Andrew's POV.Elena was the first person I saw when I opened my eyes, sleeping peacefully beside me.How could anyone sleep so peacefully after what she did? I wanted to be mad at her but she was right about everything she said. Even a blind man could see that I had changed how I treated her, which is why she did what she did.But still, I was certain she was hiding something from me. I actually saw her with Rickard the other night, and she flatly denied it.I had to find Gwen and apologize for what Elena had done. My conscience would not let me leave her like that. She was innocent and embarrassed in front of everyone at the office.Sure, she cheated on me in the past, but this was a completely different situation. At least she was trying to earn decently.“Babe, you are awake already?” Elena spoke softly as she struggled to open her eyes.I gave a nod and abruptly got out of bed. One thing was certain, even though she justified her actions, I was still angry at what she had done.I
Gwen's POV“I am not going anywhere, Granny. Ricky, Please make her understand” I said, staring at Ricky hoping for a little backup.“I am sorry Princess, but I have to support Nonna on this” Ricky said.“Gwen, Listen to me. I understand how difficult this is for you, but Emory is still your father," Granny said, locking my hands in hers."He did not consider that when he tried to attack me," I said, snorting loudly.“Probably the reason why he wants to see you. He wants to make amends Gwen” Granny said, caressing my hands."So why do I have to go to him? He should come here if he wants to make things right between us," I insisted stubbornly.Granny's request was simply impossible. I can not just get on a plane and fly to New York to talk to the same man who abandoned me and also attempted to hurt me."Your father is ill, Gwen. He can't travel to Oklahoma, you know that.”“How can you still trust that man after what he did? You want me to be in the same space as him?” I asked Granny
Gwen's POV“Why didn't you tell me that Andrew came to look for me?”"Why does it matter? He is no good to you, Gwen," Jane said, placing her hands on mine.“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” “For God's sake, I needed money for Ethan's surgery and Andrew found out about my visit to New York but you choose not to tell me?” I yelled, removing my hands from hers.“Gwen, calm ….”“Don't you tell me to calm down Jane. What if something happened to Ethan? What if Ricky didn't come up with the money? Oh God!” I exclaimed, breaking down in tears."I am sorry, I just..." she stammered."You knew I needed the money. Do you know what Ricky did in order to get it?” I howled louder, attempting to control the tears that streamed down my face."Just one call from you would have changed everything. Ricky would not have stolen money to pay for Ethan's treatment," I said, sniffing loudly."Did you know that Ricky had to leave town for months before coming back to repay what he stole? Do you ha
Gwen's POVNo!This can not be possible.“Dad, dad, wh…at did I..I just read?” I struggled with my words. I hurried over to his bed and got down on my knees, pleading with him to tell me it was not true."During my college years, I only dated your mother. We intended to get married after college, but we had a fight that resulted in a month-long separation”. He paused, then cleared his throat.“However, we got married after I found out she was pregnant with you. Your mum was the perfect wife and mother”“Dad, no, please,” I said, crying out loud. I didn't come prepared for any of this. It was too much for me to take."I only found out you were not my daughter after she died. She could not even face me to tell me, so she wrote it on a piece of paper." My father gripped his fist tightly.“It broke me Gwen. I was faithful to her, it was just a month break from me and she got pregnant for someone else”His words cut straight through my heart like a dagger. The pain of the discovery was exc
Andrew's POVWith each step I took, my anxiety grew. Was I truly ready for the answers I sought?"This way, boss," Fred said, opening a door into a small room. The room lacked windows and featured a single bulb and a chair in the center. Brody was tied to the chair, and blindfolded.“Where am I? What the fuck do you guys want? I don't have any money” Brody began to cry.Pathetic!I rolled my eyes and motioned Fred to loosen the blindfold around Brody's face.Brody stared at me for a while, it was evident that he was trying to recall where he knew me from.“What do you want from me?” He asked, looking very petty.“Answers” I replied boldy. Whatever happened today, I was going to get all of the answers I sought. I made a mistake by not investigating the case earlier, but now was my chance to find out exactly what happened."What answers, man? I do not know anything," he said.“But I didn't ask you anything,” I said with a smirk."That is because I do not have any information that co
Andrew's POV“No!” I yelled angrily, destroying the files piled on my study table. Elena was not home when I arrived, and she should count herself fortunate. I would have torn her apart. The rage I was experiencing was intriguing.After Gwen's planned betrayal, I had not felt this angry before. How could I be such a fool? Why didn't I investigate this further, why didn't I listen to Gwen.“Fuck” I screamed, knocking the table off.I sat on the floor, burying my hands in my hair. I was not sure where to start. I had no idea on how I was going to face Gwen.I didn't know how I would seek her forgiveness. I accused her, I threatened her, I threw obscenities at her but she was innocent all this while.I abandoned both her and my children. My sons. I have never felt their touch or seen them up close because I was deceived. I was forced to believe those children were bastards and Gwen was an unfaithful woman.*******The next morning, I awoke on my study’s floor. I was so caught up in my t
Gwen's POVThe smile on my face quickly vanished.What the hell was he doing here? Andrew and his bodyguard were standing in front of me. I had not seen him since the incident at the office. He had never been to Granny's house, so how did he find me?“Why did you stop Gwen?” I heard Ricky's voice behind me. He came to visit and decided to take Granny, the boys and I out for lunch.Ricky peered through the door and spotted Andrew. His expression changed immediately. He became furious.“What are you doing here? Did you come here to humiliate her even more?” He bellowed at Andrew.“Can I talk to you Gwen?” Andrew spoke, completely ignoring Ricky.His actions infuriated Ricky. Ricky grabbed Andrew by the collar and punched him in the face. Seeing this, Fred quickly retaliated by grabbing Ricky by the arm.Ricky was no match for Fred's muscular and well-built physique. He tried to free himself but he failed.“Ricky, would you stop that?” I said.“And Mr Andrew, I am sorry to disappoint y
Gwen's POV“No!” I said sternly.“No?” Andrew asked, perplexed. He got up from his knees and held me by the shoulder. He looked deeply into my already tearful eyes.“What do you mean by No?” He spoke softly. I saw delicate eyes that I had not seen in years. The same eyes that only stared at me when he was about to consummate our marriage.“I no longer want to make things right between us, Andrew. You do not deserve me," I said, tears streaming down my cheeks.“You did not give me a chance to explain myself. It was as if you were waiting for me to do something wrong. You accused me of cheating, you called me all sorts of names and you expect me to just forgive you?”“I am sorry Gwen, I….”“No!, get out” I yelled, pushing him hard by the chest. “Get out Andrew, my kids just need I alone”“Gwen,” Andrew said, holding me by the arm.Luckily, Ricky walked in just in time. He yanked me free from Andrew's grip.“What the hell is wrong with you man? She said you should go away” Ricky said, wa
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