(Dean)I look at them, and I can't help but smile even though Bella's words still had me forlorn. There's a warm glint in their eyes that tugs at my heart, so innocent, so pure. It just manages to push the sadness away, leaving me unexpectedly warm inside.It's fascinating in a way that's hard to explain.Quickly they come running up to me with a big smile even before Bella could utter a word.I know she isn't taking this so well, I understand but I honestly didn't mean for any of this to happen.My little princess stares at me with little wonder, while Javier clings to my hand. "Did mommy tell you?" She blurted out, looking between Bella and I.I don't miss the excitement in her voice, and Javier nods, pinning his eyes on me.Confused, I take a quick glance at Bella, and she rolls her eyes, instinctively folding her fingers into her palm.She only does that when she's nervous, maybe it's not something she'd want me to know.Mirroring my hesitation, Javier asked. "You'll be our frien
(Ashley)"You're unbelievable, Ashley!" Evelyn rants as we step into the house but I paid her no mind, walking in and replaying everything in my head."So the real reason you asked we step out this night is to stalk Dean?" She spat, her voice rising slightly in a pitch.I clench my fist beside me, stopping abruptly. Believe me, Evelyn is getting on my last nerves, I just can't wait for Kendra to get back, jezz!I turn, fixing her with a hard look. "So?" I spat, clearly triggered.She crosses her arms, her jaw set in a way that tells me she isn't leaving this alone. "You shouldn't have done that, it's wrong!" She replies, her gaze softening and then she takes a few step forward. "Look, Ashley. It's not too late to stop, you have to—,"I cut her off sharply. "Never!" I blurted out, my eyes blazing with anger. "I will never leave Dean for that bitch, he's mine and I won't let anyone get in my way," I say sternly, my voice loud and clear.Evelyn chuckles, her eyes slowly meeting mine. "He
(Dean)As I drove home, I can't help but replay everything in my head.The pain I saw in Bella's eyes as she shut the door in my face, the way she looked at me, it's stuck in my head, like an imprint refusing to go.The deafening silence after she shut the door, it just feels like she's shutting me out of her life completely.Why did I ever let her go?That feeling when something's within reach but yet out of grasp.I feel even worse knowing I have a family I'm not part of, it leaves me feeling so empty.I don't know if there's anything I say or do that'd change anything but I do know that I'm never giving up on her, my family.I take a deep breath, my mind spirals.Ethan was right. I didn't handle things well, I should've fought for what we had. I shouldn't have let anger get the better part of me.If l hadn't, we'd still be together, raising our kids like we've always wanted.I deeply regret everything.I grip the steering, beating myself up mentally.The fear and the guilt of what
(Bella)"You were a whore Bella and you're still a whore. Jezz, what was I thinking?" Dean lashes out angrily as he threw pictures of me around the room.I haven't seen Dean this angry, it scares me to the pit of my stomach."I swear, Dean. This is all a lie, a mistake, a conspiracy," I wail, on my knees as I beg him to listen to me just this once."Shut the fuckk up, Bella. I'm done listening to you," he seethes. "My mom was right all along, a pig will always remain a pig," he spits the words out, like venom, unfiltered.My heart aches hearing those harsh words from him.Tears stream down my cheeks as I sobbed, but those tears doesn't move Dean, not anymore.My once loving husband, who stood his ground that I was his soulmate, who he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, against his family.He didn't care about their opinion of me.A stripper, an exotic dancer but none of that mattered to Dean. He loved me and married me against all odds."You still crave that life. Don't you?" H
(Bella)My heart bleeds as I watch Dean storm off.He's asking for a divorce, just like that?How did we get here?How did my life turn into a living nightmare in one day?Those pictures, I mutter reaching out to them and picking them up one after the other.Four different men that I've never seen.It looks so real but I don't remember coming in contact with any of this men, not in my past and definitely not now.Something is fishy but I can't seem to place my hand on what it is.Whoever is behind this, just wants to break me and Dean apart.But I won't let them."No," the word slips out of my mouth. "I won't give up on us just like that, I'm going to fight for my man, my marriage, what I have with Dean is worth fighting for,." I say, my voice firm as I dust myself up.How do I go about it?Dean is so angry, I doubt if he'd ever listen to what I have to say.I need someone that can talk to Dean.But who?His mother?I scoff at myself. Judy is the last person I should think of.She has
(Bella)The doorbell rings and jars me awake. I fling my eyes open, pulling myself up from the couch.My back hurts..Just then I realize it's the next day and I had slept off on the couch waiting for Dean.This only means one thing, Dean didn't come home last night.The very first day he's sleeping out.My eyes hurts as fresh tears stride down my cheeks but the doorbell rings again, this time continuously.I spring up. It could be Dean.Quickly I move over to the door, and swing it open.My breath catches in my throat. It's not Dean.Judy, Elena and an older man. And then when she shifts, I spot Ashley standing right behind.Before I could process what's going on, Judy pushes me aside, striding in like the queen of England. Elena, Dean's aunt, gives me a horrific look as she walks in.And then the man and Ashley came in.Ashley casts me a weird look as she brushes past me.I step in. "What are you doing here, the both of you?" I'm forced to ask, as much as I'm exhausted, I can't let
(Bella)I shove the papers on the table and Judy picks it up, her hand running through the papers in excitement.A smile crosses her face as he mutters. "Finally," she turns to Ashley and Elena, giving them a knowing smile and then back to me."Alright. Let's wrap it up real quick. Go in there and pack your things. The buyers are waiting, hurry up Bella," she spat, crossing her legs and relaxing into the couch.I stare at her, all of them, sobbing my eyes out.Where do I go from here?My life has been centered around Dean. I drag my feet upstairs, each step feels heavier than the last. My heart torn apart as I packed my clothes, glancing around the house I'd started to set up as my forever home.The one I'd build a family with Dean and live happily ever after. Fresh tears came pouring out, my eyes feels so heavy, my chest too tight to breathe.Once done packing my personal stuff, I sit on the bed, thinking of where to go.I really do not want to bother Derrick but he'd be so mad if I
(Dean)"That's enough Dean!" Ethan says as he drags the glass away from me, eyebrows raised."You're only hurting yourself. Drinking won't solve anything," he retorts. "You need to go home and at least hear Bella out,"I chuckle bitterly. "And listen to more lies?" I blurted out. "Those pictures are all the proof I needed. She's a slut, Ethan."Ethan shakes his head. "This is quite confusing. Bella loves you, I'm sure.""Pretense, all pretense, man. She deceived me into believing that. But truth is, she still craves her old life, she wants to be out there fucking them dudes. She's on birth control, didn't want to ruin her perfect shape," I snap."My mother, Aunt Elena, they were right after all. Bella is a filthy slut, no redemption.""You're drunk, Dean. We need to get you home," Ethan says, skipping right past my tantrums.I scoff. "Home?" I laugh. "That's no home. She disgusts me, I can't even stand her," my phone insistently buzzes in my pocket, again, and again.I pull it out, and
(Dean)As I drove home, I can't help but replay everything in my head.The pain I saw in Bella's eyes as she shut the door in my face, the way she looked at me, it's stuck in my head, like an imprint refusing to go.The deafening silence after she shut the door, it just feels like she's shutting me out of her life completely.Why did I ever let her go?That feeling when something's within reach but yet out of grasp.I feel even worse knowing I have a family I'm not part of, it leaves me feeling so empty.I don't know if there's anything I say or do that'd change anything but I do know that I'm never giving up on her, my family.I take a deep breath, my mind spirals.Ethan was right. I didn't handle things well, I should've fought for what we had. I shouldn't have let anger get the better part of me.If l hadn't, we'd still be together, raising our kids like we've always wanted.I deeply regret everything.I grip the steering, beating myself up mentally.The fear and the guilt of what
(Ashley)"You're unbelievable, Ashley!" Evelyn rants as we step into the house but I paid her no mind, walking in and replaying everything in my head."So the real reason you asked we step out this night is to stalk Dean?" She spat, her voice rising slightly in a pitch.I clench my fist beside me, stopping abruptly. Believe me, Evelyn is getting on my last nerves, I just can't wait for Kendra to get back, jezz!I turn, fixing her with a hard look. "So?" I spat, clearly triggered.She crosses her arms, her jaw set in a way that tells me she isn't leaving this alone. "You shouldn't have done that, it's wrong!" She replies, her gaze softening and then she takes a few step forward. "Look, Ashley. It's not too late to stop, you have to—,"I cut her off sharply. "Never!" I blurted out, my eyes blazing with anger. "I will never leave Dean for that bitch, he's mine and I won't let anyone get in my way," I say sternly, my voice loud and clear.Evelyn chuckles, her eyes slowly meeting mine. "He
(Dean)I look at them, and I can't help but smile even though Bella's words still had me forlorn. There's a warm glint in their eyes that tugs at my heart, so innocent, so pure. It just manages to push the sadness away, leaving me unexpectedly warm inside.It's fascinating in a way that's hard to explain.Quickly they come running up to me with a big smile even before Bella could utter a word.I know she isn't taking this so well, I understand but I honestly didn't mean for any of this to happen.My little princess stares at me with little wonder, while Javier clings to my hand. "Did mommy tell you?" She blurted out, looking between Bella and I.I don't miss the excitement in her voice, and Javier nods, pinning his eyes on me.Confused, I take a quick glance at Bella, and she rolls her eyes, instinctively folding her fingers into her palm.She only does that when she's nervous, maybe it's not something she'd want me to know.Mirroring my hesitation, Javier asked. "You'll be our frien
(Bella)I squint. What the hell is he doing here, and at this time?I frown, I'm not doing this with him. I reach to slam the door shut."Bella, please don't —," Dean says hastily, stepping a foot in, it wedge between the door, causing me to stop halfway to avoid hurting him.I throw a sharp gaze his way, my anger simmering. "So you think you can just show up here just because you own the building?" I snap, my voice dripping with barely contained anger.He shakes his head, taking a step backward. "No, Bella. That's not it, I just needed to talk to you, I tried but you just wouldn't let me," he explains, his voice low and strained. "Just five minutes, please,"I'm angry at him, too furious but there's just something about the calmness in his voice that softens my heart slightly, he looks so desperate, almost broken and a part of me tells me I wouldn't dodge this forever.But even at that I hesitate, eyeing him warily."Please," he mutters again, his eyes are pleading, looking for some k
(Bella)I glance at my wristwatch, turning to Anne. "Please get them down for dinner, Calvin should be here any moment from now," I say as we set the dining table.Anne sets the plates down and wipe her hands clean. "Alright," she mutter before stepping out of the living room to follow instructions."Good evening, mommy." Jasmine greeted cheerfully as they walk up to the dining table but I noticed Javier was looking gloomy even after he greeted.A smile creeps up my face. "Evening babies. I made lasagna, you like it right?" I beamed, my eyes flickering with warmth as they approached."Yay!" Jasmine squealed, her eyes widening in excitement, but Javier remained silent as he stared at the floor.I noticed he's been quiet since yesterday, and when he eventually talks, he mostly speaks to Jasmine.Initially, I didn't read much meaning into it but now, hearing I made Lasagna without any hint of excitement confirms my suspicion.Javier could have Lasagna anytime any day, it's one of his best
(Dean)I watch as Calvin walks up with a subtle smirk, wrapping his hand possessively around Bella's waist, my eyes lingers on the contact, my heart ramps.And even worse, he outrightly said they're together, that he's the twins father.Bella didn't counter that, my heart's racing as I try to process it, I mean she has every right to move on with someone else. I'd suspected they're together but hearing him say it to my face makes my stomach twist.I can't handle Bella being with someone else, I really can't. We're still married. And I definitely can't take seeing her raise our kids with another man, it'd kill me.Wait, I pause.The twins, they're mine. Puzzled, I tilt my head thoughtfully remembering Calvin's claims.I let out a slow breath. He's obviously lying, but how could he lie about something as big as that?My thoughts spirals.Did he adopt my kids as his?I clench my fist beside me, the mere thought of it makes my stomach churn.But if he did, they'd be living together, righ
(Bella)"Bella, Bella, Bella please wait!" Calvin calls after me as soon as the elevator slows to a stop. A little angry, I ignore him, walking straight into my office but he doesn't back down, he follows me in.I'm not cool with what he did earlier, and I don't have to pretend that I am. I need him to know.As soon as we're both inside the office, I turn to face him, my frustration building inside me. "What was that for?" I blurted out, my voice a little tight.There, I've said it.But as much as I'm not okay with what Calvin did, my whole body screams at me to not drag this, I should be thankful he swooned in to help but then the look on Dean's face when Calvin claimed we're together, it's stuck in my head, refusing to go away.I shouldn't care, like hell I shouldn't.Calvin sighs deeply, he looks away briefly and then back at me. "I just had—," he trails off, his eyes darting on me. "I know you want to handle this on your own but I just had to step in, Bella."My expression falters
(Bella)Yet again, there's an unavoidable meeting with Brenco in a few minutes, and my mind tells me that Dean wouldn't miss it for anything, not when he's been trying to reach out.Showing up for this meeting is he's only way out. ***I grip my tablet a little tighter, an attempt to keep myself grounded, I take a deep breath, wearing a polite smile before sliding the doorknob of the conference room.I step in confidently, my stride firm and fluid. I walk over to my chair, and a pair of eyes follows me, it's unmistakably Dean's.I take my seat, and shortly after, the meeting began.Calvin has a warm smile on his face as he proceeds. "Good morning everyone," he began confidently, his voice firm.He goes ahead to acknowledge everyone's collective efforts and then moving forward, he discussed the progress of the ongoing project so far, the new changes he's proposing, of course with Dean's approval.All the while, Dean's piercing gaze doesn't go unnoticed as I could literally feel his eye
(Dean)With Mom subtly bringing up Ashley at every slightest opportunity she gets, and Aunt Elena gushing about how perfect we'd have been together. Honestly, I'm at loss at what to do with her and her overbearing attitude, both of them.Fed up, I excused myself to take a call.Outside the house, I walk over to where I'd parked my car, a quiet spot for a bit of peace.The cool night breeze brushes against my skin as I lean on my car, pulling my phone out.I look at it and I see a text from Humphrey, informing me that a meeting with Clein's has been scheduled.I stare at the message a little longer, all the while my mind racing with different ways to approach Bella and get her to talk to me.Meeting her at Clein's seems to be the best way and I can't afford to blow that up."Doesn't look like you wanted to take a call, more like you wanted out of that..?" Rih observes as she approaches, giving me a knowing look.I drag in a sharp breath, pocketing my phone I nod. "They're…. a little to