The whole family shared worried glances. They never expected the final clause, 6 years, 25? Noah caught Jeffery smirking in his peripheral view. It didn’t seem to bother him quite much, even though he was the second choice. Jeffery had schemed a number of ways to frustrate Noah and make this clause favor him.
“I assume we’re done here,” Jeffery sent a knowing look to Noah. Noah shrugged, “Do whatever you want,” he said with a subtle indifference. Jeffery scoffed, “Not an ounce of emotion, typical.” He turned on his heel and headed upstairs.Tanya and Harriet were still dumbfounded. After George had made Noah marry someone beneath him, he still didn’t leave it at that and had to torture him even further. Noah Milton never planned to have children after his ex-girlfriend’s unexpected betrayal.Maybe that was the reason he made Sophia get rid of her unborn child. Or the rage and overwhelming jealousy that clouded his judgement seeing Brad with her in that room on Tanya’s birthday.“…Noah, earth to Noah,” Tanya called out, hauling Noah back to the present.He jerked, “Yes, what?”“Your phone, it just chimed.” Noah stared down at his phone. Within the two hours of reading, he had missed several call and text notifications, including alerts and reminders. The one that stood out to him was the notification from the Walton hospital reminding him about his quarterly check-up.He ignored it then headed outside, slipping into his Audi. His friends always had a hangout week. Today was set for the Marina Brad’s parents owned. Noah was ready to take a pass on his one but it was a perfect chance to talk to Savannah in person.In that moment, another reminder notification had his phone chiming. The notification popped up on his car dashboard. Walton hospital was very persistent. Almost immediately he got a call from Randall Walton. It had to be important for Randall to call him.The call was brief but alarming, almost sending Noah’s heart out his chest. Randall said his father had been sending Noah emails all day. He had discovered something, and with the way Randall spoke, his father hadn’t told him much. Randall didn’t seem fazed when he spoke, on the contrary, he had his usual non-chalant tone.Noah was glad for Patient-Doctor confidentiality, but Dr. Walton could have just given Randall a hint so he has an idea of what to expect. Noah took the next exit, driving in the opposite direction heading straight for the Walton hospital.For the last three years, Noah and Tanya had been getting quarterly check-ups to make sure they didn’t suffer the same fate as George Milton. The doctor wasn’t able to say whether or not his condition was hereditary, because George’s father didn’t have a heart condition, he died of cancer.The test was to make sure his children didn’t have any underlying health conditions. Now, Noah was being hauled to the hospital for an emergency. Noah parked his car then headed to the topmost floor, the office of the hospital Director, Edward Walton.“Have a seat,” Edward invited him with a smile spread across his face.“Mr. Walton, what is this emergency that made Randall, of all people, call me?” Noah tried to sound unfazed but it just wasn’t working. He was scared that they had found something bad. Being diagnosed of a terminal disease at this point was less of a blow than never seeing Sophia again.“I’ll have to confirm but before then, don’t think too much.” He said in the most unsure and unsettled way possible.“How could I not think too much about it when you’ve been blowing up my phone all day. Mr. Walton, I’m pretty sure my blood pressure is on the high side now, go ahead and check.” He gestured towards the stethoscope that lay on the table.“There won’t be any need for that, Noah.” Edward’s expression had completely changed, he had his grimace look across his face. “Ummm.” He smacked his lips, a wry smile taking over.“How do I put this?”“Put it any way Edward.” Noah’s tone had changed, fear had completely engulfed him. He needed to know his fate quickly.“What?” was all he could say after finally processing what the doctor had told him. Noah punched into his car’s dashboard incessantly while driving to the Marina. How could he have a good day after this reveal? Noah stroked a frustrated hand through his jet black hair. It seemed like the universe was playing with him. It had to be a dream.Noah was at a point where he preferred a terminal illness. Impotence? Dr. Edward diagnosed him with impotence. Not necessarily erectile dysfunction, but impotence. Noah wouldn’t be able to have kids of his own.He had to keep this a secret from everyone, especially his siblings. But how long can he keep his impotence a secret? If he doesn’t have an heir soon, his shares will be gone. Noah tried his best to maintain a calm demeanor. He couldn’t let anyone know what was wrong with him, it could threaten his position and entire career.“Hey, he’s finally here,” Gerald said all giddy as Noah arrived at the Marina in his all white attire. Everyone turned in his direction almost simultaneously. Noah stood there looking petrified. His anxiety had built up in the last forty-five minutes.‘Do they know what’s going on?’ ‘Why are they looking at me like that?’Randall’s face had worry lines scattered all over, “Yo, what did Edward say?” His question had Noah finally move from the spot where he stood, and actually climb onto the boat. Randall’s question inferred that he didn’t know anything yet, he was clueless.“You mean Dad, right?” Noah asked.“Whatever, you know I can call my old man Edward to his face right?” Randall asked, swirling the glass of whiskey in his hand, the ice hitting the inside of the glass creating an unpleasant sound for Noah. It sounded like a clock, or a time bomb, because that was what Noah was sitting on, a ticking time bomb.“Nothing, he said nothing. He mixed up my result with someone else’s,” Noah lied.Randall shrugged, “That’s not like Edward, but whatever.” He finally took his attention off Noah and redirected it to the rest of the party.Edward’s words echoed in his head, “There’s a 95% chance that you’ll never have kids of your own.”“What about the remaining 5%?” Noah asked in hope of a soothing response.“Well, that’s what we were banking on. I already signed you up for fertility treatment starting next week.”“…Milton!” Savannah yelled, “What on earth have you looked so petrified?” she smiled, but could see the look of worry on his face.“Any update?” he tried to change the subject.“Now that you ask, yes. My intelligence officer found something, including an address.” Savannah had the widest smile on her face. Noah stood in stunned disbelief. This was the first time in a while that he had been sincerely happy. Finally, a lead on Sophia’s location.“What are you waiting for, let’s get going.”“Now?” Noah asked, shocked as she was the one pushing forward.“There’s no time like the present they say.” Her smile tugged at his heart strings, finally, hope.Sophia’s fresh start was instantly ruined the moment she saw her best friend plant a kiss on her ex-husband’s lips. She thought that was all the heartbreak one person could experience in a lifetime, till her and her mother were kicked out of the apartment Chantelle had secured for them. No wonder she insisted they leave. After all these years, she was finally showing her true colour. Throwing her into the street when she least expected it. The landlord had a very compassionate look in his eyes, like if he could he wouldn’t be doing this. But it’s business, it was either her or himself, and he chose himself. “I’m sorry ma’am, it was orders from above.” He said watching the pair pull their suitcase out of the house. The neighbors who were outside kept their eyes on the pitiful scene, and the ones which were inside came outside to watch, making sure to murmur at regular intervals. ‘Did you see what she was wearing?’‘They don’t fit into this neighborhood, it’s a good thing
“Addison and Aiden Whyte, be good okay? Mummy’s off to work so your grandma’s going to take you to school.” Sophia summoned courage to tell her kids what to do when in reality, they chose what they wanted. She couldn’t believe it, they were four years old. It seemed like time had flown by so quickly, she would give anything to be able to hold them in her arms and sing lullabies again. Her son, Aiden, was the splitting image of his father. He had good looks. Every time she dropped the kids off at school, it was one compliment or the other. ‘Your son is so handsome, I’m sure he looks just like his father.’ Those words would sting each time but she tried her best to feign a smile but obviously her genius twins could see through the façade. ‘Mummy, why do you look so gloomy. Is it because of daddy?’ No matter how she tried to turn the conversation around, it wouldn’t work, unless she offered them ice cream. But there was only how far distracting her twins with sweets was going
The day he was told he couldn’t have kids was both the happiest, and saddest day of his life. Noah had been through an emotional rollercoaster. Just when he and Savannah had arrived in Florida, they were told Sophia and Ava had been kicked out of their house. Those insensitive neighbors had suddenly become so caring after realizing who was standing before them. It seemed like anytime Noah had a lead about Sophia’s whereabouts, it buried almost immediately. He was a mess. Everywhere he went, he say Sophia. Her silhouette, her red hair, freckles, beautiful blue eyes, it was like everything reminded him about her. If his morning coffee wasn’t made to perfection like Sophia did it, he would starve the whole day. Wondering where she would be, or who she was with made him almost go insane. He did what he knew best, channeled all that energy into work. In five years Noah had turned the whole system around, winning best businessman of the year for five years consecutively. All thes
“Savannah,” Noah whispered, “Am I seeing things?” “No, I can see her too.” “Sophia?” Noah stared at the woman in front of him. Her hair wasn’t red, and it was straighter than he remembered. She looked beautiful, in a way he couldn’t describe. His heart was filled with disbelief. He had searched for her, non-stop for five years, and here she was. His mouth stood agape as her watched her gracefully walk through the ethereal ball room where the venue was held. She looked like a princess as her blue eyes glistered in the warm lighting of the room. Noah stood in awe. She finally stopped walking after getting a glass. When he was about to get closer to her, she was ambushed by a group of overachievers. Noah’s chest tightened. All the guilt and angst that had built up for five years came in all at once. He felt stiff, he couldn’t move. Sophia was here now, he could tell her how much he missed he, and that he was sorry for all he did. He could say he was scared of falling for h
Noah observed how the nerves in Sophia's face had tightened up. She seemed uneasy. At least he knew he was one of the reasons why she was. She sat silently glancing at the small clock on her table. Maybe she had an appointment? “This place is coming together quite well,” he said to break the silence. She whipped her head around taking in her surroundings. “Yes, thank you. Do you by any chance need something?” She asked with a look that spoke millions. He casually strolled into her office after five years of divorce, all of a sudden he can't seem to remember anything he did to her. Noah's expression changed immediately. Before attempting to address anything else, she pulled out her phone and sent a text to Tammy. The text was literally a plea. It was simple, “Get Addison home. A member of the staff is on the way here to drop her off. Intercept her, and take Addison home.”She began to panic when there was no response from Tammy. Tammy usually would answer within seconds. Was she b
“Mummy can I come to work with you?” Addison asked.Ever since Addison saw Noah at her office she had been insisting on going to work with Sophia. “No baby, you need to have perfect scores.”“Addy, why do you want to go to work with mummy?” Aiden asked, causing Sophia to sigh. He was a very intuitive child. “There was this handsome Uncle I saw, I wonder if he likes mummy. Maybe we can finally have a dad.” Addison's remark got Sophia's heart plunging to the ground. Her children never really talked about the absence of a father figure before, even when they were bullied in school for not having a dad. But in recent times, that has been the one thing in their lips, having a daddy. Her twins were growing more curious and suddenly craving a father’s love, the one thing she couldn't give them. She had tried her as a single mother but there was so much one person could do. “Aiden wear your socks please,” she pleaded. “Addison, you too. Grandma Ava's waiting for you.”The twins grumbled
Noah stood there with not much to say. He turned his attention to Addison who was stuffing her face with Alfredo pasta. She was having a serious discussion with Aiden about what played out and how her mother completely put out the mean lady in her place. She turned her attention to Noah, “Thank you for saving my mummy,” Addison said in the most adorable voice. “Our mummy you mean.” Aiden added, staring at Noah with his grey eyes. Something swirled in Noah's stomach as he got a closer look at Sophia's son. They were completely identical. Aiden looked like a smaller version of Noah. “We've said our Thank you, can you please leave now? Me and my babies are trying to have a peaceful dinner.” Noah's mouth hung open, completely entranced by a miniature version of himself. “Mummy, why are you being so mean to this nice uncle. You told us being mean is a bad thing mummy.” Addison scolded Sophia. “It's true mummy, let the nice uncle join us.” Aiden suggested with the biggest smile on his
Sophia struggled to get her eyes open. The first image that caught her eye was Aiden. The boy sat down on her bed, staring with great concern. “She is awake. Mummy's awake!” Aiden shouted with an unusual enthusiasm. Sophia couldn't tell who he was talking to. “Really?” she heard Addison's voice from beside her pillow. She crawled on the bed till she could get to Sophia's eyes level. Addison stared down, cupping her mother's face in her hand, “She's alive!”Sophia was confused and the splitting headache didn't quite help her case. She stretched her hand to Addison's cheek. Addison held onto Sophia's hand, feeling this warm energy surge through her. How could she deprive such beautiful children of paternal love? “How are you feeling?” Sophia heard a voice ask close to the floor to ceiling windows. “Jeffery?” she asked with an evident look of surprise. “Yes, Soph.” Jeffery answered flatly, ignoring the surprise in her tone. He handed her a glass of water and two tablets. “I'll help