Then she spotted a recognizable face. Hailey, who sat at a table at the back of the restaurant, was Zara’s sister. Bartlett’s eyes narrowed, her interest piqued as she recognized that Hailey was not by herself. A man was sitting opposite her leaning on the table passionately animated with whatever he was saying. There was Hailey, in a fit of laughter, a coy smile on her face, her hand on the man’s arm. Bella’s gaze became sharper; this was not Justin, who was Hailey’s husband. This one was a younger quite impressively dressed man who appeared to be very much mesmerized by Hailey. Bella felt the sudden urge to take her phone out; she made it look like she was scrolling but took a couple of pictures. In every image, Hailey’s posture toward the man was unmistakably friendly. A sly smile appeared on her face. One would think that Zara’s family was perfect but that was not the case. This was something which Bella had not anticipated but now the idea was blooming in her mind. These pictures
"I'm coming over there right now," Fred said and turned back to go to the office, he couldn't believe what he just heard. He should call home and inform them of what just happened now. He immediately connected his phone to the car and placed a call to his mother."Mom, I will be home a little bit late tonight. Don't wait up for me please," he said and ended the call before she could say anything in response. Fred got to the company and he saw the car packed outside the company's gate. That must belong to the man who is here to see him as regards his mother's case, if truly there's someone out there trying to kill his mother, then he has to find out who the person is and put a stop to it. "Where is the person here to see me? I have to speak to the person right away." Fred said to the security guard, immediately the guard noticed it was him by the gate. He quickly opened the door for him to get in, and he bowed his head as he offered his greetings."Good evening Mr Fred, I gather you d
Bella felt so restless as she made her way to the room, she had been here waiting for a call from the assassin she hired to do the job. She cannot simply imagine what would happen to her if she were to be exposed, that would certainly be the end of her.She decided to make the call instead, she placed a call to the man but his phone was unreachable. She sighed in frustration, she then breathed in and out. He must be busy carrying out the work she gave him, and that must be the reason why he has not called or given her any feedback. She went to the closet and pulled out her clothes, she changed into something more comfortable. She needs to behave all natural, she can't be suspected of anything. She made her way downstairs and into the kitchen, she should get something to eat and calm down her nerves, she would get news soon. She was about to leave for her room with the tray of food in hand when she heard a knock on the door."Good evening, may we please speak to Mrs. Clara?" One of th
Fred woke up to a sharp pain in his head, it felt as if he was hit by a truck or something. He held his head to reduce the effect of the pain on his head, he looked around and noticed he was tied to a chair and not just that. He's in a dark small room, the place looks like an abandoned room that is part of a house. Fred remembered what happened and hissed, he was so close to getting that bastard. But he guessed he wasn't so clever and went about it in the wrong way. This is just crazy, whoever is behind this is trying so hard not to get caught. "You are finally awake I see," the second assassin who Bella has hired said bringing Fred's attention to him."You are messing with the wrong person here trust me, this is not going to end well for you. I'm sure my mom is having the police search all for over me right now, turn yourself in and tell me who the person is. I might be able to help you here," Fred said to him and he scoffed. Though he knows what he said is the truth, he's not goin
"What do you want?" Clara asked and the guy smiled. He likes the fact that she's willing to cooperate and do whatever it is that he wants."I need some money to leave this country, I simply can't stay here anymore. Especially now that your son has seen my face and knows me, he can easily rant me out to the police and I don't want to go to jail. The truth is no one wants to go to jail don't you agree?" He asked and Clara frowned, she knew exactly what he was asking for but she possibly couldn't do that."What's the assurance that you will leave my son as soon as I do what you want? Release him and then we can talk about this," Clara said and he frowned."I'm not here to banter words with you old lady, you will simply do as I say or you will never see him again. I will be calling again to see if you have done what I asked of you, you don't want to get on my nerves lady." He said and ended the call."Did they get anything?" Clara asked as soon as she was sure the call had ended. Zara how
"You won't dare to do that, you can't kill him, you should not have taken him with you. Now what are we going to do? This is all your fault, you should not have allowed yourself to be seen by him. This is extremely bad, at this rate you are going to get caught for sure and there's nothing I will be able to do about it." Bella cried complaining, that she couldn't believe she would get caught for this."Do you even know what you are saying? I should allow myself to get caught? He's going to tell me to the police, he was already about to call the police when I took him. You are only thinking about yourself, what about me? What happens to me then?" He yelled at her, Bella had to calm down so she could talk to him. She doesn't want to get him angry anymore."Do you have any idea the magnitude of what you are saying at all? The call you made earlier was tracked by the police, you have to get out of that place this very minute. You can't take Fred with you, his mother is going to do all in h
Clara called the police and all three of them made their way to the police unit, Clara wanted to go alone but insisted on going with her. There's no way she's going to stay at home doing nothing, and just waiting for Fred to be brought back."Mrs Clara, I don't think everyone should come with us like this. It might be dangerous for you all in the end, we are dealing with an assassin here and not just some random thief." The police officer said and Clara looked at Zara to make sure she wanted to do it."I'm not changing my mind, Clara, there's no way I'm going to sit here and do nothing. I want to look for Fred along with you all, let's go already, Fred needs us." She said with so much determination and the police officer was speechless and didn't know what to say."Alright miss but you are going to stay here in the car while we go in there as soon as we arrive there. We can't afford to have any casualties" he said and she nodded her head in understanding. Bella also was in the car, sh
The guy was taken aback by the question that was asked him as he didn't know if Fred was trying to play with his intelligence or he actually means what he's saying. Right now he should not trust anyone, he feels Fred might be saying the truth. That bitch might be trying to use him to get what she wants and he's not going to allow that to happen. As a matter of fact, that bitch is yet to show her face and he doubts if she's even coming. And now that he thinks about it, didn't she say the police are tracking his calls? What if she only called him so the police will be able to get the exact location he his. But then he thought again, what if this man is only trying to use him and nothing more? He walked around using his fingers to brush through his hair as he paced around in confusion not knowing what to do right now. Now he's at a state where he has to make a decision as fast as possible, and he's going to go with the first available option, that bitch isn't here with the money yet. A
Fred was laughing when his phone rang, but the moment he answered, his face turned serious."Fred, this is Detective James. I've got some news. We have Hailey, her mother, and Bella. They're all in custody."Fred's eyes grew wide with shock. "What? How in the world did you guys find them?"The detective chuckled. "Let's just say we had some good leads. They're in the process of being booked now."A wave of relief washed over Fred. "Thank God. Thank you, Detective.""We're not done yet, Fred. We still need to question them and get to the bottom of this. But for now, you can rest easy knowing they're off the streets."Fred nodded, even though the detective couldn't see him. "I appreciate it. Please keep me updated."As he hung up, Fred turned to Zara and Clara. "It's all over. Hailey, her mother, and Bella are behind bars."Tears brimmed over in Zara's eyes. "Oh, thank God. Our kids are safe."Clara smiled, her face carved with relief. "This is the best news we could have asked for."Fr
The booms of the police sirens in the warehouse were getting closer now. Clara was holding her daughter-in-law Zara's hand very tightly to soothe her."Help is here, Zara, just hang in there." These words repeated for a while produced from the lips of Clara, firm but quaking with emotion.Zara's eyes fluttered closed, her face going white and sweaty. Clara missed one heartbeat, not even daring to go to the worst place in her mind.But then Zara's eyes flickered open again, and she fixed them onto Clara. "Clara. Lo siento. I didn't mean to put you in danger."Clara was crying now, blubbering, the tears cascading down her face. "Don't say that, Zara. You're going to be fine. You're going to pull through."The medics burst past Clara, utterly focused on Zara. Clara stood, staring, while they dropped down to her level and pinned the wound on Zara's neck, then pulled her up onto the gurney.She gripped Zara's hand tightly in her own, behind her back in the ambulance, praying that with ever
"I have to go in there, Clara, for I have to find out what's happening to my girl. The silence—it just kills me."Clara's face set in a stubborn cast. "No, Zara, I cannot let you in there on your own; it's dangerous."Zara was indecisive. Her mind knew Clara was right, yet on the other hand, she simply could not do this. "Clara, please, I gotta do this. I'll be okay."Clara just shook her head. "But I'm not going to let you go in there alone. What if Bella is dangerous? What if she unmans you?"Zara let out a melodramatic sigh at that one, knowing against all her credibilities that Clara wouldn't."Okay. But you have got to promise me one thing. You have to stay way back and let me handle it. I don't want you under attack because of me."Clara's expression had softened, but her voice did not relent. "I'll stay behind, but just because you promise me one thing- you're going to be careful, and if things get out of hand, you get out of there, period."Zara nodded. Clara, she knew was o
Reaching the bottom step and hearing the 'click' of the sound of the hardwood floor beneath her boots, she entered the living room, where Clara was already seated sipping at a cup of coffee."Hey girl, you look fabulous," she told Zara, placing her cup on the table.Another added booster of her confidence made her smile. "Thanks, Clara, I am feeling rather good today."Clara nodded solemnly. "Yes, we need to find a way to talk about Bella. I was just trying to clear my thoughts and jot down in writing some thoughts on how we would start in dealing with the whole issue."Zara nodded as she got seated on a small stone beside Clara. "I am all ears. Let's hear it all."There she was, deep in conversation, when through the door in came Fred-torn, untidy in his appearance. "Hey guys, sorry to interrupt, but I was thinking of something since you're going out, would you like me to make some lunch for when you get back?"So, forthwith, a smile flitted from Zara, quite touched at Fred's caring
"Me neither. It's like she just snapped or something."Clara held her eyes, concern etched on her face. "Do you think Fred's plan for helping her is a good idea?"Zara hesitated, having known otherwise what to respond to. A part of her wanted to believe that Bella could be salvaged, that she wasn't beyond redemption. Another part of her was just plain terrified, scared of what Bella might do next."I don't know, Clara," Zara said finally. "I want to believe that Bella can change, that she's not beyond help. But at the same time, I'm scared. I don't know what she's capable of."Clara nodded with understanding. "I think so too. But do we not have to try, Zara? For Fred's sake, if nothing else."Zara nodded, her emotions oozing with an air of resolution. "You are right. We have to try."Just then, Fred came downstairs. His eyes were tired, but there was a determined look in them. "Guys, I've been thinking. I know how we can reach Bella."Zara and Clara gave each other a hopeful look. "Wh
As Fred was lost in the thought that it might be possible for Bella to change, Zara grew tense in his hand. "Hey, what's wrong?" he asked softly and gently full of concern.Fred was unsure of what to say to Zara about his plan; he just felt undecided. But something in her soft voice just made everything all right. "I have been thinking," he began, his voice barely above the whisper. "I probably could help Bella. I probably could get her the help she needs."Zara's face contorted in incredulity. "Fred, we have talked about this. Bella's beyond help. Toxic, she will bring you down with her."Fred nodded, realizing Zara's concern was founded. But he couldn't help that feeling inside him, telling him he needed at least to try. "I know, but what if I can reach her? What if I could help change her?"Zara heaved a deep sigh and searched his face for an answer. "You really would risk everything, wouldn't you, for her?"Fred nodded, his heart heavy with the weight of his decision. "I have to t
Fred trudged up the walkway, his feet heavy with the weight of his conversation with the detective. He had been hoping to find some way to help Bella, but now he wasn't so sure. As he reached the front door, it swung open and Zara stood before him, a look of concern etched on her face."Hey," she said standing aside to let him in. "How did it go?"Fred sighed, rubbing his temples. He didn't know how to summarize the complicated emotions swirling inside him.A seemingly sympathetic frown was creasing Zara's face. "That bad, huh?"Fred nodded, and he felt an immense weight being lifted, just being near Zara made things better.Zara softly closed the door as he entered inside, then leaned back against it, crossing her arms. "So, did you get to speak to her?" she asked softly.Fred's eyes dropped, his mind flashing back to the conversation with Bella. He hadn't expected her to be so. unrepentant. So uncaring."Yeah," he said at last, voice barely above a whisper. "She was vile like always
Fred asked the detective, "Is there a way to protect her? I don't want anything to happen to her."Detective Mathew's eyes became wide with shock. "Protect her? Mr. Fred, she's the one who has been causing harm to others. Why would you want to protect her?"Fred's expression turned grave. "She's like a sister to me," he said. "I am responsible for her, and I don't want anything to happen to her."The surprise on the detective's face slowly gave way to comprehension. "I see," he said. "Well, Mr. Fred, I can offer her protection while she's in custody, but once she's released. I'm not sure what we can do."Fred nodded, his eyes full of concern. "I understand. Just do what you can, please."The detective nodded. He looked so contemplative. "I'll see what we can do, Mr. Fred. But I have to ask, are you sure you want to do this? She's caused a lot of harm to people you care about."Fred's jaw clamped down tightly, his eyes flashing with determination. "Positive," he said. "She's like a sis
Fred's eyes never left Bella's face and a mixture of shock and sadness was written all over his face. "Everyone, please leave us alone for a minute," he said in a whispered tone.The detective had looked indecisive but nodded, gesturing to his officers to leave the room. "We'll be right outside, Mr. Fred," he said.As the door shut behind them, Fred turned back to Bella. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice trembling. "How can you say that?"Bella laughed coldly and mirthlessly. "You don't get it, do you?" she spat. "You never have. You've always been so blind, so oblivious to everything around you."He took a step closer, his hands extending toward her. "Bella, please. just tell me what's wrong. What have I done to hurt you so?"Bella's eyes suddenly flashed with anger, and she rose to her feet, her body etched with tension. "You want to know what you have done?" she repeated. "You want to know the worst thing you've ever done to me?"Fred nodded, his heart beating in his chest in