Pepper POV“You don’t talk to your mother like that, Victor. You never disrespected her until now.”The insinuation in Benedict Gunner’s voice was not lost on me when he cut through the argument between Victor and his mother.Then he gave me a scathing look, which cemented my belief that he was blaming me for Victor standing up for himself.“Am I the problem here, father?” Victor shot back.He winced, and I realized that I accidentally touched his wound.I gasped in concern.My worried eyes met him. He nodded as if to assure me he was fine.Victor’s hold on my waist tightened, urging me to turn around so we could go back to his suite.“This is not the end of it. I am pulling all my stocks at Gunner Holdings, Inc.” Emily threatened when she realized that she couldn’t move Victor by guilt-tripping him.She was now using the company.Victor snickered. “Go on. Pull out your shares. Father had already run Gunner Holdings to the ground years ago, but I was able to pull it up with my own han
Pepper POVWe had an impasse.While Emily waited for whoever she called to take me out of here, I had the urge to call my own people for rescue.We gave each other measuring looks."Look Missy. We only wanted to see Victor. Why were you so agitated about it? We meant to harm." Benedict Gunner attempted to approach me, but Victor's security team barricaded him from stepping closer.The persuasion in his voice was not lost on me.His face did not even show remorse.Yes, Maggie acted out on her own, but she was his woman, and he should let her toe the line.But he didn't.He spoiled her.He promised her Victor when Victor had no intention of keeping his promise."Victor's resting. Come back another time; I'll let him know you visited." I tried to sound conciliatory.I was hoping they would take it and leave peacefully."No. His mother and I need to see him. His fiancée’s in jail, and only Victor can drop the charges. Their son needs her."I nearly sputtered.The audacity of this man to c
Pepper POVI had been hearing a commotion outside Victor’s suite and ignored it at first. But when it persisted, my forehead creased. I found it odd that the security team allowed it.This is a hospital. Any type of noise was never encouraged in deference to the sick people needing rest.The racket continued for a while. An argument ensued, prodding me to investigate.My gaze shifted to Victor’s sleeping form, thankful that the noise failed to disrupt his sleep.He took a nap after the children left, but it had taken him longer.I did not want to wake him up when his body needed the rest to recuperate.The faint sounds from outside grew.When I could not resist the curiosity anymore, I left the bed and went to the door to open a crack and inquire.“Pepper!” Victor’s mother, Emily Gunner, spotted me outright, forcing me to open the door a little wider.I got out and closed the door behind me while Victor’s mother eyed me with disdain.Hearing my name, the two bodyguards turned around,
Pepper POVWhen the laughter died down, the two boys rushed toward the bed and raced to see who would reach their father first.A flicker of confusion stirred in me when I noticed Althea holding back, her small frame rigid as her brothers darted forward.My heart sank—I had expected her to be first, barreling toward us with her usual exuberance. Instead, she hesitated, half-shrouded in the shadow of the doorway.When I checked on her, her bottom lip was protruding, and the tip of her nose turned red.She sniffed.“Thea,” I asked in concern, and that is when the dam burst.Althea wailed—a raw, aching sound. "I thought you were going to die just like Shelly’s Mommy and Daddy!" Her stark honesty startled me, making my heart lurch as I turned to Shan.She shook her head and mouthed, “I will tell you later.”But even without knowing the details, I already had an idea of what had happened.I looked worriedly at Althea and at Shelly, who automatically stepped closer to Shan and gripped the h
Pepper POVVictor grunted in his sleep, and I was already leaning toward him, wanting to know what was wrong or if it hurt.The anesthesia must have worn off, and he was now feeling the pain.“Are you alright?” I asked, but the only thing that greeted me was silence.Victor was still asleep.My eyes were trained on him. I don’t want to shift my gaze elsewhere, even when the doctor assured me that he would be fine.“He needed to rest and recuperate.” I was advised.I looked at the expanse of his suite and sighed.I miss the triplets.Though Shan already updated me about them, it was not enough. I still want to see them and be comforted by the sight of them.But I could not call the house and check on them.I looked at the time.Calling them at this hour would disrupt their sleep.Besides, I don’t want them to know what happened to their father.They might worry. They only had Victor for a short while. I don’t want them to think that.. I shook my head, not wanting to think the unthinka
Shan POVJust like last night, I responded enthusiastically to his kiss.I tiptoed and wrapped my arms tightly around Samuel’s neck.He laughed when he realized that I didn't want to let go, and I let him have his moment of amusement.Since last night, I already knew. Samuel had already won me over, fair and square.His laughter died down, and to my horror, he began to cough.“You’re choking me,” he sputtered, making me let go, embarrassed.“Sorry. I got carried away.”He smiled while massaging his neck.“No harm done,” he said, linking our hands.“Let’s go. The children are waiting.”I was about to follow him out when I realized I hadn’t updated Pepper about the kids.Samuel stopped and waited while I walked back to the night table to snatch my phone.“One minute,” I said, quickly searching for Pepper's number.I put the phone on speaker mode.“Who are you calling?” He asked when he heard a ring.“Pepper. I wanted to update her about the children.”Samuel took my phone. His fingers