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
Diva's POV. As I arrived at Franco's mansion, I darted through the grand foyer, barely acknowledging the nervous curtsies of the maids as I passed. My heart pounded in my chest, and I could feel a sense of urgency pulsing through my veins. I felt like I was on a mission, driven by some invisible force, and nothing could stop me now.I practically flew through the mansion, my feet a blur as I navigated the winding hallways and grand rooms. I was moving with speed and determination that would make an Olympian sprinter look like a sloth. If someone were chasing me, they'd have had a heck of a time catching up – I was a one-woman whirlwind!Just as I reached the entrance to Franco's room, a petite maid appeared out of nowhere, like a tiny but determined roadblock. She stood firm, her hands planted on her hips and her face set in a steely expression. I groaned inwardly – of all the times to be interrupted! I wondered what she wanted, but I knew I had to find out, no matter how impatien
Franco's POV. “Diva! Diva!” I screamed, my voice echoing through the wall. I shook her body with my trembling hands, but her body was lifeless. My mind swirls with so many questions, What if she's dead? How do I explain? I didn't mean to push her hard, but who will believe me? I muster all the energy inside of me as I carry her running out of my room, my heart beating, I ignore all the stares I get from my workers. My mind was racing as fast as the car, I increased my speed, not caring about the consequences, I needed to get to the hospital on time and that's what mattered to me. My thoughts swirled like a tornado of confusion and panic as I prayed silently for her to be okay. As I pulled into the hospital I parked my car, took her in my arms, and ran to the hospital, I sighed in relief when I was told by the receptionist that a doctor was available. I paced back and forth like a restless tiger, each step an anxious tick of the clock. My heart pounded in my chest as I waited for
Franco's POV.I could still hear Diva's words echoing in my mind as I tried to help her stand. The sound of her voice felt like it was reverberating through my body, leaving a chill in its wake.I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, and I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end.I wondered why she would want to follow me home after what happened.Despite my misgivings, I knew I couldn't say no to Diva's offer. I needed to help her since I was the one who had put her in this situation.I felt a knot in my stomach. I tried to convince myself that I was doing the right thing, but I was unable to shake the feeling that something bad was about to happen.The ride home was filled with an eerie stillness. Diva and I sat in the car, neither of us speaking a word. I kept glancing at her, trying to gauge her thoughts, but her expression remained unreadable. I could feel the tension in the air, thick enough to cut with a knife. I wasn't sure what to expect when we got
Ivery's POV.I was jolted from my sleep by the bright sunlight streaming in through the window. I blinked and looked around, disoriented for a moment as I tried to remember where I was. As I gathered my bearings, I glanced at the clock and realized with a start that I was going to be late for work. I quickly jumped out of bed and rushed to the bathroom, in less than thirty minutes I was done bathing.I threw on some clothes and rushed out of the room. I could hear the sounds of my kids as they moved around in the bathroom, but I didn't have time to say anything to them. I grabbed the things I needed and hurried out the door, hoping I could make it to work on time.The drive to work felt interminable, every red light and traffic jam made me feel even more anxious. I couldn't stop thinking about Diva and what it would be like to work with her after what happened the last time. I felt guilty for slapping her, but on second thought, she called it upon herself. I was still feeling uns
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