Chapter FiftyThe First Hearing 1Sophie’s POVMy head was still aching as I sat in the car, thoughts racing through my mind. I glanced at Amara through the mirror, my heart racing with pain and confusion, what would happen with them when they get to know about the custody battle between their father and I?Amara had only just found out that Maxon was her father and she was so cold to me, she got angry that she mistakenly pushed me into the pool, what would happen with this custody battle? I felt like I was losing my kids more than before, I didn’t know what to do or how I could save my kids.I glanced out of the car to see Maxon, still on the phone call, I wondered who he might be talking to, if it was about the custody battle.I felt the urge to go outside and hear for myself and what he was saying and who he was talking to, but I had no strength to do that, I just sat in the car, waiting for him to return.Minutes later, he came back into the car, dipped the key in the ignition an
Chapter Fifty-oneThe First Hearing 2Maxon’s POVI had been in the court room for minutes, waiting and expecting that Sophie would come in with her attorney and the kids, but there was nothing.I kept on waiting and expecting them and I kept running out of patience, I wasn’t sure of why they weren’t yet around when the hearing would start in just few minutes, I was confused.I glanced at my wristwatch, calculating the time and expecting them to come, but I saw no trace of them, my heart raced in my chest.Could it be that Sophie had taken off with my kids? Did she run away with my kids so she wouldn’t have to come to the court for the case and battle? My heart raced with the thought of that, Sophie couldn’t have done that, could she? How does she expect me to live without my kids? What must she have been thinking running away with my kids?I turned around, looking at every angle and searching through every corner to see if Sophie was anywhere close, I just didn’t know what to do, and
Chapter Fifty-twoThe TrapSophie’s POVI stepped away from him, who was this man and why was he doing this to me? I didn’t understand what was going on. I was supposed to be in the court with my attorney, who was now lying helplessly on the floor, I didn’t know if he was dead or not.I was supposed to be there, fighting my case and for my kid’s custody, but here I was, in the middle of nowhere and with this unknown man.“Who are you?” I questioned, trying every possible best to hide my fears, “what do you want from me?” Even with my best, my hands still trembled with fear.He laughed and threw the clothes he already pulled off to the cushion, leaving his with his shirt and pants. He dipped his hand into his pocket and looked into my eyes, the most victorious gaze I had ever seen, “don’t you understand it all now?” He asked, “are you that slow?”I was in no way offended by what he said, all I wanted to know was why he had to lure me from the court and for what reason he did that, why
Chapter Fifty-twoSaving HerMaxon’s POV“I know of a place they might be.” He murmured.My hand fell from his collar as I said, “let’s go, you won’t like what I’ll do to you if anything bad happens to Sophie. I will be sure not to spare you!”He nodded and sped towards his car, but I grabbed his hand and pulled him back. “No, we have to go in my own car,” I said and quickly wheeled Asher to the car, while Amara followed behind us.We all got into the car, and headed for the unknown place with the attorney’s lead. I kept murmuring a silent prayer as I drove that everything would be fine with Sophie, that nothing bad would happen to her.My heart raced in a fast beat, what would I do if anything bad happens to her? How would I cope if anything bad happens to Sophie?I looked back at my kids whose eyes were searching around, I could see the longing for their mother on their faces, and I could feel it. They wanted to be with their mother, but I didn’t even know where she was, and this wa
Chapter Fifty-three“I Care.”Sophie’s POVI watched as Maxon fought with the man, wondering what exactly he was trying to proof, he was the same one who ordered for me to be lured away from the court so he could win the case, and how he was here acting like the hero?I couldn’t hold it, I couldn’t hold back my anger, just who does he think he is to behave this way? Does he think he can treat me like a play thing? I was sure that he must have won the case, the case must have gone the way he wants it to go and now he has the custody of the kids, that is why he is here to save me out of pity.I shook my head, I just couldn’t deal with him and his games anymore. I watched as he pinned the man to the wall and was about to stab him with the broken piece of vase in his hand, but I rushed there and grabbed his hand, stopping him.I had to be careful, he might hurt the man and even pin it on me later, I couldn’t trust anyone, especially not him after what he has done.I believed that he would
Chapter Fifty-fourThe FeelingMaxon’s POVAll things seemed to stop as soon as our lips met, the wolf in me surged for control, but I pushed it back, we could only do anything if she wants it.I deepened the kiss since she didn’t stop me, she probably wanted it as much as I did.My hand moved from her cheeks and on to her back, moving to and for as I made sure I left a trace and my touch on each of her body.I leaned closer and she began to go down on the bed, giving me more space to do what I wanted to do.She made a throaty sound and seemed to murmur in my mouth, but I still didn’t break the kiss, I rather deepened it, taking her lips into mine and rolling my tongue against hers.Her succulent and strawberry sweet lips were the best, and I couldn’t ignore the fact that I missed her, and I wanted more of her body.The fact that I was always unsure about the way she felt always pushed be back from her, but now? We were there on the bed, kissing and caressing each other, never to sto
Chapter Fifty-fourA Ray Of HopeMaxon's POV"I don't want to go, I want to stay here!" Amara screamed, tears rolling down her eyes as she held my legs firmly.I didn't know what to say or do, if I should console her and tell her to go with her mother, or I should keep her with me just like I wanted. Wouldn't it prove all Sophie was saying right if I kept her with me and didn't let her go with her mom? Wouldn't she think I was playing the kids into staying with me.Sophie walked to us and grabbed Amara's hand,but she still held my leg with her other hand tightly, "We have to leave, we can't stay here any longer, okay?"Amara shook her head, "No! I want to stay here!" She cried out.I hate to see my kids cry, but I didn't know what to do, I didn't know how I was supposed to stop her from crying and follow her mom, or how to tell Sophie to let the kids stay back with me, I didn't what her to think something else.As much as I wanted my kids with me, I wouldn't want to disrupt more the a
Chapter Fifty-sixThe HearingSophie’s POVIt was a new day, the day of the hearing, the day that would decide if I would still have my kids with me or watch Maxon take them away from me.I didn’t have what it takes, I didn’t have all it takes to fight against him, but I still wanted to try my best, to fight against him with all that I had for the custody of my kids.I stood right in front of courtroom, staring at the emblem of justice at the center of the court compound, wondering if I would really get justice at the end of the day or be cheated because I didn’t have the resources to fight back.I wished all these never happened and i wouldn’t have to be fighting for my kids with the fear that I might lose them. Maxon was and would always be responsible for all these, he was the problem and he would always be.If he had just listened years ago, if he had just given me the chance to speak and explain myself, all these wouldn’t have happened, we wouldn’t be in this situation.But now,
Chapter Eighty-eightFinal ChapterThe Coronation CeremonySophie’s POV“Please walk down for the final round of the walk-of-ties.”Maxon looked at me, smiling brightly under his Royal hat; the red and blue suede Royal garment which he wore looked so perfect on him.“Shall we?” He asked, stretching out his hand.I took it with a smile, holding up my long red ball gown with my other hand. “Yes.” I grinned.Looking down at our kids on either side of the long red rug that led to the throne, my heart fluttered with so much happiness, I couldn’t be more proud. It had been a few weeks since we got back to this world, and even though I was scared to come back with Maxon at first, it has been the best decision I made.After the confrontation with his mom and the blast at the hospital, Maxon was lucky to have been thrown out of the hospital by the force of the blast; he sustained some injuries which healed in no time after his wolf came back to action.Asher had finally recovered too, even th
Chapter Eighty-sixThe Last FightMaxon’s POVWe were back to where it all started again. The car, which carried us, drove into the palace, and as the door people, a long line of guards marched towards us, saluting as I stepped out of the car.“You are welcome back, your highness.” They all bowed.I smiled; it felt really good to be back, and better because I had Sophie and my kids with me. That feeling of loneliness and emptiness was no longer there. I carried Asher in my arms, his leg still having a cast around it; the doctor had said it would take a few more weeks before he gets fully recovered.The guards formed two lines and kept us in the middle as we walked into the palace. Everyone around was wearing black from head to toe, to pay respect to my father who just passed on.I headed directly for the courtroom, where I was sure my mom would be.“Mother!” I called as I saw her from afar.A big smile fell on her face. “My son!” She murmured. “How long has it been? It feels like eter
Chapter Eighty-fiveMaking Up With My MateMaxon’s POV“You’re not completely healed yet, but since you said you want to leave now, we have no other choice than to let you go,” the doctor said to me.I nodded at him with a smile. “Thank you, thank you so much for your help.”“You shouldn’t be thanking me because I only did my job as a doctor; you should thank the heavens for making this surgery a success.”I had lost all hope that I was going to live, but after I saw Sophie in that condition battling for her life, I got scared of dying and leaving everything behind. Even though I had planned to leave it all behind before, I didn’t want to die.“I’m glad you made the right decision; this just shows that even when it is a 0.5% survival rate, a miracle can happen.”I nodded at the doctor and took a quick glance at my watch; I was running late. “Thanks for everything, doctor; I will take my leave now.”“Sure. Make sure you take the drugs as I have instructed and always go for the checkup
Chapter Eighty-fourThe LetterSophie’s POVMy head banged as the light shone into my eyes; I closed my eyes back and remained in the bed. My whole body felt so heavy; it felt as though the most weight was suspended around my left shoulder and down to my arm.I tried once again, turning away from the ray of life this time, and I saw Rose, sitting beside me.I closed my eyes one more time as I tried to recollect all that had happened, where I was, and what led to me being hospitalized.It took a few minutes for me to remember it all; my heart skipped when I remembered I took the bullet for Maxon.“Rose!” I called.“You are up!” She jumped up on her feet and held my hand. “Thank goodness, I was so scared, I thought I would lose you?”“It isn’t that fatal; I was just out for some hours.” I murmured. She smiled at me.“Hours?” She chuckled and looked at her wristwatch. “Some hours more will make it a week that you’ve been out.”My eyes bulged out, “a week?” I asked, fumbling to sit up on
Chapter Eight-threeThere, It Ends.Maxon’s POV"Charge it to 250 joules!" The doctor instructed and rubbed the surface of the defibrillator against each other before charging Sophie with it.I could no longer watch; I staggered back, staring blankly in horror. Why did this have to happen? Why does she have to go through all of this because of me? Why is she always at the receiving end of it?"What will happen to our mom? Will she be fine?" Amara asked, tears rolling down her eyes.I fell beside her and pulled her closer to myself; I wasn't sure of what to say to them, I wasn't sure of how to assure them. Sophie was there battling between life and death, and I was the reason for that; it was all because of me. My heart shattered, my body trembled as I forced my tears back, trying hard to act normal in the presence of the kids."Make way! Make way!" I heard the loud voice and quickly jumped up, pulling the kids away from the way.I saw the nurses pushing Sophie out of the ward room on
Chapter Eighty-threeThe TruthMaxon’s POVSophie and I stood steps away from the uncompleted building the map directed us to, but I wasn’t sure if that was the exact location we were coming to.“Are you sure we didn’t miss the way?” Sophie asked.I nodded at her. “The map directed us to this place.” I looked around. “They should be somewhere here, the building, maybe.”Just when we were still talking, Sophie’s phone rang again, it was from the same private number as before.She picked it and put it on speaker. “Look at the building in front of you, tell him to come with the money to the building.” The man said and dropped the call.Sophie’s face dropped, her hands shook as she held mine. “Please promise me that you will be fine, please promise to come back with the kids safely.”I smiled faintly and nodded at her. “I will bring the kids back, no matter what.” I pulled her hand away from mine slowly and picked up the bag which contained the money from the car before heading towards th
Chapter Eighty-twoThe KidnapMaxon’s POVI turned off the light in my room, moved on to the hallway, and turned it off, down to the main room, the last place. I looked around; I had spent my life there since the last five years, I had been there with sadness and emptiness, and just the moment when I was supposed to enjoy the warm and happiness of being with my kids, I had to let them go so they wouldn’t be in danger.It’s been a week since I forced Sophie and the kids out of my life, for the best reason. It had been hell since then; I tried so much to avoid her in the company; I couldn’t deal with it. I had never known happiness since I came to this world; it changed a bit when I saw Sophie again, and I got the happiness I needed when I found out about my kids and got to claim them as mine, but now, I was losing all of that happiness again.It would be better to keep them away and know that they’re doing well than to keep them close to me and have them in danger.I sighed, taking my
Chapter Eight-oneThe Real Culprit Maxon’s POV“I have said this before, and I will say it again. I know nothing about this; I have never stolen anyone’s idea and I will never do that! Never!”“You can keep going on and on with that, but we have the evidence against you.” The officer lashed at me. “It will be better to own up to your mistakes and crime now before it is too late.”Own up to my mistake? That sounded familiar; I had heard it before.From Leo, he had told me to pen up to my mistakes too. Were the heavens trying to punish me? Am I being punished for the mistakes I made already? I shook my head. “You have to believe me, officer. I do not know anything about all these; I didn’t steal this idea, it is mine!” “Well, the...”He stopped when the door came, and another officer walked in. He got to him and whispered in his ears before leaving.“I’ll be right back,” the officer said and walked out.I sighed and buried my face in my palms; who could have done this to me? Who coul
Chapter EightyFinding The TruthSophie’s POVI wasn’t sure of what to do; there must be a mix-up somewhere. Maxon would never steal someone else’s idea; he would never do such a thing.I wandered around the hallway, going back and forth with my mind racing. I wasn’t sure where to go next.He had given me the project, and he even lost the contract he was working on because of me. Now he was getting arrested for stealing that same idea. What the officer said struck me again, that I must have been the one who leaked it, and I was sure Maxon must be thinking the same thing.I shook my head; it wasn’t the time to start brooding. I had to take actions. I rushed back to my space, grabbed my bag, and rushed into his office to pick up the car keys.I rushed back out and headed down; I had to go see him first to talk to him, maybe he was the one who did the mix-up.Maybe he mixed up the project with another one, or he mistakenly leaked it because I was sure the mistake wasn’t from my end. The