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"Leonardo, do you realize the gravity of what you've done? That was way too extreme, dude." Ivy stated firmly, clearly upset by Leonardo's recent actions at the press conference. "In trying to protect one, you profoundly hurt another."Leonardo had just returned to his home study after a hectic day at the office. He had a meeting with Massimo earlier, and with his board of executives as well. They were all pleased by his bold actions, well, except Ivy, whose concern for Hayley was palpable."Do you realize the dangers she'll face now after this? You think Lillian is going to be cool with this...?" Ivy was halted."I really don't care, Ivy!" Leonardo snapped, his frustration mounting as his eyes darted toward Ivy's.Locking eyes with Leonardo, Ivy fell silent for a moment, allowing him to express himself.Leonardo persisted resolutely. "Lillian deserved it. I warned her, not once, not twice... I don't care what happens to her. She dug this for herself... It's on her, I don't care." He
On their way back to Leonardo's residence, Ivy broke the stifling silence that had settled within them ever since they departed from the Anderson's Family house. "I honestly didn't expect you to do that, Leonardo. That was incredibly bold of you. I'm impressed, not going to lie..." Ivy remarked, her attention shifting to Leonardo, whose focus remained on the road ahead."It was a tough choice," he replied flatly, a pang of hurt piercing his chest. He swallowed hard before continuing, "But I followed your advice. I believed it was the right decision."She nodded. "It really was. I'm glad you prioritized your family," Ivy said with a warm smile. "It's only a matter of time before things fall back to the way it used to be. Everything will be fine, I'm happy for you.""I didn’t do it for Hayley, you know." Leonardo started as he made a right turn on the road. "I did it for myself...""Really?" Ivy’s voice held a note of surprise as she glanced at him."Yes. I'm exhausted by the constant
"Oh my goodness, I can hardly believe this, Hayley. Rosalie is actually your biological mother?" Emily's astonished voice resonated through the phone, catching Hayley off guard. A smile spread across Hayley's face as she absorbed Emily's reaction. While she couldn't see her friend's expression, she could vividly imagine the shock washing over her. With a genuine smile, Hayley responded, shrugging like Emily could see her. "I was just as surprised as you are right now." "This is such an incredible twist! I still can't wrap my head around it..." Emily said, her tone softening. "I’m truly happy for you, Hayley. Like, genuinely thrilled and amazed. Who would have thought that that woman would turn out to be your mother? This is so awesome..." "For real, Em." Hayley sighed, running her fingers through her hair. "I was taken aback at first, but I've come to terms with it now. Rosalie is truly a wonderful woman, even before I learned she was my mother. I feel so fortunate, I can't lie."
"What? I’m pregnant?" Hayley exclaimed in disbelief, her thoughts a whirlwind of confusion. "How? How could this happen?" She questioned absentmindedly, wracking her brain for answers to her question until she finally recalled she had unprotected sex with Leonardo a few weeks ago before the whole situation started. Ignoring Hayley's shocked reaction, the nurse interjected, "I’ll prescribe some medication for you. You’ll be alright, Miss Catersville. Just be cautious about what you consume for the sake of your unborn child." She offered a reassuring smile. When Hayley remained silent, still engulfed in her thoughts, the nurse called out again, "Miss, are you alright?" She asked, her words drawing Hayley's attention. Hayley gently shook her head as she regained her focus, attempting to steady herself, but her mind was still heavy with anxiety and doubt. The overwhelming news of her pregnancy was disorienting, especially considering the nurse had initially mentioned something about fo
Lillian leaned back in her seat, impatiently awaiting Wendy’s conclusion to her phone call when the news of Hayley’s pregnancy hit her like a bolt of lightning. Her heart raced, prompting her to turn abruptly toward Wendy, who mirrored her shocked expression, her phone pressed to her ear. Lillian's brows furrowed her in deep confusion but Wendy could only shrug as she was still on the phone. Averting her gaze, Wendy exhaled heavily, rubbing her forehead as her frustration mounted. How was Hayley pregnant for the second time? How could this be? She had thought the first time Hayley had gotten pregnant six years ago, was by a miracle as she was the one responsible for Hayley's infertility during her marriage. The doctor Wendy had bought the infertility tonic she always gave Hayley before now had assured her that the victim could never get pregnant no matter what as the tonic was meant to damage her womb. So how was this possible? How was Hayley pregnant again? Wendy's heart twisted wi
Cassidy was engulfed in frustration as she replayed the news clip of Leonardo from two days prior. She had been puzzled about Hayley’s unexpected exoneration, especially since Hayley had faded from public interest. Clara had clarified the situation, explaining how Leonardo had stepped in to defend Hayley and had publicly cleared her name during a press conference.Seated in one of the hospital chairs, Cassidy’s irritation and annoyance was palpable at the change of circumstances. Regardless, She silently watched the video until her patience snapped.“Damn it!” she exclaimed, startling Clara, who was busy arranging their lunch on the table.Clara paused, turning to Cassidy with a look of bewilderment. “What is it, Cass?” she asked gently, but Cassidy responded only with silence.Seething with rage, Cassidy rose to her feet, slipping her phone into her pocket as she walked over to Adrian's bedside. Gently taking his hand, her heart ached as she focused her gaze on him.Clara observed he
"Nina Catersville? I've never heard of that name before..."Adrian's response left Clara and Cassidy in a state of shock, their expressions reflecting their confusion as they stared at him in astonishment.Recognizing the bewilderment on his face, they realized he was genuinely unaware of who Hayley was, without any hint of pretentiousness. And this fazed them the more as they couldn't comprehend his expression.Cassidy recoiled, her brow furrowing in deep confusion, before she turned to Clara, exchanging bewildered looks with her.Clara’s expression mirrored her own confusion. They had not anticipated this reaction from Adrian upon waking; his behavior was unsettling, leaving them both perplexed. Shifting her focus back to Adrian, Cassidy looked into his naive emerald eyes, which seemed devoid of clarity.After a moment of silence, Adrian spoke up, shattering the tension that had settled within them. "Who is she, Cass? You look confused about my lack of knowledge. Both of you seem
Hayley emerged from the bathroom after her morning bath, making her way back to her room. As she approached the dressing mirror, she noticed that Anna had quietly left, leaving her enveloped in an unexpected sense of solitude. She wondered where Anna had gone this time around. Nonetheless, she exhaled heavily, redirecting her gaze.Taking a seat on the stool in front of the mirror, Hayley gazed at her reflection, her thoughts swirling in a chaotic dance as she drifted into contemplation.The recent events surrounding her had begun to weigh heavily on her mind, and Hayley found herself growing increasingly suspicious every time. While she couldn't identify the exact cause, there was a disconcerting energy emanating from Anna that unsettled her. She couldn't tell if it was the uncanny phone calls that Anna often received during their time together, which she had never answered in Hayley's presence. Moreover, Anna frequently crafted excuses to avoid taking those calls whenever Hayley was
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