YSABELLE My blood boiled in rage and disbelief as soon as I heard what Dad said.“So, you knew?”He sighed heavily as he poured alcohol into his glass and chugged it down in one gulp.“Answer me.” I hissed as I didn't want to raise my voice at him. I still respect him as the man who raised me as his own.“I don't want to get entangled with anyone related to the Cortez–”“I was your daughter before I became a Cortez.” I helplessly mumbled in frustration. “You are born to be a Cortez.”His calm and soft tone made me look away. He sounds and looks apologetic. That's why I couldn't even hate him wholeheartedly. But I'm furious at him. For lying to me. For leaving me behind. For abandoning me.“Damn it, Dad.”I turned my back on him as I didn't want to see him like this. It's painful to see him regretting what had happened. I don't know why he showed up after all those years he hid from the public. But one thing is for sure: he might have come just to save me.How did he even know I w
YSABELLETears ran down my face as I saw him sprinting in my direction, wrapping his arms tightly around me. My sob grew louder as I finally felt his warmth, his touch, his loud heart beating, and his heavy breathing while I buried my face in his neck, inhaling the scent I missed for a day and night.“Are you okay? Did they hurt you?” He asked as he caressed my hair at the back.I nodded as I tightened my arms around him. “I’m fine, love. I’m not hurt.”“Let’s go to the hospital.”He lifted me and didn't let me go until we reached the car. But I suddenly remember Jessica.I looked around and saw her in the corner, getting uncomfortable with the unknown people around us.I extended my hand to reach her hand and pulled her inside the car.Ronan seems to be taken aback to see Jessica, or maybe he doesn't know her personally since this is their first meeting.After he sat beside me and closed the door, the car started making its way to the hospital.“Ronan, this is Jessica–”“I know who
YSABELLE Ronan showed me his phone and a message with a picture was sent by an anonymous number. It was me sleeping on the bed, and I could hardly see Jessica behind me because of the darkness.That was earlier in my Dad’s hideout.How did he get in contact with Ronan?But how did Ronan know this was sent to my Dad?“Someone sent me this picture and location.” He touched the screen to zoom in on the picture. “He didn't name himself, but his reflection was visible in the glass.” Indeed…I can see my Dad’s face through the glass he used to drink with alcohol.My eyes welled up as I stared at my Dad’s appearance for the second time. Was he alright? Did Paul get him? But Paul might not have known that his former boss was alive.I hope Dad convinces Paul not to continue and obey Cleo’s orders. It might be difficult to believe, but I'm still hoping he would stop this, to make Cleo stop also since she can't do the work alone.“Don't worry, I didn't tell anyone,” Ronan reassured.“Love, ca
YSABELLE Ronan and I got out of the car in the middle of the abandoned building. It’s just us and his men guarding us from the upcoming threat. But I bet no one is here anymore.No Paul. No Dad.Even though I knew he was not here anymore, I might find some clues he left that he was alright.After Ronan and his men checked the inside of the small room where Dad used to stay, he let me in. But I was surprised that it was already clean. I mean, no bed, no table, no wooden stool, all of the things were gone.That was quick.“There’s nothing here. Let’s go back.”He left with no trace.“Belle…” I walked out of the room, disheartened by not seeing my Dad for the second time. I hope he’s okay.Ronan let me stay inside the car while his men were busy looking around, maybe to find some clue or something.I wonder if Paul was with Dad.I pushed back my hair from my forehead as I kept hoping Dad was alright. I don't want to think about the negativity of his disappearance because I know he’s be
YSABELLE I paced back and forth in the living room, fury lingered inside of me at what Cleo did to my Dad.It's been an hour since we arrived home and we couldn't find my aunt in every corner of this house.I know she knows where Cleo is.“Belle, calm down–”“HOW CAN I?!” I can't help but raise my voice at Ronan, who only sighs as he massages his temple. “Cleo shot my Dad, and God knows if he's still alive or completely buried down a hundred feet away from the ground!”“My people are already searching the area where Paul has last seen your Dad.”I turned my back on him with my hands resting on my waist.Paul was already in the hands of the police. He will face multiple cases and he should expect that.But, the problem is, he doesn't know where Cleo is. They are in contact through a burner phone, but the whole day, Cleo didn't call him.We are also investigating her ex-fiancee Tristan, hoping that she will call him and ask for help.But knowing Cleo’s personality, she never asked for
YSABELLE I was frowning the whole time I was watching the news on the television about my father being acquitted in the case regarding the murder of Shaine and the abduction of Lucia.I'm not sure about Shaine's case, but I'm particularly sure about Lucia.It's pretty obvious he abducted Lucia and even locked her in that small space.Before, I wanted to protect him from the accusations of Shaine’s murder but now… I don't know. I felt terrible seeing my father's grumpy face on the screen.He's in a wheelchair, and I guess he's still having a hard time walking alone.“He cleared his name as soon as he recovered.”I turned off the TV and slammed my ass on the couch. I'm in the living room with Ronan, who also couldn't hide his emotions while watching the news.“Are you doubting?”I immediately gaze at Ronan because of his remarks.“Yes. He might have used his power and money to manipulate the law and media.”After I found out he did something horrible to Lucia in the past, I had this f
YSABELLE As soon as the doctor confirmed that Ashton was okay, we headed to the nearest mall for an ice cream. One of his teeth came off, and what scared him was the blood in his mouth; that’s why he cried.Ronan rented the whole room of the playroom for a few hours only just to give us privacy. Bodyguards are scattered everywhere for protection, afraid that Cleo will find us and attack us while the kids are here. It’s not really safe, but we also want the kids not to feel imprisoned. I don't want them to think something is wrong with how they are living.“What’s wrong?”Ronan approached me and kissed the back of my hand.My heart fluttered every time he showed his sweet side. But my sweet smile turned into a sigh as I gazed at Ashley playing with Ela and Ana while Ashton was with us, carried by Ronan in his arms.I brushed my fingers through Ashton's hair while he was busy eating his ice cream. He stopped crying as soon as we left the clinic earlier.“When will we have a normal lif
YSABELLE It happened so fast…Everything was muted and I couldn't hear a thing.I opened my eyes but winced in a split second as my head exploded in great pain.What had just happened?When I looked up the front, I saw the driver and bodyguard in the front seat, not moving an inch. I hope they are okay.There's white smoke coming out from the hood of the car, and all of the windows are shattered into pieces.Something or someone was weighing on my lap that diverted my attention.Fear ran down my veins as I looked down and saw Ashley unconscious but still breathing.I was about to check if she had any injuries, but someone grabbed her from my lap. Before I could look and protest who was this jerk snatching my kids from me, I was also dragged out of the car.“M-My kids… R-Ronan…” Ronan and Ashton inside the car were getting far from my sight before I went back into darkness.***I gasped for air as soon as I regained consciousness. The situation immediately evoked in me as I hastily s