Max's POV Martha lived in a gated community. Personally l did not understand why, she should be living at home since she was a lazy kid. Her day consisted of shopping, boozing and whoring around. I talked to my father about it on numerous occasions, he ignored my suggestions of sending Martha to one of my friends, a badass farmer from Soulbare, Robert. Martha did badly in academia, and maybe manual work would benefit her, my father saw it as me being harsh on his only daughter. The security guards at Martha’s place recognised me and let us through. Her lights were still on. I called her and let her know l was on my way up, she sounded drunk and sleepy. I pushed the door and found her sprawled in front of the couch, the place was filthy, with plates and liquor bottles on the coffee table, everywhere you looked there was something to offend the eye. I stood over her and nudged her side with my shoe, she peeled one eye open and grunted, “ wake up, we need to talk.” She opened the o
Nora's POV My office window blessed me with a beautiful view every morning. The colourful flowers soothed my spirit. Their fragrance wafted into the office and filled it with a pleasant smell. I poked my head out of the window and inhaled deeply, my smile content. I remained in that position until my feet ached. I was now nine months pregnant, due in four days according to the ultrasound. I walked to the couch and laid down. My husband was coming in the evening, he was to stay until l delivered. My patience waned as the hours ticked by, l missed him. Though we talked everyday, in the morning and in the evening, it could not compare to the human touch.He had visited several times since our agreement.Deep down l regretted giving him the ultimatum but i had to stick to my guns otherwise he would take me for granted forever. I also missed my hometown, the nonstop heat in Zurus sapped my strength and granny's. I never got used to it.After i clocked out l headed home, got under the s
Nora's POV The proud father made a video call, grandpa, grandma and Marylin appeared on the screen. Max handed the phone to granny, who made sure we were all visible in the video. “ Look at my boy grandpa, so cute! Doesn't he remind you of his father the day he was born?.” Grandma Ratliff cooed, her eyes wet. “ He does my dear, bring him closer Max, l want to have a proper look.” Everyone burst into laughter.“well he is more handsome than his father. Nora, Max reported you have already named the child.” My cheeks burned in mortification, dammit! How could I forget such an important issue? Grandpa informed us he would name the baby after it was born.I stared daggers at the back of Maxwell Ratliff 's skull. He did not have hormones and other pregnancy related stuff to deal with. Why did he forget? Grandpa must have read my reaction because he remarked in a gentle tone, “it's ok Nora, Kidlan is a beautiful and strong name, fit for the Ratliff prince.” Marylin waved at the camera, “
Nora's POV Max made the move back to my country smooth and painless. His helicopters transported the heavy furniture l loathed leaving behind in Zurus. His private jet landed us safely in Bluewaters. Kidlan jumped about like a scalded frog as he saw the interior of his father's plane. In the past l only allowed him to view the exterior when his dad visited. Our son was a destroyer, you lost concentration for a minute, the next thing your property is in shambles. Max promised to carry him around, l put my foot down. The Ratliff family would blame me if their expensive decor got destroyed by my son's hands. The fact that the plane belonged to the kid’s dad would conveniently desert their minds. Today the choice was taken from me, the little rascal did what I feared, a thud had heads turning to the back of the stylish living room. I froze when my gaze fell on the splinters of expensive wood. The culprit also stood frozen to the spot, his eyes darted between his dad and myself. I sp
Caesar Shaman chugged down shot after shot of hard liquor. They were in Peter’s home office. His jowls trembled with anger, he glared at his friend with disdain, “ Peter, tell me the truth, l won't be angry with you but if you keep lying l will be.” Peter Ratliff returned his venomous stare, “ piss off Caesar, how many times do l have to tell you l had no idea Max knew where the girl was, let alone visiting her? The child came as a surprise too. My family kept me in the dark, l'm as shocked as you are.” Caesar admitted in a reluctant tone, “ well, l trust you are not lying. We come a long way for you to fuck me. Since the situation is like this, what do we do?.” Peter swallowed on repeat, he knew what Caesar wanted and he was unprepared to give it to him. His grandson’s appearance changed everything. If anything happened to Nora, he was as good as dead, Max would see to it.His delayed response annoyed Caesar, “ what is it? You have switched sides? Peter, you will help me or die tr
Nora's POV Bluewaters welcomed me with warmth, from the weather to the people. I got accustomed to Zurus ' dry and hot weather but when the temperature reached its peak l missed my country with its wet and humid temperature. The morning drizzle kissed my cheeks as l alighted from the car. I smiled happily at anything in my sight, birds up in the sky, in the trees, a toddler running from his mother on short sturdy legs. My grin faded as my eyes met the bodyguards Max insisted l needed. I did not buy his reasons for dumping bodyguards on my doorstep. I was still at granny's place a week later after my return from Zurus.I grovelled and pleaded until he agreed to extend my stay at my former home. I got the fright of my life last night when i went to fetch something from the porch and a figure materialised out of the darkness. I screamed at the top of my lungs, “ l'm sorry Mrs Ratliff, l didn't mean to scare you.” The tall figure clad in black apologised.“Who are you, what are you do
Max's POV The meeting dragged on and on, taking me closer and closer to my wife's wrath. She must be mad at me for being late. I could not walk out of these two investors. The Ratliff Group of Airlines would sink if l did. If l bagged these two the company was on the home stretch.My father did the company dirty. Talking of my dad, two weeks ago l got a frantic call from him, he asked for a meeting. He caught the reluctance in my voice, “ please son, it's a matter of life and death, please this isn't time to feud, time is of essence.”His plea fell on deaf ears, l trusted a hyena more than l trusted that man. “ I'm busy, sorry l can't accommodate you.” I caught what sounded like a sob from his end, Peter Ratliff crying? Maybe my ears played tricks on me. “ Son, l will not back down, otherwise i will die with regret and i'm not prepared to do that. Nora's life is in danger, please come home, now if you can.”My wife's name propelled me out of my office, l raced to the car, Frank read
Max's POV Ralph shouted into the phone as he sprinted towards us, “ l need an ambulance right now at The Wolverine. Be prepared for gunshots wounds, hurry. Dr Reidy has been shot.” He bent down, retrieved the gun and tucked it at his waist. He tapped my shoulder, “ move aside, let me have a look.” I shook my head, clung tightly to my wife, l wanted to be left alone in my grief. Nora's body temperature was already dropping, her head lolled on my shoulder, her pale face lifeless. There was so much blood, l could not pinpoint the origin of the wound or wounds. All l knew was my wife was dead.“Don't just stand there, come and help me. I will hold him, you take Mrs Ratliff out of his hands.”Ralph wrenched my arms backwards, l tried to fight him. In my weakened state it was futile. At the same time the bodyguard scooped Nora up and ran to the car.Frank helped him put her in the back of the car then asked for permission with his eyes, l inclined my head. “ Let go. I'm going with my wif