After Isabella stepped back into her bedroom, she was taken aback to find Lorenzo sitting on her bed. His presence stirred a whirlwind of emotions within her; she felt both happiness and sadness at the sight of him.As Lorenzo lifted his gaze, she noticed his bloodshot eyes and tear-streaked face. Concern flooded her mind—what could be troubling him?He rose slowly, their eyes locking in a tense silence that stretched uncomfortably between them. The stillness was heavy, laden with unspoken words.“Isabel, I’ve thought a lot about everything,” Lorenzo finally broke the silence, his voice thick with emotion. “I know my love for you is wrong, and I wish I hadn’t fallen for you.” Regret clouded his expression.Isabella's heart ached. She understood that having Lorenzo around, with his persistent presence, was complicated, yet part of her cherished those moments they shared.Wiping away his tears, Lorenzo continued, “I think this is the last time we’ll see each other. After this, I’m leavi
Lewis roared at him, “Shut up!”Kone stared at him in shock, shuddering at the sight of Lewis’s bloodshot eyes and the veins bulging on his face and neck. His fists were clenched so tightly that they crackled with tension.He had never seen Lewis this furious.That was when he realized that men in love could be the most terrifying beings in the world; they were capable of anything.With a sigh, Kone pursed his lips, fighting the urge to provoke Lewis further.Lewis turned away and punched the wall in frustration, repeatedly muttering to himself, “Isabella can never cheat on me.”Kone shook his head, recognizing that his boss was spiraling into denial.As Lewis pounded the wall, tears streamed down his face, and he shouted, “Isabella!”Unable to watch him injure himself any longer, Kone stood up and approached, wrapping his arms around Lewis. “Boss, that’s enough. We haven’t confirmed anything yet—don’t hurt yourself for nothing,” Kone cautioned, feeling helpless. Brutal honesty was n
Kone thought for a moment before shaking his head. "I don’t think so. Lorenzo has been visiting him at school since he came back, but he hasn’t made any move to take him away. I think he’s just trying to win Ben over, Boss..."As Kone spoke, he glanced at Lewis, who seemed troubled. Kone had his own suspicions—either Lorenzo was trying to steal Isabella from Lewis or Ben was Lorenzo’s son. He chose not to share these thoughts with his boss, sensing the tension in the room.Lewis clenched his fists, feeling a tightness in his chest at the thought of Isabella possibly leaving with Lorenzo. Kone pulled his gaze from the monitor and walked over to the telephone, calling room service to order breakfast. After hanging up, he noticed Lewis staring intently at the screen, unblinking. Kone could tell how deeply Lewis cared for his wife; the intensity of his expression spoke volumes.“Boss, you didn’t sleep well last night. You should try to rest a bit. I’ll keep an eye on things, and I’ll let
When Lorenzo heard this, anger surged within him, and he glared at Isabella, his face twisted with rage. Isabella felt a rush of tension as she met his fierce gaze.With a sneer, he threatened, "Isabella, you know Ben is my son. Loving Lewis will only lead to your downfall. When he discovers you’ve been lying, he’ll despise you. But if you love me, we can build a future together. I can give you everything you desire, and you and our son could have a life with me."Isabella couldn’t stand his delusions any longer. "You can't force love, Lorenzo. I will never learn to love you because you are a monster."His expression darkened, and in a moment of desperation, he grabbed her by the neck, bringing their faces inches apart. With reddened eyes, he pleaded, "Isabella, I love you so much. Why can’t you love me back? I want to give you my entire world. No one can love you like I do. I’ve risked everything for you. I would have lived in isolation, but I came looking for you because my love fo
Isabella clung tightly to Lewis, tears streaming down her face. She could hardly catch her breath as she pleaded, her voice trembling, "I didn't mean it, babe. I'm so sorry! I never wanted to cheat on you or hurt you. Please, forgive me."Lewis glared at her, his anger palpable. He shoved her away, and she stumbled back onto the bed. Without a word, he stormed out of the room, his intent clear: he was going to find Lorenzo and settle the score.Desperately, Isabella called after him, her voice breaking, "Lewis!"But he ignored her, consumed by rage. As he rushed through the doorways, he collided with Kone. Grabbing him by the collar, Lewis demanded, "Where is that bastard? Where's Lorenzo?"Kone shook his head, panic in his eyes. He had tried to stop Lorenzo from leacing earlier but hadn’t accounted for the gun Lorenzo was carrying. The fear of being shot had kept him from stopping him, and now he could only watch as Lewis's fury escalated.When Lewis received no response, his express
Jake wasn’t surprised. He had sensed that Isabella hadn’t truly moved on from Lorenzo, and he knew this day would eventually come. Still, he hadn’t anticipated it would unfold like this.He squatted down beside Lewis, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Bro, I know you’re hurting. Honestly, I’m not sure what to say that’ll make it better. Let’s get you changed first, and then we’ll go out for a drink.”Jake stood up, pulled Lewis to his feet, and led him inside.His girlfriend caught sight of them and raised an eyebrow at Lewis’s disheveled state. Jake shot her a glance, and she held back her questions.Once inside his room, Jake helped Lewis change into a fresh outfit. When they emerged, Jake approached his girlfriend. “Darling, I’m taking my brother out for a bit,” he said, leaning down to plant a quick kiss on her cheek.“Please come home soon, and be safe,” she replied, concern etched on her face.Jake nodded and left the house with Lewis, who had remained silent since he
Lewis wasn't paying attention at all; instead, he interrupted Jake, wrapping his arm around Alicia's shoulders and asking, "How does she look? Is she prettier than Isabella, right?"Jake, caught off guard by the question, hesitated. He glanced at Alicia, who awaited his response, and then at Lewis, whose expression hinted at a brewing storm if he didn't say the right thing.With a forced smile, Lewis answered tentatively, "She’s really gorgeous. I think she’s prettier than Isabella. Can I borrow her for a sec?"After a reluctant nod from Lewis, he leaned in and whispered something to Alicia before slumping onto the couch, clearly drunk.Once Lewis had given his approval, Alicia stood up and followed Jake to a quieter corner where they could talk. "Hi, Alicia," Jake began. "My friend is actually having some issues with his..."Before he could finish, Alicia interrupted with a smile. "He told me everything."Jake’s lips twitched at her response, realizing just how poorly he had judged t
Lewis's heart raced when he saw Isabella turn to him, her bloodshot eyes brimming with tears. He quickly realized that someone must have sent her a photo of him and Alicia together.He took a deep breath, fighting the urge to comfort her, and instead envisioned the betrayal of Lorenzo with Isabella in their own bed. Anger surged within him, and he stormed into the bathroom, stripping off his clothes and stepping into the shower. The water cascaded over him, but it did little to wash away his turmoil.When he emerged, a towel wrapped around his waist, he found Isabella waiting for him, her expression a mix of hurt and fury. "Did you sleep with her?" she demanded.Lewis didn’t respond. Instead, he focused on selecting an outfit from the wardrobe, trying to keep his composure. Suddenly, Isabella sprang to her feet, rushing toward him and gripping his arm tightly. She thrust her phone in front of his face. As he feared, the photo was there—proof of his indiscretion. "Are you mute now? C
When Lorenzo heard Chris's response, his white beard bristled with anger. He didn’t need a second to realize that Chris had tricked him yet again. The memory of the money he had burned just to ferry someone else's child to London ignited his fury. He slammed his fist on the table and roared, "Motherfucker, what’s your end game?"Chris remained calm, his demeanor unruffled. "I’m just protecting my grandchild, Lorenzo. You can’t expect me to sit back and let you take her away. I’m a grandfather now. Let me go see my baby girl in the hospital, and we can catch up later."A beeping sound came from the phone’s speaker. Lorenzo stared, dazed, confusion etched on his face. He knew Chris well—his talent lay in screwing people over, but lying wasn’t his style. The realization washed over Lorenzo like a cold wave. "She wasn’t pregnant with my child?" he muttered to himself, disbelief creeping in. After all his plotting, he had failed.In a fit of frustration, he grabbed a chair and smashed it a
Tony watched his boss with trepidation, unsure if it was the crushing defeat that had driven him to madness or the realization that he had nothing left to live for.Months slipped by in silence.Then, a piercing cry shattered the stillness from Isabella and Lewis's bedroom. Lewis, filled with anxiety, gently grasped Isabella's hand. "Babe, don’t be scared. I’ll take you to the hospital."Isabella, wracked with pain, tilted her head and bit down on Lewis's shoulder, her frustration spilling over. "It hurts so much!"Lewis gritted his teeth but remained steadfast, calling for help. The housekeeper and a few other staff members rushed in to help Isabella down the stairs.The commotion drew Ben's attention from his deep sleep. Rubbing his eyes, he emerged from his room, bewildered as he saw a crowd around his mother. By the time he fully registered the scene, Isabella had already been carried outside. He sprinted after them, only to find his father circling the car. "Dad, what’s wrong wi
At that moment, Lewis's dad regretted giving him the freedom to choose his own partner."Dad, I promise I won’t let him win," Lewis said, his voice steady and resolute.His father merely nodded, disappointment etched across his face as he waved him off. He felt let down by his only son."I'm sorry, Dad," Lewis said, his tone apologetic. He turned and walked out, getting into his car and heading home.When he arrived, Ben had already finished dinner and gone to bed, leaving only Isabella in the living room, waiting for him."Babe, welcome back," Isabella said, rising to greet him with a kiss on the cheek.Lewis managed a nod, forcing a smile. "Did you eat?" he asked.Isabella shook her head. "Not yet. I was waiting for you.""Alright, let’s have dinner," Lewis replied, heading to the dining table. They ate in silence, the weight of the day lingering in the air.Afterward, they went upstairs to their bedroom. Isabella didn’t pry into where he had been; she could see the exhaustion in hi
Isabella's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as Lewis's expression darkened. He didn't need to dig deeper; it was clear that Lorenzo had orchestrated this group of reporters.“Mrs. Isabella, how do you feel about cheating on your husband and dragging him into this shameful legal battle?”Another question quickly followed, and Isabella clung to Lewis, lowering her head to avoid the cameras flashing around them.The reporters, undeterred, turned their focus to Lewis, who stood protectively beside her. “Mr. Lewis, it’s impressive that you’re willing to stand by your wife. Not everyone would want to be in your position—having to defend her infidelity in court. Are you against divorce, or do you consider yourself a symbol of a ‘simp’?”The insults stung, igniting fury within Lewis, but he fought to keep his composure. Facing the camera, he replied with a sneer, “Stop judging me or my family. Those commenting on our situation need to understand that Isabella and I love each other, and nothi
After Lewis heard Lorenzo’s taunt, his expression darkened. He glared at Lorenzo, his fists clenching tightly until they crackled with tension. If they weren’t in court, he might have lost control.Lorenzo, noticing Lewis’s reaction, sneered in disdain. “Stop trying to scare me. You don’t look intimidating at all. Just give it a rest.”Lewis felt a twitch at the corners of his lips but took a deep breath, snorting coldly in response. “You can say whatever you want outside this courtroom, but know this: I will never let you get close to Isabella or Ben. They will never be yours.”With that, Lewis turned away and strode out, ignoring Lorenzo’s mocking voice behind him. “Stop thinking too highly of yourself; you can’t stop me!”Lewis walked into the courtroom with his entourage, leaving Lorenzo fuming as he followed suit. Lewis shot Lorenzo a cold glance before averting his eyes. They waited in tense silence until the judge finally entered.“All rise!” the clerk announced as the judge too
When Ben heard the question, confusion washed over him. Ever since his parents had picked him up from school, he’d felt an unsettling tension in the air. His face creased with worry as he looked at them, his anxiety palpable. "No, I want to stay with only you and Daddy," he replied, his voice trembling.Isabella, still unsure, pressed on. "Do you like any uncles? The one who usually visits you at school? Do you like him more than Daddy?"Although Ben appreciated the ice cream the uncle often brought, he didn’t like him in person. He pursed his lips, shook his head, and insisted, "I like only you and Daddy, and no one else."Isabella felt a wave of relief wash over her. She had been worried for days, unable to sleep peacefully. Lewis, sensing her tension, remained silent, knowing why she was asking these questions.He gently patted Ben's head and promised, "We will never let anyone take you from us. Don’t be scared."But as soon as Ben heard this, memories of his past kidnapping floode
Lewis exclaimed in frustration, "We still don’t know his true intentions. If he’s after custody of Ben, I think he’ll fail. But if he just wants access, the court will likely grant it."Isabella's expression shifted as she considered the implications. If Lorenzo had regular contact with Ben, he could manipulate him. The thought of the court granting him access filled her with dread, especially given the possibility that he might try to kidnap Ben again."Is there nothing we can do?" Isabella asked anxiously, worry etched on her face.Lewis’s eyes lit up as he replied, "If we can establish a criminal record and present evidence of his past attempts to kidnap Ben and the trauma he caused, the court will likely favor us."Isabella felt a glimmer of hope, but it quickly faded when she realized they had no way of obtaining Lorenzo's criminal records."How do we get his criminal record and evidence of his illegal activities?" she asked, frustration creeping into her voice.Lewis thought for
The court bailiff didn’t linger; after delivering the letter, he left without delay. The atmosphere in the room was thick with tension, and Isabella’s face was etched with worry.When Lewis caught sight of her expression, he tried to reassure her, saying earnestly, “Don’t worry. I won’t let him take Ben. I’ll call my attorney to discuss our chances in this case.”Isabella felt a bit of relief at his words, but the worry didn’t fully dissipate. She fell into his arms and whispered, “Babe, I’m so grateful for you. I don’t know what I would do without you. You’ve brought happiness into my life and made it so much more colorful.”Hearing this, Lewis smiled and gently patted her back. “I’ll always be by your side. No matter what storms we face, I won’t let you go. My love for you is stronger than any challenge that lies ahead.”Isabella’s heart warmed at his words, and she leaned forward to kiss his cheek. Lewis then bent down to kiss her forehead.“Now, I should talk to my attorney,” he r
Lorenzo's face darkened, his eyes blazing with anger. He hadn’t anticipated Chris's interference, which was precisely why he had never factored him into his plans. If he had known Chris would step in, he wouldn’t have acted so recklessly, allowing himself to be outmaneuvered. He gritted his teeth, furious at having underestimated Chris’s duplicitous nature."He is my grandson," Chris replied with an unsettling smile, his tone casual and dismissive.Lorenzo was momentarily taken aback. He hadn't expected such a nonchalant response and stared at Chris, suspicion flickering in his mind. "Chris, stop trying to provoke me. What are you planning to do with Ben? You can't be genuinely nice without an ulterior motive. Are you secretly plotting to kill him later?"Chris blinked in surprise at Lorenzo's wild accusation. He had not expected him to jump to such conclusions."Stop assuming I'm going to harm him. I’m not as ruthless as you; I wouldn’t kill my own blood. Despite being your son, he i