Natlie's POV“The pain stopped, right?” Freda asked as she continued examining my belly.I nodded. “Yes. What does that mean? Is there something wrong with my child?” I asked, my voice full of concern.“It’s just the symptoms before labor. They are normal and beneficial for the mother; ninety percent of women experience them,” she explained. “These small waves of pain help the womb prepare for labor.”I glanced at Rafael and stifled a laugh at his expression. He was staring wide-eyed at my bloated, naked belly.When our eyes met, I let out a sigh of annoyance, ignored him, and looked away.“So, do you want to know the child's gender?” Freda asked.“Yes! Please,” Rafael suddenly snapped.Freda and I both stared at him. I questioned, “What does this have to do with you?”He approached, and I tried to sit up. Freda gently pushed me back onto the bed and said, “Natalie, please. Don’t move.”I glared at him furiously and snapped in a warning tone, “Stay away from me and my child!”As if he
Natalie's POVWilliam noticed that I was stunned and distracted. He took half a step back and stared into my eyes, then followed my gaze to something behind him. There stood a man leaning on the wall, legs crossed, hands in his pockets, with a cornered smile on his lips.“Surprise!” Rafael trifled, his gaze full of disdain.William stepped back in shock and snapped, “Who are you?”I closed my eyes tightly, took a deep breath, placed my hands on my hips, and asked, “What are you doing here?”“I came to see my son!” he answered nonchalantly.I could see the confusion on William’s face as he asked, “Your son?”Rafael walked towards me in steady steps, boldly and possessively wrapped his arm around my shoulder, locked eyes with me, and replied to William, “My wife!”William laughed. “Is that a joke?”Rafael raised his eyebrows and replied, “For your misfortune, it’s not.”I pushed his arm off my shoulder and roared, “How the hell did you get into my apartment?”The look on his face made m
Natalie’s POVWhen I got out of the bathroom, the smell of fried eggs made my stomach growl. I was starving; I hadn't eaten anything yesterday.I headed towards my room, ignoring Rafael. I didn’t want him here, and I wasn’t going to give him any attention. I knew being around him was dangerous.Why couldn’t I just pick one of my comfortable summer dresses like always? Why was this so difficult now? I glared at my reflection in the mirror and sneered, “Do you really have to ask? It’s all because of the distraction in your kitchen.”I sighed.The blue dress was the ideal choice for me. It wasn’t too much, and it fit the place I intended to go.Thinking about today’s meeting made me anxious.I lifted my hair into a ponytail, applied sunscreen, mascara, and pink gloss. After spraying my perfume and putting on my high heels, I went to the kitchen, only to find Rafael still there, wearing just a towel! His back was to me as he washed something in the sink.I couldn’t help but stare at his mu
Natalie’s POVI didn’t reply to her because I knew exactly what kind of history Rafael had with women.I turned around again and was about to enter Daniel’s car when a large hand held my arm. “I said, I’ll drive you.”I pulled my hand away and said with a smile, “No need. Stay with your friend and reminisce about your precious history together.”He wiped his face with both hands and then lifted me into his embrace. I gasped in shock and yelled, “Put me down!”“No,” he said calmly. Walking towards his car, he asked Daniel, “You can join us.”Daniel didn’t hesitate and entered Rafael’s car, sitting in the front seat as Rafael placed me in the back. I rolled my eyes when he put the seatbelt on me.When he started the engine, Julia said through the window, “I’ll message you through I*, Rafael!”I hate that kind of woman, who knew the man was married and still tried to grab his attention desperately.“Where are we going?” Rafael asked me through the rearview mirror. I didn’t want him to kno
Rafael’s POVAs I stood beside Daniel at the Roswen mansion, I suddenly found myself surrounded by several women glaring at me. One of the older women stepped forward and asked, “Are you the father of the child?”I nodded with a smile and replied in a cheerful tone, “Yes.” I was proud to be the father.She tightened her lips as if she wasn’t satisfied. Then, to my shock, she raised her wrinkled hand, grabbed my ear, and pinched it like I was a child. “So it’s you? What are you doing here then?” she demanded.I was too stunned to respond. What could I say to a woman who was as old as, if not older than, my grandmother?“Grandma, he’s a guest here, please take it easy on him,” Daniel intervened.I stared at her with a pleading look, hoping she would release my ear. This was unexpected behavior. She scrutinized my face before grinning and declaring, “I see. The stupid girl fell for your charming face!”Everyone around us burst into laughter. She turned to Daniel and shouted, “He’s our so
Natalie’s POV I was standing among the lively chatter of the family gathering, my eyes inevitably drifted towards Rafael. He was standing beside Daniel, surrounded by a group of curious women. There was something magnetic about his presence, a quiet confidence that seemed to draw everyone in. Our eyes met once a while and I could see the amusement into his eyes, as if he was telling me that he was happy to be here.How he didn’t feel annoyed about what granny did to him?On the contrary, he handled their probing questions with a charming smile, his eyes twinkling with a mix of amusement and pride. I even heard him saying that I was the core of his life. I really started to feel the ice around my heart melted.My heart bounding as if I love him for the first time!After our kiss at the back yard, I felt I need more of him. What if I forget the past and started over? “The man indeed in love!” Maya grinned.I rolled my eyes, pretending that I didn’t care. Even though my heart was softe
Natalie's POVEventually, I decided not to let him in. I didn’t want my decision to be rushed and based on a moment of emotional weakness. I had been there before with him, and if I decided to go back, it needed to be based on a well-considered decision.My phone rang at six in the morning, and I was surprised to see it was from my next-door neighbor."Hello!" I answered.“Natalie?” she asked, her voice a little nervous. “Are you at home? Are you okay?”With confusion obvious in my tone, I mumbled, “Yes! What’s wrong?”She let out a deep sigh of relief and said, “Oh, thank God!”“Hey, what’s wrong? You’re scaring me,” I said, sitting up in bed with an anxious look.“I was passing by your apartment door, taking the kids to school, and I saw a man, a handsome man, changing your front door lock. I was afraid he was a gangster or a thief. I was about to call the cops but hesitated because he didn’t seem like one,” she explained.I immediately got out of bed and said with a terrified look,
Natalie's POVRafael smiled at my question but didn’t reply. He kissed me on the cheek, surprising me. He didn’t hide his affection for me in front of Julie. Instead, he said in a harsh tone, “You look amazing!”I looked at Julie and asked, “You wouldn’t introduce us?”The woman wore a purple dress that revealed and highlighted all her body curves, suggesting she was vying for attention. Yet, she seemed quiet and elegant, holding Rafael’s arm as if he was her savior.Was this the type Rafael liked? Women who relied on him, submissive and obedient like a kitten? She seemed she would drown in an inch of water.Before Rafael could say anything, Lucas grabbed his arm and said, “You’re finally here, man. Come, Grandpa wants you!”What was that? Why did Grandpa need him?Shaking my head, I turned to go back to the girls, not wanting to spend another second with Julie. But before I could leave, she grabbed my arm and said, “Wait!”I stared at her questioningly. “Yes?”She smiled, narrowed her