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
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,