Thank you for reading. I've had a rough week. I'll try to update more chapters over the weekend.
Claire had promised herself she would prepare a special surprise for Oliver to announce her pregnancy when she got pregnant again. However, life is unpredictable and not everything goes according to plan. Who knew she would end up getting kidnapped a few days after her wedding or that she would find out she was pregnant, only to be told the pregnancy wasn’t safe and she needed to stay in hospital for the rest of her pregnancy term?So, she ended up announcing her pregnancy in the hospital ward while Oliver was still nursing his gunshot wounds. The ones he got when he rushed over to save her…“We are pregnant, Oliver! We are going to have another child,” Claire proclaimed, looking into Oliver’s wide eyes. “Pregnant?!” Oliver exclaimed. Claire watched as his expression changed from confused, to shocked to pure happiness. A huge grin crossed his face as he laughed to express his joy, “Hahahaha! A baby! Finally, I get to experience being a father to a newborn."He glanced at Claire an
Doctor Harriet’s face turned serious as she studied the screen. Her eyebrows creased as she moved the probe over Claire’s stomach. She sighed heavily, noticing the large growths that seemed to be closing in on the fetus in Claire’s womb. From her years of experience, she knew these types of growths in the womb would sooner or later cause a miscarriage. Her patient was already bleeding, which was a threatening abortion case. Instead of giving the couple false hope, she told them the truth, saying, “I suggest you terminate this pregnancy. You won’t be able to carry this baby to full term.” Claire gasped before looking at her husband. She shook her head and objected, “No. I was told if I stayed in bed and took care of myself, I would deliver this baby.” “The chances are slim. Even if you did manage to overcome the struggles that this pregnancy would come with, we will have to cut you open at six or seven months. The fibroids are growing too and soon, there won’t be enough room for you
Oliver narrowed his eyes at Jake as the nurse disinfected his wounds. He asked, “Is that going to be a problem for you? I had to get her here… you know she’s the best obstetrics and gynaecology doctor there is.”Jake sighed, sitting back in his seat. He nodded and said, “I understand… We need all the help we can get, man.”Silence fell over them and Jake appeared to be lost in deep thought. “Does her leaving still affect you? You would have to see her often since she will be working from the hospital and Claire will be in the hospital for some time,” Oliver remarked. Jake shrugged and answered, “How hard can it be? It’s been four years since we broke up. Come on, man. I’ve moved on.” He fell silent and recalled how Charlotte broke his heart four years ago. His heart twisted. Even though it wasn’t as painful as it was back then, the pain was still there. ‘Have I moved on?’ He asked himself. ~ FLASHBACK~Jake inhaled sharply, his handsome features showing that he was nervous. His he
“Mommy!” Thalia rushed into the ward after Katherine put her down. She gently wrapped an arm around Claire in an attempt to hug her before saying, “I missed you, Mommy. I wish I can hug you tight but Grandma said it might hurt my little baby brother or sister.” Claire’s eyes watered with tears when she saw her daughter. They had talked over a video call but it was different to see her in person. She reached over and carried Thalia, placing her on the bed next to her before holding her tight. “Mommy missed you too, Thalia… don’t worry, you’re not heavy for mommy and your little baby brother or sister wants a hug from big sis too,” Claire remarked. “Grandma told me you and Daddy need to stay in the hospital to take care of the baby,” Thalia said while looking up at Claire. “Yes, we do… however, Daddy will come and spend time with you just like before,” Claire promised. As much as they wanted to focus on keeping her pregnancy safe, they didn’t want Thalia to feel neglected and alone.
After Oliver had seen Claire and settled, he now started to look into the male nurse who had gone into his ward to kill him. Using all the resources he could, he was able to put a face to the man when a nurse he had assaulted to steal the uniform from identified him from the security cameras. The image was then run through the police database and it was discovered that the said man was called Armando Lopez who was a wanted criminal with many crimes on his list. “We’ve been looking for this man for so many years but it seemed he had powerful people backing him,” the officer remarked. "He always managed to escape or get bailed out every time."Oliver narrowed his eyes. He said, “I don’t care how powerful those backing him are, I’m more powerful than anyone in this city. I want him caught. He’s a threat to my family.” Claire's disappearance was a wake-up call. Oliver was determined to deal with anyone who showed intentions of harming him or his family. If you leave an enemy behind, th
When they got on the ferry, Armando felt like something was off. He scanned the place and saw a man in one corner who seemed like a tourist going to an island. Another man who was dressed in casual clothing with a cap on his head was seated in front and chatting with a friend. The rest seemed to be minding their own business, taking pictures of the blue waters or the sky or reading a book as the ferry moved across the sea. To normal people, there would be nothing strange about this scene. However, as a hardcore criminal who had been in the cartel for most of his life, Armando could sniff a cop from a distance. No one on this ferry was a civilian. They were cops in disguise who were there to arrest them. It seemed Diana had been followed after all and she was none the wiser.Armando gulped, glancing at Diana. His stomach twisted as worry for her crept into him. She loved a soft life… she wouldn’t survive in jail. How could he let her get captured only for her to go and live a life sh
Earlier in Oliver’s ward. Henry Ford asked to talk to Oliver about something important. Since he was recovering and now feeling better, Henry thought it was time to tell him about his biological father before Julian got impatient and introduced himself to Oliver without permission. Oliver was seated in his hospital bed with his back leaning against the headboard. He was in a VIP room and the beds in the VIP section were comfortable and luxurious just like the ones you would find in a home. When Henry was still silent after five minutes, Oliver sighed and asked, “Dad, you said you had something important to tell me?”“Uh… yes, son,” Henry replied, shifting in his seat. “I did say that, didn’t I? Well, I don’t know how important it is… I might be more important…”Oliver arched an eyebrow, already having an inkling about what his father wanted to talk to him about. He figured it wasn’t an easy topic for Henry so he waited patiently. However, ten more minutes passed and the man still s
An hour later… At the police station, in a small dimly lit room, a woman in her early fifties sat at a chair with her cuffed hands resting on the grey table in front of her. She was facing an empty chair that was reserved for the person who would be interrogating her. This woman was none other than Diana Crawford, Wesley Crawford's mother and Julian Crawford's wife. Her usual confident demeanour had been replaced by a resigned look on her face. She looked like she had been through hell and back with dishevelled hair, blood on her clothes and hands and her cheeks were stained with her tears. When she arrived, she looked around the room, wondering what awaited her in that room. Was she going to be tortured? The room only had one table and two chairs, its walls had a dull grey colour that was meant to prevent distractions during an interrogation. It was made this way to give off a sense of intimidation to the one being interrogated. Diana felt like she had been waiting for hours an
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