Hello My loves, I will try to upload another chapter tonight, but if I can't I am sorry. I am burning with fever. Must be due to exhaustion. Will make it up to you some other time. Love, J Cruz
Martina POVI stared at Marcus with tears burning my eyes. “How could I ever be this lucky?” I asked.My voice sounded hoarse, so I had to clear my throat. “We are both lucky. You endured so much because you did not want your family to use me. You don’t want your family to have leverage against me. We both made sacrifices for our love, Martina.” That did it!Tears streamed down my face. “I don’t deserve you.” I bawled my eyes out.Marcus hugged me to his chest.He lifted my chin to look at me eye-to-eye. “You deserve every inch of me, my love.”“But you can have any woman you like. You can date better girls than me. Why did you choose me?” That's what I don't understand. Marcus could have any girl he wanted, but he chose me. Marcus cupped my face. He tenderly brushed the tendrils of hair that clung to my face and eyes. “Because no one loved me better than you do! The women who professed to love me love me for my money, fame, and family name. You were never that. You loved
Martina POV The past few days, we got into our routine. Every other day, Marcus’ siblings would gather together, either in Briana’s house, Rowan’s, or ours. It has become a tradition for the family, a time for the Ford siblings to bond, and a time for the children to spend time with their cousins. It was a good family tradition. It makes me appreciate the value of having your family around you. At the orphanage, I never got to experience having a true family. Still, the Fords, when they embraced me, gave me more than a family. They gave me a safe place to belong to. I haven’t heard from my family, except that my brother and father were in prison for their crimes. Marcus told me how my father was responsible for the death of their parents, and the few things I knew about my family, I didn’t for a minute doubt Marcus’ words. I just hope that their time in prison would allow them time for introspection and remorse, though I highly doubt it. Still, people can change. “Mar
Marcus POV“What is it?” I barked at my secretary when she barged in on us. I was in a closed-door meeting, and Rowan had been calling me nonstop. When I did not answer his call, he badgered my secretary with his incessant calls. He called the office phone so my secretary had no choice but to knock on the conference room to disrupt the meeting.“Sir, your brother is on the line. He insists that you have to answer the call immediately.” My new secretary nervously handed me the phone, and I barked into it. “Get your a*s off your meeting and check on your family.” Rowan barked on the line. His tone sounded resolute that a frown instantly formed on my face. “What is wrong? Did something happen to Martina and the twins?” My heart beats fast in worry. “Storm called me. Your father-in-law committed suicide while in prison, and your brother-in-law has escaped. Storm and I have a feeling that the first person he would try to look for is Martina.”"Do you know where Martina is?" Rowan p
Marcus POVBeads of sweat dotted my forehead when I arrived at the supermarket building. At a safe distance, Storm’s men had already cordoned off the area and surrounded my car where my children were.“Martina?” I asked my brother Rowan when I met him outside the supermarket.“She is still inside. Storm’s men are evacuating the people.”“My kids?”Rowan stepped aside to let me see my children. They were sleeping and were clueless as to what was happening around them.A knot formed in my belly.
Rowan POVI watched my brother leave with a heavy heart.I have always been a fighter. At a young age, my godfather, Storm’s father, trained me to have the heart of a warrior.Under his tutelage, I became one of the top agents of the Guardians, a global security agency that protects and secures high-profile people and their families.Though my siblings and I got the same training, they did not love what they were doing. I do.Charles, Marcus, and Flint hated fighting.So, when we turned of age, we began to manage our family’s business under the protection of Storm&rsqu
Marie’s POVI watched Rowan looking at me dazedly as he wrapped around his head what I had revealed just now."I am their mother," I told him, seeing a frown forming on his head.But before my words fully sank in on Rowan, I ran away.Luke’s voice led my feet to him as I listened to him exchange angry words with Marcus.“Don’t try anything funny or I will kill her,” Luke warned, pressing the nozzle of his gun to Martina’s temple.He locked his arms on Martina's neck, pulling her to his body.
Marcus POVI continued to engage Luke while Rowan, Storm, and their men moved stealthily toward the back to attack him from behind. My whole body was poised and ready for any movement. I never left sight of Luke’. My eyes were glued to him while I listened to Marie’s story. But my main focus was Martina. She looked like she was ready to drop on the floor any moment. I was banking on Luke to hold her securely.Then, it happened. The moment Storm and Rowan grabbed Luke on the back, it surprised him. He lost his hold on Martina as well as the gun he was holding to threaten her with. I ran and dove the last few feet that separated us when Martina’s body collapsed on the floor. “Gotcha!” I murmured in her ears and pulled her to safety. The gun Luke was holding dropped on the floor, and it fired accidentally.When we heard the gunshot, I wrapped my body protectively around Martina, my arms cushioning her ears. At the same time, I saw Luke struggling from the lockhold Rowan and
Marcus POVThe twins opened their eyes and smiled when they saw us. The love and trust emanate from their eyes.It was the most beautiful sight after what Martina and I had been through.“Mama, Daddy!” Marky cried and lifted his hands, so Martina could pick him up.“Daddy, Mama!” Macy giggled. Her wide smile was an antidote to the fear that knotted my stomach.Without saying anything, I lifted her in my arms and snaked an arm around my wife for support.I am unsure if Martina can handle Marky, given the ordeal she went through, but maybe s
Jenna POVI looked at the time and groaned. "Briana must be at the office by now. We are so late." I complained. Charles rose naked from the bed, giving me a full view of his sinewy back and taut b*tt.He looked sinful -like a god who had descended from Mt. Olympus. Truly drool-worthy!He pulled his sweatpants over his legs.He turned around, caught me staring, and winked at me. I giggled and lifted the comforter off my body before swinging my legs off the bed.The skirt of my nightgown fell around my thighs, and I padded barefoot toward the door. "I will be in the kitchen," I informed Charles. Just as I was about to descend the stairs, I heard Charles's footsteps behind me. I felt his arm gently snaking around me as we walked down the stairs side-by-side. When we reached the kitchen, we worked separately but seamlessly. We had practice over the years, that was why.Charles made coffee while I checked the fridge for stocks."You want sausage and egg?" I asked. "Sure." Charl
Jenna POVThe next morning, I woke up in Charles's arms.At first, I was disoriented because the place looked strange. Then, my eyes started roaming around the room we were in, and then I realized we were in our new house.Immediately, I was galvanized into action.I wanted to check on Briana.But before I could get off the bed, Charles’ arms tightened around me.“Where do you think you are going?” He asked, pulling me closer and nuzzling my neck.I shrieked at the unexpected move.
Jenna POVBecause pregnant women - I was referring to Beth and Briana, and our three other surrogates - shouldn’t stay late, and Flint’s family has jet lag, the party broke up early. Riley kissed my cheeks, surprising me with its spontaneity and sincerity. His two brothers followed suit.“Bye Bye Mama Jenna.” The name they called me stuck, and the little ones mimicked the older ones, calling me with that name. I was in euphoria the whole time.I can’t explain it, but my happiness redoubled that very moment. I kissed each of them on the top of their heads, even the little girls and Mia. Krizzie, who felt left out, also called me Mama Jenna instead of the customary Aunt Jenna, surprising Beth and me.We looked at each other and smiled warmly. “Are you happy?” Charles asked when I was already strapped to the front passenger of his car. I sighed and leaned my head on the backrest. “I am more than happy. I am ecstatic. It’s greedy to want more, Charles.” I told him honestly.Charl
Jenna POVThe hall became noisy after that. Everyone cheered for us. Even the children joined in the fun even when they did not know what was happening except, of course, the older ones. Riley, Mason, and Brixx clapped their hands and kept chanting my name. Mama Jenna. Mama Jenna. Their acceptance and unbridled love got me on high. Shyness had overtaken me. I don’t know. We were surrounded by family. I was used to their teasing, but this hits differently. I burrowed my face on Charles’ massive chest, making me acutely aware of his familiar scent and feel. “I missed you,” I told him, my heart in my eyes. Charles' eyes darkened. “As I, you.” He responded.And amidst the claps, the hoots, and the shouts that greeted Charle’s proposal and my reply, Charles tipped my head by hooking his index finger on the tip of my chin.He lifted my face while he descended, and he sealed our promise with a hot kiss. Charles gave and took equally in that kiss, pulling me in and scorching m
Jenna POVI could not believe it when Riley called me Mama Jenna. It was unexpected, but I relished the sound of that. It was a mixed feeling. Mama. In a few month's time, I was going to be someone else’s mama, and the giddy feeling it evoked in me stayed with me throughout our ride to the Hunter Hotel. At the hospital’s parking area, I was surprised when Riley chose to ride with us instead of his parent’s car.He insisted that he had to accompany us. I saw Charles smiling throughout the ride. His chest puffed up, proud of his nephew’s thoughtfulness. When we reached the hotel, Riley took my hand to help me out of the car. He assisted me while he walked. Charles walked behind us.When we reached the hotel’s lobby, the receptionist and other employees stopped to greet Riley and us. “We are having dinner with my family,” Charles explained, and the receptionist instructed an usher to guide us to our venue. We walked the well-lit corridor. This time, the usher and Charles were
Charles POVThe admitting doctor announced that Briana was okay for discharge, and her boys started to jump around. “Can we go to the hotel tonight, please?” Brixx made the request. Noah nodded. “Of course. We will stay at the penthouse.” He promised his children. He also invited us for dinner to celebrate.I nodded. There is so much to celebrate tonight. “We do not want to miss it for the world.” My other two brothers and their wives agreed. Jenna, on the other hand, talked to Briana’s doctor to update herself on Briana’s pregnancy journey. As early as now, I could see how excited and involved she wanted to be with this pregnancy, and Briana was very understanding. My sister asked Jenna to sit beside her on the bed while they talked about how she was feeling. I loved how Briana included Jenna in all aspects of her pregnancy and even invited Jenna to her next doctor’s appointment, which Jenna gladly accepted.When Noah stepped out of the room to settle Briana’s bill so she cou
Charles POVMy head started to shake, but the expression on Jenna’s face halted my movements. “You do not have to talk to her to know why she did it. She wanted revenge.” I admitted, feeling a little lost, myself. I cannot fathom the fact that Jenna wanted to meet with someone who had hurt her deeply and sabotaged any chance she would ever have of experiencing the joys and hardships of nurturing a child in her womb.“Rowan already told me."She must have sensed my confusion because then, she explained. "Before he forced me to listen to your conversation, Rowan told me everything he knew. He even mentioned that Gwen had been arrested and awaiting trial behind bars." Jenna said in a shaky breath. From her reaction, I can glean that the idea is taking its toll on her. It was an effort. Yet, I admire the bravery of this woman I married. "But still, I wanted to talk to her.” Jenna’s quiet resolve was hard to shake. I stared at her long and hard as if trying to delve deep into the
Jenna POVWhile we were all laughing at the children’s antics and Noah’s long-suffering look, there were tentative knocks on the door that stopped us. Rowan strode to open it as if he was expecting someone.“Hello, everyone,” Hanna said, her face appearing in the gap between the door and its frame. Rohan Joy had already spotted her older cousins and ran to them. Her chubby little legs carried her toward the triplets and Elijah, who cried when they saw her. All talks about the bet had been shelved as they became attentive to the toddler. With his arm placed securely around Hanna’s shoulder, Rowan and Hanna walked toward us. Hanna broke from his embrace to hug me.She said nothing, but the smile lacing her mouth told its own tale. I knew she already knew what Briana did, and was happy for us. “Are we late for the party?” Martina called out from the door, and we all shifted our gazes toward her and her children. Marcus walked briskly to assist her in carrying Mia. The twins, Ma
Jenna POVMarcus spread his arms wide, and I ran to him. He caught me by the waist, and twirled me around, laughing and giggling like children.Rowan took me from Marcus to squeeze me into a tight hug. “Thank you for coming back!” Rowan said when he put me down. I shook my head, leaning on Charles's massive chest, feeling completely safe, back in his arms. “I should be thanking you. If you did not call me and forced me to listen to your conversation with Charles, I would remain hurting in cluelessness. I wouldn’t realize how foolish I had been for throwing my marriage away, but also for losing my faith in the family.” Again, a sob broke from me after I said the last word. Family. Yes, I have a family, and a big one at that. How did I ever feel I was lacking when Charles made sure I had everything?Not material wealth, though I admit it had its perks. But something intangible like love and the feeling of belongingness. The Fords accepted me for me. Not because I can give them