Zara was shocked at the sound she was hearing. She knows she can't be mistaken but, she needs to be sure so she walks closer. This is the sound of a woman, and this person is moaning. Zara already knows who the person is and her heart skipped a bit.She knew who the person was, she didn't want to jump to conclusions. Zara stepped back a little bit, she just wanted to run but, she quickly summoned the courage. If the person in there is who she thinks she is, then it can only mean one thing.Zara walked to the room and slammed the door open, the sight she saw not only disgusted her but also broke her heart in pieces. Zara didn't know what to say or how to even react to what was going on there. Her husband is here with another woman on the bed kissing each other and having sex. Zara moved back bit by bit, she didn't know when her back hit the wall and she collided with the painting on the wall causing it to fall."Zara!" Fred noticed her as soon as he heard the noise. He quickly pushed B
"Hey, Zara! Zara!!" Fred yelled after her but she didn't wait, instead, she ran into the room and locked the door. Fred didn't bother running after her, he could see she was still very much upset about the matter. And the best thing he can do right now is to let her be.Fred made his way back into the mansion and saw Bella waiting for him by the staircase. He wanted to walk past her but she dragged him by the hand."Are you just going to pretend like I don't exist and walk past me in such a manner?" She asked him."Bella, I'm not in the mood for this tonight. I just need to sleep so I can clear my head, please we will talk tomorrow." Fred said but Bella was not having it."We were having a really good time before she came in and interrupted us, we can go back into my room. I can help you relieve all the stress, you don't have to think about that girl. I'm sure she has locked the door to the room, and doesn't want to see you." Bella said dramatically after she cried.She decided to pic
Zara looked up at him and then turned away, she didn't feel like talking to him right now. So she will just let him be, and not speak to him."Zara!" Fred called out but Zara still won't speak to him. She turned and went to the bathroom so she could have her bath. Even though she doesn't feel like it at the moment, she can use the distraction at the moment. She doesn't even want anything to do with him.Fred on the other hand sat on the bed, he threw his head back in frustration hitting the bed frame. He didn't expect her to be this difficult, he thought it was something he would be able to sort out with some explanation.This is worse than he thought, he didn't expect this reaction from him. It will be worse if she goes ahead and says something to his mom. Zara thinking Fred had left came out of the bathroom tying just a towel. She already picked a dress she will be wearing. She will just apply some lotion on her skin and dress up here."Hey, Zara! Zara stop," Fred said almost yellin
"Good morning Mom," Fred greeted as soon as he came to the dining table. He sat down on one of the chairs beside Zara. Zara didn't want to cause any scene so she just sat there, even though she would prefer to leave this place."Good morning Fred, I trust that your night was fine," Clara said and he nodded his head."Yes Mom, my night was fine, and yours?" He asked her."My night was good, I hope we can have our breakfast this morning like a family?" Clara asked and Fred rolled his eyes, he knew exactly what his mother was talking about. She doesn't want Bella to join them for breakfast, he doesn't have the time for them. He has a lot on his plate right now, this is the last thing he needs."Mom, please. We won't have a peaceful breakfast if you are planning on throwing a tantrum like this, we can always sort this out I believe." Fred said."Whatever, I was just speaking with Zara and I was asking if you are not giving me a hard time. I don't want her to be stressed, her body needs to
Bella frowned as soon as she heard what Clara said, what the hell is she on about? Bella wondered in her mind, there's no way Fred is sleeping with Zara. She's the only woman that Fred desires and she plans on keeping it that way till the very end.She's not going to allow some girl from nowhere, to snatch Fred away from her. She's confident because she knows Fred is only using her to get what he wants in the company.Once he gets what he wants and the divorce is final, he will come running to her. Zara will leave this house for good and she will marry Fred like she has always wanted. Bella smiled to herself just thinking of the possibility of everything happening soon. She really can't wait but, she's sure she won't be waiting for so long. She will find a way to get this Zara girl out of this house and the life of Fred for good."Mom don't you worry, my wife and I are working on it, and you will be having your grand babies soon," Fred said and Zara frowned, what the hell is he talkin
"Bella!" Fred dropped Zara's hand and ran towards her seeing that she collapsed on the floor. He didn't bother or think of his wife standing by his side, all he could think of right now was Bella. Zara also felt concerned for a minute, she might not like Bella. And that's because of her attitude and all but she surely doesn't wish any evil on her.Clara on the other hand frowned, she could already tell that this was nothing but, a trick from this girl Bella. She can't understand why she wouldn't want Fred to go out with his wife. She's trying her best to stop it, now she's more convinced than ever that she loves Fred and doesn't want him to be with someone else."Fred you can leave with Zara, I will take care of her. You don't have to worry, go enjoy yourself with your wife, I will get the ambulance or ask the doctor to come here. It's not a big deal and nothing to worry about, come on son. Take your wife out," Clara said and Bella groaned inwardly but, she couldn't bring herself to s
Bella was so angry that she felt her head was going to explode. She couldn't believe what just happened, she turned to Clara to confront her but, she found herself eating her words. She won't dare to do anything to upset Clara anymore, what if she asks her to leave and get out of the house?She possibly can't do that, she needs to be in this house to be able to get Fred to be hers completely. And what happened now is a clear indication that something is off in her relationship with Fred. This is crazy, she can't believe Fred worked out on her with Zara.Bella stormed off upstairs to her room with so much anger. She has never been humiliated this way before, she can see the maids staring at her. She felt so embarrassed and she glared at them, why won't they just mind their business? This is not the end of this, she will find a way to get back to Clara. She's so upset that there's nothing she can do to stop Fred from leaving with Zara like that. Clara laughed mockingly as Bella made her
Zara and Fred finished with their shopping and Zara headed to the car. She didn't bother waiting for Fred, no matter how much she tried to hide her anger. She just can't, she can't even remember picking anything in the store. Fred did all the shopping while she just sat there like the figurehead that she is.Fred got into the car and didn't bother saying anything to her as they drove off. He can see she's still very upset, he knows he didn't handle that well. But she got on his nerves, that was the reason why he snapped like that."I will be heading over to the company, I will have another car pick me up. The driver will take you home and also don't forget to show Mom all that we got and you shopped for." Fred said and Zara nodded for the sake of the driver that was present in the car. She can't have the driver notice something is going on with both of them."Alright," Zara managed to say to him and he smiled, at least she said something to him, that shows a lot."You can drop me off
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