CHAPTER 27: "PLANNING A WEDDING""So she went to see a private investigator?" Inesa asked, looking at the man with curiosity."Yes, ma'am." The man who had been hired by Inesa to follow Isabella gave her all the information. "Apparently, Miss Collins is looking for her son," the man replied.Inesa's movements froze upon hearing this. Her eyes narrowed, and a wicked smile appeared on her lips."Son?" Inesa said, surprised and then intrigued."That's right. I had to bribe one of the office employees. The information is 100% certain. She is looking for her son," the man confirmed, nodding.Inesa reclined in her chair, thoughtful, and her smile grew more pronounced."So the bitch is a mother, huh? Who would have thought...?" she said with a sarcastic laugh. The man watched her, waiting for more instructions. "The question is if Sebastian knows.""Do you want me to keep investigating?" the man asked, anxious."Of course, you idiot. Don't lose sight of her and inform me of all her movements
CHAPTER 28: WEDDING DRESS“Please take off your clothes.”“What?!,” Isabella’s eyes widened in surprise.The seamstress sent by Sebastian sighed.“Dear, it’s to take your measurements. Mr. Ashford has entrusted me with the task of making your wedding dress, and he was very explicit in saying he wanted the best. So…” The woman gestured up and down at her. “…off with the clothes.”“But…it’s just a wedding dress. I don’t see why I…”“Nudity doesn’t scare me. It shouldn’t scare you either,” Monique, the best seamstress in town, chided her.Just as Isabella was about to retort, the door opened. A smiling Sebastian closed the door behind him.“I see you’ve met my fiancée, huh?”“Yes. But I must say, Mr. Ashford, she’s a bit prissy for my taste.”Sebastian’s laughter filled the room, and Isabella’s cheeks burned.“I don’t see why I have to get naked for a simple dress,” Isabella said, annoyed by Sebastian’s mocking tone.“It’s not a simple dress, Miss Collins. My clothes aren’t just somethin
CHAPTER 29: SABOTAGE“Did you do what I asked?”“Yes, Miss, everything was done as ordered.”Inesa smiled, satisfied.“Good, you’ve earned a nice payment.” She extended the check towards the woman and before she took it, added, “Are you sure no one saw you?”“Yes, Miss, I made sure no one was around.”Inesa gave her a piercing look.“Alright, but remember, if you get caught, don’t you dare link me to you, got it?”“No, Miss, I won’t say anything.”Inesa released the check and the young woman tucked it into her chest. Inesa had contacted her and offered a good sum of money to sabotage Isabella’s wedding dress. The young woman, who had a sick mother, saw a solution to her problems. She knew it was wrong, but it was her only way out. So, she used small scissors to cut strategic places in the dress, making it easy to tear.Once she left, Inesa got into her car.“Take me to St. George’s Cathedral, there’s a show to watch.”The driver started the car and she smiled.“This is just the beginn
CHAPTER 30: A PLAN THAT FAILSIsabella walked slowly towards the altar, her heart pounding. She felt something was off with her dress. When she reached Sebastian, he could see her discomfort."Thanks, Dad." He gave a smile and then leaned towards Isabella. "What's wrong? Don’t tell me...""My dress... it's messed up."Sebastian looked at her confused and saw how she was deliberately holding the top part of her dress."What's going on?""I don't know, but... it's like, torn.""What? That damn dress cost 10,000 dollars.""Well, your seamstress Monique ripped you off, and please don’t curse in the church, it’s a sin."He pressed his lips together and sighed lightly."Great, just what we needed, being the talk of the town in front of everyone. I’m gonna settle this with Monique." Then he looked at the guests. "Looks like the bride and I have a little issue to sort out. Don’t go anywhere!"His father felt worried as Sebastian took Isabella's hand."We'll be back in a moment."Sebastian and
"CHAPTER 31: HE WILL GET TIRED OF YOU.""Sebastian..." Isabella turned around expecting to see her husband, her smile faded when she saw Inesa at the door, looking at her with hostile eyes and almost fuming. "What do you want?" she asked, frowning.Inesa closed the door behind her with a deliberate movement and advanced towards her, her heels echoing on the marble floor."What I want, Isabella, is to put you in your place."Isabella crossed her arms, trying to stay calm."I don't have time for your games. If you have something to say, say it quickly."Inesa smiled coldly, a smile that didn't reach her eyes."Oh, I have a lot to say. For starters, I can't believe you have the audacity to think you can replace me. Sebastian may have chosen you, but we all know you're just a temporary distraction."Isabella felt a knot in her stomach, but she didn't let Inesa notice it."You have no idea what you're talking about. You..."Inesa let out a cold laugh."Do you really think a woman like you,
"CHAPTER 32: AN UNEXPECTED RETURN."Isabella turned around abruptly, trying to hide her distress."It's nothing, just... just a call."Sebastian approached, giving her a sharp look."Crying over nothing?" he asked, wiping a tear that was falling down her cheek.Isabella became very nervous. She couldn't tell him that her ex-husband had called and said he had information about her son. She was afraid of how Sebastian would react. She quickly wiped her tears and forced a smile."Well, it's just that... my best friend called and we talked about the wedding and... I know it's not a real wedding, but... I couldn't help getting emotional, I..."Sebastian relaxed his face and hugged her."I understand, you're excited.""Yes," she said, closing her eyes and listening to the beats in his chest."Well, there's nothing wrong with that, it's your wedding after all." he gently pulled her away and cupped her face. "Now we're going on our honeymoon. I came to see if you're ready."Isabella looked in
"CHAPTER 33: NOW I HAVE A FAMILY."Although Isabella felt hurt by Sebastian's cold words, she accepted that he was right. She was making the mistake of getting involved, after all, he had been clear."I thought..." said Amelia, but Sebastian interrupted her."However, don't get it wrong. She may not be his biological mother, but she is my wife, and therefore, his mother from today."Amelia gritted her teeth but continued with her act."As for your amnesia, well... it's unfortunate, but honestly, I don't understand what that has to do with me. Was I responsible?" Sebastian looked at her coldly. "I'm glad you finally remember, Amelia. Now you can continue with your life, hopefully far from me, of course. The truth is, I'm not interested in resuming anything. As you yourself said, now I have a family." he glanced slightly at Isabella and smiled. "And if you'll excuse me, I have a flight to catch, I'm going on my honeymoon."He turned and helped Isabella into the car. Nicholas didn't turn
CHAPTER 34: FAMILY OUTINGThe next day, Nicholas woke up earlier than usual. Like any child his age, he opened his parents' bedroom door and ran to the bed."Dad! Mom! Wake up, it's time to go to Kadaku Park."Sebastian didn't open his eyes; instead, he settled more into the bed and said sleepily, "Mom will help you get dressed, son. Tell her."Isabella had already opened her eyes and had a big smile."You have a lot of energy, huh?""Yes, yes! I want to see the kangaroos and the crocodiles, and also the emus!"Isabella laughed and cradled his face to kiss his nose."Alright, little whirlwind, wait for me in the living room. You'll eat something first."The boy nodded and ran off to where his mother had told him. Isabella was about to get up but was suddenly pulled back."No kiss for me?" Sebastian said in a seductive tone.Isabella turned and gave him a small kiss, then scolded him."Aren't you supposed to be asleep?"Sebastian stroked her hair and inhaled her scent."I couldn't stay
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