Revelation

Everleigh was transferred to the master’s bedroom the day after she woke up.  She protested, but Rufus ignored her. He was acting like an overprotective husband over his fragile wife. She hated being in bed, and Rufus hovered over her like a hen.

She sat, and he was already in front of her, assisting her. He brought his work inside his room and found him beside her sleeping. He didn’t try to seduce her or anything, but his care was making her sway. “I will go to the bathroom,” she said, rolling her eyes.

Without a word, Rufus scooped with his one hand while the other hand dragged the IV fluid handle. “Put me down, Rufus; I am not invalid. It was just the flu!" He put her down on the toilet seat, and she looked at him in exasperation. She wasn't used to this kind of intimacy, particularly with strangers, but she had a feeling that Rufus was not a stranger. His scent was so familiar that when she smelled it, something within her stirred.

“You can go now; I can manage myself,” she immediately said when Rufus tried to assist her. Even Rujan, who was with her when she had an accident and when she gave birth to the boys, was never this attentive. He always gave her some space and respected her privacy.

“I already saw...” He stopped and sighed. “Call me if you need anything,” he said, closing the door.

When she got out of the bathroom, Rufus was arranging the food on the bedside table. He immediately came to her side and assisted her. “I hate being treated this way, you know. I was like this for seven months. After the accident, I stayed in the hospital for two months, and when Rujan brought me home, I stayed in my room because the doctor told me to go to bed rest. My pregnancy was so sensitive that I bled whenever I moved a little. It’s frustrating because Rujan must be with me all the time, and he also needed to work and"

She stopped when she realized that she had already said too much. She looked up and saw Rufus clenching his jaw. Then she remembered Rujan and the call. Everleigh grabbed Rufus’ arms. “I think Rujan is in danger; the person who called me before I fainted got my number, and only Rujan had my number. Please... Help him,” she begged.

“I’m doing my best to locate my brother, baby; you don’t need to worry about him. Now, eat; the boys will see you soon; you need your energy to cope with them,” he said as he fed her the chicken broth.

She smiled when he mentioned her boys; He was right; she needs energy to be with them. Rufus also smiled at her tenderly. “You’re such a brave woman, baby. I underestimated you myself, and I regretted it many times.”

“Did we meet before? ," she asked, frowning.

“Yes,”

“When?”

“Since you came here.”

“I came here? I can’t remember that I came here to see Rujan.”

“No, you came here to see me.”

“You?" She gasped, surprised.

Rufus fed her another spoonful of broth and then another before he answered.

“You are my lover,”

“No, it can’t be!" she said, shaking her head.

“The boys were tested the other day, and they’re my sons. If you want to leave me, you can’t take my boys with you.”

“But Rujan, he never… he’s my husband. He is the father...”

“Rujan took advantage of you; he wanted you from the very beginning, and when he saw an opportunity, he took you away from me.”

“My accident? Did he play a part in it? ”

“I’m still investigating it. You are mine, Everleigh, and I will do anything to keep you and my boys, even taking you away from my brother.”

"Rujan would never do it. He's..." she said, touching her temple. A sudden headache surged.

"You can't be their father; you're just trying to get what you want from me. You're a playboy and always get what you want." 

They heard small steps and voices from the door, and she readied her smile when it opened.

“Mama, Daddy!" Her triplets screamed.

“Daddy stayed with you, Mama; he never left your side. He was so worried about you that he forgot to eat. Sonya played with us instead, and she told us about it,” Rafael said.

Everleigh saw Rufus’ blush, but he hid it by frowning. “Kiss your mother goodbye; she still needs rest. We will play outside,” he said.

The boys shouted in delight and went to her. They hugged and kissed her and went running to their room. “I will leave you for now, baby, but I’ll be back. I need to attend to my fatherly obligation; my son reminded me of how I neglect my duties because their mother occupies most of my time,” he said.

Everleigh looked up at Rufus with gentle blue eyes and smiled slowly, her lips moist and parted. Seeing her boys happy made her forget what had transpired in their conversation moments ago. 

Rufus needed no other invitation to sample the honey goodness of her lips. He lowered his head and brushed his hungry mouth over Everleigh's, and as if by magic, she twisted in his arms and melted closer to him, slipping her hands behind his back.

His arm tightened around her waist, and his other encompassed her shoulders, squeezing her to him. She clung to him, wishing the moment might last forever. His kiss overwhelmed her with need, making every muscle in her body weak and flexible. Her lips parted under his increasing passion, and she lifted her head to get more familiar with his body.

The sound of running feet drew them apart. “You felt our connection. No one can replace me. Your body knew me very well, baby,” he said, kissing her once more, but this time with a peck on her forehead.

"I will call Rujan, bring back my phone to me."

"From now on, I will handle your problem and my brother. I will protect you with my life."

"Rujan also said it to me, but he was nowhere to be found."

"I lost you once, I will never lose you again, even to my own brother."