CAPÍTULO 13: A KISS FULL OF DOMINANCE AND DESIREIsabella froze. Sebastián offered her a smile full of irony."I took the liberty of investigating you after you took my son, and..." he paused, seeing the panic and shame in Isabella's eyes. "Anyway, I know you're married, for six years now. Why are you lying?" he asked with a mix of accusation and curiosity.Mateo, completely surprised, interrupted."You took Nicholas? Why?""I'm not going to touch on that topic now, just be content knowing she did," Sebastián responded coldly.Mateo shook his head, visibly disappointed. "It's a shame, you're quite beautiful, but you have bad habits," he commented, looking at Isabella.Isabella shook her head and swallowed before speaking."First of all, I didn't take your son. I tried to explain it to you yesterday and, secondly, I'm no longer married. I just got divorced. I have nothing to do with that man you say is my husband." Her last words came out hard and cold. "I'm here because I need the job
CHAPTER 14: COMPLICATED SITUATIONIsabella struggled at first, but soon surrendered to Sebastián's kiss, responding and wrapping her arms around his neck, letting herself go. The two got lost in their own emotions, as if their bodies longed to be close to each other.Sebastián was in heaven, wanting more of the woman in his arms, but the situation abruptly changed when someone opened the door and cleared their throat. They quickly separated, and Isabella was filled with embarrassment upon seeing Mateo behind them with a serious look."Sorry for the interruption, but the other candidates are waiting. I got worried when you didn't come out; I should have known you'd be using your tactics, Sebastián.""No... it's not like that, what happened is that..." Isabella tried to explain, but Sebastián raised his hand and silenced her."Since when do you care how long the others wait? I don't remember you in the past..." His phone rang, interrupting his words. He frowned when he saw the call was
CHAPTER 15: GENETIC COMPATIBILITYSebastián nodded and followed the doctor, but Isabella couldn't stay behind. Since she found out Nicholas was sick, a kind of maternal instinct took over her, attributing it to the fact that she now knew she had a child.A child who was alive and somewhere, waiting to be found by her.Both entered the doctor's office."What does my son have?" Sebastián got straight to the point.The doctor looked at them for a moment, first at Sebastián and then at Isabella, before speaking."Nicholas has acute lymphoblastic leukemia," he said seriously.Sebastián furrowed his brows and shook his head, unable to accept what he was hearing."What is that?"The doctor sighed softly and spoke more clearly."Your son has leukemia, Mr. Ashford. And it's a very aggressive type of leukemia."The doctor's words hit Sebastián hard, his blue eyes staring intently, still unable to fully comprehend."Leukemia?" Isabella whispered, her voice barely audible."Yes, I'm afraid the li
CHAPTER 16: I ACCEPT YOUR PROPOSALBoth Isabella and Sebastián left the doctor's office, each lost in their thoughts. It was then that Sebastián, driven by desperation, asked a question that stopped Isabella in her tracks."How much?"Isabella stopped and looked at him, confused."How much?""Yes, how much do you want? How much are you worth to get pregnant and save my son?"The bluntness of his proposal left Isabella stunned, her eyes wide, surprised and horrified by the man's proposition in front of her."What the hell? You...?" she began to say, but Sebastián, lacking patience, interrupted her with a threatening and cold look."Don't play the prude with me, and certainly not the offended one. I'm proposing a deal, and it won't be for free; I'll pay you a lot of money. So tell me, how much do you want for selling me your womb?"Sebastián's words were harsh, almost cruel. Isabella opened and closed her lips, incredulous."You are...""What? A bastard? I am, I don't deny it. And right
CHAPTER 17: I WANT YOU TO MARRY ME"Leukemia?"Mateo stood up as soon as Sebastián told him this."Yes, unfortunately, my son has that damn disease."Sebastián's expression was one of helplessness. He had stayed all night with his son in the hospital, and today he would be discharged and return home; his mother would stay with him while he started the treatment."And what are you going to do?" Mateo asked cautiously. "Are you going to follow the doctor's instructions?"Sebastián turned around and looked at him seriously."Of course, I am. He said the most reliable option was to have a baby, and that's what I'll do."His friend raised his eyebrows upon hearing his determination."And the candidate is: Inesa?""What the hell are you talking about? I never said I would sleep with Inesa. She's not the right one for this.""Well, everyone knows she's in love with you, and I thought...""I'm going to have a child with Isabella," Sebastián blurted out quickly. "She accepted the deal."Mateo
CHAPTER 18: ARROGANT CEO"My father has heart disease," Isabella said directly, her voice firm but with a vulnerability she couldn't hide. "And right now he's in the intensive care unit. I..." she lowered her head and looked at her hands to hide the shame and desperation she felt at that moment. "I have no way to pay for it. That's my only condition, Mr. Ashford."Sebastián looked at her for a moment, detailing her expressions. He could see the shame in her, and this made him reflect on the desperate situation she was in. What he had investigated was that she had married the eldest son of the Becker family, an idiot with delusions of being a businessman. To say he wasn't curious about the details of their relationship would be lying to himself, but he reminded himself that it was just a deal and that each should keep their pasts private."Fine," he finally said. "I can do that. And to show my intention to be benevolent, I'll arrange for your father to be admitted to one of the best sp
CHAPTER 19: A DECLARED ENEMYIn the garden of the Ashford mansion."My dear Coraline!" exclaimed Inesa with enthusiasm.Sebastián's mother stood up and hugged her."Dear, you finally decide to visit me.""I've had a lot of work. But here I am, as I promised," said Inesa, smiling.Immediately, Sebastián's mother signaled to one of the maids to bring tea. As they settled down, Inesa delicately mentioned,"I heard about Nicholas, it's practically a tragedy."Coraline sighed deeply before responding,"Yes, we are all devastated. Nicholas is the light of this house.""I know," said Inesa, with feigned concern, "and I will do everything I can to support Sebastián."There was a brief silence before Coraline asked,"Did my son already tell you what the solution is?""Solution?" Inesa frowned, confused."Yes, the doctor spoke to them yesterday...""Wait, them? Who?""His assistant was with him, she walked in with Sebastián, she seemed like a worried mother," explained Coraline, revealing disap
CHAPTER 20: STOP THE CONTRACEPTIVESThat same night, Isabella moved into Sebastián's apartment. It was relatively close to the company and extremely large and luxurious. Isabella thanked heaven that, at least, she wouldn't have to see him too much at home. However, her illusions were shattered when the maid showed her to her room."Mr. Ashford ordered that you sleep here," the maid explained, opening the doors to a large, beautiful, and luxurious room; a palace of comfort.The door next to the dressing room caught Isabella's attention."And that? What's it for?"The maid walked to the door and checked that it was locked."It's a door that connects to the next room. But it's locked, you have nothing to worry about."However, Isabella was worried. She had a feeling she wouldn't like to know who the next room belonged to."And... whose is the other room?" she insisted, her curiosity mixed with a sense of unease."Mr. Ashford's," the maid said, trying to downplay it. "But, as I said, ther
CHAPTER 98: LOANSebastián adjusted his shirt cuffs as he entered the luxurious restaurant. Unfortunately, Inesa's father had insisted on having dinner the same night he was supposed to dine with Isabella. But he wasn't willing to stay too long; he would listen to what Rodrik had to say, discuss the loan, and leave."Sebastián, good to see you," Rodrik stood up and extended his hand.Sebastián took it and shook it."Likewise, Rodrik. Since you moved to England, you've forgotten about the United States."The man let out a laugh and sat down."Business in London is going well, and I like to keep an eye on my investments. However, Inesa keeps me updated on what's happening here."Sebastián smiled slightly."Yes, I imagine. Well, since we're here, let's get to the point, Rodrik. I have another engagement tonight, and...""Another engagement? More important than your father's company?"Sebastián gritted his teeth and nodded."I'd dare say it's much more important, so... if you don't mind..
CHAPTER 97: PUBLIC PROPOSAL.Sebastián slammed the table in frustration."I don't understand how this could have happened, Inesa. The Japanese were convinced; it was almost a done deal."Inesa, with a calculatedly neutral expression, replied."Well, nothing is guaranteed. They suddenly called and said there was a better offer. Although I tried to persuade them, they wouldn't budge. Now the problem is ours. We had invested a lot and didn't sign anything."Sebastián's concern was palpable."How are we going to recover the losses?"Inesa, maintaining a facade of seriousness, hid her internal satisfaction. She had manipulated the situation from the start, ensuring the Japanese withdrew from the deal."We need to find money, and a lot of it," continued Sebastián, his voice laden with desperation. "Payments have to be made by the end of the month, along with the company's payroll and..."Inesa moved closer, feigning empathy she didn't feel."Sebastián, you know you're not alone. Anyway, I'v
CHAPTER 96: INTERRUPTED RESPONSE.That night, Isabella invited Sebastián to dinner after spending the day at home. Sebastián played with Nicholas, fed Sienna, and proved to be a good father. Isabella was surprised by Sebastián's parenting skills and couldn't help but smile as she imagined Nicholas's happy childhood."And how's school going, champ? Have you made any new friends?" Sebastián asked while they were having dinner.Nicholas speared a tomato and put it in his mouth."There's a girl I like, Dad. I'm going to marry her when I'm older."Everyone at the table was stunned."You... you like her?" Isabella couldn't believe his words."Yes, she's pretty and sweet. I've decided she'll be my wife," he then looked at Sebastián and said with total seriousness, "Dad, I want you to talk to her father."Sebastián wiped his mouth with the napkin and adopted a serious expression with his son."Nicholas, I understand you like her, but love has to be reciprocal. If she falls in love with someon
CHAPTER 95: UNION OF SOULS.In her office, Inesa slammed the door shut, wishing she could unleash all her rage on something or someone. Suddenly, in a fit of fury, she swept everything off her desk. Sebastián's humiliating words kept repeating inside her."You cursed, a thousand times cursed!" she shouted.To her, Isabella was to blame for everything. If she hadn't appeared in Sebastián's life, she would have succeeded. At this moment, she would be his wife and have the man she had wanted since she met him. But Isabella had shown up to ruin everything, and not content with that, she wouldn't stop bothering him.She walked to the liquor cabinet and poured herself a glass of whiskey. There was a dark and cruel glint in her eyes."Since you insist on being my main obstacle, you leave me no choice, Isabella."She took a sip, and the liquid burned her throat."Because I always get what I want, and what I want right now is for you to disappear."Her phone vibrated on the floor. She bent dow
CHAPTER 94: "THERE'S ONLY ONE WOMAN I LOVE."Isabella read the message and didn't respond. She looked at the roses again, and the words "throw them away" were stuck in her throat. However, the anger still boiled inside her."Do you think roses are going to fix everything? After all that happened, do you think some flowers can erase it?"She grabbed her purse and car keys, stormed out, and didn't even bother to answer her secretary. When she arrived at the Ashford Enterprises building, everyone stared at her in astonishment and murmured among themselves. Louis, who was coming out of the stationery area, hurried to her."Ma'am... I mean, Miss... You?""Where's your boss?""The boss? He's... he's in the office, but he's in a meeting. If you want, I can...""No need, it will be brief."Isabella turned and went to the office, opened the door decisively, and found Sebastian meeting with another man. Both turned their faces when the door opened; however, Isabella's unfriendly face told them
CHAPTER 93: "HAS HE KISSED MOM?"In the car, Nicholas was looking at the cityscape. He felt a sense of excitement inside him; today his dad would take him to school, and later his mom would pick him up. It was like being together again. Suddenly, the same question he asked his mom came back to his mind, and this time he asked Sebastian."Dad...""Yes, son," Sebastian said, glancing at him quickly."You and Mom... are you going to get back together?"Sebastian smiled and sighed."That's what Dad is trying to achieve. It's just that Mom..." he laughed again, "she's a bit stubborn."Nicholas nodded."Yeah, Mom is stubborn. I don't know why she doesn't let you come back home if she's just going to cry alone in her room later."Sebastian's eyebrows furrowed, and his demeanor turned serious."Have you seen her?"Nicholas nodded."Yes. But then she'll say it's nothing. But I know she does it because of you."Sebastian gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white. He felt like crap
CHAPTER 92: "DAD, WILL YOU TAKE ME TO SCHOOL?"Sebastian's lips seized Isabella's with dominance, his eager hands slowly traversing her back as she surrendered to the sensation of his warm fingers gliding over her skin. Her hands closed in on the hair at the nape of his neck, and an involuntary moan escaped her lips, only serving to heighten the desire in both of them.In a burst of passion, Sebastian lifted her by the buttocks and placed her on top of the table, positioning himself between her now-exposed thighs. He pressed his erection against her center, and another moan escaped Isabella's lips. It was wrong, she knew it, but she wasn't strong enough to fight the desires Sebastian awakened in her.He pulled away from her lips and began leaving a trail of kisses down her neck. His warm, wet tongue licked every part of her collarbone, and Isabella closed her eyes, tilting her head back, wishing he would go as far as he wanted. There would be time to regret it later, but at that momen
CHAPTER 91: FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOU AGAIN.Sebastián whispered softly, "Don't go..." as he reached out his hand to caress Isabella's surprised face. She was in shock, her heart racing and her breathing heavy. She never imagined he would wake up.Although she was tempted to say yes, the words that came out of her lips were:"No... no, I..." She stepped back and tried to sound firm. "I just came down for some water, saw the blanket on the floor and..." She frowned and shook her head. "You know what? I don't have to explain myself to you, and between you and me..."Isabella was left speechless when Sebastián stood up, revealing his defined, muscular torso, and his lack of pants. She pointed at him, surprised and angry."You...! Why are you in your underwear? What do you think you're doing?"Sebastián ignored her complaint and walked towards her. Isabella took several steps back until her back hit the dining table."What... what... what are you going to do?" she asked, nervous and anxiou
CHAPTER 90: DON'T GOSebastián looked at Isabella, waiting for her response. And she, feeling her son's desperation and the weight of the situation, nodded slowly."Alright. Your father can stay tonight," she said, trying to keep her voice calm.Nicholas beamed and hugged Sebastián tightly. But just at that moment, Elijah intervened."Isabella, I just remembered that there are some urgent legal matters we need to discuss. And we can't leave it for tomorrow," he said, looking at Isabella seriously.Isabella frowned, clearly surprised by the urgency of the matter."Tonight?" she asked, trying to understand the situation. "Can't it wait until tomorrow morning?""I'm sorry, Isabella, but it's crucial that we review it now," Elijah insisted.Sebastián gave him a hateful look and pressed his lips together in frustration, feeling a mix of fury and desperation as he realized that Elijah was determined to take over his family. Nicholas, oblivious to the tension between the adults, continued hu