Briana POV
The 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.
Noah POVIt was getting dark when we started loading the triplets in the car.They kept insisting on a last ride. Briana, and I indulged them.Because the children napped at the park, they were energetic and very much awake on the ride home. The van was full of their laughter.“Let’s do this again,” Brixx announced when Briana asked them if they enjoyed themselves.I smiled because I liked spending more time with them.We passed by the Rosewood Hotel, and the children were pointing their fingers at it.“Mommy, your hotel!” They cried simultaneously.“Do you want to stop for dinner at the hotel?” Briana asked the children.They all answered yes.I pulled to the hotel entrance.&
Noah POVI shot Briana a confused look and was stunned by her stricken face.“Is it true?”Despite having our children as an unwitting audience, I could not wait to ask.My heart was thumping wildly in my chest in excitement while I waited for her confirmation. I had not been banking on this development. But it sure was a relief to know that Briana had never remarried, nor was she in a relationship.I figured if I wanted to take back my family, this was my chance. A chance I promise to put to good use. I’ll win her back.To my dismay, Briana only averted her face.She acted like she did not hear me, but I knew better.She avoided answering my question.I did not press, though. I figured we still had time to discuss her social status without the children.
Noah POVMarcus Ford barked an awkward laugh.He coughed self-consciously as if to clear his throat when he realized he was the only one laughing. I refused to join him in his merriment.Then, he met my unflinching gaze.“What kind of question is that?”My eyes narrowed into slits. A sign that I am way past my tolerance level.“Don’t try to evade answering my question with another question. I am not playing games here.” I warned.I was at my wit’s end. I was incr
Noah POV“Let’s meet up at Blue Canyon. ” I informed Brent and ended the call.I was walking briskly toward my car when a man intercepted me.He was the head of my security team.“Ed.” I nodded in greeting.“Sir. We are staking the house and your family.” He reported.“Good. Keep me posted and mark my words. If something happens to them, you will all pay up big time.” I warned before getting into my car and driving away.This is the first time I used my name and my wealth to threaten anyone. I was not used to doing that, but the protective instinct in me was the one talking. I do not know what I would have done if something happened to my family, especially as I am not around to protect them.When I got to Blue Canyon, Brent was already waiting for me.
Noah POV“Keep this under wraps. I do not want news of this getting out until we catch all his cohorts. And from now on, tighten the security at Hunter Enterprises. Don’t leave anything to chance. We are at war.” I told them and they nodded.“I will make everyone pay,” I told them, but how can I make everyone pay if I am also an unwitting accomplice to Uncle Matt’s purported crime?
Briana POVA sense of guilt had overtaken me after knowing Noah had not slept a wink and sat outside our house all night.“Go home,” I told him after breakfast without looking at him.My brothers refrained from saying anything.They refrained from showing approval or disapproval in Noah's presence. I was sure it was in deference to the triplets.
Flint POV“I am not talking to you, Flint. You embarrassed me in front of Linda, and that was unforgivable.”I winced, feeling guilty.In my eagerness to defend my family, I had forgotten that Briana was never an enemy.She was my sister.“I am sorry.”“I am just looking out for you. Haven’t you forgotten how hard women tried to trap you into marriage, not because they loved you but because they loved what you represented?” She lashed out at me.I chuckled. &ldqu
Anna/Linda POV“Hey, sis! ” Flint walked toward his sister with a wriggling Penelope in his arms.When he reached her, he stooped to kiss her cheeks.Penelope saw what he did and did the same. She kissed Briana’s cheek.Briana was left stunned, especially when Penelope showed her natural cuteness.She bounced in Flint’s arms, raising her hands to clap."Yay! Kwin ver gud!" Penelope said in a stilted manner.On the other hand, Flint looked like he was ready to burst into pride. He puffed
Anna/Linda POVWe spent three days secluded in the exclusive villa Flint rented for us. It was nothing short of idyllic. Penelope had a wonderful time. “Dad-dy!” She squealed and jumped on her little feet to evade the coming waves. “Bubbles!” She would cry in gibberish, pointing at the sea foam that crowded her feet and ankles. Then she would run to Flint, and Flint would swoop down to capture her and put her to dry sand. Then, she would stroll toward the waves again, repeating the same actions until Flint rescues her.“You are silent,” Flint said when he deposited Penelope beside me. I was sitting on the sand with my legs stretched out in front of me. He quickly worked on the sand, digging with his hands and throwing them to cover my legs. It attracted Penelope, and she mimicked her father. She took clumps of sand in her hands and threw them to my legs. “You need a spade, my little Queen,” Flint said.He looked around our surroundings before his eyes focused on something no
Flint POVAfter dinner, I was excited to put Penelope to sleep, but to my chagrin, she wouldn’t sleep however hard I coaxed her.She was too busy playing with the rose petals. She kept stepping on them while she walked around our rented villa.“Maybe she loved the downy feel of the rose petals on her soles.” Anna offered a likely explanation for our daughter’s seeming propensity for the flowers.She even pulled her shoes off before she jumped, skipped, and kicked on the petals covering the floor.I dropped my head playfully in response, but inside, I was dying for Penelope to lay her head on the bed so t
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.
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
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 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 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