Fred's POVI had just opened the door of my room when my eyes met my mum. She always had the worst timing."What are you doing here, with her?" She scolded me."Mum, you are here?" I was shocked to see where."Yes, I am. You have to stop acting surprised each time you see me in this house. I also live here, and I can decide to show up whenever I want to" she told me, and I nodded."Now, answer my question. What are you doing here with her? When your wife is downstairs" she asked me again."She…well" I stammered, and my mum narrowed her gaze.She was the only woman capable of making me stammer, and act like a weakling."How many times have I asked you to stay away from this girl? She is not good for you. Nothing good is ever going to come out of your relationship with her '' my mum pulled my ear, as she dragged me away from the room.She locked the door from the outside, with Bella inside."What the heck? Fred, let me out of this place" Bella screamed from the inside."Shut up! Fred is
Zara's POV"Fred, I don't want her to be sleeping in a different room. I want you to have the maids move all her things to your room. You are newlyweds, you need to start having intercourse, So I can have my grandchildren early. If you know what I mean?" She stood up from the bed and scolded Fred."Yes mum" he replied, without putting up a fight.I stared blankly at him. Was he Fred, or was it someone else?She had already walked out of the room when she paused close to the door."Oh, and one more thing Fred," she turned around."Yeah, mum?" She responded."I want you to take good care of your wife. I don't think she is feeling fine. Make sure she gets better soon" she told him."Okay mum" he responded, looking at me with anger.She couldn't see the way he was staring at me, because he was backing her."Now, take her to your room. I will get the maids to move her things to your room later" she informed me.And without saying a word, he walked over to the bed and grabbed me by the hand
Clara took Zara to her room so she could calm down. Her hair was rough and she could hear her loud breath from where she was standing."Don't you ever allow that silly girl Bella bully you, or take advantage of the relationship she has with my son. You are his wife and nothing can ever change that, so don't let her have her way with you." Clara said and Zara nodded her head.She is still trying to process what just happened. And a lot of what-if keeps flowing through her head. Zara unconsciously wrapped the envelope tightly on her chest."I can see the envelope contains something really important to you." Clara walked up to Zara and said. Zara nodded her head, making sure to avoid eye contact with her. She just hopes she doesn't ask to see what's inside, she's not ready to let anyone know about her pregnancy.If at all, she's going to make her pregnancy known. She will have to speak with Fred first, they might not be on good terms. But that is the best thing for her to do, he's her hu
Zara woke up and it was already evening, she stood up and made her way to the window. She didn't realize she slept so long, she didn't even know when she slept off. This must be one of the pregnancy symptoms showing up.She already read that pregnant women sleep a lot. Zara immediately got worried and her palms sweaty. Now what is she going to do now, what if mom gets suspicious? She's a mother and will know if someone is pregnant."What if she already knows? Why the heck didn't I tell him before now? I wonder what he's going to think if he knows, he should not be bothered right? After all...." Zara soliloquied but the conversation with herself was cut off."Tell him what exactly? And don't you try to deny it, Zara? I heard exactly what you said, I know you are nothing but a gold digger and you are hiding something from Fred. I will make sure to find out what that is, and I'm going to expose you. I promise you that," Bella said and Zara frowned.She froze immediately when she heard Be
Fred came out of the study room, he has been here since this afternoon. He didn't feel like reading but, he needed to escape Bella for a while. Also, he was running from his mother, she would sure scold him as regards what happened this morning.His mother already formed a bond with his contract wife and that's getting on his nerves. Fred walked out of the study and headed for the stairs. He paused immediately after he got to the sitting room."What is going on here?" Fred asked as he closed his eyes sniffing the aroma that filled the air. He didn't even know his mouth was watering until he bumped into a maid."I'm sorry sir," the maid said."It's okay, I was the one whose eyes were closed," Fred said and the girl bowed her head."Did we change the chef? Fill me in, is there something going on that I don't know?" Fred asked the maid who was already on her way out of the sitting room. She turned back to answer his question with a smile on her face."No sir, it's your wife and your moth
Fred came out of the study room, he has been here since this afternoon. He didn't feel like reading but, he needed to escape Bella for a while. Also, he was running from his mother, she would sure scold him as regards what happened this morning.His mother already formed a bond with his contract wife and that's getting on his nerves. Fred walked out of the study and headed for the stairs. He paused immediately after he got to the sitting room."What is going on here?" Fred asked as he closed his eyes sniffing the aroma that filled the air. He didn't even know his mouth was watering until he bumped into a maid."I'm sorry sir," the maid said."It's okay, I was the one whose eyes were closed," Fred said and the girl bowed her head."Did we change the chef? Fill me in, is there something going on that I don't know?" Fred asked the maid who was already on her way out of the sitting room. She turned back to answer his question with a smile on her face."No sir, it's your wife and your moth
Zara heard the way her so-called husband scoffed at Clara's words and she immediately felt bad. He didn't cause her feelings, why is she even bothered by that? She wondered if it must be because of the pregnancy. There can't be any other reason, she thought to herself."Uhmm!" Fred was confused and didn't know what to say anymore. His mother just placed him in a very tight corner right now. How the hell is he supposed to navigate through this now? He wondered to himself.He moved closer to Zara and she looked up at him. Fred caught the sad expression on her face, and that threw him off balance. He looked at her but he could no longer see what he was seeing."Sorry about that," Fred said and Zara was surprised, why the hell was he apologizing to her? She thought to herself."What for?" Zara decided to ask, she wondered what he was up to. He might be planning to embarrass her, but Fred will never say sorry. The few days she has spent with him already told her how arrogant he is."I'm so
"Zara!" Clara was the one who called out her name."Why are you just standing there? You prepared all of this food, you deserve to come here and see for yourself what you have prepared and also have a taste of course." Clara said and Zara smiled. She walked up to the table and pulled out a chair for herself."Of course Mom, thanks so much," Zara said and smiled. At least there's someone in this house determined to make her life less miserable."Finally, she arrives. Now we can eat," Bella said, Zara looked at her and then looked away. She just wants to eat and go away already, she doesn't have time for her that night.Clara however observed everything that just happened and frowned. She took one of the towels on the table and threw it at Fred who wasn't expecting that from his mother."Mom! What in the world was that for?" He asked his mother with a shocked expression on his face."I'm telling you now, do I need to teach you how to be a husband? Your wife came in here and you could no
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