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 arrived at the hospital at the same time as Nathaniel Green, Joyanna’s older brother of 15 minutes.
“Li?” Liliana exclaimed and tried to jump off Jonathan’s arm.
He held her tight and walked forward hastily instead.
Eric was holding Nathaniel, and they all made their way to the VVIP ward. Henry’s assistant had reserved and prepped it for them in advance.
Eric smiled at her and said, “Don’t fret, Lil. He is doing fine. Just fell asleep on the way here.”
“Thank you, Eric,” Liliana smiled as she caressed her son’s face.
“Don’t be a stranger,” Eric mumbled.
“In that case, get me CCTV footage from the mall earlier,” Liliana said.
Eric clicked his tongue in feigned annoyance.
Jonathan responded before he could say anything, “Give me your number. I will send it to you. My assistant has already emailed all the footage to me.”
Liliana was stunned, “Thank you.”
Jonathan smiled warily, “I could not protect her. It was my fault.”
Liliana felt her heart clench at those words. ‘What does he mean? Does he know?’
She kept silent, a frown on her face, as she thought about it all but couldn’t fathom his words.
The two men assumed she was in pain and kept quiet as well.
Jonathan placed her gently on the bed. Eric and Henry laid Li and Jo in adjacent beds.
Henry called another doctor to look into Liliana as he hooked both kids to the various monitors and took their vitals.
Jonathan watched from the sidelines - many different emotions jumbled in his head. He could not tell what exactly he was feeling, but the inexplicable feelings in his heart and eyes were turbulent.
But he knew one thing for sure. He had a score to settle with several people.
Jonathan had been around enough to see that Vivian had deliberately tried to harm them. He did not know why, but he was determined to teach her a lesson.
And other people misled him when he was searching for a certain someone. He would get even with them as well.
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
Liliana had been wearing a mask to ensure she was not recognized. As luck would have it - her father, Lester Aprice, and her step-sister, Lydia Aprice, happened to arrive at the same time. Ironically, it was Lydia and not her biological father who had recognized her. Lydia berated and called her names, but Liliana only looked at her father. Lester, however, treated her like foul air. Lydia had always been impatient, and in less than two minutes, she was infuriated by Liliana’s indifference. She rushed toward her, but Liliana sidestepped, and she fell on the ground due to inertia. Lester finally reacted as he slapped her in the face. That was what Jonathan saw as he exited the lift with his assistant. “What’s going on here?” He asked coldly. He did not seem to like the Aprice family either. Before Liliana or the receptionist could reply, Lester said, “This shameless shank pushed Lydia, causing her to bleed so much. She kicked a fuss out of nowhere and hurt her.” The receptioni