Cassidy's heart was heavy with sorrow as she gazed at her brother, motionless in the hospital bed. Two weeks had passed, yet there was still no sign of improvement in Adrian's condition. The doctors were even beginning to express their doubts about his recovery. Although Adrian continued to breathe beneath the oxygen mask, hope was rapidly dwindling. They were all perturbed including Cassidy, who sat by his side, gently stroking his face. She inwardly shared in the collective anxiety that filled the room."Fight this, Adrian. Please, we need you. Come back to us," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion and tears of anguish brimming in her eyes. The pain of watching her only brother in such a vulnerable state was unbearable. Cassidy wished she could swap places with him if it would mean reviving him, but that was impossible. In her desperation to help Adrian, she resolved to seek vengeance. Hayley had to pay for the pain she had caused. It infuriated Cassidy to know that Hayle
Clara's expression darkened as a familiar thought crossed her mind. At the same time, Cassidy felt a surge of irritation as she re-read the note.In bold letters, it proclaimed: **"DO NOT HARM HAYLEY. OR I SHALL ENSURE YOU NEVER SEE YOUR BROTHER AGAIN."Cassidy was stunned, grappling with the fact that someone was using Adrian against her. Who was this person? How dare they threaten her?A sudden realization hit Clara, and she exclaimed, "L! I think she’s Hayley’s other enemy. Do you remember the note from a few days ago?" She asked eagerly, turning to Cassidy.Cassidy furrowed her brow, recalling the tense encounter with Hayley the other day when Hayley had accused her of sending her threat notes. It finally dawned on her that it was indeed Hayley’s adversary who had sent this note."I do remember the note, but that doesn’t give this bitch the right to blackmail me with my brother's life," Cassidy retorted, her annoyance palpable.Clara quickly pulled a chair closer, sitting down bef
Wendy had already arrived in Kleeton City the day prior, and she was currently having dinner at the dining table and discussing pressing matters with her ally, Lillian Lopez. "Have you sent out the warning?" Wendy inquired, taking a few sips from her glass as Lillian made to reply. She nodded curtly. "I already did. I just hope she would heed my advice and leave Hayley alone. I heard she's as stubborn as a goat, and given she hates Hayley more than anything, I'm worried she might not be convinced." Lily replied, referring to Adrian's sister, Cassidy. Wendy chuckled at her remark heartily, shaking her head in amusement as she gazed at Lillian. "Oh, Lily. How it feels to work with you again after so many years. Well done..." She rolled her eyes in a sass manner, cutting her steak as she replied curtly. "I am not enjoying any of this, Wendy. Can we get this over with already and return home? This place isn't for me at all and I miss my son." Wendy pouted. "Come on, Lily, there's no n
**Thirty-three years ago**It was a radiant and sunny day, the perfect backdrop for the occasion that was about to take place in the next two hours. A mix of excitement and anxiety filled the air as the young woman stood before the dressing mirror, preparing for the day she had long envisioned. It was the day she'd been dreaming of for a while now. She had given up everything just to make this a success, including sacrificing her family's inheritance just so she could marry the man she was in love with. Despite her parents' vehement objections to the marriage, Wendy Salvador remained resolute in her decision, unwilling to heed their warnings.Having been raised to follow her heart, Wendy was determined to pursue her desires, regardless of the sacrifices she had made along the way. For her, it was all worthwhile for her fiancé, Owen McKenna. At just twenty-five years old, Wendy had set aside her own aspirations for a love she deeply believed in. A man she was hellbent on marrying. His
The moment had arrived for the couple to make their entrance down the aisle. With no parents present to accompany her, Elsa took it upon herself to escort Wendy to the altar after Wendy's pleas. Though Elsa still believed the whole thing was ridiculous, she didn't want to abandon her friend on her special day. As they walked arm in arm, the attention of the entire assembly shifted to them, causing a wave of anxiety to churn in Wendy's stomach. She had not anticipated such a large crowd when she extended the invitations. Though her gaze remained fixed ahead, she could sense the scrutinizing stares of her rivals, Thelma and Kristine, who watched her with disbelief and disdain, unable to believe that she was about to marry one of Clasold City's most eligible and attractive millionaire bachelors, Owen McKenna. McKenna was the man of many ladies' dreams, and Wendy couldn't contain her joy that she was the one getting married to him. Wendy's external expression exuded happiness and excitem
"Face it, Wendy. It's over. I warned you from the start. I knew this was going to happen," Elsa snapped as Wendy prepared to leave for Owen's.Without sparing her a glance, Wendy shook her head vehemently, her face flooded with tears as she replied. "No, no, it's not. It can't be.""Wendy, please listen to me. What the hell has come over you?" Elsa bit out in frustration, rising from her bed and making her way towards Wendy, who remained focused as she searched for the right outfit in her closet.Though tears had blurred her vision and she could barely grasp anything, Wendy wanted to believe she was fine."Wendy, come on," Elsa implored as she stood beside her. When she got no response from Wendy, she tried tapping her gently for her attention but that was when Wendy lost her cool."Leave me alone!" Wendy exclaimed, startling Elsa as she staggered back in bewilderment. Breathing heavily, Wendy turned to face her. "Don't touch me, this is all your fault." She sobbed.Her words pulled E
"I had been so humiliated that night," Wendy recounted as she reeled back from flashback. "I had no idea that one of the... I mean two of my adversaries had followed me that night to Owen's place.""What?" Lillian gasped in shock."Yeah. They recorded everything that transpired that night and also uploaded it on the Internet, branding me as 'A desperate and deranged bride'." Wendy swallowed, her jaws clenching tight as she added. "I begged Owen to help me rectify everything. With his influence and connections, he had the power to remove those posts if he wanted to. But he declined my request. He told me..." Wendy hesitated, taking a shaky breath."He told you what, Wendy?" Lillian implored, eager to sate her curiosity.Wendy swallowed hard before continuing. "He told me that was my punishment for my foolish actions. He said that to me. He also told me he never wanted to see me around him again. He threatened me,""My gosh, how could he be so heartless? I know what you did was wrong,
Hayley felt a wave of emotions wash over her as she gazed at the stunning diamond necklace in her hands, recalling the moment Adrian had gifted it to her as a token of his appreciation for her presence in his life. A tear slipped down her cheek as she remembered her promise to Adrian to always wear the jewelry. Yet, the thought of doing so felt impossible after everything that had transpired, especially with Adrian still in a coma.Although Hayley was supposed filled with elation as it was finally time for her to depart for the artists' program, joy eluded her. This wasn't the way she had envisioned her departure to be. Adrian was supposed to be the one who drove her to the airport and bid her goodbye, but now such dreams lay in ruins for Hayley as Adrian was still lying in the hospital, motionless and battling for his life.With a heavy heart, Hayley sank onto her bed, pressing the necklace gently against her chest. Tears streamed down her face as she closed her eyes, replaying her l
ONE MONTH LATER.[Court in Session.]"With this compelling evidence provided, I find it incumbent that you both witness the insides of a prison cell for fifty years, Mrs. Wendy Forbes and Miss Lillian Lopez. You both are hereby sentenced to fifty years in prison, for the crimes of attempted murder and kidnapping. Sentence to be executed immediately," The prosecutor and judge delivered the verdict, her tone unwavering. She was a ruthless prosecutor, one who had zero tolerance for convicts. As the prosecutor, Alexa McKanne made to return to her seat, she halted in her tracks as a shrill noise pierced through the courtroom."Nooo!!" Lilian emitted a heart-wrenching cry, her sharp voice reverberating throughout the courtroom and catching the attention of everyone present.The gathering erupted in murmurs, prompting the judge to call for silence.Meanwhile, Hayley, who was seated next to Leonardo across from Lillian and Wendy, caught Lillian's glare filled with contempt. Despite the palpab
A brief wave of disbelief washed over Leonardo as he stared at Hayley in astonishment. "What?" he blurted out absentmindedly, a hint of excitement seeping into his voice.Hayley felt a blush rise to her cheeks as she observed his reaction, realizing this was the first time she had seen his response to her pregnancy news."Are you serious, baby?" Leonardo asked, his eagerness palpable as his gaze shifted to Hayley's abdomen, contemplating whether she was teasing him or if she truly meant it.A genuine smile spread across Hayley's face as she rolled her eyes at his question. "Yeah, duh...""Mi reina!" Leonardo exclaimed, a surge of pure excitement bubbling within him. He could hardly fathom it. His joy was boundless as he reached for Hayley's hand, holding it gently.Hayley reveled in his excitement, her eyes filled with affection as he began to speak."Hayley Forbes..."She interrupted him, shaking her head playfully. "No, it’s Nina or Hazel now. I can't go by that name anymore, Leona
Hayley hurried with overwhelming joy and excitement toward Leonardo's room, with Daisy beside her. Her elation was palpable as she realized that Leonardo was awake; she could hardly contain her eagerness to see him. At the same time, Leonardo engaged in conversation with his brother, Lorenzo, who had remained by his side since the women had departed an hour earlier following his awakening. Leonardo had undoubtedly been taken aback to see his family upon waking. However, his initial surprise gradually shifted to confusion when he noticed the absence of both his woman and daughter. However, they had reassured him that Hayley had stepped out briefly and would return shortly, while Daisy was in another room with Rosalie and Emily. With this information, his anxious heart began to settle as he accepted their reassuring words. After a further thirty minutes had elapsed without Hayley's return, Leonardo's concern began to intensify. Unable to contain himself, he called out to Lorenzo, who
.Hayley returned to the hospital after delivering the lawsuit documents to the wardress at Wendy's prison. Approximately an hour prior, the prosecutor, Alexa, who was overseeing Hayley's case, had provided her with the papers following their meeting. Hayley then drove to the prison, where Wendy and Lillian were incarcerated, and handed the documents to the wardress, choosing not to visit any of them. That was the least of her concerns; her only interest in seeing them was during the court proceedings, where the judge would render his final decision. With a sigh of frustration, Hayley pulled herself back to the present as she made a right turn onto the highway, heading towards the hospital. She recalled that the love of her life remained unconscious when she left earlier, and a wave of anxiety washed over her as she wondered if he had awakened from the coma. Thoughts of Leonardo tightened around her heart, causing her anguish. Hayley eventually regained composure as she caught sight
Wendy collapsed on the ground, her head buried in her palms as she absorbed the news of Alison's sudden accident. It hit her like a thunderbolt, shattering her heart into pieces. Her daughter had been involved in an accident and according to what the wardress had mentioned, Alison had also fallen in a coma after the incident. Wendy swallowed, her face flooded with tears. Her heart ached painfully as she grappled with the reality. How could this be? How did this happen? She felt a pang of guilt constrict her heart tightly, knowing she was mostly responsible for the unfortunate circumstance that had befallen her daughter. If she hadn't gotten herself in trouble in the first place, none of this would have happened. With that, her cries intensified as she remained on the ground. "I'm very sorry, ma'am," The wardress tried to sympathize, her tone laden with pity. But that did little to console Wendy, whose thoughts were all over the place. Meanwhile, Lillian had also been shocked upon he
"What are you saying? He has a guardian! You can't take that action."Lillian's heart raced with anxiety as she absorbed the unsettling information relayed to her over the phone. Despite her efforts to maintain her composure, her hand trembled slightly as it pressed the receiver to her ear. Beads of sweat began to form on her temples, and her anger flared as the caller finished her statement.Her grip on the phone tightened, and Lillian shot back, her frustration palpable. "What do you mean by that? You can't do that! He has a mother! I am his mother!"She fell silent as the caller replied, a response that clearly unsettled her. Lillian started again. "Listen, you cannot do this to me. Ethan is my son. I’ll be out of here very soon. Just be patient, please." Lillian pleaded, a tear streaming down her cheek that she quickly brushed away.She listened closely to the caller's words until the line beeped, indicating the call had ended.Her heart shattered, and fresh tears flowed down her
Hayley headed out of the hospital as soon as she received the news about Freya's capture. Right after Lillian was apprehended, she had instructed an officer of the law to discreetly conduct a search for Freya, ensuring that she returned to the city in one piece so she could serve her fair punishment for her actions. Hayley was quite surprised by the speed of the development, however, that was the least of her concerns at that moment. A blend of satisfaction and annoyance brimmed within her as she headed out to the awaiting car, parked in the hospital lot. She had nearly forgotten Emily was trailing behind her until Emily's voice sailed into her ears, pulling Hayley from her thoughts. "Where are you going, Hayley? Who was it on the phone?" Emily pressed, her tone filled with concern. Realizing she hadn't shared the news with her, Hayley stopped midway and turned to Emily in an attempt to placate her confusion. "I'll be right back, Em. I need you to stay behind and watch my mother a
Hayley made her way to the restroom section of the hospital and leaned against the door once she stepped inside. Her heart raced, stirred by memories of her confrontation with Clara.Painful tears stung her eyes despite her efforts to remain composed and resolute. She felt she didn't deserve to cry. If anyone ought to shed tears, it should be Clara, not herself. She hadn't done anything wrong.With this resolve, Hayley sniffled back her emotions, wiping away her tears with the back of her hand before heading towards the sink to wash her face. She stared at her reflection in the mirror afterward, her chest heaving. She drew in a deep breath and exhaled before further questioning herself if she had been too harsh on Clara or if she truly deserved what she got from her. Her thoughts were disrupted as the door to the bathroom swung open, startling Hayley. Without moving an inch, Hayley caught a glimpse of the person who had just walked in through the mirror and saw it was Emily."Hey, ar
Meanwhile, Clara watched in silence as she absorbed the affectionate scene unfolding before her. Occasionally, her gaze would trail from the newfound couple to Hayley, who watched with enthusiasm and joy. Clara felt her heart pricked painfully, once again remembering that she and Hayley were no longer friends. And it was all her fault. She literally betrayed Hayley. Abandoned her when she needed her the most and turned her back to her in her times of trial and peril. She wondered if Hayley was ever going to forgive her for her actions.Sure, she had only acted out because she didn't like the way Hayley's deception affected Adrian. But recognizing Hayley's other predicament with Wendy and Lillian, she had now come to understand why Hayley had lied to them about her identity in the first place. She was obviously running from something and just didn't want to get entangled with her past again. It was unfortunate that Leonardo had just shown up to thwart those plans of Hayley.Reflecting