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
RONANI closed the door and shoved the clothes on the floor, which was on my way.“Je dois te parler maintenant.”(I need to talk to you now.)“SORTIR!”(GET OUT!)The woman under him seems under the influence but still has a sense of shame while being naked and fuck in front of a random man.I looked away because they are eyesores. “Je suis vraiment pressé, alors parlez-moi calmement.”(I'm really in a hurry, so talk to me in a calm manner.)“J'AI DIT SORTIR !”(I SAID GET OUT!)“Ne me mets pas en colère.”(Don't make me angry.)I pulled out my gun, hiding inside my coat chasing the man to widen his eyes in fear.The woman was about to scream when I pointed the gun at them but I kicked her clothes in their direction, indicating to get dressed and leave.She pushed the man immediately, took her clothes, and ran outside without even wearing them.She must be a prostitute. The man sat on the floor with his jaw clenched this time. It seems like I cut off his happiness in life.I leaned
RONANWhen I landed back in Paris, my phone couldn't stop receiving calls and messages from someone I didn't know. I refused to answer them and turned it into silence. But one message that caught my attention was the news from my secretary in New York.George Cortez was now in hospital arrest.The news didn't give the full details, but I know this has connected to Lucia or Shaine.I'm not sure if this makes me happy or not because I know Belle is now stressed out about the situation. However, there's part of me that George deserves this.I headed to the hospital and found Belle looking distressed while on the phone. She must have called her aunt or Cleo.I immediately rushed to her when she met my eyes. Her eyes start to well up in tears. I held her hand tightly as I gazed at the door of where George was. Police officers are standing at the door.I pulled Belle in the corner. “Belle, what happened?”“They said he killed Shaine and they know about Lucia. He’s now in hospital arrest.”
YSABELLE Even though I am so damn mad at Ronan, I still went home to be with the kids. I can’t reach my aunt but I forgot she’s in Russia. I know she's coming back because the news broke out. However, as I arrived home, a lot of reporters were outside the villa. As soon as they spotted my car, they sprinted to me and flashed those lights from their cameras. I covered my eyes because it hurt even though there was a car mirror.“Ms. Cortez! Ms. Cortez!”The driver was having a hard time getting inside the villa because of the people blocking our way.“Is there any other victim?”“Is your father now leading the mafia of your uncle?”I shut my eyes tightly while devastatingly grasping my hair.“Are you back to doing dirty business?”“What will happen to the company?”“Is he guilty of the accusations?”“What is his intention for killing someone?”And those questions go on and on like a damaged disc in my ear until we finally enter the villa. The securities immediately close the gate bef
YSABELLEMy fingers tightened around the phone. I couldn't believe I heard his voice again after a long time.“Connor?”“Is my mother okay?” My lips parted as I walked back and forth, and I didn't know how to answer his query.“Where are you?” I instead asked.“Is my mother doing well?”He instead repeated.I tightly shut my eyes in frustration. “Yeah, she's doing better in our hands than yours.”“I need her back.”I rolled my eyes and walked to the window, gazing outside the house to see if there were still reporters outside. I guess he already knew about my father's issue, that's why he wants to attack anytime now, and he started to attack me by taking his mother.“Don’t drag her in your mess, Connor. She’s sick and I know you know it too well.”“She’s my mother, so it's my decision whether she stays in your hands or not.”My jaw clenched. “Just surrender, Connor. You will only get a light sentence if you do. Stop adding to the fuel.” I said with gritted teeth.What does he want? H
YSABELLE“Ronan, can't you knock?!” I couldn't help but exclaim at his sudden appearance at the door. He startled me to death, wearing that long face.He stared at me intently before lowering his eyes to my hands behind my back.“What's that?” My fingers tightened around the phone. “I'm not hiding anything.”“Belle.”This time, he used his warned tone, which made me gulp anxiously. Even if I lie to him, he will still find out. So I should come clean before he spews fire.I handed him the phone.“I found this under my father's bed.” He seemed stiffened while staring intently at the phone, which made me frown. “What? Is it suspicious? Let's open it. Maybe we can find something–”“I'll take care of this.” He immediately grabbed the phone from me.“Don't be selfish. I want to see–”“Belle, we will surrender this to the police.”I stopped. Seriously? Can he at least investigate if the police’s accusation was true or not? Does he really believe them that my father killed Shaine? Just b
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,