Anna could tell she must have gone through an ordeal looking at her state.She did not pry. It was not her job to get involved in their matters.They were kind to her, and she would repay them with kindness.She made them some herbal tea, gave him an ice pack for her swollen face and red eyes, helped draw her a warm bath, and added some herbs to soothe her nerves and help her relax. After she helped her in the warm bath, she brought over frozen aloe vera and placed it on her eyes and face.While it was not very comfortable, especially in contrast to her warm bath, Rosaline kept it on. It was calming.Anna left her in the bath. Rosaline looked vulnerable, not bad enough to need babysitting. Besides, the young lass was uncomfortable being naked in front of her.Anna quickly made a sweet dish. Neither Rosaline nor William had seen or heard of it before.But it tasted good, and Rosaline ate a lot of it, visibly happier after she ate. William shot Anna a grateful look.William had booked
William checked in and decided to take a nap.He was not used to sleeping at odd hours, but they had not slept the entire night, and with everything that happened, he was exhausted.He quickly fell asleep but woke up only one hour later. He then traveled around Bellum city, scouring delicacies that his girlfriend and younger sister would enjoy.He took note of the restaurants and buffets - everything from high-end restaurants to fast food joints to cafes to small stalls.He noted them and the dish he thought they would like. He also drank tea in several places and kept notes.By evening he was exhausted and went back to the hotel to rest. He did not know when Rosaline would be free, so he caught up on some sleep.Rosaline entered the Dayne family house and directly went to greet her aunt.Miranda heaved a sigh of relief as soon as she saw her niece.โWhere have you been? Do you have any idea how worried I was? I thought something bad happened to you.โShe did not even give Lina a chan
The welcoming ceremony scheduled at 9:30 in the morning only started after 11 am. When the bride entered the foyer, she got blocked by Lina, Tina, and a few of their other cousins.They joked and laughed and made merry. Ria gave them each a red packet so they would give way to her.Lina sighed dramatically about her red packet being too thin. Ria glared at her, saying she would have her revenge soon enough.Lina stuck her tongue out to her, making them all chuckle.Maddox was famous in their family for doting Lina. He pulled an envelope and asked Ria to pass it on to her. Ria made a face at him while Lina smiled complacently, hugging Maddox while raising her eyebrow at Ria in the provocation.When they went inside, the ladies of the family, Miranda, Elisa, and other women of their seniority, welcomed them. They made some symbolic gestures of passing the household to Ria, which she accepted gracefully with the promise to do her best.They had some fun games for the couple and hinder
It was around 4 pm when Rosaline realized her predicament.She had no idea where her clothes for the evening went. She had placed them in her room and locked the room.When she came to rest in the room, it was still there. She went to the bathroom to freshen up, and it was gone.Someone had taken it away.She looked at other things in the room, and they seemed undisturbed. She looked into the closet, and her handbag was still there. She frantically went through her handbag, and thankfully everything was still there. Most importantly, her gift for the bride was still there. That was a small solace.She did not want to create trouble with many people in the house. So, she could only let it be.Frustrated, she rummaged through the closet but did not find anything good enough for the occasion.She then ransacked her jewelry and shoe collection to find something appropriate. She had never been particularly fond of clothes or jewelry, so she did not have many of them.Miranda always bough
When Rosaline entered the banquet hall, the bride and groom were yet to arrive. She made her way to the Daynes and joined them in welcoming guests who had started to trickle in.Miranda praised her for looking so pretty and sighed about her having grown up.They barely talked as they welcomed guests.Rosaline and Tina simultaneously brought older relatives over and helped them settle in their respective seats.The stars of the party arrived around half an hour after Rosaline did.Tonight, El had draped a red silk cheongsam with a mermaid train, embroidered collar, and three-quarter sleeves.The bodice had intricate golden embroidery sparkling in the light, making her look sensational. It looked simple and classy, yet hot and dazzling. Lina hooted as they entered and brought everyone out of the trance as they all applauded to welcome the couple.Everything went well as they commenced the gift-giving. After that, everyone played games, introduced everyone to the bride, and had food an
William noticed people looking at them, so he remained seated in the car and drove away as soon as she buckled up.From the darkness of the car, he had seen her parents looking at her as well. He felt conflicted looking at them. They had hurt his Rosaline too much over the years. Yet, they were also the victims. But William had no sympathy to offer them.Rosalineโs cries filled with despair were still ringing in his ears. He had a feeling he would never forget it in this life. The ride back to the hotel was quiet. William had begun to sense estrangement in their comfortable silence.Rosaline had never been an open book. With everything that happened, she seemed to have closed off even more.She would still kiss and flirt with him, but her emotions were closed off.He could not see anything in her clear eyes, but he knew that was because she hid her emotions, not because she did not feel anything.They arrived at the hotel, and she slumped on the couch as soon as she entered the roo
William and Rosaline sat on the bed, hugging each other tightly.After a long time, when William was beginning to think she may have fallen asleep, Rosaline finally said something normal.โWilliam. Thank you! I am exceptionally fortunate to have met you. I am happy that I fell for you.โโOne day, I will love you with my heart and soul and make you my topmost priority. Not because I feel like I owe you or because of gratitude.โโBut because I can see myself growing old together with you, and very happily so. And I can see myself completely and utterly in love with you.โโI am sorry that I have made you upset and worried. I am sorry that I am not ready. And I apologize in advance if I did something stupid again.โโI fucked up, but I donโt know how to fix it. I feel numb. I donโt want to start feeling anything or face anything because I am scared I wonโt be able to take it.โWilliam tightened his grip around her at her words. He had suspected as much but hearing her say it made it much w
William let her go as Rosaline had yet to freshen up.โThereโs tea in the pot. Anything specific you would want to eat?โโLetโs check out and head back. Thereโs a cafe an hour from here which provides a good breakfast. Itโs en route to Apex city.โโAlright!โWilliam packed their things as Rosaline freshened up. They did not have many things to pack, as they had stayed only for a day.Rosaline snickered, witnessing that. โWhat?โ He asked, confused at her reaction.โI was just surprised by your efficiency.โโItโs good to be efficient.โโIn everything?โWilliam picked her up and threw her on the bed, stilling himself on top of her.โAre you not going to pay me for being your driver and assistant for the last few days?โโI was under the impression I got those privileges being your girlfriend.โโYou are right. Thatโs why you should compensate me with boyfriend benefits.โโBoyfriend benefits? Really? And those would be?โโKiss me!โโHuh. Canโt you do it yourself? You are on top anyway.โโO
William lay on the bed with Rosaline in his arms and little Parth in his crib on the side. โLexi?โ William whispered. โHmm?โ Rosaline hummed in his neck. โFalling in love with you is the greatest achievement of my life. Thank you, darling. I never knew I could be so happy that my heart feels like itโll overflow.โ William said emotionally. โDonโt steal my line. Thatโs how I feel. With you by my side, I feel invincible.โ Rosaline murmured. โI love you so much.โ He said hoarsely. โI know. I would argue I love you more, but we both know thatโs not true.โ Rosaline giggled, peppering kisses on his neck. โDonโt do that!โ William sighed. She teased, โDo what?โ โOur son is here. We canโt do anything, so donโt provoke me. Besides, you have not healed yet.โ William answered. โTeasing you is no fun. You have better control than me.โ Rosaline complained. โYou should be happy about that. I want you more than you want me.โ William teased. โI have noticed our desire for sex and food follow
Everyone had gathered at the AR mansion early as Asteria was to bring Rosaline and Williamโs baby.Tessa jumped first and ran to the door.She could not snatch the baby from Asteriaโs arm, and Asteria would not give him away.They argued as they reached Rosalineโs side.The silent baby finally made a cooing noise as he leaped at Rosaline.โYou heartless brat, I have been looking after you for two days, and you did not even speak to me once,โ Asteria exclaimed, making everyone laugh.She had become much more cheerful in Apex city. She was unrestrained and happy.Everyone was waiting to hold the baby.Leena whistled and said, โDonโt crowd around him. Give him some breathing space. Rosy will introduce everyone to him.โThey all grumbled and sat down.Jack had to grab Tessa and Albert by the collar and make them sit.Meanwhile, the baby rested his head on Rosalineโs shoulders but kept facing outside.โDonโt be mad at Mamma. Mamma was busy. Look, Mamma brought Dada home.โ Rosaline convince
Danial, Isabella, Rosaline, and William went to the Scott family mansion.They had identified and reported the spies to the authorities.Someone had screened the entire mansion for hidden bugs.They enjoyed a lively dinner. It was the most peaceful meal in over five months. They shared what was going on and celebrated the reunion.They had planned to fly to Apex city the next day.They had given a week off to everyone in both companies except the support staff. It was to gear everyone up for the drastic changes that were to happen in Scott Group and to set the pace they would pick up at AR Group. Finally, William and Rosaline were alone in their bedroom.He hugged her close as soon as they locked the door.โYou worked so hard,โ William sounded sad.โIt was the only time I had gotten physically involved. I only worked from the sidelines and helped the rescued people. It was emotionally draining to see so much suffering.โโBut I tried my best to channel it into helping others, spreadin
Rosaline tried to soothe her.โForget those vile creatures. That phase in your life is over. Itโll never go away, but itโs only a past now.โโThe baby is innocent. Itโs 29 weeks old now. Already fully formed.โโThat gives you three options - you can keep the baby.โโYou can abort it.โโOr you can wait a few more weeks. After the 34th week, we can do a c-section. The baby will be kept in a NICU until it is ready to be taken away.โโItโll have a very high chance of survival after 34 weeks. You need at least six weeks for your physical injuries to heal anyway. You will be in the hospital regardless.โโAnd even if you want to abort, youโll have to wait two weeks before your other injuries are healed enough for the procedure to be safe for your body.โโYou can sleep on it and make a choice.โThe girl looked at her and asked, โIf I give birth, what will happen to the child?โRosaline answered, โDepends on what you want. You can leave it in CARE if you donโt want to raise it. I promise the c
Rosaline broke the silence before the reporters could ask anything.โThis little girl needed 30 stitches to heal the wound caused by rape. I had qualms about signing the consent form to terminate the pregnancy, which she called a monster. It would have undoubtedly torn her already vulnerable body apart.โThe host silenced the reporters and played another clip.It showed a hospital bed and a young woman with a big pregnant belly. Her face was blurred, but she looked young.A police officer took her statement while a nurse and Rosaline stayed in the room.โMiss , let me confirm the details as you have mentioned previously. You met Peter a year ago in a cafe. He asked you out, you refused, he started to harass you, and then you filed a complaint against him.โโWe found the complaint in the FIR box in the police station of south branch-9, which is close to your house. You and your parents met with an accident five days after you had filed an FIR.โThe girl trembled, and Rosaline hel
Rosaline asked.โWhose permission do we need to terminate any possible pregnancy? They are too young to consent to anything, and god knows when we will find their families.โShe slumped down and leaned on the wall as she sighed.โOn top of everything, I donโt want them to have to carry a pregnancy to term. Under a proper environment, there is a chance they might heal and have a life, a family, and a future ahead. Letโs protect that.โโThank you, Chief!โโCan we also get permission for the girls to choose if they want to return to their homes or stay in CARE?โโI suspect one of the girls got sold by her family. The others were in unwanted, improvised conditions. Only the 13-year-old seems to come from a loving family. If they donโt have a healing environment at home, let them stay in CARE. When they are better, they can move out anytime they want.โโThank you, Chief. I will get the documents from you and prepare them after I get checked at the hospital.โโDonโt worry! I wonโt mess with
A reporter asked a question that was not related to the case.โMiss Dayne, there are rumors that all the rescued rape victims get forced to have an abortion before being admitted to CARE. Could you shed some light on the matter?โThe host replied, โPlease keep the questions limited to the case.โRosaline smiled at the host and answered, โThat is not true. But I think I should be able to answer more clearly if your question was specific.โThe reporter was stunned but soon asked, โIs it true that you have signed the consent form for abortion for the rape victims who were underage?โโYes, that is true.โThe reporter sneered, โIn that case, it is true.โRosaline countered, โI think you should get your facts straight and understand the nuances while discussing a sensitive topic.โโI have signed a consent form to terminate the pregnancy caused by six months of continuous rape of an 8-year-old who was in no way capable of sustaining a pregnancy on her physically undeveloped body that needed
Chief Green continued after the reporters quieted down.โAfter an in-depth investigation, we uncovered some evidence which indicated Mr. Jackson Seniorโs involvement in the accident of Mr. Andrew Scottโs pregnant wife.โโMr. Jackson Juniorโs involvement in missing funds and misappropriation of money and resources within Scott Group subsidiaries came to light. We also found evidence of him bribing many staff members of Scott Group.โโUltimately, there was evidence of their involvement in child trafficking. It linked both cases together.โโFurthermore, Mr. Jackson Senior was the leading investigator of the case of Mrs. Andrew. He was also the senior leader overseeing the capture of the suspect - Peter.โโHowever, there was no motive linking them, and their accounts were clean. And the evidence was not enough.โโSo, we had to dig deeper, and we uncovered Mr. Jacksonโs sister, who had wanted to marry into the Scott family, had gone missing and was presumed dead two years before Mrs. Andre
โYou bitch, you called the cops,โ Michael said venomously, spittle spraying from his mouth.โSomeone is indeed helping you from the inside. No wonder we failed three times.โ Rosaline said calmly.โHahaha, you are smart. No wonder you found all my hideouts. Too bad you canโt catch me, though.โ He sneered.โFor what you did to those little girls, I will make sure you get caught, even if itโs the last thing I do,โ Rosaline vowed.โThose little cunts were so tight. I am getting hard just thinking of them. The youngest one, how old was that bitch again? Ah! 8, 7 when I bought her. She was one feisty bitch, so much like you. When I shoved myself inside her, she begged until she passed out. One day, I will make sure you do the same. I wonโt kill you today. I am going to fuck you bloody first. And, you wonโt be able to do anything because you canโt touch me.โMichael punched her on the stomach, spat on her face, and left.Rosaline took a minute before she managed to stand.She took off her ea