Raegan, her eyes shimmering with emotion, gasped as Cade opened the ring box, revealing the exquisite diamond that sparkled in the garden's ambient glow.
Overwhelmed with joy and love, Raegan nodded, her voice filled with a mixture of laughter and tears. "Yes, Cade, a thousand times yes!"The proposal was a surprise to Raegan. She didn't expect him to propose so soon and here of all places.The fireflies around seemed to celebrate with them as Cade gently slipped the ring onto Raegan's finger. They forgot all courtesy and kissed with reckless abandon."Hold on. I think it's better if we keep this a secret for now. It's Gale's wedding day, he and his bride should be the center of attention. If we announce our engagement now, everyone will be more interested in us and that wouldn't be fair." Raegan said and Cade smiled.This was one of the reasons he loved her. She wasn't selfish. She was always considerate of other people's feelings."You're right. We'll make the official announcement later in the week." He said and she gave him back the ring.He put the ring in the box and put the box in his pocket. If she wore the ring out, even without announcing, everyone would still know they were engaged."But do you like your ring? I can have it changed if there's anyone you prefer " he said to her as they walked back to join the rest of the guests."I love it. Even if you had given me a ring made of leaves, I would still wear it with pride." She smiled and kissed him.After the beautiful moment they shared, Cade and Raegan decided to share the happy news with their families and friends two weeks later. This was because Gale was going on his honeymoon and would be back after two weeks. They both wanted him to be present for the announcement because he was Cade's closest friend and would also be their bestman.When the two weeks elapsed and Game returned from his honeymoon, they invited their loved ones to a surprise gathering a few days later, an intimate celebration held in a tastefully decorated venue, to disclose their engagement. On that day, the room buzzed with laughter and excitement as friends and family members eagerly awaited the revelation. Most of them thought Cade was about to announce a new project or a newly acquired company.Cade, with Raegan by his side, stood before the gathered guests, the atmosphere alive with anticipation. He took a deep breath, his eyes fixed on Raegan, whose radiant smile reflected the sheer joy of the moment."Thank you all for being here today. There's something special we want to share with you," Cade began, his voice filled with warmth. Raegan, her hand entwined with Cade's, beamed with happiness."We've been on a journey, faced challenges, and celebrated moments of pure joy. I finally found the courage to ask Raegan to marry me, and she said Yes!"As he said that, Raegan lifted her hand to show them all the ring. She had put it on just before they both climbed the stage to make the announcement and had kept her hand hidden till this moment.An eruption of cheers and applause filled the room, echoing the collective happiness of their friends and family. Hugs, congratulations, and well wishes enveloped the newly engaged couple as they basked in the warmth of their loved ones' support."We're so grateful to have you all here to celebrate this special moment with us. Your love means the world to us."The room continued to hum with excitement as the engaged couple mingled with their guests, sharing stories of the proposal and relishing in the joy that permeated the air. Cameras flashed, capturing candid moments of love and laughter, etching the celebration into the collective memory of all present.In the following days, the engaged couple embraced the whirlwind of wedding planning. They navigated through choices of venues, themes, and guest lists, all while cherishing the shared dream of a life together.Cade and Raegan's families, overjoyed by the impending union, played an integral role in the preparations. The couple found solace and support in the love that surrounded them, bridging any remaining gaps and fostering a sense of unity that extended beyond their own relationship.The day they all waited for came, and the grandeur of Cade and Raegan's wedding unfolded as a spectacular affair, a union that transcended the boundaries of ordinary celebrations. Held in a lavish venue adorned with opulent decorations and bathed in soft hues of gold and ivory, the wedding sent its attendees talking. As guests arrived, they were greeted by the breathtaking sight of the meticulously planned event. A red carpet stretched across the entrance, guiding attendees toward the entrance where a towering arch of flowers and greenery framed the couple's initials.Inside, the venue transformed into a haven of luxury. Tables adorned with cascading floral arrangements showcased a palette of whites, creams, and blush pinks. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a warm and ethereal glow, while soft music played in the background, creating an atmosphere of refined charm.Raegan's father, the president, had played a pivotal role in ensuring that the wedding became a talk of the town. His influence gathered men and women of high caliber, political figures, business magnates, and socialites, all converging to witness the union of Cade and Raegan.Cade, dashing in a tailored tuxedo, awaited Raegan at the altar with a mixture of excitement and awe. The guests, dressed in their most exquisite attire, took their seats, their whispers of admiration filling the air. The city's elite had gathered for an event that promised to be more than just a celebration – it was a spectacle of prestige and glamour.As Raegan made her entrance, the collective gasp of admiration echoed through the venue. Her wedding gown, a masterpiece of lace and silk, flowed elegantly as she walked down the aisle. The president, beaming with pride, escorted her toward Cade, the epitome of a father entrusting his daughter to a man of character and honor.The ceremony, officiated with grace and eloquence, unfolded against the backdrop of panoramic windows that offered a stunning view of the city's skyline. Cade and Raegan exchanged vows, promising a lifetime of love and commitment, their voices echoing with sincerity and joy. The vows exchanged between Cade and Raegan echoed with sincerity and emotion. Each word carried the weight of their journey – the challenges they had faced, the laughter they had shared, and the unspoken understanding that had deepened their connection. As they spoke, the room became a sacred space, a sanctuary of promises and declarations of love.Cade's mother could not help but tear up as she watched her son say his vows. He was just a baby yesterday, and now he was a man ready to have his own family. She remembered being told of his supposed death, and the gratitude she had felt when she discovered that it was all a lie. Remembering everything made her tear up even more. She imagined not being here today just because her son had died. That would have been the case if Cassandra and Alex had succeeded.The exchange of rings between the two of them marked the symbolic unity of their lives, and the officiant invited them to seal their vows with a kiss."You may now kiss the bride," the officiant announced.As Cade and Raegan embraced, their lips met in a kiss that encapsulated the passion and promise of a love that had weathered storms and emerged stronger.Following the exchange of rings and the sealing of their vows with a kiss, the newlyweds descended the aisle hand in hand, the atmosphere filled with the triumphant melody of celebration. The guests, overcome by the grandeur of the event, erupted into applause as Cade and Raegan made their way to the reception area.A meticulously curated menu showcased culinary masterpieces, and crystal flutes were filled with the finest champagne. The clinking of silverware and the hum of conversation created a lively ambiance, an orchestration of celebration that resonated with the echoes of prestige.Gale, Cade's best man, raised a toast to the couple, acknowledging the significance of the moment. "To Cade and Raegan, a union that not only binds two hearts but also bridges worlds. May your journey together be as remarkable as this extraordinary day."The president, delivering a heartfelt speech, expressed his joy at witnessing his daughter's union. "Today, we celebrate not just a wedding but the promise of a future built on love, understanding, and shared dreams. Cade, welcome to our family. May your love for each other continue to illuminate the path ahead."The evening unfolded with the grace of a well-choreographed dance. The newlyweds took the floor for their first dance, moving with elegance and poise to a melody that spoke of love and enchantment. The city's elite, accustomed to opulent affairs, reveled in the splendor of the celebration, recognizing it as an event that transcended the ordinary.As the day progressed, the dance floor became a stage for jubilant celebration, with guests mingling, laughing, and partaking in the joyous atmosphere.The wedding culminated in a display of the couple's dance that painted the hall with bursts of cheering and color, and soon the wedding began it progression to a beautiful ending. As the festivities drew to a close, Cade and Raegan, hand in hand, took a moment to revel in the beauty of the evening that was beginning to fall on them. They got out, the bride throwing her flowers to her bridesmaids, after which they got in the limo waiting outside to take them to their matrimonial paradise. As the guests bade their farewells, the happiness of the day lingered – a testament to a wedding that had become the talk of the town.In the aftermath of the celebration, Cade and Raegan couldn't keep their hands off each other. Their journey had been marked by challenges and triumphs, but reached a pinnacle of joy and celebration. They finally got their happy ever after.AUTHOR'S NOTE: I want to specially appreciate everyone who read this far. Thank you for your support in my novel. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I loved writing it for you. If you've read any of my other books, you'll know that I always drop at least one free chapter for my readers. this chapter is free and is my way of saying thank you to all of you.PLEASE NOTE; THIS IS NOT THE END OF THIS BOOK. this is only the end of part one.PART TWO WILL CONTINUE TOMORROW SO KEEP READING!I'm sure you're wondering what part two will be about. you'll find out soonTwo years into their marriage, they found themselves on the brink of a new chapter; a chapter that would bring both joy to them – the birth of their child, Noah. Their son, Noah, was a manifestation of their love, a tiny reflection of their union. From the moment he entered their lives, their world transformed into a realm of baby giggles, sleepless nights, and boundless affection. Cade and Raegan revelled in the simple joys of parenthood, watching their son grow, learn, and discover the world around him. The first three years were a series of milestone celebrations for the family—Noah's first tooth, first steps, and the bittersweet moments of letting go as he headed off to preschool. Raegan had stopped working for her family’s company after Noah was born in order to spend more time taking care of him while he was still an infant. And now that he was being enrolled in preschool, decided to start working again. She wanted to be busy while he was away in school though she no longer wish
The perfect plan came to him a few days later. Since taking the child from the house would be impossible, Grey knew that he had to take Noah from outside and the best place to do that would be from the school. Since Grey had enrolled his own daughter in Noah’s school, he already knew the school’s infrastructure and security measures so it would be easier to take Noah from there. After the Idea came to him, he began to make his plans. He didn’t really care about how his actions would impact his daughter because she wasn’t his real child. He had adopted her from an orphanage after changing his name and also getting his plastic surgery to change his face. Having a child with him made him seem less suspicious and more like an upstanding member of society. She was two years older than Noah and didn’t know she was adopted. He named her Davina and everytime she or someone else asks of her mother he would only say that her mother was dead.When he had first adopted her, all he wanted was to u
It took almost three weeks for Davina to get close to Noah because he wasn’t really a social kid. He preferred to keep to himself and was more interested in solving jigsaw puzzles than talking to other kids in his school. But Davina was a bubbly kid, easygoing and easy to talk to. And she had the determination in her mind that she was helping her daddy on a super secret mission so it wasn’t hard for her to become his friend. Then she told her daddy that she had done the mission and asked when she could get her new toys. “Being his friend is just part one of the plan.” Grey said to her as he personally prepared her lunchbox while she ate breakfast. “When you go to school today, give him this special lunch I made for him okay? Yours is in the pink pack and his own is brown, you said that’s his favourite colour right?” “Yes daddy.” “Good girl. Make sure no one else eats his special lunch, okay? And when you come back today, I’ll take you to buy all the toys you want.” He said and she
Raegan nearly fainted when she discovered that her son had been taken from school. She called Cade in tears and he immediately left work. Cade used all his connections to make the police issue a city wide search for Noah. But before they could set up roadblocks, Grey had already crossed to another city and went into hiding with Noah and his men. The search continued as the days passed by, Cade extended the search into other cities. Every lead they chased led to disappointment because they were only fragments of their speculations. Flyers with their child's innocent face covered the walls around the city, but the elusive truth remained hidden from Case and Raegan. They were at the police station almost every hour with no news and what made it even worse was the fact that no one had called to demand ransom for Noah yet so they didn’t even know if he was alive. Their journey took them through the darkest corners of despair. Sleepless nights were spent scanning missing persons databases
The aftermath of the car accident had left Cade battered, bruised and unconscious. He looked peaceful even with the bruises that were plastered on his body, as he slept in oblivion. Day after day, Raegan sat beside him, hoping and praying that he would wake up again.As two weeks passed, Cade gradually emerged from the cocoon of unconsciousness, opening his eyes and taking note of a presence beside him — Raegan. Soon enough, he was fully conscious and widely awake. His bruises however, still needed more time to heal. On the day that Cade was to be discharged, the attending physician, a bearer of news both heavy and irrevocable, entered the room where Cade and Raegan were. "How are you doing, Mr Milton?" The doctor smiled at Cade. "Getting better," Cade smiled back at him. "That, I can see. And you, Mrs Milton?" "My husband is alive so I am well, doc," Raegan nodded at the doctor. The doctor, Mr Wills, was a tall, lanky man. He had a smile plastered to his face, that only made way
Meanwhile Grey had gone into hiding with Noah and his men after the police began their search. They were hidden in an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town. They moved only at night, hidden inside cargo boxes mixed with the supplies in a delivery truck heading to Mexico which was why the police hadn’t found them yet. It took them several weeks to be able to get safe passage to cross the border illegally. Each of them were put into separate boxes, even Noah, though Noah was sedated so he wouldn’t scream for help. But the delivery truck had a fatal accident after crossing the border. Only a few of the boxes survived the collision. Grey and his men were among the boxes that went up in flames. Noah’s box was among those that fell out of the truck because he had been kept close to the top so he had survived. The company sent another delivery truck to gather up the remaining boxes that could be salvaged and transported to the warehouse in Mexico, but because the original driver was d
Once more the couple embarked on the journey of parenthood, but this time, with more care and fear. They were so careful because they could not afford to lose this child this time around. Cade made sure to increase the security of the whole family, because he did not want to take any chances. Cade increased his bodyguards because he too was obligated to take care of the child. He also hired a new, and more efficient security staff who had military training. He reinstalled all CCTV cameras and increased their number, by even installing them in the most unlikely of places. Cade did not stop there, he connected the cameras to his room, so that he and Raegan could see what was happening inside and outside of their compound. He would not want to hear that his child was kidnapped or taken again. As for Raegan, he never let her out of his sight. The first few years of the child's life was indeed rigid with security. Soon, it was time for William to be enrolled in school. Cade and Raegan had
The green fields of the multi crop farm were made beautiful by the rays of sun that cast their golden hues on the tips of the leaves. As the wind blew and the leaves that received light from the sun danced, a handsome young man raised his head up from his work to look at the beauty around him. The outline of his face was sharp and gave a firm edge to his looks. His body, quite muscular for a person who did not work out, glistened under the sun. These muscles weren’t built in a gym but by hard labour on the fields. His skin was tanned due to long hours working under the sun. His mother was too old to join him with the rigorous farm activities so she waited for him at home. He looked towards the oak tree where his father had been buried two years ago and sighed. Days like these, he missed working alongside his late father."Mi vida," Rosa Gonzalez, Carlson's mother, called for him from the house. “Come and eat. You’ve been working for hours. “Just a few minutes, Ma. I have to take my t
When they all returned back home, Cade and Raegan had a room prepared for Rosa. This was done to subtly convince Carlson to move in with them. They didn’t even have to convince him to move in, he willingly moved in from the dorm to their mansion to be closer to his mother. William was the only one who wasn’t happy with the arrangement. He hated that there were strangers moving into his home. He refused to talk to Rosa no matter how many times she tried to be nice to him. He never spoke to Carlson, and he was also antagonistic towards his parents. Before Carlson resumed school the next monday, Cade and Ragen made a public announcement to tell the world that they had finally found their long lost son, Noah Milton. The news became viral immediately. The board members already knew Carlson through his hard work during his period of internship. They were shocked to learn that he was the true heir of the Milton Conglomerate but they were also happy that they had finally found someone worth
Carlson was a bit self conscious when Cade and Raegan came to pick him up from his dorm room at school. They didn’t even wait for him outside, they walked directly to his door to pick him up. Everyone in school who Cade and Raegan were, the college belonged to the Milton family after all. But they were shocked or confused why the owners of the school came to pick Carlson up. The people staying on campus began to share the news on the school blog and speculations began to fly around. Some said Carlson was in trouble which was why the owners came and maybe he was going to be expelled. Some said it was because of the internship. No one would have ever guessed the real reason was because he was also a Milton.Hewas even more shocked when he realised that they would be travelling with a private jet. He had never entered one in his life. It slipped his mind that he was travelling with trillionaires, so of course they wouldn’t travel with commercial planes. The insides of the private jet loo
“You sound like they’re going to kidnap me or something.” He chuckled. “I thought you said they would respect my choice.”“Yes, they definitely will. If you decide to stay away from them, they will let you do that, but they will never give up on you because you’re their son. You have no idea how much your disappearance broke them. I wasn’t born during the incident back then, but I’ve witnessed several anniversaries that they held for you. Every year, on the day you were taken, Aunt Regan was always so depressed that my mother always took her out to try and cheer her up. My dad does the same for Uncle Cade. They told me that having William made them gradually stop feeling too much grief. All the love they had for you, they gave it to him. Too bad he turned out to be a selfish brat.” She said and Carlson laughed.“Isn’t he your best friend?”“I’ve officially disowned him after his childish display. How dare he demand they send you away? The next time I see him, I’ll make sure to pull hi
Carlson was still in shock when he returned to his dorm room. He had no idea what to do and for a moment, he began to regret why he told Leighton to stay behind. Maybe if she had come with him, she would be able to keep him company at least even if she wouldn’t have a plan of action. But he had thought he needed to be alone. Now that he got his wish, the silence was just too deafening. He knew he should use the opportunity to call his mother, Rosa and ask of the situation, but he just couldn’t seem to make himself move out of the bed where he was currently lying down.He decided to try and sleep but, sleep was not forthcoming so he called his girlfriend after about an hour of trying to sleep and failing. He didn’t know what to say so he just kept quiet. Leighton was waiting for him to speak but after several seconds, she realised that he may not know what to say because of the emotional state he was in. “Hey.” She said to him.“Hi.”“I know this is a silly question to ask, but I have
“Ley, what’s wrong?” Carlson asked her with a concerned expression. Even her parents turned to her. She was speechless, she just looked at Carlson and tears began to run down her face. She didn’t speak because this announcement was coming from Raegan. But after figuring out the truth, it just made her so emotional. “Leighton, you’re scaring me. Why the sudden tears?” Her mother asked but it was Raegan that spoke. “I’m guessing she understood the point I was trying to make. Since the rest of you are clueless, I will have to spell it out. The Doctor did a DNA test when Carlson turned out to be a perfect match for you.” Now, the point she was passing had begun to sink into their heads. But before any of them could speak, Raegan continued again, this time, finishing it up. "And when the results came out, it showed that Carlson…” Her voice shook as her eyes became teary. “Carlson is our son, Cade. Carlson is Noah.” And as though she had known to arm herself with proof in the case th
Hours and hours later, after the procedure was complete, Cade opened his eyes again. The Doctor allowed only Raegan to go in to see him. When he made an attempt to sneeze, Raegan ran to his side as though to stop whatever pain his sneezing might cause him. He wasn’t strong enough to receive plenty of visitors yet. It was relieving for Raegan, as much as it was quite burdensome, given that she would have to relay the news that she had just found out about Carlson to him sooner or later and it may be too much for him to handle in his current state. Cade went back to sleep and the Doctor took Raegan aside to speak with her.“How is he, Doctor? What are his chances of recovery now?” She asked with a worried expression.“Well, from what we’ve observed, his body received the bone marrow well. We still need to keep him here for a few days to monitor him closely, but from what his results show, there might not even be a need for added chemotherapy. It seems like just the transplant will be en
“How? How is this possible, Doctor?” She asked as she stared at the result in her hands through her teary eyes.“I have no idea. You told me your son was lost so I was really surprised when that boy turned out to be a perfect donor match. I was reluctant to do a DNA test but I knew it was rare to have a stranger that’s unrelated to the family be such a perfect match. And my suspicion was correct. Like I said, if you still doubt it, you can run the DNA test elsewhere to determine it’s authenticity. Mr Carlson is your long lost son.” The Doctor said.“We searched for him for years, and for a while now, he has been right under my nose and I didn’t even know. What kind of mother am I?” She sobbed and the Doctor stood.He went around the table and began to console her.“Don’t blame yourself for that. Just be grateful that somehow, he found his way back to his family. I know the story of his disappearance though it happened many years ago. I was still in Medical school back then when the ne
“Good day everyone.” The doctor smiled grimly. "We have been able to diagnose Mr Milton’s ailment and…”“Wait. Why is he here?” William asked, referring to Carlson. “He’s not family, neither is he related to us in any way. This is confidential information, send him out.”William seemed to have recovered from his shock earlier and of course the first person he would turn his displeasure to was Carlson. “Is that seriously what’s more important to you right now, William?” Leighton asked with a scoff. “Will you ever outgrow your selfish behaviour?”“It’s the right thing to do, but of course you don’t agree. You’ve been blinded just because you’re spreading your legs for him like a …”“Do not complete that statement. Watch your words and tone, especially when speaking to my daughter.” Gale warned sternly.“I want him out of here, now!” William snapped.“And who do you think you are to give such a command?” Leighton asked. “Only Aunty Rae can send anyone out of here, or the Doctor. And for
It was the day of their date. After that night that William tried to make Leighton his girlfriend, he invited her out on an official date and they decided to go on a day when they were both free from internship work. They planned to spend the whole day together and decided that at the end of the day, they would discuss their next action if they would move further and officially enter a relationship or wait for some more time. Their date included going to the city’s museum to see a new artefact that Carlson was interested in. At first, he had been reluctant to add that to their plans because when he dated Jeanne, she was never interested in things like these. She always called them too ‘nerdy’ for her tastes. Jeanne had been more interested in shopping, and cinemas. But surprisingly, after getting the courage to tell her about his fascination with the museum, Leighton had smiled and agreed to go. She told him that when she was younger, her father always took her to museums. Nowadays,