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 64: "HE CAN HELP YOU""Honey, it seems like someone is knocking at the door," murmured Nick, Lucy's husband."Do you think so? Who could it be at this hour?" Lucy responded, half-asleep."I don't know, but we better go check."The two got out of bed and went downstairs. When they opened the door, Isabella was there with swollen eyes and a suitcase waiting."Isabella? What are you doing here?"Isabella said nothing, simply dropped the suitcase and threw herself into her friend's arms."I lost him again," she sobbed through her tears, "I lost him..."Lucy hugged her friend and led her inside."But... what happened? What did you lose?"Nick took the suitcase and they went in."I found him," Isabella said, doing her best to calm down. "I found my son."Lucy opened her mouth and looked at her friend incredulously."Are you telling me that... that...?""Yes," Isabella nodded. "Sebastian's son is my son.""Oh my God, Isa! It can't be... How? Where is he? How did you find out?" Lucy a
CHAPTER 65: "GETTING RID OF HIM"Two days later..."I hope that when you realize everything, it won't be too late..."Isabella's last words had been replaying in Sebastian's mind. It had been two days since he asked her to leave, and it had been total hell for him. Nicholas refused to eat, while Sienna only cried for her mother. Nevertheless, Sebastian refused to give in; his anger and pain were still wreaking havoc inside him. He had believed he had it all, only to wake up and discover he had been living in a dream. And his stupid heart wouldn't cooperate because even though Isabella was that cruel and heartless woman, he couldn't stop being in love with her.A knock on the door pulled him out of his thoughts. He adjusted his emotions and spoke."Come in."Mateo poked his head in."Can we talk?"Sebastian just nodded."What's up? And since when do you ask?""Well..." Mateo put his hands in his pockets and stopped in front of his friend's desk. "You've been in a foul mood for two days