LOGINOlivia Barnett POVI saw Josh shake his head. In three strides, he stopped in front of Grandpa and took his gnarled hands. Then, he pressed Grandpa’s hand to his cheek.“If there is anyone who has to apologize, it is I, Grandpa. I am sorry for thinking badly about you. For resenting you through all these years. I thought…” His voice trailed off before he shut his eyes.When he opened them, I saw clarity in his vision. He looked at Grandpa with too much understanding now.And Grandpa? He looked proud of the man Josh is becoming. His eyes lit up like a child on Christmas morning.“Thank you for being the father that I needed.”Grandpa’s smile became sad. He shook his head and met Josh’s gaze with a faraway look on his face. It was as if he was reminded of something that happened too long ago.“No. Don’t thank me. I did it because I failed in my role with your father. And I have to rectify my mistakes with you, or you will end up like him, too.”Grandpa sighed.“And now, it’s your turn t
Josh Morgan Sterling POV“Okay. We will do as you say.” I said in agreement.Olivia arched a brow. “No more arguments?” She asked as if trying to make sure that she was hearing me right.I nodded. I do not need further convincing. Olivia knew what our children needed. She raised them. She knew what was best for them.Suppose she said that they needed me to make my presence known all the time. That’s what I am going to do.No excess.“They don’t need shortcuts. They need consistency.” She added. “They needed a father they could depend on. A father who will be there when they need him.”“I can be that father,” I told her.“I know.” She nodded, and for me that was enough.“I just thought I needed to make up for the lost time. I owe it to them to give them the best that I can afford.”Olivia shook her head. “Not what you can afford with your money. The children only needed you. The best version of you. It will require adjustments on your part. There are sacrifices involved because rearing
Josh Morgan Sterling POVAfter inspecting the first venue, we went on to check other venues as well. The children gave the nod to the last place we went to.It was a garden with a view of a man-made lagoon. The children loved it at first glance. I found them with their heads huddled together and then they looked up at me with a determined look on their faces. “We want this place, Daddy. Mommy will like it here.” I nodded and gave the place another second look. The coordinator seemed pleased at my decision. “Thank you for choosing this place.” The realtor and I shook hands, after which, he also shook hands with the children knowing full well that it was their nod that secured the contract for him. The event coordinator started taking notes while we walked through the place. We have an appointment the next day where she is going to present her idea for the venue and the contract for signing. When we got home, we found Olivia was in the living room. Her laptop was open and appears
Josh Morgan Sterling POV“What are you grinning at, Daddy?” I was surprised when Leo asked me. I did not realize that I had been grinning until he told me.We were riding in the car on the way to our first ocular. Some of my staff were already waiting at the venue for an advance party since the children and I were coming in late.“I am happy, champ.”“You are happy because you kissed Mommy. Is that it?” This time it was Zoe who asked. She looked up at me, with her hands folded near her face. She was smiling, too.I ruffled her hair. She looked like her mother when we were young. My heart ached a little when I remembered how I had broken her mother’s smile when I constantly rejected her in the past.I was the second person she trusted next to Grandpa, but when she confessed, I transformed into someone who hated her. I thought I was protecting her heart back then, but in truth, I was just a coward who couldn’t face his own feelings and retreated to hurting the people that mattered most.
Olivia Barnett POVI mulled over what Grandpa said, but in truth, there is really no need to think it over. I already knew in my heart what my answer was.“Stay. Josh needed you and the children.”I wanted to tease him. How come he’s changing his tune now? Where was the old man who told me to let his grandson squirm and beg?“I am getting older. I feel weaker. I will rest easy knowing that your family is together.”I was aghast.How can he say that?“Gandpa! Don’t say that! You are not dying.”He patted my back in comfort.Maybe because he realized that what he said earlier scared the h*ll out of me. Grandpa is my family. He stepped in as my sole parent when mine died. Even just thinking about the eventuality that he will leave this earth pained me.“Please, don ‘t say that. I need you. The children and I needed you. Josh needed you, too. He may sound like he hated you, but Josh loves you too much. More than he loves his own parents.”Tears welled in my eyes.In truth, I had never tho
Olivia Barnett POVThey were already outside, but I could still make out the children’s voices, their tone, and even their words.“You should stop embarrassing Mommy. Your kisses make her uncomfortable.” It was Leo, and he sounded mad, reprimanding his father.Josh laughed heartily. “I am not embarrassing your mother. I only wanted to show her how much I love her.”“But she’s so red in the face. She’s embarrassed!” Leo’s argument made me want to run outside and tell them to stop. The nanny and the driver were with them. I can’t let the whole household know about what happened.That’s a private thing between Josh and me. It should remain private between us
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







