Henry Moore was happy to hear Angel’s voice. “I’m working. What’s the matter? Miss me?”Angel pouted and said, “Yes, I miss you.” She was still debating if she should tell the truth. Would Daddy really kick them out?‘But Mommy’s been gone for so long and she isn’t answering her phone,’ Angel thought.“Come home soon then. Where’s your mom?” Henry asked.“Mommy… Mommy…” Angel hesitated. “Daddy, promise you won’t get mad?”The words elicited a response from Henry. Did something happen to that woman?“Okay, go on.”“Mommy went for a matchmade date this morning. She’s still out,” Angel said timidly.“What?” Anger coursed through his veins and he hung up the phone. He walked out of his office and growled. “Shaun!”The feral growl sounded as if it came from the pits of hell.Shaun threw down his work at hand and grabbed his phone before rushing to Henry’s side.The chiseled face of Henry Moore was contorted into an expression of cold ange. The veins on his forehead clearly stood
”I don’t know. I dropped her off at the cafe and came straight home,” Yvonne grumbled.She did not like the fact that her father was worried about Monique.“Are you sure?” Zephyrus asked again. It was getting late and Monique’s whereabouts were unknown. He was expecting some good news today and the opposite happened instead.Yvonne’s eyes widened as she said vehemently, “I don’t know where a woman like her would go!”Zephyrus felt like slapping his daughter.At this moment, Monique walked into the house. She saw Zephyrus’s raised arm and asked, “Uncle, what are you doing?”Yvonne turned to Monique with reddened eyes and said, “You’re back!”“What’s happening?” There were more people than usual in the house. What was going on?All the heads turned to face Monique.Among the crowd, she noticed the man from that morning.“Why are you here?” Monique said to the bespectacled man.The man eyed Monique up and down. Was this the same woman from earlier?She looked nothing like the
Monique staggered back and her hand found purchase on the door handle. She was used to Siobhan’s scolding, but these words cut deeper than the usual.Yes, her uncle and aunt did not owe her anything. They had no obligation to take care of her.It was likely her grandfather’s last wish for them to feed and shelter her.Monique was an unwanted child. A burden. She should not have come back. It was a mistake to yearn for that familial love.Zephyrus pointed at Siobhan and shouted, “You shut your mouth!” The women in this household were going to drive him mad one day.Siobhan did not back down. “Oh? Are you going to hit me? Come on!”Before things escalated, Monique screamed at the top of her lungs. “Stop!”If her uncle laid a hand on Siobhan, this incident would forever be a barb in their relationship. It would be a shame for the family to fall apart because of someone like her.Monique kept shaking her head at Zephyrus, hoping he would back down. Tears were blurring her vision
Yvonne was staring daggers at Monique before she was distracted by the man standing behind her cousin. “My god! You’re a sight for sore eyes!”She was captivated by the gorgeous man standing at the doorway. His handsome face shone like a beacon at sea. The man was statuesque; his black suit clung to him in all the places and he was more eye-catching than a celebrity. Looking away proved incredibly difficult.His chiseled face presented a cool and calculating expression. His facial features were sharp and delicate, and coal-black eyes stared out impassively at the room. The man gave off an intense aura that kept people at bay.Yvonne stood where she was and gaped at the eye candy.The man from the date was surprised to find his arm locked in a death grip. Before he could react, pain shot through his limb. “Ah! Let go of me!”His pitiful screams filled the room as color drained from his face. His face contorted into an anguished expression as the assailant continued to twist his arm
As Angel was mulling over her thoughts, she heard a voice that sounded like her mother. She quickly headed downstairs and found her mother collapsed in her father’s arms.The little girl ran towards the couple. “Mommy! Mommy!”Monique felt someone shake her shoulders. “Monique! Monique! You stupid woman!”She wanted to open her eyes and see who was speaking, but her eyelids felt too heavy to even budge.Zephyrus rushed over and said, “Quickly get her to the hospital.”Henry lifted Monique in a princess carry and headed to his car. Shaun had gone ahead to fetch the car and was ready to receive them.The woman was light as a feather, but her skin was hot to the touch. She was boneless in his arms, unmoving and unresponsive. “I have not punished you for going behind my back, so don’t you dare die, or I’ll bury your whole family with you.”His tone was menacing.“Daddy, wait for me.” Angel ran out from the house. Zephyrus picked her up as he passed.Shaun glanced at the chairman.
Henry Moore’s presence was akin to a ticking time bomb.The sweat on the nurse’s back soaked through her uniform. She wiped the sweat away from her brow and took a deep breath to calm herself. Then, she thwacked Monique’s arm so the vein would distend. The needle went in and blood flowed out. Eight sample vials were successfully collected.Once that was done, the nurse immediately fled the scene. Firstly, she had to get the samples to the laboratory as soon as possible. Secondly, she could not bear to spend another second in that oppressive room. The murderous intent the man gave off was too overwhelming.She had never met someone with such an overbearing aura.She made a beeline for the washroom to settle down. Her limbs were trembling slightly and, if she had a choice, she would never set foot in that room again. Unfortunately, she still had to set up the intravenous fluids.The nurse wondered if she could stage a faint.When she came out, her coworker had the drips ready. Toge
Zephyrus’s expression soured when he saw Siobhan and Yvonne’s arrival. “Why are you here?”Siobhan put on a smile and said, “We’re here to visit Monique, silly. How is she?”Zephyrus huffed. “Don’t lie to me, woman.”The smile on Siobhan’s face froze. “I was in a bad mood before. I’ll apologize to her later.”Zephyrus studied the mother and daughter with suspicion. Siobhan maintained her cordial smile, while Yvonne’s eyes were busy checking out the inside of the hospital room. The tug at her shirt brought Yvonne’s attention back to the conversation at hand and she immediately put on her best pout. “Daddy, I’ve learned my lesson.”Pleased with their repentance, Zephyrus gave them an update. “Monique is still unconscious. Why don’t you two head home first? We don’t want to disturb her rest.”“But we’re already here. Let us have a look.” Siobhan pressed on, unwilling to budge.The imperious man from the house walked out and commanded, “Get lost.”His order brooked no dissent.Sio
Angel looked into Henry’s resolute eyes.Angel was an obedient child who always did her best for her mother. She knew her mother had a tough life and she would do anything to lessen her burden.A tear rolled down her cheek as she nodded. “If Mommy wakes up, can you call me?”“Of course.” Henry felt his heart ache as he watched the little girl cry. He stroked her hair and said, “Eat something when you get home. Sleep early. The doctor said Mommy will be fine. She should wake up tomorrow.”“Okay.” Angel nodded.“Mr. Xander, please look after Angel. If anything happens, you’re responsible,” Henry warned, his deep voice edged with violence.Zephyrus was surprised to see the softer side of the man. He seemed like an upper-class gentleman, judging from his wardrobe and manners. The man was extremely protective of Angel and Monique--something Zephyrus approved of.Zephyrus gave the man a courteous smile. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of Angel. Thank you for helping us.”“Not an issue.”