CHAPTER 96Serene It has been about five days, and Miguel appears to want his father to live with us. I am not sure how I am going to explain things to my child. What exactly am I saying? I do not think I will say anything to my son. I was standing in front of my dressing mirror when all these thoughts were running in my head. I wished there was something I could do to permanently keep Diego away. Maybe I should have kept those photos right where I took them from. I finished applying my makeup and went downstairs for breakfast. "Serene, welcome; we have been waiting for you," Charlotte said, looking at me with a pale expression as Miguel stood at the entrance, angry.“What's the matter?” I noticed how pale they all looked.Silence reigned for a while before Neina entered, clearing her throat. "Umm, I am not sure how you are going to take this but—”"Wait," I interrupted, asking Mia to take Miguel away because I sensed bad news was on the way. I raised my brow, signaling her to speak,
CHAPTER 97Serene I didn't even get to finish the conversation because it felt like I was about to push him down to the ground. I could feel my blood rushing. He was thankfully gone by the time I wanted to give him a piece of my mind; there was no way I would send my son to New York knowing there was hell within those walls. "Serene, what are you thinking?" Neina inquired as she lay on the couch, her head on my lap, receiving a massage.“It's nothing I was just —”"Umm, try harder so you can lie next time, now tell me what is wrong." She asked and I repeated what Diego had said in the office. “What!” Charlotte exclaimed."Listening to other people's conversations is bad manners," Neina told her."Maybe, but not when they are audible, and that beast is not taking my nephew anywhere," she responded."Stop it. I think you should give him some time with the boy. We have all seen how close they have gotten," Neina suggested.“Seriously now? Wait on whose side are you?” Charlotte question
CHAPTER 98Diego"Hey, sweetheart. What can I do for you?" Sofia asked as she walked into my room."What exactly are you doing here?" I asked, not expecting to see her."Nothing, just came to greet you and see if you needed anything," she explained."I believe you know the answer to that, and as you can see, I am tired, so please excuse me or I will—”"Come on, Diego, it has been weeks, and you are just acting up; talk to me; maybe I can help you. You never know.”"That is right now, would you please help me get out of my room?" I asked, and she grabbed her bag and walked out.I shut the door and attempted to call Grace, but she arrived a few minutes later with a pale, pulled face. “Hey, what's wrong?” I asked because I did not expect her to return from Serene's house looking like that."How do you think your parents would react if they found out about what you did to that woman?" Grace asked and I looked down in shame."I do not know, trust me; I regret everything I have done to her.
CHAPTER 99Diego I walked back to my car and sat there. A phone call came in and interrupted my thoughts. "George, what is it?" I asked.“Sir, I am not feeling good about what we discussed yesterday. Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked.“No, I don't just drop the entire plan. I do not want to separate my son from his mother; perhaps I deserve to be alone. I suppose that is my life sentence," I said, hanging up the phone.I drove home and found my uncle at a meeting with his friends. I am not sure what they were laughing about, but it was troublesome. I walked up closer and overheard their conversation. "We planned everything so well that they will not suspect we were involved in the hotel robbery, poor Ms. Brights," one of his friends said as they toasted."Yes, I know, but trust me, we did a damn good job for $8 million, just like that gentleman," my uncle said with a devilish laugh.“But something amazes me though,” the other man said."Despite losing so much, Ms. Brights d
CHAPTER 100Diego The sun rose, but I could still smell her fragrance. I can not believe we spent the night together with Serene. I slowly got out of bed to split the curtains while she snored, but some light reflected on her face, causing her to slowly open her eyes. She looked up and sat straight, trying to figure out what had happened between us. "Diego!" she exclaimed, incredulously."I can explain, and believe me, it is not what you think; I tried to stop you, but you overpowered me," I said, raising my hands.“What the hell? I mean, what happened? How did I get here? Look, I am warning you if you dare—”"Look, I understand you are upset, but trust me, I did not mean for anything to happen. I was busy taking my drinks when you suddenly pushed me into the corner and strangely started kissing me. I tried to resist, but you were so dominant that the next thing I remember is us coming in here from there, I guess you know," I explained, and she could not stop shaking her head.“No, t
CHAPTER 101Serene I opened my eyes again, and every muscle in my body hurt. The thought of spending the night with Diego just haunted me. After all of that humiliation, I am left wondering who drugged my drink. Even if he was overpowered by me, I believe he should not have let things get this far. I despise him because of this. "Ms. Brights, you are finally awake; I hope you are ready to take your medication," Neina said, entering the room from the shower."Not now, Rina please tell the manager to bring me the footage of everything that happened yesterday right now," I asked, and she did so without hesitation.“Uhmm Serene you need to take your medicines otherwise —”“I don't want to. I think I'm fine. I think I just need to get my hands on whoever drugged my drink," I said."Uhm, to be honest, I thought you knew what you were doing, which is why I did not stop the two of you in that corridor," Neina explained, and I looked at her in surprise.“You did what!” I asked."Calm down, I
CHAPTER 102Serene I arrived home after spending some time at the hotel with Miguel. It is so sad that I can not even convince Charlotte that I am not happy with everything. It was the drug's fault, but she would not believe me. I walked into my bedroom and sat in front of the mirror, full of regret, wondering how I could have gone so far as to sleep with Diego. I certainly will not be able to face myself after what happened. "Excuse me, madam, why are you looking pale?" Neina asked as she walked in."It is nothing; are you here for anything?" I responded."No, I am just here to listen in case you want to vent; I will not judge you.”“It's OK. I think I want to be alone; just take care of Miguel for me," I said before she walked away.I got up and changed into something comfortable before Rina called to tell me they had brought the man who had drugged my drink. I did not think twice about going to meet them. I walked into the old dusty room where they had taken him and could tell he
CHAPTER 103 Diego “What were you doing there?” I questioned Sofia, who appeared to have added to my problems. "Nothing, I was on my way home from the mall and saw those guards throwing you out like trash," she said. "OK, but you did not have to do that," I explained to her. "Wait...if I had not intervened, those men would have broken every bone in your body, Diego. I thought you were supposed to thank me.” "OK, thanks," I said, wiping the blood from the corner of my lip. "Come to think of it, isn't that Serene Bright's house?" she said. “Yes it is,” I replied. “Are you and —” "No, we are not; it is all business.” I was not prepared for her interrogations, so I faked a meeting at home. "Can I come along?" she inquired. "No, not now, some other time; I believe you understand how business works, right?" I questioned. "Yes, but I have something I need to tell you, Diego," she said, taking a deep breath. It was not like I was new to the conversation, so I asked her to remain
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