"What??!" Diana screamed.Hailey tried to pacify her "I'm.. I'm sorry Stephanie but..but what..what would you have expected Edward to do?""He was madly in love with you and seeing that you had an affair with his sworn enemy and even had his child..he..he made you abort you."Diana gasped "Mom! What are you saying!" she teared up "That was an innocent child!"Hailey also teared up "Diana..that..that is why we have to leave right away.Edward might have got wind of-" she began.However Diana shoved her hands off."Steph-" Hailey wanted to clarify but her phone rang that moment.She stretched her neck and her fear was confirmed.It was Edward."Why are we running mom?""I just told you, Stephanie.Do you still not understand?" Hailey questioned as she gathered their bags again and called the driver who came up immediately."Mother I didn't do anything.I don't even know that man!" Diana tried to explain but Hailey didn't listen."Do you think Edward would believe that?! You should have see
"So what?" Jake stared at Mike in horror,was he trying to play the hero here? "Do we just stand here and wait?""Yes.That's what we'll do.After all ,they can only leave through one way."Jake saw where he was heading.He simply nodded and together they hid behind a huge tree across the road.An hour later,a man with full dark hair stepped out of the building,a cigarette in his hands.Mike quickly alerted Jake.The man was dressed in black outfit.A lose black pant and a shirt with few buttons.A huge tattoo rested on his hands and even a tiny one on his neck.He was followed by five of his men who were also dressed in black.They had a lady in their arms.Her face was covered in a black chute bag and as they pulled her along,it seemed like she is unconscious.Mike looked closely.He easily recognized the tiny wristwatch he'd bought for Lilian sometimes ago.That watch cost nothing.It wasn't expensive but it fitted her wrist perfectly."That's.. that's Lilian!" Mike yelled in horror as he
Only with great difficulty did Mike and Jake track the location of the car.It was parked in a remote area,few miles from where they were.They jumped into the vehicle and hurried towards the warehouse in the remote area.Mike,praying earnestly that they weren't too late.* * *A sneeze brought Diana back to reality.She blinked her eyes severally before she could see her surroundings.Her surrounding looked pretty dark.Her hands were tied behind the chair and her elbows hurt like hell.She sneezed again."It's always you, Diana" the crying voice of Lilian made her look up."What? How.. what's going on?" Diana was confused.The more she struggled with the huge rope tied around her arm,the more it cut through her skin."Ever since I met you,my life has been cursed!" It was then Diana realized that Lilian was also tied to a chair."Lilian" she gasped "How..how did you get here? What's happening?" Diana was surprised.Wasnt it Edward that had her abducted? "Just the same way you did,D
A grotesque look appeared on Stephanie's face as she gently lowered her hand and blood trickled through her hair and down her beautiful face.Diana hurriedly untied Lilian who was still in shock but grateful as they both ran towards the door.However,it was locked.Shit.Diana raced towards Stephanie who was groaning and rolling in pains on the floor.She searched for the keys in her pants and retrieved them.She trembled in fear as she tried to get the correct key.Each time the key turned out to be the wrong one,their heart beat would increase.They both knew that if Stephanie happens to stand on her feet,they would be done for.None of them thought of retrieving the gun from Stephanie's hands and that was their greatest mistake.Fortunately,the door opened on the insertion of the last key.Diana didn't see Stephanie sit up with her face filled with blood.However,Lilian saw.Stephanie unconsciously pointed the gun aimed at no one in particular but Lilian saw that the gun was aimed a
Terrified,Diana didn't know where she was but she could recognize the remote and silent street.She didn't know whether to go left or right.After much decision,she took left and began her lonely journey on the silent and dark street.Tears flowed from her eyes.Stephanie had stuck to her word.She really murdered Lilian! Diana increased her pace,hoping she was going on the right track.Only her body ached,and her hands might never be the same again.Still,she couldn't stop wondering how Stephanie had managed to deceive them all.She must tell this to Edward! However,would he even believe her?Even now,she didn't think she'd ever be able to cancel this deal anymore.She was stuck and the only way out would be to save herself and maybe her unborn child.Diana guessed that Stephanie was doing this only to get revenge.After all,Edward killed her child.What Diana couldn't understand is her own business with this drama.She wasn't the one who forced her child to be killed.Hell,if not for
Edward knew just what to get Hailey distracted.Their car was parked several meters away,not easily noticeable.Edward picked up his phone and called one of his mother's friends who lives around here too.He also guessed she must have been the one to find them a nice house to live in.The instant the latter found out that Hailey was out and in the market she rushed from her house and within minutes,she arrived at the small grocery store.Hailey,upon seeing her friend,and not having the opportunity to thank her for her help,sat down to coffee and toast.They talked about everything and anything."You know what to do" Edward said authoritatively as he handed an ear phone to the driver.The driver nodded and stepped out of the car.He wasn't necessarily dressed up as a chaffuer because Edward had told him not to.Also,Edward has numerous cars and different drivers so Hailey failed to recognize him the moment he stepped up to her."Hello there,ladies." the chaffuer gave a warm smile "It's
Her bruise was getting worse.Maybe because she had done more than enough in hiding it from Hailey Collins.She also decided to apologize to Hailey once she's back.She knew she had acted so weird around her.Few minutes after Diana made sure she'd left,she pulled off the turtle necked gown and wore an armless navy blue gown.She changed the bandage on her wrist after that.It was worse and she needed to see a doctor immediately but Diana didn't want to go out.She doesn't even want anyone to see her.Most of all she wasn't ready to face Edward just yet.Finally accepting to give herself to him still felt like the most huge step she would ever take in her life.So seeing him now wouldn't help.She seemed to have forgotten about Diego Louis.He isn't something she should worry deeply about.However,she still needed to know the truth so someday she might as well meet him and understand things better.After dressing the wound again,she fell asleep for only a few minutes.She hadn't had enou
The entrance machine began to beep just then.Diana hurriedly hid the novel somewhere in between her luggage.The beeping became persistent as she hurried down the stairs.She completely forgot to change her dress back."Hold on,mom.I am coming!" she shouted by the time the beeping became even more persistent.She checked the machine and it showed Hailey's details.She pressed the button and the door below pulled open.Only then did she remember the short and open gown she had on.Because of this,she didn't wait to see who it was.She immediately began to climb the stairs.Edward Collins stepped into the small house.His gaze quickly landed on the slender figure of Diana.He narrowed his eyes and stepped in further,the sole of his shoe making a different kind of noise on the tiled floor.Diana stopped halfway through the stairs.It felt weird.Hailey entered and hasn't said a word to her yet.Considering the period Diana has spent with her she knew that Hailey would always make a comment
The upcoming wedding ceremony of Edward and Diana shutdown the whole Illinois. Everyone was talking about the pre-wedding photos and they all anticipated the wedding day. People were curious where the wedding would take place.A day before the wedding, the location was revealed and half the population were disappointed. It was to take place at the beach and no one knows why sophisticated couples like Edward and Diana chose such a location.No one was as disappointed as high school girls who had lied to their parents the school had organized a trip. A whooping sum was allocated to their accounts and the girls were beyond elated. This is because they had guessed that the wedding would be overseas, possibly Paris, England or even Dubai. So they had duped their parents of a huge amount of money at the expense of being caught and expelled by the school. Despite this huge risk, they were not frightened of the consequences because they would do and give anything to attend Diana and Edward's w
Hailey showed equal surprise. But more than that she was happy and grateful. She had little hope of seeing Diana and also her grandchildren. As she came and stood in front of her, Diana had no idea what to do. She wondered whether to apologize. She didn't know what to expect because during her stay at the mansion, her and Hailey were close enough to pass for mother and daughter. Since she has been away for few months it was only natural to jump into her mother's arms and hug her tightly.Edward kissed her forehead and whispered, "It's the surprise" and then he left them. After a moment of silence, Diana parted her lips and spoke with her head lowered, "I..I don't know if I still have the privilege to call you mother." she lifted her head with tears in her eyes. In order to vindicate herself, she could easily explain that her sister was the mastermind but then again, she wouldn't do that."I'm to blame to everything," she began "I accepted to be a surrogate because my life was hard
The whole Illinois was thrown into jubilation in the early hours of October fifteen. Groups of Stephanie's fans that had now turned Diana's fans had come with lots of gifts and flowers but they were not allowed into the hospital.Still, this did not baffle them. They sang and expressed their happiness carrying beautifully decorated banners all over the streets. It was celebration galore.Meanwhile, Diana was yet to regain consciousness. Earlier that morning she had opened her eyes but closed them almost immediately. The doctor explained to the Collins' that she needed adequate amount of rest after being in labor for nine hours.Edward was super excited and Stephanie too. In fact as they stared at the baby boys in the crib she agreed that she could never have brought herself to murder this handsome creatures.She couldn't stop checking on them. Hailey was equally excited while Henry had spent some time admiring the new kids before he went off to the company.A while later, some of Hail
Pulling off his coat, Edward stormed into the hospital while sweating. He tossed the coat aside and immediately found his way to the reception with Hailey and Henry following behind."I'm-""The VIP room, sir" the receptionist answered before he finished speaking. "The last floor." she further described and Edward raced towards the elevator.Since Hailey and Henry were not up to his pace, they were left out of the elevator.Edward's heart was jumping in anxiety. Alone in the elevator he could hear his heart beat racing rapidly. If Stephanie hadn't been around and willing to help...his thought trailed off. He blamed himself for not being frequent with the due date. He was completely occupied and didn't want to show Diana and his unborn kids to the public yet. However,He stepped out of the elevator and picked up a steady race. Luckily, his eagle eyes spotted Stephanie afar off. When he got there, she approached him totally panic-stricken."Where is she?" Edward askedStephanie's eyes t
Hailey was having a quiet tea with Henry. Together they had watched the viral video of the crash scene at the bridge and how Edward had flown in to save Diana.It was all over the internet including the family feud that was witnessed by passerbys between Ryan and Edward.People were still waiting patiently for answers but after a month there was nothing. Edward had handed the company to his most trusted man and instructed him not to grant any interviews and reject every calls.Hailey was glad Edward found Diana after all and although Edward was refusing her calls she hoped that Diana and the unborn kids are doing okay.Tantrums and vile words were no longer thrown at Diana. After all, the citizens had witnessed Stephanie save the her and even shot at the man who had threatened Diana and the unborn kids. This left the entire Illinois in confusion. Not to add to the fact that they were all ashamed of how they'd jumped into conclusions and cursed at an innocent woman."Have you tried cal
Diana had a hard time falling asleep. Still in a private hotel booked by Edward, she hoped to speak with Stephanie but the latter had locked her door and would not listen to anyone.Edward managed to help her fall asleep and now as the sun rays seeped through the curtains a face popped up in front of her.Yawning, she got up and rubbed her eyes."There she is," Edward smiled "The love of my life and the woman of my dreams."Diana smiled."How was your night, hubby?" she could see him clearly now"Since you were by my side, it was perfect." Diana realized that he was all dressed up."Where are you going so early??"Leaning in, he stole a quick kiss and began heading for the door."It's a surprise, I'll be back.""B-but Edward-" before she could speak he was off. Diana wondered what the surprise could be. Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard Stephanie's door opening. She hurriedly got out of bed and wore her slippers. When she got out of the room she met Stephanie with a tray o
Somewhere in Illinois, Ryan was laid to rest. No one was present in the funeral, except Stephanie, Diana, and Edward. It was a month after his death and Edward was recovering very quickly.Despite Diana's insistence for him to rest he refused and really wanted to organize a large funeral ceremony for Ryan."Edward, is that necessary?" had been Diana's reply."Yes, babe." he answered "I know he doesn't deserve it but still we're brothers and I acknowledge that. Things only went awry, and I still wish he had just humbled himself. We would have made the perfect duo.""But Stephanie-" Diana had said "She's refused to speak to anyone."Edward pulled out his phone, "She'll be fine." he said and then proceeded to make a call through when Stephanie had stepped into the room."No need for that," Edward and Diana turned to look at her."I want a peaceful funeral." she sniffed "Just me and him."Edward stepped forward, "I understand if you want a peaceful funeral but you're keeping us from att
Beverly stepped out of the plane first and Layla followed second. Two months in France has come to an end and now she is back to Illinois.Mike had followed them after all, but only after everything was settled back at the Don's estate. They drove to a hotel first and Layla was the first to crash on the bed. She was tired from the flight and soon dozed off quickly.Somehow, Beverly couldn't sleep despite how tired she looked. She was nervous because in an hour or two, they'd be meeting with the only man she had come to love. The same man who had married her but only for nine months as the contract had said.Having spent two months and some weeks away, only six months and some weeks were left. Mike had managed to convince her to meet up with him and hear his thought. If it were left to her, she would have just collected herself together and move on with her life.Mike came from behind with a glass of juice."Thanks." Beverly whispered.Slipping his hands into his pocket, Mike said"I
A week later Jake could walk around on his own and although the hospital declared him fit and still needed to take some rest, Mr Bryan came with the police.It was all his plan. The police were friends of his and Mr Bryan did not file for a case against Jake. He only wanted Jake to change for the better.When Jake saw the police, fear was written all over his face. In silence, they cuffed him and began to take him away. Mr Bryan watched, hoping that he would turn back and apologize.Mrs Bryan met them at the door as they were about leaving. "Please don't take my son to jail," she began to plead "Let go off him!""Mrs Bryan please let us do our job. Your son needs to understand the importance of human feelings. Until he is remorse for his actions, he would be sent to jail." the cop replied hoping that Jake would grab the message.Mrs Bryan held her son's face, "Jake, please apologize already. Is your pride more important than spending the rest of your live in jail away from everyone??