LOGINLucas Morris POVAfter Josh’s family left, Lucy and Amee helped me tie up loose ends at the party. We talked to the guests who decided to stay longer than the hosts and enjoy the good food.From time to time, my phone buzzed.Amee would look at me, anticipating any instructions. But knowing her condition, I almost always depended on Lucy’s help.“I can help.” Amee protested when I ordered her to sit and just enjoy her juice. She shook her head, looking worried.“I don’t want to impose on anyone. I am only pregnant, not an invalid.”Lucy was a big help. She took my cue and told Amee the same thing.“Dontcha worry, dear, Lucas and I have it down pat. We can do this. Just sit tight and be comfy with the baby.” I was glad Lucy’s game at making Amee comfortable in our presence.Amee laughed. When she did that, something inside me happened as warmth spread all over my body. It felt good. I could see in her eyes her uncertainties, but she was a fighter, and I liked that about her.All thro
Josh Morgan Sterling POVSadness filled my eyes when I saw her reaction.I knew she needed me, but I couldn’t, in all my conscience, take what she was offering when she was at her most vulnerable.I don’t just want her body. More than anything, I want her love and her forgiveness.“Have you forgiven me?”I wanted to take the words back when she stared at me with her unblinking eyes. It came across as demanding, even though I do not have the right. It was never my intention.I am well aware that I do not deserve the forgiveness, but I was hopeful. Five years. I carried this pain and guilt inside me.But it was incomparable to all the years that I made her suffer, treating her with hostility when all she ever did was love me.It’s true what they say: regret comes too late. And to me, it also came with a hard price.Her lashes fluttered, and I allowed the silence to stretch between us.If truth be told, the pause made me realize she was not ready yet to forgive me.She gave me a chance f
Olivia Barnett POVWhile the children slept, Josh pulled me to the balcony where flute glasses were ready with a bottle of chilled chardonnay in ice water. Beside it was a charcuterie board laden with cheeses, cured meats, pretzels, nuts, strawberries, and chocolates.But it was the view from above that caught my attention.It offered a magnificent view of the garden below, splattered with various colors. Shades of pastels with a verdant green background greeted my eyes.“This is beautiful!” I gasped at the beauty that surrounded me. I never thought there existed a paradise within the city.I felt him. Josh walked slowly toward me. Each step he took sent a signal to my heart, making it reverberate in awareness.Then, his arms wrapped around me.“Its beauty does not compare to you. In my eyes, you are more beautiful, Via.” ]Josh went to the table and retrieved two flutes and poured chardonnay into them. He brought the flutes to where I was standing. I took them and gladly sipped.“Thi
Olivia Barnett POVThe party was slowly wrapping up. Friends who came to celebrate with us dwindled in numbers until all that was left were Josh, me, the triplets, Lucy, Lucas, Zeke, and Amee.Ivy yawned. Zoe raised her arms for Josh to lift her.He did it quite effortlessly, grabbing the two girls in his arms.They nuzzled his neck. Their heads rested on his shoulder. Their actions showed their trust, and it put a smile on my face. But more than that, I felt a pang for tearing my triplets from their father.If I had known he would be this devoted to his children, I wouldn’t have….“Don’t.” There was a warning in Josh’s expression.I looked at him in surprise, needing him to elaborate.“Don’t blame yourself too much. You did what you thought was best for our babies. You protected them even from me.” His voice sounded bitter.Five years ago, I thought he connived with Daisy Cobbs, but now, I knew better. He only said those things to pacify her.“You lost four years of their lives.”“I
Josh Morgan Sterling POVThe party resumed.My parents’ arrival momentarily stopped it, but when they left, everyone went back to what they were doing.On the other hand, I looked at the three faces of our children, at the fierce expression painted on their faces and the rigidity in their stance.They were only five years old, and yet they didn’t hesitate when they rushed in front of their mother like an impenetrable wall.They were so fiercely protective of Olivia, and fiercely loyal, too, despite their age.And my heart bled for them.How many times did they have to do that?How many times did they face people to defend their mother?And who defended them when their mother was not around?While Olivia was thanking and praising them, I crouched low in front of the triplets and in one fell swoop, I scooped them all in my arms, hugging them.My shoulders shook with the emotion that consumed them.But this time, I did not apologize. I made a promise not only to them, but to myself as we
Olivia Barnett POV“So the prodigal wife is back.”My body immediately stiffened, not at the question but at the sight of the people before me.Mary and Jayson Sterling, Josh’s parents, eyed me with disdain. They looked at me the way they had since I set foot in the Sterling mansion, as if I was just a mere speck of dust in their midst.Josh laid a protective hand on me. Then, he faced his parents.“What are you doing here? This is a private party. You are not invited here.”The expression on Mary’s face shifted. It was the first crack I saw on her facade.She was about to retaliate, probably with a scathing remark, but the children caught her attention. They raced toward us and formed a protective fence in front of me.“No one touches our mommy,” Leo said as if he had done this countless times.I placed a hand on his shoulder, telling him without words to back down. After all, the people before us were their grandparents, Josh’s parents.“Mister Sterling, Madam Sterling.” I addressed
Olivia Barnett POVEveryone gasped when they heard Daisy, but they all turned their heads away, and their bodies shrank back a little as if they feared her.And who wouldn&r
Olivia Barnett POVA look of pure hatred crossed over my features. This time, I did not try to cover up the knowledge that I knew of his plans for the children and me five years ago.“No, Via. You don’t understand.”A bitter smile curled my lips spitefully. The look on his face as he tried to implo
Olivia Barnett POVThe next morning, even before the first rays of sunlight appeared, I woke Lucy so we could go.She looked surprised when her eyes ran over me. It was probably because I had already taken off my hospital gown and was dressed in my clothes from the day before.Lucy got up, yawning.
Olivia Barnett POVIt was exactly one month after my last confrontation with Josh.We have not had any clashes ever since.It was as if we had some kind of a silent truce.The morning passed by in a blur.Lunch soon arrived, and everyone had gone on their breaks except me.I was not hungry. I was mo







