A rich man marries a poor girl against his family’s wishes. They have three children and are very happy until he has to take over the family business.
Rick Pace fell in love with Ada the moment she served his caramel latte. He kept coming back to the same café day after day until he persuaded her to go out with him. Six months later he proposed and she accepted.
Rick’s family was outraged when they discovered he was marrying a penniless orphan from Queens, but he didn’t care. He loved Ada.
He took a job in a Fortune 500 company in Houston, away from the family and its influence. He never imagined that he’d ever feel differently about Ada or his family.
Seven years later, Rick and Ada were the proud parents of three adorable children, and as happy a couple as anyone had ever seen. Then Rick’s uncle Denton passed away and their world was turned upside down.
Uncle Denton had been running the family business for the last 30 years, and now the charge was passed to Rick. That meant that the young family had to leave Houston and move to New York, where the rest of the Pace family lived.
Rick said, “I was thinking, that just at first we could live in the family house? It has over 20 bedrooms, lots of space for us and staff — and of course, my mother and my aunt will help us settle in!”
But Ada hesitated. “Oh Rick, I’ve always loved us having our own home!” she said. “And I don’t know if I like the idea of sharing with two women who don’t like me!”
“Nonsense!” cried Rick. “That was years ago! They can see now how happy you’ve made me, and they can’t wait to meet the children!”
So Ada gave in, and two weeks later, the family was in New York being introduced to the Paces. Rick’s mom, Frances, smiled and kissed Ava on the cheek and looked the three children over.
Tessa was five, Gina was three, and little Rick Jr. was just nine months old. “Goodness!” cried Frances. “What pretty children! But where did they get such big blue eyes?”
“My grandmother had blue eyes,” Ada said. “I’m glad they got the gene!”
“Indeed!” said Frances and smiled a nasty little smile. Behind that smile, her devious mind was working a mile a minute. She thought she might have just found a way to get her son to drop this unsuitable girl and her horrible children…
A few weeks later, Frances walked into her son’s office. “Darling,” she said. “We need to talk! I didn’t want to bother you, but, honestly…”
Rick frowned. “What’s happening, mom?”
“It’s Ada…I didn’t want to tell you, but…I think she’s cheating on you.”
“Ada?” asked Rick incredulously. “Nonsense, mom, where did you get such an idea?”
“I’ve heard her on the phone, Rick,” Frances said. “And the other day I caught a glimpse of a text message — well, it was very indiscreet!”
Rick stared at his mother, his face glowing red. “What else?” he asked.
“The children…” Frances pretended to hesitate. “Darling, I know you love them and it’s not their fault, but you have brown eyes, and so does Ada…Have you considered they might not be yours?”
But Rick wasn’t listening anymore. He was rushing out the door and heading for home. In his jealousy and his anger, he didn’t even stop to think. He walked into the room he shared with Ada and grabbed her phone.
Ada protested but he just shoved her aside. “I want to know what’s going on in my own house!” he screamed. He clicked on the text messages and immediately read one Ava hadn’t opened yet.
It was a very sexy message and it was signed by Jonathan. “Who is Jonathan?” Rick screamed. “Is he your children’s father?”
“Rick, you are my children’s father! Our children!” Ada cried.
“Get out!” Rick shouted. “You and your brats, get out right now!”
