CHAPTER 52: "WORRIED ABOUT YOU"Sebastián's eyes slowly opened, the morning sunlight warming his face. When he finally focused his vision, his eyebrows furrowed as he didn't recognize the place. However, beside him, holding his hand, was Isabella. She felt the movement and woke up as well."My love, finally," Isabella said, hugging him tightly."What happened? Why... why am I in a hospital?" Sebastián asked, his voice filled with confusion."Don't you remember anything?" Isabella paused, sitting beside him. "Do you really not remember anything?"Sebastián shook his head."No, the last thing I remember is that we went to celebrate. An important investor closed a deal with the company, Inesa joined us and...""Inesa?" Isabella interrupted him, with a look of surprise."Yes, love, why do you have that look? Tell me why I'm in a hospital."Isabella had a hunch. It was too much of a coincidence that Inesa was at the club and that Sebastián was drugged. In her heart, she felt there was some
CHAPTER 53: "CLOSER TO HER SON"The room fell into a deep silence, where the tension between Isabella and Inesa was palpable.Coraline broke the silence."But dear, don't just stand there, come in, come in," she urged her to approach. "Darling, Inesa called me this morning when she saw you didn't go to the company. She assumed your hangover was very strong. So I had to tell her what happened, you don't mind, do you? After all, she's like family."Isabella scoffed, making both Inesa and Coraline look at her."Do you have something to say, Isabella? Or does it bother you that she's here?" Coraline asked with disdain."Do you want the truth, mother-in-law?" Isabella emphasized the last word, making Coraline tense up.Coraline's eyes narrowed, and her lips pressed into a thin line of disdain."I've already told you that..." she began, but was interrupted by Inesa."Coraline, don't worry," Inesa said, giving Isabella an amused look, though her eyes sparkled with a hint of defiance. "There
CHAPTER 54: IT'S NOT A COINCIDENCE, IS IT?EIGHT MONTHS LATER..."Cielo, hurry up, we'll be late for the appointment," said Sebastián, looking at his watch for the fifth time."I'm coming, I'm coming," Isabella complained. "You shouldn't rush me, I'm the one carrying a 3.5 kg baby in my womb, not you. Be more considerate."Sebastián smiled and walked towards her. He knelt down and caressed her prominent belly."Your mom is a nag. I hope you, my princess, don't inherit her temper, but do inherit her beauty. I don't think I could survive with two identical women at home."Isabella rolled her eyes and let out a giggle."Stop complaining, you like my temper."He leaned in and kissed her."You're right, I said it just to tease you. I like you just the way you are, wife."Isabella returned the kiss and then called for Nicholas."Nicholas, darling! It's time to go."The little boy came out of his room with his small suitcase. However, his expression was not happy."What's wrong, sweetie?" Is
CHAPTER 55: REVELATIONS AND DECISIONSIsabella stopped abruptly and placed a hand on her chest, struggling to coordinate her breathing. The mark behind Nicholas's ear was still fixed in her mind."God, it can't be..." she whispered. "This... can't be..." Her hands were still shaking uncontrollably, and her body was cold; one could say she was in shock. "He... Is he my son?" she murmured, her eyes filling with tears. "Is Nicholas my son?"There was a mix of emotions inside her: happiness, sadness... fear. Fear of what might come if it turned out to be true."I have to find out," she told herself. "I have to see if Nicholas is really my son; it might just be a coincidence."Although deep down, she was convinced it wasn't. Wiping away her tears and steadying her breath, she made a decision."I'm going to do it. I'm going to find out if you are my son or not."When she stood up, she suddenly felt a pain in her abdomen, and a groan of pain escaped her lips. She took several breaths to ease
CHAPTER 56: 99% COMPATIBILITY!A soft moan came from the room, while Marcus's grunts grew louder."Marcus... faster, please faster," Inesa pleaded.The man obeyed the woman, his thrusts becoming fierce, taking her to the peak of her pleasure. When Inesa finally came down from the ecstasy, she tried to control her ragged breathing and kissed the man beside her."You're definitely a lion, darling. You never disappoint."Marcus smiled and pulled her to his chest. Inesa let herself go, although she knew it would only be for a set time. Once she got what she wanted, she would dispatch Marcus from her life in an instant."Darling," she said as her hand caressed the man's chest. "How did you and Isabella end up married? You've never talked to me about that."Marcus tensed up at her words. His expression changed, and he said coldly:"Why do you want to talk about the past, Inesa? What's this all about?"She smiled and climbed on top of him."Well, I just can't understand how... she let go of
CHAPTER 57: UNEXPECTED NEWSSebastián was in the conference room, standing in front of a long table where the most influential investors from Spain had gathered."As you can see, gentlemen, this project is not only viable but promises to be one of the most profitable in recent times," he explained, confidently pointing to the graphs on the screen.Just as he was about to reveal the highlight of his proposal, his phone began vibrating on the mahogany table. He tried to ignore it, but the device persisted, vibrating insistently."Excuse me for a moment, please," he said, apologizing with one hand raised while picking up the phone with the other.He looked at the screen: "Saint John’s Hospital." His heart skipped a beat. With a quick apology, he stepped away from the table and answered the call, his voice a bit lower than usual."Yes?""Mr. Ashford, we're calling from Saint John’s Hospital. Your wife has started labor. You need to come immediately."His blood ran cold. The words echoed i
CHAPTER 58: SINISTER PLANSIn her office, Inesa was signing some documents with determination, her movements precise and controlled, when the door softly opened, and her secretary, a young woman with a nervous demeanor, entered cautiously."Deliver this to Sebastián," she said without looking up. "Tell him we will meet with the supplier in two hours to start the construction."The secretary took the documents and responded in a trembling voice:"Miss, Mr. Ashford is not at the company, and I don't think he'll be coming back for the rest of the day."Inesa looked up, her eyes flashing with fury."What?! Where did he go?" she exclaimed, her voice sharp.The secretary became even more nervous, her hands trembling slightly."Well, it's rumored that his wife is giving birth. He left in a hurry, even canceled the meeting with the investors from Spain."Inesa's hands clenched tightly around the pen, almost breaking it. Her thoughts filled with hatred."So you're having that little trash alre
CHAPTER 59: THE CALM BEFORE THE STORMA month later, Isabella and Sebastián were celebrating the christening of their little daughter, Sienna. It had been a month since her birth and also a month since Nicholas's treating doctor had performed the necessary tests. Fortunately, everything went well, and Nicholas received his sister's transplant. Although everything was very risky, Sebastián and Isabella supported each other. Nicholas continued with his treatment and had to go to his appointments every month."Is everything ready?" asked Coraline, Sebastián's mother.Isabella turned with her daughter in her arms."Yes, Sienna is ready. The doctor authorized the christening but recommended that she be in her crib as soon as possible.""Good, then let's have the ceremony so my granddaughter can rest."Isabella nodded and followed her mother-in-law. Although Coraline didn't entirely like Isabella, she had learned to tolerate her, especially after meeting her granddaughter, who had instantly
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