CHAPTER 120Serene I am just wondering why Nelly needed permission to sleep in his room. I mean, she is the only woman Diego would divorce just to have in his life. Perhaps I did not hear that correctly. I pulled the blanket over my feet and slowly closed my eyes as my mind went blank, and I found myself in my dreams before I knew it. "Serene!" echoed a voice behind me, and I could not believe my mother was calling out to me."Mom," I replied, quickly turning to walk to the location where that voice came from.“Serene!" I heard the voice again and paused as someone touched my shoulder."Mom," I replied, quickly turning to hug her."Serene, my child, look at you. I cannot believe you worked so hard. I am extremely proud of you, and so is your father," she said, looking down."Really? Where is Dad, and why did he not accompany you?” I questioned."He will come to see you when the time is right. I just came to tell you, that Diego—" she said, holding my hand."No! I don't want to tal
CHAPTER 121Nelly I am so enraged that I can not understand how that whore dared to call Diego her man. Does she even know who I am? I mean, she is supposed to, because no one in London wasn't aware of Diego and I's relationship. "Good morning, Ms. Mendoza; breakfast is ready," Grace announced as she entered my room."Uh, thank you. I will be there shortly," I said before she left and dashed to call her back."Yes, is there anything you would like me to do?" she inquired."Yes, I would like you to iron this dress for me. I have a special occasion after breakfast," I responded"Okay," she said and began ironing the dress.‘Gosh, how am I going to get information out of this old hag?’ I asked myself at the back of my mind.I had cleared my throat and was about to speak when Grace interrupted. "Would you like to say something?" she asked me."No, I just wanted to apologize for the mess I made in the kitchen; I had not been there in years," I lied.“It's OK I understand, my dear, but as a
CHAPTER 122Diego Katarayo is holding its annual festival, and Mr. Simon sent me an invitation. I am not sure if I am going or not now that Nelly is here; she is the last person Serene wants to see me with. I am not sure why she had to follow me to the garden in the first place; I simply needed to be alone. My thoughts were still far away as I stood next to the kitchen counter. "Diego, what is the problem?" Grace asked."It is nothing, just business," I pretended to walk away before she said, "It is so stressful to have all your problems in one house, huh?” "No, I am not just thinking about the festival tomorrow.”"Oh, you got an invitation too; I wonder who you will take among those 2 lazy women," she laughed."No way, I'll not be going with them.”"Okay, maybe the actress?" She questioned teasingly."Not even her; may I take you instead?" I asked."Me? No way, I already have a handsome gentleman on my list, and he does not appear to be you," she replied."Come on Grace, I am the o
CHAPTER 123SereneThe festival was alive with elegance, as it unfolded in a display of wealth and prestige. The lights dripped with crystals, their gleam reflecting off the polished glowing floors as the most well-known members of high society gathered, their laughter and conversation penetrating a refined atmosphere. Then it was time for me to come out, and it felt as if time had stopped for a moment as silence fell over the room, and all I could hear were whispers and the clicking of cameras as everyone turned to look at my entrance.I walked down the staircase, each step deliberate and calculated, as the soft fabric of my gown cascaded behind me like a river of light. This was not just any ordinary dress I would wear for an occasion; it was a masterpiece created by Deluca Haute Couture using thousands of rare diamonds, each perfectly aligned to catch and refract light in every motion. It complimented my figure perfectly, with intricate detailing that flowed seamlessly into the shim
CHAPTER 124Nelly "Wait a minute, are you seeing what I see?" I asked Max."No, what is the matter, Nelly?" he said."Calm down; I am just looking at Sonia over there," I replied, pointing to her.“What! Isn’t she supposed to be with Diego?" Max asked, looking at me."Exactly, partner; it appears that someone has abandoned shame," I replied, as we both laughed.I suggested that we go greet her, and Max followed. I could tell she was lost and was looking around for Diego, who might have gone home. "Hello, do you want company?" I teased as Max rubbed against my shoulder.“Yes, but not from you, Nelly," she replied."You know, things would have been different if you had asked Diego to be accompanied by me instead of looking around like someone who did not come here, with Diego," I said."That is true, but the truth is that you are saying it out of jealousy, Nelly; since he knows he came with me, he will undoubtedly come back for me," she said confidently."Wow, looks like that dress giv
CHAPTER 125Serene "Sweetie, are you okay?" I asked Miguel when he awoke from his nap."Yes, Mommy, I am fine; did that bad aunty come for you?" He inquired, his gaze fixed on my hand.“No, not at all, sweetie. She wouldn't dare…I mean she didn't." I quickly corrected my statement.My heart was still racing as if a piece of me had been removed. I was still dancing with Diego when I overheard Miguel speaking to someone over the microphone. Since the voice sounded familiar, I turned up the volume and recognized Nelly's voice in the background, which sounded furious. Before she could even do anything. I checked his location and went to where they were standing. I held her hand on time and could not resist giving her a slap for attempting to hit my child.“Serene!" The door opened, and Charlotte, Neina, and Rina entered.“We heard what happened, did that —" "Charlotte," I cut her off, indicating that I did not want Miguel to hear anything.“Miguel, should I get you some candy?" Neina in
CHAPTER 126Nelly Max is very upset with me because I fainted in front of Ms. Brights. I mean serene. She has worked hard to make a name for herself. I do not think she got married; if she had, her surname would have changed. ‘Does Max even know about this?' I asked myself as I awoke and went to stand on the balcony. I felt like something was haunting me from within, 'The Diamond Empress!' Serene's voice echoed through my head.I still could not believe what my eyes had seen, and I am not sure why my heart beats so fast whenever I think about it. "Damn," I exclaimed, throwing the vase next to me to the floor, causing it to break.I returned to my room and did not feel like sleeping, so I went to see what everyone else was doing. I put on my slippers and made my way outside. As I approached the stairs, I heard some chuckles from downstairs and went to see what was going on, when I discovered Max and Sandra drinking champagne.“Somebody is finally awake. I hope you don't mind joining u
CHAPTER 127Diego Things are about to get crazy, and my time here is up. I thought Nelly was brave enough, but Serene's slap completely demoralized me from messing with her again. I am so glad the headlines were not about me at the festival; otherwise, my partners would be extremely disappointed. After putting Nelly to bed, I had to go to sleep at Serene's house because she wanted to fulfill Miguel's request. My son is making every effort to secure me a spot there. "Mia, did you already take Miguel's breakfast to him?" I asked her as we met in the living room."No, Sir Ms. Brights is the one who makes Miguel breakfast every day," she replied, leaving me wondering how that was possible given Serene's workload."I see, I guess I will be the one making it today," I said, asking the maids to assist me in gathering the necessary ingredients. I was so focused on making breakfast that I did not notice Miguel behind me. "Daddy, are you a chef?" I heard him ask from behind me."Hey champ, I d
CHAPTER 235Serene “Diego is…is everything OK?” I wondered what had happened to have him cry like that."Why Serene...why?" he asked in a hurtful tone as I struggled to understand what was going on."I…I do not comprehend what you are saying, Diego. Is everything okay?” I asked, looking at him confused.“No!” He went down on one knee and said, "Nothing is fine unless you accept my proposal.""Diego,” I whispered."Serene Brights, will you marry me and make me the happiest man in the world?" he begged, tears streaming down his cheeks and his lips shivering.“Ye…yes I will…I will marry you," I murmured, helping him get up as we hugged.“Woo!" I heard Grace and Miguel.So they were pretending to be asleep.(Two days later)I stood in the center of the stairs, a veil enveloping my head like a breath of silk.My wedding gown was beautiful as dew, exquisite and unbending, just like I had weathered all storms.My babies clutching to the lace sleeves and chatting fast. Two similar gifts were
CHAPTER 234Serene Two weeks later Our home was filled with peace, and everyone had the smiles we had all been waiting for. The girls were preparing for their naming ceremony.The entire house was filled with balloons and flowers. Grace and Rina were racing up and down making sure nothing went wrong since this was a ceremony they did not want to ruin at any cost.Miguel exclaimed, "The priest is here!" and everyone moved to greet him."Be blessed, my kid," he whispered, resting his hand on top of Miguel and offering him a sweet.“Mommy, can I give the girls some?" Miguel asked about breaking the sweet."Oh no, baby, you'll give them plenty when they grow," I smiled.We went to sit around the fire as the priest started the ritual. He sprinkled olive oil on their foreheads and smiled at them."Great riches and power are within their destiny, and joy will always be a part of it, but dark times will come," he warned, causing my heart to skip a beat before he added, "But they are strong
CHAPTER 233Serene I awoke to the sound of a little scream coming from one of the cradles and rushed out of bed, only to find Diego already cradling the baby who had awoken.“Hey that was fast," I smiled."I know, madam, you can sleep," he said, carefully turning her from side to side."No, maybe I need to feed her," I said, preparing to take her from him when she began sobbing."I think she wants to remain with Daddy," Diego murmured, and I smiled, wondering how she had already taken sides.I am not sure how I fell asleep, but I woke up every time a small cry sounded from the crib. The next morning, we all prepared to travel to New York. "Mommy, I hope you will snap plenty of pictures of my sisters when we get on the plane," Miguel stated as we climbed into the Van."Yes, my darling," I said as I brushed his curly hair.We arrived at the runway and boarded the plane. "Goodness, I can not wait to get to New York," George said."Me neither," Rina murmured, going to rest on his shoulde
CHAPTER 232Diego "In other news, millionaire Diego Myers has been cleared of all charges following his detention in London, and some individuals have lately posted touching images of him and the Queen leaving a hospital after his release. Could he be the father of the two angels we saw?” The reporter remarked this as she zoomed in on a shot of Serene and me strolling with the girls."Gosh, these folks never miss an opportunity to create a trend," Serene commented, taking a seat next to me, but I had to ask if she needed anything since the prospect of her fighting an entire nuclear war alone terrified me.“No, I'm OK. You're acting strange lately, are you OK?” she asked."Yes, but I have been thinking about something, and you do not have to agree if you are not ready," I answered when she asked for my opinion."After everything you have been through, I was thinking about you going to therapy." You have been through a lot. I just want you to be OK.”“OK, I'll. Anything else?" She aske
CHAPTER 231Serene It was a Saturday morning, and I awoke with the sensation that something was missing. I am not sure what it is, but I know a part of me is not present. "Good morning," Diego said, strolling in with flowers in his hands."Hello, where have you slept?" Rina had informed me he had not gone home, so I inquired."Umm, somewhere safe. I can not go home until I know it is safe for everyone, but for now, we need to get your belongings together and go," he stated."Finally, they are going to meet their brother and grandmother," I grinned.I watched Diego prepare my bags as I calmed the girls down after they began weeping."Ms. Brights, you appear to be in for a lot of fun," observed the doctor as he strolled in."Definitely, but I will be around, so it will be fantastic," Diego said, as the doctor nodded and walked away.Pete walked in and assisted Diego with our belongings, as I made my way to the car behind them. I am not sure why they had to hire so many guards, but Dieg
CHAPTER 230Nelly Sofia raced to the door after hearing a loud knock.“You!" She exclaimed, and we all turned to see who she was referring to, stunned by what we were witnessing.Charlotte Brights What is she doing here after beating Sofia?“Move!" she pushed Sofia and made her way inside.We were all surprised, and Sofia was seething as she went after Charlotte, preparing to grab her by the hair, when Charlotte grabbed her firmly and twisted her arm."Do not even lift your unclean hands at me, okay," she told Sofia, who was crying in anguish."Let go of my arm, you bitch; I will call the cops. How dare you do this to me in my own home?" Sofia replied."You are stupid for not double-checking the property paperwork. This is a house Serene bought for me, but I asked her to give it to you because I knew I would need it on a day like today, so do not push it or I will kick your ass out right now," Charlotte said, flinging Sofia to the floor.Max, Sandra, and I looked at each other in sh
CHAPTER 229Serene It began to rain violently outside, and lightning streaked across the skies, while thunder boomed as if someone had turned on its top roar. I was lying on my bed with my kids next to me, unable to stomach having them removed.“Ms. Brights, that was amazing. We have not seen situations where women give birth two months earlier to healthy kids like these," the doctor stated as he strolled in, taking notes and looking at my girls while I smiled.Just as I thought stillness would reign, two small screams filled the room, and Rina whispered gently."They’re perfect," she whispered.Wow. Perfection is something I never expected to find again after all the relationships I had broken and the loved ones I lost. If Neina had waited a little longer before drinking, she may have seen the two angels she desired to see so badly.I sat up straight after looking at my beautiful pink-cheeked infants, who were deep asleep.“Would you like something?" Rina asked, standing up already.
CHAPTER 228Serene We were on our way home when the weather became terrible, and something unexpected raced through my legs.“I…I think my water broke…Take me to the hospital," I told the terrified chauffeur."What? Are you OK?” Kyrell as I nodded.The storm outside blew like my heart's sorrow, while thunder boomed and lightning left marked wounds over the night. Just as we were about to reach the hospital, a terrible pain struck me, and I could not help but scream as the pain intensified "We are almost there, Serene; hang in there," Kyrell murmured, pressing his palm across my back, but my body was crumbling, while my heart was already broken.Just as we were getting out of the car, George raced up to us and helped Kyrell hold me until the nurse provided a wheelchair. “Stay with us, Serene; You're going to be OK." Little did we know that trouble had already reached us. They took me inside as soon as I arrived at the maternity ward. Pete stormed into the room, revolver pulled and
CHAPTER 227Serene Pete found Charlotte's location, but before we could go to her, she requested me to go find her alone. I knew things might either go well or poorly, despite Kyrell's protests.The address she provided me was an abandoned warehouse outside of London where many criminals would hide from the police. It had rusty timbers and smashed window frames, and the stench of unclean water and rot permeated the air, indicating that many secrets and dead were likely buried inside.My footfall reverberated as I walked with one hand on top of my bump. Pete moved behind me, lurking near the holster beneath his coat. While Kyrell and the other guys guarded the exits.I entered the room, where Charlotte was clothed in gray from head to toe. I could see her luggage in a corner. I could also smell the gasoline from a tiny bottle beside her.“Did you come alone as I asked?" Charlotte shouted out, her voice reverberating off the empty walls."I am not dumb, Charlotte; concern should be th