At the Martins residence, August Martins was talking to his brother-in-law, Edwin Parker, on the phone, “Brother-in-law, please don’t forget to bring Aunt Rose and Bridgette with you.I understand they are not my sister’s favourite people, but I am fond of them. To tell you the truth, brother-in-law, there is something pushing me to have this birthday banquet for my daughter, as if I am bidding her farewell.”August was so shocked when he heard his brother-in-law’s words and replied, “Brother-in-law, please don’t scare me. Nothing is going to happen to your family.The Lord will keep you until you see your great-grandchildren. We will see you in two hours’ time.” Then they hung up.An elegant customized black Bentley SUV and a Silver Audi Q7 were parked in the driveway.Mr Martins called everyone to the living room for a prayer, and then they walked to the cars. Butler Bruce took the luggage bags from the helpers and put them in the SUV.Aiden gave him his suitcase as well. Mrs Martins
She walked to the piano and sat down. She smiled brightly at her father and said, "This song is dedicated to the beautiful soul. He has been with me through thick and thin and he has sacrificed a lot for me.I love you Daddy and I thank the Lord for blessing me with you. The name of the song is: 'You are my safe harbour.'Avery's fingertips danced on the keyboard, the enchanting melody was heard, and it was magical. The guests were overwhelmed with sweet emotions. It took their breath away and it stirred their souls.After Avery's performance, the venue became dead silent for a few seconds. Avery bowed and left the stage. Aunt Mia stood up and clapped her hands, and then the other guests came back to their senses.They stared at the beautiful girl with awe, and they gave her a standing ovation. Her father had tears in his eyes.She walked to her father and hugged him tightly. She smiled and wiped her father's tears and said, "You are my safe harbour, Daddy, and I love you pretty much.
Early on Sunday morning, Avery received a call from her best friend, Gabriella Stone. “Happy birthday my beautiful baby sister, may the good Lord guide you and protect you always. I love you pretty much.”Avery was so touched and replied, “Thank you so much, big sister. I miss you, when are you coming back?” Gabriella and her mother left before Christmas to visit her grandmother at Eshowe.Gabriella smiled and said, “We are coming back tomorrow and I can’t wait to see you. Tell me about young Mr Taylor. Is he handsome?”Avery giggled and replied, “Oh my, I haven’t seen anyone so handsome. Young Mr Taylor’s handsomeness is at another level. I just sent you his photo. Feast your eyes.” Then they hung up.At that moment, someone knocked on her door. She put on her gown, then she opened her door. She smiled brightly when she saw Aunt Bridgette and Grandma Rose outside her door. She asked them to come inside.Aunt Bridgette hugged her tightly and said, “Happy birthday, Sweetheart.” Avery s
Edwin looked at his sister coldly, but he took the envelope from her and asked, “Elizabeth, are you sure this gift is not for my niece?”Elizabeth smiled and replied, “Big brother, you are so funny. When did I acknowledge your niece as my daughter?” Lilly smiled brightly when she heard her aunt’s words.Mr Martins hugged his daughter to comfort her, but Avery smiled and said, “Don’t worry, Daddy. Aunt Elizabeth plays the role of a surrogate mother in my life. She doesn’t mean anything to me. Aunt Bridge is my real mother.”Her father heaved a sigh of relief when he saw that his lovely daughter was not upset. Then Hope and other helpers gave Avery the gifts.Avery smiled brightly at everyone and said, “I would like to thank the Lord for blessing me with another year. Also, for surrounding me with people who love me. I don’t have enough words to express my gratitude to the Lord.Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the generous presents you have given me. I love them. You have made
In the blink of an eye, Xavier Taylor and his beautiful wife, Valencia Taylor, had been married for three months. Grandpa Taylor’s private investigator, Eddie Stuart, came back empty-handed regarding Mrs Moore’s sickness.Grandpa Taylor felt that he had treated the Moore family wrongly. Then he apologized to his daughter-in-law and started to treat his granddaughter-in-law well.At the Restoration Group, President Taylor was busy signing the document when his Executive Secretary, Cole Knight, reminded him about the meeting.It was a very important meeting. His managers were going to give feedback on their departments. Cole took his laptop and waited for his boss. President Taylor signed the last document, then he walked to the boardroom with Cole in tow.President Taylor looked at his managers and asked Cole to read the previous minutes. It was approved and adopted. Then they started the meeting.The Finance Director started giving his feedback. He was eloquent and his feedback then he
When Xavier arrived at the hospital, Dr Lambert was waiting for him in his office with the Oncologist, Dr Smith.He shook Xavier’s hand and said, “President Taylor, I decided to bring Dr Smith, the Oncologist, to answer your questions should you need some clarity.Your wife is in the final stage of stomach cancer. I would advise you to reconsider and terminate the pregnancy. Your wife won’t be able to live long. Also, when I told your wife that there was something wrong with her stomach, she was not shocked. She led me to believe that she had known for a long time that she was sick.”President Taylor looked at Dr Lambert puzzled and asked, “Didn’t you tell my wife that she was in the final stage of her stomach cancer?”Dr Lambert shook his head and replied, “President Taylor, I am not an Oncologist. I wouldn’t be able to diagnose your wife without conducting a thorough examination and also by testing her blood. Why are you asking?”President Taylor told him what his wife told him. Dr
Initially, Edwin and his wife, Cathy, wanted to go for their sixteenth anniversary holiday after Lily finished her June exams, but Lily had been giving them silent treatment since her birthday.Her mother didn't want to leave while her daughter wasn't on speaking terms with them. They tried to reason with her to no avail.Lily told her father that she wanted a private jet as well. Her father indicated to his daughter that they were not as rich as the Martins family, but he promised to buy her a luxury car.Lily was fuming and replied, "I don't want a useless father like you. I want to stay with Aunt Elizabeth. Why don't you ask her to buy me a private jet? Why is Avery so lucky to have everything while I have nothing?She stole my Godmother, and she was given lots of cars and houses, but I didn't get anything. I will never speak to you again until you buy me a private jet."Her father was livid; he went to his daughter's bedroom and started packing her clothes in the suitcases and bags
Someone knocked on her door before Avery responded. She smiled and stopped Aunt Bridgette from opening the door. She put on a gown on top of her pajamas, and then she walked to the door.She opened the door slightly and asked, “May I help you?” Her mother pushed her daughter hard. Avery staggered back for a few steps.Aunt Bridgette held her before she fell down. She looked at Elizabeth coldly as if she was giving her a warning.Mrs Martins was livid, “Didn’t I tell you to move your clothes to your nanny’s bedroom?”Avery smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes and asked, “In which capacity are you ordering me to leave my bedroom and move to my mother’s bedroom?”Her mother was taken aback when she heard Avery’s words. She glanced at Bridgette and said, “Is Lily not the daughter of your beloved uncle? How would he feel when he heard that you failed to treat her only daughter well?”Avery laughed out loud and said, “Mrs Martins, you have to practice what you preach. I have never seen you t
Sage's eyes lit up when she saw her father. Xavier picked her up and kissed her on the cheek. He looked at her and asked, "How was school, baby?" Sage told her father that school was great.She smiled brightly and said, "Today, our class delivered a speech at the assembly in front of everyone. It was about 'Love'. I have learned that love is patient and unconditional.I felt it was a lie because my maternal grandmother and Aunt Valeria were never patient with me. They were so horrible. I nearly died in that mansion. Sometimes I still have nightmares at night."Her father felt heartache when he heard Sage's words. He ruffled his daughter's hair and replied, "I am glad they would never hurt you again, my dearest daughter.Sometimes I blame myself for allowing hatred and anger against the Moore family to cloud my judgment. I am still angry with your maternal grandfather for failing to do anything when they were starving you."Sage said in her maternal grandfather's defense, "Daddy, durin
Xavier and Avery headed to the living room to talk to their elders. Their Grandpa was watching the news with their mother. Her mother-in-law's eyes lit up when she saw them.She smiled and asked, "Do you want anything to eat or drink?" Avery held her mother-in-law's arm and replied, "I am full, Mom. Thank you." Then she turned to her husband and asked, "Do you need anything, Honey?"Xavier shook his head, then they sat on the sofa. He looked at his grandfather and said, "Grandpa, I received a call from my father-in-law indicating that Aunt Elizabeth hurt her spinal cord when she fell from the first floor.He wanted to know if my wife would be able to help her without performing surgery. Avery indicated that she would be able to guide other doctors to perform the surgery while sitting in the gallery. What do you think, Grandpa?"Grandpa Taylor was still holding a grudge against Elizabeth for abandoning his precious granddaughter in love. He looked at his precious grandson and asked, "W
August hugged his beloved wife and replied, "I don't understand why Aiden is calling me instead of his mother. Didn't he disown me?" Then he took the phone from his wife's hand and switched it off. He hugged his lovely wife and fell asleep.Aiden tried several times to call his father, but it went straight to voicemail. He left the hospital and went home to sleep. He woke up at 7 am and took a quick shower. Then he went to the company to speak to his father.He entered his father's office without knocking and said, "Good morning, Dad. Lily pushed my mother, and she hurt her spinal cord badly. The attending doctor said….."His father was fuming with anger and roared, "Get out of my office." Aiden was taken aback and said, "But Dad..." His father interrupted him and replied, "I am not your father. Get out."Aiden had never seen his father so angry. He walked out of his father's office, but he didn't leave. He stood outside his father's office and waited for his father to calm down.Half
Xavier and Avery headed to the living room to talk to their elders. Their Grandpa was watching the news with their mother. Her mother-in-law's eyes lit up when she saw them.She smiled and asked, "Do you want anything to eat or drink?" Avery held her mother-in-law's arm and replied, "I am full, Mom. Thank you." Then she turned to her husband and asked, "Do you need anything, Honey?"Xavier shook his head, then they sat on the sofa. He looked at his grandfather and said, "Grandpa, I received a call from my father-in-law indicating that Aunt Elizabeth hurt her spinal cord when she fell from the first floor.He wanted to know if my wife would be able to help her without performing surgery. Avery indicated that she would be able to guide other doctors to perform the surgery while sitting in the gallery. What do you think, Grandpa?"Grandpa Taylor was still holding a grudge against Elizabeth for abandoning his precious granddaughter in love. He looked at his precious grandson and asked, "W
Seven months later……Aiden had not made peace with his parents and sister yet. At work, he was professional and distant.One morning when he woke up, he couldn't shake the feeling that something bad would happen.He took his phone and unblocked his mother's number. Then he went to work. He heaved a sigh of relief when he saw his father. Even though he was still angry with his father for failing to fight for their marriage, he still loved him.After work, he decided to go to the old Martins mansion to see his mother. He parked the car in the driveway. Then he knocked on the door.His mother was dumbfounded when she saw her estranged son standing at the door. His mother looked at him viciously and asked, "What are you doing here, Aiden?"Aiden smiled faintly, but the smile didn't reach his eyes and replied, "This is my home, Mom. Relax, I am not here to fight with your young lover." Then he walked past his mother and went to his bedroom to rest.Elizabeth was tossing and turning, she co
Three months later…At 16:45, Xavier and Avery were on their way home when Avery's phone started ringing. She furrowed her brows when she saw the caller ID.She put the phone on speaker and said, "Hello, Uncle Lambert. Are you looking for me?"Uncle Lambert replied, "I am sorry to disturb you, Avery. There was a fatal accident involving a truck and two taxis.I was told that the Paramedics were sending the injured people to our hospital. We need your help."Avery indicated that she would be there in ten minutes. Wayne made a U-turn, then he drove back to the hospital.Avery looked at her husband and said, "Honey, why don't you go to the apartment to rest? I think it is going to be a long night."Xavier took her in his arms and kissed her, then Wayne drove his boss to the apartment. He then asked one of the bodyguards to fetch him. He accompanied his boss until his colleague fetched him.Uncle Lambert provided the doctors with food while they were waiting for the patients. Forty people
A few months later, Caia gave birth to a baby boy. August was over the moon. He looked at his son with eyes full of love and named him Alexis Martins.Baby Alexis was so cute, he took after his father. Aunt Rose had tears of joy. The Taylor and the Ford family were overjoyed.When baby Alexis was six months old, his parents took him to church for the baby dedication ceremony. He was adorable in his white suit. His father was handsome in a cream suit, and his mother was stunning in a knee-high cream dress.The Taylor family, the Ford family, and the Evans family were present during the baby's dedication ceremony. After the ceremony, His Mercy restaurant delivered the food to the church. It was a joyous celebration.In the blink of an eye, it was Lily's twenty-first birthday. Aunt Elizabeth and Lily decided not to compete with Avery.Lily wanted to celebrate her twenty-first birthday party at Havana Club. Then she asked her aunt to throw her a party at Havana Club. Aunt Elizabeth handed
Elizabeth and Jamie were celebrating their first anniversary. Elizabeth was in Jamie's arms, talking about their future and dreams, sipping an expensive wine slowly. Elizabeth had never been happy like that in her life.Her ex-husband, August, tried to make her happy, but because she didn't have any feelings for him, she always felt suffocated by his love. The love that she shared with Jamie was special, and nothing could separate them.For the past few days, Elizabeth had been under the weather. After her lover went to 'work', she asked Lily to drop her at the hospital. Lily looked at her aunt with concern in her eyes and asked, "What is wrong, Auntie?"Lily was really worried. Without her aunt, she wouldn't have a future. Aunt Elizabeth smiled faintly and replied, "Don't worry, your beautiful face, my niece. I just have the flu."Lily breathed a sigh of relief when she heard that it wasn't something serious, and then she took her aunt to Taylor Private Hospital. Aunt Elizabeth told
On Friday afternoon, Xavier and Avery were at their beach mansion. As the sun set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Avery sat on the balcony with her husband, feeding her a dessert.Xavier looked at his wife with eyes full of love and said, "I am so proud of you, my stunning wife, for what you have achieved. Your company will bring hope to people's lives and put food on their tables."Avery flashed her husband a beautiful smile and replied, "Thank you, my handsome husband, for your unconditional support. You are my rock, my dearest husband. Also, thank you for encouraging me to fulfill my dreams."Avery had hired graduates who were sitting at home with their degrees. After COVID-19, life was difficult. She also took Eric Duma's advice and hired Sean Swan as the company Director and Henry Gibbs as his Executive Secretary.On Avery's company opening day, the media were buzzing around trying to capture influential people. Ben, the reporter, had an exclusive interview with Mr