Noah POVHer pronouncements put a smile on my face. If this is the payback for Britney’s slap. Then, I am all in. “And why are you smiling?” Briana said irritably upon noticing my facial expression.The smile widened into a grin, but I clamped it with my lips. It had been too late to backtrack now. I shook my head and opened my mouth to speak. “Nothing, sweetheart. I am just happy.Briana snorted. “You are one weird guy.” She told me.I had to agree with her on that. Anyone in my shoes would have acted differently, but Briana’s concern and the way she showed it was enough to put a smile on my face. “I have the weirdest woman, too.” I agreed.She harrumphed and ended the call on me. I looked at the black screen of my phone and shook my head. The trip back to the office was uneventful. When we reached the hotel, I found out some reporters were still milling around, but it was generally peaceful. When they saw me, they ran toward me for an ambush interview, but I declined to
Noah POVThat afternoon, I came face to face with Britney again.This time, she was so livid. She did not care about her image. Gone was the perfect woman who graced the runway. Her hair is a mess, and her make-up is a mess, too.There were no cameras around since I requested a private hearing.Britney grabbed at the opportunity to lash out at me.“You are suing me for ten million dollars in damages for oral defamation?” Britney cried in disbelief when she heard the charges my team submitted in court.Her eyes looked like they were going out of their sockets in rage. She was fuming mad. Her face was contorted in anger as she eyed me in contempt.“Ms. White, compensatory damages comprising general damages, special damages, and aggravated damages are filed against you by the plaintiff, Mr. Noah Hunter, which includes injury to reputation, injury to feelings, injury to health, and pecuniary loss.” The judge explained.But Britney did not take it well. She did not even acknowledge that i
Briana POV“Can you please stop doing that?”Marcus irritably told me when he saw me pacing the floor of my room.He just got back from an appointment outside of the office. I am just not sure if the appointment concerns business or it concerns his wife, Martina.I heard that he was still trying to find her.“How did you get in?” I asked, stopping.“I knocked, but your mind seemed elsewhere. What is your problem?”“I am worried. I can’t sit still.” I told my brother.He walked toward me and tapped me on the nose.“Don’t worry. It is in the wrap. Nothing bad is going to happen to Noah and your family.”I sighed. &ldquo
Briana POV“Where is Daddy?” Riley asked when he noticed that I was alone fetching them. Disappointment filled my son’s eyes.“Daddy still has something to do at the hotel.” Brixx’s eyes lit up when I mentioned the hotel, and I groaned in my head, having a clue about what was going to happen next. “Can we go see Daddy?” Brixx asked in his puppy-dog look.“I am hungry, mommy,” Riley complained. “I want to eat at Daddy’s restaurant.” I almost laughed at Riley’s ploy. It was like hitting two birds with one stone. He wanted to see his daddy and eat at his favorite restaurant. The revolving restaurant has become the triplets’ favorite eating place. The novelty of eating with the sky and clouds has not worn off yet. “Do you also want to see your daddy?” I asked Mason.Among my children, he speaks less, but he is the most intuitive and gentle. Mason nodded enthusiastically. His eyes lit up when I mentioned this. “Can we, Mommy?” “Of course.” I nodded.The bodyguards helped me st
Briana POVWe went to the revolving restaurant and Riley immediately spotted Linda.“Linda. How have you been? Did my Uncle Rowan call you?” He inquired.Riley never gave up matchmaking the two. He likes Linda to be a part of our family.Linda smiled and shook her head.“I think your uncle likes someone else.” She admitted shyly.Riley frowned. “But he never introduced anyone to us. Are you sure he likes someone else?” Riley insisted.Linda nodded bef
Briana “Briana, be careful. Don’t hurry.” Noah called out when I walked ahead of him and the triplets. “We are running late,” I told him, turning my head to my back so I could see them, but it only made Noah mad. “Don’t look back. Look straight ahead. You might trip yourself or something.” He reminded me.His hands were busy holding the triplets, and he was keeping his steps slow to match theirs. “I am fine. Don’t worry.” I called out to him and laughed.When I turned around, I accidentally collided with someone. “Uhm. Excuse me.” The woman said before she hurriedly walked away. I stopped and followed the woman’s movement with my eyes. I did not catch a glimpse of her face, but her back looked familiar. “Isn’t that Hanna?” I asked my husband when he and the kids caught up to me. Noah turned around to follow the direction my eyes had taken. “It is.” He confirmed before nudging me to move forward. “Didn’t she recognize me?” I asked, baffled.Hanna and I had lost contact for
Britney’s POV“Britney White, you have a visitor.” I was startled when the jail warden called out my name. “For me?” I wanted to confirm. The warden nodded, and a smile curved my lips. Instantly, I got up from bed—a hopeful expression on my face. A smile worked its way through my lips. I knew it. Noah still has a soft spot for me. He cannot let me suffer for long. Anticipation coursed through every pore of my being as I tried to smooth my hair. I don’t have a mirror because mirrors are on the list of restricted items in the Redwood City prison. Still, I can’t just appear in front of Noah shabbily. I also ran my hands to my dress and groaned at the creases. But that will have to do. I waited until the warden unlocked my cell and I got out. While following him out of the mazes of corridors, passing by inmates in their cells, I could not help but imagine how I would react when we finally met face to face. Will Noah hug me? Will he beg me to take him back? I am sure he h
Briana POV“Sweetheart, I am here,” Noah informed me when I answered his call. He fetched the children from school without me. “How are you?” “I am fine.” “No more headaches?” He asked, sounding worried. I shook my head, though Noah wouldn’t see me before I responded to his question. “Just a little.” “Go home and rest.” He advised. I rose from my chair, arranged the papers on my desk in a neat file, and prepared to leave. “I am going home,” I informed him. “Have you seen the triplets?” “Not yet, but they will be here soon.” He said when I heard what sounded like the school bell on his end. Noah and I ended our call. I got out of my office, but before I left, I stopped by Belle’s desk.“Have you seen Marcus today?” Belle shook her head. “He has not reported since Monday.” She told me. I shook my head. My brother has been going on a downward spiral since Martina left him. He always locks himself at home for days. He rarely showed up at the hotel, and it bothers me.
Beth POVI looked down from the chopper that was going to bring us back to Redwood toward the beach resort that served as our honeymoon getaway for three days and two nights and felt all the good things filling my heart. Without hesitation, I gave the property a little wave as we embarked on the journey back home. “Are you tired?” Brent asked when I leaned back on my seat and closed my eyes. I smiled naughtily. “Who wouldn’t? You did not give me a rest, Mr. Anderson.”The reprimand had no sting which was what I intended.It was the truth anyway. Brent grinned. “Did I wear you out, Mrs. Anderson?” He asked softly, but I could see the warmth in his eyes.I lifted my hand to flick his nose playfully. “I love you, Brent. Thank you for not giving up on me.” I told him.It was the truth. If Brent gave up on me, I think that would be a point of no return for the two of us. If he did not fight for us, I don't know if I would have the strength to stay and be with him. Brent did all t
Brent POV“Welcome to paradise,” I murmured in Beth's ears when the chopper drew close to the beachfront property that Rowan gifted us and prepared for landing.I held Beth close and motioned for her to look out the window so she could see what I meant. Her involuntary gasp was the response I was expecting and much more. "This is so beautiful Brent." She told me, eyes shining bright in awe. I nodded. "Indeed. The most beautiful." I agreed. Though I was not referring to our honeymoon getaway but to the woman before me. Beth, without a doubt, is the most beautiful woman my eyes have ever laid on, I decided. At the same time, I took my fill of her beauty, most especially her expressive eyes. “Your friends are wonderful.” She said evasively. She pulled her gaze away from me to avoid meeting my hot gaze, but I knew exactly what she was feeling. Her body became rigid next to me, and I smiled. Beth was self-conscious about the attention I was giving her. I took pity on her and gav
Beth POV“Ouch!” Brent grumbled when I nudged him hard on the ribs.He turned while rubbing his side to meet my glare. “Who told you to make bets on me?” I sounded stern.Brent looked nervous, and I smiled inwardly at the worry that registered on his face. “He was drunk, frustrated, and full of remorse that night, Beth. It was the time he learned about you dating that doctor. Brent felt threatened and felt cowardly. We need to do that to spur him on.” I did not realize Noah had been listening to our conversation. I did not hear his approach until he butted in to explain Brent’s side. Doubts covered my features as I stared at Brent to confirm. “Who won?” “I did!” Brent replied arrogantly. I pursed my lips. “How much did you win?” I asked, curious.“Apart from the beachfront property, close to ten million.” My eyes widened in shock. “Ten million for a bet? Wow!” My eyes rounded.“It started as a dare, Beth. But Brent did not start it. We did. We had hoped that it would bec
Brent POVI looked at Beth and saw the pink that tinged her cheeks. “I am serious, Beth. I wouldn’t have achieved all this without you as my inspiration. You and Krizzie were the driving force behind my success, so whatever I built with my hands, all I have accomplished, you were a big part of it.” I told her honestly. Beth looked like she was ready to cry. All afternoon, I had been making her cry, and I felt like punching myself. I lifted my hand to wipe her tears. “Please, don’t cry. I never meant to hurt you.” “I am not hurt, silly man.” Beth countered and punctuated her words with a smile. “I am just overwhelmed by everything. First, the proposal and the wedding, and now you are telling me this. I don’t know what I have done to deserve this.” She told me. “You gave me your love, Beth. It was what enabled me to be better every day. Without that love, Beth, I wouldn’t amount to anything.” Her face contorted, but her eyes sparkled in delight. A sheen of tears covered her ey
Beth POVI saw Brent’s nostrils flared as desire as potent as mine, filling his eyes. “I want you.” He admitted when he gathered me close to burrow his face into the crook of my neck.His words made me tremble in his arms. Tingles traveled my spine, and I had to grab Brent to press my arms around his massive back. “Dude, we still have a whole program for you. Don’t ravish your wife in front of us.” Rowan teased. “Says the man who did not ravish his wife in the hospital bed.” Flint inserted suavely, eliciting another round of laughter from all of us. Brent lifted his gaze toward Briana, who seemed to understand what he was going through. In response, Briana clapped her hand to call everyone’s attention. “Everyone, as much as the newlywed couple wanted to spend more time with us, they all wanted to have their privacy to savor this moment.”“Don’t try to be diplomatic, sis. Just say that Brent wanted to have his honeymoon right now.” Flint butted in, much to my consternation. I f
Beth POVI was still in a daze, receiving congratulations from our guests. Until now, I could not believe that it happened. I am married.Brent and I are married.I looked at the man beside me.He caught me staring at him and smiled his happy smile—the unrestrained one I had come to know these past days. Brent looked relaxed and laid back, a far cry from the man I married nine years ago. That man was uptight and looked like the whole world rested on his shoulders. He looked even younger now. “You are frowning.” He commented, leaning close to whisper in my ear. His action startled me. “Don’t hesitate, Beth. Tell me what was in your mind. I would love to hear your thoughts.” He assured me when he saw me stop and hesitate. I bit my lip. This was quite a new feeling, actually. The idea excites me. I wanted to be able to tell him my thoughts because when we first got married, I bottled everything inside. Yes, we are happy, but that happiness was not full. Maybe because I feel th
Brent POVUnlike our first wedding, which was done in less than five minutes at the mayor’s office, I prepared an elaborate impromptu wedding for Beth.When I enlisted my friends’ help, I was not confident they could pull this through, but now, I can safely say that nothing is impossible for the Fords and Hunters. It was tough, but they made it happen. Another thing that raised my concern was Beth’s refusal. I can’t let my friends’ efforts go to waste, but I also prepared myself for the worst. If Beth is not ready, I wouldn't force her. She has to agree to marry me out of her own volition. And I thank God that she did not make any fuss. We only needed to clear the air between us, talk heart-to-heart, and let go of the pain from our past. “Ready?” The coordinator gestured for my best men to start the processional.I chose Flint and Noah because they were my best friends. Then, I walked toward the makeshift altar at the end of the room, where I stopped to wait for Beth. Noah
Beth POVBrent guided me to the private elevator and pressed a button. When the door opened, I was surprised by the view that greeted us. The whole place sparkled with fairy lights, with the night sky as an overhead backdrop. It was breathtaking. “Oh my! This looks spectacular, Brent.” I said, seeking the warmth of his hand while my eyes took in everything around us. Brent joined our fingers together and placed them on his lips to kiss. “Thanks to my friends. They did all the work. When they learned that I would be proposing today, they immediately worked to make a dreamy venue for us.” I made a mental note to thank each of Brent’s friends for their support. My eyes scanned the whole place. Flowers littered the floor, giving off a romantic vibe to the place. I took a whiff. The place even smelled divine, like I was in a magical place. Everything looks perfect. I looked at myself and felt like royalty. Brent did not help as he kept gazing at me like I was the most beautiful
Beth POV “Oh my!” I said dazedly. Brent stopped to scrutinize my face. “You are not going to change your mind, are you?” He asked, looking nervous.“You see, it would be a shame to cancel everything.” He added. It was like he was trying to convince me not to change my mind about marrying him. I laughed and shook my head. “Of course not. I told you I was going to marry you. Whether it’s now or on a later day does not matter.” I assured him and saw the expression on his face. He expelled the breath that he was holding and hugged me tight. “Thank you, sweetie. You know that money is not a problem, but I can’t let a day pass that you are not bound to me. I want to tie our lives forever and never separate.” He admitted. I understand what he meant. I do.Though Brent’s decision took me by surprise, I don’t have any objections to it. I wanted to be married to him right away, too. After all we had been through, I realized we already wasted so much time with our pride. We don’t