Clara was so upset just by hearing her voice and she almost felt like tearing her into two. She has no idea who she thinks she is to demand something like that from her."And who do you think you are?" Clara asked her and Bella frowned."I'm a friend of your son Clara, his best friend for that matter. I think that should count for something, why can't I attend the same event as you both?" Bella asked, she honestly couldn't stand this discrimination any longer. It's getting on her nerves and she can't deal with it anymore."Well, that's because we are family and you are a good-for-nothing nobody," Clara said Bella got angry but, she didn't dare to show her anger. She wouldn't want Clara to get angry and throw her out of the house. She will just have to pretend to be cool with whatever she says."We are always going out together, Fred and I. I don't see reasons why that should change all of a sudden." Bella said and Clara laughed at her mockingly."Well that goes to show how dumb you ar
"Please stop by at the hospital, I need to pick something up for Clara." Zara lied, she had to do that so the driver wouldn't suspect a thing about her. It's the only one she could come up with, Clara is elderly so it's only reasonable that she will need something from the hospital."Alright ma'am," the driver said and did as he was told. Zara was happy, at least something was going well and smoothly.Zara alighted from the car and walked down to the reception. She looked around to be sure that she had not been followed by anyone. She feels so nervous that she can feel her hand and her palms shaking."Good day miss," Zara greeted one of the nurses at the reception."Good afternoon ma'am, how may I help you please?" The nurse asked and Zara moved a little bit closer to her. She would not want even the person beside her to hear what she was about to say. Thank goodness she has some money in her card, she just hopes it will be enough to pay for her bills."Uhmm, well you see the thing is
Hugging Fred made Zara emotional, she didn't even know when she opened her mouth and uttered those words. She should not keep something as big as this away from him. She will soon begin to show and it will be too late to say something then. She didn't cheat on him or anything like that, she was pregnant right before they even met with each other."Really?" Fred pulled away from the hug holding her shoulder and looking into her eyes. He can't tell what's wrong with him but, he has not been himself since this morning. Even before she came here, he had been thinking about her. And he can't seem to be able to concentrate on any other thing that doesn't have to do with Zara."Come here and sit, then you can tell me whatever it is you want to tell me," Fred said and Zara became nervous. Now she regrets saying that in the first place, she has no idea how he's going to react to the news.What if he doesn't like the idea of him being the father of another man's child? At least for the time bei
Bella could see the surprise expression on their faces and she couldn't help but groan inwardly. She knows for a fact that for her plans to work, she will need to be on good terms with both Fred and Zara. That's the only way her plan will ever work."Bella, I'm not up for this game. I need to leave this place now, we are hungry and we need to eat." Fred said and Bella shook her head still holding the hands of Zara who was still dumbfounded by everything going on."I'm sorry, why don't you believe me?" She asked holding the hands of Zara even firmer, even though she was trying to snatch her hands away from Bella. She won't let her."We can talk about this at home," Fred said."I know I did something wrong, especially to you Zara but, trust me that was never my intention. It's just that Fred and I have been friends for so long, and I was jealous you would take him away from me. I don't have any problems with you." Bella said but Zara wasn't convinced yet of all that she was saying. It s
Zara and Fred finished having their meal and made their way outside the VIP section. Fred remembered he promised to get some food for Bella so he paused."Wait a minute here, I will be right back," Fred said as soon as they got to the entrance of the restaurant. Zara had no idea why he asked her to wait to here but, but she didn't have a choice but to do as he said.Fred went back inside the restaurant and ordered their favorite food, Bella. Back then in school, this was the food she would usually eat the most. He also got an extra plate for Zara, he saw her order this twice this afternoon. Even when they went on a date the other time, this was what she ordered. So she must have liked this very much, he got the package and the manager of the restaurant who had been following him helped him to carry the takeaway out.Zara saw Fred walking back outside with the manager of the restaurant at his back. Zara can see a takeaway pack in his hands, and she wonders who they belong to. Of course
"I can't believe you are still in this house, I thought you already lost your way and probably ended up in another country," Clara said fuming with anger."Mom please stop all of this, Bella is my friend. She has been for years, I expect you to respect and like her for my sake at least." Fred said defending her and Bella was happy that Fred was standing up for her like that. It only goes to show that the plan she executed this afternoon worked. She now has Fred's affection and trust once again, unlike when he was mad at her."Well in all these years that you have been friends with her. I have never liked her and I never will, and because you are my son. I expect that you respect my decision and stop being friends with her. Besides you can't be as close to her as you used to be, you now have a wife. How do you think it makes her feel when seeing her husband being hugged like this in front of her." Clara said and separated Fred and Bella from each other.Fred looked at Zara and he notic
"Hey, Bella!" Fred called as soon as he got inside Bella's room. Bella lay on the bed crying pretending to be hurt making Fred feel bad."I don't want to see or talk to anyone, you should go meet with your wife and mother. They are all that matters to you anyways, I don't mean anything to you neither does our friendship." She said crying and Fred moved to her and hugged her."Come on Bella, you know that's not even true. What are you talking about?" Fred said and pulled her up, seeing that she had Fred where she wanted him. She hugged him and Fred patted her back."It's fine, you know how my mom can be very overprotective. I'm sure she means no harm, trust me on that." Fred said and she nodded her head. She didn't bother arguing because she didn't want to upset him again. She likes the place they are at right now, he now supports her against Zara and that old hag Clara."Uhmm Fred, I overheard Clara and Zara talking about some event. I asked to attend but they won't allow it, so I was
"I will make sure that you are destroyed, and this event is the perfect place to carry out my plans. By the time I'm done with you, you will wish you never even crossed paths with Fred or even married him." Bella said and let out a very evil laugh. She then brought out her phone and put a call through to someone."Hey, I need you to help me with something," Bella said and the other person over the phone said something and they both had a discussion.Fred however made his way to the sitting room and could not find anyone. Not his mother and not Zara, they probably must be mad at him now. But he didn't have any choice but to do what he did. He couldn't have possibly allowed his best friend to leave like that in such an angry state. He did what he had to do."Have you seen my mom and my wife?" Fred asked one of the maids that were passing by."Good evening Mr Fred, they are in the madam's room. I just served them both some juice right now." The maid said and Fred made his way to his moth
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