YSABELLE With my heart pounding frantically in my chest, I search the whole area of the building, together with the useless bodyguards, to find Ashley. She got mad that her nanny wouldn't let her come out and play. I just don't understand how she escaped from the bodyguards. Not far from the entrance of the building, I saw a tiny kid wearing a strawberry-printed dress with a man. It's Ashley! “Ashley! Where have you been–” The color drained from my face as a spasm of fear crossed my whole being. “Ro-Ronan?” Seeing Ronan together with Ashley, my world shattered. With big strides, I sprinted to where they were and grabbed Ashley away from Ronan. “Belle?” My heart hammered into my chest as I ran away from him, avoiding his confused eyes. What is he doing here? How did he know I was staying here? “Belle! I want some answers!” Our bodyguards rushed behind me to stop Ronan from getting nearer. With this bunch of bodyguards, how could they not guard a four-year-old child? Are the
YSABELLE Candice's sudden appearance made my blood boil. She's wearing all the designer brands from head to toe. I bet Ronan spoiled her with his wealth. How funny he asked for another chance while being with this ugly creature. I scoffed. “It's you… the woman who ruined my marriage.” The last time I saw this marine iguana was on my ex-husband's bed, naked. Recalling the past brings back the pain and rage inside my chest. I can't move on until I lay my hands on her. But not here. Her Cheshire cat grin was painted on her red lips. “I didn't ruin your marriage. It was already a disaster when Ronan took you to the altar. You know that.” I clenched my teeth together as I remembered the pain and hardship I experienced from that so-called marriage. But I remained calm. “Anyway, I don't give a damn about the past. Have you had enough of him? If you are, that's good for you.” I started walking down the aisle of the snack bar, trying to ignore her presence. I don't want a headache, a
RONAN After knowing that Ashley was a daughter of Belle, I know for sure she's mine. The way Belle anxiously acted after seeing me with Ashley. But I need to be sure and a DNA test is the way to prove that I'm the biological father of the twins. Striding inside the hospital, I meet a reliable friend to help me with the DNA test and do this privately. If someone finds this out, the Cortez will make a move. I handed the toothbrush that my private investigator got from the nanny of the twins. Of course, we paid her handsomely. “Give me the result as quickly as possible.” He nodded and assured me that he would work that out. If this turns out that the twins belong to me, I now have a reason to really pursue Belle whether she likes it or not. My phone suddenly rang. The tail I put for Belle. “What is it?” “Ms. Cortez accidentally met Ms. Willow in a mall–” F*ck I sprinted to my car and drove off to the address of the mall that was sent to me. As much as possible, I refrain Cand
YSABELLE It was a bright and sunny afternoon when Connor stepped inside my office with big strides. A frown was painted all over his face. I'm having a bad day because I couldn't sleep a wink last night. God knows who is to blame for the return of my insomnia. Before I could say anything to Connor, he put down the iPad on my table with a deep and heavy sigh. What's wrong with him? “What is it?” He placed the iPad in front of me. “You were spotted together with your ex-husband and his girlfriend. It became the talk of the country or all over the world.” I froze when I read the headline of some sort of an article. ‘HEIRESS YSABELLE CORTEZ ENCOUNTERED HER TRILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND RONAN VOLKOV WITH HIS EX-GIRLFRIEND IN PUBLIC’ My fingers clenched around the pen as I re-read the article with a picture of us three. But anger surges within me when I see Ronan holding Candice's hand behind him in the picture. Girlfriend? So they're still together. Ronan never changes. He'
YSABELLE Ronan’s blazing eyes shot into mine, giving me goosebumps as he stood still in front of me. His whole countenance screams madness and I know why he's acting like this. About the news earlier. But I'm more curious how he entered the building without passing my bodyguards. Don't tell me, he bought this building too. Since I couldn't stand seeing those ocean-blue eyes, I abruptly closed the door but he pushed it with full force, which made me step away from the door. I could feel his dark aura as he walked past me and entered my unit without a word. Because I was afraid that Connor or my father would come and the three of them would coincidentally meet, I immediately pulled Ronan back to the door but he instead pulled me causing my face to collide with his chest. I can feel his heart beating rapidly, the same as mine. “They are mine.” He firmly muttered under his breath. His words made my whole body tremble with fear but I masked it with a smirk and pushed him away from m
YSABELLE I keep glaring at the documents Paul gave to me about Candice's history or more like her biography from her infant era until now that she's acting like a bitch in front of my face. My jaw clenched as my hand curled down the papers while reading them with a frown. It's giving me a headache and frustration. I throw the papers on my table and confusedly gaze at Paul. “Nothing? As in, there are no records or something about her that I can use to ruin her? Why?” “She's an orphan and lives on her own after leaving the foundation who raised her. She works as a model and meets Mr. Volkov in a club but split after a year of dating. She left the U.S. and came back after a year with a child–” “I know! You just said out loud what I read!” Hearing that made my blood boil. I calm myself with a deep exhale because this is not Paul's fault. I shouldn't vent this anger to him but his work didn't help at all. “What is she up to right now?” “She's still working as a model but
YSABELLE A deep sigh escaped from me as I watched Candice arguing with Mr. Luv, the CEO of her company, about the work she was supposed to do today. As soon as she entered the venue, her eyes widened when she saw me. I smirked because I made her feel baffled. Didn't she know from the get-go? “No!” Candice yelled at the top of her lungs. She's fuming in madness, and I'm delighted seeing her in that way. “Come on… it's gold!” I interrupted them and pointed at the gold toilet bowl. “I thought you loved gold.” “Shut up!” I rolled my eyes. “Enough! Don't disrespect her, Candice!” This time, she shut up when Mr. Luv raised his voice on her. “If you don't work right now, you will lose your title as the company's muse!” Her eyes quivered. “Even if you have Mr. Volkov's back.” He firmly said in a low tone but enough for me to hear. So Ronan helped her to become the muse of their company? How sweet of him. Of course, he's in love with that woman. I wonder what happened aft
YSABELLE Father's harsh hand landed on my cheek making me realize that he's no ordinary father. This was the first time he used his hand on me because he was fuming in rage. “YOU JUST LET HIM DO WHATEVER HE WANTS?!” Anger thrummed through his veins. I touched my cheek, where he hit me, with a trembling hand while the back of my eyes felt warm. I'm not scared… I'm angrier than him but I respect him as my elder and cannot even have a chance to defend myself because he will only point at me as a disrespectful daughter. I walk to the bed and throw my bag. Thankfully, the kids are not here. I wonder where they are. I hope they are not witnessing this situation. “Father, do you think he doesn't have the capability to find out once I enter the U.S.? He has all the power to find out the truth he needs.” “This wouldn't have happened if you distanced yourself from him!” He shut his eyes in fury. He shot the blame on me again. I'm used to it. I just massaged my temple as my head w