ISABELLA.I stepped down from my car, casually stepping into the building. As much as I wanted it to seem like I wasn't interested in any sort of attention, I knew I couldn't appear in public alone at this time. The two bouncers I allocated to myself walked before, and behind me. After the reservation I had made, Laura came up with the silly idea of us meeting at the station. It was easier to for us to discuss in the presence of Emma Martinez, plus our appearance in public would make it known that this was a plan. People had to think I had decided to make the move. I had, but not in the way I wanted them to think.I walked into the station, ignoring all the ogling, and cameras that were flashed my way. It was good to know I could pull this much attention.“Excuse me,” I called out to an officer. He turned, and on realizing my identity, beamed at me.“Mrs Blackwood,” he acknowledged me in a jovial tone. “Great to see you,”I forced out a polite smile, ignoring his familiar attitude. P
ISABELLA On seeing that we had reached a clear, and concise agreement, I rose from my seat. “I have no money,” Emma whispered,I turned to face her, “how's that any of my business?”“I need some money from you,”“The fuck you don't. What do you want my money for?”“I can't leave town without money. Where would I go? How would I survive?” she asked,How was that any of my problems?“You'll find a way around that. If you could find a way to fuck my husband in my face for three years straight, I'm sure you'll definitely come up with a way to survive. There are many husbands out there,” I replied, with a smirk.I watched as her face fell in shame. It took her two years, and barely two months of me showing her what I was capable of before she realized she needed to feel some shame.I sneered in disgust. “Make a budget of the town you're relocating to, and get your attorney to send the bill to me,” I said to her,I watched as her eyes lit up,She did not say a word after that, but I knew
EMMA.The gruesome horror I felt when Isabella's face came to light was unexplainable. I felt like my heart had been ripped out of my chest.I thought she was here to gloat or cause a scene. Knowing the kind of person Isabella tended to be during one of her moods, I knew better to underestimate how crazy she could be.Never did I think she would come here to give me an opportunity at redemption. In the past months that I had been in this cell, a whole lot had happened. More than I could even speak about.I wished I could cancel every memory from this place.I was still deep in thought when Laura, and John walked in.My breath hitched halfway, as soon as I sighted him. He was looking as good as ever. His hair was slicked back, and the white shirt he wore hugged his chest.Seeing him was like the first breath of fresh air. Of course I had seen him earlier, but I was too scared to speak up, and Isabella had interrupted soon enough.They both took two seats opposite me.“How are you feeli
EMMA.“Laura?” I called her name, trying to push out some answers.Her eyes were still darkened, but she was silent.“All these while you've been helping me…you were doing it because you wanted to get back at Isabella?”She still didn't answer that. I, honestly, didn't care that she was helping me out of spite for Isabella, but she could have at least informed me.Of course, it came as no surprise that Isabella had made a ton of enemies. It was her motto. She loved to thread, and trample on anyone.I watched Laura in silence, what could have motivated her to hold such a grudge?My memory went back to the past few hours. I had noticed some sort of discomfort between both parties, but never did I think it would be deep.“Laura talk to me,” I urged,She leaned forward, “my business with Isabella is unimportant,”“Is it unimportant if you're willing to do everything to take her down?” I queried, “I don't really need to know the details. I just want to know why you're so hell bent on ensur
ISABELLA.There is nothing money can't solve. Absolutely nothing.I smile to myself as I watch John walk into the courtroom.Rather than just releasing a press statement, I decided it was best to get Emma out of that place as soon as possible. I wanted John all for myself, and I knew it was impossible, as long as she was still in there.So, I made a quick call, and got him an impromptu meeting.Of course, Kaitlyn knew better than to pass a guilty verdict, but I didn't want John to know that. It was exciting to find him preparing his speech for the judge. Given that he was informed only thirty minutes beforehand, he better have solid proof.I had gotten Kaitlyn to post bail for Emma. An exorbitant amount I knew she wouldn't be able to afford. That way, she would have to return to me, and she would owe her freedom to me.It was a solid plan. Why bother being the villain when you can turn the narrative by playing the role of the good guy?I remained seated in my car, listening through th
EMMA.“Thirty grand,” I whispered out, feeling the weight of the amount on my tongue. “Where am I supposed to find thirty thousand dollars?” I asked out again.Where in hell was I supposed to find that amount of money? It was just the same as spending the rest of my life in jail.I pushed the paper away, trying to avoid it.“What do we do?” I asked, wiping my face.Technically speaking, I was supposed to be excited that I wouldn't be spending the rest of my life here, but then, the cost was just excessive. How was I supposed to pay all that?No one would even be able to lend me such an amount.“Emma, we know the amount demanded is high-”“It's not just high!” I bursted out, “it's ridiculous! Horrible even! Thirty thousand dollars. If I had thirty grand, would I be here?”I turned to find Laura's brows knitted, but John still typed away endlessly.“What are we to do?” I asked, again.I could feel my heart hammering in my chest. I knew I wouldn't be able to pay for the bail, and wishing
EMMA.I never thought this day would come. As the weeks went by, I had slowly grown to accept the fact that I would be here permanently. When the bail came in, I knew for sure there was no way out.As much as I had asked John to seek help from Isabella, I had my doubts. Would she really want her arch nemesis out in public? Was she really ready to risk me seeing her husband?I hissed at the thought of Alex. She definitely had nothing to bother about. If there was anything this entire ordeal had taught me, it was the fact that Alex only knew how to make promises. He would never defend, nor protect me.I was foolish to have believed his lies. I should've known better. What was I even thinking? If he truly cared, he would have made us official,“He filed for a divorce,” a voice whispered in my head,I pushed it back immediately,How many years did it take for him to decide he wanted the divorce? And after that, how much longer did it take for him to get her to sign the papers? He never d
EMMA.Okay! Breathe… I needed to breathe. I need to calm down.I stood, fixated by the door, watching to see if everyone would stare at me. Of course they did, I was the stellar client they could've made a fortune from, but didn't.“Come in,” he urged, motioning towards me.I looked at Laura who nodded encouragingly. I knew she thought I was panicking because of the board.I wish I was.Despite Laura's approval, I still couldn't get myself to move. He was in here. In a black suit, watching me intently.Did he recognize me? I watched his facial expressions. He looked…confused, but there wasn't an iota of recognition on his face.“Ms…” he started to call out my name, but then paused to check the paper, “Ms Emma Martinez,” I let him call it out, “please sit with us,”I walked up to the table, dragging my feet on the floor. How was he here? Why was he here? Why couldn't he just be a normal one night stand like the others? Why did we have to cross paths again?I looked around to find the