Knoxville and Electra stood vigilantly by Mr. Rodriguez's bedside, their eyes fixed on the fragile form lying before them. The life support machine beeped steadily, its tubes and wires snaking around Mr. Rodriguez's face and body, a stark reminder of the precariousness of his condition.Knoxville's eyes welled up with tears, but he fought to maintain a strong facade, unwilling to give in to his emotions. Electra, sensing his distress, reached out and took his hand in hers. "He's going to be okay," she said softly, her voice a gentle balm to Knoxville's frazzled nerves.Knoxville's voice cracked as he spoke, his words tumbling out in a desperate plea. "I pray he was, I wished a miracle happened. I used to be a doctor, and I know when it gets to this stage, it's always a 70/30 survival rate, but I still don't want to believe it," he cried, his eyes brimming with tears.Electra's grip on his hand tightened, her voice firm but gentle. "Come on, stop saying that," she urged, as if trying t
Days had passed since the devastating announcement of Mr. Rodriguez's death, and Knoxville was still reeling from the news. He had tried to put on a brave face, but the pain of his loss lingered, making it hard for him to shake off the sadness.Seeking solace, Knoxville had isolated himself in his room, but the memories of his dad haunted him. He decided to take a break and headed to the bar, hoping to drown his sorrows in a beer. However, as he reached for the bottle, Electra appeared out of nowhere and snatched it from his hand."You have an allergy to alcohol, when are you ever going to stop?" she scolded, her eyes flashing with concern.Knoxville looked up at her, his eyes pleading. "I just want to numb up," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.Electra's expression softened, and she reached out to take his hand. "Come with me. All you need right now to forget this and move on is to go on a walk," she said, her voice gentle and reassuring.Together, they walked out of the hou
The somber atmosphere of the funeral was palpable as Electra stood beside Knoxville, holding their daughter, little Gladys. They were paying their last respects to the late Mr. Rodriguez, surrounded by mournful faces and the soft murmur of condolences. Just as they were about to take their leave, a commotion at the entrance caught their attention.A woman, dressed in a elegant black dress, walked into the room with grandeur, holding the hand of a little boy who looked to be around five years old. Electra and Knoxville's eyes widened in surprise as they realized it was Helena. Knoxville's curiosity was piqued, and he wanted to ask her what she was doing there, but he didn't want to cause a scene, especially not at a funeral.Helena walked up to them, her high heels clicking on the floor, and stood on Knoxville's left-hand side. She flashed him a warm smile before turning her attention to the little boy. "Gideon, let's pay our last respects to Grandpa," she said, her voice low and soot
Knoxville I glared at Helena, my eyes blazing with incredulity and anger. "You can't be serious!" I exclaimed, my voice low and menacing. I paced the living room, feeling the urge to lash out at her, to knock her to the ground and make her understand the gravity of her actions. But I restrained myself, barely. I was not a man who hit women, but Helena constantly pushed me to the limits of my patience and self-control. She made me question my own moral code, made me wonder if there were exceptions to the rules, if some people were so toxic, so destructive, that they deserved to be taken down a peg.I stopped pacing and turned to face her, my eyes boring into hers. "Why now?" I demanded, my voice cracking with anger. "Why, when everything was going good between Electra and me? You always seem to know exactly when to strike, exactly when to cause the most damage. You're like a viper, striking without warning, without mercy." I took a step closer to her, my fists clenched at my sides. "Y
Knoxville "Are you?" Electra asked, her voice laced with skepticism. "Because it feels like this is all on purpose. You said it yourself. You are still in love with my boyfriend. There's nothing really stopping you from lying," she pointed out, her eyes narrowing as she gazed at Helena.I felt a surge of frustration and anxiety as I paced the room, trying to wrap my head around the situation. "I'm not," Helena protested, her voice trembling. "Please, let Knox take care of his child. Don't be wicked," she begged, her eyes welling up with tears.But I couldn't shake off the feeling of uncertainty. I knew Helena was a vindictive woman who would stop at nothing to hurt Electra and destroy our relationship. But what if, for the first time in her life, she was telling the truth? What if this child really was mine? The thought sent a chill down my spine, and I felt my mind reeling with the implications. I stopped pacing and turned to Helena, my eyes searching for any sign of deception. But
I paced back and forth in the room, my legs shaking with anticipation. I wasn't exactly the poster boy for punctuality, but I was definitely never late, and if I was, it was only a couple of minutes. The waiting was killing me, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of restlessness.But I knew I had nothing to worry about. The DNA results would be here any minute, and I was confident that they would prove Helena's claims to be false. I would finally be able to kick her out of my life and focus on nurturing my relationship with Electra.The thought of being free from Helena's drama and manipulation was exhilarating. I could already imagine the sense of relief and peace that would wash over me once she was gone. And I knew that Electra would be relieved too - she had been a rock for me throughout this whole ordeal, and I was grateful for her unwavering support.Just as I was starting to think that the wait was going to kill me, I heard a knock at the door. My heart skipped a beat as I rea
Electra's voice broke the silence, her tone laced with concern. "Well, what does it say?" she asked, taking a step closer to me, her eyes searching mine for answers.I glanced up at Electra, my stomach tight with a mix of emotions. Her eyes were locked onto mine, filled with concern and a hint of fear. "Knox?" she asked, her voice seeming to echo from a distance.But I couldn't respond, my mind reeling with the implications of the DNA results. I felt like I had been punched in the gut, my breath knocked out of me.Electra's voice grew more insistent, her words pulling me back to reality. "Knox? Why aren't you saying anything?" she asked, her eyes searching mine for answers.Without waiting for a response, Electra reached out and gently pulled the document from my hands. Her eyes scanned the page, and her face went pale, her expression mirroring the shock and disbelief that I felt."Are any of you going to tell us what's going on or are you both going to continue acting dramatic?" Maxw
Helena POV "So, who's the father then?" Maxwell asked, his hands folded around his chest, his eyes filled with curiosity. I was pretty sure if he found out the truth, he wouldn't be as curious as he looked now.I couldn't resist taking a jab at him, just for the sake of seeing his reaction. "Well, if you must know Maxwell, the child is yours," I said with a smirk, trying to keep a straight face.The look on Maxwell's face was pure gold. His eyes widened in shock, and his mouth dropped open. He looked like he had been punched in the gut. For a moment, he just stared at me, his face frozen in a mixture of shock and horror. I couldn't help but chuckle at his expense.His hands dropped mine as if I had suddenly turned boiling hot. "You are lying," he spat at me, stepping away from me like he was trying to pinpoint why I was lying. He looked at me with a mixture of disgust and accusation, his eyes narrowing as if daring me to deny the truth.I couldn't help but smile at his reaction. "Unl
Electra stood frozen, her gaze locked on her reflection in the mirror. The stunning wedding gown hugged her curves perfectly, the delicate lace and intricate embroidery sparkling in the soft light of the fashion house. But despite the manager's compliment, Electra's face remained somber, her eyes welling up with tears.The memory of her first wedding dress fitting, seven years ago in Knoxville, came flooding back. She had been young, in love, and full of hope. That marriage had been a beautiful chapter in her life, one she cherished deeply. But now, as she prepared to marry again, she felt trapped and uncertain."Ma'am, shouldn't you be happy you're getting married?" the manager asked, her voice tinged with concern.Electra ignored her, reaching for a tissue to wipe away the tears streaming down her face. Her eyes, once bright and full of life, now seemed dull and haunted. She wasn't mourning her past, but rather, she was resigned to a future she didn't want. Circumstances had forced
Knoxville POV The past few days had been a never-ending nightmare since Gladys's kidnapping. I had exhausted every possible lead, every connection, every resource to find her, but it seemed like a futile effort. The desperation was eating away at me, and I could feel the weight of my failure bearing down on me.I had tried to reason with Electra, to convince her that we could find our daughter without giving in to Maxwell's demands. At first, she had seemed willing to listen, but as the hours ticked by, she had become increasingly agitated, eventually giving in to Maxwell's instructions. Her words still haunted me: "I'll kill myself if anything happens to Gladys."I had called Henry into my office, instructing him to gather all the necessary documents for the company and the house. I was willing to give it all up, to sacrifice everything for the sake of my daughter. I had another option, a backup plan. I could always join my other company, the one mother had left for me, which was in
Helena drove straight to Maxwell's house, her anger and desperation simmering just below the surface. She slammed the car door shut and stormed into the living room, her eyes blazing with fury.Maxwell was sitting comfortably on the couch, watching TV with a calm, detached expression. Helena's anger boiled over at the sight of him relaxing while their son fought for his life.She rushed towards him, her voice trembling with rage. "So you have the nerves to watch movies while your son is fighting for his life?" she demanded, her words dripping with venom.Maxwell scoffed, his expression unrepentant, and he turned back to the TV, dismissing her. "What's the point of getting worked up? It's not like it's going to change anything," he said, his voice cold and detached."I am talking about my son here, our son!" Helena shouted, her voice echoing through the room, her eyes blazing with anger and hurt.Maxwell's expression turned calculating, his eyes glinting with a sinister light. "Don't y
Helena burst out of the doctor's office, her face etched with worry, and hastily grabbed her phone to dial Maxwell's number. Her hands trembled as she waited for him to answer.Maxwell picked up immediately, his voice laced with a mix of annoyance and concern. "Why haven't you been picking up my calls? Don't you know our initial plans?" he asked, but Helena cut him off, her voice shrill with panic."I don't have time for that!" she shouted, her words tumbling out in a frantic rush. "Come to the hospital right away! Your son's been in an accident, and the doctor just said he needs a blood transfusion!" Helena's voice cracked, the fear of losing her son palpable as she struggled to hold back tears."Why now?" Maxwell asked, his tone detached and uncaring.Helena's confusion turned to incredulity. "Why do you mean why now?" she asked, her voice laced with growing anger.Maxwell's response sent Helena's anger boiling over. "Why would you let him get into an accident at a time like this?"
Helena POV As I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my outfit, a sly smile spread across my face. After Maxwell's revelation about kidnapping Gladys, I thought I finally had my chance to seduce Knoxville. With Electra now destined for Maxwell, I was ready to make my move.I slipped on my high heels, feeling confident and determined. My best outfit hugged my curves in all the right places, and I couldn't wait to see the look on Knoxville's face when I arrived at his place.Just as I was about to head out, Gideon's innocent voice stopped me in my tracks. "Mum, where are you going?" he asked, his big brown eyes filled with curiosity.I turned around, flashing him a reassuring smile. "Babe, Mama just wants to go out for a bit. I'll be back soon, okay?" I said, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible.Gideon nodded, seemingly satisfied with my response. I gave him a quick kiss on the forehead before grabbing my car keys.Gideon's voice was laced with longing. "When are we going back
Knoxville POVI seethed with anger as I read through the outrageous terms and conditions that Maxwell had laid out. How could he be so audacious? I quickly grabbed my phone and dialed Henry's number, my patience wearing thinner by the minute.He picked up immediately, and I demanded, "Did you manage to follow Maxwell? Did you find out where my daughter is?" My voice was laced with a growing sense of urgency.Henry's calm tone was a stark contrast to my own frazzled emotions. "No, Sir. Maxwell hasn't left his house for the past few hours. I think he's giving instructions from home," he replied.I couldn't contain my frustration. "Gosh!" I thundered, slamming my fist on the table. "Don't give up! Make sure you check all the traffic stations and find out where the car that attacked them headed to!" I commanded, my voice firm and resolute.Henry's response was reassuring. "Okay, Sir," he said, before the call came to an abrupt end. Electra's voice trembled with desperation. "It's been ho
Electra's eyes blazed with fury as she walked closer to them. "So, you're the one who kidnapped my daughter?" she asked, her voice low and menacing.Maxwell smiled, his tone dripping with sweetness. "Yes, sweetheart, I did."Electra's face twisted in disgust. "You kidnapped my daughter, and didn't even feel any remorse?"Maxwell scoffed, his expression unrepentant. "Why should I feel remorseful?" He paused, his gaze shifting from Electra to Knoxville, a hint of malice in his eyes. "Did you feel any remorse when you cancelled our wedding to get back with your ex-husband?""How can you be so cruel?" Electra asked, her voice trembling with rage. "She's just a child. How could you involve her in this?"Maxwell's expression turned icy, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Aren't you also cruel when you cancelled our marriage out of the blue?" He sneered, his eyes glinting with malice. "My emotions, my reputation... did you know how many invitations had gone out already? How could you do that t
Knoxville and Electra were sitting comfortably in the living room when Gladys' nanny suddenly rushed in, her frantic expression and disheveled appearance immediately grabbing their attention. The nanny's face was etched with worry, and her eyes were wide with fear. She looked like she had been through a traumatic ordeal, her clothes rumpled and her hair askew.As she entered the room, the nanny stumbled and fell to her knees, her body trembling with sobs. "Ma'am...Gladys..." she stammered, her voice shaking uncontrollably.Electra and Knoxville exchanged a concerned glance before quickly rising to their feet. Electra's eyes narrowed with worry as she rushed to the nanny's side. "Can you tell me what's going on?" she asked, her voice firm but laced with concern. "What's wrong with my daughter?" she pressed, her eyes scanning the nanny's distraught face for any sign of what might have happened.The nanny's face was etched with worry and fear as she rushed into the room, her eyes fixed o
Gladys sprinted towards her nanny, her little legs moving swiftly as she flung herself into a warm hug. Her nanny's arms enveloped her, pulling her close as she planted a gentle kiss on Gladys' forehead."Hey baby, how was school today?" her nanny asked, her voice filled with affection.Gladys' tiny voice dripped with sweetness as she replied, "It was fine."Just then, a classmate of Gladys', a boy named Jayden who was around her age, ran up to them. "Hey Gladys!" he exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with excitement.Gladys' face flushed with shyness as she mumbled, "Hey Jayden."Her nanny watched the exchange with interest, wondering what was going on.Jayden held out a pencil, saying, "You forgot your pencil. Thanks for lending me yours!"Gladys' face lit up with a bright smile as she accepted the pencil, feeling on top of the world. She covered her face with her palm, her eyes shining with delight as she peeked at Jayden through her fingers.As Jayden ran off, Gladys' nanny couldn't he