Anna/Linda POV
“F-flint!” I stammered when his name rolled out my lips.
I did not expect that he would follow me home.
“How?”
I clutched a hand to my chest when it started to beat erratically in nervousness.
“I have your car. It’s easy to find the registered address after that. But imagine my surprise with what I found out. My happily married brother owns the deed to your car and this apartment.”
Flint’s voice hardened, and his eyes were like ice when he pierced me with a glare.
Anna/Linda POVFlint looked sucker punched.The color drained from his face. He stared at Penelope, eyes wide in shock. Then, he shifted his gaze to stare at me before returning to Penelope.I could sympathize with him. It was not every day a woman would tell you you fathered her child. “What did you just say?” He stammered. There was a tremor in his voice that was not there a few moments ago. I am unsure if that is because he was excited about the news or worried about this situation cramping his lifestyle.I heard his brothers at the reception ribbed him.He was a player. I am not sure if he would take the news of having a daughter kindly.At the thought, I felt a sense of gloom, not for me but for my baby. Despite the circumstances of her conception, I didn't want Flint to reject my daughter. That would be heartbreaking. “I don't make it a habit of repeating myself if you didn't hear what I said. Then sorry, better luck next time.” I knew I sounded rude, but dismissing F
Flint POVThe moment I held her in my arms, I was a goner. My daughter! It took all my willpower not to shout at the top of my lungs for fear that I might frighten her, but my chest was near to bursting. It felt constricted. I can’t explain the happiness that filled me at the sight of her. She was so pretty and smart, like her mother. Then, she repeated what I said earlier when I introduced myself, making my chest swell with uncontained pride. “Dad! Dad! Dad!” The way she addressed me jolted me. It went straight to my heart. Penelope waited for my reaction, expecting praise. I did not disappoint her. “Very good! I am your daddy, my little Queen.” I swayed her from side to side, feeling lightheaded at the rapid way things unfolded. Penelope mimicked me again. “Dad-di!” Then, she pointed to Anna and called her. “Ma-mi!” Anna grinned. She stepped closer, hands spread wide, enticing Penelope to come to her, but my girl snubbed her mother. She turned her head away and
Flint POVRelief coursed through me.I have always known Anna is a sensible person and banked on it. That is why it puzzled me when she agreed to run away with me two years ago. More puzzling was her behavior after two days, leaving me without a word. Maybe, I just did not know her. Remembering what happened two years ago made my heart twitch as pain coursed through my heart to settle in the pit of my stomach. But I cast it aside. What matters now is I have them - Anna and my daughter. In the past years, I never thought I would see Anna again. I have to chalk it up to fate when our paths cross again.Or was it Rowan, said a little mocking voice in my head.My face contorted in dismay at the reminder. The idea that my brother and the mother of my child had a connection rankled. It speaks of a closeness that I was not part of. Envy started to build up. Ideas crowded my head. I wanted to put them on the table for discussion to get it off my chest. "What is your relationship with
Flint POV“What? Are you out of your mind?”Anna’s loud voice startled Penelope.Our baby jumped in fright, and she started bawling. Penelope's bottom lip protruded cutely, and her eyes smarted with tears.She pointed at her mother before pressing her face to my neck, seeking comfort. “You don’t have to shout. You frightened our daughter.” I pointed out. The anger on Anna’s face has not abated. In fact, it worsened when she eyed the way Penelope clutched at my neck.It was like our daughter had forgotten her.“Because you say the most st*pid things. We can’t marry each other Flint.” It was a blatant rejection; a first in my case. Even when I was a child, I don’t remember a time when a woman denied me. Well, there will always be a first in everything. Still, her rejection rankled. “Why?” My tone became sharp.I mentally knocked my head.I should be coaxing her, not antagonizing her. But the rebuff I got from her did not sit well with me, especially as I suspect she still hold
Flint POVAfter I got Anna's approval to marry me and agreed to my proposal to try to give Penelope the family she deserves, a mix of unidentified emotions assailed me.It was a victory. I won.I was able to convince Anna that marriage is our best bet.But why do I feel like I lost the battle? Why did I feel like I won an empty fight?Maybe it was because of the sorrow that crossed Anna’s eyes briefly. It was a split second that I even doubted it was there.But my gut feeling tells me something.Anna was not happy w
Anna/Linda POVAfter Flint left, I transferred Penelope to our room. Her head turned around as if she was looking for something or someone. She only spent a few hours with her father, but she has adjusted so well. I think Penelope would be a daddy’s girl. I saw their bond earlier and marveled at how easily Flint got my daughter’s heart. He got you that first night, says the little voice in my head, so there’s really no wonder that Penelope would be attached to her father this early. An apple doesn't fall far from the tree. When she got bored with her toys, she started fussing. She was rubbing her eyes, a sign that she was impatient. It did not help that she was calling for her daddy. “Dad-dy! Dad-dy!” Penelope walked toward the door. She struggled when I grabbed her and placed her back on the floor at the foot of the bed. “Dad-dy!”She was openly crying now. I bent to the waist to carry her. “Shhh, baby. Don’t cry. Daddy will be back.” I swayed her from side to side to get h
Anna/Linda POVWhile Penelope napped, I worked on securing our important stuff - documents, passports, etc. and put them in my tote bag.Then, I took out our suitcases and began packing.Penelope and I didn't have much.This apartment came in fully furnished when we moved in.The only problem I have is how to pack Penelope's favorite toys. I can't leave them here because my baby will look out for them later.An hour later, I heard a knock on the door.I peered into the hole to see it was Flint and was surprise
Anna/Linda POVThe whole ride to Flint’s home, Penelope clung to her father.It was not a problem since Flint did not want to let her go either. He would point out the other cars outside the window, and Penelope would watch them race past us. Sometimes, he would make faces at her, and she would try to mimic them.They also played peek-a-boo. From time to time, Flint would cover his face with his palm, and Penelope would pull up or down the hand that blocked his face from her sight. And when she exposed his face, Flint would cry.“Peek-a-boo!” “Boo!” Penelope would shout before she broke into giggles. From time to time, the father-daughter tandem would include me in their play. When Flint noticed I was looking outside the window, he would pull me close to him and our daughter. One time, he wrapped an arm around my waist while his other hand supported Penelope, who bounced on his lap, enjoying the ride. It was a rare treat for Penelope.What makes this moment even more special
Jenna POVI watched the man I loved for eight years walk away from me and feel my heart break in two. I know I wanted the divorce. I had planned it several times in my head, but why did it hurt so much?I prepared for this eventually, but the reality of the breakup hurt like h*ll. I heard the opening and closing of the door and shut my eyes to control myself. Why do I feel like my heart was being ripped into tiny pieces when Charles stepped away from me?I got what I wanted, but why do I feel like I lost the game? The realization that Charles will no longer be a part of my life hits me from the foundation up. The whole situation had shaken me. The mere thought that I had to face the future from hereon without Charles by my side pained me. I sighed as my vision blurred. My chest felt stuffy because I wanted so much to howl in pain, but I couldn't because I didn't want the house staff to talk. So I had to keep everything in. Charles did not even make it hard for me. He accep
Charles POV“Divorce? You wanted a divorce?”I looked at Jenna, my wife of eight years, after she sprung the talk of divorce, catching me unawares.“Just sign this, please.”She sighed when I did not take the divorce papers she thrust my way.“Why?” I asked inanely.Jenna’s features hardened.“You know why. This is not working anymore, Charles.”My eyes explored her face, looking for something.&nbs
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