RONAN I chugged down the whiskey as I watched the sun through the window, slowly appearing behind those white oak trees. I leaned at the bed frame as I closed my eyes in frustration. Another day has come again and another night has passed that I didn't sleep a wink. We still can't find Belle and Jacob. I'm already enraged that we couldn't catch Connor the other night, taking Belle and Jacob inside the car. If only I hadn't gotten upset at Belle, she would have been with me now, finding Jacob together. But… I devastatingly run my hands through my hair, furious at myself. I'm so damn worried about their safety. If… he touched them. If ever that asshole hurt them both… I won't think twice to kill Connor myself. Even if he says he's my brother. The door suddenly opened and Ashley, who just woke up, walked inside my bedroom. I immediately hide the alcohol under my bed and wipe my mouth. I hope the nasty scent of the alcohol is not strong enough to smell by a littl
YSABELLE As soon as we arrived at the nearest hospital, a doctor came running in our direction.“Please, he needs medical attention!” I panicked as soon as I saw Jacob's wounds and bruises on his butt and thigh when the water police, who rescued us, carefully laid Jacob on the wheeled stretcher.They immediately rushed Jacob to the emergency room, but Jacob suddenly held my hand. With a tight grasp in his hand, I smiled at him to assure him he was okay in their hands. But when we reached the emergency room entrance, the nurse stopped me.“I apologize, but you're not allowed inside–”“The child needs me!” I couldn't help but exclaim in rage.My pulse was pounding as I glared at her at full intent.How can I leave Jacob in their hands? I can't trust anyone right now as I don't know where we are.The police officer behind me tapped my shoulder lightly.“I sincerely apologize, but it's in our protocols.” I saw how her eyes pleaded, causing me to gaze down at Jacob.I only exasperated s
101YSABELLE It's been three days since we managed to get away from Connor's grasp and Ronan was occupied in searching for Connor during those days.He became more busy than before. I even scolded him for neglecting his sleep and meals, but with just a kiss, all of my irritation faded in an instant.Of course, he didn't forget to become a father to the children and a loving fiancee of mine.As I was preparing for breakfast, a hastily footstep came down the stairs.I knew who owned those footsteps. It's Ronan. It's his routine every morning to wake up early, give morning kisses to the kids and then to me, and leave without even touching his breakfast. But since I was not in a mood today because of my menstruation, I stopped him as soon as he got near me, wearing the casual attire he usually wore these days.“Ronan, it's Sunday.” I frown as I glare at him.Sunday is family day. I hope he knows that.“I'm sorry, love–”“No excuses. Go back upstairs, change your clothes, and wake up th
YSABELLE “Why didn't you tell me?” Ronan’s jaw clenched as he stared at me, causing my legs to weaken. I know he's angry at me for not telling what Connor had said.“I'm afraid you will act madly–”“Of course I am!”I flinched at his sudden outburst and immediately covered his mouth. I pulled him out of the hallway and entered his office. “Ronan, I'm sorry. But I am also hesitant to believe what Connor said. We need confirmation to clarify the facts first before getting furious.”He walked back and forth in front of me, not even listening to my words. He angrily scratched his head and slammed his body off the couch; aggravation was painted all over his face. “Ronan…” I lowered down, caressing his thigh to get his attention. “Tell me what you are thinking.”“I'm confused.”“Which is it?”He sighed deeply and met my eyes; the wrinkles in between his brows made me frown as well.“If Connor is my brother on my father's side, how can he be a father of Jacob? Jacob and I don't have any
YSABELLE A smile crept on my lips, seeing her unexpected reaction. “Is this place more comfortable than the actual jail?” I whispered, enough not to hear the two individuals at the door.But clearly enough for her to understand what I meant.“Get up and talk to me normally.” I hissed. “Or do you want that police officer to know that you're faking it to avoid the real prison?” I pulled down her long skirt, covering her bare legs. “You know, I have all the means to make this quicker than Ronan. He's just playing gently to you because you're Jacob's mother.” I harshly let go of her chin. “But not to me.” I leaned back on the couch and crossed my arms.“She's fine, and her handcuffs did not come off,” I said to the nurse and police officer. They let out a sigh and gazed down at Candice on the floor.“Call us if it happens again, Ms. Cortez.”I nod and give us privacy again. Through my peripheral vision, Candice sat down on the floor.“I want to see my son.” She firmly spoke.The audaci
YSABELLE The sun cast a luminescent glow as soon as we landed at Campeche International Airport. We headed straight to Cabañas Laguna, Isla Aguada, to gather information about what Connor had planned before. I hope the tip given by Candice is useful.After almost two hours, we stopped in front of a small and cozy hotel. A garden setting surrounds a decent-sized pool. With help from the Mexican authorities, we can easily enter the place as they are already getting inside the hotel, together with the Canadian and US police officers who handled the case of Connor in each country.I noticed that Ronan remained still in his seat while his eyes glued outside, watching the officers check the inside first with their firearms.“Are we not going inside?”“They have to make sure the place is safe for us, Belle.”I nodded and leaned on my seat. Seeing the hotel and pool made me realize we've never been hanging out again with the kids since the problem with Connor occurred.I want Jacob to go b
RONANI saw how Belle panicked while trying to explain to herself that she saw Lucia in that secret room. I scratch my temple, trying to figure out if she's making up stories or not.“Belle!” She flinched and confusedly gazed at me. “She's dead.”Her lips parted in surprise. “What?” Her eyes quivered at what she had heard.With a sigh, I reached for her hand curled into a fist. “Lucia Liley died two months ago. The hospital confirmed it.” I gently spoke.Her brows furrowed, and she shoved my hand. “No! I saw her four days ago. She's alive but not well. She looked sick–”“Calm down.” I cut her words because she became hysterical.The men watch her, bewildered at her statement. But she's more baffled at her discovery.I tried to hold her hand again, but she stepped away from me as she devastatingly pushed back her hair from her forehead. I can sense her emotions colliding inside her.“Why won't you believe me? I know what I saw.” She whimpered as she was on the verge of tears. “Okay,
RONANWaiting in a visitors' lounge here in a psychiatric hospital in Ottawa with Jacob gives me a different feeling.Yeah, I've decided to let Jacob meet his mother.Weirdly, I'm the one who's deciding it, though I'm not his biological father.How can I abandon him? His parents are not stable enough to raise him. One of the staff helped us get through the room where Jacob and Candice met.“Jacob!”“Mommy!”As soon as we open the door, Jacob sprints to Candice, who's impatiently waiting inside the room.Seeing the kid tightly hug Candice made me realize I almost ignored Jacob's will to meet his mother. I forgot that he's been a mama's boy since birth.I left the room and gave them privacy to cope with the things they missed. I guess it's already been a month since they parted ways with each other.I waited outside the room and sat on the empty bench. I'm worn out on the flight.There's still no news about Connor or Paul. The tip that Candice gave was a great help. The documents conta