Franco’s POV.I could feel the relief wash over me as I made my way out of the ballroom and into the quiet of the hallway. The music was muffled by the thick doors, and the din of the party faded away. I could hear the faint ticking of a clock in the distance, a welcome change from the cacophony of the party. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, savoring the stillness. It felt like I could finally relax, and the tension that had been building up inside me started to melt away.The memory of Ivery was still vivid in my mind. I could see her in my mind's eye, wearing the beautiful black dress she had chosen for the occasion. I could smell the subtle scent of her perfume, and I could hear her laughter ringing in my ears. I could feel the warmth of her touch, the way she spoke to me with such rudeness and little affection. I closed my eyes, trying to hold on to the memory for just a little longer.As I thought about Ivery, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy. I had watched
Ivery’s POV.“Mummy, hurry!” I heard my children call from outside the door. I took a deep breath and checked my reflection in the mirror. “I'll be out soon,” I called back, applying the last touches of my makeup. I could feel my nerves starting to fray, my patience wearing thin. I just wanted to get out of the house, get some fresh air, and clear my head. But the needs of my children took priority, and I knew I had to put on a brave face for them.I picked up my car keys and headed for the front door. “Mummy, you look beautiful!” my son, Caden, exclaimed as I stepped out of the room. “Thank you, sweetheart,” I replied, smiling despite my mood. I helped my children into the car and fastened their seatbelts. Once they were safe and secure, I got into the driver's seat and started the engine. As we drove off, I tried to focus on the road, but my thoughts were still racing, my emotions still a jumbled mess.My mother was coming back from her trip today, and my children had been insi
Ivery’s POV.Two weeks later.I woke up to the throbbing pain in my head, my body weak and sore. I struggled to sit up, the room spinning around me. I felt like I was on a boat in the middle of a storm, the waves crashing around me. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. I lay back on the bed, closing my eyes and praying for the pain to subside, for my mind to clear. But I knew it was hopeless. The pain had been with me all night, a constant companion that refused to leave. I felt defeated, like I was trapped in a prison of pain. I tried to distract myself, to think of anything but the pain, but it was all I could focus on.My mom and kids had gone to spend the weekend with friends, and I was left alone in my room, laying in the bed and waiting for some kind of miracle. I knew it was silly to hope for one, but I couldn't help myself. I was desperate for relief, for an end to the pain. I tried to focus on my breathing, to try to find some kind of calm in the storm. But it wa
Ivery’s POV.Standing in front of me was Diva, but she looked different than I had ever seen her before. She was wearing a long, black gown that covered her from head to toe. A large, ornate hat covered her head, obscuring most of her face. And she was wearing an eyeglass, with dark, oversized lenses that covered most of her eyes. Her makeup was heavy, her lips a dark red. She looked like she was trying to disappear into the background, to hide from the world. I had never seen her like this before, and I wasn't sure what to make of it.Diva seemed to be completely oblivious to my presence, and I was grateful for that. She was someone I could recognize from a mile away, with her distinct style and personality. But now, she seemed like an entirely different person. The only thing that was still recognizable was the scent of her perfume, a strong and sweet aroma that lingered in the air. It was like her signature scent, and it confirmed to me that it was her, despite her new look.“Ca
Ivery’s POV.Owen was speaking to me, but his words felt distant as if coming from far away. My thoughts were racing, consumed by thoughts of Diva and her secretive behavior. Why had she refused to tell anyone about her doctor's appointment? Was she hiding something from Franco? I felt a knot of anxiety forming in my stomach, as my mind spun with possibilities. I tried to focus on Owen's words, but they seemed muffled and indistinct.I could feel myself being pulled in two directions. On the one hand, I knew that it was normal for women to keep their pregnancies secret and that it was possible that Diva was simply being cautious. But on the other hand, my instincts were screaming that something was off, that Diva was hiding something from the world. I struggled to make sense of the conflicting emotions swirling inside me.“Hey, what's wrong?” Owen asked, his voice breaking through my thoughts. I realized that I had been silent for a while, my mind lost in a sea of confusion. “I…
Diva’s POV.I knew I was taking a risk by seeing the doctor during the day. I usually saw him at night, but I couldn't wait any longer. So I decided to take a chance, disguising myself as best I could. I put on a hat and a coat, hoping I wouldn't be recognized. I left my house, feeling nervous but determined. I knew I had to do this, no matter the consequences.As I drove to the hospital, my heart was racing and my hands were sweaty at the wheel. My mind was a jumbled mess of thoughts and what-ifs. If only that woman had stuck to the plan, I wouldn't be in this situation at all. But there was no use in dwelling on the past now. I had to focus on the present, and on the task at hand. I parked my car, taking a deep breath as I got out. I could do this, I told myself. I just had to stay calm and focused.I stepped out of the car, glancing around to make sure no one was watching me. Relief washed over me when I saw no familiar faces. I took a deep breath, my heart still pounding in my
Ivery’s POV.Franco's expression was one of surprise, his eyes wide and his mouth slightly agape. He seemed to want to say something, but he held his tongue. Instead, he kept glancing at me, his gaze lingering a bit too long for my liking. But I did my best to ignore him, focusing instead on Owen. I was so focused on searching the room, that I hadn't realized Franco had noticed my behavior. “Seems like you're looking for someone,” he said, his voice cutting through the silence. I jumped, startled by his sudden comment. “Eh…em…not really,” I stammered, my words tumbling out awkwardly. But Franco wasn't convinced. “You can't fool me,” he said, a sly smile playing on his lips.“Well, I'm just curious about where Diva went,” I said, trying to sound casual. But Franco wasn't buying it. “When did you start caring about Diva?” he asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm. I felt my cheeks flush, and I was grateful when Owen stepped in. “Chill out, bro,” he said, throwing an arm around m
Ivery’s POV.I quickly put Diva's phone down and tried to compose myself, as the door flew open. I wasn't prepared for what I saw next. There, in the doorway, stood Diva, her eyes wide with shock. She looked from me to the phone and back again, putting the pieces together. I could see the anxiety in her eyes.“I apologize for intruding your privacy,” Diva apologized.I was taken aback by her apology. Diva wasn't one to apologize, and certainly not in this context. She was always so confident and sure of herself. This was a side of her I had never seen before. “Are you okay?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. She nodded, but I could see the doubt in her eyes. I knew something was off, and I wasn't sure what to do next.“You took my phone,” she said, her voice shaking. “Oh, I didn't even realize,” I said, my voice full of remorse. I handed the phone back to her, and she took it with a look of gratitude. “Thank you,” she said, turning to leave. I stood there, alone, feel
Franco’s POV.I could feel the warmth of the morning sun on my face, and I groaned in protest, not wanting to get out of bed. But then I heard a soft chuckle, and I opened my eyes to find Ivery's face inches from mine, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Looks like someone would rather not wake up,” she teased, snuggling closer to me. I couldn't help but smile, feeling the closeness of her body against mine.“Good morning, sunshine,” I said to her, my voice still thick with sleep. She smiled at me, and I felt my heart flutter. “Good morning, my love,” she replied, and I felt a surge of joy at hearing those words. I leaned in and gave her a gentle kiss, savoring the moment.Waking up next to Ivery every morning for the past year has been a blissful experience. I never thought I could feel so much happiness, so much joy, just from being in her presence. Every day, I count my blessings for having her in my life. And every morning, I woke up grateful that she was by my side. It was like
Ivery’s POV.As I walked inside the room, I could hear voices and laughter coming from the living room. Franco was still attending to the guests, making sure everyone was comfortable and happy. I headed to the bathroom, closing the door behind me. The sound of the running water was soothing, and I took a moment to relax, enjoying the sensation of the warm water on my skin.I looked down at the ring on my finger, still in a bit of disbelief. I was married to Franco, the man of my dreams. It still seemed too good to be true. But the ring on my finger was a constant reminder of the love we shared, a symbol of our commitment to each other. I finished my shower, feeling refreshed and ready for the night.I stepped out of the bathroom, my hair still damp and tousled. I sat down at the dressing table, staring at my reflection in the mirror. I put on a silky black nightgown that clung to my curves. I ran my hands over the smooth fabric, feeling the coolness against my skin. It was simple, yet
Ivery’s POV.One month later.I had heard so many stories about the bells ringing in the church on a wedding day, but I never thought I would get to experience it myself. I stood there, my heart racing, as the sound of the bells filled the air. It was a sound I would never forget, and it marked the beginning of a new life for me and my family. I stared at myself in the mirror, taking in the sight of the white wedding gown I was wearing. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen, and I felt like I was in a dream. My hair was perfectly styled, and my makeup was flawless. I took a deep breath, trying to take it all in. Was this really happening? Was I really getting married? I looked at the door, waiting for the moment I would walk down the aisle.My mother, Cassy, and Owen, entered the room. "You look beautiful, my dear," my mother said, smiling at me. I blushed, grateful for her words. "It's time," Owen said, and I nodded, knowing that it was time to go. I took one last look
Ivery’s POV.There, in my hands, was the DNA test, the results undeniable. Franco was the father of my children. How had he found out? Why had he been so silent all this time? A million questions raced through my mind, but I knew I wouldn't get any answers until I confronted him. My heart was racing, and my hands were shaking. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. I had to be strong.As I tried to calm myself, I felt a bead of sweat roll down my forehead. My hands trembled, and the room suddenly felt stiflingly hot. I looked up and my eyes met Franco's. I quickly looked away, feeling like a deer caught in headlights. I had so many questions, and I knew he had answers. But I didn't know if I could face him right now, with everything I had just discovered.The silence was broken by a question from Franco. "How long did you plan on keeping this from me?" he asked, his voice low and calm. I didn't know what to say, so I remained silent. I looked at everything in the room but him
Ivery’s POV.“Ladies first,” he said with a sly smile. I nodded, taking a deep breath. I reached into my purse and pulled out my phone, my hands shaking slightly. I fumbled with the screen, unlocking it and opening the video gallery. There it was, the video of Diva in his penthouse trying to force him to sign the check. I held out the phone, my heart pounding in my chest.“Take a look,” I said, my voice trembling. He took the phone from me, a look of confusion on his face. He held it up to his eyes, staring at the screen. At first, he didn't seem to understand what he was looking at. Then, his eyes widened, his jaw dropping slightly. He looked up at me, his face pale. “What is this?” he asked, his voice barely a whisper. I took a deep breath, preparing to tell him everything. As I told him everything, I watched as his face twitched with anger. His brow furrowed, his jaw clenched. “How dare she try to do this,” he said, his voice filled with rage? “I need to deal with her.” His ha
Ivery’s POV.Franco's behavior had been puzzling me for a while. He seemed to be acting differently, but I couldn't tell if I was just imagining things or if there was something actually going on. He had been spending more time with the kids, and sporadically they even slept over. Was I reading too much into it, or was there something more going on? I couldn't help but wonder if there was something I was missing, some hidden meaning that I just couldn't see.At first, I was afraid to let them sleep over. I didn't want them to accidentally spill the truth about me being their mother. But they had promised me that they wouldn't say anything, and I believed them. After all, they were mature for their age and I trusted them. Still, I couldn't help but worry about what would happen if they did accidentally reveal the truth. Would it ruin our relationship? Would everything fall apart?The truth felt like a ticking time bomb, ready to explode at any moment. I knew that the longer I kept it
Franco’s POV.“You are the father,” the doctor said, his voice steady and matter-of-fact. I felt like the ground was falling out from under me. I quickly closed the door behind me, not wanting Ivery to overhear. “Let's go to your office,” I said, my voice trembling as I tried to keep my composure. We walked to the office, my heart pounding in my chest. I knew I was about to receive the biggest news of my life.The doctor closed the door, and I blurted out the question that had been burning in my mind. “Can you run a DNA test on Ivery?” I asked, my voice trembling. I knew it sounded foolish, but I needed to be certain. I needed to know the truth, regardless of what it was.“It's obvious that Ivery is the mother,” the doctor said. I nodded, my mind whirling with thoughts and questions. “When do you think the transplant was?” I asked, trying to put the pieces together. I wanted to understand what had happened, how I could be a father without even knowing it. I had to make sense of
Franco’s POV.I stared at the report, my eyes scanning the words, but unable to make sense of it. The medical jargon was confusing and unfamiliar. I felt a sense of panic rising in my chest. “What's this?” I asked the doctor. “Your bone marrow matches with his,” he said, his voice calm and reassuring. But his words did nothing to ease my anxiety. I felt overwhelmed and confused.“How’s this possible?” I asked confused.“ Because you are the father of the child,” he said.I let out a sarcastic laugh. “How can I be the father of the child?” I asked incredulously. “Does this doctor understand how biology works?” My voice was tinged with anger and disbelief. It was impossible, I was sure of it. But the doctor looked at me calmly, and said, “I understand your skepticism, but there is no doubt that you are the father of this child. Your DNA matches perfectly.” I felt my world spinning, my mind reeling. How could this be?“Ivery told me that she wasn't the mother of the kids,” I said, my
Franco’s POV.I scooped Caden up in my arms, his body limp and heavy. Ivey's mom followed me outside, her face pale and her eyes red with tears. I laid Caden gently in the back seat, careful not to jostle him too much. His grandma climbed in after him, cradling him in her arms and whispering comforting words in his ear. I got into the driver's seat, my hands shaking as I gripped the steering wheel. I turned the key in the ignition, and we sped off, the sound of sirens echoing in the distance.The drive to the hospital seemed to take forever, even though we made it there in record time. When we arrived, the nurses rushed out to meet us, taking Caden from our arms and whisking him away to the emergency room. We were left standing there, the silence deafening. Ivey's mom and I paced back and forth, our hearts pounding in our chests, our minds racing with worry. We waited and waited, but it felt like time was standing still.As I paced the hospital floor, I couldn't help but think of Iv