
Jenna POVI turned my head sharply in Beth’s direction to find her busy talking with Brent.They were whispering, and from the blush that tinted her cheeks, I was sure the talk was naughty.“Don’t you want me to be here?” The uncertainty in Charles’ voice got to me.“Of course not!” I denied it, but I could feel my face growing warm because Charles’ eyes were riveted on my packages.I was sure that by just looking at the logo outside the bags, he would know what Beth and I were up to.My guess was not far from the t
Jenna POVWe arrived at our new home much later than expected because I requested the cab driver to drop us off at the nearest florist.After purchasing the flowers I needed, I dragged Beth to the supermarket to buy some scented candles and stuff.“Are you going to sed*ce your husband?” Beth looked confused.I lifted my head from browsing through the label of a scented oil I wanted to purchase to look at her.“What?” I asked since I did not hear her.“If you plan to tempt your husband, you don’t need this.” She told me, looking exasp
Jenna POVAfter Charles left the hospital, I urged Beth to trace our way back inside.We passed the lobby, and I felt weirded out by the looks everyone was giving me. It caused a frown to form on my head. Beth must have noticed my reaction. “Don’t mind them. They just heard about what Gwen did. They all feel sorry for you.” She explained, brushing off the stares I was getting. She even covered her mouth with her hand to stifle a sarcastic laugh. I was surprised not only by the information she shared but also by her reaction. “How?” “Police came here to arrest her. It kind of got messy because Gwen resisted the arrest even when they showed her the warrant. She even tried to run away as if she could escape them. What a d*mmy!” Beth scoffed. It used to confuse me when Beth acted unfriendly toward Gwen. Beth is warm-hearted and is often on good terms with our co-workers, except with Gwen. Now, I know. At first, I did not understand her. Beth admitted that she did not understan
Charles POVAt Jenna’s insistence, I reluctantly left the hospital to go to the office. When I arrived at my office, I was dragging my feet. Whereas before, work had been the boon of my existence.I realized recently that all work and no play made me a very dull person. That’s why it puzzled me why Jenna loved me regardless. “You don’t look too happy reporting for work,” Rowan commented after dragging my feet to my office and finding him, Marcus, and Flint sitting around my conference table. “What are you doing here?” I asked, frowning. “Don’t you have better things to do than loitering around my office?” I asked them when they did not answer my question. My three brothers shrugged their shoulders and simultaneously picked up their coffee mugs to take a sip. My eyes squinted. My brother looked too relaxed for my peace of mind. My eyes narrowed into slits as I pierced them with a glare. Flint immediately rose from his seat to pour my coffee mug and offered it to me. I accepte
Charles POV“Good morning, sir.” The bodyguards posted outside the suite of our surrogates greeted us.“How is everyone?” I asked, stopping to talk to them.Jenna and Beth were still busy in their own world, talking and catching up.Jenna listened in rapt attention as Beth told her about the hardships of first-trimester pregnancy.A smile never left her face, but in my heart, I would always regret that what happened to Jenna denied her the chance to experience pregnancy and motherhood.Still, her talk about forgiveness hit me hard.