ADORA'S POV.As we were thrown from the car, I clung tightly to Uncle Luke, knowing him to be my father's closest friend and a beloved figure in my life. Unlike my mother, Uncle Luke had always treated me with kindness and respect, never speaking ill of me behind my back. I had witnessed the deep trust my father placed in him, and I knew Uncle Luke to be a decent man in every sense of the word."Go on with your mother, I'll go find your father, okay?" Uncle Luke inquired, his concern evident in his tone. I nodded silently, unsure of what to make of the situation. As he knelt down beside me, ruffling my hair gently, I felt a sense of reassurance wash over me, grateful for his presence in such uncertain times."I'll take good care of her, don't worry. Go on and do whatever it is that you have to do," Mother responded with a smile on her face. Despite her reassurance, I couldn't shake the feeling of dissatisfaction and unease that gnawed at me, sensing that something was amiss."Can
REYNOLDS’ POV.I was suddenly awakened by a jolt, that I must have drifted off to sleep. As I turned to my side, my eyes met Adora, who was holding my hands tightly next to hers. Feeling her grip relax, I decided to leave the room momentarily and summon a maid to keep an eye on her. Adora had clung to me so tightly that I felt it best to have someone else there while I took a break.Sitting by her side, I observed as she mumbled a few words, expressing her desire to be alive again and to have a mother like Kayla. Moved by her words, I tried my best to comfort her, staying close by her bedside. Eventually, my exhaustion caught up with me, and I found myself drifting off to sleep beside her, still holding onto the hope that she would find peace.My heart thudded heavily against my chest, and I felt a surge of worry wash over me. Adora, being such a young child, shouldn't have to endure such distressing experiences. My concern was not only for myself but also for everyone else inv
Reynolds' POV."You stay right by the door and don't let her out of your sight, not even for a moment! We can't afford any mistakes."Luke sighed in resignation as we exchanged a solemn glance. None of us were pleased with the situation, but there was no other choice. I couldn't shake off the bitterness that welled up within me, knowing that Adora had to be kept away from the unfolding crisis. It left a bitter taste in my mouth, down to the very core of my being.I watched as Luke and Adora left the room, leaving me alone with the doctor. Turning to face him, I felt a knot form in my stomach as I braced myself for the worst."What's wrong?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, my throat constricted with fear."It's Kayla... I don't know how it happened, but she's been poisoned with wolfsbane, directly into her veins. It wasn't there before," the doctor revealed, his words hitting me like a punch to the gut. My mind raced with disbelief and anger. How could this have happened u
REYNOLDS' POV."Locate her immediately and forcefully escort her to my presence!" I shouted furiously, my voice echoing off the walls as Luke respectfully nodded and exited the room with a slight bow. Regret flooded over me like a wave as I acknowledged my error in failing to conceal our bodies, but in the heat of the moment, under such intense pressure, can anyone truly blame me? My panic was consuming, dominating every rational thought within me.I ran my hands down to her temples; she was no longer burning up like before; whatever it was, she seemed better. I felt a lump form in my throat as I gulped nervously, biting down on my lips once more. She trembled ever so slightly, a delicate shiver running through her body, but otherwise, she remained composed. My fingertip delicately traced the contours of her lower lip, each curve an indication to her flawless beauty, causing my heart to race against my ribcage with an almost deafening intensity.Awareness flooded over me like a su
REYNOLDS' POV.She remained silent, refusing to speak, leaving me uncertain about who her heroic display was intended for. Despite infuriating me, she continued to act as if everyone should bow down to her."Please, let's not make this more difficult than it needs to be," I said sarcastically, but she didn't even flinch. It was as if she was putting on a brave front, though I could see through the cracks in her facade. While I wasn't one to be harsh with women, everyone knew my reputation, and nobody dared to challenge me. However, it seemed that was about to change."What's her name?" I inquired of Luke, who appeared equally as angry as I felt."Stella," he blurted out, and I nodded, acknowledging the name. I lowered myself to her level, crouching down with one knee on the floor and the other bent slightly as I gently lifted her chin with my index finger."Now, Stella, don't be such a pain," I began, my tone firm but tinged with frustration. "Tell me, what makes you think you're
Reynolds' pov."What did you mean by that?" I demanded, but before I could receive an answer, another burst of laughter escaped her lips, fueling my frustration to its breaking point.With a surge of determination, I lunged towards her, my hands outstretched in the direction of her neck. As if on cue, the door swung open, revealing Ava's sudden entrance into the room.Her expression betrayed a flicker of surprise, quickly masked behind a veil of composure. However, I caught a glimpse of her true emotions as she involuntarily flinched at the scene unfolding before her."Ava, perfect timing, come over here," I beckoned, my tone betraying a sense of urgency."I'm sorry, I really should go check on Adora... There are things I need to take care of," Ava responded, her words dripping with insincerity. The more she spoke, the more apparent it became that she was hiding something. Her excuses grated on my nerves, fueling my suspicion that she was up to no good. Despite her attempts to play
REYNOLDS' POV."Why are your fingers turning purple?!" I exclaimed, pulling Ava closer to me while she struggled to break free from my grip. She tried to push me away, her arms tense as she attempted to keep whatever she was hiding out of my sight."I accidentally got food colouring on them, that's all... please, just let me go!" Ava insisted, but her explanation didn't add up. She had never been one to cook, let alone use food colouring in any of her endeavours."The scent in the air... it's like wolfsbane, Ava," I remarked, my tone demanding answers. "This is your chance to come clean, and my last attempt to handle this peacefully. So, what did you do, Ava?!" My voice rose with frustration, echoing through the room."Sort out your own mess and don't drag me into your silly games!" Ava snapped defensively, her tone revealing that something was definitely off."Don't you dare move a muscle. You're going to explain how you're connected to this woman and what really happened," I comman
Reynolds' POV."Oh, so now you want to play make-believe?" Ava retorted, her frustration evident. "Can't you see it? Isn't it obvious already? It's Kayla's plan. She probably had herself drugged with wolfsbane just to frame me as the suspect. And then she planted this false nurse to testify against me!!" "Where is Kayla now, huh? She isn't dead, is she? Always finding a way to get into double trouble, and she never ends up dead. And yet you would take her side over mine and cast me aside," Ava complained bitterly, her words dripping with resentment as she vented about what she perceived as trivial matters."She almost died! She barely escaped with her life. I will not play this game with you, Ava!" I cautioned sternly, my voice low and chilly, sending a shiver down Ava's spine as she realized the gravity of the situation."Go on, blame me like always. There's never a good side to me in your eyes, is there? You always manage to paint me as the devil every damn time," Ava complained