RONAN “Get it done.” I ended the call, and rage was still lingering inside of my chest. If I didn't purposely drop my phone in her bag, I wouldn't know where she is and what she is up to. My hand curled into a fist as I remembered how Mr. Ivanov looked at her with those suspicious eyes. But this woman didn't have any sense that danger was right in front of her. Is she that eager to get Mr. Ivanov’s partnership? I looked carefully at the bruises on Belle's wrists. It's still red and has wounds from the nails of that bastard. My jaw clenched as rage resurfaces again. That fucking asshole touched my Belle. He has the guts after knowing she's my ex-wife. Messing with what belongs to me… will definitely meet hell. I just ruined his face and fed him all the drugs he was hiding in his drawer causing him to overdose and pass out. I really want to curse George Cortez for throwing his own daughter in this trap. I know that he knew what Mr. Ivanov’s real personality was. I'm not real
YSABELLE My head was still pounding when I sprinted to the ladies' room, but my heart went crazy when Ronan snatched my phone while Ash was calling. I felt so nervous as I stared at Ronan and the phone, praying that he wouldn't answer the call. Ash has indeed left me 16 missed calls. However, the call I was expecting was not on my list. Father didn't even call me once. Does he really know about Mr. Ivanov’s true intention? No… that couldn't be true. Ronan was just spouting nonsense. I groan in pain out of frustration. Ronan added to the pain in my head. Just then, I remember what happened in Mr. Ivanov’s hotel room. That bastard! He drugged and thought of raping me. My hand began to tremble in fear as that asshole's face flashed through my mind. I splashed my face with cold water and stared at my reflection in the mirror. Thankfully, I'm safe… I'm safe. That's what all matters. By the way, where's Paul? I dialed Paul's number but it only rings. I tidy up myself before l
YSABELLE I swallowed the lump in my throat as I turned to Ronan, who was frowning while gazing down at my hand, held by Connor tightly. What is he doing here? How did he find out I'm here? Jeez, this is making me crazy. Why am I so nervous? “Let her go.” Connor started and I could sense the arrogance in his tone. “Do not give me orders.” I cursed silently upon hearing Ronan’s cold tone. “I said let her go.” “I don't talk and accept commands from strangers.” “Stop it, you two,” I hissed. But none of them listen. “Are you challenging me?” “Coming from you? Why not?” I turned to Ronan, and rage was evident on his face. “Ronan, please. Just let me go.” I said calmly to avoid getting the attention of people around us. They are already giving us side eyes with both of these men holding my wrist tightly side by side. “No.” Ronan firmly responded. Connor scoffed. “Let my fiancée go.” I immediately shut my eyes as my heart raced back and forth. Hearing the word ‘fiancee’ fr
RONAN My fingers clenched at the steering wheel as I accelerated the car at full speed. Rage erupted inside my chest as soon as I heard the word ‘fiancee’ from Belle. Fiancée? I never heard that the Cortez heiress is getting married. Are they making me a fool? I abruptly oversteer when a dog suddenly appears on the road. The car swerved off the road until it hit the lamppost. The impact was not that severe. I'm still alive and kicking… and fuming in madness. With a heavy breath, I slammed my fist on the steering wheel. She's engaged. But I won't believe it. “Mr. Volkov, are you alright?” My secret bodyguards gathered around with their guns prepared, searching for the suspicious people around. They are following me secretly to avoid the attention of the public. I don't want to look like a politician who has people always with me wherever I go. So I commanded them to follow me secretly. They opened the door and led me to another car. We made our way to my house safe and s
YSABELLE My heart was about to burst out of my chest as soon as the car stopped in front of a building. I don't know why I have sudden anxiety in this situation. Connor and I are in Toronto, Canada. Just as my father said, I need to be a COO at Connor's company to gain the trust of my father in handling all of our business. I'm the freaking heiress, after all. Sometimes, I think about my life now. There's just a little regret because it seems like my world has become controlled. A little mistake I make will affect the whole clan. I'm being choked and I don't want my next generation to experience this kind of life. When we entered the building, it was silent. No employees were around, except the security guard at the entrance. We made up and the elevator stopped at the 10th floor. I saw two employees at the double door. They greeted us and opened the door. I swallowed my saliva to see the Reid Corporation employees gathered in one huge room. This seems like a meeting hall for
YSABELLE I called my father as soon as the nanny of the twins said that my father was the one who had sent them here. He already knew that I was preventing my kids from being exposed in public. But why is he doing this without thinking? “He wouldn't know if you won't see him. Keep him from realizing that he is their father by every means possible. I'm sick of the noise and mischief of those children!” Was the only thing he said in rage. I can sense his deep fury exploding on another line. According to Ella and Ana, the nanny of the twins, Ashton just spilled juice on my father's documents, and Ashley threw mud in his new Lamborghini. Hearing these things makes me tightly shut my eyes in frustration. They are just kids. Of course, they tend to be messy. The reason why I always obey my father is because of his power and wealth that will protect me and my children from other people. However, my father used that to threaten me when I attempted to disobey him upon coming back to New Yo
RONAN ‘Baby. I love you–’ My jaw tightens as I remember how Belle sweetly said I love you to someone. Baby? Don't tell me that's her endearment with Connor. I tightly shut my eyes and slammed closed the laptop, throwing it on the seat beside me. This is giving me rage all over my body. I massage my temples as I glance outside. It's still early for beer, but I really need one right now. “To the pub house.” I irritatedly told my driver. With a deep sigh, I glance outside, watching the Canadians stroll around the street. As soon as I heard that Belle is here, working at Connor's company, I flew here and accepted one of the Canadian investors' pleas about their plan for next year. “Turn right,” I ordered as I saw the streets going to Belle’s place. With my power, I can easily barge at her place, but I respect Belle’s decision of not wanting to see me. She obviously hates me. Little by little, I will win her heart but I don't know where to start. The car stopped in front of
YSABELLE With my heart pounding frantically in my chest, I search the whole area of the building, together with the useless bodyguards, to find Ashley. She got mad that her nanny wouldn't let her come out and play. I just don't understand how she escaped from the bodyguards. Not far from the entrance of the building, I saw a tiny kid wearing a strawberry-printed dress with a man. It's Ashley! “Ashley! Where have you been–” The color drained from my face as a spasm of fear crossed my whole being. “Ro-Ronan?” Seeing Ronan together with Ashley, my world shattered. With big strides, I sprinted to where they were and grabbed Ashley away from Ronan. “Belle?” My heart hammered into my chest as I ran away from him, avoiding his confused eyes. What is he doing here? How did he know I was staying here? “Belle! I want some answers!” Our bodyguards rushed behind me to stop Ronan from getting nearer. With this bunch of bodyguards, how could they not guard a four-year-old child? Are the
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,