(Caleb's POV)"BYRON!""BYRON!!!"I'm at Fendi Chateau Residences with Damian, in front of Byron's unit. I keep banging on his door for more than a minute now and it's losing my patience. When I heard Clinton, only Byron and Cecille were on my mind. I know that I should not jump to conclusions without a shred of valid evidence but maybe they know who is the real owner of the house."Maybe he is not home," Damian commented causing me to curse and feel frustrated."Let's get the key down there." "W-What?" I ignore him and walk to the elevator. "Will they give it to us?"They should be, or else I'm going to burn this Goddamn building!When we arrived at the lobby, we headed straight to the receptionist."Can you open unit 104?" I firmly asked the woman in charge."M-Mr. Carter, w-we can't do th--""JUST OPEN THE GODDAMN UNIT!"A hand on my shoulder makes me flinch as his grip put too much pressure on my shoulder. I glare at Damian who's making a fake smile at the receptionist and look
(Caleb's POV)It's been a week since Anastasia's disappearance. We never guarantee her safety since we haven't received any calls from the abductors. We were trying to locate Byron's whereabouts. However, we can't jump to the conclusion that he is involved in her disappearance. We have zero leads in this case.As I entered the mansion when I stop in my trance. Amanda looks at me and walks towards me. She started sobbing as she held my hand while gaping into my eyes. I can see her pain, sorrow, and longing for Anastasia. "P-Please... H-Help us find h-her... H-Help me f-find my daughter, Caleb." she sobs between her words.I sigh and remove her hands from gripping my hands. She is stunned and looks at me straight into my eyes as her tears keep streaming down her face.I took a glance at Adam and Alice, they avoided my eyes. Why did they let her know? As I look at her, she looks vulnerable and was about to pass out any minute now. She is not in good condition.I wrapped my arms around h
(Anastasia's POV)There I was again, passed out on the floor, unconscious. This was becoming a pattern. I was not aware of where I was and it wasn't a cold dusty basement anymore.Where am I again?The room didn't have anything much. Just a bed and a few other things.This time, I wasn't tied up next to a pole or anything, I was laying in bed. I'm pretty sure the door was locked and even if I tried screaming, no one would be able to hear me from a great distance.I felt so weak, it was as if my body was paralyzed. I couldn't feel anything. Something was wrong with me.The room was pretty much empty. The only sound I could hear was the sound of the ticking clock.I lay there as I heard the time pass me by. I have never felt so weak in my life. Suddenly, a pool of tears gathered in my eyes.I felt so betrayed. I treated him as my best friend. I trusted him but what he just did to me was far from what I imagined.After what seemed like hours of weeping, Byron came in. The one face I neve
(Caleb's POV)As she closes her eyes, tears won't stop falling down my face. Adam keeps calling her name while I remain in tears as I held her hand tightly.The nurses block us from entering the emergency room until I watch how the ER doors fully close.Adam grabs his phone, maybe to call Alice and her mom. I sat on the chair as my head rested on my palm.After he called Alice, I felt my phone ring as it continues vibrating underneath my jacket. I tried to ignore the calls but it continues vibrating that it loses my patience.As I was about to cancel the calls when Harry's name flashed on the screen. They should clean up the mess before the police arrived at the scene.I answered the call. "What's wrong, Harry?""Byron's body was gone.""WHAT?!" I shrieked causing Adam to look at me, confused. I stood up and walk back and forth as I brushed my face with my palm. "H-How? I mean... I clearly saw that I shot him in his shoulder." I hissed.Adam walks towards me, "Why shoulder, Caleb?! Lo
(Caleb's POV)I stopped the engine while in a basement parking lot as my eyes were locked in Cecille's black SUV, waiting for them to come out of their shell. I remained my distance from them just a few car's away from them, making sure that they won't notice my presence.Raising my hand to take a glance at my smartwatch, it's been 30 minutes but they still haven't gotten off the car. Am I mistaken?I sigh in frustration. Why am I even here? I should be at Anastasia's side if ever she wakes up later. However, Amanda will just kick me out. She was so enraged just by seeing my presence.I was about to start the engine when the door of Cecille's car opened. Two men in a suit got off first, followed by Amanda then... an injured Byron. He has a cast on his right arm where I shot him. He's walking lamely as if he was hurt on his left leg.They walk inside the building, I followed them silently and texted Adam my location. I put back my phone in my pocket and started walking when they all s
(Anastasia's POV)I came out of a complete coma into a world that was whiter than anything I had ever seen, like the sun rising over the mountains. Sunlight reflected off the carpet due to the little space between the currents. Nearby, nearly behind my ear, I could clearly hear voices conversing softly. The blanket felt warm against my skin as the last time I remember, I was on a cold and dusty floor.My vision was still foggy as the two hazy figures moved in the corner of the room. I take a thorough look at my surroundings. As my vision gradually improved, the white walls and ceilings makes me realize that I'm at the hospital. I looked at the side of the corner, still only partially awake, and saw Adam and mom talking intently.I noticed how strange it was to wake up in this way. My hazy consciousness eventually vanished, and I once more felt extremely drowsy.All of them turned to look at me when I let out a faint moan. I heard footsteps rushing to my side and saw mom tears start to
(Anastasia's POV)"Anastasia, what's wrong? Is everything alright?" Adam asked.I double-checked the papers inside the envelope and I am not really hallucinating. It's a divorce paper.Why...Why would Caleb do this? The last time Adam sent him the divorce paper, he was eager to talk to me and resolve the problems but... Why is he doing this now?No...This is a mistake.He mistakenly signed this and sent it to me. Maybe he was just pranking me even though it's not in his nature though.Or...My eyes wander around... at them. They're scheming again with this divorce thing.I wipe the tears that still escaping from my eyes spontaneously."Anastasia? Are you okay?""A-Adam... W-Why are you doing this again?!" I can't help but raise my voice at him."Doing what?" he asked with confusion plastered on his face.I look at Mom with my raging eyes. "Mom, How many times do I have to tell you that I won't divorce him? Can you please stop pushing me into something that would break my heart?" I p
-1 Year Later-(Anastasia's POV)The cold winds flew silently through the city of Milan. It was fall, and the green leaves fell from the trees, and the red, orange and yellow colors took over the wilderness.I sighed as I watch the leaves fall out from the trees as they freely landed on the ground in the busy street of Via Del Corso. Yeah, I am here in Italy with my family for a year. Alice and I changed our surname to Laverde, commanded by grandfather. The whole world is shocked by the sudden news that Antonio Laverde has daughters. Laverne's tried to explain the situation and why we were hidden all these years. Of course, they hide the fact that my father has a mistress and we are the result out of wedlock, to remain the reputation of their name from the public.It's been a year but... His presence is what I've been missing for a year. He declines to face me.He never explains to me his sudden decision.I don't hate him, I never get angry at him, I never... I unlove him.It's sti