Fred was really upset with the way things just turned out for both of them in a matter of minutes. They were cool with each other some moments ago and now this. She won't even eat the food that he brought her, he took time to prepare the food himself.Fred made their way out of the room and headed to Bella's room, she had some explanation to do. He got there and he found her in her towel and was rubbing some lotion on her skin. She just finished taking her bath and is dressing up already. "Hey Fred, you miss me already," Bella said the minute she noticed him by the door. She has been thinking of the best way to handle the matter at hand. But she can't seem to do anything at all, now that Fred is here. It gives her a sense of relief, she heard everything that was said between him and his mother this morning. And how he defended her, means he doesn't believe any of the things they have been saying to him and that makes her feel good. It's all that she needs, for Fred to believe her. A
Clara made their way to Zara and Fred's room and when she got there, she found the door to be slightly open and that got her curious as she didn't know what was going on. She thought she was seeing wrong but she wasn't, she pushed the door open and made her way inside the room. She looked around and there was no one in the room. She can see a tray on the bed and she smiles because she knows that must be the food that was given to Zara prepared by Fred. She thought about where they might be but nothing came to her mind. She was confused because she didn't know what to think and she was clueless."Could she be doing something in the bathroom? She's probably taking her bath and I'm here overthinking, well I should go over and see for myself that she's okay. I can't just stand here and jump to the conclusion." Clara said to herself and walked to the bathroom door. She knocked on the door and she didn't hear any response the first time, then she knocked again. "What part of I don't want
Bella made her way out of the house and headed to the underground place where she met with the guy who gave her the drugs the other day. It's becoming too dangerous in that house and she won't be able to make any phone conversations. So the best thing she can do right now is to come out here. But damn she needs to find a way to get out of this situation. She simply can't allow herself to get caught, what if she gets thrown in jail? What the hell is going to happen to her then?"This can't be happening to me, I'm just this close to getting Fred for myself. I'm not going to allow that low-life girl to bully me, it's never going to happen. And as for that old witch Clara, I need to do something fast about her, or she's going to be the end of me." She said and put a call through to one of the other men she sends on errands to do her dirty work for her. The call got connected and Bella walked to the other side of the alley which she thinks is more silent. She doubts if anyone will be able
"Uhmm, you don't have to worry. I will let you know when it's time for to you have it. I will work something out for you, I promise." She said and the guy scoffed over the phone. She knows he doesn't believe her, she has said this to him over and over again. She just hoped that it would work this time. "You don't have to worry, I will do this one this very last time but I'm telling you. Right after this, it will no longer be free and after this time you will have no choice but to give me just what I want." He said and Bella rolled her eyes. She quickly cleared her throat and put up her fake innocent voice. "It's fine, you don't have to worry, as long as you do what I have asked well. Who knows? I might just decide to give it all to you for free." She said and the guy was happy. He ended the call and Bella groaned out of anger."That fool, what the hell? Does he think he has something on me? If only he knows how much I hate him and the fact that I'm only using his ass then he will le
"What the hell did you just say?" Bella asked as she moved into the room she was sure of what she heard, she sure didn't hear wrong. She had been standing by the door for some minutes now and she heard everything that was being said by the doctor and Zara. She wanted to hear what was said and good thing she did that. If not she won't have been able to hear what she did. "Are you pregnant?" Bella asked Zara but she didn't say anything. The question came as a shock and she felt attacked. She wasn't even expecting the doctor to say what he did. If not she would have requested to see him in private. "Zara is pregnant?" Clara asked her voice filled with so much excitement and her tone filled with expectation. She was almost running down from the stairs, she quickly held her by the hand and kissed her on the forehead as she made her way to the doctor. "Doctor, I need you to get all the tests done and make sure she's okay as well as the baby." She said and Zara quickly panicked. Of course
"What nonsense are you even saying? No way's happening." Bella said and Fred came into the house at that time. Zara frowned, she didn't want to talk to Fred yet because she was still very angry with him but right now she didn't have any choice but to pretend to be good with him so she could have him talk to her."Tell her Fred," she said, and Fred who has no idea what's going on and what they are talking about looked confused. He stretched forth his hand in surrender hoping that someone would at least explain to him what was going on, and the air was so awkward that he didn't even know what to say. "Can someone please explain to me what's going on, what's going on here and why is there so much tension here in the sitting room? Mom, what's going on here?" He asked and Clara decided to do the explanation even though she didn't want to have the doctor listen to their family affairs."Well as you can see, your best friend here is saying that you have not consummated your marriage with yo
"Good afternoon ma'am," one of the police officers greeted, he had been here before when he escorted the commissioner to come here. Now he's back here to carry out some investigations."Good afternoon, please come in and make yourself very comfortable. I would like you to make some investigations as regards some things." The person said and they all wondered what was going on. Fred was particularly confused as his mother never discussed anything with him. All of these feel weird kind of."Alright and what will that be?" He asked and she pointed at Bella who was already panicking. She was waiting for a miracle to happen, she wished that she could call that fool right now to hurry up and do something about their plans but she couldn't do that now. If she's caught trying to communicate with someone, that might even get her into even more trouble."Arrest her, she drugged my daughter-in-law and tried to humiliate her by having a man try to sleep with her. She must be sued for attempted mu
"The drug was supposed to make me want whoever comes. She will have it on camera for future use, and then the lady that lured me into the room was supposed to go into the hall and raise an alarm and have everyone come into the room and catch me sleeping with another man and disgracing my new family." Zara said and Bella shut her eyes in frustration. She has all out but the fact that she can't prove she was the one that spiked the drink is already enough for her to get out of this predicament and the only hope she's hanging on right now."So what if all of that happened to you, are you saying I'm the one responsible for them? I have no idea what the hell you are on about. I didn't do anything and I refuse to be taken away. That just means I will be admitting to a crime I didn't even commit in the first place. This is all shades of wrong and I really can't believe you will allow your mother and wife to talk to me in this manner. I thought we were best of friends." Bella said as she wal
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