YSABELLEMy brows furrowed at the black rectangular device that had a lot of buttons on it. I knew from the moment I laid my eyes on it that this was a device but I didn't know what kind of device it was.I was about to grab this thing when all of a sudden, the door opened, forcing me to hurriedly close the drawer.I gulped to see Connor walking inside the room with his eyes locked on his phone.Does he have two phones?I immediately walked slowly towards him. He stopped as soon as he felt my presence.“Hey, what brings you here?” He said, but I caught him glancing at his table before returning to mine.Was he hiding something over there? His eyes quivered when he glanced behind me.“I… I have to tell you something.”“What about it?”“Let's cancel the wedding.” My heart pounded as I avoided his gaze. “What now?” With his irate tone, I can sense his frustration. “Your father already agreed–”“I don't want… to marry you,” I said with my eyes locked on his.I'm serious and I hope he wou
YSABELLEAnother day has come and since yesterday, I've been ignoring Ronan. Hearing him pleading to Candice to meet her, together with Jacob, gives me doubt if he's still into Candice. He said he would leave Candice to the authorities, but why did he sound missing her last night?Remembering that makes my blood boil in rage.The door of my room suddenly opened. “Belle, it's time for lunch.”“Eat with the kids.” I lazily muttered. With a deep sigh, I remained focused on my laptop. I couldn't trust the twins in the hands of Ronan, so I decided to bring my work home and keep myself busy.But now… I'm afraid that my choice was the worst. I don't want to see or hear him just at least for a day.“You?”“Later.”The door closed. With the thought he left, I leaned on my chair with a deep long breath, still bothered about last night.I shouldn't think about them. I must focus on locking up Candice, canceling the wedding, and finding flaws about Connor.I haven't reached him since yesterda
YSABELLEDriving back home, my head was occupied by what I discovered earlier at the police station. I immediately told the officers that I thought I was right. Their investigation takes a turn as soon as they get a new clue. But I think it will only be difficult to find Candice's accomplice in that way.What made me even more confused was Ronan is working with the authorities on my case. “Why didn't you tell me that you were there?” I asked with an irritating tone.Through my peripheral vision, Ronan's face turned sour beside me in the back seat while Ashton was sleeping on his lap. “What for? You're busy hugging and thanking the wrong person.”Hugging and thanking the wrong person? Is he talking about Connor? Did he see us?I let out a deep sigh as my hand curled into fists while Ashley leaned on me.He should have shown up in the scene to avoid the misunderstanding and make me feel bette– Why would I even feel better seeing his presence?“You should have said it from the very beg
YSABELLEHis touch gave me the feeling of longing, and I relished every second he pushed his tongue and lips against mine. I lowered my hands and tried to pull up his shirt, but it got caught between my knees. I squirmed down till my feet touched the ground. Then I got a hold of his shirt and yanked it up. He broke apart long enough to pull it over his head and toss it aside. His hands slid around my head, pulling me back to his mouth as we were moving backward.I ran my hands down his abdomen. It was firm, with the perfect amounts of dips and ripples. Then my shirt ended up on the floor with his.Skin against skin. His hummed, brimming full of power. I ran my fingers down his chest to the button on his jeans. My back struck the couch as we went down, our hands and legs in a tangle, exploring each other.We moved in opposition to one another as our hips molded together. His hands slid between my legs as his arms encircled me tightly, pressing me up against his chest after I thought
YSABELLEI scowled when the sunlight abruptly burst through my heavy sleep and touched my face. I yawned and narrowed my eyes, searching for the person I had spent the night with, but Ronan was out of sight. Suddenly, the door opened, and two small people ran into my room, chasing each other. They looked so energetic first thing in the morning.I sat as I looked down on myself. Good thing I'm already wearing Ronan’s shirt.I couldn't help but smile after remembering the night we cherished. The effect he had on me last night was still lingering on me. His scent, his seductive moan, his warm touch… Everything about him seems difficult to forget.The twins suddenly pulled me out of my room. We went to the kitchen and found Ronan preparing something for our breakfast when we arrived. But I was dismayed because, in the bright light of day, he was just covering his lower body with a bath towel, leaving his sculpted bare chest displayed like a magnificent painting.“Can you at least put on
RONAN After dressing up in casual clothes, I glance at my luggage inside the closet of Belle. It feels like that luggage belongs here, especially the clothes inside.I decided to stay here in Ottawa to think of a way to convince Connor. I knew that George Cortez, Belle’s father, couldn't do anything to stop the wedding. He is a man who cannot take back his words. His pride was on the line.I understand him, so the only way to cut off this so-called wedding was to give Connor a tempting offer.Getting back with Belle was my ultimate goal from the very beginning. And now that I already have her heart, things will be easy for me. As I came out of the closet, I found Belle tidying up the bedsheets.She's so damn gorgeous with those messy hair. Especially last night. She's a goddess. I want her again and again until I get tired. But I guess, being with her, I become tireless.Her eyes met mine as her gorgeous frown showed up again. Kissing that frown was on my bucket list because she k
RONAN It was a bright and sunny morning. White, fluffy clouds drifted across the sky as we came out of my car. Our pair of sunglasses and hats were the highlight as soon as we walked in the busy street of the Clifton Hill Niagara Falls BIA.To ease the mind of Belle, being stressed out about our situation, I took her and the kids to the amusement park here in Niagara Falls.The kids were leaping excitedly as we headed inside the Odditorium at Ripley’s Believe It or Not. Niagara Falls has a quirky and interactive museum presenting crazy and mind-boggling artifacts from around the world displayed for the public.Ashley exclaimed in horror, seeing the shrunken heads, decorated skulls, and 2-headed animals. But I found Ashton seemed interested in everything he saw.We made our way to the moving theater as we viewed 4D films and, at the same time, rode along them. At Louis Tussaud’s waxworks, Belle excitedly took a picture with a wax figure of Marilyn Monroe, Scarlett Johansson as a black
YSABELLE As soon as we received the call from the police that they had already found Candice in New Brunswick, Ronan and I immediately sprinted to the station. I'm glad that Ela and Ana were back from Paris yesterday to watch over the twins. Ronan was quiet the whole ride and I was bothered about what he might do to Candice, so I tagged along with him.Nothing more information has been shared over the phone as Ronan was eager to talk to Candice just because he's worried about Jacob.He's still his son.As we came in, the authorities greeted us with a frown on their faces.What's going on? They looked like they were carrying bad news on their shoulders.“Where is she?” Ronan hissed as he looked around.Our eyes stopped at the new look of Candice inside the cell. Her blond hair turned black and she lost weight inside her ragged clothes and disheveled hair.My heart pinched in pain, seeing her turn into a drastic change.What happened to her? But… where's Jacob?Ronan was about to ask
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,