CHAPTER 71: I DECLINE YOUR OFFERSebastián looked at her in silence, seeing the fury and determination in her voice."They took him from me, they stole my son. They made me believe he was dead for six years, do you have any idea what it's like to live with that? First, I cried in front of an empty grave. I blamed myself, day and night, for not being a good mother. Then, when the bastard I thought was the man I loved, and the father of my child, told me he was alive, I felt my world collapse. That's the damn truth, Sebastián. I never planned anything, and I think it was God or destiny that led me to cross paths with Nicholas, but I don't regret it, you know why? Because now I've found him, and I swear that nothing, and no one, will separate me from him again, do you understand? No one!" Isabella said, with tears in her eyes.Sebastián remained silent and tempted to believe her, but everything seemed too ridiculous. He laughed, as if what she had just told him was a joke."Too fanciful,
CHAPTER 72: WHAT IF SHE'S INNOCENT?Sebastián looked at the photograph of Nicholas and Sienna with a mix of nostalgia and bitterness. The storm inside him hadn't calmed, despite his deep love for Isabella. The image of her with Elijah filled him with fury and distrust. He couldn't believe in her, not after everything that had happened. However, a small doubt constantly gnawed at him: what if Isabella really was innocent as she claimed?The sound of the door pulled him out of his thoughts. Louis, his secretary, entered and informed him that the lawyer he had requested had arrived. Sebastián nodded and motioned for him to come in.The lawyer, a middle-aged man with gray hair at the temples and an impeccably tailored suit, entered the office with determined steps. His confident and professional demeanor was reflected in his sharp gaze and the firm handshake he offered Sebastián, making it clear he was used to winning."Mr. Ashford, it's a pleasure to meet you," said the lawyer, with a ca
CHAPTER 73: DON'T TOUCH MY MOMMYWithout thinking further, he took out his cell phone and called her. He gestured to the lawyer to give him a moment and headed to the private lounge. The line rang a few times before Isabella answered."Sebastián?" she said, with a tone of surprise in her voice."I need to talk to you right now," he responded, his voice laden with tension."What's going on? I'm with the kids...""I know that very well," Sebastián interrupted, trying to stay calm. "I want to know what the hell you're doing with Elijah. Why is he near my children?"There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line. Sebastián could hear the murmur of voices and the distant sound of children's laughter."Sebastián, you have no right to demand explanations from me," Isabella finally said, her tone hard. "You are not my owner nor do you have authority over my decisions.""Demanding explanations is the least I should do!" Sebastián almost shouted. "We are still married, Isabella! How
CHAPTER 74: SOMETHING CALLED: KARMA"You're cheating on me with her! Admit it! You have something with that woman!" In the Becker mansion, Amanda confronted Marcus with tears of fury in her eyes."Will you leave me alone? I'm sick of your jealousy, Amanda. Sick of it!" Marcus grabbed his jacket and car keys, his patience reaching its limit."Sick of it? I'm the one who's sick! Sick of you making a fool out of me, Marcus. At least be a man and admit it. Admit that you're screwing that bitch."Marcus pressed his lips together and gave her a warning look."Don't cross the line, Amanda, and be very careful how you refer to her, is that clear?"Amanda laughed bitterly, her laugh full of disdain."Does it hurt that I call her what she is? A whore!" Amanda shouted, remembering how she had seen Marcus leaving Inesa's apartment. "A whore! That's what Inesa is, a damn whore."The slap didn't take long to come. The blow echoed in the room, and Amanda held her burning cheek, looking at him in sho
CHAPTER 75: "HAVE YOU ALREADY HAD SEX WITH HIM?"Sebastián's hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles turned white. Every laugh and gesture of closeness between Isabella and Elijah was like a stab to his heart. He couldn't bear to see Isabella in another man's arms, especially Elijah's. The image of their embrace was etched in his mind, fueling his fury.Unable to take it any longer, Sebastián got out of the car and walked towards them. His clapping interrupted the atmosphere, causing Isabella and Elijah to immediately pull apart."Bravo, Isabella..." Sebastián spat with disdain and jealousy. "You don't waste much time finding someone else, do you?"Isabella swallowed and took a deep breath, trying to stay calm."It's not what you think, and even if it were, you're the last person who should be complaining, don't you think?""The last person?" Sebastián laughed without humor. "Sure, because you've always been the perfect victim, right? While I fight for our childr
CHAPTER 76: "BRANDED ON HIS SOUL"After Elijah left, Isabella went up to the apartment followed by Sebastián. Throughout the entire walk, neither of them said anything; however, the tension between them was palpable. After Sebastián put Nicholas to bed, he left the room and found Isabella waiting for him in the living room, her eyes filled with a mix of sadness and determination."Why did you come here, Sebastián?" The coldness in her voice was palpable. "What need do you have to make a scene?" She paused, taking a deep breath. "Do you even think about Nicholas?"Sebastián took a few steps toward her with his hands in his pockets, his gaze loaded with conflicting emotions."Are you with him?"Isabella furrowed her brows and pressed her lips together, trying to contain the anger she felt."Is that all you care about? If I'm in a relationship with Elijah? If I'm sleeping with him?"Sebastián felt a mix of conflicting emotions. What if he was wrong? But every time he thought of Elijah to
CHAPTER 77: "OUR FAREWELL"Sebastián cradled her nape and tilted his head to deepen the kiss. At that moment, he felt as if all the weight of the world vanished. It felt so real, so normal, so her. The familiarity of her touch reminded him of the happy days they had shared before everything got complicated.Whether it was a dream or a product of his imagination, he didn't care; he just wanted to mitigate his pain and have her in his arms again. His hands cupped her buttocks, and the woman moaned softly, rubbing against him."I need you..." Sebastián whispered, his voice breaking. "I need you, Isabella..."He lowered his lips and left a trail of kisses along her neck, each one charged with a mix of desperation and desire. His tongue traced the line of her collarbone, and with a softness that contrasted with his urgency, he pulled down the strap of her dress, following the path until he reached her nipple. When his lips surrounded it, the woman let out a soft moan, burying her fingers i
CHAPTER 78: "TAKING ADVANTAGE OF WEAKNESSES"A groan escaped from Sebastián as he opened his eyes, his temples throbbing from the intense headache. He looked around and found himself in his private room at the company. The room was dim, with the dawn light filtering through the blinds. Clothes were scattered on the floor, and the air was heavy with the scent of alcohol and perfume. The surprise was greater when he realized he was naked."What the hell...?" he murmured, hurriedly getting up and realizing he was alone. But everything indicated that he had been with someone, though the woman in question was not there.Suddenly, blurry images of the previous night began to appear in his mind. However, he couldn't see the woman's face."Fuck... Who was I with?" A brief memory of Isabella appeared, and his eyebrows furrowed. "Isabella?"For a moment, he contemplated the possibility but then dismissed it. He thought it was impossible given their current situation. He went to the bathroom to
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