Anna/Linda POV
That shut me up.
I stared at Flint.
Remorse spread through me when I saw the hurt in his eyes.
“I don’t want to cause another friction in your family. I already did that once. I promised myself not to cause the Fords any trouble again.”
I expelled a loud breath.
“But here I am. Just a day passed after you reconciled with your family, and I am bringing another trouble for you. I am sorry, Flint.”
Flint shushed me.
Flint POVPenelope thrashed in my arms.She was crying in earnest now that I had curtailed her freedom. “Daddy!” She was kicking her legs. When we reached the elevator, I pulled Anna inside and let Penelope down. Once she was on her feet, she lifted her head toward me and smiled, finally winning this round. Anna pinched me on the side.What can I do? I can say no to my little Queen for too long.When the elevator pinged, announcing our arrival on our destination floor, I took Penelope’s hands to hold it securely. “Let’s walk together, Penny,” I told her before grabbing Anna’s hand to entwine our fingers together. My secretary rose from her seat when she noticed my arrival.Her eyes were drawn to our clasped hands but tactfully said nothing about it. “Good morning, Mr. Ford, ma’am, little miss.” I nodded at her and asked. “Did they arrive?” She nodded in response. She opened the door to let us inside my office.I saw Anna stiffened when she saw who was inside my room. “Tha
Flint POVWhen the four filed out of my office, I turned to Anna and asked.“Are you disappointed that I shut down your proposal? Tell me, are you still eager to meet your ex?”I wanted to shut my mouth, but I couldn't unsaid the words I said even when I saw Anna’s face twitch as I slapped her.Immediately, I vacated my chair to stand at her side.“I am sorry. That was uncalled for.”She did not respond, and that triggered my insecurity.“You don’t trust me,” she
Anna/Linda POVWe did not discuss Logan after that, and I decided not to press. I realized I had to give Flint time to think and absorb whatever I told him. I hope he will do it fast because time is running out. “Let’s go,” Flint said when Penelope awoke. He took her bag and carried her in his arms. Then, he turned around to grab my hand, and we walked alongside each other. “Are we going to Briana’s place right now?”I looked at the time and noticed that we were still early. Flint shook his head. “Not yet. We are going to the restaurant. I am sure my little Queen is hungry.” He made faces at our daughter, making Penelope laugh. We went to Rosewood Hotel’s famous restaurant.At the entrance, we gathered attention, especially the father and daughter. Flint did not seem to care and ignored it. The manager showed us to a secluded table.“We’ll order something light,” Flint said, addressing the wait staff.He also ordered an assortment of fruits for Penelope. “I remembered Ma
Anna/Linda POV“It was a blast!” Flint said when we said goodbye to his family.Penelope was already sleeping in his arms, tired with so much running around.But the happiness on our daughter’s face was unparalleled, especially since she was able to bond with her cousins. Briana made it a point to include everyone. No one was left behind. Before we left, Briana invited all the cousins for a playdate.“On Sunday, let’s do this again. The kids loved it.”I could not agree more. Penelope loved hanging out with her cousins. “Expect us next Sunday,” Flint promised, smiling wide.I could see that the rift I inadvertently caused the siblings had been repaired, and my heart eased somewhat. He exchanged fist bumps with his brothers - Charles, Rowan, and Marcus. Then, Noah. “Let’s have a girl bonding, too,” Hanna suggested.“We will do a manicure and pedicure at the hotel,” Briana said. “Okay, but let Marcus pay for it,” Martina said, looking at her husband, who gave us his approval by st
Flint POVI saw the excitement on her face and toned down the green-eyed monster that was raring to go out of its shell inside me. Anna needed my cooperation, not my resistance. She needed my strength to provide her a haven from life’s raging storms. Her eyes made quick work of her mobile phone, searching for something. Then, her expression lit up. It was as if she arrived at a Eureka moment. “I already found his secretary’s number. It’s in my contact list. I will call him now.” She explained, eager to be done with the deed. I grabbed the phone from her hands and placed it back on the bedside table. “Flint!” She protested.Her head lifted as she followed the direction my hand was going. “Do it tomorrow,” I told her sternly.Anna pouted. “It’s morning in Arkadia today. It’s the best time to call.” She argued, but I was determined to dissuade her from pursuing it now. Timing is always important when taking crucial actions. Plus, her overexcitement does not bode well for me. I
Anna/Linda POVI woke up with a smile on my face. Who wouldn’t when the man of your dreams was the first person you would see when you open your eyes in the morning?“Good morning, dear. I missed you.” Flint said tenderly. I bit my lips because they sometimes get ahead of me. Like right now, I could not stop them from extending at the corners because of how Flint looked at me - like I was the most beautiful thing his eyes laid on. I lifted my hand to cover his face. “Don’t.” Flint peeled my hand away and kissed the back of it. “What?” “Don’t cover my eyes because I want to fill them with this image of you. I want to etch this morning in my memory to remind me of when we were both old and gray.” He told me. I felt a twinge in my heart. His openness filled me with a warm feeling inside. “I like the idea of that.” My voice sounded hoarse because his words affected me very much. He stared at me, waiting for me to expound.“Growing old together. I never had anyone tell me he wa
Anna/Linda POVI have often imagined in my head my meeting with Logan. I have prepared for this eventuality, but nothing beats reality when it hits you in the face. I was dumbstruck, unable to move. Just a while ago, Flint and I were discussing reaching out to him through Goldstone, but the plan was already useless since he was in front of me now. Logan vacated his chair, and in a slow motion, he approached me. I stood frozen on the spot. My brain was not working. Should I leave, or should I stay?My eyes surveyed the cafe, looking for an escape route, if ever. Logan tutted, making me look sharply at him. It was like he guessed what I was doing. Well, we grew up together. Logan knew me. “Relax. It is just me.” He was trying to placate me.Despite the assurance, my head was screaming at me to take caution.This man followed me here from Arkadia, that I was sure of. Otherwise, he would not pretend to be a client to score a meeting with me.My eyes narrowed into slits when he
Anna/Linda POVBlood rushed to my head.“It was my fault that you abandoned your duty to your country. I am to blame. That is why I am here to apologize and hope that things will get back to their rightful place.”“You have such a high opinion of yourself, sir. I left Arkadia not because of you. You may be the catalyst that triggered the decision, but you were not the reason I ran away.” I hissed.I looked around us to ensure we were not attracting the attention of the other customers, heaving a sigh when I noticed that everything looked normal.“If it is not me. Then, why run away in the first place?&rd
Jenna POVThe floor very nearly split in half every time I took a step because of the heaviness of my footsteps.I was so livid.My hand itched to hit Charles Ford.I was sure Charles was toying with me, and that frustrated the h*ll out of me.How dare he insinuate that my body bends easily to him? The arrogance of the man!It was short of saying that I still have the hots for him.That all he had to do was give me that come-hither command, and I would go running back in his arms.He must have a screw loose somewhere.What is the point of divorcing him when I couldn't even control my body’s responses if it wanted him?I admit I lacked determination when it came to Charles. But did he have to rub that fact in my face?I am moving on.I am drilling it into my head that I should start getting used to a life without him because we are divorced
Jenna POV“Congratulations, everyone!” I told my team after the operation.“I have food delivered, waiting at the pantry,” I added.It was my reward for a job well done, and they all shouted in glee.I always believed that breaking bread with your people fosters good working relationships, and it has become a tradition every time we have a delivery or operation.“But I am sorry," I told them."I can’t join you tonight. I want to rest.”My team protested, and I sa
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