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The women gasped."Bad news?" Roxanne asked, her heart pounding rapidly. Henry Ford furrowed his eyebrows. He gulped and quizzed the doctor. "What do you mean by bad news?" Doctor Philip glanced at the worried faces. He sighed and replied, "Mr Ford's surgery was successful but he's in a coma. We are not sure if he will wake up or not. It's a fifty-fifty chance."Henry Ford and Roxanne shared a worried look, pain evident in their eyes. In short, their son's life was still in danger and they had no way of knowing if he would survive. "And Claire?" Katherine and Quinn asked at the same time. "Well... she shouldn't have gotten pregnant if she knew she had fibroids. Now she's got a high risk of losing the pregnancy-""She's pregnant?!"They all asked in unison before sharing worried looks as they thought the same thing. How was Claire going to cope with this high-risk pregnancy knowing her husband was in a coma?"Doctor, I too have fibroids but I usually take medication to reduce them a
The news of what had happened at Wesley’s villa spread like a wild forest fire. Soon, his parents got wind of what had happened to him after the police called them to report the situation. Julian Crawford was in the study when he received the news. “What? My son is dead? How? He wasn’t ill... What happened?”Julian was shocked to find out what had really transpired. It turned out Wesley had found out about his brother before Julian could introduce them to each other. Not just that, Wesley had gone ahead and kidnapped Oliver Ford’s wife out of rage. Julian didn’t expect his second son to be that greedy and malicious. Perhaps the apple didn’t fall far from the tree indeed. After all, Julian himself had done a lot of things in the last six years that he wasn't proud of. Finding his wife, Diana Crawford, Julian glanced at her and relayed the news. He glared at her and said, “Are you the one who made Wesley want to fight against his brother? He's dead now and it's all your fought.”At
Roxanne shared worried looks with the other women in the ward. She sat on the other side of the bed and held Claire’s hand. For a moment, Roxanne kept sighing as sadness crept into her. She glanced at Claire and asked, “Sweetheart, did that man… did he…” Roxanne sighed again, unable to voice her words. Would it be too insensitive to question Claire about it? She had been wanting to ask if her kidnapper had disrespected her in any way but refrained from doing so since any trigger could affect Claire's pregnancy. However, she had to know just in case Claire needed a therapist to help her overcome the trauma. “I want you to know that whatever the case, we won’t blame you for things that were beyond your control. We love you and we will support you all the way," Roxanne said and took in a shuddering breath before asking, "Did that man touch you against your will?” Claire gasped and her eyes rounded when she realised they had all misunderstood. She vigorously shook her head and replied
~FLASHBACK TO TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS AGO~Diana and Simone were best friends who had known each other for a long time. However, things between them changed when Simone got married to Diana’s long-time crush, Julian Crawford. Simone had no idea Diana had a thing for Julian. She only got married to him due to their family agreement which led to the merging of their families’ companies. However, as time went by, she learnt to love him and accepted him as her husband fully. Unbeknownst to her, her best friend, Diana, was jealous of the life she was living. Julian loved and pampered Simone since for him, he had loved her from the word go. After Simone had her first child, she struggled with postpartum depression. Being near her husband annoyed her and in the end, they drifted apart. She later recovered but it was hard to restore the spark they once had. So, she thought if she conceived again, they could restore their relationship. But that was where the problems started. Simone failed to c
“Do you still have the same merchandise as back then?” Diana asked on the phone. “I want this to be a clean job. It shouldn’t get detected and it shouldn’t be linked to me.” Silence fell over the phone. The man on the phone sighed and said, “I know I said I would always do whatever you want but this is risky. This man is the most powerful man in the city and he has security surrounding him in the hospital. I risk getting caught. Honestly, I don’t think I love you enough to risk my life for that.” Diana rolled her eyes. She gritted her teeth and replied, “Look, that man holds the key to our success. If we kill him, we will get all the fortune. I’ll have Julian sign off his properties to me and kill him too. We can then leave the Country and live happily ever after just like I promised… I told you to be patient.” “Why haven’t you come to see me in years? After you got married, you forgot all about me,” The man said. “Are you sure Wesley wasn’t my son?” “No, he wasn’t. I told you we n
Jake Norton had been about to turn and leave when he happened to hear Quinn’s phone conversation. From the little bits that he got, he assumed the man who called was Quinn’s editor and he was giving her a hard time about when she would release her book. Jake watched as Quinn sighed helplessly. The woman he had come to know as strong looked so vulnerable in that moment. Knowing with everything that had been going on, Quinn wouldn’t be able to focus on her work fully until her friend was better. Jake thought her editor should have been more understanding, after all, Quinn had made a lot of money for the publishing company through her books. So, after Quinn returned to the ward, Jake took out his phone and called an acquaintance, Josh Collins, who was the owner of the best novel publishing company. He cleared his throat and said, “Hey, Josh. I remember you had asked me to invest in your company and buy some shares. Does that offer still stand?”“Um… well, I-”“Wait,” Jake stopped his
In Oliver's ward, doctors and nurses surrounded his bed. One doctor who was the chief resident, did his best, using the defibrillator to resuscitate him. "Again! Increase the charge a little higher!" The doctor yelled for the defibrillator to be charged before he placed the paddles on Oliver's chest and delivered another shock. Beads of sweat coated the doctor's forehead and he kept panting because the young billionaire's heart was showing no signs of life. "Come on! Again! We can't let him die or the chairman will dismiss us for being careless with his son!" The doctor yelled. "Hurry! We are losing him!" Being the chief, he would have to take responsibility for why they overlooked whatever signs caused the sudden cardiac arrest. "Clear!" The assistant nurse yelled and the chief resident administered another shock to Oliver's exposed chest. Oliver's body jolted up from the bed but the heart monitor still showed a flat line, the constant beep deafening to everyone's ears. Outside
Claire awoke to a handsome face smiling down at her. Immediately, relief washed over her and a smile crossed her lips. “My love... you’re alive,” she remarked, her eyes gleaming with unshed tears as she looked up into familiar cerulean blue eyes. Oliver smiled warmly and cupped Claire’s cheek. He said, “Of course, I’m alive. I have a wife and daughter waiting for me... I would choose living with you... growing old with you... over anything in the world."The couple simply looked into each other’s eyes, sharing a special moment as their eyes relayed what the other was feeling. Just after he woke up, Oliver asked for a wheelchair and his friends helped him to get to Claire's ward. He stayed by her side, watching as she slept for hours all the while ignoring the pain in his chest. Everyone tried to talk him into returning to his ward to rest, but Oliver wanted to see and talk to Claire before sleeping again. He was afraid he might go into another coma and not have the chance to talk
Years came and went... After a warm shower, Oliver stood behind his wife to help her wear the necklace that was engraved with their children's names. "So, you know what today is?" He asked as he placed the necklace around her neck. "How could I forget?" Claire arched an eyebrow. "You've been talking about it for months.""Yes... because I've been preparing a vacation for us for when this day comes. I can't believe it's been eight years already," Oliver remarked. When he was done putting the necklace around Claire's neck, he placed a soft kiss in the crook of her neck before saying, "You've made me the happiest man on earth, Angel."Claire sighed before leaning back into Oliver. She remarked, "Time flies."Everything was going well for everyone. Oliver Ford had taken over as chairman of the Ford Corporation after his father, Henry Ford, retired. With Oliver's leadership, the company was taken to greater heights and it expanded to more foreign countries. As for his marriage with Cl
"Uncle Jake. Remember how you owe me?" Thalia said with her arms crossed over her chest. "I'm here to collect."Oliver, Jake and Liam were left to babysit the kids while their women went out to relax. The men chose to let the kids play in the playroom while they caught up on a few soccer games that they had missed during the week. However, Thalia saw this as an opportunity to collect her debt from one Jake Norton. He was seated in the living area, invested in a soccer game when she confronted him. Jake's eyes widened. He didn't expect the little one to interrupt him when the game was just getting good. His favorite team were leading and he wanted to see how it would end. He chuckled and replied, "You want to collect now? Let's wait until the game is over, ok?""Are you trying to run away from paying your debt, Uncle Jake? A real man sticks to his words," Thalia remarked in her adorable voice. Jake sighed. He said, "Ok, you win, sweetheart. So, tell me. What do you want me to do f
A few weeks later..."I can't believe you guys are having a double wedding! I'm so freaking jealous! I want to get married again so that we have a triple wedding!" Claire exclaimed after Quinn and Aria were done with their makeup."Oh my... you two look so gorgeous. I love the designer wedding dresses," Claire remarked with a smile plastered on her face. "It was more convenient since we were both getting married this year. Besides, Jake and Liam are ecstatic about getting married on the same day," Quinn replied, smiling. They had come to that decision during Thalia's birthday party. Oliver suggested it and the rest thought it was a good idea. "I'm more surprised that Aria is getting married. She's just a year older than me. We promised to get married at thirty," Evelyn remarked. She sighed and looked at her friend in awe. "You make such a beautiful bride, Ari. Congratulations."Aria smiled, looking at herself in the mirror. She couldn't recognise herself. With her hair pulled up int
Liam entered Aria’s apartment for the first time. He noted how cosy and homely it felt. There were blue couches in the living room and grey curtains on the windows. Liam’s eyes fell on the portrait of a little boy hanging on the wall. His heart raced as he looked at the boy who had dark brown curly hair with fair skin and hazel eyes. ‘Is that my son?’ He thought in his mind. The boy took after Aria but he had his eyes. Liam's heart felt warm. He glanced at Aria and eagerly asked, "Where's Jayce? Where's my son?""He should be in the kitchen with his nanny. Let me get him," Aria responded, her stomach a bundle of nerves. She still couldn't believe what was happening. It all felt surreal. Just the previous day, she didn't know who Jayce's father was, but now, not only did she find out who it was, but he also proposed to her. Who knew she would end up with the stranger she had a one-night stand with?Her heart was filled with warmth and sweetness. Aria looked for her son and sure e
Sophia Hill was over the moon at the thought of her long-time dream finally coming true. When she left the special forces and joined Liam’s company as part of his security team, she developed a crush on him.She did all she could to get noticed by him and when Liam noticed how good she was, he promoted her to be his personal bodyguard. However, that was just it. Liam never made a move on her or spared her a glance. Sophia thought since he was a player, it wouldn’t be hard for him to fall for her. However, nothing of that sort happened. Liam kept her as a bodyguard and never saw her as anything more. A chance came for Sophia to make Liam hers. He accidentally got drugged at a party and Sophia was ecstatic about such a great opportunity. To her shock, she found him making love to another woman in the room she had booked for him. Fierce jealousy rushed through Sophia and she wanted nothing but to separate the two but it was too late. All she could do was wait until Liam was done. She
Liam’s heart was beating like a drum within the walls of his chest. He took in a deep breath as he held the envelope. His friends stood beside him, waiting to read the results with him. Oliver patted his shoulder and said, “Don’t worry… even if you don’t turn out to be the father, you still love Aria and you will be with her.”“That’s right. Look at me and Lucian. We may not be related by blood but he’s my son and I love him. I’m sure Aria’s son will love you regardless.” Liam let out a breath. He glanced at his friends and they nodded at him in encouragement. Ignoring his pounding heart, he opened the envelope and took out the document with trembling hands. “The results are usually at the bottom of the page,” Jake remarked. “Don’t waste your time reading the statistics.”Liam’s eyes went to the bottom of the page and he read the results in his heart. A smile crossed his lips before it turned into a grin. “The child is mine! Aria’s son is mine! Haha! I have a son!” Liam exclaimed,
“What?” Jake’s eyes were almost popping out of their sockets. “Is it the same Aria we all know? Wait, she’s back?”Liam almost laughed at his friends' reaction. He knew they would be shocked. He and Aria had a huge age gap but surprisingly, they got along well. No one would know they were nine years apart in age if they saw them together. This was why Liam was convinced she was the one. He wanted someone he could relate well with as a wife. Forever is a long time to be with someone you can't stand. He nodded and replied, “Yes, it’s her. She’s working at my company-”“Liam… she’s like a sister to me. Are you really in love with her or you’re taking advantage of her?” Oliver questioned, his eyes narrowed down at his friend. “I wouldn’t propose to her if I didn’t love her-”“You what? Are you crazy? Do you think Uncle Adrian will agree? He knows you’re a player,” Oliver said. “You could have started by winning him over first.” “Well, I’ll do that but first, there’s something I need he
Liam's hand trembled when he held the familiar bracelet in his hands. What did this mean? Why was this bracelet with Aria?He took in a sharp breath, his heart clenching at the memory that flashed through his mind as he examined the bracelet. It was definitely this bracelet. He may not remember anything from that night but he remembered how brutal he was. The drug had taken full effect and he lost control. It was like a beast within him was unleashed and he devoured the woman who had walked into his room without mercy.This was why he felt guilty when he found out it was Sophia. He was so rough and probably hurt her during the session. This was why he kept her around to compensate her. However, the bracelet in his hand brought back part of his long-lost memory. The woman beneath him was struggling when he became so rough he had to grab her neck to pound into her like a crazed beast. He recalled how she held his wrist and the bracelet in his hand was on her wrist. The bracelet was m
"Why can't you take me seriously, cupcake? I really want to marry you," Liam said after Aria tried to brush off his words as bluff. Who didn't know that Liam never wanted to get married? He had been announcing it for years since she knew him. She chuckled and uttered, "You don't need to lie, Liam. I know you." Liam furrowed his eyebrows. He remarked, "There you go again using my reputation to judge me. I want to marry you, Aria. You're the right one for me... I can feel it in my bones."“B-But you haven’t even met my son yet,” Aria mumbled when she realised he wasn't joking. “I’ll meet him before we have our wedding,” Liam replied. Aria’s eyes widened into saucers. She asked, “We will have a wedding?”“Of course! Isn’t that how people get married?” Liam arched an eyebrow. “I thought you wanted a contract marriage. Like you need a wife and I’m available-”“It’s not a contract. I want to marry you for life,” Liam proclaimed. “Till death do us part.”Aria bit her lower lip as she th