YSABELLE Ronan walked up to me with a frown, but I knew he was not directly mad at me. He just knew where I had been and who I met a few hours ago. It's my fault for not informing him beforehand.“He asked my permission to see Jacob,” I said directly before clinging my arm around his and pulling him back inside the mansion.“And you agreed?”My brows furrowed. Seriously? He's asking me that.“Of course not. Why would I?” I said as I let his arm go and sat on the couch, tired from the long flight in Paris just to see Connor struggle with life in prison.I don't know why he thinks I agreed. Maybe he thought Connor still had a soft spot for me.“Why did he call you and not me?” He grumpily said as he looked stressed out about the thoughts.I shrugged nonchalantly. “Beats me.”He anxiously walks back and forth in front of me, which I find odd. Based on his actions, it seems like he doesn't want Connor to see Jacob.Connor has the right to see Jacob because he's the biological father if
YSABELLE “Ronan, find Jacob and Ashley.”“Why? Did something happen?” I could sense the worries in his tone, but it didn't take long.I sat on the bed while anxiously looking at the digital clock on top of the bedside table.“They didn't inform anyone here in the household where they were going.”He let out a deep sigh in the end as I heard something thud in his background. It's as if he just threw a folder in a heap of files.“Just wait for them to come home.”“But it's past nine–”“Belle, Ashley just became an adult. She's safe with Jacob. We will be alarmed if they don't come home when midnight hits.”I groaned as my feet couldn't stop moving because I was nervous. I stood up and walked back and forth while gazing back at the digital clock.“Why do you have to wait at midnight? I'm worried about the two. What if they got into an accident? Or are they stranded? Or–”“Belle.” His serious tone made my feet stop from panicking. “You're not like this before Jacob came. Are you suspecti
YSABELLE “Where the hell have you been?!”The three of them flinched in surprise at how I reacted to their sudden appearance. My pulse couldn't stop pounding even though it's obvious they're safe now.“We…” Ashley started but hesitated. “We took Amara from Aunt Jessica’s vacation home. She texted me that the sleepover was canceled.” She continued.“And we hang out in the arcade,” Amara said almost in a whisper, biting her lips anxiously.I firmly shut my eyes and massaged the back of my neck in relief. But frustration slowly delved into me that they couldn't even try to contact me or anything just to tell me where they were or what they were doing.They have a phone that costs thousands of dollars, so why didn't they use it for an important purpose? Was that only a flex and nothing else?Damn it!“W-We didn't notice the time and there's traffic on our way here. I'm sorry, Auntie.” I turned to them and met Jacob's apologetic eyes.I know it was not intentional, but since he's the old
YSABELLE I entered the dining room for breakfast. But I only find Ashton and Amara at the table, waiting for the food. Ronan was still in the shower when I came out to pick out the newspaper in the mailbox. But I don't know what's taking him so long upstairs.I sat on my respective chair.“Where's Ashley?”“Diet.” Ashton blankly said.I sighed deeply at how she always skipped meals because she was on a diet.“Ela, call her.”I don't want her to practice skipping meals. She once had been hospitalized for malnutrition, and yet, she still skips meals, disobeying her doctor's prescription. I was about to grab the bread when I noticed Amara taking out the veggies in her sandwich.“Have some veggies, Amara.”“Mom, it tastes so odd.” She said in disbelief.“Veggies are good for your health.”“But it tastes so odd.” I groaned in annoyance at how she was stubborn. “Just eat it, okay?”“I don't think so.”“Amara–”“Just eat it, or I will confiscate your Nintendo.” Ashton butted in with his p
YSABELLE “What did you just say, Ashton?” I tightly shut my eyes at how Ronan sounded. Rage and dismay lingered in his tone, and he was on the verge of scolding Ashton.“He's not your son. And obviously, he's not my real brother. So, why is he still in our family?”“Ashton,” I warned him to shut his mouth. He knows Ronan wouldn't like it if he brought up this topic again.“No, Mom. Why is he defending the son of the person who almost killed us? Do you think I didn't know about the past? I'm not blind and deaf.”I run my hands over my forehead, pushing back my hair in distress.“If I say he is your brother, then he is your brother,” Ronan growled.“Stop with that bullshit, Dad.”“ASHTON VOLKOV!”I flinched at Ronan’s outburst of fury.Why did it have to end up like this? I'm not looking at Ronan, scared to see his eyes shot on his own son. I hate it. I hate the fact that they are quarreling because of– “What? I'm your biological son, but it seems like you are more drawn to him tha
RONAN I chugged down the remainder of the whiskey, feeling the strong bitter taste in my throat before it streamed down to my stomach.The loud music from the front stage also gave me the vibe to move my head, swaying at the sound that the DJ created.I felt alive again.Alcohol and nightclubs.I ordered another bottle of whiskey as I sat on the bar stool, facing the bartender alone.Luckily, there weren't too many people. I just want to cool my head and my feelings because of what happened earlier. It was the first time Ashton talked back to me. It was the first time I raised my voice on him with rage inside of me.I hate this feeling. So I decided to leave home for a couple of hours to get away from the fury in me.“Mr. Volkov.”I turned my sight behind me and saw Kevin, my right-handed man, tap my shoulder.“You're here.”“Obviously. You called me.” He sighed and sat next to me.I gestured to the bartender to give me another glass, which he provided immediately. I poured a drink
YSABELLE I woke up and found no one beside me. With the thought Ronan slept last night in another room, probably because of his rage towards me, I decided to head downstairs. But only Ashley is alone in the dining room.“Where's your brother?”“Jacob is in his room–”“I'm talking about Ashton.”She sighed deeply. “That's what's next. Jacob is in his room, the same with Ashton.”“In Jacob's room?” I looked at her confusedly.“They are in their own respective room, duh.”With a deep breath, I left the dining room and headed back upstairs.I know Amara won't wake up on her own, so someone should wake her up. But she won't budge in her bed. So I asked Ela to send some food to Amara’s room. She will only wake up if she smells the aroma of her favorite breakfast.When it was time for me to wake Ashton up, I was hesitating to enter his room.Why? Maybe his frustration still hasn't subsided after what happened yesterday. Or maybe he doesn't want to see Jacob.I inhaled sharply as I slowly t
YSABELLE Ronan stood there, too stunned to speak, which I found odd and confusing. “Ronan, did you just come home?” I repeated.I walked to him, but he immediately looked away before entering our room with a frown all over his face.“I'm tired. Not now.”My brows furrowed. “I'm just asking as your wife.”He threw his shoes inside the closet before facing me with an exhausted look.“Yes. I just came home. I'm sorry.”“Where were you?”He massaged his temple and walked past me. “Belle, please stop asking. I'm tired and not in the mood to have a conversation.” He entered the bathroom, but I prevented the door from closing. “I was just asking. What's the problem with that?”“Give me a rest.”“Why are you tired? Did you stay up all night at work?”“Belle, please!”His roar echoed in the whole room, causing me to be taken aback by his sudden outburst.He ran his hands on his face as he turned his back on me with a deep sigh.My hands curled into fists, and pain struck my chest.Was he s
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,