"I never thought Brown's family is this stingy, how can you bully an innocent girl to that extent? Don't you know, she is the daughter of the Bellchester family, how dare you treat her as a maid?" Minerva rolled her eyes talking about Brown's family, "moreover how can you live shamelessly with a girl's dowry even after divorcing her?" Britney also joined the fun, "I'm so stunned to know that, you didn't even pay alimony to our Arabella, yet you claimed, she demanded a lot of money after separation from your son, so did you lie about it?" Olivia sighed with a frown, "I never thought this Brown family would mistreat my granddaughter though your son rose to the CEO because of our investment in your company, I'll take back everything at once for what you've done to my granddaughter!" The crowd also started whispering among themselves after hearing to Arabella's words along with Minerva and Britney, most importantly when Olivia supported Arabella, people can't help but to become against
"I dare because it’s my job to defend Arabella, since I'm her personal lawyer, and if you're to go ahead with even one single word against her, you've to be ready to face it in the court," Aaron threatened her with a steady voice.Rosaline looked at Olivia, "I told you not to let her in, you did, look at her ruining everything, are you happy now mother? Thanks to her your own granddaughter is suffering now." "Rosaline speak with your senses," Minerva said, "Arabella didn't do anything, it's him who embezzled company's funds, and they took him into custody, you've to be happy that your daughter's life was saved before it got ruined more."Olivia nodded, "I agree with Minerva, I always opposed the marriage in between Natalie and that Joseph, see what happened today! At least now try to learn your mistake." "Bella, you bitch how the hell you're manipulating everyone?" Natalie bursts out into anger at Arabella, as everyone is supporting Arabella rather than understanding her.Xenon glar
"I'm still waiting for an answer from you both," Arabella narrowed her eyes demanding an answer, both Xander and Abigail just exchanged their glances but none of them spoke.Arabella couldn't help but to glare at them with full of anger, because none of them are responding and simply turning deaf ears to her question and screaming which made her extremely angry."Why aren’t you both speaking?" She asked in a furious tone this time making sure her voice is firm and furious.Before Xander or Alexander could reply, Abigail looked scared and jumped into Xander's arms to save herself.He instinctively wrapped his arms around her, holding her close to him, making sure that she wasn't hurt or not while jumping on to him.There was a protectiveness in his embrace, he never knew something like this, as he never showed this caring side of him to anyone, most especially since he hates kids, he never allowed anyone closer but the first kid who impressed him or got closer to him is Abigail.This f
"How could I know Abi? I was with you the entire time, aren't I?" Alexander smiled at her, Abigail sighed slightly, "you're not this excited when we chose those three people as suitors for Mommy, but why are you so excited about having him as mommy's husband and as our daddy?" Alexander stared at the starry ceiling, "I was waiting for you to ask about this eagerly, because I want to tell you about what I noticed," Abigail nodded, "fine tell me." "It's not like I don't like three of them, but actually it's only Mr. Zayn who is in love with our Mommy, and it's just a crush, not love, I can't see the love in his eyes, but today I saw it in Mr. Xander's eyes," Alexander explained, "they all are supporting Mommy, but none of them are daring enough to say they're pursuing Mommy, despite Mommy being insulted, but Mr. Xander is different, he didn't care about his status or reputation, all he wanted is the world to know is our Mommy is his woman and none can mess with her, isn't this what we
"It's true, I can't see anyone's face, even if it is mine or my own mother's, I recognise people only by hearing to their voice, so unless I heard their voice, I can't recognise that person," revealing this was the hardest part for him, but he did it.Arabella was still stunned by his words, but connecting all the dots and Xander's behaviour, she can't help but to notice something wrong with him.Xander's voice is shaking as he is speaking about one of the painful moments of his life, "After an accident, I was in coma for almost six months, when I woke up, I don't know what's wrong with me but I couldn't see anyone’s faces anymore, it's almost like their faces are blurred to me, it almost traumatized me to look at people, but you... you’re the only person I can see clearly." Arabella was truly surprised by hearing to his condition, she could see him sweating hard while shaking, gently sitting beside her, she helped him to wipe off the sweat on his forehead, "So, that’s why you’re alw
"Of course we can," he rubbed her hands which are cold, "looks like your hands got cold, how about we go to the fireplace and sit together to talk?" Both Abigail and Alexander nodded, he lifted Abigail's in his arms, and held Alexander's hand, looked at Nova, "ask the kitchen staff to send two cups of hot chocolate for them." "Okay," Nova smiled at the children and left from there, Xander took them to fire place room and got them to sit closer to it and brought blankets to cover them.He sat in the middle pulling the blankets over them, "do you feel warm now?" Abigail and Alexander nodded, he held their hands to see if they were warm or not, feeling the warmth, he understood they're no longer cold.For the first time, Xander felt he was acting like a responsible father, which he never even dreamt about back then, and he realised it's all instincts none will teach personally about this stuff.The fire crackled warmly in the hearth, casting a golden glow entire the room giving them en
"The perfect hot bath," Arabella slipped out of the bathroom in a bathrobe tied around her body, "even the bathroom is majestic, especially that bathtub, to live a rich life, one should be born with luck." She frowned, "still why many of them don't appreciate how rich they're living!" As she opened the wardrobe, she was surprised by the different types of night suits being there, being curious she opened all the wardrobes to find different types of elegant dresses, fashionable outfits, many jewellery sets and even a couple of footwears."Oh my goodness! What are all these?" Arabella pulled a drawer to find many daily wear accessories, and another one is full of make up and skin care products, "even if I use skincare, my skin never cares, so I don't use any of these, but what's with all this stuff? Whose room is it? Did he give someone else's room for a night stay over?" Arabella closed all the doors with a small disappointed sigh, "it must be the truth, if not why these many things
"Are you kidding? Don't tell me you're serious?" Nova chuckled at her words, making Arabella to feel bad for a minute.But looking at her expression he immediately shook his head with an explanation, "I'm sorry I don't mean to make fun, it's just I felt your words to be funny, did you say, bad luck? Arabella, you’ve got it all wrong. Honestly, I’d say you’re more like a lucky charm to anyone." "Lucky charm?" Arabella felt thrilled to hear that word, "I never heard anyone calling me like that, you're the first person to say that." Nova understood how much Arabella was suppressed by everyone, which is making her to be happy even to the little things such as kind words, "those people truly don't deserve you," he felt inwardly before speaking out."Do you remember your ex-husband? He was nothing but an illegitimate son not cared by anyone but he became a CEO after you married him, he became the most doted heir of Brown's family, what do you want to say about this?" Arabella looked away
"It's Ruby, Joseph's sister," I said, while clutching my mobile hard.Viola’s smile faltered, replaced by a furious look, "That witch, why is she trying to contact you? What does she want now?" "She tried to blackmail me yesterday," I explained, recounting the encounter of yesterday which I almost forgot until this message of that bitch popped up, "She threatened to bring out the things that happened back in the past, and the shameless method they used to get rid of their house, using those photos, she is trying to demand money from me, and wants me to get back with that bastard, the most funniest thing is, she said I should be grateful for her brother’s forgiveness." Viola crossed her arms with a scoff, "That woman is really audacious, how dare she to threaten you? I swear if you had taken me with you yesterday, I would've punched that bitch's face until she couldn't speak again, if she wasn’t already miserable, I’d make her life a living hell for daring to mess with you."Her fier
••ARABELLA POV•• "I know," I said softly, feeling the warmth of his hand on mine."So, you knew it," Xander repeated, with a low yet slightly frustrated voice, "yet you went alone?"I never saw him being angry with me, this is the first time, I've seen him like this, I don't know why, but I kind of feel nervous by this behaviour of his.Before I could respond, his mother stepped in, with a light tone, "Stop it, Xan, you're scaring her, can't you see that?" "Me? Scaring her?" Xander frowned, glancing between us."Yes, you only," She sighed, gently slapping on his shoulder, "you shouldn't speak in such a harsh tone even if you're worried about her, first apologise to her." I tried to intervene, "it's okay, mother," but she stopped me, "it's not okay sweetheart, you shouldn't allow anyone to bully you, even if it is your husband." "I'm sorry," Xander apologised, lowering his head, I mumbled, "it's okay." She looked at me with a softened expression, "forget about him, let’s get you t
••ARABELLA POV•• "That's it?" I asked with a sarcasm raising my eyebrows.I faced Ruby without any fear right now, I scanned her from top to bottom, full of pride, and confident, she must be thinking, she can summon me and demand something so outrageous as if I'm the same Arabella who used to be begging for their forgiveness and mercy. Ruby smirked, tossing her hair over her shoulder, while taking a few steps towards me, "Yes, Bella, that’s it, you give us what we need, and we’ll pretend nothing happened, simple, isn’t it?" This woman, can't she even understand the differences in between the sarcasm and normal words, I never expected her to be a fool like this.I chuckled at her delusion, and the sound of my chuckling spread everywhere quickly because of deserted silence surrounding us, "You think you can blackmail me again? After everything you and your brother have done to me? After your brother stole the hardwork of mine and rose to CEO position, do you still expect me to be a
••NO POV••Arabella felt tears welling up in her eyes at his words, and for the first time, she allowed herself to believe that maybe this man is truly in love with her, and wants her to be in real relationship with him, she was out of words and been silent for a minute.Her silence pierced Xander's heart, as he expected an approval from her."It’s okay," Xander said gently, with a faint smile, "I don’t want to force you." Arabella could see the bitterness in Xander's face, and Xander is also upset as her silence almost felt like a refusal to him."It’s not about force," Arabella held his hand, "I knew you and your feelings are sincere, it’s just... I can’t answer you right now, can you give me some time?" Xander felt happy hearing to her words, though she didn't accept his proposal, at least she didn't reject him, so with a smile he said, "As long as you don’t reject me, anything is fine." Arabella doesn't understand why he is so gentle and understanding towards her, though she
••ARABELLA POV•• "Are you crazy?" I sighed with a reddened face, as his shameless words are still echoing in my ears and I couldn't let it go.He just laughed, totally unbothered, as if he hadn't just teased me to the point of embarrassment. Sometimes I wondered if he remembered this was just a contract marriage or if he was trying to make it a real one.Well, I don't blame him either because from the past few days with him, I truly got to know the meaning of love and family warmth, thanks to him and his family, my kids are enjoying the love and affection of a family, still I'm not ready to increase my hopes because of my past.The car ride to the hotel was filled with extreme silence apart from the sound of soft music playing in the background. Xander spared glances at me occasionally, and I caught myself doing the same as him, wondering what was going through his mind. When we arrived at the hotel, a table had already been reserved for us. I can say that the dining hall is very
••ARABELLA POV••"Who loves whom?" I was stunned to see Xander standing behind us, he crossed his arms staring at us, with a raised eyebrow, "what's happening here?" I gulped hard and took the initiative to answer, "nothing, just randomly talking with Xen." "From where exactly did this guy come?" He pointed at Xenon, while Xenon rolled his eyes, "I came to meet my darling Bella, it's not your concern uncle." Xander clenched his fist, "this brat!" But Xenon hid behind me, I don't understand why this guy always messes with others, then comes to me for protection.However before Xander could say another word, Xenon prepared to run away, "Let’s talk later, Bella, take care," he said in a soft tone, and left from there leaving me and Xander alone.As he disappeared from that place, I turned to find Xander standing some distance away from me, still with his crossed arms, and an expression of faint concern on his face. "What exactly were you two doing here?” He asked once again with a c
"Yes, he is my so-called ex, with whom I broke up," Xenon said with a sad tone, as if he is almost ready to burst into tears, Arabella pulled him to nearby place and both of them sat together.She offered him water to drink, "relax no tension, and have some water." "I know very well about you, all this is out curiousity to know more, right?" Xenon asked while taking a sip of water.Arabella chuckled and looked embarrassed but curiosity is quite evident on her face to know more about Aaron and Xenon, "So, are you going to tell me everything now? I mean, what made you to punch him? And what you meant by he is the guy you broke up with? When did you both even date to break up now?" Xenon leaned back, running a hand into his hair, as he literally hated talking about that past of his, "It's a long story, Bella, I don't even know where to start." She gently placed her hand on his, with a smile. "Start from the beginning, we are not going anywhere until you tell me everything, moreover I
"Bella, my dear," Veronica gently smiled at Arabella, "I'll take care of the kids, you and Xan, can go for shopping." Xander sighed at his mother, "mom, why need of going out when we can get them to house?" Veronica couldn't understand how she gave birth to someone so foolish, slapping on his hand, Veronica whispered in his ear, "you idiot, it's something romantic, groom and bride choosing outfits, groom praising bride for her beauty, specially choosing the wedding gown for her, all these are romantic things, you fool!" "Romantic?" Xander questioned his mother, to which Veronica nodded her head eagerly, "yes romantic, so don't spoil my plan, just go with her, and act like a gentleman with romantic scenes, if not she'll run away from you." Xander shook his head with a determined smile, "I'll not let that happen, I'll make sure to impress her," Veronica have a proud pat on his shoulder, "my blessings are with you." Arabella who noticed their conversation exchange but couldn't under
"How long do I have to suffer like this? It's all because of that little bitch Arabella!" Joseph sat on one of the chairs, seething with resentment in a prison room with oppressive walls. His mind occupied with anger and desperation as he awaited for his sister’s arrival. When Ruby finally appeared, looking defeated and no signs of positivity only got his anger to be increased.Ruby sat down opposite him, slightly with a disappointed look on her face, "I tried my best brother, but I don't think I could do anything at this moment, all the ways has got seized." "What do you mean by that?" Joseph leaned forward with a frustrated look, "When am I getting out from this damn prison? Did you talk to the lawyer? Why did you come alone?" Ruby shook her head, with tears filled in her eyes, as she isn't sure how to say something like this to her brother, but she knew he should know about their situation, "We don’t have that much money, brother, our house and everything within in our house was