“You’ve got to be joking,” Evelyn said with a small smile but was met with bone-serious looks from her daughter and her strange man. When she saw that this was not a joke, she lost it. “Are you crazy? Have you gone mad?! Do not for one moment think you can intimidate me into giving away my company because you will be in for a rude awakening.”“Read my lips. I am not Ethan. Neither am I any of his godforsaken parents, if you try to mess with me, I will bring you down without a moment's thought.”April and Colton shared gazes and burst into a round of mocking laughter together. “You didn’t tell me she was this feisty, darling,” Colton said and kissed the space between her neck and body. “Oh pay her no mind. She is all bark and no bite.” April said, closing her eyes as she leaned into the kiss. “I have her on leech.” Evelyn's eyes reddened and she shook with anger. “Just try me. I beg you. Test me this time and see if I don’t bite you. I am done playing your silly games, child.”She s
June returned home from a long day of work at the site. The building project was on course after her designs were approved. Joel Patel and some men were assigned to ensure the building was a physical representation of the design while she handled the job of ensuring everything was under control. “There you are!” June jolted at the sound of her mother-in-law who approached her with a smile. “How are you doing?”“Mother!” She greeted me with a smile. “I’ve missed you!” “Oh dear, I missed you too. You and my sweet boys.” She cooed. “Have you eaten? I brought some food from home. Let’s have an early dinner. Just the two of us.” Mrs Beatrice had left the house a week ago to attend to pressing needs in the Ambrose family home. She didn’t specify how long she would stay but June was happy to have her. “Sure!” June took to her room, freshened up and joined her mother-in-law for an early dinner. The atmosphere was light as they spoke on light topics until Mrs Beatrice said, “I know my so
“Sir! The young miss has been involved in an accident at the site!”Rafael was in his office when his assistant told him the distressing news. His face froze, and he abandoned everything he had at hand. “Cancel the meetings and ready the car. We leave immediately!” Rafael hit the road to a private hospital where his wife was held. He couldn’t understand why she wasn’t taken to the South City Hospital where Carson could take proper care of his wife but when he found that his mother was around at the time of the accident, he let himself relax a bit. Meanwhile, June had undergone all sorts of tests which she deemed useless as not a single hair on her head needed to be put in the right place. She felt like it was all a waste of time seeing she was not hurt but to avoid upsetting her dear mother-in-law, she submitted herself to the process.Mrs Beatrice sat in the doctor’s office while June sat on her hospital bed, waiting for her mother-in-law’s verdict. “What did you find? Does she ha
The news of Anthonio’s death spread like wildfire and soon, the Rivera family was the talk of the town. According to the news, Anthonio had returned from a vacation and slipped from the stairs of the Rivera mansion. An accident that led to his untimely demise. Condolences poured from various parts of South City as the Rivera family experienced the loss of yet another family member. Things had gone out of hand and some netizens went as far as pointing out the alarming rate of deaths and misfortunes that seemed to visit the Rivera family and their inlaws. When June heard the news, she was in her office. Things strained around the house after the tiff with her mother-in-law, especially her relationship with Rafael. She knew that most of the strain was because she felt guilty about her unsettled case with his mother but she planned to do everything she could to make things work. April was in the Rivera family house with Colton when her mother attacked her in tears. “You killed him! Y
“Sister! Why are you so bent on slandering me? Why are you so-” April fell to the floor, tears streaming down her eyes. “The past few days have been hell for me since father’s untimely death, and mother’s insanity.”“I tried calling you for the longest time but you refused to pick my calls.” She wept, “Now you show up here and try to pin this on me? Why do you hate me so much, sister? What did I ever do?” The visitors were moved by compassion for April and scorn for her sister. “That woman is such a wicked person!” One said in anger.“She doesn’t care for her mother! She is just here to cause a scene!” Another said, “Why are they letting crap like her come into this house? Mrs Evelyn had already told us about this daughter of hers before she lost her mind. She should not be allowed to come into this house!”“Such a shameless woman! Bullying her younger sister for trying to carry the family name while she whores about! Despicable!”Soon enough, the entire house turned against June w
The entire house was silent as eyes turned to April with shock. “It’s a lie! She isn’t alright! The doctors are coming to pick her up! I already told you all she lost her mind! Why...why can’t you see it?” April cried but this time no one bought her facade. People who were once on her side, having pity and empathy for her suddenly stepped aside in shock as they watched her lie repeatedly. “Mother! Please, stop this.” April moved towards Evelyn who stepped back in fear. “Please! I know you are hurting from father’s death but I promise, things will be fine. I will take care of you and your doctor will soon be here.”“Just-”“Do not take one more step,” June said in a tone that brought goosebumps to the skin of her hearers. “One more step and I promise, you would be taken to the hospital yourself.” When April found that no one believed her act and everything was out in the open, she wiped her face clean and put a stern look on her face. “Enough, June. Congratulations! You found a mad
Rafael left the sitting room when Mrs Evelyn’s tears grew heavy. June’s heart broke at the sight of her mother looking so distraught and grieved. “Mother...” Her eyes glassed with unshed tears. “I don’t deserve your kindness,” Evelyn said and stood on your feet. “It's preposterous of me to accept anything from you after all I did to you.” “Mother..”“No.” Evelyn shook her head and wiped her tears. “What I did is unforgivable. I maltreated and let you suffer because I couldn’t deal with my grief.”Tears pooled June’s eyes as she listened to her mother. “All these years, I blamed you. I blamed you for getting lost as a child in that hospital. I blamed you for putting our family through tough times, I blamed you for my husband’s death. Anytime something evil came to me, I found a way to blame you for it.” “I hated the fact I lost you and couldn’t bear the guilt of losing you as a child in that hospital, so I decided to bring in someone who could replace you. I brought in the devil a
Mrs Evelyn left the house a few hours after June left for work. It was past noon when she finally left the house with some money to aid her journey. She dressed in a black assemble and boarded a cab that headed to the Rivera family house. When she reached the neighbourhood, she put on her face mask and sneaked her way into the estate where her home stood in majesty. Her entry was swift and painless. The house seemed nearly deserted, and it was easy for her to manoeuvre her way into the place she had lived for most of her life. As soon as she got in, she headed right for her bedroom with her heart in her mouth. The last thing she wanted was to get caught in breaking into her own home, or worse, April finding out she was in the house. Evelyn was sure it wouldn’t end well if April met her in the house or got to know she had been anywhere near the parameters of the house. Nostalgic feelings attacked her upon entering her bedroom, and she was immediately reminded of who she had lost.
Lucy sat in the hotel room, dressed in her blue dress and texting Liam for an answer. When her phone finally rang and Liam displayed on the screen, she excused herself, and stepped out of the room. "I've been texting you for the past thirty minutes!" Lucy whisper-yelled as soon as the line connected. "What's going on? The mother's have been blowing my phone and I think June is already suspecting me.""You can leave the hotel. I arranged a car to take you both to the venue. It's a white limo." Liam said, expertly avoiding Lucy's question. "You still haven't told me what's going on! I deserve to-" Two beeps and the call disconnected. Liam hung up on her. Lucy gritted her teeth, trying to control her anger. She couldn't mess things up. Not today. She would handle him later. Summoning a smile, Lucy returned to the hotel room."We need to leave. Our ride is here." She said and June squinted, raising her head from the document she studied for the past several minutes. "Ride?"Lucy's ey
June sat in her office chair when Lucy hurriedly entered her room. "We have to leave!" She said with urgency in her tone.June blinked in confusion. "Why? Is there a problem?""Yes! The president is coming to visit the South City project site with some key investors.""The president has requested you to take them on a tour on site. We don't have much time." June got on her feet, gathering her phone and some other essentials, alongside the project blueprints. "How long do we have?" She asked. "Three hours." Lucy said, "According to the news, you are to get something with the investors before heading to the site.""The president has assigned our makeovers. We need to leave immediately." "Makeovers?" June asked with a frown. "Why would we need makeovers?""We don't have time. I'll explain on the way." Just like that Lucy dragged June out of the office for a makeover. They arrived at a hotel just close to the airport and while June tried to gather her thoughts, the hired team of pro
April got into her hotel room dressed like a man. Her eyes were narrowed in anger as she threw down a lamp from the bedside table. "A surprise wedding, huh?" She gritted, blood burning with anger. "I'll give them a wedding to remember!" April flew into South City in disguise for a secret mission for the Cordel family. After seeing the press around her sister and Rafael's survival as well as her mother taking over the Lontoc and Rivera companies, she sought for an opportunity to come into South City and when the opportunity presented itself, she took it with both hands. However, due to her condition as a wanted person she couldn't go about freely for fear of getting caught as a dupe. The first few days, she spent carrying out her business with her colleagues until she had some free time. She decided to find out what her silly sister was up to and stalked her house only to find out she had long packed away. Apparently, June was living a comfortable life as the wife of Rafael while s
"You are going to be an older brother." June said to a young Luis during dinner a few weeks later. The entire family gathered for a small dinner. Evelyn, Lucy, and Carson were present alongside Mrs Beatrice who celebrated the wonderful news. "I'll be a grandmother!" Mrs Evelyn cried, "I'm so happy for you, my child."The evening was a cozy one as they all congratulated the couple on the news. "You are finally getting all the good things you deserve." Lucy said, "I'm so happy for you."The night was not over as June decided to add another joyful news to the equation. It was her mother's wedding anniversary and she hoped to brighten the day with some good news for Mrs Evelyn. "Thank you all for coming to celebrate with me." June said in a speech, "I want to use this medium to appreciate everyone for your intense support."She turned to Mrs Evelyn. "You've been the best mother to me, helping me through the hardest part of my life.""Child...""I just want to thank you. I am in a hap
The next few months were a slow recovery for Mrs Beatrice with the support and love of her family. With the constant reassurance and love of Rafael, and the entire family, she was gradually becoming stronger which was good news for the extended family who were finally in unity. Rafael returned to work and in a matter of three months, Ambrose Corporation was able to make a startling profit of over seven hundred billion, quickly retaking their position as one of the top corporations in the world. June was not left to the side, JL Architectures were making waves with the new South City project up and running and the public support. June and Rafael made their relationship public, garnering the support of the masses who followed, adored and loved the powerful couple. The news raved about how they survived the ghastly accident, their journey as a couple and their unconditional love for each other. Everything progressed well and on Luis's birthday, his parents and family showered him w
June woke up to soft kisses from Rafael who lay beside her. She smiled in her sleep as she blinked awake."Rafe-" She swooned, palming his face with a Loving gaze. "Hey, Wifey." He mused, "Good morning."Rafael proceeded to lavish kisses on her face, going in for her lips but she tactically avoided him. "I need to brush my teeth!" She said when he continued trying to kiss her on the lips. "I don't care-" Rafael mused. "Now let me kiss you." He demanded softly and she shook her head. The next second, June slipped away from the bed, successfully evading his kisses and giggling when her husband wore a duped expression. "I promise you can kiss me for as long as you want," she said, "Right after I freshen up." June hopped into the shower after taking care of her business, and halfway through it, the door opened and Rafael joined her inside. "Rafe-" June's eyes widened when she saw him walk in naked with his hard member in full display. "I'm only trying to freshen up too," Rafael mu
Liam returned to the Fernando estate and went to the dungeons where Lydia Cordel, the wife of the Late Andre Cordel was being held. "I was wondering when I'd finally see you," Lydia said as soon as she saw him at her gate. "I thought we were partners?""Do not forget your position, woman." Liam's voice was cold and aloof as he took on the aura of the cold mafia don he was. "Your life is a gift that could be taken at any time. You are advised to treasure it well." "If you wanted me dead I should be dead by now," Lydia said purposefully. "And I'm not dead.""Yet." Liam finished in a gritty tone. One of his men brought him a seat and he sat right in front of Lydia's cell, which was better than most since it had a bed and she received health care. "Tell me the truth and I might consider letting you keep your gift of life." He pulled off his black shades. "Did you or did you not kill your husband?""I did." She answered without skipping a beat. "And why would you do that?""Because he
June and Rafael spent their days together. It was like an unofficial vacation and honeymoon. Rafael made good progress on his health with June around to love and supervise him. Everything felt surreal for the love birds who had been apart for so long. One day, the doctor came in with good news, stating that Rafael was ready to leave the hospital, and scheduling him on weekly appointments to monitor his progress. June could barely hide her happy tears. It felt like everything was falling right into place. Although Rafael's legs were not strong, they were on the right path and she believed that in due time, he would learn to use his legs again. "I want to be discharged today," Rafael told the doctor, interlacing his fingers with June who sat by his bed smiling happily. "I can't spend a day more in this hospital." June laughed at the desperation in Rafael's voice. It's been a few rough weeks since she moved into the hospital with Rafael constantly trying to make love to her. They h
It was the early hours of the day and June was fast asleep when her phone started ringing. Having slept in from her busy night, she silenced the call and turned over, hoping to get some extra sleep before returning to Rafael's mansion. The phone started ringing again, disturbing not just her but Luis who turned in his sleep, disturbed by the noise. This time, June silenced the call, got up from bed, and headed out the balcony to answer the call. The phone stopped ringing before she could pick up and started ringing within a few seconds. It was Carson."You better have a good reason for calling me this early in the morning," June said once the call was connected, irritated from having her sleep disturbed. The line was flat. She could hear breathing but there was nothing. She removed the phone from her ears and checked if it was still active."Hello?" June said when she was certain the call was still connected. "Good morning, wifey." June stiffened upon hearing a gruff masculine