. Suspect

Brie POV

Noah must have assumed that I had accepted his accusation with my silence because when he spoke his words were full of venom.

“Facts won’t lie Briana. And the report said that someone deliberately caused the accident. Someone tampered with the car.”

“It wasn’t me!” I argued in my defense. My voice came out harsh because I never thought that I would become a suspect in the accident.

Not in my wildest dreams.

“You have the motive.”

“What motive?”

“Don’t tell me you have forgotten about your lover? Didn’t you plan this whole thing with him so you would be left to inherit our family’s fortune once we were gone?” His voice held his contempt, and my brows furrowed, recalling when I had ever had a lover.

“You know I can never kill them. I love Marsha and Danny too much!” I tried to grope for the right words to say to make him see that what he was suggesting was preposterous. I can never kill the two people who took me in from the orphanage when I was young. The ones who had taken the role of my parents?

“I love your parents. I love you,” I said, my voice sounding flat.

There was a tense silence following my outbursts before Noah laughed insultingly in response.

“Lies. They were all a bunch of lies. Too bad I believed them.” Noah hissed.

“I never lied to you, Noah.” I insisted.

“Do you think you can still fool me? Be gone, and don’t show yourself to me ever again.” Noah shouted before dropping our call.

I looked at the black screen with shock on my face.

How could this happen to me?

How can my life vanish in a flash?

This is not how Cinderella’s story went. She lived happily with her prince, why can’t I?

I looked heavenwards and saw that the sky had started to darken. Moments later, the sky started crying, too.

“Lord, what have I ever done to deserve this?” I implored the skies while tears streamed down my face.

Three years ago, Noah married me. That time, I was the celebrated one.

I was the proverbial Cinderella who got her prince.

Everybody loved me.

Now, I feel like the discard nobody wanted. Suddenly, everyone does not know me. No one came to my rescue when my husband threw me that dismissal letter, firing me from my job or forcing me to sign those divorce papers.

And now this! It was like everyone rejoiced in my downfall.

I felt so alone and scared.

I caressed my belly – an unconscious act – that was also a way to remind myself that I was not alone. I have a baby to protect at all costs.

I dropped to my knees and started picking my things up, carefully choosing the important ones and intending to leave the rest.

“If you wouldn’t take them all at once, I am afraid I will have to put them in the dump,” Dorcas told me when she noticed what I was doing.

“Noah does not want to see anything belonging to you when he returns from the hospital.” She added.

That brought a bitter smile to my face. Of course, what else would I expect from the same man who quickly dismissed his wife without talking it out?

Why was it so easy for him to believe in the evidence rather than talk to me?

“It’s alright. You can throw everything away.” I told her bitterly.

“I only needed my documents,” I added.

I loathed to bring all the things that Noah paid for.

The elegant dresses, the jewelry, the bags, and the shoes – all of those - were gifts from Noah, and I do not need them anymore.

Dorcas looked at me strangely.

“Those are Noah’s gifts. Are you sure you wanted me to throw them away?” I saw her falter while she asked, and something in her voice changed, but I was too hurt to even give it so much attention. All I want is to get away from here.

I nodded. “What was the use? Noah bought them for his wife. He did not buy them for me.” I said contemptuously, causing a frown to form on Dorcas’ head.

Then my eyes accidentally caught sight of the wedding band on my ring finger. I took it while Dorcas looked on.

“I forgot to return this to Noah,” I told her, putting the ring into her palm.

At first, she refused to take it, but I insisted.

That ring was no longer relevant to me, and holding on to it meant I was still holding out for Noah to change his mind.

I do not have any illusions now. Not after what Noah did and said to me today.

He believed I killed his parents. He believed I caused the accident.

My shoulders started shaking as I tried to control the sobs that wracked my body. I do not want Noah’s household staff to see me like this.

I walked out of the house slowly because my chest felt too stuffy, and I felt light-headed.

At the gates, I have to hold on to the frame to keep my balance.

“Are you okay, Briana? Do you want me to call a cab for you?” It was Dorcas. I did not know she followed me here.

I shook my head no and smiled my thanks.

“I can manage. I don’t want you to get in trouble with Noah.” I told her.

She did not smile back, but her look was probing. I waved at her.

“Thank you for your kindness in all the years I stayed in the Hunters,” I told her and left.

Outside, the rain was pelting hard, but I didn’t mind. It seemed as if I was numbed off by what happened today.

I opened my mouth to inhale because my nose was clogged. My vision became blurry, and I suddenly swayed to the side.

Blackness took over.

. Rescued and Safe

Brie POV

When I came around, the overpowering smell of antiseptic was the first thing my mind noticed.

I opened my eyes to be greeted by a white ceiling before my sight wandered to take in the white walls, door, and blanket covering half of my body.

This time, I already had a fairly good idea about where I was.

It was also by this time that I acknowledged the presence of a cannula tube connected to the IV drip and attached to my hand when I got up from bed to sit up.

The door burst open, and in came four young handsome, and tall men I haven’t seen before, but their presence suddenly made me feel safe.

Their presence was enough to make me feel comforted. I did not feel so alone anymore.

“Are you alright?” One of them asked. He had black eyes and brown hair just like me, but my hair color was slightly paler.

It felt awkward when I noticed the four of them looking at me, and all I could do was nod yes in response.

Their faces looked strikingly similar.

“I am Charles Ford.” The same man who asked me about how I was informed.

“I am Rowan.” Inserted another one wearing a gold-framed eyeglass.

Then, he gestured toward the other two behind him. “And these two are Flint and Marcus. We are your brothers.”

Another man came in. He looked different from the four, but he was equally handsome, if not more so. I think he could make the runway models a run for their money.

I nodded at him. I knew him. He was probably the only man in this room I knew because he was the person who got in touch with me to tell me about my brothers' existence.

“Goldstone,” I called out his name.

“You’re crowding my patient.” A woman’s stern voice rang out, and automatically, all our eyes riveted to her.

She looked cute and had almond eyes that crinkled at the corners when she smiled, and her curly hair complemented her face.

“How are you feeling?”

“Fine,” I replied and looked at the glass window with a view of the sky, noticing it was very bright outside.

“How long have I been out?” I asked the doctor.

“Thirty-six hours.” She replied.

“Mr. Goldstone found you sprawled on the pavement. He brought you here and called your brothers. By the way, I am Jenna Ford. I am married to one of your brothers.” She gestured toward the man who introduced himself as Charles.

Again, my eyes went to the four men who bore a striking resemblance to each other.

My eyes started to water.

I remember the last time I talked to Mr. Goldstone. He was the lawyer representing my four brothers. He mediated for a reunion between us five, but I declined.

“What is the point? I already have a family. The Hunters took me when no one else did.” It was my anger talking.

The shock of finding I have four older brothers was too much to process.

For years, I had longed for a family. I was in the orphanage since I was a baby and until I was six before Marsha and Danny Hunter took me in.

Though the couple stopped short of adopting me, they cared for me like I was their real daughter. They were the only family I knew.

Now, Marsha and Danny are gone. And Noah divorced me. I had no one. The bitter thought made me sad.

“Don’t cry. It would be bad for the baby.” Jenna told me.

“She is pregnant?” My four brothers asked in unison, and Jenna had to shush them while I tried very hard to stifle my laugh at the comical look on their faces.

“And what is so shocking about that? She was married.” Jenna told them.

They all gawked at me as if they found the idea of me getting pregnant ridiculous.

My awkwardness was of another level. I was mulling the fact that I was divorced and pregnant. It was not a life I had envisioned for my child.

“Is the baby okay?” Someone asked to break the ice.

My eyes widened in recognition.

“You're Marcus Ford, the model!” I exclaimed.

He nodded, and the knowledge got me excited.

I remembered I had drafted a proposal letter for him a few months ago.

“The Hunters were about to sign you up as our hotel endorser,” I informed him.

My excitement plummeted when I remembered I was no longer part of the Hunters.

All the years I put in working my ass off shot down the drain.

“Not anymore. I already declined the offer yesterday.” He told me.

I noticed the grave voice he used and saw his face hardening. In response, my stomach tightened.

Did he do that for me?

The answer was on his face that it did not shock me anymore when he confirmed.

“I was only there for you."

Deep gratitude filled my heart.

“Thank you,” I said, eyes tearing, knowing I had an ally.

Then, my eyes encompassed the other three. I do not have just one, but four allies.

My chest felt stuffy as I felt a sense of deep longing in my heart for them.

"Even when the world was against you, you have us, Briana," Rowan promised.

I bit my lip.

The guys knew Noah divorced me and was assuring me.

I wonder, what else do they know?

My hand immediately searched my lower abdomen, and a slow smile spread through my face.

‘We are going to be fine.’ I told my child silently.

. Who's Cheating Whom?

Brie POV

Two days later, I was discharged from the hospital.

I could have left the hospital that day when I met my brothers for the first time, but my brothers insisted I had to stay for another day.

When it was time for my hospital release, I was surprised because, outside my room, men in black were standing in attention.

“Is there a VIP confined on this floor?” I asked Jenna, who only laughed and commented,

“Your brothers are crazy.”

Then, she gripped the handrail of my wheelchair to push me out of my room.

At the hospital entrance, I was amazed at the number of similar-looking cars parked outside.

When they spotted us, the first car moved forward until it stopped in front of me while the others followed close behind.

I could not believe my eyes. “S*it! Are you telling me this is for me?” I asked the four men when it finally dawned on me that the cars and the suited men were in their employ.

“No one but the best for our little queen.” My brother Marcus said before he lifted his arm and gently nudged me with his elbow.

I took his cue and curled my fingers to his proffered arm.

On my other side, so that they were now flanking me, Flint did the same.

We walked toward the car, a red BMW. “This is yours,” Marcus told me before he helped me inside.

Ensconced with my two brothers in the backseat of the BMW, I heard the synchronized opening and closing of doors. It was the sound of affluence.

“From now on, you will leave like a pampered queen. We will make up for the lost years, Briana.” Marcus promised and winked at me.

From the hospital, we went straight to the airport, where a chartered flight to Woodside City awaited us.

Not used to this unimaginable luxury, my eyes widened in shock.

We spent the eight-hour-long flight getting to know each other. They filled me in on what happened to our family.

In flight, my phone rang. It was my best friend, Hanna.

“Is it true?” Hanna sounded like she was crying.

“What did you hear?” I asked her, having had an idea that the humiliation I suffered from Noah Hunter and his uncle had already reached out of proportion.

“Noah divorced you. He kicked you out of your home and job.”

There was silence on my part because it was that one thing that I would rather forget. Still, I allowed myself to remember what happened that fateful day. How I have suffered emotionally, bearing the shame and embarrassment Noah slapped me with.

“Yes. We divorced." I confirmed.

My friend choked back a sob.

“The company grapevine is feasting on the purported news that you cheated on Noah."

My chest constricted. Noah never gave me the chance to redeem myself in the eyes of our people. He made sure to shatter my reputation into pieces until nothing was left.

“It’s a lie,” I told Hanna while trying very hard to contain myself.

“Where are you? Are you safe? I wanted to see you. Can I see you?” I shut my eyes because her kindness brimmed my eyes with tears.

“I left Redwood City,” I told her. “Don’t worry about me. I am going to be fine.” I added, trying to comfort her.

“I am sorry I was not there.”

“It was not your fault. Besides, there's really nothing you can do. ”

Hanna just got back from a business trip abroad. She could not have known this would happen.

We were both silent after that.

I know I shouldn’t ask, but I could not help myself.

“How is Hunter Enterprises?”

I heard Hanna’s long, indrawn breath from the other end.

“The company is fine, but it felt different without you and Noah.”

Something flickered inside me.

“What happened to him?” I said with a quickened breath. Even when he did something bad. I could not help feeling concerned.

I have loved Noah for years. Even when he hurts me, that love will not disappear in a snap. It will fade in time. I knew that. It will die one day, just not now.

“Hanna…” I prodded.

“Matt Bryant was appointed OIC.”

“And Noah?” I asked. My heart thumps fast.

I felt my two brothers stiffen at the mention of his name, but I ignored their reactions. I wanted to know. Unconsciously, my hand went to press my stomach.

“I heard Noah left the country to recuperate.” She told me. “It’s all over the news.”

We cut our call, and I retreated to my seat. My brothers must have understood my need to be alone, so they let me be.

I took my phone from my bag and started searching. I first checked the news for Hunter Enterprises. I found a news report confirming what Hanna told me. Hunter Enterprises’ board of directors voted for Matt Bryant to be OIC, allowing Noah Hunter, its CEO, time to grieve the loss of his parents.

The news report mentioned that Noah was beside himself after learning about the demise of his parents and was inconsolable.

His grief, it said, was compounded when he woke up to learn that his wife cheated on him.

I had to smile at that. It was so convenient to paint a dark picture of me without proof.

The news also mentioned the trip is to help Noah clear his head and heal emotionally from the trauma of his loss.

I was about to close the page when I noticed another news item. This one was short and with a picture attached to it.

It says Noah Hunter was spotted at the Redwood City International Airport with international model Britney White.

Reading her name from the article and seeing her with Noah had the corner of my lips curling contemptuously.

So, this is what he was up to. Now, the real reason he divorced stared back at me.

Noah wanted a reunion with his ex-fiancee. That bitter thought made me want to puke.

After making sure he crushed my spirit and life to smithereens while he was trying to build a new one with his true love.

Now, who is cheating whom?