Martina POVEmpty beer cans and whiskey bottles that littered the floor were what greeted me the moment I got inside Marcus’ apartment unit.My nose twitched. Not because the room stinks but because of something else. Seeing Marcus looking like this, I felt deep regret washed over me. Why have we come to this, Marcus?I lifted my head toward the ceiling, taking in a moment of clarity, but couldn’t because Marcus’ state glared at me. I felt deep sadness for what I have done. I wanted to blame fate, but who am I kidding? It was all my fault. I was a horrible person for doing this to the man I love. I hurt him. So bad. I thought it was the best choice to leave him. I thought leaving him would spare him from my family's evilness. I did not believe that he would suffer in this magnitude. My babies did not know their father. I was alone caring for Marky and Macy. I deprived my son and daughter of their father because I thought I was saving him from my family’s evil intention, bu
Martina POV“Stop!” My mother cried, but I refused to relent and give her an inch. I was deluded once into thinking that I matter to them. Now, I realized more than ever that I never had any place in their family except as an accessory to their evil deeds. I had enough. I am done with it!In my hurry, I was not aware of where I was going. I just let my feet carry me.My vision blurred with tears.Thankfully, even if my mind was not fully functioning, I arrived at Marcus's apartment building unscathed. “Martina!” Confused and disoriented, I screamed in fright when someone latched at my arm. Then, when strong arms wrapped around my trembling body, I started to thrash around like a mad person. “Let me go! You b*stard!” I cried, arms flailing to the side and kicking whoever had the gall to touch me. Then I felt his arms grab the balls of my shoulders, and he started shaking me. When I got my focus, I was shocked to see Marcus’ face.He looked clean-shaven and freshly showered,
Martina POVThe kind expression on his face was like a magnet that drew me out.For the first time in years, I now have the chance to tell Marcus what was in my heart and mind.“You knew that I grew up in an orphanage, right?”When he nodded, I swallowed the lump in my throat.Reliving those past years leaves an ache in my chest. I feel suffocated by the memories.“Every time children line up before potential families for adoption, and I won’t be selected, I feel rejected. I wanted to have a family. I craved it so much.”
Martina POV“Marcus!” Briana walked in on us while Marcus was trying to console me.I failed to notice that the door to his unit opened because I was too focused on Marcus.I latched on to him, taking solace in the warmth of his body, wanting more.But Briana’s unannounced appearance was like a dousing of cold water, especially when I saw the expression on her face.She was so livid when she saw me.If looks could kill, I would have been dead by now.Marcus and I pulled apart. We were b
Martina POVThe silence that enveloped us after Briana left was deafening.Marcus and I looked at each other.“I am sorry,” I said, full of remorse.The siblings should not be arguing because of me. Now, their relationship was strained.Briana and Marcus used to be thick as thieves. I saw their bond grow for years.“Go and talk to your sister. Don’t let this misunderstanding create a gap in your relationship.” I told him, feeling a constriction in my chest.While I was happy that Marcus defended me and took my side, I did not want to complicate his relationship with his sister or any of his other siblings. Their bond was admirable, especially when they found Briana. Her presence completed them.Moreover, Briana loves him and is only looking out for him.What he said must have hurt her, too.“You love Briana. She is your clo
Martina POVWhat he said had me worried.I was in a hospital, and judging from my surroundings, I was in an expensive suite.Alarm gripped me in worry.I can’t afford to pay the exorbitant fees here. If truth be told, I cannot be hospitalized.Hospital expenses would mean I will be buried deep in debt, and I can’t have that. I would rather save the money I will spend here for the children’s needs and expenses.“What are you doing?” Marcus asked, askance when I started pulling on the IV drip attached to my wrists.
Martina POVOh my god!I was hyperventilating. The intensity in his gaze was too much.And his words.Was Marcus telling me something important here?What did I miss?My lips pursed, and my eyes felt pinpricks of pain.I shook my head.“I don’t deserve it, Marcus. I betrayed you and hurt you. You should be angry. You shouldn’t treat me kindly.”“Martina, listen. You already told me the real reason you left. That was enough explanation for me. From now on, I want us to leave the past behind and to start anew.”“But…but…” I stuttered. My chest constricted. My breathing became labored as I tried to assimilate what he meant.“Are you saying….” My voice trailed off.I was so afraid to voice out what was in my head.Shivers run down my spine at the inte
Martina POVThe door to the room burst open, and a team of doctors and nurses barged in on us. “What is wrong with the patient?” The head doctor asked, noting the way Marcus smothered me. Marcus pulled away and cleared his throat. “Doctor, when can we leave the hospital?” He asked with excitement that he could not contain and laced his voice. The doctor frowned. “Mrs. Ford still has two rounds of IV therapy. I thought I already explained she had to be admitted overnight.” I was surprised by the address. I never used Marcus’ last name before, and being addressed with it now feels surreal. It speaks of a permanency that I hadn’t thought about us. While I looked surprised, a quick look in Marcus’ direction told me how he was conflicted by the doctor’s verdict. I had to butt in. I was sure he was excited to meet our children. “I feel fine, doctor. Can we leave now and then come back tomorrow?” I asked and squeezed Marcus’s hand to tell him I got him on this. He squeezed back
Flint POVJust as I was about to seal Anna’s lips with my own, we heard Penelope cry. We broke apart and raced up the stairs. “Daddy!” Penelope’s tear-drenched face lifted up in our direction when we opened the door to our room. She was standing on her cot. Her arms were outstretched toward me, silently asking to be pulled up. I didn’t think twice about responding to my daughter’s distress call. In three strides, I was in front of her. I cupped her chin.“Did you miss Daddy?” I asked gently. Longing pierced me when I saw her face. It was unfathomable how the two of us had become quite attached when we only knew about each other’s existence a few days ago. The connection was so strong. “You reek of alcohol.” Anna reminded me when I bent down to pick Penelope in my arms. “Just a while, dear. Let me comfort our daughter for a while." Anna stood to the side, watching while I rocked Penelope. I swayed my body from side to side while my little girl clung to me. Then, her eyes ha
Anna/Linda POVFlint stared at me like I had grown another head or something.It was disconcerting.This is why I rarely tell people who I am."Flint," I called him, afraid he would change his mind about me."Sorry." Flint shook his head as if he was still trying to let the information sink in and was trying to absorb it."Any more secrets I should know?" Flint asked.Now it was my turn to look stunned."You didn't think it was
Flint POV“I don’t know what to think anymore,” I admitted to Brent while drinking vodka in a private room inside the Blue Canyon, a country club in Redwood where we both enjoyed VIP memberships.“Why don’t you ask her? Instead of overthinking and suspecting your brother, go to your wife and seek the answers to all the questions crowding your head.”“I really love talking to you, Brent. You are like a cold bath - scary but necessary.” I told him bluntly.Brent chuckled.“You needed it.”I clapped Brent on the back.“Thanks.”“Let’s go. It’s two in the morning, and the manager had been giving us deadly looks already. I think this club is closing for the day.”After Brent settled the bill, we rose from our seats and ambled back to his car.I left my c
Briana POVAfter the police officers took my three brothers, I got back on my desk and sat morosely there.“Where are your brothers? I thought you had an emergency meeting?” Noah asked, disrupting my solitude.I looked at him sharply. “They were at the police station.”Noah opened the door wider and walked in.He loosened his tie and slumped on the couch. He looked tired, but he was looking at me with love in his eyes.It had been four years since I took a chance on him, and his love never wavered. In truth, it had intensified through the years.
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