GENERALIsabelle went silent for seconds, glancing at Ryan unblinkingly. She was deep in thought, thinking about the question Ryan just asked.After a brief silence, she blinked and muttered, "I will be happy. It's a good thing if you turned out to be my father." She responded, stunning Ryan.His eyes widened and his jaw dropped slightly. After a while, his lips curled into a wide smile. "Really, Isabelle?" He questioned, and the little girl nodded her head. "Yes, Mr. Ryan. I will be excited. She grinned brightly as she spoke. There was innocence and sincerity in her glistening eyes. "But why are you asking?" She added."Huh...?" Ryan swallowed hard, flickering as he rummaged through his head for a befitting excuse. "Nothing. It's just one of the random thoughts I used to have," he lied.She didn't doubt him. She nodded her head. "Bye, Mr. Ryan," she mumbled, waving her hand and getting out of his office. Before he could wave back, she was out of sight with her chauffeur. He breath
GENERAL "WHAT! Go on a lunch date with him? Why should I?" Lexi spurted out, her brows raising in shock. She couldn't believe what she just heard from her daughter, Isabelle.Isabelle nodded her head. "Yes, mummy. That's the least you can do to thank him for all he has done for us. Thank him over lunch," she mumbled.Lexi scoffed. That was a really bad idea. She didn't know how to explain to Isabelle that what Ryan did was actually his responsibility. He came to save his daughter, so it was no biggie. However, she wasn't ready to let the child know the truth about them. She didn't think she would be able to withstand the truth at her age."Listen, Isabelle. I can't give you an answer right now. This is meeting Mommy as a shock, and she needs to think about it," Lexi let out.A wide, cheeky smile spread over Isabelle's lips. She intertwined her hands, stretched, and nodded her head. "Okay, Mommy. I know you will not refuse Isabelle's proposal. I will be awaiting the good news from yo
GENERALLexi made a 360 turn in front of the mirror as she checked her dress for the umpteenth time. It was the day for the lunch date, and the least she could do was to look her best. For some reason, she was more concerned about her look than others. It was as though she needed to impress somebody, but her mind was saying otherwise. She just wanted to go to the lunch and get it over and done with.Picking up her bag, she sauntered out of her room. As she climbed down the stairs, she sighted her mother in the living room, and she knew what that meant without being told. She has to answer some questions.As expected, Mrs. Alexandra tilted her head and looked in the direction the sound of footsteps was coming from. She swayed her gaze over her daughter and smirked. "And where are you going to, beautifully and elegantly dressed?" she asked, scrunching her nose.Lexi chuckled. "I have to meet up with a friend over lunch," she responded, scratching the back of her head. She just hoped t
GENERALRyan's steps halted at the same time when he saw Lexi's flat tires. All four tires were flattened, which caused their brows to raise in a questioning manner. How did this happen? There was no way anyone would come and do something like that without the security men knowing.She tilted her head and looked at Ryan. Her eyes shut, and she pinched herself. What she was preventing from happening just happened. She had to spend more time with Ryan even though she never intended to. "Fuck whoever did this," she cussed in between her breaths.Meanwhile, Ryan's stomach flipped at the occurrence. His lips curled into a half smile. Inwardly, he blessed whoever did this. They just granted him more than enough time to spend with Lexi. He had thought he wouldn't be able to speak with her again. Who would have thought that such an opportunity would show itself with no expense? "What do we do about this?" Ryan asked, jerking Lexi out of her train of thought. She flinched, tilting her head t
GENERALStepping into the car, Ryan locked the door. Lexi was trying to do the belt, but it wasn't going smoothly, which propelled Ryan to intervene. He stood over her and carefully helped her with the belt. Lexi tilted her head backward and clasped her lips. She fixed her gaze on his lips that were just an inch away from her, and different feelings surged within her, and a myriad of obscene thoughts ran through her mind.The urge to clasp her lips against his swirled in her belly, but she dug her nails into the chair she was clutching onto to suppress the temptation hovering around her. "It is done," Ryan muttered with a smile after successfully locking the belt. And just as he tried to return to his seat, his body mistakenly hit the dashboard, which pushed him over Lexi and caused their lips to press against themselves. Their bodies were frozen.Ryan was afraid. This wasn't what he wanted. He was scared that Lexi might misunderstand and get out of his car due to anger. Meanwhile,
GENERAL "But if you want us to hold onto this memory, you have to answer a question. And the way you answer it will determine whether we should hold onto it or call it a mistake as usual," Lexi uttered, staring into his eyes. There was a wry smile at the corner of her lips as she studied Ryan's reaction. As expected, his dropped face lightened up when he heard her utterance. "Really! I... I am ready. Tell me. What is it? I will give you a befitting response. I will not make you doubt your decision," he muttered hurriedly. "How will you treat me henceforth? Especially in your family. I mean your mother and sister," she asked, looking at him with keen interest. She was really anticipating what he would say. That was the only way to know if he had learned his lesson. "ERM... It's simple. I will never let anyone maltreat you or treat you like a pushover. I am ready to support you when you are right and even when you are wrong. I will not leave any space for any form of disrespect
GENERALRyan nibbled on her lips for a while before breaking the kiss and pressing a swift kiss on her forehead. "I will see you tomorrow," he mumbled.A fleet of butterflies sizzled within her, and her face suddenly heated up, turning crimson red. With a lowered head and a cheeky smile, she nodded and got out of the car, avoiding his gaze. She didn't want him to see her flushed face. "Bye," She mumbled, waved at him, and shut the door. He drove off after flashing a smile at her.The moment his car dispersed into the street, the door of the mansion opened and Donald walked out. The first thing he sighted was Lexi's reddened cheeks, and that got him a bit scared. "Hey, Lexi. Did you get beaten from the date?" He asked, scurrying to where she was standing. He stretched his hand, aiming for her face, but she recoiled, taking a step backward. "What are you doing?" She asked, her eyes broadening. "I thought you were hurt. I just want to check... He tried to talk, but she cut him
GENERAL "WHAT!" Ryan repeated, his eyes and mouth dilating.Cinderella took a step backward, afraid that he might become aggressive because of the news and another thing might happen. She gulped, rubbing her head. "I understand that you do not know about this from the beginning. I didn't tell you because I don't have the intention of forcing you to accept me because of this. I tried terminating it, but it... It... It's just what it is. You don't need to think deeply about it. I don't have plans to disturb or propel you into taking responsibility for the baby," she explained calmly, studying his expression.Unblinkingly, his eyes were fixed on her stomach. He was unsure of what to feel at the announcement of the news. Different emotions surged within him, but the strongest one was happiness. Who would have thought that he would come across double blessings that day? His silence caused Cinderella's heart to beat faster and louder as though it was about to jump out of its socket. The
GENERAL Five Months Later The thump on the door caused Cinderella and Donald to raise their heads and look in the direction of the entrance. At the same time, the door opened slightly, and Lexi popped her head in, scrutinizing the whole place. When her gaze finally landed on the couple, she smiled and waved her hand. "Hello, mummy and daddy," she mumbled, strolling inside. She was followed by her husband, Ryan, and her daughter, Isabelle. "Lexi!" Donald muttered, walking up to Lexi and pulling her in a tight hug. "You didn't tell me you would be coming when we talked on the phone yesterday," he added, breaking the hug and darting his gaze over her. He was surprised to see her at the hospital. "Yeah! I didn't tell you, but it would be bad of me not to come to see my godson as soon as he was born," she said, sauntering past Donald to where the baby was. "Oh! My little pookie. You look so handsome," she complimented, taking the bed from his bed. "He looks just like you, Cinderella,"
GENERALThe sounds of gunshots reverberated across the building. Jasmine was shot in her legs and was forced to stagger into the fire she just created. Like a flash, the fire spread quickly and engulfed the whole building.Zoe and Emily screamed their lungs out for help. The cops who had arrived at the scene earlier rushed in before the fire could get to the people who were tied. Expertly, they released them from the hold and carried them out one after the other. Fortunately, nobody sustained burns except Jasmine, who fell into the fire. The fire was quickly quenched, and she was saved before she could be burnt beyond recognition. Her face, hands, and legs were burnt like an offering. Just when they thought the storm had calmed, Isabelle, who hadn't revived from her blackout, started breathing with difficulty in her mother's arms. Her chest hurled up and down.Lexi's jaw dropped and her eyes blinked as she looked at the girl in her hands. "Isabelle! My love! What is wrong with you?
GENERAL"What! What are you saying?" Zoe let out a stutter. Her lips shook with her eyes dilating in disbelief. She was certain that she didn't hear right. Jasmine would never say that.Jasmine prodded into her eyes, and her lips curled into a sinister smirk. "You heard me, Zoe Middleton. I still have unfinished business with your son," she repeated herself."No, Jasmine. You promised me. This wasn't the agreement. Don't you even try to go back on your words?" She interjected, "I don't like when you try to act sly. I hate betrayals, and I don't pity them." She spurted out, her eyes revealing anger.Jasmine snorted, unfazed by her reaction. "Well, I lied, Zoe. Feel free to call me a betrayal," she asserted.Lexi burst into a peal of hysterical laughter, throwing her head backward. "Such a fool! You think you are smart. Nobody knows Jasmine better than I do. She is just a desperate attention seeker. You are doomed," she muttered amidst her laughter.Angered and frustrated, Emily walked
GENERAL Ryan's eyes blinked when his sister, Emily, and Zoe, his mother, walked in. He couldn't believe his eyes. He was forced to shut his eyes and open them back, and they were still there. They didn't change. "Mum!!!" Ryan muttered, stupefied. It was as though he had just seen horror. If he had been told that he would be betrayed by his own family, especially his mother, he would have argued blindly. What pushed his mother to this? Zoe and Emily strolled closer to them and folded their arms. "Surprised?" She muttered, and he gulped. "What are you doing, mother? Why are you here? Why are you with Jasmine? Don't tell me you've joined hands with her..." He mumbled, and his mother shrugged her shoulders, asserting his speech. His mouth opened and he scoffed. "What are you thinking, Mum? What is wrong with you? Why would you do such a thing?" He retracted his gaze from his mother and moved it to his sister, Emily. "And you? Can't you tell her that this is wrong? Did you join an ou
GENERALRyan drove like a madman to the spot where he was told his wife's car was found. Getting there, he met some cops doing their work. "Mr. Ryan," one of them called the moment he stepped out of his car. "Did you find any clue? Have you checked the dashboard? Isn't there any CCTV in the street?" He hurled questions at the cops, scared. "The card in the dashboard has been removed. We guess the kidnappers took that with them. And for the street CCTV, we've asked the residents here, and they said it isn't working. It was just there as a camouflage," the cop explained, and Ryan hissed. What was happening? Why did bad things keep happening anytime he was happy? Who would dare kidnap his wife and daughter?He ran his fingers through his hair and placed a hand on his waist. He hated that he was helpless. His child and wife had been kidnapped, but he didn't know what to do. How would he save them? Where were they taken to?* "What! My Lexi? Never!" Mrs. Alexandra's eyes widened when
GENERAL "Please, have your seat," Donald said, pulling the chair out for Cinderella to sit on it.She scrutinized the restaurant they visited with admiration in her eyes. She didn't know where they were going before they left home. Donald just told her to dress nicely. She blushed as she took her seat. He walked to the other side and reclined on his seat. "Welcome, ma'am. Welcome, sir. What would you like to take?" A female waitress walked up to them as soon as they settled.Donald picked the menu and skimmed through it. "Seafood, and a bottle of champagne," he responded, handing his debit card over to the waitress. She took the card, bowed curtly, and left to prepare their order. The seafood he chose was Cinderella's favorite. Soon, the waitress arrived with their orders and arranged them on the table. She returned Donald's debit card. "Enjoy your meal," she said and left.Cinderella's eyes sparkled with hunger as she saw the seafood. The urge to dig in surged within her, b
GENERAL "Finally! You've come to visit me," Ryan's grandmother said, grinning as she went to welcome Lexi, Ryan, and Isabelle, their daughter. "Oh, my Goddess! Is this my little Isabelle?" Grandmother asked, ruffling the little girl's hair. "Hello, grandmother," Isabelle greeted with a smile. "Hey, granddaughter. You've become so big," Grandmother said with admiration in her eyes, and they laughed.Lexi went close to her. They prodded into each other's gazes and embraced each other. Tears brimmed in Lexi's eyes. There was no way she would count her blessings and not count her grandmother. In fact, she would count her twice. She was the only one who never looked down on her despite her poor status in the past. She took her like a daughter and made sure she never lacked a thing. Seeing her again after five years brought back memories, and tears strolled down her eyes. "Thank you for everything, Grandmother," Lexi said with a croaky voice. A lump clogged her throat.Breaking th
GENERALLexi and Ryan weren't surprised by their presence. They glanced at them indifferently, waiting to hear why they were there.Zoe swallowed hard. "Hey, son!" She mumbled with a fake smile.With an emotionless expression, Ryan said, "Why are you here, ma'am?"Her eyes widened. She stuttered, "What... What do you mean by that? Why would anyone ask why I am at my son's house?" She darted her stare over Lexi and threw her deadly and hateful glare. Lexi didn't mind the looks from her. In as much as she didn't step her foot into the house. "I thought I told you not to bring your legs here unless you are ready to repent." Why are you here with the devil you birthed?" He snapped at his mother, fixing a cold gaze at her sister, who was hiding behind her mother.Zoe's face changed into horror. She wore a squinty countenance. "What! Did you just call your sister a devil? What has gotten into you? Has this witch messed with your sense of reasoning?" She hurled questions at him, throwing
GENERALJasmine's step slowed as she neared her hideout. It was evident that she was scared. Perhaps not scared. She wasn't just ready for the drama that would follow once she got to where she was staying. As expected, she saw the man she had been staying with, standing outside and looking fierce.With the way he paced up and down, Jasmine discerned that it wouldn't be a good day for her as usual. He was drunk and exasperated. She was going to get beaten for the umpteenth time. When she escaped the prison some weeks back, she met this grumpy man who offered to help her if she agreed to be his wife. Without thinking, she accepted since she was in dire need of help. And that marked the beginning of her misery. If she was beaten today, she would be sexually abused the following day. Should we talk about the dirty streets and the stinky houses? If she was the previous Jasmine, she would have puked the first time she stepped into his house. "Look who is here. The Almighty Jasmine," The