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 ago when they were both on a one-way ticket from P city to Maple city.
She had passed out on the plane, and he, being the trainee doctor, had helped. They had kept in touch, primarily because Lil wanted to repay the debt of gratitude, and eventually, they became friends.
The twin’s poor constitution was due to the poor conditions of how the twins came to be. Despite knowing they would have health issues, Lil had wanted to keep the babies.
Henry had been their private doctor since day 0.
Jonathan asked about their father, but Henry only shook his head. He knew he must be someone from P city, and they probably had a rocky relationship, given she had taken her maternal grandmother’s name for herself and the twins after coming to Maple city.
Henry wasn’t sure if they were divorced. He cursed her absent husband. If they were divorced, it was the man’s loss since Lil was an outstanding person.
Jonathan smiled self-deprecatingly.
He had promised to fall in love with her - to woo her and marry her. He had promised to love and cherish her and treat her like a Queen.
Yet, he was asking about her husband and her kids with another person.
He went back to the ward after a blood donation.
Nathaniel was awake. Jo was still sleeping, and Lil was not back yet.
“Who are you?” Li asked Jonathan, “You look like our biological father.”
“Hmm?” Jonathan was shocked and did not know how to respond.
“I indirectly caused Jo’s fall. I am sorry.” Jonathan apologized to the boy.
The sharpness in his eyes indicated he was more intelligent than average.
The more he looked at him - the more Jonathan thought the kid looked familiar.
“Did you help Jo and Mommy afterward?” The little one asked.
“Yes, I tried.” Jonathan felt strange. He felt like a kid confessing his bad conduct to his stern father. He shook off the awkward image and focused on the boy.
“Did you donate blood?” He asked, looking at the juice and snacks in Jonathan's hands.
“Yes. We have the same blood type.” Jonathan replied.
He was strangely happy about that.
“Then, you are forgiven. Everyone makes mistakes. It’s okay if you correct it in time,” Li said like an adult.
Jonathan couldn’t help but smile.
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
Three months after their encounter in the mall, Liliana packed up and flew back to P city with her twins. She had returned. This time, she would not leave her home or her heritage. A week later, she showed up in the Smith Group again. This time she gave Vincent’s card to the receptionist and asked for a meeting. The receptionist was surprised to see the old worn-out card. But she nonetheless called Vincent and asked for his confirmation. Vincent, having known Liliana in Maple City, came downstairs to pick her up personally. Jonathan pretended to go out to ask Vincent for something and ‘accidentally’ met Liliana. Vincent and Liliana’s mouths twitched as they saw through him. Vincent coughed to save his boss from embarrassment. “Miss Green, this way, please.” Liliana nodded and followed. As soon as they were seated, she said, “Please call me Mrs. Liliana, and don’t mention my last name from now on.” Vincent was stunned. “May I ask why?” Liliana curled her lips, “Because I am