[ Sebestian ]I couldn’t feel anything.When Charlotte told me about Victorine and how Benjamin jumped on time to save my child, I felt nothing for my ex best friend.My once used to be best friend and biggest enemy died while escaping with my happiness, my daughter. She had been mentally depressed but her parents failed to help her, rather encouraged her immoral ways to get what she wants."You should rest, Seb. We have to face the aftermath in a few hours. I want us to face what comes for us as a team." Charlotte stroked my cheek but I removed her hand."Go rest, I have to make arrangements for the tighter and more trusted security around the kids. I can't trust anyone now." I said and about to move out when she grabbed my wrist.I wanted to avoid difficult conversation for some time or until I sort out my messed up brain."Please, don't walk away from me." She whispered, I felt the vulnerability in her tone."I am not walking away from you, Charlotte. I just need some time alone to
[ Charlotte ]"Why did you do it?"I received silence as the answer. Benjamin kept staring on his handcuffs. I decided to meet him once my kids felt comfortable with Sebestian. I really had to seek my answers from Benjamin who was hell bent on destroying us."Ben, I want to help you. Please, tell me why did you save my child by putting your life on stake? I need to know and I have the rights." I insisted."I have no remorse. She was a threat and someone had to do it. Her parents would never let her stay in medical care. Both of us knows this. For them, their reputation is more important than the mental health of their daughter." He spoke for the first time in last ten minutes."Killing her wasn't an option, Ben. I will live my whole life in the guilt that I couldn't stop you or help you to come out of prison. You don't deserve any of this." I shook my head as guilt overpowered me."I deserved this, Charlotte. I trusted a monster over you and let her play with your children's life. So,
[ Charlotte ]"Why didn't I notice changes in your body?" Sebestian asked me once the kids were fast asleep.We decided to take a walk in the garden before going to the bed."I am still in first month of my pregnancy, Seb. You won't notice any noticeable difference until I enter in the third month." I told him."I thought you would feel the same symptoms as when you were pregnant with Arianna." He said with a smile tug on the corner of his lips."Are you happy? I mean this was unexpected and we aren't prepared for another child, specially when we have too much on our platter." I expressed how I felt about this pregnancy news.He halted and held me by waist."How on earth you thought that this news wouldn't thrill me, Char?" He askes me and honestly, I had no answer."I just thought." I said having nothing else to say."Please, don't thought about ridiculous things that not even exist. I have no words to describe how I'm feeling right now. Our family is going to have another addition.
Sebestian ]I stared at the sleeping figure of my wife. She had the look of an angel. So beautiful and innocent yet as fierce as the sharpest weapon. The clock was showing six in the morning. I woke up around five as sleep was far away from my eyes. My mind was clouding with the uncertainties.I decided not to wake her up as she needed rest. She was expecting our third child and this news came like a ray of hope in the mist of darkness. Our symbol of love and the sign of our stronger bond than before.I'd give this child the best childhood and upbringing. Pecking her forehead for one last time before leaving our room, I checked upon my kids. They were fast asleep means I could work for next two hours in silence.I instructed Maria to prohibit others to disturb me as I wanted privacy and concentration to fetch another plan since Charlotte begged me not to leak the evidence in the media.My wife tied my hands by putting me in a dilemma. She was right on her part though.I dialled Willia
[ Sebestian ]"I don't think he'd come, Sebestian. Your mother might be trapping you so your father had a clear pass." Jonathan yawned beside me as we had been waiting for Seth for last two hours at the private air strip while our guards were survillancing the main airports to trace him."I am hundred percent sure that he'd come here, that's why I left my phone and my cars at the manor. I know my father better than anyone else. He would be keeping a tab on us." I told him."Brilliant idea, Sebestian Blackwood. The big fish is cunning and won't come in your trap easily. I think we should change our plan." He suggested."No, he will come here. Just wait here. I know him better than anyone. He won't risk leaving from a public airline. It will stirr the news of him fleeing like a coward." I said."Okay, I trust you." He leaned on the seat and fished out his phone."So, you're serious about Tara?" I asked him as I stole a glance of his phone screen."Pretty serious. I want her in my life.
[ Charlotte ]"Famous Business Tycoon Seth Blackwood is charged under serious offences including the abduction and trafficking of his own granddaughter. The court has sentenced him 45 years of imprisonment and a sum of 50,000 dollars as the compensation."I read the bold headline of the newspaper front page aloud."Read more, I want to know what they have to say about Seth and Harerras?" Sebestian encouraged me to read more as we comfortably sat in our porch, enjoying the pitter patter of rain."There's only the details of the case. Harerra couple is also in jail. I feel pity for Nadia though. She was innocent who was forced by her husband to accept his sins and play along, just like your mother." I sipped my ginger tea as my stomach couldn't accept any other beverage due to the severe nausea."They were Seth accomplice. They agreed to become our witness in the court. Their punishment isn't as bad as Seth's." He commanted while massaging my feet gently. They were swollen due to sittin
[ Arianna Blackwood ]If someone asks me in this very moment whom I hated the most, the answer won't be a particular person.Because I hated myself more than anyone on this earth because I've screwed up a big time.I stared at the two pink lines mocking back at me. My vision got blurry. My life was practically over before it kicked starts.I was only twenty four and pregnant by a stranger. I didn't even remember his name except his handsome face and how he made me cum ten times during that night two months ago.It was my birthday celebration night when I went out to a club after celebrating my birthday with my family. I got drunk and stumbled upon Mr. grey eyed man. Next day I ran from his condo without a confrontation because I was too ashamed to admit my mistake.Now, the proof was in my hand.It sounds like an old cliché but it was my reality.I closed my eyes to let the tears soak my cheeks. How am I going to tell my parents, specially my Dad? I was his pride. Mom is supportive an
[ Arianna Blackwood ]It can't be him!The Grey eyed man who took my virginity. In other words, I willingly gsve it to him.I blinked my eyes a few times to believe whether I was dreaming or he was actually present, in fact, standing at his full height, dressed in a grey customized suit and the same devilish smirk playing on his lusciously thin lips.For some strange reason, I felt a deep connection with him, like I've known him from a long time but the truth was, I met him only once and he flipped my world drastically."Arianna, come here, meet our new possible collaborator, Mr. Rafael Martinez." Dad's voice pulled me out of my tenacious gazing.I looked around and saw the room filled with both familiar and unknown faces, everyone giving me a curious look."It's my pleasure to finally meet the young CEO of Blackwood Corp." Rafael stretched his large palm forward with same smug smile on his handsome face.Does he remember me?Or forgot that the night even happened.I'd be glad if the
[ Arienna Blackwood ]"Don't run, Aria. Mom is tired and she wants a hug from her princess." I shouted and heard soft giggles of my five years old daughter from behind the curtains.A smile stretched over my lips as I spotted her shadow. She was the source of light in my life whom I found during my trip to Mexico and instantly fell in love with two years old orphan who was abandoned by her birth mother at an orphanage.It took me an year of struggle and legal procedure to adopt her officially and bring her to home."Mom got you." I grabbed her and tickled her.The little girl wriggled to get out of my hold while laughing. I showered her pretty face with kisses."Stop Mama, it's ticklish." She pushed my face away."No, Mama wants a cuddle with Aria." I pulled her on my lap and hugged her."I am angry on you, Mama. You promised to come back early but you're two days late." She pouted with grumpy face."I am sorry baby but you know my work. I am the CEO and it's mandatory for me to be
[ Arianna Blackwood ]"Anna.."Rafael's low voice rang into my ears. So, this man can also feel remorse!"Come and sit, Rafael. We need to talk on certain matters." I said in a flat tone."Please, let's just sit together and-" He tried to say something but I showed him my palm."I do not want to spend even a single moment with you, Mr. Martinez but we must clear a few things before we part our ways." I finally shot my blank eyes at him.He looked vulnerable, his eyes were puffy and red. By judging his appearance, I bet he hadn't been resting properly."Please, Arienna. Don't do this. It was my fault. Our baby died because of me." He said in a croaked tone, I observed his adam's apple bobbing up and down."It was my baby. It doesn't give you any right to call it yours just because you fucked me for once." I snapped at him, the bottled up anger and resentment was threatening to spill.He lowered his gaze and shook his head, "Alright, I won't. Please, calm down. We can talk once you get
[ Arianna Blackwood ]It's been four days.Four long days since I lost my baby, the last hope of my future. I am stoll trying to accept this news but my heart denies my loss. My lower body aches every time I move or shift, a constant reminder of my cruel fate.I don't deserve happiness since my birth. Why does God punish me? What did I do to deserve only grief and misfortunes in my life?"Ari, my princess." Dad's soft voice forced me to pull out of my mourning solicitude."Dad."I barely whispered as mu throat was constricted due to crying for hours since doctor broke the devastating news to me. I predicted my loss when I felt the pain during my argument with Rafael but a part of me hoped for a miracle to happen."I have brought your dinner. It's your mother's home cooked recipe, one of your favourite dishes and healthy." He placed a tiffin box on the table.He was trying to cheer me up. That's all my family could do, they stood like a pillar around me. They're my everything and I'd f
[ Rafael ]I have been waiting for two long hours, still no words from the hospital staff how Arienna is doing after miscarriage. Yes, the doctors declared the baby dead as soon as they admitted her and they had to perform emergency surgery to remove the dead fetus.Arienna lost too much blood which caused her to lose her consciousness for a long time.Miscarriage, a simple word with eleven syllables but it has so much pain and shattered hopes within it's depth. It has the power to bring even the bravest heart at the bottom.I lost my child, my first child despite several warnings from the doctors. Yet I let her go through the trauma, not once, not twice but everytime we talked.She's right, I killed our baby. I don't deserve it call it mine because Arienna tried her best to be there for our baby but I was busy hitting my head on the wall of past. I became so mad that her pain got unnoticed by me."How dare you?"A voice roared and I got punched on my face, it was a hard blow. I stumb
[ Arianna Blackwood ]After my conversation with my mother, I found myself drowning into more conflict. I couldn't live with Rafael as long as he keeps harboring hatred and vendetta against my family, on the other hand, I was drawn to my husband.I was screwed and back to square one."Anna, you're back?"Rafael's surprised voice reached into my ears and I turned around to find him standing at the threshold of main door."Yes, I guess. Sorry, if you're disappointed to see me here. Well, I won't take long. I came here to talk on certain matters." I said in a clipped tone.His features softened. He rushed towards me and grabbed my shoulders, "I don't want you to leave, not now not never, Anna. I can't imagine my life without you, my love. Please, forgive me. I am ready to talk to your parents if it makes you feel better." He sounded vulnerable and desperate.I detatched myself from him and looked away."Let's talk, Rafael. I don't want us to live in continuous uncertainties." I said in a
[ Arienna Blackwood ]"Mom, I want a divorce with Rafael. I don't think this marriage would work. I am sorry I didn't think wisely when I decided to marry him." I said to my mother who was calmly sipping her coffee.She didn't look affected by my decision, instead, she poured some in my cup."Please, say something, Mom. Your opinion matters to me the most." I gave her a pleading look."You want my honest opinion?" She finally looked up at me while placing her cup down on the table.I nodded my head in impatience.She pinched the bridge of her nose, "Are you afraid of the boy you once knew, who cared for you a lot or the man who is blind in vengeance. It's your take?" She asked me and I was left shocked."How..how..do you know?" I couldn't find proper words to ask her how did she know everything about Noah."I am your mother, Ari. Of course, I know everything about my children. I wouldn't have let you marry him if I didn't know about your groom. I ran a background check on Rafael and i
[ Rafael Martinez ]"You didn't have to take a stand for me. I can fight my own battles and it wasn't the first time my grandmother bullied me. She has always been like this. I thought you'd of all people would understand her nature." Arienna said curtly over the dining table.I gave her a blank look. She was only playing with the food on the plate."I had to show her that she can't boss around in my house and demean my wife." I replied. I heard suck a deep breath. "I am sorry for the morning. I shouldn't have said those things." I said after a momentary silence.We were back to square one because she didn't respond and resumed eating small portions from her plate."We're inviting your parents tomorrow at the breakfast. I don't want to live this cat and mice life anymore." I said."Don't drag my parents in your dirty games, Rafael. I will deal with them." She said in a flat tone and stood up."Finish your food, Anna. You can't ignore your health." I reminded her and our eyes met for
[ Rafael Martinez ]Arianna's outburst kept replaying in my mind like a record. Her eyes reflected her sedimentated anger and hatred for me and it broke my heart to see those emotions in her eyes. I made her hate me even more and probably ruined my every chances to be with her. She'll not stay quiet and tell her family about my identity and about my parents. "Come on, son. Are you going to say something or sit here like a stone statue. I know something has happened. This red mark on your face is telling a lot." My father said, his eyes were darted on my cheek.I touched the stinging area and looked away. "She's a poison in your life, Noah. Why are you with her? You're successful and young. You will find a thousand women at your disposal if you go for a bride hunt. Just leave her. You will get your child. I trust you." Mom again repeated the same dialog."Mom, please, I'm already frustrated and clueless. Yesterday, Charlotte Blackwood confronted me and it's not wrong either. She hel
[ Arianna Blackwood ] I sipped the ginger tea, enjoying the ghostly silence of the living room. The weather was still bad, the downpour changed into soft drizzle but the sky was grey and gloomy depicting my own mood. I heard footsteps. I recognized them so I sat unbothered and sipped the tea. "Good morning." I heard his grosggy voice. "Good morning," I wished him back curtly but didn't spare him a glance. "A cup of coffee please!" He yelled to his staff and sat across me. I stole a glance at him, he was in a t shirt and trousers. "I am sorry, the last night was unintentional. I never get this much drunk often unless I'm frustrated." He kept talking but I only listened. I remained quiet. "Look, if you're intentionally ignoring me then it won't work, Arianna. We can't go like this." He said in a little frustrated voice. Meanwhile, his coffee was served. "I am not in a mood to talk. I hope you understand." I said without looking up. "Alright, take your time to sort out your moo