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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
Natalie's POVI let out a long sigh as I placed my hand on my belly. The persistent stomach acidity overwhelmed me, making every meal a challenge. In this last month of my pregnancy, it had worsened to the point where sometimes I had to stop eating altogether. The pressure on my stomach was intense, and the relentless heartburn felt like a fiery serpent coiling in my chest.I reached into my purse and found a mint sweet, a small relief that helped soothe the symptoms. As the cool mint flavor spread in my mouth, I felt a slight reprieve. The sweetness mingled with the refreshing mint, momentarily distracting me from the discomfort. I leaned back in my chair, savoring the fleeting relief.Afterward, I took some photos with the girls and posted them on my I*******m account. I hadn't been active for a while, wary of Rafael finding me. The comments came pouring in like wildfire as soon as my big belly appeared on their feeds. My friends Rebecca and Fello weren't surprised, though. Whereas a
Natalie’s POVRafael stared at my face, his eyes softening as he zipped up his trousers. “This was…” he chuckled with a warm sound that made my heart flutter, “wild!”Even though I felt a little awkward, I rolled my eyes, trying to mask the smile tugging at my lips. “You have to go back to the hall before they notice we're missing.”“Aren’t you going back to the hall?” he asked, adjusting his shirt, the fabric brushing against his toned chest.“Sure, I just need to fix my makeup,” I replied, but his attention had already shifted. He was staring at his phone, fingers flying over the screen.I frowned, a knot of irritation and curiosity tightening in my chest. “Who are you talking to?”Rafael’s eyes met mine, a flicker of anxiety darkening his gaze. “Lucas is texting me,” he stammered, the words tumbling out awkwardly. My frown grew deeper.Something felt off. I could sense it in the way his shoulders tensed, the way his eyes darted back to his phone. And the must important how he acted
Natalie’s POV“Oh God,” I exclaimed with a shaky voice mixed with fear and excitement. “I’m giving birth to our child, Rafael!”The noises around us were chaotic, and the whole venue turned into a mess.“Her water broke! She’s giving birth,” I heard Granny say.Rafael held me tightly for a moment before rushing to his car, yelling at his driver, “To the hospital, hurry!”The pain was unbearable. I squeezed Rafael’s hand as another surge of pain went through me. I was sitting in the back seat, and Rafael tried to support me by caressing my back. My loud moans filled the car. The pain came in waves, each one more intense than the last.When the pain lessened for a moment, I breathed heavily and leaned my head on Rafael’s shoulder. I noticed Rafael taking deep breaths and letting them out softly. I was confused. What was he doing?“What are you doing?” I asked in a puzzled tone.He stared at me blankly before explaining, “I saw it on YouTube. The woman should take long breaths and let the
Natalie’s POVThe room door swung open, and the Rowsens filed in one by one until the space was filled with their lively presence.“Hey, new mother!” Carla exclaimed, balancing a box of gifts in her hands, as the other family members held their own presents.“Oh, look at the little boy. He’s a spitting image of the charming Lucas, which is me,” Lucas mumbled, bending down to get a closer look at my child.“Move away!” Rafael snapped, shoving Lucas aside. “Don’t touch him. He’s still weak and could get infected easily!”I stifled a chuckle. Rafael’s overprotectiveness was one of his most endearing traits.“Hey, man! What’s wrong with you? I was just trying to see the boy! Don’t tell me you’re one of those overprotective fathers!” Lucas teased, prompting laughter from everyone in the room.I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me. The Rowsens had supported me when I was at my lowest, and they had become my real family. But now, with Rafael and our son, I had my own family. I loved them a