Britney POV“What do you want?” Hanna’s hostile tone pricked me. “Long time no see, sister dear. Can’t we at least be civil to each other? You can’t hate me forever because Mom loves me more than she does you.” Hanna rolled her eyes.“So, you think I am still prickly about that? Grow up, Britney!”I let it slide when she glared at me and got right down to business.“I don’t know where to find Matt Bryant, Noah’s uncle. Do you have any clue as to his whereabouts?”Hanna’s eyes sharpened.“I told you. I won’t cooperate with you anymore. The last time I did that, I gave Briana so much heartbreak. I can’t do that again anymore. I can’t snitch on my best friend just because we are sisters!”I laughed, but it sounded hollow.“You said it. We are sisters. Isn’t blood thicker than water? Why do you always have to take her side? Can’t you see what she was doing to me?"Hanna looked unconcerned, prodding me to explode on her.She was ruining my life!” I cried out in frustration.Why can’t Ha
Hanna POVI was about to leave the cafe when someone snatched my arm.The move was too sudden.It startled me, but when I recognized the culprit, my eyes widened in alarm, and I swallowed the scream that almost escaped my lips.Fear gripped me as I stared into his brown eyes - the same shade as Briana’s.“Rowan.” I stammered.My mouth nervously uttered his name. He was Briana's brother.Immediately, my head nervously took the direction of the café.“Glad to know you recognized me,” Rowan said with clenched jaws as he followed the direction my eyes had taken.I started to sweat profusely. My hands felt clammy, too.“We met once,” I explained in a stilted manner.I was itching to flee, but Rowan's hold on my hand prevented me.I stared at his hand, clutching my arm. My gaze traveled to his angry face, and I swallowed hard. A lump formed in my throat.“I was unaware you know Britney White enough to meet her outside your workplace. Does Briana know?” Rowan sneered.Suspicion laced his v
Hanna POVThe elevator area was empty. When I turned round a corner, I pressed my body on the wall to peek outside where I last saw Rowan Ford, but I made sure to conceal my presence by hiding into the wall. All this time, the pounding in my heart never stopped. Guilt eats at me. The suspicion I saw in Rowan's eyes was unnerving. I heaved a sigh of relief when the space I saw him last was empty. He's gone. My breathing started to regulate, and my chest rose repeatedly in quick succession as I filled my lungs with air. The elevator pinged, and its doors opened to let out passengers.When the car was empty, I got in. Every time the elevator stops and opens, my heart starts to beat harder. I have this insane idea that Rowan Ford would not let his discovery slide, and he would follow me to squeeze out every information he could get. He was Briana's sister. His suspecting me might lead to Briana suspecting me as well. I don't want Briana to find out what I have done. It would c
Rowan POV“Get out!” I ordered when Hanna remained seated in the passenger seat.I did not wait for her and moved out of the driver’s seat to open the door for her.Hanna moved slowly.When she got out of the car, the light shone on her face. It was then that I noticed her unnatural pallor.She wobbled when she took a step and almost kissed the floor when she lost her balance.I caught her up in time. My hand gripped the top of her arms.“Are you alright?” I asked with a frown.She did not respond, but she remained where she was.“I don’t feel well.” She managed to say.Doubt filled my heart. I thought it was a ploy to distract me to escape. I did not count on Hanna's head lolling to the side before her head dropped to my chest.And that was when it dawned on me.I pressed the back of my hand to her forehead to find her burning with fever.The knowledge alarmed me.Without much thought, I hefted Hanna and carried her bridal style inside the house. The maid saw me approach and open
Rowan POVI left Hanna after witnessing the pained look on her face.Call me a j*rk, but it gave me immense satisfaction that my insult got to her.I went to the ensuite bathroom to bathe.When I emerged wrapped in only a towel around my waist, I saw her turn her head away.“Are you giving me a show?” She snapped.I cocked a brow at her, seeing how she refused to look my way. I also noticed a blush tingeing her neck and smiled sardonically.“Why are you waiting for me to strip?” I asked and started to pull my towel off and throw it in her direction. It landed on her chest.“Rowan!” She croaked. Her face turned in my direction in anger.I spread my arms wide to let her see that I was not naked like she assumed.I saw her gulp when her eyes wandered from my face down to my chiseled chest, washboard abs, and tight legs.Her inspection made me grin. “Go get dressed.” She ordered with a hint of impatience to her voice.“I looped my index fingers on the waistband of my boxers, ready to p
Briana’s POVEntering the kitchen, I heard one of my brothers and Riley discussing something.“Our daddy’s here. I thought you would get lonely and jealous, so I found a girl you can marry and have babies with.” Riley said, and my mouth parted in shock.Rowan’s eyes suddenly became evasive. He looked stunned when our eyes connected.“Riley, what are you talking about?” I asked my son.My voice sounded scandalized, while the males around me, except for Rowan, were laughing.“I don’t think your Dada needs your help, Rye,” Noah said when Riley looked put down by their laughter.“And why is that?” Noah looked amused and it weirded me out.“Yesterday, your brother was seen leaving the hotel with an employee.” Noah disclosed, much to Rowan’s embarrassment.It was unusual for my brother to get embarrassed when caught with a girl. So, it got me thinking that the girl is special.“Who is she? Anyone I know?” I sidled up to him to ask, all gossipy.Noah sputtered. He lifted the apron strings f
Noah POVI followed Briana’s ascent with my eyes. While I watched her walking hurriedly upstairs, I resolved that this time, I would move heaven and earth until our time came.After a few minutes, Briana got down. She evaded my eyes when I tried to capture them with a look.“Are you going to the office?” I asked.“Yeah.” She sounded evasive, too.But I did not mind.Briana must be feeling awkward about what happened in the kitchen earlier.I got up from the couch, pulling my car keys from the front pocket of my pants.“Come on. I will take you there.” I beckoned her to follow me, but she refused to take a step.When I looked back, Briana looked awkward.“Come on. I will take you to the Rosewood Hotel before I report for work.” I informed her.Briana cleared her throat.I had not counted on what she told me next.“Luke is waiting for me outside.” She volunteered.The lilt in my steps vanished. I stopped behind the closed main door, and my outstretched hand – the one ready to take the k
Noah POVLuke was taking her time saying his goodbyes.Despite seeing me and triplets, he engaged Briana far longer than necessary.I was sure it was to annoy me.But I already resolved not to rise to his ploy. I already knew how my responses affected my children. I decided to cling hard to my cool.“What is mommy doing?”“Is he the guy mommy is dating?”My children asked while we waited for their mother in the lobby of Rosewood Hotel.We were attracting people. They will openly stare at the children before averting their attention to mine. Some would even talk in whispers.“What if Mommy marries that guy?” Riley nudged me on the ribs to ask the question I had dreaded thinking.What if Riley is right?Briana dated Goldstone, but it was just once. She did not date him again.Luke Bennett was in a different ball game altogether. She dated him yesterday, and today, he fetched her home. He sure is not wasting his time. My heart started to beat double as fear began to fester in my heart.
Charles POVThe next day, our other two babies were born one after the other.Jenna and I were also there to witness everything and become part of our children’s birth.Jenna’s eyes were puffy when she held our two other newborns in her arms. She had been crying nonstop since yesterday because it still had not sunk in that she was a mom of four babies.When we visited Briana, she and Jenna had a long talk.Briana was smiling, but I could see that she was at a loss when it was time to take the baby away from her.I realized that this ordeal put a lot of strain on
Charles POVThe phone in the delivery room rang, and a nurse went to answer it.“Dr. Martin, it’s delivery room 2.” She said from across the room, allowing us to hear.Dr. Martin went to answer it. Her face was serious when she placed the phone back in its cradle.Then, she turned her head back to her medical team.“Are you still up for another delivery?” She asked her team.Their high spirits rubbed off on Jenna and me. We were smiling when they shouted, of course.
Charles POVIt was a crazy day.We were having a meeting when I heard that Briana had been rushed to the hospital.“Brie is having our baby,” I told my brothers and friend after I dropped the call.It was Jenna. She, Noah, and Biana were already in the hospital because Briana's water broke.My face contorted as emotions I could not name assailed.A mix of fear, excitement, nervousness, worry, and happiness barraged me.Briana, my baby sister, was going to deliver my and Jenna's baby right now. 
Jenna POVThe days quickly passed by.Though we did not talk about it, it seemed as if Charles and I were in tacit agreement to take things slow concerning our careers and concentrate more on each other.We go out of town and do things we had never done before as a couple.It was marvelous.“It’s good that you spend more time with each other because I tell you, once the four babies arrive, you won’t get even a wink of sleep,” Briana told me when I came to her house that afternoon to catch up and to check on her.It’s the baby’s
Jenna POVI turned my head sharply in Beth’s direction to find her busy talking with Brent.They were whispering, and from the blush that tinted her cheeks, I was sure the talk was naughty.“Don’t you want me to be here?” The uncertainty in Charles’ voice got to me.“Of course not!” I denied it, but I could feel my face growing warm because Charles’ eyes were riveted on my packages.I was sure that by just looking at the logo outside the bags, he would know what Beth and I were up to.My guess was not far from the t
Jenna POVWe arrived at our new home much later than expected because I requested the cab driver to drop us off at the nearest florist.After purchasing the flowers I needed, I dragged Beth to the supermarket to buy some scented candles and stuff.“Are you going to sed*ce your husband?” Beth looked confused.I lifted my head from browsing through the label of a scented oil I wanted to purchase to look at her.“What?” I asked since I did not hear her.“If you plan to tempt your husband, you don’t need this.” She told me, looking exasp
Jenna POVAfter Charles left the hospital, I urged Beth to trace our way back inside.We passed the lobby, and I felt weirded out by the looks everyone was giving me. It caused a frown to form on my head. Beth must have noticed my reaction. “Don’t mind them. They just heard about what Gwen did. They all feel sorry for you.” She explained, brushing off the stares I was getting. She even covered her mouth with her hand to stifle a sarcastic laugh. I was surprised not only by the information she shared but also by her reaction. “How?” “Police came here to arrest her. It kind of got messy because Gwen resisted the arrest even when they showed her the warrant. She even tried to run away as if she could escape them. What a d*mmy!” Beth scoffed. It used to confuse me when Beth acted unfriendly toward Gwen. Beth is warm-hearted and is often on good terms with our co-workers, except with Gwen. Now, I know. At first, I did not understand her. Beth admitted that she did not understan
Charles POVAt Jenna’s insistence, I reluctantly left the hospital to go to the office. When I arrived at my office, I was dragging my feet. Whereas before, work had been the boon of my existence.I realized recently that all work and no play made me a very dull person. That’s why it puzzled me why Jenna loved me regardless. “You don’t look too happy reporting for work,” Rowan commented after dragging my feet to my office and finding him, Marcus, and Flint sitting around my conference table. “What are you doing here?” I asked, frowning. “Don’t you have better things to do than loitering around my office?” I asked them when they did not answer my question. My three brothers shrugged their shoulders and simultaneously picked up their coffee mugs to take a sip. My eyes squinted. My brother looked too relaxed for my peace of mind. My eyes narrowed into slits as I pierced them with a glare. Flint immediately rose from his seat to pour my coffee mug and offered it to me. I accepte
Charles POV“Good morning, sir.” The bodyguards posted outside the suite of our surrogates greeted us.“How is everyone?” I asked, stopping to talk to them.Jenna and Beth were still busy in their own world, talking and catching up.Jenna listened in rapt attention as Beth told her about the hardships of first-trimester pregnancy.A smile never left her face, but in my heart, I would always regret that what happened to Jenna denied her the chance to experience pregnancy and motherhood.Still, her talk about forgiveness hit me hard.