Jonathan tried to catch Joyanna, but Vivian threw herself at him. He missed at the last second.
He pushed Vivian away and rushed towards Joyanna, but Liliana beat him to it.
She clutched Joyanna, who was rolling towards the escalator, and tried to balance herself but failed.
Liliana realized they were going to roll down the escalator.
She bent her body and shielded her daughter’s small frame completely.
Jonathan ran towards them and held them, but they had already tumbled halfway through.
Liliana had no time to look at Jonathan as Joyanna was wheezing.
She ran, ignoring her wounds, and got her bag. She assembled the inhaler and cradled Joyanna in her arms.
“C’mon, Jo, breathe. Take a deep breath, Jo. Look at me, sweety.” She coaxed Joyanna and patted her on the back, soothing her.
With her other hand, she called Henry Qazi, “Henry, come to the Western Mall, 10th floor, in front of Crosswords. Jo tumbled down the stairs. She isn't breathing well. Send someone to bring Li as well.”
Henry Qazi was the doctor looking after her twins Jo and Li from day 0.
She continued to caress Jo and called Liam Preston. Liam was the children’s godfather and army personnel.
“Damn it!” She cried as the phone went unanswered.
She called Liam’s accompanying officer, Eric, who picked up promptly.
“Tell Liam that we are in the Western Mall and Jo fell down the stairs and isn’t breathing well. I have called Henry.”
She hung up right after and focused on Jo.
Jonathan understood her kid had health issues, and she was probably well versed in it.
“Can I do something?” Jonathan hesitantly asked as she hung up and continued to massage Joyanna.
“Can you clear everyone? I need air.” Liliana said faintly.
Jonathan sent everyone away and made sure no one came close. Vivian tried to fake concern, but he threatened to throw her in jail if she did not stay away.
Joyanna started to take laborious breaths as Liliana kept talking to her.
“That’s it, baby, just a little more, and we can take the pump.”
“You are doing so good, my little bundle of joy. Keep it up, baby girl.”
“You are my whole world, Joyanna. I love you so much.”
“Keep it up, Baby! For me, please. I know it hurts, but please keep breathing.”
“Five more, and we will take the pump.”
“You can do it, Jo.”
“That’s my girl.”
She breathed a sigh and gave her the pump as she asked her to blow on it ten times.
Joyanna started to breathe more easily after that, and Liliana slumped beside her, still cradling her closely.
“I am okay, Mommy,” Joyanna said word by word, which indicated how difficult it was for her to speak.
“You are so brave, Jo. Mommy is so proud of you.” Liliana said through tears as she continued to caress her back.
A few minutes later, Henry came and took a look at Jo.
Jonathan was surprised to see him, but he knew it was not the best time to ask.
Henry said Jo was okay. She just needed rest and monitoring. Then he looked at Liliana and exclaimed, “You look like a wreck, Lil. Hair-line fractures or at least ligament tears. Let’s get you to a hospital.”
Henry took Jo from Liliana’s arms and only then noticed Jonathan. “Jonathan, what are you doing here?” Henry asked. “Survey. Smith Group will acquire this.” Jonathan replied succinctly. “Oh. Yeah! I forgot you were expanding in Maple city,” Henry said. “Is she okay?” Jonathan asked about Jo. “Yeah, she will be fine. Why don’t you come to the hospital with us? Her twin has the same blood type as you.” Henry asked. “Okay,” Jonathan replied before Liliana could interject. She only frowned but did not say anything. She had already gathered her purse and phone. The rest of the shopping bags were with her bodyguard. Jonathan took her frowning to mean she was in pain, so he offered his help. “It’s fine. I can manage.” She cut him off but limped the next second. He took her purse from her and hung it in his arms before picking her up. Liliana widened her eyes, but Henry showed Jonathan how to hold her without hurting her injuries. She could only shut up and not overthink. They arri
Jonathan stayed behind as he watched the doctors check up on the family of three. He looked at the twins closely after Henry took the mother for an X-ray. Jo was indeed the carbon copy of the little girl in his memory. So, the girl he had met at 13 must be Liliana. Everyone called her Lil, just like the little girl. The boy looked different, he had Liliana’s mouth and nose, but the face-cut, forehead, and square jaw probably belonged to his father. Jonathan felt Li’s features were strangely familiar - like he had seen them before. Was the father of twins someone he knew? He winced at the thought of their father, at the thought of Liliana being with another man. He mentally kicked himself. He had no right to think that. He wondered where their father was as he looked at the kids sleeping peacefully. Henry took him for a blood transfusion in case there were complications later. It’s best to stay prepared. During the blood donation, Henry told him that he had met Lil seven years
Jonathan looked at him as an emotion he could not catch seeped into his heart. He sat beside Nathaniel’s bed and looked at him carefully. “How old are you?” He asked. “Oh! I forgot to introduce myself,” Li replied, “I am Nathaniel Green - you can call me Li. I am 6 years old. I will be seven in a few months. He pointed at Jo and added, “This is my twin sister Joyanna Green - you can call her Jo.” “Why is your pet name Li? Shouldn’t it be Nat like Jo for Joyanna and Lil for Liliana?” Jonathan asked curiously. “Nat is dad’s pet name, so I can't be Nat. Besides, I wanted a pet name from Mommy’s name,” Li shrugged like an adult. “What’s your father’s name?” Jonathan asked, his heart galloping for no reason. “His name is Jo… Mummy, you are back!” Li exclaimed halfway through answering when he spotted his mother. Liliana did not know what to say. She had heard Jonathan’s question and realized he had no idea that the kids were his. Maybe he did not recognize her as his wife either.
“Mom, you should lie down. You never care about your health,” Li interrupted them. “You must be well since you have started nagging already,” Lil complained. But she moved to the bed as her son said. She struggled to get in bed. There was a cast on her hands and feet. Jonathan helped her lie on the bed. Liam Preston came inside without knocking just as she had laid down. “Lil, Jo, Li, how are you guys?” Liam asked, huffing. He had rushed inside. “Ever heard of knocking, Liam,” Lil asked. “It’s just you. Why should I?” Liam shrugged. “How is she?” Liam asked Li. “I am an adult, and I am right here,” Lil grumbled. “You always downplay your injuries.” Liam retorted, leaving her speechless. “Mommy, Daddy Liam is right,” Li exposed her as he added, “Daddy Henry said that she has two hairline fractures on the arms. Ligament tears on her ankle and a sprain on her back. It will take six weeks to heal, and she should not overexert herself during this time.” Jonathan was shocked w
Vivian had followed others and came to the hospital after them. Seeing Jonathan help Liliana while being cold to her was very much an eyesore. She hated Liliana even more than she already did. It had taken her years of scheming and swallowing her pride to become Jonathan’s girlfriend, and even though she knew it was but a hollow title, she had been satisfied. But as soon as Liliana showed up, all his attention was swept away by her. Vivian could not take it lying down. She followed them in hopes of finding out more about her. But they went to the VVIP ward, and no matter what she did, no one revealed anything. Ultimately, she had no choice but to wait outside the hospital. The only thing she had found out was that Jonathan had donated blood. She was fuming when Jonathan came out. He merely glanced at her coldly and strode off. Vivian felt like she could vomit blood. Jonathan leaned in the backseat of the car and thought back on his life. Lydia Aprice had indeed done quite we
Jonathan had only ever had Lil in his mind and heart. He never had any girlfriends or scandals, but even so, girls would find their way into his hotel rooms, or his associates would send him ‘gifts.’ He had dealt with all of them harshly. But even then, they never stopped. The slim prospect of being the young mistress of the Smith Group was too much of a temptation. He had met Vivian Stone on a business trip around four years ago. He realized he had been drugged and locked himself in his hotel room. But unfortunately, whoever had schemed against him had thoroughly prepared. He was locked inside, the landline was dead, his cell phone had no reception, there was no WIFI, and worst of all, there was no water in the bathroom. Jonathan had thought that if he did not die, he would surely get a psychological disorder other than kidney deficiency. It was then a male voice knocked on the door. Jonathan had assumed the voice sounded like his assistant - Vincent and Jonathan had confir
Liliana dozed off in the hospital bed after the medication took effect and dreamt of the events seven years past. “And now I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.” The priest announced. Liliana’s heartbeat picked up as Jonathan leaned into her to kiss her. The first kiss that she had saved up for him. She was a bundle of nerves. It was quite unlike her calm, collected, and confident self. But the moment their lips met, he said the most hurtful words she had ever heard, “Did you think you could be my wife because you schemed and trapped me into this? You can enjoy the vacant position of Mrs. Smith that you covet so much. But you will never have a place in my heart and life.” The others saw them as a loving couple who kissed and cherished the moment that bound them as one. But Liliana knew that it was the beginning of her doom. Her father had coerced her into the marriage, and she knew his family had forced him. But she had held the hope of living together harm
Instead of defending herself, Liliana turned off all the lights. That had caught the assaulters off-guard.As expected, she sneaked out of the window and locked herself in the small study room.She could tell she was drugged, but there was no way she could escape and continue to keep her cover.Without bothering to take off her gorgeous wedding dress, she submerged herself in the cold water of the tub.Just as she had dozed off, the bathroom door was pushed open.Her husband came stumbling in and cursed.“I never knew you would stoop so low that you drugged me.”He was sluggish as he tried to lift her and throw her out. But unbeknownst to both, they ended up consummating their marriage.As they were about to drift to sleep in the morning, a few maids barged in, helped them change, and dragged them out of the room.They got their marriage certificates in their muddled state.Everyone who looked at them saw a loving couple who couldn’t keep themselves sober enough to get the certificate