Victor POVWhile Althea was preening from my declaration, Asher butted in, not wanting to be left behind.He leaned his head closer to Althea, and the camera captured his side profile.“What about us, Daddy? Aren’t we perfect, too?” He asked with a naughty grin that made me want to reach out a hand to pluck him from the tablet’s screen.Just like his sister, Asher looked adorable. I wondered how I was able to live the last six years without them in my life.I noticed he was waiting, so I assured him immediately.“Of course. You, Aaron, and Althea are all perfectly made for Mommy and Daddy.”“I am glad you are no longer stuck in traffic, Daddy.” Aaron’s voice interrupted our talk.Asher grinned and pulled his brother in front of the monitor so I could see him. They had a little scuffle with Aaron trying to dodge Asher’s efforts to make him lean closer so their faces could fit on the screen.“Are you talking to the children?” Pepper’s sleepy-sounding voice cut in on the conversation I
Victor POVPepper’s phone vibrated, pulling my eyes away from studying her face intently.My eyes instantly gravitated toward the phone on the pedestal.An involuntary smile curled my lips when I saw the caller ID.The children are calling her.Instantly, I was besieged by yearning for them. Though they visited us earlier today, I still miss them.In my eagerness, I leaned in and stretched my arm to reach for the phone. A pain shoots from my wound to the rest of my body, making me wince.The vibrations continued.I ignored the pain and picked up the phone. Quickly, I opened it. All the while, my eyes were trained on Pepper, hoping the sound would not wake her up.Thankful, she slept like a log, allowing me time to answer the call.My eyes were wreathed in smiles when I saw the white ceiling before the camera focused on a boy’s face.“Hello, Aaron.” My smile widened when my firstborn came into my view.His whole face covered the whole screen with emphasis on his nostrils.“Daddy!” He c
Victor POVI was looking at the face of an angel.It may sound creepy, but I was looking at Pepper’s face and felt that the world is lighter because of her presence.I should be sleeping. The painkillers should have had their effect a long time ago, but I couldn’t sleep because my heart is too full of gratitude for this woman.If this problem had taken place during the six years we were apart, I doubt that I would be able to handle this as well. She did not solve my problems for me, but her presence was enough.Pepper kept complaining that she did not do anything, but she did.She made my burden seem lighter just by her mere presence. I always thought that my fights were all my own, but Pepper made sure she was with me.And that accounts for a lot of things.I am facing all my problems with her and our children by my side.I took a deep breath and expelled it hard.My chest tightened because it was full.My phone, which I had placed earlier on top of the pedestal, vibrated, and I was
Pepper POVThe subject had been relegated to the back burner after Victor turned it down.And I did not press.Victor was already strained. I don’t want to add more.But I meant to reopen the issue once Victor rested and his mind was clearer.I knew he needed me.We are partners, and if he did not think that way, then what is the point of staying together?I did not have to wait.After I helped Victor to bed, he asked to lie back with him, but I refused. I can’t sleep right next to him without settling my issues first. I needed to compose myself.Again, I used the bathroom as an excuse.I could feel the weight of Victor’s stare on my back while I strode toward it.It took me several minutes of deep breathing until I felt normal again.I returned to Victor’s room and found him sitting on his bed. His legs dangled on the edge. He patted the space next to him, indicating that he wanted to sit together.“Sorry if it sounded like I was rejecting your help. I’m just trying to make sure you
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