~Laurel~I laid on our bed and pretended to be asleep when Kurt arrived from work at exactly one am the next morning. Something in me relaxed when he pressed a kiss to my shoulder and slipped under the covers beside me. About forty minutes later when I was sure he had fallen asleep, I picked his phone from the bedside table and started scrolling through his texts. A text came in from a woman named Melissa and I opened it, only to reveal numerous messages from her and also from Kurt. Kurt whom I knew hardly texts.There were so many messages to read from the time they started chatting, about three weeks ago, till now. The one that had tears clouding my vision was the text that came in just now which reads, ''I had a good time. Thank you for making each and every of my day special. Heart you big time. Tomorrow at that same diner. Don't come late, got it?"I tried so hard. So hard to hold back my tears but I failed. So this is what Kurt's been up to. Every single time he kept ignoring m
~Laurel~I opened my eyes to an unknown environment, with people claded in white garments and nose masks, roaming about and hovering over me. "Where the hell am I?""Laurel! Oh my goodness, thank God, you're awake!" Mom scurried to my side even before I could make a move to get up. "Are you okay? How are you feeling?"There were people in the room. People I was very well familiar with. Like Kaitlyn for example, Wesley, Liam, Mirabelle, Genevieve and Lavinia."What happened?""You don't remember? Laurel, how could you? You know, you're all I have left, how could you do this to me? You were planning on killing yourself? Answer me, Laurel.""Aunt, I'll take it from here." Wesley nodded and Mira held her as they walked out."We'll be out if you need us." Lavinia said as they walked out, leaving me alone with Wesley."What's going on, Laurel?" Wesley asked me as soon as they exited the door. "Tell me it's not true. Tell me what they're saying in the news right now is not true. Tell me it's
~Laurel~A week laterI was seated on my balcony, gazing into the beauty of the night when Genevieve appeared from the entrance area. "How are you holding up?''I wrapped my arms around myself and smiled at her. "I'll survive.""I could call him if you want.''"No, don't." I smiled again. "I'll be fine, I promise.""Dinner?""Did Mirabelle by any chance call back?"Her face fell, and I immediately knew what she was about to say. "No, she didn't. It seems she's forgotten about you. So easily.""Mira would never forget about me, Genevieve, she's just angry.""Well, then, she isn't worthy enough if she can't support your decision. You're only taking a break to think. It's not as if you're going away forever.""I..hurt her. It isn't something to just get past like that. With time, she'd come to understand that not every marital problems can be solved together."She smiled. "I'm glad you've finally realized."~Mirabelle's POV."Mira, what are you still doing there?"I picked up the files
~~Laurel~"Babe, how about this one?" Lavinia asked me as I wheeled the trolley basket to her side."Ew. Lavinia, that's a sex toy. You know I could never use that on myself." I said, browsing through the next shelf."That was before! When you had several men falling at your feet. But now, look at you...""What's wrong with me?""You look pathetically drained. And you look tired too, have you been eating well lately?""With Mom around? I've been literally fed with a spoon to my mouth.""Good thing you have a mother who pushes you as much as she does. So what did she say about you living separately from Kurt?"I sighed. "She hasn't said anything. Still waiting for me to have my time before she can attack. I don't know but I think mom won't allow it. Kurt is like a biological son to her, she certainly won't allow his heart to get broken.""So you're attending his party next week? You know the launching of a new name for KCorps?""I'm still thinking about it. I may or may not want to se
~Laurel~After two hours of mingling with the public and avoiding Kurt, I decided to use the bathroom and ease the pressing feeling I was having.I was retouching my make-up when I felt someone behind me and I as looked up into the mirror, I saw Kurt burning gazes into my back.I didn't want to be alone with him, I thought. I knew if remained here or worse even talk to him, something would definitely happen. And I would give him the chance of making me submit to him again. I wasn't prepared yet. Not after what he did to me. And so I decided to make a run for it. But just before I could get to the door, I was grabbed and slammed against the wall."Is what is left of our relationship, Laurel? You ignoring my calls and avoiding me at every turn?"He was so close that I could feel every inch of him, tormenting me slowly to a point of losing it. "I am..I am not avoiding you. I just don't want to get into any entanglement with you. Why? Has there been no one to warm up your sheets lately?"
~Laurel~"That's not true!" Genevieve shouted."Oh yes, it's true. Melissa, tell them what you told me." Mira gave way for the woman to come to the front and she did."Genevieve here, found out something about me. A sextape. She then threatened to upload it but I pleaded with her. And then she told me she wanted to get her revenge on you.""Melissa, shut your big mouth!" Genevieve cut in."Who? Me?" I asked her and she nodded."And so she told me to go back to Kurt and seduce him. I told her I couldn't because the Kurt I've always known wasn't easily seduced. But she forced me, threatened to release the tape if I didn't. And that's why I came back. Kurt, my husband isn't dead, I'm sorry if I lied to you. But there was nothing I could do.""Why didn't you tell me, Melissa? You chose to fear her, over me? And then what? Ruin my relationship with my wife?""That was what she told me.""And those texts, mom. Dad didn't send them," Mirabelle explained. "Gen did. I don't know how she did it
~Laurel~"Laurel Hyde!""Laurel Hyde! Is it true that your adopted daughter threw your daughter off that building?" "Is if true that you're filing a case against her?""Is it true that you weren't even in support with your husband when he brought the young lady to your home?""Laurel, Hyde, is it true your husband had an affair with his ex-mistress?""Is it true that your adopted daughter planned and staged his affair with Melissa Gregman?""Why did your husband insist on having that kid in your matrimonial home?""Could it be that something's going on between the two of them? Or perhaps, is she a long-distanced relative? Or maybe, a long lost daughter?"~"Thank you, Mr Ramirez.""You're welcome, Mrs Kenton. But she'll be released for the meantime until the judge's hearing.""No problem with that. As long as she's going to spend rest of her life locked up in jail. No one messes with my daughter and gets away with it. See to it that this hearing is pushed forward as soon as possible.
Y'all ready for some bomb?Here you go._____________________________Laurel"Katy, just go ahead. I'll catch up with you. I think I forgot something."Kaitlyn nodded and started for her car parked a few miles away. "I'll see you in court then."Surprised, I said, "You'll be there for the trial?""You and Mira are both my family so yeah, justice is the only thing I want. If Genevieve really did push Mirabelle off that building, then I think it'll be only right for her to pay for what she did. And for planning on ruining your marriage too. I'll be there. See you later?"Glad for her support, I smiled. "Later, it is."I went back into the shop and picked up the stuff I forgot before heading back out."Laurel Hyde?"I looked down and saw an old woman. She looked so much late in her fifties and I wondered if it was just her age or perhaps, stress and hunger had caused all that on her face. "Yes?""Finally. Good thing I found you. My name is Mrs Grace Evans.""Mrs Grace, do I know you?" He
*One year later*~Genevieve~"Hey. You ready?"Mason asked me as he walked into the room."Do I look okay in this dress?" I said, referring to the floral gown I was wearing. "I feel... really heavy, you know. I think this baby is using my energy to do kicks, don't you think?" I asked him, placing my hand over my eight months and two weeks old belly.Mason smiled and walked over to me. "You look beautiful, darling. And besides, I'm always here to lend you my strength whenever you feel too tired to carry our little Gael." He knelt before my bump and caressed it over the skimpy dress I was wearing. "Hey buddy, don't give mommy a hard time, okay? We know you wanna come out so badly but patience, little buddy, patience." He looked up at me and I smiled. Then he got up and closed his mouth over mine. "I love you, Genevieve Kenton King."I smiled as I wrapped my arms around him. "I love you too.""Now come on. Before we arrive late for your dad's birthday dinner." He held my hand as walked o
~Genevieve~Just like that. I couldn't believe it. She was gone.Gone forever. We weren't going to see her ever again.Some of the soldiers that had ran into the smoke, came out few minutes later with Gonzalez men. One was half-dead, the other was injured but very much alive. They put them both in the van and walked around to see dad. He was saying something in low tune to dad when another set of military men walked out of the already burnt and collapsed building with a burnt, unrecognizable body that seemed to have ropes attached to it. A body that was perhaps tied. Then I recalled Mirabelle being tied up before Ryder threw me out."No! My Mira...." Mom was already shaking in tears as they placed the body on a stretcher. Dad dropped to the ground in tears, mom was wailing profusely, Mariano remained stiff and unable to move, Mason had tears rolling down his eyes...none of us could even touch the body. It was Natasha who mustered up the courage to run to where the body was and embrace
~Mirabelle~"What are we going to do? He's going to kill her!" Mason exclaimed out of frustration as he plopped down on the couch, running his fingers through his hair. Mom has been trying to calm him down ever since. But it seems all her words of assurance were falling on deaf ears."My men are searching the entire city as we speak." Dad who had been on the phone came back few minutes later to the living room and said. "They couldn't have gone far. We'll get them in no time.""Hey," Mariano knelt in front of me and places his hand on lap. "Are you alright?"I shook my head."Belle, listen to me, this is not your fault.."I was trying to hold back my tears. "Yes, it is.""No, it's not. Gonzalez has been planning his escape from prison for a long time now. And it so happened to fall on the same time period of your return so none of this is your fault, okay?""Grandpa, are you going to give me to him? The bad guy?" Natasha who was in mom's arms asked Kurt who had been restless."Of cour
~Mirabelle~"Mama, where are we? What is this place?" Natasha asked me as Mariano pulled the car to a stop. I got out and so did Natasha, who looked inquisitive, looking around the place."Hello, Natasha."She turned to stare at the people standing few metres away, her whole face lightening up. "Grandma! Grandpa!"In a blink of eye, she was running into dad's open arms. "My lil baby. She looks just you, Mariano." Dad said to Mariano who was standing beside me as he ruffled her hair playfully, picking her up from the floor."I'm quite heavy, you know. Mama feeds me with good stuff." Natasha said jokingly."Well then, it's a good thing I have quite the strength then." Dad smiled as we walked into the house."Camilla," I greeted Camilla who was standing with the other servants. "I see you're still here." I said, moving into her arms. "Thank you.""Always, Mirabelle, always." She responded and we pulled away. "I'll make coffee and some toast."I nodded and she walked away. "It feels good
~Genevieve~He wasn't in bed with me when I woke up.I got up, stretched and slipped on his shirt. Then I got up and went on a mission to go look for him.I heard noise coming from kitchen area and do I just decided to follow my instincts. To my surprise, he was standing in front of the cooker, flipping something in a pan, shirtless in an apron and in a pair of sweatpants. He turned around and our gaze met."Hey. Good morning."I smiled as I made my way toward him. "Good morning. You're up early.""Yeah, I got up to make breakfast. Come on, have a seat. Breakfast is ready."I did as he told me and sat put as he served me. Breakfast was bacon, scrambled eggs, pancakes and maple syrup.As I ate, I noticed he was stealing glances at me. "What?""You're very beautiful, Gen. Very very."I snorted, hoping that was a joke. "I'm sure I look like a mess.""You look breathtaking."I met his gaze and he smiled. Then he got up from where he sat and walked around to where I was, then to my surpris
~Mirabelle~A lot of people were hovering over me when I woke up. Mom, Mariano, two women, a man, Natasha...."Natasha." I called out gently and she was the first to notice as she ran into my outstretched arms."Mama! Mama, you scared the hell out of us all." She was already crying as I brushed the tears away from her face. "Mama, we were so worried...I was so worried. Promise that you won't ever make us worry like that again."I smiled and pulled her close, her head was resting gently on my chest. "I'm fine, sweetie. I'm just...scared." I admitted softly."But why are you scared, mama? We are here for you, remember? Don't be scared, okay? Daddy is here for you. I am here for you. Grandma is here for you. Don't ever feel scared, okay? You're my best friend. I wouldn't know what I'd do if anything were to happen to you. I can't ever live without you, mama."I couldn't help chuckling as I wrapped my arm tightly over her. "Oh my sweet little red haired baby. I love you so much my darling
~Mirabelle~I stood there and watched as Genevieve expressed how she felt about Mason to Ryder. Ryder on the other seemed to be furious but he looked as if he was holding back from lashing out all on his anger on Genevieve. The moment he walked out, I decided to stay for a while. This was bad. I should be with her right now. She had just made a life-changing decision that would probably require a shoulder to lean on and here I was, hiding behind the wall.All of a sudden, she stood up. She glanced at the mirror and then stopped. But just before she could turn around, a hand grasped mine, pulling me into the shadows."What on earth do you think you're doing?""Mariano, she's my sister. I should be in there with her right now. I should--""Then what's stopping you?"I stared into his eyes."Go on. Go to her. She's your sister, right? She needs you. You should be with her right now. So why are you here?""I--I don't think that's a very good idea. She's down right now, I can't afford to a
~Mirabelle~The congregation was filled to the brim. The people present were mostly friends, elites, actresses, musicians, business elites and government officials from all over the world. From where I was seated, I could see Mariano, my friends, Gabriel and even mom. Natasha and I were both at the back row. We didn't want to draw much attention so we just hid there.Then there was Ryder at the altar, waiting like the gentleman he was. Although, there was something about Ryder. Something off about him, he didn't seem quite the man for Genevieve anymore.And then, there was the bride. Walking towards the altar with dad's arm strapped to hers. On getting to the front row, she quickly hugged mom and Gabriel before proceeding to kneel in front of the altar with her soon to be husband. After a short prayer, they were back on their feet as they proceeded to the ring part and then the exchanging of vows.Well, now it was time to declare them husband and wife."If anyone have reason why these
~Mirabelle~I was trying out the dresses, mom had brought earlier for Gen's wedding tomorrow. There was a silver splayed gown with emeralds, a beautiful black straight one with deep cleavage curve and split up the right thigh and a pink short one with diamonds stashed all over. According to her, the theme of the wedding was black and pink, if I wanted to fit in to be noticed, I'd wear pink but if I wanted to remain anonymous and hidden, I'd wear black.At first I didn't want to go. Mom and Mariano were the only ones who knew about my existence. Mariano had argued with mom about telling dad about me but she had slid him off, telling him the consequences that would result from my dad abruptly finding out about my existence. According to her, she would wine and dine him after Gen's wedding then tell him about me. As for now, I still have to remain hidden and try as much as possible to apply heavy makeups contrary to my skin tone, wear sunglasses and colored wigs. That way, they would nev