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
Anna/Linda POVIt was not a grand wedding.The only attendees to our wedding were Flint, Penelope, and me.A man I did not know rose from the back pew to approach us."Goldstone!" Flint said in greeting when the man neared us.They shook hands while my eyes surveyed the church.A red carpet was laid in the center aisle decked with flowers. The church was prepped for a simple and solemn wedding."This is Anna, my soon-to-be wife. My Queen, I want you to meet Goldstone, our family's magician. He solv
Flint POVI saw a myriad of emotions playing on Anna’s face and it made me want to crush her to my chest to offer assurance. I am a Ford.I have everything, but when it comes to Anna, I felt lacking as a man. Of course, it was different with our daughter.Would it be selfish of me if I wanted to be the only man for her, not just the father of her daughter? I wanted to be the best man for them both. “One day, I will make you fall in love with me,” I told her and saw her taken aback. I wanted to add that I will erase every feeling she has for my brother.I will be the only man she would need. The wedding ended. “Congratulations.” The priest held out his hand to send us his best wishes. He even patted Penelope’s head, making her giggle. “You have a lovely daughter.” He told us.Anna and I exchanged a look. She smiled, feeling proud of our daughter. I was, too. We did not linger. Our group left the church and ended up in the parking lot, where we went in separate directions.
Brent POVDo you know what heaven feels like?It was having the love of your life wrap her arms around your massive frame and hold on to you like she did not want to let go or part from you. That was heaven for me - being held by Beth like this was my new definition of high. Before, what made me high was dodging bullets and trying to outwit Hades from the door of death.I used to live in the thrill of danger, but no more. That’s the reason I built BASS Incorporated frame by frame. For my own protection.I already cheated death once, and I am not sure I can do it again. I released her and cupped her chin. Then, I leaned my head in to capture her lips in a gentle kiss. At first, I only pressed our lips together and pulled back. Her tongue darted to worry her upper and lower lips, and I became excited.I pulled her again, and this time, I took her lips in a searing kiss.I took control of the kiss, nibbling and chewing on her lips before I let my tongue slide over the seams, wai
Brent POV“You are a billionaire.” She uttered in a daze, and I nodded my head. BASS Incorporated is a renowned surveillance and security company.“Why didn’t you tell me?”“As you mentioned earlier, your desires are simple. There is nothing about my company or wealth that could impress you.” I told her bluntly. “Still. It’s one piece of information you kept from me. I was supposed to know because I was your wife.”“At the time, the BASS was not this big. I started as a private investigator. My reputation grew with the help of Noah Hunter. He threw work my way. I specialized in corporate espionage. I unravel many cases of economic sabotage and stealing company trade secrets. Then, the Fords also gave me jobs.” “Isn’t that a bit dangerous?” Worry etched on her face, and I leaned forward to smoothen the folds it created on her forehead. “I am doing administrative work nowadays. Before, I used to handle cases that took me weeks, sometimes months, to finish.” The creases on her foreh
Brent POVI held out my hand and anxiously waited for Beth to take it.When she placed her hand on mine, I closed the gap between us to pull her to my chest and wrapped my arms around her.“Thank you.” I closed my eyes and sighed.Beth pushed at my chest and self-consciously looked around.“People are staring.” She whispered shyly.But I was not concerned about that. What matters is that Beth agreed to give us a try.“I don’t care about them. I only care about us.&rdqu
Brent POVI felt her resistance fading away.Our chests heaved with too much emotion, but I was not letting her go.She twisted her body, and I released her, but I made sure that she was not far.I took her hand, all the while looking straight into her eyes.“I told you, I love you.”“Love is nurtured, Bernt. You did nothing in
Brent POVI did not know my promise would come to a test early that morning when Krizzie and I walked out of the kitchen to find Beth and Dr. Roberts at the door, talking sweetly.They were so engrossed with each other that they did not notice us.“I am sorry about last night,” Beth said.“No. It’s me who needed to apologize for my rude behavior. I am sorry, Beth. I got jealous of your ex-husband.”Beth hugged a bouquet of roses to her chest and put them under her nose to sniff.Her action dove a knife deep into my heart, but I wouldn’t gi
Brent POVShe is avoiding me.“Mommy, ahh!” Krizzie opened her mouth and took a bite from the sandwich Beth placed near her mouth.“Yummy.” She declared while munching happily.“How about Daddy? You let him have a bite out of our sandwich, too.” Krizzie prodded her mom.The smile on Beth’s face froze. She did not move until I forced her by coiling my fingers around her wrist and pulling her hands near my mouth so I could take a bite out of her sandwich.All the while, I was looking at her.
Beth POV“Mommy, wakey, wakey!” I opened bloodshot eyes to search for Krizzie, but when I felt the tremors around me, I immediately shot up in bed. “Krizzie!” I cried in alarm.I was ready to pluck her from the bed when I realized something.Krizzie was jumping on the bed. I pressed a hand to my chest to steady my heavily pounding heart as I stared at my daughter. I really thought there was an earthquake. Phew!“What’s wrong, Mommy?” Krizzie stopped her play to stare at me, erasing the smile on her lips.I shook my head. “I thought there was an earthquake.” Krizzie’s eyes widened, and she giggled. “You are s*lly, Mommy. It’s just me, Krizzie.” She informed me. I nodded, glad that it was just my overactive imagination.“Yeah. Mommy’s s*lly.” I agreed and grabbed her by the shoulders to pepper tiny kisses on her face. We heard a knock on the door, prompting me to release my daughter. Krizzie’s eyes connected with mine before her hands flew to her mouth. Then, without warnin
Beth POVWhen the door slammed shut, and I was left alone in the house, it was as if all the fight left me.I felt so drained.Arguing with Brent had been emotionally and mentally taxing. That is why I avoided it at all costs.If we could co-exist peacefully with our child, that would be better.For years after our divorce, I accepted that all we could ever be is Krizzie’s parents.I never want to return to that time when all I do is beg for his love and attention.When he offered marriage,
Beth POV“If I am selfish. I would do that.” He countered so casually that my anger meter was beginning to exceed its limit. It was ready to burst into flames. “And what are you trying to imply? That you are the epitome of selflessness, is that it?” I snapped, too angry to care whether my voice was going through the roof. I don’t know where Brent was getting all this nerve to tell me.“You have some nerve! You who never wanted my baby in the first place.” I hissed.My teeth gritted and my hands clenched into fists. “Because it was never in our agreement, d*mn it, Beth. All along, I thought we were in sync with our ideals. We agreed not to have any babies, but what did you do? You went behind my back and got yourself pregnant without my knowledge.” Tears sprung in my eyes when I remembered all that happened nine years ago. I thought I was already past it, but d*mn, it still hurts like h*ll.I sighed, trying to keep my tears in check because I didn’t need them now. It was not g