T H R E E

Annabel's POV

I woke up the next day feeling weak and drained. I had lost a lot of blood when I pulled the IV needle and the pain in my heart was too much for me to bear. I still can't believe that I'd lost both my mother and my child.

Even though she is not my biological mother, Mrs King took me into her home and raised me with the love and care that a mother would give her child. I owe her my life. I owe her everything and that's why it hurts even more.

"You're awake," Scott said as he lowered himself and came in for a kiss but I looked away.

He straightened up and said, "Do you feel okay? Do you want me to call the doctor?"

I looked at him with tears shimmering in my eyes, "Why won't you believe me? Have I ever lied to you, Scott?"

"Annabel please!" he moved away from me, "It's already hard for me to cope with the death of our child. Stop making this more difficult. Dad has nothing to do with all this. Why are accusing him?"

I stood up from the bed and even though my legs wobbled, I didn't mind. With my mother and daughter gone, Scott is the only person I have left. I have to make him understand!

"Few months ago I overheard your dad discussing with Michelle's father about getting rid of an associate," I explained, "I was caught eavesdropping and your father threatened me not to say a word about it."

"I'd told you about it, Scott but you did not believe me. Mr Davis found out that I'd told you and he planned on getting back at me! He took our child and my mother! I swear, Scott please believe me!"

I watched him run his hands through his jet black hair, his muscles flexed as he paced around the room.

"You know what I think?" he said to me, "I think you're stressed out and you're losing your mind from the loss of our daughter. You need to rest for some months. What do you say to a vacation? Just us."

But I shook my head, tears running down my cheeks. I just lost my mom and child, why would I go on a vacation?

"You're being ridiculous, Scott! I am not losing my mind, I know what I'm saying, Scott what do I do to make you believe me?!"

He grabbed my arm, "Nothing, Annabel! Nothing! Because my father and stepmother are not murderers! How could you expect me to believe your illogical tale?!"

I bit my lips, "How did you think we lost our little girl?"

He stared at me, "Michelle took you to the hospital. She said you rolled down the stairs. Thank goodness she was here, I don't know what would have happened if I lost you too."

I cried even harder. "Scott." I whispered.

"That's not true. They lied to you. I did not fall off the stairs. Mich made me unconscious and then I woke up tied to the hospital's bed with Mr Davis and-"

He grabbed my wrist and pulled me to him, cutting me off and planting his lips softly on mine.

"Scott," I mumbled in between the kiss, obviously not in the mood however he did not stop. He deepened the kiss even harder and ended up biting my lower lip, causing me to taste blood.

In the blink of an eye, he had peeled off my cloth and laid me gently on the bed. I watched him undress as his olive eyes locked on mine.

Scott's handsomeness has never ceased to amaze me. I became lost in his touch once more and returned the passion with which he'd kissed me with earlier.

I felt the anger in me slowly replaced with need for love and pleasure and Scott did not fail to give them to me.

He whispered into my ear while his finger deepened inside of me and I moaned loudly, "Would you like me to use my tongue, baby?"

"Y-yes-I...I just want you inside of me, Scott."

"Not yet," he whispered as he breathed heavily, "I have to punish you for being naughty this week."

"Please do.."

....

The next day, I woke up to an empty bed. I felt a bit sore from too much pleasure and it took me a few moment to drag my tired limb to the bath.

I was out in an hour, dressed and relieved since the mysterious death of my mother and child when suddenly my phone began to ring.

After much discussion, I said, "I want an autopsy done on my mother. I don't believe what I'm hearing."

The report came out in a month's time. During this time, Scott discovered that I was still persistent on the issue. The public and media did not help the situation either.

"You shouldn't have done this, Annabel." he said with a distant look in his eyes. From then onwards, Scott changed drastically. I had no idea who my husband is anymore. He treated me like dirt and even stopped sleeping in the room we shared.

He spent most of his times with Michelle whom he called his friend. He told me not to act jealous and that there was nothing between them. Each passing day, I prayed that the autopsy will reveal Mr Davis' true colors so that I can get my husband back.

I missed him a lot and wish things didn't go the way it did. I wish I didn't not eavesdrop that day, perhaps I'll still have my child, my mother and my husband.

Today, the whole family were seated in the large parlor upon my request. The autopsy report arrived and I wanted everyone to know that I'd been speaking the truth all along!

I tore the envelope open and spread out the report. My eyes widened in disbelief. This can't be true..

"What does it say, Annabel?" Nathan asked me. As for Scott, he was less concerned. It felt like he'd zeroed his mind on me completely. I could never make him think of his father as a murderer.

Words failed me. I could not say anything. Nathan took the report from me.

"It's exactly what the doctor said," he announced, "She had a heart attack!"

Vivian looked like she was forcing her laughter in. Just a while ago, I felt confident now..I just prayed for the ground to open up and swallow.

Scott's glare killed me completely. It seemed that he has grown to hate me so much.

Nathan held my shoulders, leading me to my room while saying, "You just need to rest Annabel, you have done enough."

"No!" Scott stopped us. He rose on his feet, walked towards us and grabbed my arm. He threw me against his father's feet.

"She will plead and apologize to Dad! She has soiled his name over the past month!"

I couldn't believe my ears. I helped myself up on the ground and stared at the man I love, my husband, my everything.

All I could see in his eyes was rage. Where is all the love? Didn't he...didn't he make love to me a month ago?

Nathan held him back, "That's enough, Scott. Don't hurt her."

"Get her out my sight!" Scott shouted, "She makes me sick to my stomach!"

Hot tears rolled down my eyes as Nathan helped me up however Scott was not done. He took the report from Nathan's hands.

"You so badly wanted an autopsy! Now look! Here you go!" he groaned while slapping the paper on my face.