YSABELLE I placed the tea on the table as my father's gaze roamed in every corner of the living room. His old wrinkled hands clasped on the head of his gold dragon walking cane.I'm surprised that he knew the address and even let him come in. Did Ronan tell him to come?His gaze stopped at the tea on the center table.“I didn't know you were coming. It's early, so the foods–”“No need. I'm not hungry.”He took a sip of his tea and a satisfied smile crept on his lips. That's his favorite tea. Ronan and my father have the same taste preference when it comes to drinks.“Where are the others?”I'm talking about my relatives, especially my two cousins, Cleo and Jessica. They adore the twins more than my uncles and aunts.“They won't come. You already know why.” A disappointing sigh escaped from me. I know they hate Ronan because of the past. They knew the story and maybe they hated me for being with Ronan again.Since the news of me with Ronan in public broke out, I can't get hold of th
YSABELLE Ronan noticed me, stiffened as he also turned his gaze at the person through the door.His emotionless eyes remained staring at us. But suddenly, he ran away, causing Ronan to follow him.“Jacob!”We thought he was going to his room, but our eyes widened when he ran downstairs and dashed out of the house.He's too young to run away from home!We thought the securities would get hold of him but swiftly dodged them and sprinted to the gate. My heart pounded nervously as I watched him disappear from my sight. A car ran past me, sprinting to the gate. Ronan chased Jacob together with the other bodyguards.I remained standing still, gazing at the gate. I firmly shut my eyes as I pushed back my hair, anxious at what had happened. “Mommy…”My attention was switched to Ashley’s watery eyes. Behind her was Ashton, who worriedly gazed at the gate. I immediately wrapped them in my arms, soothing their worries about Jacob.Oh God! I hope they find him.***I walk back and forth, anxio
YSABELLE The man carried the kid who allowed him to do so before they entered a black SUV. With the thought thebjid was Jacob, I memorized the plate number and which way they went before I ran to my car and started the engine as fast as possible.I hope I can catch up with them.Through the rearview mirror, I saw the vehicles of my bodyguards matching my speed behind. I let them follow me in case something bad happened.My sweaty fingers tightened around the steering wheel as my heart was pounding frantically, afraid that maybe I was just wrong that the boy was Jacob.I need to make sure he is not Jacob.I step on the gas, dodging some of the cars, so I can catch up with the car I've been looking for.Some were mad for doing the overtakes, but I only apologized silently. I devastatingly pushed back my hair as I kept sighing, annoyed that the car might have gone somewhere else.I was on the verge of giving up when suddenly one black SUV ahead, a few meters from my car, took a turn on
YSABELLE The sound of Candice's father, Mr. Willow, inside the home, made my hair on my arms stand up. With certainty that it was his voice, I cautiously peered in the window once more. I first saw the grumpy face of Mr. Willow while staring at his right front.I couldn't see the person he was looking at from a distance. I can't even hear anything after Mr. Willow scowled at him for being loud. Is this charge kidnapping? Jacob voluntarily comes along with him and Mr. Willow is his grandfather. Also, I'm trespassing on this private property. God knows who owns this place.My pulse was racing while adhering to the wall. My whole body stiffened against the cold and nervous about what to do right now.But my eyes widened when I heard footsteps. Adrenaline rushed through me and carefully ran behind the corner without looking if someone was out there, but I was glad no one caught me.I looked around and saw a closed door. I believe this is a back door.Not wanting to get caught but needi
YSABELLE I groaned in pain when Mr. Willow yanked my hair, forcibly dragging me out of the cabinet. Fear enveloped me as we exited from the kitchen.The hell?I couldn't grasp anything but stumble on my feet and refrain from digging on my scalp. I winced in pain when I suddenly flew on the floor.“I know you will only cause trouble, Ms. Cortez.” He hissed as he closed the door.My eyes went wide as I sprinted and banged on the door. But too late, he had already locked the door.As I knew his presence was still behind the door, I dared to question him.“Why did you have to abduct Jacob? You could speak with Ronan–”I stopped when he snorted.“I'm pleased with the sum he offered, but if I don't get the boy, his real father will murder me.”My ears perked up at his words.“Y-You know Jacob's father?”“I'm sorry, I don't have any choice and I can't return the money given by Mr. Volkov.”Footsteps slowly moved away from the door, taken aback and banged at the door again with my firm fist.
YSABELLE I walked back and forth in front of the closed door where that masked guy exited without even saying anything after he didn't take my bait. Seriously? He didn't even laugh at my idea to get his own child.Of course, I was just bluffing. I won't backstab Ronan just to save my life. I will not leave here without Jacob.“But first… how to get out?”Damn it.A smile crept on my lips as I thought of something useful this time.“Hello? Is anyone out there?” I banged at the door, enough that unseen creatures woke up. “I urgently need to use the bathroom!” I pleaded while acting as if the shit was on the verge of coming out.But the whole house was still quiet as always. Are there even people living here? Why is it so quiet?“Hey! Let me use the bathroom for once! It's coming out!!” Still banging at the door as if I want to wreck it and get out of here. “Do you want this house to smell like shit? I'm doing it!! Right here at the door–”The door suddenly opened and Mr. Willow's dis
YSABELLE I gazed at him and then Jacob and back at Connor again, confused at the words that came out of his mouth.“H-How come? You've only known for–”“Let's not talk here.” He suddenly pulled my wrists. “Jacob, go to sleep.” And exited the room.I didn't hesitate to let him drag me out of the room as I was still too stunned to digest the situation.Connor and Jacob?Jacob and Connor?How can they be a father and son? Did they know each other before? Candice had already carried the child in her arms when Ronan divorced me. Before that… Did Connor and Candice have already been in a relationship way back that time? Before I even met Connor?I was distracted by the hasty footsteps from the exit door. Mr. Willow's displeased face greeted us.“Connor, she escaped–” His eyes locked on mine.I swallowed the lump in my throat, seeing the old graybeard getting angry because I escaped from his hands.“Go back to your post.” Connor coldly commanded him.He didn't say anything and just walked
YSABELLE After an hour of crying silently inside the car, I grunt when the car runs past a bumpy thing on the road, and then it continues again and again. I believe we're on a rocky road.I noticed our surroundings. We were in a remote area. Towering trees were the only ones I could see everywhere. Are we going to another remote house again? I glance at Connor, who's sleeping in the passenger seat, the same with Jacob beside me. Now I'm bothered about where we are going.Following Connor's demands is the only thing to do. If he wants me to behave, I will. Until I get his trust again.But won't that make me an awful person?I rolled my eyes as I glared at Connor intently. For that person who only thinks what's best for him, his feelings don't matter to me.The car suddenly stopped. I looked outside and saw a modern house.Again? In the middle of the forest?I didn't know Connor had properties here in New York City. Or are we even in New York after the long drive over and over again?