SORRY

Chapter 53. Keeping Safe

Noah POV

But that would be wishful thinking.

I knew Briana was trying to be civil for the children’s sake,

I could sense her detachment when I tried to include her in my conversation with the children.

Though there are moments when I get to see a glimpse of the old Briana, I can feel

her resistance.

She did not want this and was only doing so for the children.

It was near dinner when Briana told the kids we had to leave.

“Oh, mom!” They all groaned in unison.

They don’t want to leave yet. Neither do I.

The hours were too short.

Besides, I could tell the triplets were having so much fun.

The theme park has private cabins. We rented one to allow the children to nap. Briana joined them on the bed.

I wanted to join them, too, but no one had invited me.

Feeling a little lost, I went to the small living area and surfed the channels on the television to see anything interesting to watch.

When nothing could get my interest, I tried to check my emails,

Langley and Brent sent me a report regarding the filing of charges against Uncle Matt.

I read through them to while away the time.

“He was so angry. He’s threatening to counter–sue.” Langley informed me.

“Make sure he can’t post ball. I don’t know what he’s capable of doing, but I wouldn’t want to endanger my children.”

Langley sent the a question mark in reply. And I sent back a facture of my children Walking with Buana wailer

Onud! You have children with Briann?”

I don’t know how he knew it was her. The pieture only showed Briana’s side profile

How did you know she was their mother?” Hyped back with a frown on my face

Langley sent me a smiling emot. “It’s becatige her face had been forever etched in my head sil”

tread his response, and jealousy burgeoned inside me, I can’t imagine Langley having the hots for my ex wife.

I started typing on the screen when another message from Langley arrived.

“I feel guilty, sir. She is a good idd. Your parents brought her up well. For five years, I could not shake off in my memory the anguish on her face when I told her you were divorcing her.” I read his next reply.

That was unexpected.

Langley worked previously with my parents. He was the one who handled Briana’s papers so my parents could take her without legally adopting her.

Langley never spoke to me about her since then.

Come to think of it, Langley and I never spoke at all in the past five years.

Must be my conscience.

Langley reminded me of those last minutes with my wife before the divorce. I sighed.

“How old are your children, sir? Are they all boys?”

teould feel Langley’s excitement while we exchanged messages by email.

No word about them to anyone. Langley,” I warned.

I called Chris next told him about what happened to my uncle, and ordered him to hire bodyguards for Briana and my children.

* could not take anything to chance. I have to ensure my family’s safety first.” I informed Chris

+23 BOARDS

A sense of protectiveness engulfed me, and I promised myself that I would do everything in my power to keep them safe and well.

“I cannot leave everything to chance,” I told him.

I also instructed Chris to arrange a meeting for me with Marcus Ford tomorrow.

“Tell him it is about Briana and the children’s safety. But don’t tell him anything else. Let me explain to him.”

When I put my phone away, I glanced at the bed and saw Briana stretching her arms upward.

Her arms were suspended in mid–air when our eyes met.

“Sorry, I thought it was just the kids and me. She excused. I shook my head.

A deep longing assailed me for the wife I pushed away.

“I missed this,” I mumbled under my breath.

Briana frowned. “What did you say?”

I breathed a sigh of relief when I realized she did not hear me.

I made a motion to look at my watch for the time.

“Should we wake the triplets? I am sure they are hungry.”

I remember they did not eat much during lunch because they were hurrying up for the rides.

Briana laughed. It was loud at first but faded when she noticed me staring at her.

“Maybe you did not notice, but the children were snacking in between rides. I brought them fruit and veggie trays I placed in plastic containers. They snacked on those.” Briana told me and pulled out a lunch bag.

Che opened it and showed three empty large containers.

“The boys love munching on fruits and vegetables.” She added.

“Why didn’t you let me carry the bag?” I asked.

She looked stunned and gave out a small laugh.

ested to habit thad been doing it for years whenever the boys and I went out Pods, never thought of it as a chore it’s for my children.” She shrugged it

was abg desal to her. But to me it was

not

Ewant to share in her load when it comes to the children.

Iwanted to share more, but tam sure Marcus Ford would have none of that.

should be grateful he allowed me time to spend with my kids and Briana.

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Lcould not stand their silence anymore. It was like we were back to being strangers

“Is that your girlfriend?” Riley asked upon continuous prodding from me.

I was surprised. I didn’t think the triplets sow me with Britney,

I underestimated their astuteness, it seems

Riley crossed his arms over his chest and eyed me accusingly.

I felt so small meeting his accusing stare.

I don’t know how to explain. Maybe I’ll start clearing my relationship with Britney to dispel any doubts in their minds.

“No. She was not.” I told him honestly and felt Briana’s heavy stare on me.

“I saw her on television.” Mason volunteered

“She is beautiful.”

“But not as beautiful as our mom.

“Our mom is the prettiest mommy in the world.”

A smile slowly appeared on my face as they extolled Briana’s beauty,

“Yes. Your mom’s the most beautiful.” I readily agreed and was rewarded with a blush from Briana.

It did not allay my fears, though.

When the food arrived, the children dug in. Briana was still ignoring me, She was turning cold on me.

Her attention was on all three boys.

It was more discomfiting than her attitude earlier.

When we finished our food, Riley said something that actually surprised me.

“You are our daddy.” Riley opened, and I nodded in agreement. It amazes me that the children never questioned my existence and instantly accepted me.

To continue being a daddy, you are not allowed to have another wife or a girlfriend. Our mommy does not have a boyfriend or a husband because she said we are enough to make her happy. I hope we are also enough to make you happy, Daddy”

i stared blankly at Riley. Then at his brothers. “Are we good on this, Daddy?”

Am 1 fully comprehending what he was telling me? Briana had no husband or a boyfriend. So where does Marcus Ford figure in their lives?

+25 BONUS

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