"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 connected the call even though that's not something he would have done. He doesn't have the contact saved up on his phone and that means the person might be an intruder. But because of the heat of the moment, he went ahead and picked up the call anyway."What!" Fred exclaimed in shock as he looked up at the police officers who were present in his house."Let her go right now," he said and Bella smiled, she could already sense what was going on. He must have called Fred and told him he was the one who spiked the wine. Now they have nothing against her anymore, she's now a free bird and that's how it's going to be."What the hell do you mean by the nonsense you have just said?" Clara was the one who asked the question as she stood there wondering what had come over her son. "Honey, you are not going to support her over your wife right? She drugged her and she was almost humiliated in front of the entire country. She needs to be arrested, I know she's your best friend but she deser
Bella stood there for a while frowning, she couldn't believe he had just spoken to her in such a manner. All of this nonsense will be over very soon and she will be the queen of this house whether they all like it or not. She matched into her room and slammed the door, she will make sure that he begs her.Bella was so happy that things turned out just the way she wanted. She opened the door to see if anyone was watching her and luckily for her, there was no one so she brought out her phone and put a call through to the guy that had called her."Hey you did a fantastic job right there, you have no idea how much you saved my ass. I thought I was going to go to jail, this is incredible." She said and the guy over the phone chuckled. "I told you I was going to sort things out and there's no need for you to worry. I'm just going to do the other job tomorrow morning. I got all the details you sent but, don't forget. You owe me some cookie." The guy said and Bella rolled her eyes, she knew
"What injection are you talking about?" He asked her and she smacked her lips together. "Yesterday morning when we were preparing for the event, I saw her come into the house through the back door and she was suspicious. Her bag fell because she was in shock and that was how I saw the injection and a syringe. That was the reason why I asked you at the party last night if she was sick." Zara said and Fred remembered, she did ask him the questions. Fred stood there confused, now he didn't even know what to do or say. All these seem to be in connection, even a blind man can see what's going on here. Fred turned to her and looked at her."So what do you suggest that we do?" He asked her and Zara was surprised, she couldn't believe he was asking her that question. That means he wants to make amends right?"You have to do whatever it is that I tell you, that's the only way all of these will be resolved. I can't allow this to go just like that, I have to expose her." Zara said and Fred nod
Zara's eyes widened with shock the minute she heard him speak, she wasn't expecting him to talk. She didn't even notice that he was awake, hell she has been fooling herself since she sat here. Zara quickly shifted her hand back and tried to stand up from the bed. But the duvet was not helping matters, she couldn't get it off her on time. Fred pinned her down as well and quickly rolled over her. Zara shut her eyes in embarrassment, there's no way she's taking a look at his face. She has never felt this embarrassed in her life, Fred smiled seeing her turn into a tomato. "Aren't you going to open your eyes?" He asked her and she shook her head profusely. There's no way she's going to let him embarrass her anymore, he will probably tease her with this for the rest of their lives. Lives? Zara frowned in her mind at the thought of that. Why in the world did she think like that? They are going to be separated very soon, again she felt sad at the thought of them separating which doesn't sit
Bella made her way down the stairs to go into the kitchen, she had not been in a good mood since she woke up this morning. She even yelled at the maid who came in the clean her room this morning. She still can't stop thinking about what happened last night with everyone, how Fred decided to choose sides with Zara is something she's yet to come to terms with. She made her way into the kitchen but paused at the door the moment she heard what the maids were talking about. She was sure she heard Fred and Zara in the conversation and she immediately became curious to know what they were discussing. "Are you serious about what you are saying?" One of the maids asked."I'm more than serious and sure of what I'm saying, they seem to have had one hell of a passionate night. The entire room was all scattered and Mrs Zara wasn't putting on anything. She only had the blanket covering her body, I even checked and saw her nightgown on the floor. As well as Mr Fred's clothes as well." The maid th
"And where is your wife?" Clara asked and Fred smiled. He likes the sound of that question. "She's in the room taking her bath, she should be joining us soon." He said and Clara nodded her head. It's understandable, the women of these families must always look their best at any time."You are the only person here?" He asked her and she nodded her head with a frown on her face. She very well knows what and who he's trying to ask her. Fred saw the way his mother looked at him and raised his hand in surrender. He can already tell what is going through her mind at the moment."Mom, you know someone is innocent until proven guilty right?" Fred asked and Clara was forced to look at him with irritation written all over her face. She can't help but be angry on behalf of her daughter-in-law anytime she listens to Fred defend her like this."I know that honey, I'm very well-learned. You don't have to remind me and I know exactly what I'm saying. That's the more reason why you need to believe m
After breakfast, Zara and Clara followed Fred to the car to escort him to work. Zara felt a type of way seeing him leave for work and couldn't even place the kind of emotions she was feeling at the moment. It was as though she didn't want him gone."Uhmm can I have a word with you in the car Zara?" He asked her and she nodded her head. Zara followed Fred into the car and they had some minutes to themselves while the driver waited outside Clara was also outside waiting for the two lovebirds to finish their discussions.Bella however stood outside the corridor of her room with so much anger rising in her. She can't believe that this girl is taking Fred away from her, as much as she hates to admit this. It's the reality of what is happening already and she doesn't like it one bit. This is the worst thing that can ever happen to her and she's not going to allow this to continue. Not under her watch, at first, Fred allowed his mother to harass her this morning. He didn't even follow after
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