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
YSABELLE I felt a flash of irritation seeing Candice's not-so-good look on her face. I harshly got off her hand which was tightly wrapped around my arm. She sometimes overboard with her physical assault. How did she find out where my condo was and even knew where my unit was? "How dare you seduce him!" "I did not.” I blandly replied. "Do you think he will eat what he threw up?" I shrugged, uninterested in her worries. “I don't know. Ask him then." The elevator door opens. I was about to get on but she blocked my way. She's really testing my patience. "Where do you think you're going? We're not finished he--" "Oh please!” I pushed her with frustration all over my face. “You and Ronan are not together anymore. Your kid with him was your only last hope to cling to him, right? That's why you're doing this pitiful act and threatening me like a lunatic." "Ronan is mine and mine alone--" "Tell that to him, not to me. I'm not the one who's chasing him.” With a smirk
YSABELLE His jaw clenched as he strides inside the unit and his eyes were busy scanning the whole place. He's probably looking for something I don't know. For some reason, Connor's dark aura was giving me chills. But maybe he was in a bad mood or what. “Where have you been? Did you know that your company was in trouble today?” He sat on the couch with a frown. “I'm busy with something.” When he looked sideways at the window, I saw a red stain on his white collar. I'm not sure if it's blood or just red paint. I avoided his eyes when he gazed at me. “Anyway, it's all good now.” I have known Connor for five years but I don't know what his extracurricular activities are, whenever he's on leave from work. He's always out of the country, though. I continued dialing Ronan’s number and walked to the kitchen to get water. I don't know why I'm contemplating asking Connor for help to look for the twins. Maybe because I'm afraid he might burst out in rage if I added to his worries.
RONAN I walk back and forth in front of the emergency room with a tight grip on my messed-up hair. I glanced back at the twins, who patiently sat on the bench. Ashley was busy munching her snacks while Ashton confusedly gazed at me. We were just having fun in an arcade when Jacob's nanny called me about Jacob's falling off the stairs. Anger and worries erupted in me. I was surprised that Candice was not here. It's the weekend, so it's her turn to spend time with our son. My driver found my phone in the car and saw Belle's tons of missed calls. She must be worried about the twins, so I called her back and let her fetch the kids here. I stopped when I saw Belle, at a distance, hurriedly run in our direction. Worries were plastered on her face while inspecting the bodies of the children. “What happened? Are you hurt?” She muttered almost out of breath “They're fine.” She let out a sigh of relief before glancing at me, particularly on my body. A smile flashed on my lips. “I'
YSABELLE The holiday has come on such a rainy and windy day. Connor and I sat on the couch in the living room while the kids played tug of war with the toys. Connor remained silent while staring at the TV. The news was about Ronan’s warehouse in L.A.. It was on fire on the day of Jacob's accident. “He deserves that,” Connor said with a poker face. My brows furrowed at how he sounded. He was somewhat satisfied seeing the downfall of Ronan's, one of the largest warehouses in the U.S.A. I can't help but think if he caused that fire or what. But I shouldn't think bad things about Connor. He's not like that. He was kind and a responsible man, unlike Ronan. I shoved those thoughts, but Ronan’s face way back in the hospital flashed in my mind. He looks helpless and worried about the condition of his child. I'm a mother, so I know how he feels if something bad happens to our child. Maybe it's the worst feeling for me. Since then, Ashley keeps asking me to see Jacob and her d
YSABELLE Candice blocks my way at the entrance of Volkov's private resort. This was owned by Ronan himself. No wonder this woman was using her connection with Ronan to do what she wanted. Her perfectly shaped dark brown brow raised as her eyes ran from my head to toe. She obviously expressed her rudeness just by questioning my existence here. It's her son's birthday, but she's wearing a provocative red dress as if she's in a strip show. “What the hell are you doing here?” I scoffed at her tone as I crossed my arms. “Happy birthday to your son, but I came to take my children.” Her smile flashed while clapping her hands. “Thank you, and this is not a kid's welfare, so please take them out now.” “It's not you who will decide to kick my children out of their father's premises.” I rolled my eyes and walked past her. She was going to grab my arm to stop me from getting inside the resort, but I dodged right in time, making her seem angry. I stopped near the pool as soon
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,