Briana POVI went to my desk to pull out three large books and handed them to Noah.Without a word, he accepted them.I watched while he opened the book at the top and was silent, seemingly engrossed with its contents.“It’s the children’s baby book. From birth up to their birthday last year.” I informed him.He nodded absent-mindedly. His eyes never left the page as he scanned it.It seemed like he was lost in what he was seeing and had forgotten about me, but I didn’t mind.It gave me a sense of satisfaction watching Noah as he let his eyes roam around the pages. Sometimes, he would caress a page w
Noah POV“She has moved on,” I told Brent. We were back at the Blue Canyon, A VIP membership club overlooking the sea, and I was getting liberal with the booze. “What do you expect? She is married. Marcus Ford is a good man for taking responsibility for your children and raising them as his own. Briana would be a fool to let a man like him go.” I sighed. Between us, Marcus Ford is a better man, but I can’t shake this resolve that if only Briana would give me a chance, I would show her that I could be the best man for her and the triplets. Brent tapped my shoulder. “Give it a rest, dude. At least, be thankful that she is willing to introduce you to the children.” That sobered me up. I remembered Briana would be introducing the children to me tomorrow. It was supposed to be today, but she told me something came up, and she has an emergency meeting. I had no choice but to leave hurriedly then. After meeting with Brent, I drove straight home. When I left the car, I took out the
Noah POV“She is your fiancée. She had every right to escort you wherever you go. Besides, she’s well-known. What you did embarrassed her. The press had a field day. Fortunately, I intervened on her behalf and nipped a huge scandal in the bud.”I smirked to myself, but to Uncle Matt, I said dispassionately.“That was unnecessary. You could have let Britney be. She brought it upon herself. Let her suffer the consequences of her actions.”I have coddled Britney a lot of times in the past. Now, she is on her own.
Noah POVI parked my car outside the Ford’s mansion and took deep breaths.Then, I pulled the overhead mirror and checked my face.I rolled the windows down, breathed fresh air to calm my nerves, and waited for any activity inside the house. I do not want to come out as overly excited when in truth, I was.I kept rubbing my palms in anticipation when I heard the sounds of children.My heart skipped a bit. Checking the time, I heaved a sigh.I opened the driver’s door to get out.From the backseat, I pulled out several bags and walked to the house in front of me.I rang the bell, and instead of a maid, Marcus Ford greeted me.“Good morning!”He opened the door wider to let me pass. From the entrance, I could hear the boys. It looks like they were playing.“Forgive the chaos, but my other brothers are here as well.”I nodded and took a deep breath.Instead of one adult male and Briana, I have to meet Marcus Ford’s brothers, too.“Thank you for allowing me to get to know my children.
BrianaI couldn’t be prouder of my youngest. Mason was the first to introduce himself to their father without any barriers.I thought it would be difficult since the triplets didn't have a good impression of Noah, but my children are intelligent.When Riley and Brixx followed Mason’s lead, my chest felt stuffy.
Briana POVThe triplets were speechless, but it was Noah’s reaction that actually had me flummoxed.His mouth parted, and his jaw hung open in shock.“Briana.” He mumbled under his breath.We stared at each other. I don’t know what made me blurt it out like that.I had planned on doing it after this day. When the children got to know him a little, but seeing how overwhelmed Noah looked when the triplets sounded unsure about spending the day with him, I had to do something.In order to allay the children’s apprehension, I told them the truth. It was just that I had not counted on the revelation to backfire on us.
Noah POVI could not explain the sudden sadness that attacked me right that moment.I rue the years lost. If only I had taken the time to search for Briana after I got back from my treatment abroad. I have not lost so much time.I sighed and stopped outside my car.“We can’t fit into your car,” Briana announced when she saw what I brought.I stopped and realized that my car was not even child-friendly.I mentally knocked my head. In my excitement, it slipped past my notice that my car would be too small to accommodate them.I looked shyly at Briana and rubbed the back of my head in stupefaction.
Noah POVBut that would be wishful thinking.I knew Briana was trying to be civil for the children’s sake.I could sense her detachment when I tried to include her in my conversation with the children.Though there are moments when I get to see a glimpse of the old Briana, I can feel her resistance.She did not want this and was only doing so for the children.
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