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 60: "THE WOMAN WHO SOLD HER SON"The baptismal font was decorated with white and pink ribbons, creating a serene and festive atmosphere. The guests were conversing among themselves, whispering words of joy and anticipation. Inesa approached slowly, her presence catching the attention of some.The priest was about to bless Sienna when Inesa, with a calculated smile on her lips, spoke."Excuse me, but..." The sarcasm and malice were palpable in her voice. "I'm afraid I have something very important to say."Both Sebastian and Isabella turned to her, and the guests, including Sebastian's parents, began to murmur.Sebastian frowned, clearly annoyed."Inesa, what's wrong with you? Why are you interrupting the priest's blessing? Are you drunk?"Inesa maintained her amused expression."I'll pretend you didn't say that, Sebastian. And no, I'm not drunk. On the contrary, I'm more lucid than ever." Her eyes sought out Isabella. "I'm here because it's time you knew the truth."Sebastian'
CHAPTER 61: "THEY ARE MY CHILDREN"Sebastian looked at Isabella in disbelief, his eyes filled with confusion and pain."This has to be a joke, right?" he asked, his voice trembling.Isabella, with tears streaming down her cheeks, shook her head."No, Sebastian... it's not a joke. I am. I am Nicholas's mother."Sebastian stepped back, shaking his head."No... you... you can't be her. You can't be that woman.""I am, and I made a mistake. I should have told you the truth earlier, but I was afraid of how you would react," Isabella responded, her voice broken by sobs."How do you know?" Sebastian interrupted, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "How do you know you're Nicholas's mother?"Isabella took a piece of paper from her purse and handed it to Sebastian."I did this test a month ago when Nicholas went to get his hair cut."Sebastian took the paper with trembling hands and read it. When he saw the phrase "99% compatibility," his world crumbled. His recent happiness vanished like a dream.
CHAPTER 62: "I CAN'T FORGIVE HER FOR THAT"Sebastian descended the stairs, fury and pain etched into his face, only to find his parents in the main living room."Son, what's going on? What are all those screams?" Coraline was the first to ask.Sebastian clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms as he breathed deeply, trying to control the storm of emotions boiling inside him."Where is Nicholas?""He's with the kids in the garden, why?" Coraline responded, worried."Make sure he stays there until Isabella leaves.""What?! What do you mean she's leaving?! What's happening, Sebastian?" Roger, his father, intervened."Dad, now's not the time, I don't want to talk, I just... need a damn drink." Sebastian's expression was a mix of rage and pain, and his father could see it."Son, what's going on? Please, you have to tell me, how is it that Isabella is leaving? Is she taking my granddaughter? Did something happen between you two?""She's not taking anyone, Mom!" Sebastian said to
CHAPTER 63: "HOPE IT'S NOT TOO LATE"Isabella was finishing packing some clothes when the door opened. She wiped her tears, expecting to see Sebastian. The hope that he wanted to listen to her vibrated within her. However, she saw her son, Nicholas, who approached slowly, looking at her with his blue eyes full of love."Mommy..." he said with a trembling voice.Isabella put down the bag in her hands and knelt in front of him."Honey, I...""Is it true what Dad said?" the little one asked. "Is it true that you are my mommy? My real mom?"Isabella couldn't speak; she didn't know how to explain to a child the evils of adults."Nicholas, I want you to know that I love you, and if all this time I was away, it wasn't because I wanted to. I... loved you from the moment I knew you were growing inside me and I waited for you eagerly, but... there are bad people, honey. Bad people who separated us.""Bad like 'Thanos'? He wants to destroy the Avengers."Isabella barely smiled at her son's innoc
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