Briana POVWhile Noah was in the hospital, I made some arrangements.“Belle, can you do me a favor?”“Sure.” She said.Belle had been working for me in Martina’s absence. It would have been easier if Martina was around. She could help me lay out my plans. But my favorite brother -note the pun on the word favorite - took her without my consent. They had not shown up since yesterday.If Belle had not been around, my work at the office would have piled up, especially as I have been at the hospital since yesterday. I never left Noah’s side and tended to him even if he asked me to go and be with the kids.“The triplets would miss you. At least one of us should stay with them. I am going to be fine here.” He tried to assure me, but I could not leave him alone.I had this irrational fear that if I left him for a minute, he would be gone.It was probably a delayed reaction to what happened and the information overload. It was too much to take in at one go.I feel confused and uncertain.I
Britney POV“I heard Noah was rushed to the hospital yesterday.” I hurriedly asked Hanna when she answered my call.I did not think she would answer because, in the past weeks, she refused to take my calls and would just ignore them.I was about to end the call in dismay when the call came through. Must be a stroke of luck.Hanna picked up my call, but my excitement plummeted upon hearing her lackluster response.“I don’t know what you are talking about.” Hanna sounded tired, but I couldn’t end the call without confirmation.“It was all over the news. Someone attacked Noah at the Rosewood Hotel. Where was he admitted?” I asked.
Noah POV“Daddy!”“Daddy!”“Daddy!”Briana and I were cuddling in my bed when the door to my room was flung wide open before our three boys appeared. They smiled when they spotted us and raced toward us, crying happily.They hurriedly climbed the bed and squished their soft little bodies between us.Briana laughed when she got pushed to the extreme side, and the children occupied the center of the bed.I, too, wiggled my body near the edge to give them room while hugging the three of them in my arms. Their little bodies endured my embrace for a while before they started wiggling, wanting to be free.I released them.“You are not sick,” Riley commented when he did not see medical devices attached to my body.“I told you I am not.” I agreed.“So, why are they keeping you here?” He asked.I lifted a hand to tousle his downy hair and smiled indulgently at my firstborn son.I never realized that I could miss this little person so much. My heart almost ached.“I asked them to keep me here s
Briana POVLunchtime came, and the kids started fussing."I am hungry, Mommy," Mason whispered in my ears."What are you murmuring about?" Noah asked.His voice was laced with interest."We are hungry, Daddy," Riley spoke for his brother.There was a knock on the door.Brixx jumped from the bed to run excitedly toward the door.He opened it a crack."Lunch is ready!" Chris announced.Brixx opened the door wider to let Chris pass."Yay! Food!"
Noah POVWhile Briana was busy preparing our things, I put the kids to sleep on my bed.I sat on the edge of the bed and watched them.Riley sleeps like he owns the bed. He was lying on his back while his brother, Brixx, lay on his side with his hands tucked under his cheek. Mason, on the other hand, lay on the opposite side of his brother.“You had been staring at the triplets too long,” Brina commented. “Do you miss me, wife?” I asked teasingly and felt satisfaction when she looked like a cornered cat looking for an escape.I left the bed and walked to the chair next to her. Then, I pulled Briana toward me. She landed on my lap.“Noah.”“What?”She was blushing.“The children might wake up?”I arched my brow. “So?”I wrapped my arms around her waist and burrowed my face on the back of her head. I took a whiff and smelled her shampoo.“You smell divine, wife.” I let the word wife roll on my tongue, reveling at the sound.It was like I was on a discovery, and the shock of knowing we
Noah POVThe children started to stir, and that’s when I let Briana go.She went to get her phone to call the nannies to pack the kids’s things as well as her own and instructed them to transfer their belongings to my house, which was just across the street from her home.I called Ed to ask his men to help with my family’s transfer.When the children woke up, Briana let them adjust for a while.“They’ll have tantrums if we bundle them up immediately.” So, we let them toast on the bed for a little longer until they were fully awake.“Where are you going?” I asked when Riley clambered down the bed while I supported him.
Briana POVWhen we got home, my brothers already knew about our planned transfer to Noah’s home.“Do you think it’s wise?” Rowan pulled me aside so we could talk away from Noah and the kids.I nodded at my brother. “We need to start acting like a family,” I told him.“What if he changed his mind again? What if he decided later that he does not want you and the kids?”I shook my head as if to ward off what my brother said. The mere suggestion caused a stir in my heart, making it unsettled.“That was before. Noah only divorced me because he had amnesia.” I blurted out. I gathered there was no way my protective brother would approve of the move if he did not know what drove Noah to do what he did five years ago.I watched Rowan’s face for his reaction. A frown formed on my face when I realized Rowan did not look the least bit surprised by what I revealed.“You know about it?”Rowan nodded slowly. “I got information, but it was not confirmed.”“And you did not bother to tell me?”Rowan
Noah POVFinally, after a long time, Briana and the children could escape their uncles. It was a memorable night. Too many things had happened.While we were having dinner, Marcus came with Martina, to everyone’s shock.Martina looked like she wanted to disappear when everyone stared at her with a frown.She tried to flee, but Marcus held her in a tight grip. She couldn’t leave even if she wanted to.“Everyone,” Marcus called for our attention.Then, he pulled Martina forward and raised their entwined fingers to show us their rings.“Meet Martina, my wife.”No one said a word. It must be because everyone was taking it all in.Martina blushed profusely. She looked ill at ease at the silent reception.Her reaction drove me to break the ice.I understand how hard it must be for her to face the Fords.“Congratulations!” I said and rose to my feet.I walked toward them, arms extended toward the newlyweds.Marcus shook my hand.“Thanks, bro.” He clapped me on the back.Then, Martina’s tu
Brent POVI turned to my side to look at my daughter and Beth.Seeing them content in sleep made me smile to myself. Krizzie sure knew how to thwart her old man’s happiness. I thought as my eyes lingered on Beth. I so wanted her.It had been years, and I could not wait to meld our bodies together as I had promised earlier, but Krizzie put a damper on my plans. I chuckled to myself.At the same time, I was thankful that Beth had finally seen through the doctor. For a moment, I thought she would be heartbroken when she found out about his duplicity. Beth liked him enough to date him. That night I got back from Arkadia was the first time she had shown interest in a man after so many years. That is why the idea of her dating alarmed me. If I hadn’t acted sooner and allowed Beth to date the man, there would be no turning back for us. Beth would have been taken away from me.But fate had been kind. And a simple investigation put the doctor in a landmine. I gritted my teeth, vowi
Beth POVBrent bent his head to kiss me, but we quickly pulled apart when the door to our room was aggressively flung wide open, and our daughter came in.“Mommy! Daddy! Are we going to live in one house from now on?” She asked, eyes glowing in happiness when she noted Brent's presence inside my room, which is technically our room from now on.Brent bent to sit on his haunches and pulled Krizzie toward his lap. She was already in her PJs and was ready for bed.“You like that. Don’t you, baby?”Krizzie nodded. “Yes! I do! I always wanted to sleep beside my two favorite
Brent POV“We both made mistakes, Beth,” I said, eyeing Beth with the corner of my eye. “Release yourself from the bondage of self-blame and just savor what we have now. Life is too precious for self-recrimination and regrets. We have to keep moving forward. Let’s be happy, Beth. You, me and Krizzie.” Beth sighed. “I will try.” My hand left the steering wheel to pat the back of her hand, lying on her lap. “That’s my woman. Do it because from now on, I don’t want you to be unhappy, Beth. I wanted to fill our lives with laughter and happiness.”“Daddy, can we go to the playground to play?” Krizzie butted in at the back when we were near one of the famous indoor playground facilities in Redwood. I turned my head to look at Beth, seeking her opinion.Since it was a Friday and Krizzie had no classes the following day, Beth nodded her assent. “Sure, baby,” I said before entering the facility’s parking area.We went to a gated playground with slides and cute trees. Krizzie had a gr
Beth POVI watched Briana’s back as she strolled to her family’s car. Noah waited for her. He assisted her as she climbed into the car before he followed suit. Looking at Noah Hunter earlier, I admit I was guilty as Brent has charged, but seeing Briana Hunter in person made me feel awed by her personality.She was like a goddess who had descended from Mt. Olympus. Her striking beauty and genteel personality took my breath away. I shook my head to give clarity to my brain. “I didn’t think Briana Hunter could be so..” I looked around, floundering for words. Brent grinned. “The Fords are an inspiration. Not only were they gifted with good looks and richness beyond mere imagination, but they were passionate people. They love and hate with equal intensity. But more importantly, they were all family-oriented individuals. To be their friend is a privilege.” Brent explained. “Will they accept me? I didn’t have so many friends outside the medical field.” I told him honestly, afraid that
Brent POVBeth looked so starstruck that I had to flick my hands before her face to get her attention.“You like Noah Hunter?” I asked, feeling a surge of the green-eyed monster unexpectedly. Beth laughed. “Are you jealous, Mr. Anderson?” She asked in a rare display of coquettishness. I glared at her. “What if I am? What are you going to do about it?” I said in a challenging tone. Beth looked happy. There was a glow in her eyes that was not there before.She dropped my hand suddenly, which made me halt in my tracks in surprise.Fear slowly spread all over me. I shook my head. “Don’t you dare chase another man, Beth? Noah Hunter is so very in love with his wife. He worships the ground she walks on. You don’t have a chance.” Beth’s smile grew wider. She was eyeing me with a glint in her eyes which made me uneasy. Did I offend her?Was she p*ssed?Would she slap me for speaking my mind?“You already promised me to work on our relationship. Don’t dare break that promise, Beth.”
Beth POVThe genuine happiness on Krizzie’s face was one I did not often see. “Are we going to live in one house from now on?” She asked hopefully. I met Brent’s gaze over Krizzie’s head, and the silent question splashed over his face. I turned to our daughter, realizing that I had failed to give her a happy home. “Don’t.” Brent mouthed when our gazes locked, seeming to know what was happening inside my head.I nodded, but could not help the sadness that crept into my heart.“Would you like us to live under one roof?” I asked our daughter. I did not have to wait. Krizzie’s resounding yes filled the air. She let go of our hands to clap them together. “Yipee! Mommy, Daddy, and Krizzie are going to live in one house.” She cried, her eyes glowing.When we reached the parking lot, we saw the Hunter triplets. They were Krizzie’s friends. “Riley! Brixx! Mason!” She called them. The three simultaneously looked in our direction.I had to laugh at the same expression plastered on th
Beth POVI was speechless. I didn’t know where I found the temerity to think so lowly of myself when Brent had been openly worshipping me like this. “I am so sorry. For a moment, I thought…”I tried to explain myself, but Brent quickly placed his index finger to my lips, preventing me from speaking further. “I understand. Jealousy is a b*tch, right? Now, you know how I feel every time that doctor is around you. It hurts so much here.” Brent took my hand and placed it at the center of his chest to emphasize his point. I was deeply chastened that I could not look Brent in the eye. “It s*cks!” I admitted.Brent laughed and pulled my head toward his chest. I buried my face in his chest to avoid meeting his gaze, feeling ashamed of myself. “Sweetie, it’s alright. No harm done. Next time, tell me what bothers you.” Brent released me to fetch the cup from the cart and offered it to me. I cupped my palm around the cup and sipped, nodding approvingly when I found that it was my favor
Brent POVI left Beth’s room feeling like the rug had been pulled under me.I could not pinpoint what went wrong, but I intend to find out.Earlier, I wanted to knock my head, thinking it was the wrong move to bring Beth to the office.Beth is a gentle soul, and my office might come off as a dangerous place for her.But I knew my people. No one would have the audacity to come to her to confront her or anything.They were all afraid to earn my wrath.I am a good boss, but I treat people accordingly. I reward and punish them if they earn it.My feet carried me to the kitchen.I walked to the fridge and took out a bottle to guzzle some water.Then, I sat on the dining chair, waiting for Pablo’s report.I did not have to wait long.My phone beeped a notification sound. Pablo sent me a link, and I immediately opened it.&nb
Beth POVWhen we arrived at the underground parking, Brent helped me inside the back passenger seat, much to my confusion, but I did not say a word, thinking it was better.I need to step back a little. We agreed to give our relationship a try, but right now, I feel that the years put a huge wedge between us. I don’t know him anymore.He has become unreachable for me. Then, my confusion turned to surprise when Brent slid beside me. “Who's going to drive…” my voice trailed off when a man in a black suit took the steering wheel from Brent. “Rico will drive us,” Brent informed me, providing an answer to my unfinished question. We reached the downtown area. Rico parked the car outside a convenience store and got out. A few minutes later, he returned.Brent opened the car window and took the package Rico handed him. He opened the package and took out a bottle of water and a tablet. “What is that?” I asked, staring in distaste at the tablet in his hand. “Pain reliever. I thin