A V E L I N ACarina and I waited for the doctor's appointment. She was sitting in front of me, playing with her phone while I was biting on my nails, deep in thought.I was so nervous, and the feeling made me feel nauseous. I hadn't told anyone, but the last time I was pregnant, the morning sickness was awful. It was almost unbearable.And the worst thing about it, was the fact that it stayed for the entire nine months. I couldn't keep food in my stomach, and when I tried, the food just wouldn't stay in.I had to be in the hospital for a week, we all feared that I was going to lose the twins. I hoped this baby was going to be different, but knowing my luck, I wouldn't be so lucky.I didn't even know what the gender was, but it would be great if the baby was a girl. But, did I even want to keep this child to begin with?I had no idea.Everything was a mess."Hey." I looked up and saw Carina looking at me with a frown. "You shouldn't worry. It's going to be fine.""I know, I know.""Th
A V E L I N ALaying in bed, the picture in my hand and the test results in the other.I didn't know what to do.What was I supposed to do?This was the best decision, but, at the same time, I was scared. I didn't want another child.But, I had no choice. I didn't have a choice. A week had passed and I was yet to make a decision.I didn't know what to do. I couldn't. I was scared. I had to. I was conflicted. But, the answer was clear. I didn't have a choice.My mind made up, I stood from the bed and walked into the closet to look for clothes. After putting on my clothes, I picked up my phone and dialed the doctor's number, she picked at the third ring."Hello?""Will it be okay to come now?""Oh yes, Avelina." She said after few seconds. It might have been my head, but I thought I heard a hint of disappointment in her tone but nonetheless, she kept her professionalism. "Of course. When can I expect you here?""I'll be there soon. Thank you.""It's nothing. Take care, Ms. Marquez.""Yo
A V E L I N AThe next four months flew by in a blur and I had managed to hide my pregnancy from the whole world.Not even a rumor of me being pregnant had slipped. I had earlier thought hiding a pregnancy as a public figure would be hard but my baby had also cooperated by not showing.Well until my fifth month which was the second month of my second trimester. I was currently standing in front of my full body mirror in my closet as I stared at my baby bump in just my bra which was barely fitting anymore and panties and wondered how I was going to fit in any of my clothes without showing anymore. My belly has literally grown overnight. Autumn started at my reflection in the mirror and looked back at me. "Mummy, you're so huge." She said, her small eyes widening as she placed her little hands on my bump.I didn't have the heart to get offended at my daughter's insinuating of being fat. Of course.Little children never had filters.It always be your own kids, for real."Baby sister is
A V E L I N AAs soon as I arrived home, Carina noticed my change of mood and she immediately rushed over to ask me what was wrong."Nothing.""Tell me what happened. Did that old bitch mess with you?""She was a fucking bitch and I'm glad she decided not to work with me. Can you believe she asked me if I was pregnant? Like how the fuck does she even know? Aren't I hiding it enough? I feel so fat.""You're not fat. You're pregnant.""Exactly. Pregnant! Do you have any idea how many people would judge me for being pregnant while being a single mother of two toddlers?""Who cares? People who aren't in your shoes have no right to judge you. And if they do, then fuck them!"I laughed, "Yes, fuck them. But the world would be a better place if those people didn't exist.""Agreed. Come on, let's get you out of this dress. Your kids are playing with their nanny, they're safe."Carina dragged me back upstairs and helped me out of my dress. "This is so comfortable." I told her, putting on a whi
A V E L I N AEverything felt sore, like I'd been hit by a truck. My body hurt so bad, my head felt like someone was banging a hammer inside of it.When I opened my eyes, I was in a bed, a very uncomfortable bed. My eyes wandered around and I realized that I was in a hospital. "What the hell?""Mommy, you're awake." It was Autumn, my sweet little girl."Sweetheart, are you okay? What happened?""The doctors said you were not feeling fine, so they brought you here."I was still trying to figure out what was happening. "Where's your brother?""He's in the cafeteria, eating pizza. He's with Aunt Carina.""Can you go call them for me?" I asked, rubbing my temples to ease the throbbing pain in my head.Autumn nodded and ran off."What the fuck is going on?""Good afternoon, Ms. Marquez. My name is Dr. Jameson, I'm your doctor.""I don't remember calling for a doctor. What the hell is going on?""Your friend called and had you brought here."I immediately started panicking, as i touched my
A V E L I N A"Mommy, can we stop there and get some ice cream? Please please please." Autumn pleased, pouting her lips as she pointed at a small ice cream stand by the roadside.That didn't look healthy."Yes, mommy. Pretty please?" Zion seconded, and they both looked at me with pleading eyes.The suspicious car at the back of my mind, I decided to let them have their cheat day today. I slowed down and stopped the car in front of the ice cream stand.I came down and looked around, the black cat was nowhere to be seen. I sighed in relief. I had just been worried for nothing.I opened the back door as Carina also stepped down and we helped the kids out of the car. They immediately ran in front of the old ice cream seller who smiled at them in return."Can we get a strawberry ice cream, Uncle?" Autumn asked the old man, pointing at the pinkish color."Sure, young lady.""Me too.""You want the same?""Yeah, the strawberry one." The old man nodded, and he began to scoop the ice cream int
L O R E N Z OThe past few months had been extremely difficult for me, but I managed to push through.The more time that passed by, the more the ache in my heart grew. I couldn't get over her, get over the thought of her. She was stuck in my head like goye twenty four hours of the day.This was the hardest I've ever loved someone and the hardest to let go.Natalia had been my first love and I thought I would never be able to love again after what she did to me. Not until Avelina came into my life. I hated her, hated her for luring my grandmother into making me get married to her. I didn't know I would end up falling so deep for this woman that I didn't ever want to recover from it.I wished things had turned out differently. I wished we had met in different circumstances and fallen in love and had all the good experiences couples had.I treated her badly and I know I didn't deserve her. I didn't deserve to be with her or the kids which I had denied. I had made her go through her preg
A V E L I N A"I need the blood results from the patient. She was involved in an accident. I need them asap." The doctor said, and everyone scattered. "Sir, you can't go inside. Please." A nurse said. "That's my wife in there, and those are my kids." I heard a very familiar voice. Lorenzo? "You can't go in.""Watch me." I pushed her and went inside the room.The heart monitor immediately started beeping faster, then I realized it was my heartbeat.Lorenzo's presence was affecting me. He was the reason for my racing heart.Slowly, I opened my eyes. And there he was, gazing down at me. His eyes were a mixture of emotions, betrayal, softness, confusion, guilt, regret and love."Oh thank god, you're awake." He whispered.I blinked my eyes several times, wondering if this was a dream or not. I tried to move, but Lorenzo held me down."Stay still. You were in an accident.""Where are my kids?""They are missing. My private investigator is working on it.""Missing? Oh God no. It's all my
A V E L I N AONE YEAR LATER..The huge doors slid open and suddenly the bright light in the hall fell on me. The entire crowd gasped as I slowly walked the aisle.My wedding gown flowed behind me. It was made by my favorite designer of all time. She was the best designer in the whole world and it was an honor to finally wear something made by her hands. I'd always wanted a wedding gown from her right from my childhood, and this truly felt like a dream come true.The details on the dress were so exquisite, and the material was so light, but elegant.It was a long dress with a train. I'd wanted a traditional wedding, and a long dress would suit the occasion perfectly.My dress was white and it was a mermaid style. It hugged my body, and the lace covered the dress, creating a beautiful pattern. The straps were laced as well. It was a strapless dress.My hair was styled in a bun, and there were some loose strands. There were also little white flowers on my head.I wore a long veil, which
A V E L I N AA gasp slipped past my lips as I realized we had arrived at our destination.We were at the beach.The place was lit up with fairy lights, and there was a table for two in the middle, right by the shore. The view was incredible. It was a full moon and the light bounced off the sea, making it sparkle."Wow, babe. This is incredible.""I'm glad you like it." He took my hands and brought me down from the car. "I'm happy I could pull this off and get you here without ruining the surprise. It wouldn't have been the same if we weren't alone.""I'm so happy.""Happy birthday, baby. Let's go eat."He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and we walked to the table. The set up was romantic, with the white and gold decorations, and the candles."Lo, this is beautiful. You didn't have to go all out.""But I wanted to. Only the best for my wife.""I'm really blessed to have you.""You're worth every little effort, and the moon and the stars. I'd give them to you if I could. You've made
A V E L I N AI burped my baby as I walked back and forth in the closet with my make up half done. She has woken up and gotten hungry while I was dressing up and I let everyone immediately to attend to her.After suckling for ten minutes, she has refused to sleep as she kept staring at my face. Her mouth formed into a toothless smile and I melted right there.Her grey eyes just like her father's own lightened up as I kissed her all over her face. I was told that her real eye color might come out but they were accentuating even more.Lorenzo's literal carbon copy.She grabbed my hair with her fist as she kicked her feet, I winced, gently pulling my hair from her strong little fist.The door opened and Carina came in. "Don't tell me you aren't ready yet." She said in horror looking at my unready state."Raine got hungry, I had to feed her. And I can't get anything done until she falls asleep.""Well, not while I'm here." She carried Raine from my hands and smiled. "My little sweetie pie,
A V E L I N A"Happy birthday Mummy!" I heard a shout followed by bodies landing on my bed. I slowly opened my eyes, to find Zion and Autumn looking down at me."Oh, thank you." I said and they wrapped their arms around me."I have a present for you, Mummy." Autumn said and gave me a paper. I smiled as I unfolded the paper, to find a picture she drew."I drew you."I pulled her into my arms. "Thank you baby. It's beautiful.""Zion, did you get anything for Mummy?"He shook his head. "Nope."I laughed and poked his cheek, "Oh come on. There's got to be something you got for me.""Nope." He said, cheekily. I knew he was definitely hiding something. "Are you sure?"Then he brought his hands from behind him and handed me a little box. Curious to know what was inside, I opened it and gasped.It was a beautiful alphabetical beaded bracelet. And it had the words 'Best Mom' in the middle."Where did you get this, Zion? It's so beautiful.""I made it for you, Mommy. Our teacher told us to mak
L O R E N Z OI arrived at the court house just in time with my lawyer and Nicholas. The first person my eyes met were Natalia's and she didn't look a tad bit remorseful.Her clothes were tattered and dirty and she looked thinner but held so much rage and enmity in her eyes. Seeing her rose lots of pent up anger in me."Order. Order. Will the jury please rise." The judge said and they all stood up."Today is the final court hearing. Has the jury come to a conclusion?""Yes, we have.""Read it out."The lady nodded her head and started to speak. "In the case of the people versus Natalia Serrano, we find her guilty. Evidences and footages have proven that she had conspired with a man to kill her boyfriend, and frame Lorenzo Salvatore for the crime."Natalia's face dropped, and the rage in her eyes burned harder than ever. The glare she gave me was something that could have killed me instantly if it had the ability."Is this true, Miss. Serrano?""No. They're lying. I didn't do anything.
A V E L I N AMy eyes slowly opened to a very blinding white ceiling and a nauseating hospital smell. I tried to adjust to the brightness and then tried to remember what had happened.Where am I?What happened?How did I get here?What was I doing before I got here?Then it hit me, I had a baby. Lorenzo was arrested. Anthonio is dead.I forced my eyes open again and this time, they didn't hurt. I turned and saw Lorenzo asleep in a chair, and the twins were on the bed, sleeping.I tried to call out his name, but I couldn't, I felt weak, my throat was dry, and I could barely move.Lorenzo started moving around and slowly woke up. He looked around the room and then his eyes met mine."Avelina, thank God you're awake." He said, rushing to my side and placing a kiss on my lips. "Oh my God, thank God. I thought I lost you, baby. Please don't ever do that to me again. I thought you died.""Water..." I said in a hoarse voice.He nodded his head and hurriedly got me a glass of water. "You hav
L O R E N Z OAs expected, the courts decided to throw me in jail until they proved me guilty or innocent. The evidence was too strong and the Mancini's were pushing it.It was finally the day of the trial, and I had been locked up for two days, and the worst thing was, I didn't get to hear from Avelina, I didn't know how she was doing. I was desperate and wanted to hear her voice, but no one was willing to listen to me. My lawyer finally arrived and we were to go to the court, and that's where I would get a verdict.I looked at Dorian and he gave me a reassuring nod. I decided to trust him. The court was packed with people and everyone was looking at me like I was a criminal. It made me feel uneasy and angry.I was escorted inside the room and I looked at the judge. The same one who ruled over my father's case."Mr. Lorenzo Salvatore. Do you understand the charges against you?""Yes.""Do you admit to killing Mr. Anthonio Mancini?""No, your honor.""Do you know of a gun which was
L O R E N Z OHe looked like he was going to attack me and I would have punched him in the face, but Dorian stepped in front of me and held his hand out."We have no business with each other. My client has done nothing and he's innocent until proven guilty.""I'll get you. Even if I have to do it myself. Mark my words, Lorenzo Salvatore. I'm going to get you.""Is that a threat, sir? Because I'll sue you so hard, your entire family will be homeless by the end of the week. My client is innocent until proven guilty. There's no reason to threaten him.""Get him out of here. I don't want to see him or any of the Salvatores in my face. You have one day. That's the only warning I'm giving you. Stay away from me and mine.""One day, and my client will come after you." Dorian responded. "You can't touch him, and I will prove him innocent. One way or another, you will see the true colors of the Mancini family."I was escorted back into the room. "Let's go.""Wait." The investigator stopped me.
A V E L I N AA sob ripped throught my lips as they cuffed my husband's hands, and dragged him out of the room while I tried to rock our newly born baby.The doctors rushed into the room after, followed by Valerie and Lorenzo's family. My heart rate increased drastically as they began to ask me a lot of questions."You're losing a lot of blood.""We have to take the baby.""Give me something for the pain.""Mrs Salvatore, please, calm down. You have to let us do our jobs."My brain couldn't function at the moment, and I was feeling a bit lightheaded."What's going on?" I asked weakly, looking around the room as they took my daughter. My head was spinning and my eyes were heavy, but I wanted to see my baby."Mrs Salvatore, try your best to relax.""Valerie." I called her weakly, my vision blurry. "Tell me... what's going on.""Everything will be fine, Avelina. Lorenzo will be back soon enough." She tried to assure but I wasn't having it. "No." I said, tears falling down my cheeks. "Do