YSABELLE"Ronan?" I called and headed downstairs.He was already gone when I woke up.As I arrived in the dining hall, I saw the maids preparing our breakfast."Where's Ronan?" I asked as soon as I sat on the chair, ready to dig in."He left early without breakfast, Madam."My brows furrowed.I stood up and ran upstairs to get my phone. I tried to call his phone, but he's not answering my calls. Where did he go this early?With a sigh, I went back to the dining hall to have my breakfast alone.Maybe he went to the police station or cemetery.After my meals, I decided to visit my Dad in the cemetery, hoping to see Ronan because his father's tomb was near to where my father was.But he's not here.Seeing my ex-father-in-law's face wearing a smile in that huge picture frame made me realize the pain that his wife is the only one who wants him dead. He might have felt betrayed, but the thing he did was more painful.If it's true that Connor is his son with Lucia…I sighed deeply as I place
YSABELLEI immediately helped Ronan before he got hurt by the sharp objects that scattered on the floor. However, I saw a red stain on his knuckles, which confused me.Did he intentionally knock down the vase?“Are you okay?” I asked but he shook his head while messing up his hair. He smells alcohol too. “Did you drink?”I held his face to look at me in the eye, and yeah, his eyes were unfocused.“Do I smell bad? I'm sorry if I am.” He hoarsely said under his breath while bowing his head.He really looked apologetic.“Not at all.” I slowly pulled him to stand up. “Let's treat your wound.”We were staggering as we entered our room before I called the maids to clean the mess outside.I cleaned his wounds and put on ointment. I'm glad the wound is not that deep.He never became aggressive yesterday when he drank and hid behind the couch. I wonder what more severe happened today that led him to let out his anger through the poor, expensive vase.“I… I will take a shower first.”He was abo
YSABELLEIt's confirmed that Mr. Willow was charged with murder, alongside the abduction of me and Jacob last month. There was a recording that was found in Mr. Willow that matched with the voice of Mrs. Volkov. Ronan chose not to touch his mother's belongings in her room since she was gone. When the detectives search the room of his mother, they easily find evidence that points out the connection between Mr. Willow and Mrs. Volkov. Especially exchanging money through bank accounts.Mr. Willow was furious at the jury because he kept saying he was not the mastermind and was just following orders. But still, he was charged with 2 counts of murder.Ronan was quiet these days. I'm not sure if he feel guilt because of what his Mom did.After the trial, Ronan and I visited our father in the cemetery. Ronan chose to be alone with his father's cremation monument. I gave him privacy and headed to my Dad's tomb.Our father didn't really die on the spot in an accident. They were burned inside t
YSABELLE“Pull over.” The driver immediately stopped the car in front of a fruit shop. I lowered the window and smiled at the female vendor.“Can you give me a basket of fruits?”“Mix, Miss?” I nodded and took a bill in my wallet. “For your sick friend in the hospital?”My smile faded.“Uhmm… No.” I give her the money. “She used to be a mistress of my ex-husband.”She suddenly smiles awkwardly and continues making a fruit basket. It didn't take long for her to finish.I arrived at the police station where Candice was imprisoned. I waited in a visiting area, and not long after, the frowning face of Candice greeted me when the door opened. She halted in her tracks as soon as she saw me.When Candice called Ronan’s phone last night, I knew she wanted something from him. We didn't talk because I ended the call as soon as possible and blocked the number before Ronan saw it.“Why does it have to be you? Where's Ronan?” “Aren't you glad to see me?” She rolled her eyes. “You should be beca
YSABELLEI was in total silence while we were on the plane that belonged to Ronan himself. I was lying in a customized bed while Ronan was in the opposite direction with his MacBook.I'm hesitating to tell him. Why? Because I'm not sure if Candice was telling the truth. What if she's just messing around with me? Or she just needs to say something so that I can bring Ronan to her.I shouldn't be bothered… I should not.“Where did you go earlier?” Ronan suddenly asked.I bit my bottom lip as I swallowed the lump in my throat. I'm glad he's not looking in my direction.“Just meeting an old friend.” He nodded and didn't even suspect that I was lying because Candice was not an old friend. Duh!Whether Candice is telling the truth or not, this issue is not for me. So, I should not hide this from Ronan– Damn! How can I tell him after figuring out that his father died because of his mother and thought he had Connor with Lucia?F*ck! It's too fresh for him to handle this, even though I'm sti
YSABELLEI went back to my duty in my father's company, and I was surprised by the pile of work waiting for me in the office. As I'm working my ass off, reading and signing the document, the door suddenly opens. My aunt and her secretary, pushing two trolleys full of documents, came inside my office.“All of that?” I exclaimed in disbelief.“Yes, and everything is needed tomorrow.”My shocked eyes became wider.Tomorrow? Am I nuts? “I… I still need to read each of them, so give me a week for this.” I reasoned since it's hard for me to just sign the documents without reading them.“I already read them and it's good. There's nothing to worry about.” She said with assurance.“Are you sure?” I gaze at the documents and wonder if she really read them thoroughly. I mean, there are tons of them. How can she read them alone?“Are you doubting me, Ysabelle?” I immediately look at her because of her tone. Her gaze turned cold, and it seemed like I was witnessing the scary-in-law of the Cort
YSABELLEA meeting has occurred and Ronan couldn't stop frowning at the employee who's reporting in front of us. His face cannot be painted by anyone while he is sitting in my father's chair.I tried to turn my back on him while sitting next to him. Where else could I sit? This is the only chair they want me to sit on.I can't concentrate at the meeting, maybe because rage is still within me and I can't look at Ronan because my blood rises every time I see his frowning face.He used to have that kind of face all the time while at work.Was it my fault for doubting his feelings? He keeps mentioning Candice's name and he also opened up the topic, not me. So it's practically his fault, not mine!If he hadn't been angry because I went to see Candice, we wouldn't be like this.After the meeting, I left the room first as fast as possible. But before I could open the door of my office, I felt a presence behind me.With the thought Ronan followed me silently, my heart leaped.“I noticed how y
RONANI stretched my arms, groaning at the pain at the back of my neck and spine because of sitting for hours. I didn't notice the time which marked ten in the late evening, so I decided to spend my night here in my office at the Cortez Enterprise.I'm busy building my own company and monitoring Belle's company here in Paris, France. Since I already decided on a joint business with Belle’s family, I have to make sure that the Cortez's stocks remain steady or it's much better to go back to how it was before the issue with Connor.It's actually exhausting, but this is my only way to be with Belle all the time.I remember my fiancee again.I checked my phone thinking she left me a message because I'm still not home. However, I was only disappointed to see no message from her.She's really angry.Well, I admit it's my fault too for scolding her, but... I just can't help thinking differently.What makes me even more mad is that she keeps doubting my feelings for her. Does she think I'm onl
YSABELLEI woke up when a hand accidentally hit my face. I groaned in pain and got up only to see Amara sleeping soundly beside me. A chuckle escaped from me while caressing my cheek.It's not that painful, though.I covered Amara with a blanket and got off the bed. I glanced at the clock marked four am. It was early, but I couldn't go back to sleep, so I decided to waste some of the hours jogging around the mansion to replenish my mind.I was about to enter my room but the door of Jacob’s room suddenly opened. Jacob came out of the room, dragging his luggage behind him. I approached him with a confused look in my eyes. “Jacob, where are you going?”“I have an early flight to Australia.”My brows furrowed. “Why? I mean, Ronan would–”“Classes are starting next week. I already bid my goodbye to Dad, Ashley, and Amara last night.”He looked down, avoiding my eyes as if he were guilty of something.“That's… earlier than I thought.”I scratched the back of my neck as silence between us
YSABELLEI open the door of the police car because I don't plan to ride Ronan's car. But Ronan closed the door and turned me around to face him."Belle, it's not what you think. Nothing happened between us–” I pushed him in irritation, but he only grabbed my hand and pinned me to the car. "Please believe me." He pleaded.I refused to meet his eyes as I struggled to pull my hand away from his grip and push him out of my way. But he's a man, and I'm only a woman who couldn't even move this guy away from me."Get out of my face." I snarled.His Adam's apple moves before firmly saying, "No."I'm tired. I don't want to argue with him. Also, there are people around us.I avoided his eyes but only to see Jacob's inside the police mobile, silently waiting."Talk to him."Through my peripheral vision, I saw him looking in the direction I was staring. He slowly let go of my wrist while sighing deeply. With furrowed brows, I glared at him and saw him only solemnly staring at Jacob."Don't just s
YSABELLE"Jacob? Are you alright-"Before I could even continue my words, Candice suddenly pushed me, causing me to fall on the floor. She immediately sat on my stomach, wrapping her fingers tightly around my neck."Don't let your guard down, bitch,"I tightly shut my eyes as I struggled under her, trying to push her and take her hands off of me. Damn it! I'm losing my breath and it feels like my veins are about to explode any moment now.With gritted teeth, I also did the same to her neck, burying my nails in her skin and I'm doing my best to escape from this nightmare–"Enough!"Suddenly, the weight in my stomach disappeared, as well as the violent hands of Candice from my neck. I coughed so hard, trying to catch my breath while caressing my neck from the pain she had caused.Shit! I almost became a memory! Sweat trickled down my temple as I hazily looked in front of me, trying to focus my sight on the person who took Candice off of me.But my eyes widened to see an unexpected man
YSABELLEI anxiously swallowed the lump stuck in my throat as I stared at Candice intently, waiting for her response. She inhaled sharply as her eyes didn't leave mine. Suspicion lingered in her eyes and I can't help but curl my toes in nervousness.If she's dumb enough to believe my words–"Okay."My left brow rose abruptly.Uhmm... I didn't expect that, but that's what I want to happen.With a sigh, she reached for my chain around my ankle as she took out the keys from her pocket. The corner of my lips lifted when she finally inserted the key in a lock."If you had just done that before, we wouldn't have led to this kidnapped thingy." She mumbled under her breath. Once she released my ankle, her face lifted on mine. "So-"I strike her face with my knee, causing her to fall on the ground with loud screams in pain."FUCKI"I whimpered in pain as I caressed the knee I used because of the strong impact it created on her face. I bet I broke her nose."Yeah, fuck you bitch." I said under
YSABELLE"Congratulations! You have been fooled for the second time!"My chest twisted in pain as my eyes wavered while staring at the picture on Candice's phone. I hate seeing him on the bed with another woman. It felt like the past resurfaced again and again every time Ronan interacted with them.However, as I kept staring at the photo, Ronan was sleeping in an uncomfortable position, which made me frown. He never sleeps on his stomach because it makes him feel uncomfortable, and his neck the next morning would definitely give him pain.Something is not right.My eyes caught Candice behind the phone, grinning from ear to ear while staring at me as if waiting for something interesting to happen.Did she take the picture? For what? To brag about it to me? If she likes Ronan that much, why does she let that woman sleep with Ronan?I trust Ronan... after all those years we've been together... I know he won't waste it just like before. But I have the right to get mad and feel betrayed.A
RONANI kicked the door in rage as I stormed out of the club where I last saw that woman. I did everything I could to find her information and make sure I could get hold of her. But the owner of the club didn't know the woman. She's not a regular here.I had already sent the little information I'd got to Kevin to do the rest of locating this woman. I should not have left that morning. I only want confirmation if something happened between us or not.As far as I remember, I didn't get drunk that much to the point that I collapsed and blacked out. Did she put anything in my drinks? No, she didn't offer me anything.Damn! My head is aching up now.I slammed the door of my Ferrari, and the first thing I saw when I entered the car was Belle's picture on my dashboard, together with my children.She was so gorgeous with those smiles.My chest twisted in pain as the face of the woman came across my mind."Jesus, what have I done?" I tightly shut my eyes in fury as my fingers tightened around
YSABELLEA door was wide open behind me. With a small light coming from outside the door, a silhouette of a woman at the doorway sent shivers down my spine. Though, I can't clearly see her face due to the darkness inside the room.Who is she?-- Wait... Where's Jacob?“Who's there?” I asked as I was about to try to stand on the ground, getting my balance, but a chuckle echoed inside the room, which made me freeze.That familiar laugh…My pulse anxiously thrummed as I squinted my eyes to focus on the face of this lady wearing a dress with short, wavy hair.A sly grin formed on her lips, which made my legs tremble in fear."Ca-Candice?"It couldn't be right… I abruptly closed my eyes when the lights suddenly switched on."Yes, dear."My soul almost left my body upon hearing her voice. Is it really her? I slowly raised my gaze and met her grinning face. "When have you been out?" She wore blonde artificial hair and put on heavy makeup. Maybe to make sure no one recognizes her."You don'
YSABELLEJacob doesn't have any choice but to follow me inside the building. I know he's scared to face Ronan, but I don't want him to bury a rage deep down in his heart about Ronan.We headed straight to the CEO's office but found his office empty. He's not around, and neither is his secretary.I called the receptionist through Ronan's telephone, and a woman answered immediately."Hi. This is Belle Volkov. Where's Ronan?""Good day, Ms. Volkov. As far as I know, Mr. Volkov is not around."My brows furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean he's not around?""Mr. Volkov didn't come to work."My ears perked at her words as my jaw clenched.If the people here tell me he's absent from work, it means Ronan has no other outdoor meeting or anything related to the company.Where is he? He's not at home, and if he goes somewhere not related to work, he always tells me so I won't get worried. But why he didn't tell me anything today? Because he's angry?"Where's his secretary?""He's on sick lea
YSABELLE “Why didn't you talk to him?”“He refused to let me visit Mom, so there's no need to ask his permission to go back to Australia.”I can sense his irritation just by mentioning Ronan. I can't blame him. Ronan just does whatever he wants, not even realizing what Jacob might have felt.He's just a child wanting to see his parents and know how they are doing. But Ronan didn't understand his feelings, which added to Jacob's frustration.“He still needs to know. Wait here, I will call him.”I walked to the door, but he stopped me by holding my hand.“He's busy and still angry at me. Also…” He looked away and turned his back on me as he let go of my hand. “I don't want to see or talk to him.”“Jacob, he's only doing this for your own good. You already know the past of your mother and your biological father, right?”“I just want to talk to them. Is that a crime?”I was taken aback at his words.“N-No, it's not.”He stared at me with mixed emotions. His eyes filled with anger, pain,