GENERALRyan clasped his lips as he strolled out of the hospital, holding back the tears dancing in his eyelids and caging his emotions. That was his daughter. His only child, yet he was helpless. He couldn't find her. Every attempt to find her proved abortive. At first, they thought they were just mere hungry kidnappers and would call before the end of the day, but it never happened. Their calls never came in, and that had pricked his worry. He was scared. He didn't know what he would do. He could go insane if anything happened to his only child.Opening his door, he hopped in and rested his head on the steering wheel. How could he be helpless? The little girl must be scared of staying alone without seeing her parents or any familiar faces. He had ruminated on who could do this, but he couldn't think of anybody. He had no enemies. And even if he did, only a petty person would attack him through his daughter. Then, his mind wandered to Jasmine, and he immediately raised his head.Jasm
LEXIMy whole world came crashing in front of me, yet I couldn't do anything to hold it or prevent it from shattering. I was helpless. My baby has been taken away from me, yet I have no idea what to do, where she was, or how to get her back.It had been five days since her kidnap, and no call had come in. I mean, they were kidnappers, weren't they? And the only thing kidnappers are after is money. I have been expecting them to call in to ask for the ransom, but no call came in. In fact, I had withdrawn some money from my account so that it would be easy to take it to them the same day they called. "Are you listening, Miss Lexi?" The voice of one of the cops in our house pulled me out of my train of thought. Blinking, I shook my head. Emotions surged within me, and tears gathered in my eyelids, threatening to fall from a blink. "I don't know. I don't know anything. Don't ask me anything. I just want to see my baby. Please, find my girl," I mumbled, holding the cops' hands and glan
LEXII swayed my gaze over my parents for a few seconds. Having made up my mind, I blinked and shook my head. "No, mum! Nothing happened. It wasn't the kidnappers," I fibbed, avoiding their eyes. "It... It's... It's Donald. Yeah! I just finished speaking with Donald and he asked me to come and meet him at the nearest restaurant," I added concealing the guilt in my eyes with a smile. This must be the first time I smiled since the incident had occurred and it gladdened my parents' hearts. "Lexi! Did you just smile?" My mum asked, sitting beside me and holding my arm. At the same time, my phone beeped and vibrated, indicating a new notification. I didn't need to open it. I knew it was from the kidnappers. They must have sent the address. My mum glanced at me with scrutiny, especially when my phone beeped in the middle of her question. "What....," She wanted to ask me a question. And of course, I knew what that was. However, before she could do that, I cut her short with my chuckles.
LEXIMy body felt numb as though it was devoid of blood and water. Subconsciously, I struggled with an inexplicable force that was trying to overpower me and pin me down. With my eyes closed, my lashes blinked incessantly as I fought with the force that was struggling to win over me. After what seemed like a lost battle, I successfully escaped from the indescribable grasp.A gasp escaped my mouth as my eyes dilated in trepidation. My chest heaved up and down heavily and loudly. An excruciating pain coursed through my head like it was being sliced with a double-edged sword the moment my eyes pried open. Another gasp crept out of my mouth as I shut my eyes back. I waited for a few seconds and gradually unlocked my eyes as the pain slowly subsided. My eyes were opened fully when they had absorbed the sunlight and atmosphere. Tilting my head, I scrutinized my environment and found it unfamiliar. It was a large, void room with only one door and a tiny window. The last thing I remembered w
GENERALThe boss they had been clamoring all about turned out to be Jasmine. She walked in majestically, radiating a dangerous aura. On her lips was etched a sinister smile that sent fear down the men's spines. They forced out smiles to ease the tension rising in their bodies, and they bowed their heads curtly at every step she walked closer to my kids and me.My brows creased in shock the moment my eyes landed on Jasmine. To be sincere, I was shocked. I knew she was a desperate bastard, but I didn't know it was this much. I didn't know she was capable of kidnapping a child. A child void of sins and crimes. A child who didn't harbor any grudges against her.My eyes blinked in disbelief. My lips were clasped as I gulped hard. "Jasmine. How dare you!" I spat fearlessly, tears rushing to my eyelids and brimming in them. "Surprise! Surprise!!" She let out, stretching out her hands and turning with a wide grin. My stomach stirred with irritation as I looked at the smile on her face. Tha
GENERAL Lexi's heart almost jumped out of her mouth when she heard Jasmine's statement. She didn't want anything but her life. But why? All she has ever done for her was in her favor. She didn't let her enjoy her marriage, yet she never argued with her. She walked out of the marriage for her. Her eyes blinked, and tears flowed out. "Why? Why does it have to be my life?" She asked in a croaky voice, swirling her tongue over her lips. Her eyes were reddened and teary. Jasmine chuckled, "It doesn't have to be you. It can be your adorable daughter," she stated, acting like she was about to pull the trigger. Lexi pushed her baby behind her and shrouded her with her body. "Don't do this, Jasmine. Leave my baby out of our mess. She has nothing to do with what happened between us," she said. "What!" Jasmine's brows crinkled. Then she smirked slyly, "She has a lot to do with what happened between us and the horrible incident that happened to me. She was a mistake. She wasn't supposed to
GENERAL "She is not picking up," Lexi's mother informed with concern in her voice, bringing her phone from her ear and staring at the screen, which was displaying her daughter's name.Mr. Alexandra's eyes skimmed over the clock that was glued at the top of the entrance. It was already 8 pm, and she hadn't gotten back since she left home. She didn't dress extra when she left in the afternoon, so they didn't think where she was going was far. They wondered if she was still with Donald, as she had said before she left the house.Mr. Alexandra picked up his phone and put a call across to Donald, who picked up on the second ring. "Hello, President Alexandra," Donald greeted on the other side of the phone the moment he picked up. For some reason, he found the call surprising, and he was curious. Did something happen to Lexi? It had been days since he last saw her because he had been busy at the office. Since the CEO wasn't around, he had to take over so that there wouldn't be any flop i
GENERALLexi flinched in fear as she felt a liquid substance splashing over her. Unlocking her eyes swiftly in fear, she was shocked to find Jasmine, standing over her and pouring water over her and her daughter. The craziest part of it was it wasn't clean water, and it was already emitting a stench odor. She almost puked as the horrible smell drifted into her nose. Thankfully, she had shielded Isabelle, which protected her from the water. "What are you doing, Jasmine? What water is this?" She yelled at her, hovering over her daughter. Her voice was shaky and pathetic. None of her words wafted into Jasmine's ears. She didn't stop pouring the water until she finished the one in the bucket. Then, she flung the bucket away. "What do you think I am doing? I am trying to wake you up. Is that a bad thing to do?" She responded to her with an indifferent expression. She was totally not bothered and nonchalant about her actions. "And you think waking me up this way is the best way? How
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