"I'm not interested in watching any video, the only thing I want right now is for you to get out of my house right now. And I don't want to have to say it more than once." Clara said but Bella refused to move an inch away from there. She's just going to stay here and make sure that Clara watches that video, the success of this plan depends solely on that. And she's not going to allow anyone to ruin that for her, no matter who the person is."I know you don't like me Clara, but all I'm asking is that you give me the benefit of the doubt to prove to you that I mean no harm towards Fred. And the only thing I want is for him to be safe because I love him as if my life depends on it." Bella said, but Clara was not about to fall for her lies."So what do you want me doing for you Bella? Applaud you for loving my son; I know that you are nothing but a snitch, and I'm going to make sure that you rot in jail if you continue to slander my daughter-in-law." Clara warned Bella, making her even a
"What did I just hear? Son, Zara what's going on here? What did you mean by your wife only on paper?" Clara asked and he didn't know what to answer his mother with. He's speechless right now and doubts if there's any way for him to explain what's happening. Zara, on the other hand, was already crying; she couldn't believe this was happening to her. She didn't think it was going to happen like this; she looked at Bella, who had a smirk on her face.She wishes she could walk up to her now and tear down that face of hers; how dare she do this to them? Fred, however, was also very angry; he was trying to understand how she was able to record that. He remembers the day they had this conservation so well, but what he can't remember now is how this happened. She wasn't even holding her phone that day or was she? He asked himself with no answers."Can you see that I'm telling the truth, Clara? They never met each other before. The day he brought her to this house was the day they met and quic
Clara felt like her world was crumbling around her. She couldn't believe that her son and his wife had been deceiving her for so long. She thought she knew them, but now she realized she didn't know them at all."Why?" she asked, her voice shaking with emotion. "Why would you do this to me? Why would you lie to me and make a fool out of me?"Fred took a deep breath and tried to explain. "Mom, I know this is hard to understand, but I did it for the company. I did it to protect our family's legacy. And Zara. she was in a difficult situation, and I wanted to help her.""I was pregnant, Clara. I didn't know what to do. Fred offered to help me, and I took the offer. I know it was wrong, fooling you like that, but I was desperate."Clara followed it all. Anger, sadness, disappointment—all of them mixed in her face. She didn't know what to say or do.Up to this time, Bella was silent. "You see, Clara, I told you they were lying to you. I told you they were using you."Clara wheeled around to
Zara felt a wave of despair wash over her as she watched Fred walk away. She knew she had to do something, but what? She couldn't just stand there and let everything fall apart.She took a deep breath and tried to compose herself, wiping away her tears. She needed to think, to come up with a plan to fix this mess.She just stood there, trying to collect her thoughts, when she felt a touch on her shoulder. That was Clara, whose look in the eyes oozed compassion."Zara, I believe you," Clara said softly. "I know you're telling the truth. We'll get through this together, okay?"Zara nodded, a small spark of hope. Maybe, just maybe, she could repair this after all.Then she scanned the place and saw Bella with that cunning smile on her face. Zara knew she had to go to her to make her pay for it."Bella," Zara spoke, in a firm voice. "We need to talk."Bella raised an eyebrow; Zara could catch that little chink of fear in her eyes."Oh, I'm shaking in my boots," Bella said, but she took a
Bella's eyes turned desperate as she tried to turn the tables on Zara. "This is all a setup, Fred! Zara is framing me!"But Fred's face was inflexible. "I am calling the police, Bella. This is over."Bella's face contorted with fear and anger as she reached to touch Fred's arm, but Clara stepped forward, flashing her angry eyes."Don't touch my son with this filth you call a hand," Clara spat, her words dripping with venom.Bella's hand jerked back as if singed, as she took a step backward, her eyes darting quickly between Fred and Clara."Oh, you'll pay for this," she snarled, her words quivering with malice. "I'll make you pay for this."But Fred just shook his head, the phone already in his hand. "I'm done playing your games, Bella. It's over."As Fred dialed the police, the mask of innocence and charm fell to pieces, showing the ugliness underneath. She knew she had been caught red-handed, and there was no getting out.Sirens were wailing distantly, the pitch growing louder with e
Fred came to the police station, his heart very heavy in his chest. The whole day before had been an emotional rollercoaster while working through the DNA test and the declaratory fact that his children were not biologically his. Today, though, was another matter."Mr. Fred?" The detective called over, looking off his desk."Can I talk to her?" he asked of the detective.The detective nodded toward the cell, having Fred follow him to the cell. "Be careful, Mr. Fred; she has been known to manipulate people."Fred's eyes locked onto the detective. "I am not afraid of her," he firmly said.The detective's words still hovered in the air as Fred asked in a near-whisper, "What do you mean?The detective was white as a ghost. "We have been digging into the past of Bella, and it looks like over the years, she has been screwing with your relationships. She comes into your life, charming and beautiful, gets your confidence, then sabotages your relationships when she is through with you."Appall
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
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 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