Marcus POV
My expression soured instantly at the unexpected sight of her.
Why, of all times, did she pick this day to show up?
I am moving on.
“What are you doing here, Martina?” My voice came out harsh.
I did not intend for it to sound like that, but Martina's unexpected presence opened up old wounds.
It was like a dam had broken up inside me, and the deluge of emotion was uncontrollable.
I can’t fight it even if I want to.
I was fi
Marcus POVI heaved a sigh when I saw her at the same spot where I left her.My heart felt constricted when I looked at her.She looked pitiful - her hair swaying gently in the wind and her eyes staring off into space.Anger burgeoned inside me.I do not want to feel this.I shouldn’t be feeling this.I hated her.I pulled near her and opened the passenger side window.&ldqu
Marcus POVI rolled off her and stood up naked from the couch.Then, I picked up my ringing phone from the pocket of my dress pants.“Hello, Belle. I am sorry, something came up. Are you still at the restaurant? Okay, don’t leave. I will meet you there in a while.”From my peripheral view, I saw Martina sit up to pick up the pieces of her clothes I strewed around us, cradling them to her chest.The sight made me want to take a dig at her.I wanted to get a reaction out of spite.“I miss you,&
Marcus POVWhen I got down to the lobby, there was no sign of Martrina.I jogged to the parking area, but while doing so, my head kept turning around, and my eyes searched her figure to no avail.Realizing she had already left, I got in my car and drove to the restaurant where I was supposed to meet Belle.While driving, my brows furrowed. Until now, it has not sunk in my head that Martina showed up.Her haunched face haunted me. I know I hated her, but something about her expression made me want to reach out and comfort her.It was hard to maintain my stance.&nb
Martina POVIt was ten minutes to six. I half-run toward Marcus' apartment complex in a hurry. It was an upscale apartment building with a view of the harbor and quick access to downtown. I shrugged. What do I expect from someone as rich as Marcus?His taste is topnotch except for women because he chose me when he can have anyone he wants. At the thought, my expression soured. I remembered Marcus' expression when he talked on the phone. I was sure it was the same girl calling him when I was in his car. His caller ID says her name was Belle. I smirked.I was sure it was not his assistant, Belle. Call it a woman’s gut feeling. She was not a person related to his work. You don’t take calls from your assistant after having s*x with your ex-wife and tell her you miss her unless you are a total j*rk.The Marcus I remembered was not that kind of person. He was protective of his family and responsible. It was the reason I swallowed my pride and came to him after two years. He was the
Martina POVWe settled into some routine. Every day, I would come by at six am, and by lunchtime, I would have finished the household chores and left.On my second day, Marcus showed me the password to his unit so he would not have to get up from bed to open the door when I arrived.I was surprised because it was our wedding day.I didn’t know if he really kept the date all this time or if it was some ploy to get a rise out of me.When I glanced furtively at him the first time he showed me, his face did not have any expression. If he had forgotten or was simply faking it, beats me.
Martina POVAfter pocketing the small brown envelope Marcus handed me containing my salary for the week, I stared at his closed door, debating within myself.I shook my head and walked away, deciding to write a note to him instead, and stuck it to the fridge.The note says I am leaving for the day.I was hesitant to face him and bid him farewell after he slammed the door shut in my face.The note will suffice. It would just be for when he looks for me, which I highly doubt.Marcus steers clear from me.
Martina POVI took the twins to my room to br*astfeed them and played with them for a while While Marky s*cks on my n*pple, I brushed back the hair that fell on his forehead tenderly and frowned. He feels a little hot to the touch. Holding him close to my chest, I reached the bedside drawer to take out the thermometer.99.5 F. He had a normal temperature but he sure felt warm to the touch. I pressed my cheeks to his forehead when he finished breastfeeding—still the same - unusually warm to my touch. He was also fussy, totally unlike him. Macy wobbled toward me in her cute legs. I placed Marky on the bed to br*astfeed Macy next. While she was s*ckling, I also brushed my hand on her hair, noting she was not as warm to the touch as her brother. Macy released my n*pple and rewarded me with a toothy smile.“Ma. Ma,” she said, pointing to me. I gushed, overwhelmed by happiness. “Yes. I am your mama.” Then she pointed to herself and said, “Me. Si.” I laughed.My baby is trying h
Martina POV“Are you hearing yourself? You are going to give away your children? What kind of mother are you?” Marie hissed.She was shaking her head and looking at me like she did not know me anymore.Tears brimmed my eyes. “You think I am that cruel?”Marie remained silent.I felt like I had to fill the air to explain.“I think I was doing the best for all the people I love. I don’t deserve them.”Marie’s face contorted.&n
Hello, my loves, As usual, when you see this page, it means you have reached the end of another installment of this story. And as usual, I wanted to thank all of you for walking with me up to this point. It was a marvelous journey, reading through all your comments, requests, and suggestions. After the high Flint’s story gave me, I didn’t realize that you would continue to receive Brent’s story with enthusiasm, but you did. So, thank you all. I am sorry, but I cannot accommodate all your requests because I have to align them to how the story should flow. I got a request for a Riley-Krizzie story, but I already told you earlier that Charles’ story will be the last installment of this book. I can not add more because I realized I have been writing non-stop since December 2023. I needed to take a breather, too.I hope you understand. Plotting a story is easy, but thinking of the scenes, and the dialogues and making all the chapters come up seamlessly was what makes it a bit diff
Beth POVIn the next few months, Brent and I quickly settled into married life.It was not always a bed of roses because he was stubborn, and so was I. We had arguments, but it was not something we resolved later.Besides, Krizzie always reminded us that life with each other may be crazy but it was wonderful.Brent worked at the hospital, overseeing its daily management and operations. At the same time, I remained in the ward, working as a NICU nurse.Most of the time, we sneak out during my break to have cuddles in his office. Sometimes, it gets hot because my husband can't get his hands off me, but that was alright. I love it. "Beth, you are looking pale. Are you alright?" One of the staff nurses asked. I just got back from a bathroom break because I feel nauseated. My stomach churned unexpectedly, and I had to rush to the bathroom to vomit. I still don’t feel fine. "I must have eaten something that upset my stomach," I told her and resumed working. I picked up the tray of m
Brent POVSomeone cleared his throat, and not long after, I felt a tap on my shoulder. “Dude, that is too much public display of affection.” It was Flint, the Prince consort of Arkadia, with his wife, the Queen. There was a hush in the hospital lobby, and I knew exactly how everyone felt right that moment. There was this reverence as they eyed the royal couple. I felt it, too, even though they are my friends.It also did not help that the rest of my friends trickled in. Noah and his wife Briana came in, followed by Rowan and Hanna. Then Charles and Jenna came next. Last to appear was Marcus and his wife Martina. This time, the people in the lobby began to get noisy. They gushed over Marcus, who looked like he stepped out of the page of a magazine cover. I could not deny it. The Fords and Hunters gathered so much attention. It was a rare event to see them all together in one setting.The who’s who of Redwood City gathered in one place, making it hard for everyone not to react
Beth POVThe romantic date set the tone for the rest of our one-week leave until it was time to return to our real lives.“Goodbye, baby!” Brent called out to Krizzie’s departing figure while we watched her walk toward her building. We waited and watched until we saw her figure disappear when she entered her classroom. “She is growing.” I can’t help but be teary-eyed.Last night, Krizzie surprised us when she decided to sleep on her own bed. Brent and I stared at each other when she kissed us both goodnight and then returned to her room. “Krizzie?” I called her, feeling weirded out. “What Mommy?” She walked back to the bed where I sat. “Aren’t you going to sleep with us?” A frown marred my face when I asked.I patted the middle of the bed, urging her to climb in, but Krizzie only shook her head and smiled at me. “The Hunter triplets said I am old enough to be sleeping with Mommy and Daddy. They don’t.” She informed me. I nodded, feeling a little stuffy inside. I knew that it
Brent POVJust like what Noah said the night before, they were not at the hotel to see us off, but he gave instructions to his people to assist us. We got ready very early because Krizzie had classes. “Are you free today?” I asked Beth after we sent Krizzie to school. “You were the one who talked to my supervisor about taking a leave. How long did you apply for my leave?”“A week. You still have two more days of rest. Don’t worry, you won’t be alone. I want to spend more time catching up. What do you think?” I wiggled my brows at her, grinning mischievously. Beth slapped my chest.“I don’t like that look, Brent. I want to rest.” She warned me. She looked so d*rn cute that I stepped forward, arms spread to encircle her in my arms, and hugged her tight. Beth struggled in my arms. “Brent, people are staring.” She warned me, but I don’t care. I am too happy to care about what other people would think.“Let them.” I urged her and held her in my arms for a while longer. When I got
Brent POVKrizzie got back into our room right after, halting our talks. She knocked repeatedly on the door, prodding me to rise to my feet and open the door for her. Behind Krizzie, I saw Noah. “Thank you, Uncle Noah.” She said, turning her back on me to wave at Noah, who patted Krizzie’s head before meeting my fist for a bump. “Will you be alright here?” He checked on me, and I nodded. “Okay then. I will go ahead.” He told me.“Thanks, man! We will be checking out tomorrow morning.” I informed him while looking at the bed, where I saw Krizzie climbing in and snuggling with Beth. “Okay. I will inform the concierge in case we are not here. We are going home tonight.” Noah informed me before sauntering away. I went back to my family to join them in bed. Krizzie was asking Beth where we had been, and Beth was showing her pictures of us in the resort. “You went to the beach?” Krizzie exclaimed.I could see the dismay on her face. Beth hugged her. “We went on our honeymoon.
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