The ringing of the phone abruptly stopped as Lillian's sharp voice cut through to Leonardo."What do you want?" She demanded.Leonardo's jaw tightened, his eyes burning with rage at the sound of her voice. "Are you out of your mind, Lillian? I thought I was clear last time. Where is my daughter?" He snapped."You have no right to raise your voice at me, Leonardo," Lillian shot back. "I’m the one in control here. What you should be doing is apologizing and asking what I want from you in exchange for your daughter."Leonardo glanced at Elliot, his eyebrows raised in inquiry. Elliot met his gaze and gave a thumbs-up, silently encouraging him as he continued to work on the computer.Leonardo turned his attention back to Lillian, determined to extend the conversation. However, he remained resolute in his refusal to apologize, convinced she had received exactly what she deserved from him."You know, Lillian, I've been wondering where you get your audacity. How dare you abduct my child?" He
Hayley finally returned to her apartment in Kleeton City after spending hours in transit with Rosalie and Emily. As soon as they entered the house, she hurried to her daughter's room, dreading the confirmation of her worst fears. As she stepped inside, it was obvious that Daisy was missing, just as she had anticipated. Faced with a lonely presence, she halted in her tracks, her heart breaking. Tears welled in Hayley's eyes, her heart heavy with sorrow as she approached her toddler's closet. Her hand trembled as she reached for the space that held her child's clothing. She pulled out one of Daisy's favorite jackets, a gift from her fourth birthday celebration. Bringing the fabric close to her face, she wept openly, clutching the cloth as if it could bring her daughter back. The stark reality of her daughter's absence hit Hayley hard, shattering her heart. Until that moment, she had not fully grasped the depth of what had happened. "I'm so sorry, my baby," Hayley whispered through her
Hayley stood momentarily stunned, processing the astonishing news of her newfound wealth. It was almost beyond her comprehension. She could hardly believe it."You are now a multi-millionaire," Rosalie's words reverberated in her mind, as the world around her began to blur."Am I really a multi-millionaire?" she pondered silently, skepticism creeping into her thoughts."Hayley! Hayley!" Emily's voice broke through her daze, prompting her to blink rapidly and shake off the confusion.Turning towards the two women before her, she saw their faces alight with joy."I am so happy for you, Hayley! You did it! You did it!" Emily exclaimed, her eyes brimming with tears as she enveloped Hayley in a warm embrace.Despite her lingering shock, Hayley returned the hug, wrapping her arms around Emily in gratitude.Watching the heartfelt exchange, Rosalie wore a broad smile, feeling like the proudest mother in the world. She marveled at Hayley's talent and intelligence, reflecting on how fortunate s
"Where is Luca's restaurant, and do you have any idea why she would want to meet there?" Rosalie inquired, directing her question toward Hayley. Lost in her thoughts, Hayley shook her head. "No. I have no idea, Mom. Luca's restaurant is located in the center of the City, just a few miles from here. I think I'd be safe if I went.." "You can't go, mi reina," Leonardo interjected, his tone heavy with concern. "I have to, Leonardo. You heard what she said," Hayley replied, turning to face him. Leonardo shook his head vehemently. "There's no way you're seriously considering this..." "What choice do I have?" She corked her brows at him. "She's your foster mother, remember? She's crazier than Lillian. I didn't even realize she was Lillian's accomplice until now. Please, baby, I can't risk your safety. Wendy is too dangerous. I wouldn't know what to do if anything happened to you, mi reina. Please," he pleaded, his eyes filled with worry. Seeing the fear in his gaze, Hayley felt a warmt
Wendy fell silent for a few seconds, her brows deepened in a frown as she grappled with her inner thoughts. She wondered if she had heard Rosalie clearly the first time. Rosalie hadn't mentioned Hayley's name, so she may be talking about someone else. There was no way she might have found out about Hayley.Swallowing the lump that had formed in her throat, Wendy regained composure and her expression turned stoic as she turned to Rosalie. "I don't know what you're talking about, Rosalie. But I suggest you leave. I have a guest coming in soon." She said resolutely.Rosalie watched her intently, amusement dancing in her eyes as she couldn't believe the woman. Was she seriously trying to pretend like she didn't know about Hayley? Or was it that Wendy took her for a clown?"You can lie and pretend all you want, Wendy, but Hayley is not coming. You do know Hayley is my daughter, don't you?" She replied derisively.It was only then that realization fully dawned on Wendy, instinctively causin
Wendy felt her heart drop as the weight of Rosalie's words hit her. Stunned to silence, she fixated her gaze on Rosalie, disbelief coursing through her as her pulse quickened. As she locked eyes with Rosalie's smug expression, her heart twisted with despair even further. How could this be? Quickly diverting her gaze, Wendy scanned the room, hoping to find any signs that would validate or refute Rosalie's claims. To her astonishment, she noticed that very few or no persons in the restaurant resembled law enforcement. Only a handful of couples occupied the far side of the room, leaving Wendy puzzled. She couldn't fathom what was happening. If Rosalie had claimed she was surrounded, then how come no cops were in the room with them? Was Rosalie deceiving her? She questioned inwardly, her racing her heart slowly calming. Perhaps this was merely a ploy from Rosalie to instill fear in her.With that thought, Wendy scoffed, redirecting her attention back to Rosalie. "You certainly have a se
"Baby, are you certain it's alright for you to join me? I mean, I'll be okay if you say you can't. Please, baby, I don't know what I'd do if..." Leonardo inquired, his concern evident in his tone. He struggled to express his apprehensions when Hayley gently interrupted him, cutting him off."Hey, Hey, it's okay," she reassured him, cradling his face as she gazed into his eyes. Leonardo felt the intensity of her gaze. "I’ll be fine, I promise. We’ll get through this together; you don’t need to worry about me.""But I still have my doubts, mi reina," he replied in a concerned whisper."I appreciate your concern, Leonardo, and I love that you care about me. But I'm reassuring you now that everything will be alright. And I'm coming with you. Daisy is my daughter too," she said, her flickering between his but Leonardo simply exhaled softly."We'll get through this together, okay?" She added before lifting herself slightly to kiss his lips softly. Just as she began to pull away, Leonardo t
Wendy scrutinized Rosalie intently as she continued yapping about her. She had already anticipated Rosalie's every action and was merely biding her time for the perfect opportunity to make her own move. The need to escape surged within her. Wendy was acutely aware of an unobtrusive exit in the restaurant that could facilitate her escape without attracting the attention of the cops. However, she sensed the scrutiny of the officers observing her from a distance, making her escape seem somewhat implausible. Nonetheless, she remained undeterred. Her need for freedom was paramount, and nothing would stand in her way; not Rosalie, not the police. If it came to it, she was prepared to resort to drastic measures, even if it meant using a firearm in broad daylight. She didn't care anymore."You know, Owen mentioned that you've always had a wild side, but I never imagined it would be like this..." Rosalie's words echoed in Wendy's mind at the mention of her past lover.Annoyance surged within
His tongue danced around her sensitive bud, drawing a soft whimper from Hayley as she tangled her fingers in his hair, tugging at the strands. Her legs were hung over his shoulders as his head remained buried in her core.Hayley gasped for breath as Leonardo traced his tongue along her slit, teasingly reaching her clit, sucking and licking with an intensity that suggested he had everything to lose. "Ah, yes, baby, right there..." Hayley moaned, tilting her head back in ecstasy, her eyes fluttering shut. Despite the air conditioning in Leonardo's room, beads of sweat glistened on her temples, her body ignited with an unquenchable desire."Mm, mm, L-Leonardo," she squirmed beneath him, but his firm grasp held her in place, preventing her from escaping his tantalizing ministrations.He continued to suck and lick until she began to writhe in response, her legs trembling as her climax approached. High-pitched moans escaped her lips as she begged him to continue, but in typical fashion, Le
Hayley covered her mouth in disbelief, instinctively scanning her surroundings to ensure she wasn't just daydreaming. Was the love of her life really bent on his knee at the moment, poised to propose to her? Was this a dream? "Hayley, mi reina," Leonardo called, his voice laden with tenderness yet anxiety. Hayley turned back to face him, her face contorting with a whirlwind of emotions. "Baby... What are you doing?" She asked, her eyes traveling downward once more to admire the ring. It was a stunning and enthralling piece. Leonardo picked up the ring from the box and held it in his hand as he began, his attention solely on her. "Make me the happiest man in the world again, mi reina..." "Leonardo," Hayley muttered, glancing back at him in disbelief. Despite Leonardo's anxiousness, he carried on undeterred. "I've come to realize that you're my destiny, baby. Life has no meaning without you in it. I felt the void when you left before. I never want to be in that darkness again, baby
Hayley gazed down at him, a mix of disbelief and amusement flooding her heart as she met his needy orbs. At times, she found it difficult to comprehend the man before her. But she also couldn't deny the sensations that blazed through her when he grasped her hand gently, pleading with her desperately.At first, she contemplated giving him what he wanted. But eventually, she decided against it as she wanted to bide his time. "No," Hayley responded after a while, her voice unwavering. Leonardo's frown deepened, his heart breaking into pieces upon hearing the word. "No?" He felt like cursing, but he restrained himself.Hayley shrugged. "Yes, Leonardo. No, I won't give you what you want. If you love me, you'd wait." She said firmly.Leonardo shut his eyes, feeling a wave of frustration wash away his earlier arousal. He hated the fact that she was being a pain in the ass at that moment. But ultimately, he knew he had no choice but to comply."Are you going to be good now, baby?" Hayley as
After notifying Emily they would be on their way, Leonardo escorted Hayley outside to his awaiting limousine. He had long set aside his raging desires after Hayley had delivered those heartbreaking words to him earlier. Though he yearned for her, he knew she wouldn't let him do a thing to her till after the date night. The pain of being patient till then was excruciating. Nonetheless, he was willing to wait. Hayley's smile was radiant as she walked gracefully towards the car, paying no mind to the paparazzi that continued capturing the moment with their cameras.Leonardo opened the car door for her and she smiled at him thankfully before climbing inside. He followed suit after she had settled in comfortably. He sat across in the seat across hers.Throughout the ride to the date venue, Leonardo's eyes remained glued to Hayley lustfully. His eyes occasionally traveled from her face to her body, and they would linger there for a moment before he redirected his gaze to her face.Hayley f
A dazzling smile adorned Hayley's face as she styled her wavy hair with a hot comb that evening. Seated before an elegant dressing mirror in her room, she delicately applied light makeup while her body buzzed with excitement in anticipation of her date night with Leonardo. He was due to pick her up in an hour, yet she found herself uncertain about what outfit to wear. Just then, Emily entered the room, cradling Daisy in her arms. Catching sight of Emily's reflection in the mirror, Hayley chuckled as Emily paused, seemingly taken aback by her appearance. "Is that really you, Hayley?" Emily asked skeptically, raising an eyebrow as she stepped closer. Hayley laughed softly, dismissing the compliment with a wave of her hand. "Oh, please, don’t start, Em." "Mommy is beautiful!" Daisy chimed in, her face lighting up with an adorable smile. Hayley's heart melted at the compliment, and she turned to Daisy, responding warmly, "Oh, thank you, baby." She stood to plant a gentle kiss on Dais
While they were working in the prison yard that afternoon, Lillian occasionally stole glances at Wendy, who was positioned a few feet away from her. It had been three days since the court delivered its final verdict. And Lillian could attest to the fact that those days had been the most challenging of her life.They worked like lackeys in the yard, all day. She got bullied by her superiors; sometimes, she was denied dinner. While she had thought initially that she was resilient and could survive the prison life, now she was beginning to doubt her strength. Only three days had passed but it felt as though she had been trapped in there for decades. The relentless suffering felt overwhelming most times. Most distressing of all was the thought that her son would soon be placed in foster care, as she had been unable to secure her release from prison. Her last conversation with Leonardo had not gone well, and she was acutely aware that he would not intervene on Ethan's behalf.Lillian had o
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