“Excuse me, ma’am,” the nurse asked, and when Michelle turned to face her, she was shocked.Her colleagues from earlier had mentioned it, but she could not believe that one of her favorite movie stars was right there at the hospital.Forgetting what Michelle was even screaming about, she instead asked, “Michelle Banks? Can I have your autograph?”Michelle paled with annoyance, temporarily forgetting that she was a star but still looking in the direction the man was running.“Not now. That man came out of this room,” she pointed in the direction he went, hoping the nurse would call for hospital security.“Are you sure?” The nurse asked, looking clueless and Michelle, upset, forgot to filter her words.“You are useless. Check if everything is okay with him.”The nurse understood that the handsome man on the bed must be a relative of the movie star and went to check on Ezrah.“Please relax. Everything is fine,” she said after checking the monitors.A bodyguard soon arrived, and Michelle k
A month ago in New York, Piper was derailed after Sebastian’s refusal to let her parents see their daughter.She did not even know the girl’s name or where Rush’s father lived. The last time she met Sebastian’s father was at the hospital and she was too eager to return to Ezrah to care.Piper walked into a bar and began ordering drinks. By the time she was done, her legs felt like jelly, and she fell by the wayside before the cab she ordered could arrive.When she woke up, she found herself in a small dark room, tied to a chair. She had been kidnapped.“Help! Anybody help me,” she yelled, not knowing her location. The door opened, and two men walked in. Fear registered in her eyes as she feared what they planned to do to her.“What do you want with me? I don’t have any money. Please let me go,” she cried pitifully, but the man showed no expression.He brought a phone and activated the speaker. “My boss wants to talk to you.”Piper swallowed tightly and answered. “Who is your boss, an
“Good news first,” Rush replied, not bothering to turn around to look at the man behind her. The bodyguard revealed. “We have a doctor who can treat you. He’s in…” “The bad news?” Rush asked. He had already heard of the Doctor, the one he was speaking on the phone with before the rude interruption. “We got someone to finish off Ezrah at the hospital, but Michelle appeared in time and now she won’t leave his bedside.” A frown squeezed Rush’s face as he turned the wheelchair around. After sending the money to Piper, she had not given him any updates on the state of events. “Wait, how did he end up at the hospital?” Rush asked seriously, wondering what was going on. He did not like this. Any attack on Ezrah that did not finish him off would only bring about huge consequences. The bodyguard was sweating nervously. “Boss, I thought you knew. There was an attempt on Michelle’s life, but Ezrah saved her and took the stab for her.” Rush’s brows raised. This showed that Ezrah
Rush was excited at the end of the line simply because he could hear Michelle’s voice. He replied instantly.“What’s the deal?”Since the phone was not on speaker, Lake, Coco, and Landon could only wait in anticipation of what Michelle had in mind.Their hope quickly faded after hearing the details of the deal.“Bring me Piper, and I will date you. You also have to promise never to hurt Ezrah, ever again.”Coco was not pleased with this. Any man would take advantage of such a proposal, and Lake regretted leaving her to make such a decision.However, Michelle had to buy time for Ezrah’s recovery.After witnessing firsthand how the attempt was made on Ezrah’s life, this was the best she could come up with.On the other end of the line, Rush was smart enough to see through Michelle’s request.She had not mentioned marriage, only dating, which meant she could walk away at any time. She was also trying to keep Ezrah safe from Rush’s men who had tried to finish what Piper started but failed.
Rush was certain that his father could not do as told. His mother would not agree to it.“You wouldn’t dare. I’m your only son. You can’t do that to me.”After being acquainted with the family corporation all his life, where would he start from with nothing to his name?The Hendrix assets had not yet been handed over to him and from the terms stipulated, even if he killed his father, he would still not get anything.Mr. Hendrix laughed in anger. The ant saw himself to be a bird so it was time for some revelations to be made.David would not have done this if Mr. Newman had not come to his office to show him the proof of DNA test and all that Rush had done.Though knowing that Rush had a mental disorder, this was getting overboard and could end up completely destroying the Hendrix.As such, the rotten fruit would have to be removed aforetime.“Request a DNA test. You were supposed to be assassinated, but I gave the assassin a better offer because I needed an heir. Don’t make me change m
Lake knew it was true. Matters of love could not be battled with. Only the two people involved had the power to resolve their own matters.Nevertheless, Michelle never forced Ezrah to take the knife for her and was not under obligation to be by his side. If she decided to, then she indeed loved him but was just afraid to let it show.“I’m sorry. All I wish is for you both to be happy. I was there when you faked your death. Ezrah lived like a man without purpose, overworking himself just to forget about you, terribly failing at it.”Lake recalled those years, and his heart ached because he had given Ezrah hope that Michelle must have been alive.“He mostly drank himself to sleep, and now that you are back, you both are just torturing each other,” Lake pointed out.Michelle agreed that loving someone and rejecting them was even more painful than the cold treatments Ezrah gave her, but what was the assurance that things would get better?What if they got married again, and Ezrah changed b
Ethan felt a little fear. This man did not seem like he worked in their company.“Who are you, and how dare you interfere in official matters?”Sebastian walked confidently and sat in the visitors’ chair in Madison’s office.“I’m a good friend of Ezrah, and he told me to help Madison. She’s also my woman.”The information did not sit well with Ethan. “You two are planning to steal, but it won’t work. I would protect this company with my blood.”Madison wondered how hypocritical he was, speaking as if he genuinely cared about Ezrah.Sebastian had no idea who he was talking to but could not tolerate the threat to Madison.“First, Ezrah knows that I don’t need his money, and second, if Madison were to quit her job today, she would still live her life however she wants.”Alone and without Lucas accompanying him today, Ethan did not want to attract punches and found a way to escape the awkward moment.“I will tell my father about this. You all keep talking about Ezrah this and Ezrah that. W
“Ezrah, you are awake,” Michelle exclaimed as her eyes met the confused ones of the man on the bed. She signaled Lake and Coco through the glass to call the doctor, and turning around, she froze when Ezrah asked, “Where am I and who are you?”The color drained from Michelle’s face, and her heartbeat quickened. “You don’t remember me?”If Ezrah had lost his memory, then that could not be good. Seeing how disturbed she looked, a chuckle escaped the man on the bed.“Do you think I can ever forget you? Even if I lose my memory, you will always be in my heart. But what happened to you?”He was disturbed to see her like this. Michelle had lost her glow due to all the worry etched in her heart.Ezrah had heard her voice in his subconscious mind, and the warmth from her hand pulled him out of wherever he was trapped, forcing him to wake up to her.Michelle was confused, but the doctor came in, and she had to step aside.“Mr. Gannon, can you move your leg?” The doctor asked when he began to
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