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?
YSABELLEI worriedly looked at his bleeding foot. He didn't look hurt, but the blood had already streamed down the concrete stairs. I was about to carry him but he ran upstairs."Don't run away!" I hurriedly held his arm hastily when I caught him and carried him in my arms. "Can't you see your bleeding? Let's treat that before your Dada sees it. You don't know how he gets angry."I carried him downstairs to the kitchen and looked for the first aid kit, which I hope Connor has. I placed him on the table to get done with his wound. Jacob didn't even wince in pain when I cleaned the blood on his foot. A smile crept on lips, seeing him only enduring it by pouting his lips.I don't know if he's only acting maturely or acting bravely in front of me.As I was treating the cut, which I'm glad that it wasn't severe, I looked around, wondering where Connor was. But my eyes caught Jacob staring at me intently. He then avoided me when he noticed my smile. I really don't know if he likes me or n
YSABELLEShe's a black woman wearing a provocative white tight dress, carrying a suitcase while munching bubble gum in her mouth. We let out a sigh of relief at the same time. But I eventually frown at her presence inside the house."I'm asking you," I repeated.She rudely rolled her eyes. "Kelly Thomas, a nurse.""A nurse?" My brows furrowed at her remarks. "Why is there a nurse in the house?"Her perfectly shaded brow rose. "Uhmm, I have no obligation to answer you, duh. You're not my boss. Ciao!" She walked away in a sophisticated way.I stared at her perfectly shaped body as her hips swayed. "She scared me to death, but her rudeness made my jaw drop."I admit she's gorgeous and hot, but I don't think she's Connor's type. Why does Connor have a lot of women? I didn't know he was a Playboy jerk.But what is she even doing here? Who's sick? The people who were injured in the commotion last night?I gaze at the bedroom doors, confused that someone else is here without us noticing. I a
YSABELLEThe woman looked sick as she ran her eyes on me, curious at my sudden appearance. Му eyes squinted as I saw a scar under her chin, but I think it's a tattoo or whatever."Who are you?!""Belle!" I was startled by her roar. "I-I'm Ysabelle Cortez."I gaze down at the picture frame, which thankfully didn't break an inch. I immediately placed it back on the bedside table with a trembling hand.I looked back at her, and she looked scared by how her eyes widened behind those long black strands of hair on her face."C-Cortez?" She mentioned my family name in horror. As I nodded slowly, her eyes shook in fear, and she ran to the corner hysterically. "No... No... No!"My lips parted at her sudden action as I tried to approach."Are you ok-""GET OUT!"I jumped off my feet and her raging eyes met mine. What makes her mad? What did I do wrong?She suddenly attacked me but I abruptly stayed away from her and half ran to the stairs."I'm sorry if I invaded your room, but Connor abducted
YSABELLE Extreme horror and fury delved into me as I witnessed Jacob being savagely harmed by Connor. Without thinking too much, I grabbed the vase in the corner and smashed it on his head, causing him to stop and wince at the pain on his head.I immediately carried Jacob and ran to the main door but I realized there were a lot of armed men behind the door. My pulse was pounding as I looked back at the kitchen door, afraid that Connor might follow us with a gun. I then sprinted to the window which I used as a door earlier.Did I severely injure his head? Did I kill him?I met the end of the narrow pathway. What should I do? What will I do?I panicked as I adjusted Jacob in my arms and noticed his silent sobbing. I can't blame him for choosing to be with Connor. He just doesn't know how cruel he was.When I gaze up at the concrete wall, it's not that high, but I need a platform to climb to the top of the wall.Placing Jacob to the ground, I held his face to look at me. His eyes were
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,