Franco’s POV.A few minutes later, Owen called me on the phone. “I'm at your company,” he said.“Wait for me at the CEO office,” I said to him. “But I'm not sure where to find the CEO's office.” I gave him some directions, then asked him to wait in the reception area while I finished my work. “You can talk to Diva while you wait,” I said. “She'll keep you company.”With a sigh, I knew I had to put aside my current dilemma for now and focus on what was in front of me. I needed to get to work, and meet with Owen – my responsibilities couldn't wait. So I quickly finished what I was doing, making sure I had everything in order, before heading out the door. But even as I walked to the company, my mind kept going back to the problems I was facing.“Excuse me, do you know where my friend is?” I asked the receptionist, trying to keep my voice from sounding too anxious. “I'm sorry, I don't have any information about your friend,” she replied, her tone kind but apologetic. “But l think he
Diva’s POV.I glared at Franco, my eyes full of disdain. “How could you just ignore me like that?” I demanded, trying to keep my voice level. “If it was Ivery, you would have been falling over yourself to get to her!”I knew my words were harsh, but I couldn't help but feel betrayed by his actions. We had been engaged for so long, and I had always thought he cared about me. But now, it was clear that I wasn't as important to him as I thought.“Don't compare yourself to Ivery,” he said fiercely, his eyes narrowed. “You're not the same person, and you're not in the same situation. Don't try to minimize your importance by bringing her into this.”I looked at him, the words hitting me like a ton of bricks. It was true, I was different from Ivery in so many ways. But I couldn't help but feel like my feelings were valid, even if they weren't the same as hers.“I'm your fiancé, Franco,” I said, my voice breaking. “I'm in pain, and I'm hurt. Can't you see that? Do I not matter to you? Am I
Ivery’s POV.Two weeks Later.My alarm jolted me awake, piercing my sleepy ears. I tried to sit up, but I felt sluggish and groggy. I stretched my stiff arms, trying to shake off the morning haze. “Another day at work,” I grumbled to myself, my voice low and hoarse. The smell of brewing coffee drifted up from the kitchen below, but I couldn't muster up the energy to get up and make myself a cup.My eyes shot open as I realized the time. I was already late! I scrambled out of bed and rushed to the bathroom, frantically trying to get ready as fast as I could. I splashed cold water on my face, hoping it would help me wake up. I cursed myself for sleeping through my alarm. This was not how I wanted to start my day.I emerged from the bathroom, my hair pulled back in a bun and my clothes a bit rumpled. I was dressed in my usual work attire – black pants, a white blouse, and a black suit. I had no time to do my makeup, so I grabbed my bag and hurried out the door. I was already 20 minutes
Chapter 132.I lay on my bed, staring up at the ceiling, the darkness enveloping me. I twisted the lamp switch in my hand, the light flickering on and off in a steady rhythm. The rhythmic flickering calmed my racing thoughts, and I let my mind drift. I thought about Diva and the predicament I was in. I thought about Franco and the hold he had over me. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't come up with a solution.A million questions swirled through my head. Was it really Franco who had betrayed me, or had I betrayed myself by getting involved with him in the first place? Had I been foolish to think that he could ever truly love me, when he already had Diva in his life? I wondered if I had been selfish, only thinking about my feelings and not considering the consequences of my actions. I knew I had made a mistake, but I wasn't certain how to fix it.The thought of Diva and Franco getting married was like a punch in the gut. I had never considered the possibility of them having
Ivery's POV.Owen sat next to me on the bed, handing me a drink. “Thanks,” I mumbled, taking a sip. He looked at me, his expression full of concern. “You can talk to me, you know,” he said, placing a hand on my shoulder. I shook my head, trying to brush off his concern. “I'm fine,” I said, my voice cracking. “No, you're not,” he said, his voice gentle but firm. “I can see it in your face.“I'm just not used to crowds,” I lied, hoping he would believe me. “Oh, you have social anxiety?” he asked, his brow furrowing. I hesitated, wanting to be careful of what I said. But there was something about him that made me feel like I could trust him. “Yeah,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “Don't worry,” he said, his voice reassuring. “I'm here with you.” A small smile crossed my lips as I looked at him. I love the fact he was trying to make me comfortable, and I felt bad for lying to him.“How long have you known Franco?” I blurted out, not realizing I was even going to s
Ivery’s POV.I struggled against his grip, trying to free myself. I thrashed and fought, but he was too strong. Just when I was about to give up, I managed to twist myself free. I stood, gasping for breath, staring at him in disbelief. “What does it mean?” I demanded, my voice trembling with anger.“What are you doing with Owen?” he demanded, a scowl on his face. I rolled my eyes. “You don't answer a question with a question,” I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.“I don't have time for this,” he said, his voice sharp. “What were you doing with him?” he asked again, his eyes narrowing. I scoffed. “And you think I have time to play games?” I retorted. He balled his hands into fists, his jaw set. “You don't want to mess with me,” he said, his voice low and threatening.“You're the one who's messing around,” I shot back, my voice dripping with scorn. “Instead of being with your pregnant fiancée, you're here harassing me. How dare you think you can come here and order me around?” I
Ivery’s POV.Diva’s spoon clinked against her glass, drawing everyone's attention to her. I looked up, startled by the sudden interruption. She stood, her eyes fixed on Franco. “I have something to say,” she said, her voice clear and confident. The room went silent as all eyes turned towards her. I was curious as to what she had to say, my heart racing with anticipation.Her gaze shifted to me, and I saw a smirk playing on her lips. I felt a wave of loathing wash over me. I despised this woman and everything she stood for. How could anyone be so manipulative and conniving? I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread as I wondered what she was up to.“Thank you all for honoring my invitation on such short notice,” she said, a gleam in her eyes. “I wasn't expecting to see so many of you here, but I'm so happy you could make it.” She smiled, rubbing her stomach affectionately. “My fiancé and I appreciate it,” she added, as the crowd began to clap and cheer. I rolled my eyes, unable to
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
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