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.”
The handsome man looked a bit frail.Monique squinted and said in disbelief, “Henry?”The gentle expression she saw belonged to him?“Yes.” The deep, alluring voice only confirmed his identity.“Where am I?”“The hospital.”“Why?”“You’re sick.”“Sick? I just need rest. Why are we in the hospital? The bill’s gonna come up to a ridiculous amount,” Monique said with a frown.Monique was the type of person who avoided the hospital at all cost. She had a job when she was pregnant with Angel, so she saved whatever she could. After Angel’s birth, there was no way she could work. The money dried up quickly and they were homeless for some time. They took refuge under bridges and in public restrooms, relying on food scraps and unwanted clothing thrown out by the more privileged. Later, she saved up some money from collecting trash and rented a small room for them. Having access to a working bathroom meant a lot to her. Angel had been with her every step of the way. Monique could never
”No! I didn’t know I was sick,” Monique said from under the covers. She lowered one side of the sheet to peek out.This man was making something out of nothing! There were extenuating circumstances that made her attend that date.“You would still go if you weren’t sick, right?” Henry accused.Monique was not the best talker, and she was definitely worse at wordplay than him.If only she could take back her words.She wanted to tell him the truth, but the egotistical way he held himself made her hesitate. The man wanted to brand her as his lover--his woman--so no one else could have her.The idea made her hackles rise and she spat back. “Why do you care?”Henry felt cold anger spread through his body. He had cared for her from night till noon. He had not eaten since she checked into the hospital and, as soon as she was awake, this ungrateful woman was pissing him off.“Say that again. Don’t think that just because you’re sick I won’t lay a hand on you,” Henry threatened in his h