Her mind was a tangled web of confusion as she stared at Rachel, her eyes wide, her breath shallow. "What do you mean? Ramsey left for a meeting with an anonymous well-wisher," she stammered, trying to make sense of what Rachel had just told her. Rachel’s expression hardened, eyes narrowing as she dropped the bombshell that turned Bella's world upside down. "No well-wisher is meeting him. Ramsey is in danger. Mandy... she hired someone named Cain. He’s been sent to kill him." It was like Rachel had struck a match and ignited the fire in Bella's soul. Every word stabbed her with panic. Bella's heart stopped for a second, her mind racing to catch up. Ramsey... dead? It couldn’t be true. Not her Ramsey. "No!" Bella screamed, her voice raw with terror as she bolted through the door, every muscle in her body tensing as if she could outrun this horrible truth. But Rachel, quick to react, blocked her path, her hands gripping Bella’s arms firmly. “Bella, stop! You can’t just run out li
Ramsey, on the other hand was growing impatient. His body tensed as he stood outside the old, decrepit factory, glancing around every few seconds, hoping the mysterious caller would finally show up. He had been waiting for what felt like an eternity, and with every passing minute, his frustration grew. His nerves were already on edge, and now he didn’t even have his phone to distract him. He replayed the moment in his mind—the thug who approached him a while ago. At first, the guy seemed harmless enough, asking if he could borrow Ramsey’s phone for an emergency call. Ramsey, against his better judgment, had handed it over, thinking it would be a quick thing. Instead, the guy sprinted off with his phone before Ramsey even had a chance to react. Now here he was, standing alone, phone-less, fuming at his own stupidity. "How could I have been so dumb?" he thought, his hands clenching into fists. "This was a mistake. Coming here was a mistake. Now, I don’t even have my phone to call f
Cain’s heart braced up as he adjusted the scope of his sniper rifle, his eye narrowing as he zeroed in on his target. Ramsey’s broad chest came into clear focus, right where his heart beat steadily beneath his tailored jacket. Cain’s finger hovered over the trigger, the shot lined up perfectly. One pull. Three bullets. Ramsey Wendel would be a dead man. But as Cain prepared to pull the trigger, his sharp senses picked up something—faint but growing louder. A sound that sent a chill of panic through him. Sirens. Police sirens. They were coming, and fast. "What the fuck? How the hell did...?" Cain cursed under his breath, his confidence faltering. He hadn’t expected any interruptions, especially not the cops. His plan was supposed to be flawless—get in, take the shot, and get out. But now, with the blaring sirens closing in, his carefully laid plans were slipping through his fingers. He didn’t have much time. Cain gritted his teeth, his mind racing. He could still make the shot. H
The piercing sound of the ambulance sirens filled the air as it sped through the city streets. Inside, the chaos was unbearable. Bella lay motionless on the stretcher, her clothes soaked with blood. Ramsey sat by her side, gripping her cold hand as if he could somehow transfer his warmth, his life, into her. His face was soaked with tears, his body shaking uncontrollably.Ramsey’s grief was more than just sorrow—it was guilt. Bella had taken the bullet that was obviously meant for him. As the realization hit him like a tidal wave, he let out a heart-wrenching cry. "Bella… no, no, no, please don’t leave me!" he sobbed, his words barely audible through his cries. His whole world was crumbling, right before his eyes. He couldn't even bring himself to think about losing her. Not like this. Rachel sat across from him, her eyes red and swollen from crying. She had been trying to stay strong, but she too was breaking. "Rachel!" he whispered through his tight throat, his voice thick with
As the doctor stood before them, his face solemn, he tried to soften the blow, but there was no easy way to deliver the news that would shatter their world. Ramsey’s bloodshot eyes stared directly at the doctor, searching for a glimmer of hope, anything that would deny the terrible truth he was about to hear. His body was tense, barely holding itself together. "I’m sorry, Mr. Ramsey Wendel," the doctor said gently, though his voice felt like a hammer blow, "She couldn’t make it." For a moment, the world stood still. The walls of the hospital seemed to close in as those words echoed in the air. It was like the ground had been ripped out from beneath them. Ramsey’s knees buckled, but he didn’t fall. He couldn’t fall. He was frozen in place, his mind struggling to grasp what he had just heard. Bella was gone? The woman he was supposed to spend a lifetime with, is now gone? forever? "No… no…" Ramsey whispered, his voice cracking. His heart broke into a thousand pieces, and the pain
Mandy could feel their gazes on her, sharp as knives, cutting into her with every second that passed. Then, from the floor, Rachel's voice rang out, cold and accusatory. "Ramsey!" her voice cut through the room like a whip. "That’s Bella’s murderer! She murdered my cousin!" Mandy froze, her breath catching in her throat. Rachel’s words hit her like a slap. The accusations felt surreal, like a dream she couldn’t wake from. Her mind raced, and for a moment, she hoped it wasn’t real, that the stares weren’t as sharp as they felt. She hoped Bella wasn't dead, because, why would she be? Cain would not Betray her like that!! this people are crazy! they don't know what they are saying. She thought. Ramsey’s head snapped up from where he sat, his face dark and horrific. He looked at Mandy, his gaze filled with fury and bitterness, as though he had been drinking apple cider vinegar. The room fell silent. All eyes piercing at Mandy, as if she were a black cloud that had descended upon t
The hallway outside the operating theater was still cold and sterile, but it buzzed with emotion. The Norton families were still there, their faces pale with the kind of grief that pierced deep into the soul. A heavy silence filled the air, broken only by the occasional murmur of hushed conversations. The double doors swung open with a quiet creak, and out came the nurses, pushing a cold, metal gurney that carried the still body of Bella. She was covered with a white sheet, her once-vibrant face now hidden beneath the cloth. Her body was now a shell of the woman who had once brought so much laughter to those around her. Ramsey was the first to react. He lunged forward, his eyes wild with disbelief. He still found it difficult to believe the lady who kissed him this morning is gone! the lady who took photos with him this morning! If only he knew they were the last! “No!” he screamed, his voice a mixture of rage and desperation. “Stop! You can’t take her!” He reached for the gurney
"Yes, officer!" The nurse reply, confidently. “We’re here for her,” the officer said, glancing at Dwight before turning his attention to the still figure on the bed. "We have a warrant for her arrest on the charges of murder." Dwight's expression faded instantly, his voice rising in disbelief. “Inspector my wife is pregnant! you can't arrest her, and besides, she's in a critical state right now. Please I'll advice you, to keep this warrant for later when you have solid evidences." The officer remained calm, unfazed by Dwight’s outburst. “Solid evidences, you say? A witness, along with several others, reported Mandy's involvement in the murder of miss Bella Norton. We have sufficient cause to hold her for questioning.” Dwight knew very well Mandy was not innocent of any of the charges, but he was too concerned about her now, and he won't let any harm come her way. "You can’t be serious!" Dwight protested, his voice shaking with anger. "You’re going to arrest my pregnant wife b
The dining room was filled with an unspoken heaviness as Rachel, Elsa, and Uncle Mark gathered for lunch at the Norton's Mansion. Uncle Mark, leaning back thoughtfully, looked at each of his daughters with pride and empathy. Breaking the silence, he gently asked, “What’s the way forward, girls? Where do you see yourselves, now, after everything?” Elsa spoke up first, her tone determined yet reflective. “I’ve always dreamed of becoming a lawyer,” she began. “But I’ve seen what it takes to make a real name as one… the compromises, the shortcuts. I can’t become someone like Stefano McReynolds. Modeling, on the other hand,” she continued, a flicker of newfound confidence brightening her face, “it feels natural. I’ve realized it’s something I’m genuinely good at, and I want to give it everything I’ve got.” Uncle Mark smiled, his eyes warm with approval. “Elsa, whatever path you choose, know I’m standing behind you. Follow your heart, and the rest will fall into place.” Elsa’s cheeks
Dwight was just about to leave Mandy’s rehab ward when he found the doctor waiting at the entrance. He quickly stepped aside to speak with him, concern clouding his face. “Mandy’s recovery is going well, doctor,” he began quietly. “But she’s having episodes of memory loss. She can’t remember certain events… especially losing our child. What do we do now?” The doctor raised an eyebrow, a thoughtful look crossing his face. “Does she remember having a baby at all?” “Yes,” Dwight admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. “But she believes the baby is still in the incubator. I… I told her that, hoping it would ease her mind.” The doctor nodded, a plan forming in his mind. “In that case, there might be a way to help her continue healing,” he said carefully. “If she can’t recall losing the baby, then… adopt a newborn. Present it to her as her own child.” Dwight stared at the doctor in shock, the idea hitting him like a wave. “You mean… find a child and pretend it’s hers?” “Yes,” the doc
The atmosphere in the courtroom was thick with tension as Serena stood before the jury, her once-proud demeanor shattered. Today was her hearing, and she faced charges for the murder of little Bella, a robbery, and the ruthless crime she had framed Peter Allison for. Serena shifted uncomfortably, her hands vibrating as the judge prepared to read the verdict. The foreperson of the jury rose, casting a sharp glance in Serena’s direction before delivering the final judgment. “The jury has found you guilty of first degree murder. I hereby sentence you to twenty five hundred consecutive life sentences plus a thousand years.”She turned to face Serena, her face beet red with contempt like there was more of a personal grudge between them than a federal case. "Once you pass away, you will receive an attempted escape charge with an additional two hundred years added to your sentence which you will begin serving in the afterlife once you get hell." Her eyes were fierce and full of resentment
Dwight picked a lighter from the kitchen and headed back to the living room.The flames from the lighter flickered in the dimly lit room as he approached Ramsey, who lay slumped and bound in the chair. Without a hint of hesitation, Dwight flicked the lighter, setting Ramsey’s hair alight in an instant. The fire crackled to life, devouring the strands and singeing his scalp, sending smoke spiraling into the air. Ramsey screamed, his voice hoarse, begging, pleading for Dwight to end it all. As the fire died, leaving Ramsey’s head charred and his spirit all but shattered, he let out a ragged sob. His skin, bruised and torn, showed a ghostly paleness beneath the streaks of blood. He could feel his strength slipping away, the life draining from him with each passing second. Desperate, he attempted to bite his tongue in a last effort to escape the torment, but his body betrayed him; his jaw trembled, teeth chattering too weakly to do any real harm. For a long moment, Dwight just stood th
Ramsey’s body shook, his tone barely concealing the fear behind his words as he looked up at Dwight, shackled and bound. He swallowed hard, watching Dwight rummage through the backpack filled with a disturbing array of tools, each promising a unique kind of agony. “What do you want?” Ramsey asked, forcing a calmness into his tone that belied the terror swirling inside him. Dwight chuckled darkly, shaking his head. “What do I want? really? Ramsey, you seem to have cheated the face death so often that you now think you're unkillable. Am I right?” He tilted his head, a sinister glint in his eyes. Ramsey attempted to use psychology to save himself. “I know you, Dwight Mendez,” he said, his voice feigning familiarity. “You’re not like me. You’re a good man, a better man. You’re not capable of killing anyone.” Dwight laughed, but it wasn’t the laugh of a man who found amusement. It was cold, devoid of warmth, and filled with pain. His gaze flickered to Hannah’s lifeless body sprawle
Dwight pulled into the driveway of his mansion, his mind set, heart hardened. This night, there was only one objective: justice for Mandy, for Bella, for everything Serena, Hannah, and Ramsey had taken from him. He strode inside, up the grand staircase, and into his private study. With quick precision, he unlocked his safe, pulling out a small, polished handgun. As he tucked it into his coat, his thoughts were interrupted by a quiet voice. “Sir,” one of the maids approached, her face filled with worry. “We’ve been searching for Clara for days. She’s disappeared without a word. We think…we think maybe she ran away with Hannah.” Dwight’s expression didn’t change; he simply gave a curt nod. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll find her.” The maid looked on, unsure, but Dwight had already turned, a cold resolve in his eyes. Tonight, he would tie up all loose ends. As he drove, Dwight made a stop at a small, dimly lit store, where he gathered an arsenal of tools designed to inflict slow, prec
The hospital room was dimly lit, quiet except for the steady hum of machines. Bella had been taken to the morgue, her tiny body lying cold and alone, while Mandy lay unconscious, her face pale and sunken, a single bandage wrapped around her head where doctors had inserted the tubes needed for her life-saving surgery. Dwight paced the hallway outside, his hands clenched, jaw tight. The doctor’s words echoed in his mind, each one like a hammer blow. Traumatic brain swelling. Ventriculostomy. Critical condition. He’d paid for the surgery without hesitation, willing to give anything, everything he had, to keep Mandy alive. But his heart ached with the weight of sorrow, an emptiness that seemed to stretch into every corner of his being. Finally, after endless hours, a nurse stepped out, her eyes soft with sympathy. “Mr. Mendez, Mandy’s surgery went well. She’s resting, but…” She paused, hesitant, before continuing gently, “Her condition is very fragile. You need to be prepared for when
With all the strength left in her bones, Mandy shouted “Bellaaaaaaaaaaaa!” She got up, trying to reach out to carry her baby, but the scene was too gory, the image of her scrambled daughter on the floor was too horrific. She fell backward, her body slumping to the ground before Dwight could reach her. Her head struck the pavement with a sickening thud, and she lay motionless, her face pale, eyes closed, as if the life had drained out of her in that single, heart-wrenching moment. “Mandy! No, please, Mandy…” Dwight’s voice was choked, his hands trembling as he knelt beside her, gently shaking her shoulders, begging her to open her eyes. His vision blurred with tears as he pleaded. But she didn’t respond, her stillness heavy with finality. Nearby, Ramsey was frozen, his eyes locked on the lifeless form of his daughter. It was as if his mind couldn’t process the horror before him, his body rooted in shock, consciousness slipping. His face was empty, expression hollow, every inch of h
After studying their faces, Serena let out a cold blooded laughter that showed mockery. Mandy, Dwight, Ramsey, Hannah—all stood frozen, watching her every move. Davis, desperate to put an end to this, bolted down the stairs from his balcony, reaching out to grab her. But before he could touch her, Serena twisted away, her scream cutting through the tense air. “Back off, Davis!” she snarled, brandishing the knife to Bella’s tiny neck. The crowd held their breath, their horror clear as Serena’s grip tightened on the little girl. “Davis, Let her do what she wants,” Ramsey urged, his voice shaking, "Please don’t make her angry, my Bella...” Serena’s lips curled into a satisfied sneer, feeling the control she held over them. Without loosening her hold on Bella, she began to back up the stairs, her eyes locked on everyone below. “I’m going back to Davis’s place,” she declared, her voice sharp with threat. “I'm going to pick up the Mendez company papers . I’ll take them with me—or th