Andrew's POVIt has been nearly two years since I last saw her up close.She looked more stunning.I snapped back into reality and chastised myself for thinking she looked beautiful. I was not supposed to think about her in that way."Look who decided to show up after rushing out of the meeting yesterday," I said in a dismissive tone.“I apologize for my behavior yesterday sir. I promise it will not happen again," Gwen said, her head lowered. “You can't look at me now, can you? I am sure your conscience will not allow you to." I paused for a moment."Ah, I see now, I should have remembered, cheaters like you have none," I purred."This is a working environment, Mr Andrew. Let us keep our relationship work-related," Gwen said, finally raising her head.Her response took me by surprise. How dare she speak to me like that?I stood up from my seat and got very close to her. I could feel her breath from where I was standing. This action of mine made her uncomfortable as she took a few ste
Gwen's POVI grasped the moment I saw Elena walk in.She let go of the food paper bag she was holding and just stared in shock.Andrew's hands remained tightly wrapped around my waist. It took him a few seconds to realize what was going on, and when he did, he let go of me right away, causing me to fall heavily to the floor and I groaned in pain.“You bitch!” I heard Elena yell. Although I was unable to see her face at the moment, I could tell she was burning in rage by her voice.She came charging at me, pulling me by the hair while I was still on the floor.“You slut! throwing yourself at my man huh?”"Elena, stop," Andrew yanked her away from me.I sprang to my feet and saw Elena snarling like a dog. Her face was etched with unfathomable rage. I have never seen anyone this angry before.I was pretty sure if Andrew let her go, she would scratch my face until I was unrecognizable.Andrew gripped her tightly around the waist, preventing her from attacking me any further.“Calm down El
Gwen's POVElena stared at me with a sly smile across her lips.“Oops Gwen, sorry I didn't see you there” She said sarcastically.“Are you blind? You ruined my phone!" I yelled angrily, showing her the screen of my phone.She dropped from her car elegantly. Elena always exudes a strong sense of self-worth, which is evident wherever she goes.“Oh, I am so sorry Gwen. Why don't I get you a new one? And maybe a few bucks as compensation," she said, her sly smile still visible.I clench my fist tightly. I was already fuming with rage.“Get lost Elena” I hissed, walking away from her.“Are you sure? I could pay you extra to stay away from Andrew” I suddenly come to a halt. Seeing that, Elena took a few steps and was standing right in front of me again.“I thought as much. I know how far you will go for money," she said, looking at me with irritation.“Don't you dare Elena!” I yelled. I could not bear being disrespected, particularly by her.“Unlike you, money is not everything to me” She
Gwen's POV“Ricky!” I screamed in disbelief. “How..? What are you doing here?” I stuttered, not believing my eyes "Is that the way you greet folks these days?" He said with a big grin on his face, widening his arms for a hug.I punched him lightly in the chest before throwing myself into his arms.He was the last person I expected to see, but he is still one of the people I need the most right now.He hugged me tightly, resting his chin on my head. I could not stop the tears forming in the corners of my eyes."Let go, Gwen; I know I am too attractive," he said, laughing hard.“Don't flatter yourself” I said sniffing. I used both of my hands to wipe away the tears on my cheek.“Won't you invite me in? Or will you just let the young man freeze to death outside?""Come to think of it, that would not be such a bad idea," I said, a sly smile forming on the corner of my lips.Ricky entered after I moved out of the way. He was carrying a small backpack on his back and a sweater draped over
Elena's POVThis was perfect. I turned around and stared at Andrew, expecting a reaction, but he maintained his stern expression.“You decided to bring one of your lovers to work, awwwwn, how adorable” I said to Gwen with a smirk on my face.“Watch what you say to her” The man she was with came to her defense.I expected Andrew to stand up for me as well, but he only tightened his grip on his briefcase and walked away.I had never felt so embarrassed before, and it enraged me. I still can not get over the fact that Gwen stood up to me yesterday, and Andrew chose to embarrass me in front of her and her lover."Oops, it appears that your man is not in the mood for all of your unnecessary drama today," the man said sarcastically.“Ricky, stop” Gwen said, pulling him by the arm.I walked away fuming hard, leaving both of them there. This was the height of it, Andrew had outdone himself today.I marched furiously into Andrew's office, slamming the door behind me.“What the fuck was that
Andrew's POV“It's been like what? Three weeks and you are going on a vacation with her?” Elena said, giving me a fierce look.“Business trips are now called Vacations?” “Oh, same thing. Spare me the bullshit, babe," she exclaimed, raising her voice above normal.I dropped the cutlery I was using to eat and grabbed a glass of wine to push down the steak I had just chewed.“We are eating Elena, can you not do this now?” I spoke to her calmly.“Can't you take someone else?”"She is my personal assistant, who else would be more suitable to accompany me on a business trip?" "Well, I am coming with you," she said, picking up her phone. "I am booking a flight right now.""Be my guest," I said as I got up.It was a good thing Elena was coming along. At the very least, she would be able to monitor me as much as she wanted, and she might even shut up about her insecurities.The flight to Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, was scheduled for 7 p.m.I was going there for a business meeting and Gwen wo
Gwen's POV“Thank you Ricky,” I said, smiling warmly at him. “ You really shouldn't have”“Come on Princess, what are you saying? This is the least I can do for you”"Look after Granny and the boys for me, okay?" I said."Sure, come here," he said, pulling me into his arms.I was not looking at Andrew or Elena, but I could feel their venomous stares. What the hell was Ricky doing? He was aware of why my marriage with Andrew ended, and now this?“Stay safe Gwen” He said, releasing me from his grip, and then pressed a kiss on my forehead.“Ricky, what the hell?” I murmured to him in rage. I did not want to embarrass him in front of everyone there.“I am sorry Gwen” He apologized.I didn't know how to react to that, so I walked out on him with a scowl on my face and sat behind Andrew and Elena.Ricky waved at me, but I turned my face away and completely ignored him. I was furious at what he did, and whatever his reasons were, he would undoubtedly have to explain."Some people choose to b
Gwen's POVI awoke with the sun shining on my face."Dammit," I cursed as I realized I had left the curtains open last night.I got out of bed and went to the window to lock it. It infuriated me even more knowing that I could not possibly go back to bed.I was still exhausted from yesterday's flight, but I needed to prepare for the meeting. Andrew would get upset if I don't make it out of my room in time for the meeting.Not that I cared about his personal feelings, but he was my boss, and I could not afford to upset him because it could cost me my job and the life I had worked so hard to create for my children and I.I got dressed as quickly as possible and rushed downstairs. I was surprised to see Andrew in joggers and a shirt, sipping coffee and scrolling through his phone.“Good morning Sir” Without saying anything, he just gave me a quick glance before returning gaze to his phone."Sir, the meeting is in one hour," I grudgingly said."Tell me something I do not know," he scoffed
Gwen's POV“Rickard Gilbert. You have been found guilty of all of the charges against you. You are hereby sentenced to life imprisonment with hard labor” The judge gave his final verdict.I sighed with relief as I realized that all of my problems were gradually coming to an end.A month has passed since the incident. During the struggle between Andrew and Rickard at the warehouse, a trigger was pulled and a bullet went through Rickard's left leg.The case didn't hold immediately because Rickard needed to recover before he could face the court.Jake and Dr. James both testified against Rickard, and Fred presented the court with evidence indicating Rickard pulled the trigger on Brody.Elena's statement also helped with the case but unfortunately, she slipped into a coma.She was closely monitored by the police. As soon as she regains her consciousness, she will also pay for her crimes.Hopefully, she receives a lighter sentence because she was the only reason my sons were healthy and wi
Gwen's POVNanny Rose's memorial service was held in her hometown, and Granny and I attended to pay our final respects.We boarded the next flight to Oklahoma and returned home later that evening. The house felt incredibly empty without the children and Nanny Rose.It seemed like I was in a completely different place. I walked to the sofa and shut my eyes tightly.It has been quite an awful month for me and I don't think I will recover any time soon.As soon as I picked up my phone, I received a call from Andrew asking me to come to the hospital. My heart skipped a beat because I knew the hospital spelled bad news.Granny insisted on tagging along but I didn't let her. She has also been through a lot, which has had a negative impact on her health.I tried reaching Ricky to drive me there but he wasn't picking so I decided on taking a cab there.******“What's wrong Andrew?” I asked as soon as I saw him in the waiting room.There were numerous police officers patrolling around the area
Rickard's POVI stormed into the room where I had kept the children captive. Their instant sobs and screams became a nuisance to my ears.“Would you both shut up for fuck sake?” I yelled, throwing a wooden chair across the room, and the kids shook with fear.I made the room comfortable for them, I mean, I still remain their favorite uncle right?"I want to go to my mummy," Ethan stated, rubbing his cheeks with both hands.“Shut up you little brat, mummy is not coming” I yelled, slamming my hand against the wall vigorously.Elena rushed into the room as Ethan's sobbing became louder."Oh, poor child, do not cry," she said, stepping closer to Ethan. She sat on the room's bed and cradled Ethan in her arms.“You really don't have to scare them like this Rickard. They are our key to a good life” Elena said, staring at me intently.I scoffed audibly.“Since when did you start to care about the children and their well being?” I asked sarcastically."I am not a monster, Ricky, I have always h
Gwen's POV I watched how Andrew's face turned pale. I had no doubt that Rickard was on the other end of the phone. Andrew lowered the phone from his ear and stared at me without saying anything. “What happened?” “He threatened to harm the children, but I won't let him Gwen, I promise” Andrew said, taking my hands into his. "I know you won't," I replied, smiling lightly at him. He was the only person I fully trusted to bring my kids back. He was their father, he had the money and influence and I knew he was willing to give Rickard all his properties. He loved the boys that much. “Let me drive you home Gwen” Andrew offered. “I came with Ricky, it's only right I go back with him” I declined politely. “Alright Gwen, I will meet you at the house” Andrew said, softly planting a kiss on my cheeks. I got into the car with Ricky and he drove me home. On the way to the house, I could not stop thinking about how Rickard learned about our plan to ambush him. It only meant one thing, so
Andrew's POVI impatiently stared at the footage that captured how Rickard bulged into the house and came out with my children.“How could you be careless? You were assigned to look after my children," I yelled angrily, slamming my hands against the table.My phone began buzzing just as the chief of police was about to speak. It was an unknown number. I had an immediate suspicion that it was Rickard calling.I picked my phone and placed the call on loud speaker. The chief of police quickly asked his assistant to connect my mobile phone to the cellular location system in order to track down Rickard's exact location.“Hello big bro” Rickard said over the phone.“You scoundrel, where are you? Where are my children” I yelled vehemently over the phone.“Oh big bro, why are you being aggressive? The kids are having a little fun time with their favorite uncle” Rickard said sarcastically over the phone.My anger surged, and I could feel my blood crackling. If I ever get my hands on Rickard, I
Gwen's POV“No! No! No!” I continuously kept on saying. With every word I said, I took a step back.I almost lost my balance if not because of Ricky who supported me from behind.Nanny Rose lay on the floor in her own pool of blood, and the room's window was wide open.Ethan and Evan were not in their beds, and I could feel my heart breaking into little pieces. I released myself from Ricky's grip and ran towards the window.“Ethan! Evan!” I yelled at the top of my voice.Granny rushed into the room and was taken aback as soon as she saw the scene. She quickly took out her phone and dialed the ambulance.Ricky dashed out of the room to inform the cops about the kidnapping.I was left in shock and I kept on calling out to my boys, magically hoping that they would appear in front of me.I sat on the floor and burst into tears. My children were my weakness and if anything should happen to them, I don't think I would ever move on.I wished I had put them to bed myself, then maybe all this
Gwen's POVI sat beside Andrew staring at him quietly. His chelation therapy had been going on for more than four days, and he was already doing well.The pale color of his skin was gradually vanishing and he was regaining his actual skin complexion.The doctor said that if he continued to respond well to the treatment, he would be discharged in less than a week.I tucked his hands into mine and gently squeezed them.“They won't get away with what they did to you, I promise” I said softly.Suddenly, I heard the door to the room unlocked.“Fred, is that you?” I said, slightly turning my face in the direction of the door.“Attorney Frederick,” I exclaimed, getting up to my feet. “You are here?”“Well yes, I flew to Oklahoma as soon as I heard the news. How is Andrew doing?” Attorney Frederick asked, moving closer to Andrew's bed.“He is responding well to treatment sir. He will soon be back on his feet” I spoke calmly.“Did Rickard really do everything he was accused of?” Attorney Frede
Rickard's POVI continued to clench my teeth. If I had not followed Andrew out of the house, I would probably be in jail by now.“Damn it” I exclaimed furiously.I sat on the bed in the small room and dug my hands into my hair. How could I have been so dumb not to notice that i was being followed.“Fuck!” I yelled, smashing my phone across the wall.“There is no use smashing your phone across the wall Rickard. You sold us out” Elena glared furiously.“What the hell are you even saying? You should be glad I brought you along with me” I said angrily.I instantly regretted my decision. I should not have told Elena about Andrew's discovery. I should have gone into hiding and let her pay dearly for our crimes.Now I was stuck with her and her constant nagging. I was sure that going to jail wouldn't be as bad as being in the same space with Elena.Perhaps I should just turn myself in to the police.“God damnit” I murmured to myself.“We are fucking low on cash Rickard. How are we going to s
Gwen's POVI asked Fred to drive me home after leaving the hospital. On our way there, I paid for our flight tickets to New York.My plan was to subdue Dr. James. He will not go scot free for conniving with Rickard to lie about Andrew's health.I will ensure that he and Jake are transferred to Oklahoma prison so that when Rickard and Elena are apprehended, they can testify against them.My flight was scheduled for 9p.m that evening so I decided to go home first.When I arrived at the house, the scene reminded me of when Sophie escaped. There were officers patrolling around my house.I asked Fred to wait for me in the car while I went to get some of my stuff in the house.“Gwen, what is going on?” Granny said as soon as she saw me walking in. She carried that worried look across her face which made me wonder when all this will come to an end.“Remain in the house Granny and make sure you keep a close eyes on Ethan and Evan.” I said before dashing upstairs.Granny wouldn't just settle f