Ivery's POV. The two hours of shut-eye did the trick. I woke up feeling like a billion bucks, my body humming with renewed energy. My eyes fluttered open, and the first thing I noticed was the gentle rays of sunlight filtering through the curtains, casting a warm, golden glow over the room. The air was crisp and fresh, and the birds were singing outside my window like a chorus of nature's finest vocalistsI strutted into the kitchen with purpose, my culinary senses tingling. I grabbed the sizzling steak from the pan, the savory aroma filling the room like a delicious symphony. The potatoes were perfectly roasted, their crispy skin glistening in the oven light. My mouth watered at the sight, and I could practically taste the salty, juicy goodness. It was like I was in a cooking show, and I was the star chef!I shook Franco from my mind like a bad case of static cling. I focused on the sizzle and crackle of the steak, the satisfying clank of utensils against the skillet, and the comf
Ivery's POV. In a blur of movement, my kids were suddenly gone, racing through the crowd like track stars. I was frozen in place, my jaw dropped, and my heart was pounding like a drum. And then I saw him, clear as day. Franco. He was chatting with a woman, looking like he didn't have a care in the world. But my kids were already swarming him like a pack of puppies, their excitement palpable in the air.From afar, I could see the gears turning in Franco's head, his face going from shock to confusion to…resignation. He stiffened at first, unsure of how to react to the mini mob of children clinging to him, but then his shoulders relaxed and a half-smile tugged at the corners of his lips. He gingerly returned the hugs, his body language communicating his unease as he glanced around, hoping no one recognized him.I strode toward the trio, my apology already on the tip of my tongue. As I reached them, I could feel the heat of embarrassment flushing my cheeks, but I powered through. “I'
Ivery's POV. As I sat there, transfixed by our gaze, a million thoughts flitted through my mind like fireflies at night. I could feel my heart racing, each beat pulsing in your ears like a drumbeat. My senses were heightened, every detail of Franco's face was suddenly crystal clear. The crease of his brow, the tilt of his lips, the glint in his eye. It was like time had slowed down, and we were both caught in a moment that felt like an eternity.“Well, it's not only your mentor that has that color of eyes, even my dad had the same color of eyes,” I lied. The words tumbled out of my mouth before I could even process what I was saying. The room seemed to spin around me, the air heavy with the weight of the confession. I saw a shock ripple across Franco's face, and I knew I'd blown it. It felt like the floor had just given way beneath me, my stomach dropping like an elevator without brakes.“Wow! You never told us,” Caden said. His voice was full of surprise and a little doubt. I f
Ivery's POV. I was caught in a tidal wave of bewilderment. My mind was swirling, grasping for any explanation. I tried to speak, but the words caught in my throat. “I thought you were their aunt, he said. I watched as Franco's brow furrowed, and I could see the wheels turning in his head. “I- I'm not their aunt," I managed to stammer out, my voice cracking.His widened eyes betrayed his surprise. The air felt charged, heavy with the weight of this revelation. I knew I had to explain myself, but the words were failing me. My tongue felt like a heavy stone in my mouth. I opened my mouth to speak, but all that came out was a pathetic croak. I cleared my throat and tried again, “It's… complicated,” I whispered, and forged ahead, determined to explain. “I'm not their biological mother,” I began, my voice quavering a bit. “But I'm like a mother figure to them. I care for them deeply, but I don't consider myself their aunt.” The words hung in the air like a cloud, waiting to be abso
Ivery's POV. My memories of the past loomed large, even though I had made peace with what had happened. But those experiences shaped me, and I couldn't deny their influence on the present. While forgiveness had provided closure, my history with him still colored my perspective, serving as a reference point for how far I had come and how much I'd grown.Franco's engagement created a whole new set of complications, and the possibility of a connection with the kids seemed like a distant dream. It was like a punch to the gut, leaving me reeling and unsure of what to do next. The future suddenly felt murky and uncertain, and I struggled to make sense of it all. I had to be strategic. Spilling the beans to Franco felt like a recipe for chaos, and I wasn't about to stir that pot. No way, no how. I knew I needed to focus on myself and protect my mental well-being. So I kept my lips sealed, determined to create the calm I needed. It wasn't easy, but it was necessary.With a deep breath, I
Ivery's POV. I rolled out of bed like a zombie, feeling like I hadn't slept a wink. But there was no time for snoozing – today was going to be a tough one. I grudgingly trudged through my morning routine, every step feeling like it was being weighed down by lead. “Come on brain, get with the program!” I groaned inwardly, willing myself to snap out of this haze.I speed-showered, threw on some clothes, and made a beeline for the door. I couldn't even think about breakfast – there just wasn't time. My kids were still snoozing, but I knew they'd be okay without me. I had more important things to do – like trying to stay awake at work! As I raced out of the house, my mind was a jumble of thoughts, but one thing was clear: Today was going to be a struggle.As I shuffled into the office, I was greeted by the warm smile of the receptionist. “Good morning!” she chirped, a glint of positivity in her eyes. Her cheerful demeanor was like a shot of caffeine straight to my soul – suddenly, t
Ivery's POV. Just when I thought I was in for a showdown, Diva burst out laughing, catching me completely off guard. My confusion only seemed to fuel her amusement, and she doubled over with mirth, tears streaming down her face. I just stood there, frozen in place, my mouth hanging open like a bewildered fish. What on earth was so funny? And why did I suddenly feel like the butt of a cosmic joke? As if things couldn't get any weirder, Diva suddenly pulled out an engagement ring and slipped it onto her finger, her eyes never leaving mine. It was like a slap to the face, a silent “ha-ha” that sent my head spinning. Was this some kind of twisted power play? A show of dominance? Or was she just messing with me for kicks? I was so confused and hurt that I could barely process what was happening.“See who is here, Franco's bed warmer,” she said, in a mocking tune. “Franco… bed warmer…?” I whispered, repeating her words. Feeling like I'd just been slapped with a wet fish. I stood ther
Diva's POV. I stumbled backward, my eyes wide with disbelief and my cheeks burning with the sting of the blow. The air was thick with tension and anticipation, and the sound of her ragged breathing was the only thing that broke the silence.I watched as she fumbled with her phone, I caught a glimpse of the screen – and my heart dropped into my stomach. There, staring back at me, was a photo of Ivery, Franco, and a couple of kids. The picture was innocent enough, but the implication was clear: she was using Franco as leverage against me. My mind reeled, trying to process this new information and what it meant for the dynamic between us. This wasn't just a battle of wits anymore – this was personal.With a smug smirk on her face, she turned and sauntered towards the door, her words hanging in the air like a cloud of poison. “And just so you know, sweetheart, as long as Franco's running things around here, I'm untouchable. Don't forget that.”With a swish of her skirt and a toss of h
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