Madison was about to speak when Lake lifted himself to a sitting position on the sofa he was lying on. “It’s late, dude. There are plenty of rooms. Do you prefer sleeping on the couch, or did you have a bad date?” Lake was ready to tease him and wasn't going to let him use Madison as a backup. He really hoped that something real would happen between them, but if Sebastian wanted Michelle, then he should steer clear of Madison. “There was no date,” Sebastian revealed. Both Madison and Lake were surprised. Was this a new form of prank? “Why?” Madison was the first to ask. Nevertheless, Sebastian’s response was directed at Lake. “Look, Lake, you and Ezrah saving Madison was heroic. That’s what made me give up.” His phone buzzed in his suit pocket, and he brought it out. “My dad is calling.” Both of them fell silent as he answered the call, but Ezrah, who couldn't sleep either, returned downstairs. Usually, he and Lake would chat through the night until sleep overtook them, but th
Michelle was studying a new script delivered to her when her intercom rang. “Ma’am, Butler Rudolph is here to see you.”She was taken aback but guessed that Rudolph must have been sent by Ezrah. What a smart move? Ezrah knew how much she respected the butler and would not refuse to see him.“Let him in,” Michelle said to the secretary.About to place the handset on the receiver after the call, the secretary replied. “He said your bodyguard would not let him in.”Slowly, Michelle understood that Butler Rudolph must have come earlier but was restricted by Rush.She was growing tired of her bodyguard’s odd behavior. “Send him up. I will meet him up myself.”Butler Rudolph returned and before Rush could question him, the door to Michelle’s office opened and Michelle stepped out.“Rudolph, it has been a while.”Butler Rudolph beamed. “Oh Madam, the news broke my heart but I’m glad to see you alive.”He glanced at the angry Rush and asked Michelle. “Can I come in please? Your bodyguard paid
Michelle did not feel threatened, as this was her office.Rush did not try to free herself from Ezrah’s hold, wondering what Michelle thought about him. Would she accept the roses because Rush mattered to her, or would she choose a different means of freedom?“I’ll call the cops,” Michelle’s fervent response sounded after a while. But Ezrah tightened his grip on Rush. Regardless of whether Michelle accepted the flowers, he was determined to make Rush pay for what he did to Madison. He was not going to let his loved ones live in fear because of him. “He’ll be dead before they get here,” Ezrah said seriously, his tone softened as he added, “Please take the flowers.”When he stretched his hand, and due to his other hand caging Rush, his suit button opened, revealing his white shirt stained with blood. Michelle frowned a little, took the bouquet of red roses, and instantly threw them in the bin. It remained exposed as the bin could not close due to the size of the white roses from But
Rush followed Michelle to her office, wiping his bleeding gums and nose with a white towel.He did not plan to leave her alone for even a second. “There is no problem, Michelle. I will go see a doctor.”He did not want to see a doctor but to avoid the conversation when Michelle turned her computer to face him.Unfortunately for him, Michelle was in a bad mood due to all she had seen.“Rush, what did you do to Madison? I saw the footage on the surveillance cameras. You sent the woman with the roses away twice without asking me about it. Those roses were meant for me, weren’t they?”It was not that she wanted the flowers, but the fact that Rush was being dishonest with her. There was no remorse in his eyes as he responded to her. “They would have just ended up in the bin like those ones.” He gestured to the roses in the bin, glad that Michelle had only taken it for Ezrah to release him. The fact that she cared for him warmed his heart, and he did not care that Michelle was upset.“Rus
Rush’s mind was filled with memories, both sweet and bitter.He loved Odette so much, but just like Michelle, she was so beautiful that she attracted the attention of a lot of men.Afraid of losing her, he began to restrict her movements, including forcing her to quit her job.They were engaged, with the wedding preparations pending, but Rush would not let Odette out of his sight. He wouldn’t allow her friends or family to come close to her, lest they give her bad advice.One day, he had an emergency in the office, so he locked Odette in the master bedroom.When he returned, she had drowned herself in the jacuzzi.Rush could not forgive himself for driving her to suicide, especially after he saw the message she sent to a friend, which he quickly deleted before calling the emergency services. Odette was pronounced dead, and Rush lost his mind. He wanted to keep her to himself and ended up losing her altogether.This was the reason he couldn’t be too hard on Michelle. There was also th
Whatever Rush was trying to feed her heart, it did not seem to be working for Michelle.This confession only filled her heart with pain and bitterness. No longer was Madison avoiding her, but Michelle wanted to know exactly how Rush did it.“You mean you attempted to kill Madison? When? How?”Rush scoffed as he glared at her. He no longer cared if she hated him but would not allow her to slip through his fingers.His method was to use fear to get her to come with him to Los Angeles, so he confessed everything.“The assassins I sent failed, but I have better ones.”Michelle shivered at his words. The fact that he sent assassins after Madison. Was that the reason why Ezrah was injured?Rush could only assume her quietness meant fear. “What? Why do you think that some of the men who came close to you in Los Angeles died horribly?”Michelle was beginning to piece a few things together. A lot of men tried to hit on her, and though she was never interested, she did not miss the news of thos
Mr. Newman did not know how to make it work, but this was a matter concerning siblings.“She’s in Johannesburg, South Africa. Look, I will find time to come visit, and we can talk more about it.”Michelle had a tight schedule and equally had some movies to shoot, so a trip to Johannesburg was out of the equation for now.Though feeling betrayed, she still could not be upset with Mr. Newman, as he was like a father to her.His intention must have been to help Rush, but perhaps he was just as disappointed as Michelle was feeling now.“Okay. I will call my parents. Thank you.”Michelle’s mother answered on the first ring. “Michelle, are you coming over tonight?” She was ready to prepare her favorites but was met with the same question as before.“Mom, do I have a twin sister?”“For the hundredth time, Michelle, the answer is a big no.” This issue was a painful one she tried to forget, but suddenly, Michelle began to bring it up again.“Mom, you are lying to me, why?”Her sorrowful tone c
Madison thought carefully. She always kept tabs on Ezrah’s whereabouts, but if he never told her, then he was with Lake.“I don’t know where he is, and he doesn’t have any appointments so far. He might be with Lake,” Madison replied.Michelle thought otherwise. Being with Lake would have been reasonable if Ezrah was not soaked in blood.“Are you sure he isn’t at the hospital? He was bleeding when he left the office,” Michelle sounded disturbed, and Madison couldn’t help but notice it.“You sound as if you care for him,” Madison remarked.Michelle shook her head at the statement. It was far from that. Knowing what Rush had done, it was her responsibility to ensure that everyone involved was okay.She did not deny it. “Well, I would not care if I had not seen it. Besides, I would not have time again anytime soon.”“Aside from the company responsibilities, I have to make myself available for some shoots starting from next week.” Michelle responded.“Then call him,” Madison suggested but
Congratulations, Mr. Newman. Your wife is one month pregnant," the doctor declared, the atmosphere filled with excitement. The bond they shared brought them unparalleled happiness, each genuinely happy for their friends, including little Esther. Zora and Madison spent time with Coco, leaving Esther with the men. The triplets were adorable, the boys taking after their father and the girl after her mother. "I swear, Zora, this is my first and last time. It hurts like a bitch," Coco said, as Zora and Madison laughed. "I heard women were designed for this. You did amazing, mama. Congratulations," Zora kissed her on the forehead and said. Months later, Zora and Ezrah welcomed their twins, Eugene and Eugenia Gannon, and five months after, Madison had a baby boy, Justin. Esther was the best big sister anyone could ask for. Ethan and Ethel welcomed a daughter, and a year later, they had twins, two girls. Lucas never remarried, unable to get over his ex-wife. One day, he received a messa
The day before, Rush had called to inform Ezrah and Zora that he and Odette had a son. Due to the distance, they had not yet visited, and now, he was meeting Lake at the hospital without Coco by his side.“Ezrah, what are you doing here?” Lake asked, his joy radiating on his face, but Ezrah was surprised to see him so happy at the hospital.“My wife fainted, and what are you doing here? I don’t remember the hospital being a place for happy people.”Lake laughed and made a joyful revelation. “My wife had triplets. Two boys and one girl. I was just about to call you.”Ezrah recalled Lake wishing for triplets; it seemed he got his heart's desire and something to keep his parents busy.“Congratulations, Lake, you got what you always wanted.”“Yeah, we found happiness. Congratulations to us, but what’s wrong with Zora?” Lake asked again, his joy fading due to the news about Zora, but Ezrah’s explanation lifted his spirits.“I suspect she’s pregnant. She refused to take the pregnancy test, a
“Lucas, you are insane. I will never choose you over Ethan, and I will never have anything to do with you again,” Ethel said through gritted teeth. Lucas was furious.“Then you leave me no choice,” he yelled and pulled the towel from her.She ran to seek cover in the closet, but he caught her and pulled her to his chest.Ethel felt ashamed and furious as her naked body pressed against his.She tried to free herself, but he was stronger and also drunk.“Why do you want to hide from me? We’ve had each other many times,” he cooed in her ear, but all she felt was disgust and anger.“We were married then, but not anymore. Just let me go,” she tried to push him away to no avail as he tried to force some alcohol down her throat.“I was ready to be kept on the side, but you refused.”After successfully getting the alcohol down her throat and watching her frown as he forced her to swallow it, his lips were closing in on hers.Ethel felt a burning sensation down her throat, and as a woman who n
Chapter 318 – I loved you before, but not anymoreA week ago, Ethel arrived home with Ethan, but he was called away to take care of a few things because Ezrah was still on his honeymoon.The past month and a few weeks had been peaceful, and with Ethel moving in with Ethan, she had no need for a bodyguard. However, on this particular night, things did not seem the same after Ethan left.Unlike his brothers, Ethan never had his domestic staff live with him, but after his mansion is ready, that will change.They were not only planning their wedding but also their future together. All that they wanted for their kids, they wanted to ensure they had it in the mansion.Ethel had gone to shower after a tiring day at work only to find Lucas seated on her and Ethan’s bed.“Jesus, what are you doing here?” She halted in her steps, right in front of the shower room door.Lucas looked drunk, which made Ethel scared. Before she could reach for her phone to call Ethan, Lucas took it from her and inst
“Why? Don’t you like it?” Ezrah asked teasingly. Zora screamed, “Like it? I love it, Ezrah. I’m a lover of pools, but I’ve never seen anything like this before.”She couldn’t take her eyes off her room. Everything was natural, with multiple pools scattered around.For the first time, words failed her when she tried to describe the aesthetics of the room.It looked as if it were carved out of natural rocks.Even the footsteps around were made of natural black stones, and the water was crystal clear. She could also see the Mediterranean Sea in the distance.“To clear up your confusion, we are at Papa’s beach, and this is one of the most beautiful beaches in Greece. I thought you would love this as a honeymoon location.”Zora, though rich, had been too focused on business and revenge before. Honestly, she had never heard of this place.“I’m fascinated to be here.”“Great. Let me explain further. This is Calilo on the Greek Island of IOS. There are only 35 suites in this hotel, and each r
The silence was thick in the air as everybody waited for Ethel’s response, which was not forthcoming.Feeling like he was just being used, Ethan had the understanding that she could not bring herself to trust him.“Dad, she doesn’t love me,” he said on behalf of Ethel. Lucas smiled, but his smile soon went stiff when Ethel responded.“I do, Ethan.”She saw Ethan freeze with a shocked look in his eyes and explained.“I mean, I never imagined having anything to do with my ex-husband’s kid brother, but I’m ready to give it a try.”“You do?” Ethan was so shocked that he lifted her in the air by the waist. “I love you so much, Ethel. I will prove it to you.”Their lips met once again, but they were rudely interrupted by Lucas. “Dad, how can you condone this? It’s shameful.”He could not believe how his submissive housewife could take an interest in his kid brother. This was unexpected.Ethel should have rejected Ethan and not this. However, his mother spoke this time.“You know what, Lucas
“Kate?” Lucas turned in the direction of Ethel’s gaze, calling out accusingly, but Kate made a 180-degree turn and was headed to the exit when the man she came with blocked her.It was obvious that she was trying to escape the accusation, but everyone was interested in hearing what she had to say.Homewreckers were not exactly welcome at occasions like this, as every woman with a man of her own began to get protective.“You seem to be running away,” the man she came with said, not pleased by the revelation.Lucas walked towards her and questioned, “Did you kick her in the stomach?”Kate was covered in so much shame that her lips trembled because of all the gazes on her and replied, “It was an accident.”“No, it wasn’t,” Ethel interrupted, not upset but wanting to prove a point.“You said I didn’t deserve to carry his child because he didn’t love me. You were right because he divorced me,” Ethel smiled, no longer feeling the pain of losing her scum husband.Only Lucas had a pained expr
From a distance, Ezrah and Zora watched everything unfold.“Lucas, I need to put him in his place. Can you give me a moment?” Ezrah was about to go to the scene of the incident when Zora held him back.“No. Didn't you say that Ethan seemed genuine with his feelings? Let’s see how he handles this situation.”Ezrah was unsure if Ethan could come out of this cleanly, reminding Zora,“You told me to protect Ethel or better still, let me get her bodyguard.”Zora shook her head. “Sometimes, the heart doesn’t know what it wants until the opportunity presents itself. Let Ethan deal with it.”Ezrah smiled and relented. “Alright. If you say so.”They heard Lucas mocking Ethan and Ethel. “Why? Can’t you kiss your woman? Sebastian has kissed Madison like three times already, even though they aren’t the bride and groom.”Indirectly, he was taking away the opportunity for Ethan to use the event as an excuse for his inability to kiss Ethel.“Lucas, how we choose to define our relationship is none of
Everyone was excited for Ezrah and Zora, and right after the cake cutting, the couple's dance was announced.Ezrah and Zora had just left the dance floor and were speaking to some guests when other couples took over.Ethan saw it as the perfect opportunity to dance with Ethel, but there were other men eyeing her as well, and they were not afraid to show it.To make matters worse, they reached her before him.“Hi, I’m Rick,” one of them said. Ethan didn't recognize him from their company, which could mean he might be one of Zora’s co-stars.Ethan didn't like this but knew he had to be a gentleman to win Ethel's favor.“Ethel,” she responded with a forced smile, trying to be polite, and somehow, she was glad to see Ethan nearby.It was Ezrah’s birthday, and his focus would only be on his wife. Her bodyguard was there to protect her from danger, not lovers, so he was with the other bodyguards.The only man she had loved all her life was Lucas, and she had never had the chance to mingle b