Rosella’s POV “An amazement park?” The words blurted itself out of my mouth, Marcus didn’t strike me as the type to engage in such childlike activities. “You’re welcome” He replied with a smirk and I couldn’t help but scoff in disbelief. Did he think he was doing me a favor by bringing me here? I’m guessing he’s the one who wants to play so bad but he’s trying to use me as a shield. “Why don’t you stop the act and have fun, I’ll be here watching” I smiled halfway and she really took offense by my speech. “You’re so ungrateful…” He mumbled but I heard it clearly. “Did I ever ask to come here?” My tone was a bit harsh in this regard and his eyes narrowed to critic my manner but I didn’t care. “I never asked you to bring me here, if you want to play then go ahead, I’ll be right here”He looked at me for a while longer and chuckled. A move that made my brows wrinkle in annoyance.“So you’re still pained by the fact of being abandoned by your Mother at an Amazement park”His wo
Rosella’s POV “What did you just say?” I asked in utter bewilderment. It’s not that I didn’t hear what he said but it sounded too unbelievable. Despite my confused and shock-stricken expression Marcus looked unbothered. He even leaned further and added “Didn’t you know you had a stalker all along? That’s quite disappointing”I was too stunned to care about his nonchalant tone. “Y-you mean Donovan has known me for a long time, I mean, watching me for a long time?!”Instead of replying Marcus shrugged “I should be asking you that, Rose. Did you never find it strange how people who offended you suddenly apologized or disappeared?”My hands flew to clasps my mouth in horror. This means the guardian angel I thought I had was actually Donovan?!This is ridiculous!“You wanted to know why I’m after Donovan. It turns out I have something in common with you, Rose. You see, Donovan killed my father”My figure stiffened, this was a lot to take in already and now this. I needed a moment to
Rosella’s POV “Put me down!” I yelled the minute we got back to his mansion. Why the hell was he still carrying me in such ridiculous positions?!He dropped me down and I arranged my clothes with a frown on my face and I noticed the maids immediately scurried away. “Tell me straight up, what kind of conversation did you have with Donovan and why was he after us” I demanded “I already told you, he can’t leave without you. He’s a f*cking lunatic who’s been obsessed with you since forever"Our midst fell in silence for a moment, I needed a while to take it in and ask. “How do you know this, Marcus? You seem to know so much about this”“Donovan and I used to be close friends growing up. Are you satisfied now? Go inside and rest I’ll take care of it”His command made me scoff in vexation.“No! I’d like to speak with Donovan, I have some questions that need answers, now!”He didn’t take my words lightly, he suddenly grabbed my shoulders and his gaze became unbelievably scary.“This isn
Rosella’s POVI didn’t yell out like the way I did in my head, I was as calm as a cucumber on the outside. Marcus was the type to make silly jokes so this must be one of them. Why bother?“Get off me” I finally said breathlessly because I might really die if this continues and luckily he stood to his feet and I had the fight of my life sitting up. “Fine, you caught me stealing my phone - wait, it’s my phone so how’s it stealing?” I rambled on and he suddenly repeated the words that I never wanted to hear again. “Marry me”The hands tidying my shirt paused and I looked up at his serious eyes. This must be the most hilarious thing I’ve heard all my life. “What are you talking about?” My tone couldn’t help being edgy. I had a bad feeling about this topic and I didn’t like where this was going. “Didn’t you want revenge for your Father’s death? From the look of things, getting married to me would drive Donovan insane, don’t you think so?” His tone was more terrifying than the words he
Rosella’s POV “I have a feeling you would tell me either way. I don’t mean to be rude but I’ve heard a lot of shocking things lately, I’m still trying to confirm their credibility so if you must say anything, let it be the truth”I don’t care how my words sounded to her, I might just be the rudest person she’s talked to all week and I’m sorry I can’t give her the respect that she desires. I’m not in the mood to mince words and sound pleasant. “Haha… I won’t take your words to heart but remember, the truth hurts so if it stings know that you asked for it”I remained quiet and she spoke again. “The real reason your mother left everything behind and abandoned you was because she was pregnant for another man”“Wh-what to you mean?…” My voice was extremely shaky as I stared at Odessa with raw emotions. “…That can’t be” I muttered softly with darting eyes. “Darling…” Her voice rang out but I cut her off. “That can’t be! My mother would never do such a thing, there must have been anot
“Stop drinking, how long are you going to do this?” Franklin’s worried voice intruded Mirable’s ears but she didn’t give a hoot! She picked up another bottle and drowned herself in it and Franklin angrily snatched the bottle away. “Stop it goddamn it! Rose isn’t going to come back just because you drink away your sanity!”“Leave me alone… Mister… what’s your name again?…. Oh Franklin…”She staggered against the bar stool and actively tried to reach for the bottle. “Just let me…” She whined and squinted her eyes in annoyance. “Why can’t I even drink?! Let me!” Her yelling started gaining attention and heads began turning in their direction. The very thing Franklin hate was happening and he could only ruffle his hair and try to manage the situation.“Let’s leave first” He said above a whisper and instead of Mirable’s drunken voice a solid male voice responded to him. “I’ll take her” Franklin looked ahead and saw Mitch taking long strides towards them.“I’ll take her home” He sa
The rest of the ride was chaotic and Mirable eventually gave up her dream of being released. She sat quietly until his car stopped right in front of her apartment but none of them moved a muscle.“Rose is safe” Franklin broke the ice and Mirable slowly turned her head in his direction. “Are you serious?” She asked eagerly and readjusted her posture. It seems her tipsiness has subsided. “Yes, so refrain from doing such things. Getting yourself drunk would do you no good. Think of your mother” Franklin’s words sobered her a little bit more and she turned her gaze to her door. The thought running through her mind was peculiar. Her recent behavior should worry her mother yet it’s the other way around.She couldn’t explain it but her mother’s been out of it for a few days. She’s been zoning out a lot lately and Mirable had to check in with the authorities to make sure her Father was still behind bars. But everything was fine so what could be the issue? “Thanks for the ride” She calm
Mirable eyes fluttered open and a shining bulb caused her vision to blur out for a while. A groan escaped her lips as she tried to sit up. “You’re awake” A voice beside her caught her attention. “Mom…” she breathed and when she looked again she saw another figure at the end of the room.“Franklin…?”He didn’t respond but relief was visible in his face. “I’m glad you’re awake, I’ll take my leave now” It was only after his words that she stared out the window and saw the bright morning sun. “Ah! I have work, why didn’t you guys wake me?” She hurriedly raised herself and reached for her phone while Franklin couldn’t help but mumble some words.“You literally slept like a dog, how could we wake you up?” Mirable heard him but something else caught her attention, something far more grave that easily made the things he said about her trivial.“T-This!” She stammered as she pointed to her phone.“Why does it say Rose is getting married?!” Her voice climbed a pitch and the shock on he
Six months laterThe air at Dalgliesh mansion buzzed with excitement. Workers bustled around, ensuring every detail was perfect for the evening’s celebration. It was a special day, not only a family dinner but also Mr. Dalgliesh’s birthday. Unlike previous years, he had chosen to keep it intimate, inviting only family.The dining table was set, and the first to arrive were Rosella and Donovan, each pushing a stroller. Inside lay their two-month-old twins: baby Eli and baby Ella. The two cooed happily, oblivious to the world around them.Mr. Dalgliesh, waiting in the hall, ignored the couple entirely and went straight to the strollers. He leaned down, his face lighting up as he reached for Ella and cradled her in his arms.“My sweetie pie, you’re so cute,” he crooned. “Don’t mind your parents for not visiting more often. They act like they’re still on their honeymoon, and they haven’t even had a proper wedding. Humph!”He turned to Donovan and swatted at his arm, mock scolding. “Why is
The air was heavy with tension, and two battles were unfolding simultaneously, each in different corners of the world but tied to the same fateful thread.In the Dalgliesh mansion, Rosella set her teacup down and summoned her courage to confront the man seated before her. Mr. Dalgliesh, with his graceful yet aged demeanor, seemed almost serene as he sipped his tea, the epitome of calm.“Was it true?” she asked, her voice steady but laced with intensity. “Were you the one who orchestrated all of this? Did you put Jake in a position where he had no choice but to offer me up for the surrogate selection?”Mr. Dalgliesh lowered his cup and flashed a faint smile, one that revealed both wisdom and mischief. “Truly, all things hidden under the sun must be revealed,” he said cryptically, his voice rich with age and experience. Then, with a quiet chuckle, he added, “I really thought I’d die with the secret, haha.”Rosella’s breath caught. “Why? Why would you do something like that?”Meanwhile,
Rosella’s POV The next day, I went to the hospital with Donovan by my side. He never left me alone these days, always hovering protectively, and I couldn’t say I disliked it. It made me feel safe, like someone was always there to catch me if I fell.As we reached the ward, I felt a hand grab my arm. Startled, I turned, only for Donovan to react before I could. He moved like lightning, grabbing the man by the collar and slamming him against the wall.“Who the hell do you think you are, touching her like that?” Donovan growled, his tone low and dangerous.The man struggled under Donovan’s grip, his face pale and drawn. My eyes widened as recognition struck me. It was Jake. My ex-fiancé.“Donovan, stop,” I said quickly, placing my hand on his shoulder. “Let him go.”Donovan hesitated, his jaw tight with fury, but my touch seemed to ground him. With a warning glare, he released Jake, though his stance remained tense, ready to act if needed.Jake coughed and straightened his shirt, his ey
Mirable and Franklin arrived at the hospital to take over watching Mirable’s mother. It was clear from their subtle touches and soft exchanges that they were now a couple. Rosella noticed it too, but she didn’t comment, simply offering Mirable a small smile before allowing Donovan to guide her toward the car.Usually, Rosella would have argued to spend the night by her mother’s side, but the news of the twins had left her too dazed to argue about anything. Meanwhile, Donovan was practically radiating joy, looking like a man who’d just won the biggest lottery in history.The minute they reached home, Donovan didn’t give Rosella a chance to walk. He swept her up into his arms bridal style, ignoring her half-hearted protests.“Donovan, I can walk, you know,” she said, trying not to smile.“Not when you’re carrying our twins,” he replied with a wink.She sighed, shaking her head, but a small smile tugged at her lips.Once inside their room, he gently set her down on the bed. “Stay here,”
Rosella began to push herself up, her hand reaching for the edge of the bed to steady herself. She was intent on leaving to check on her mother, but she failed to notice the pained look on Donovan’s face.“Rosella, please,” Donovan said suddenly, his voice soft but filled with emotion.She froze mid-movement, her attention finally turning to him. That was when she saw it, his strained expression, his eyes full of worry and frustration.“What is it?” she asked, her tone hesitant, almost fearful of the answer.Donovan took a deep breath, his jaw tightening as he tried to keep his emotions in check. “I know you’re worried about your mom. I know it’s hard. But… you can’t keep doing this to yourself,” he said, his voice trembling slightly. “If anything happens to you, Rosella, I… I don’t think I’d be able to go on.”His words hit her like a blow to the chest. For a moment, she couldn’t move or speak, only stare at him. The weight of his feelings, the depth of his fear settled over her like
Another month had passed, and the hospital room had become a second home for Rosella. She sat by her mother’s bedside, wiping her face and hands gently with a soft napkin. The steady beep of the heart monitor was a constant reminder that her mother was alive, but the silence that lingered over the room was deafening.Donovan was in the VIP ward too, never straying far. He leaned casually against the doorframe, his tie loosened and his sleeves rolled up, watching Rosella with a mixture of tenderness and concern.“What do you want to eat today?” he asked, breaking the quiet. “And don’t say you’re not hungry. Pregnant women are supposed to eat a lot, crave weird things, and make their husbands run all over the place to find them.”Rosella smiled faintly, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m conserving your funds,” she said lightly, focusing on smoothing the blanket over her mother.Donovan chuckled, walking closer to her. “You don’t have to do that,” he said. “I have enough to fee
The morning sun poured gently through the windows of Rosella and Donovan’s home, casting warm, golden light across the polished floors. Rosella sat quietly on the sofa in the living room, her hands resting on her growing belly, her eyes distant as they stared at nothing in particular. It had been a month since her mother fell into a coma, and the days since had blurred together in a haze of worry, sleepless nights, and moments of hope that felt too fragile to hold onto.Donovan entered the room, his presence always grounding yet protective, like a storm-ready lighthouse. He approached her cautiously, sensing the heaviness she carried. “You okay?” he asked, his voice low with concern clear.Before she could answer, a knock at the door broke the silence. Donovan stiffened immediately, his sharp instincts flaring to life. “I’ll get it,” he said firmly, striding toward the door with the practiced confidence of someone who’d spent his life prepared for danger.When he opened the door, he
The tension in the hospital lingered in the air like an uninvited guest, heavy and suffocating. After the doctor delivered the news that their mother had survived the surgery but was now in a coma, neither Rosella nor Mirable could breathe a sigh of relief. The hope of her waking up was the only thread holding them together, yet it felt too thin, too fragile.Rosella’s knees buckled, her strength waning, but Donovan’s strong arms shot out and caught her before she could collapse completely. His grip on her was firm yet gentle, his eyes filled with concern. “You need to rest,” he murmured softly, but she barely heard him, her mind too occupied with the image of her mother bleeding out in her arms.The room where their mother was moved to was quiet, save for the beeping of machines and the faint rustle of nurses shuffling about. The doctor informed them that they could visit, but before they could take a step, Mirable turned to Rosella and Donovan, her expression conflicted. “Rosella… c
Blood spattered on the ground, pooling beneath the crumpled body of Rosella's mother. The sound of the gunshot still echoed in Rosella's ears, even as chaos erupted around her. Her body froze, rooted to the ground as the weight of her mother's falling figure pressed against her chest."No-No, no, no!" Rosella cried, catching her mother in her trembling arms. The air seemed to thicken, bullets zipping past her in the ensuing firefight. She didn't flinch.The world blurred, focusing solely on the woman bleeding out in her arms. ‘Why did she throw herself in front of me?’ Rosella’s mind was pinned on this thought. "Mom! Stay with me!" she screamed, shaking her gently. Blood seeped through her mother's dress, staining Rosella's hands and knees. "Please, don't close your eyes, don't do this to me!"Her mother's eyes fluttered open, her irises clouded with pain yet filled with a strange serenity. "Rosella..." Her voice was barely audible, a faint whisper under the chaos.Tears streamed d