Chapter 11 I have never liked remembering what happened, and this is the first time I’m sharing the events of that night. "I was born into a middle-class family in Mexico, where both my parents were Mexican. I’ve been told that I have my mother’s eyes, though I wouldn’t know for sure since she abandoned us when I was just three years old. My father raised me until I was nine, and we actually moved to the U.S. when I turned eight, as he had secured a good job." I continued to tell Ace, “One night, my dad was driving— the roads were icy, but we were almost home. It all happened so fast that I can barely recall the incident. All I remember is my body flying out of his blue van and hitting a streetlight far from where I was thrown.” “I cried as I watched it explode into flames. I remember waking up in a hospital room; my left arm was in a cast, and I had a few bruises here and there. I gradually realized what had happened when I saw a doctor speaking to a woman in a
Chapter 12 Whispers floated just beyond my bedroom door, pulling me from the haze of exhaustion. Ace had fallen asleep beside me, but now he was gone, leaving only the faint impression of his warmth on the sheets. I glanced at his phone resting on the night table—1:05 am. No wonder my eyes felt like a dozen pins were poking them; the weight of the night’s revelations had drained me, and now the whispers only added to my growing unease. "It won't be long before they locate us. We need to move," someone said urgently. "Get the men ready; I'll get Joeniya," came the swift reply. Then Ace burst through the door, his expression a mixture of urgency and concern. "Hey, sleeping beauty. I want to apologize in advance." I pushed myself up, running my fingers through my tangled hair, confusion etching my features. "For what?" I asked, sensing the gravity in his tone, an instinctual tightening of my gut warning me that whatever came next wouldn't be good. Ace let out a heavy si
Chapter 13 Rico thought it would be a great idea for us to find something fun to do while he prepared his favorite Russian dish. However, Micah's idea of fun isn't enjoyable for me because I end up getting hurt. I dodged one punch aimed at me, only to be met with another one coming straight for my face. "Ouch!" I yelled, instinctively placing my finger on my bottom lip, which was now bleeding. "Hey, take it easy on her!" Ace shouted at his brother, his gaze fixed on my bruised lip. "I've always wanted a sister," Micah said. "What for, so she can be your personal punching bag?" I retorted. "Well, no," Micah replied. "I'm sorry, Joe Joe, but you need to practice. Besides, you said I shouldn't take it easy on you." "I'll handle you later," Ace seethed, tugging me out of the training room. "It's a good thing I didn't let him near the gun; Jake was probably right." I recalled how earlier Jake had insisted I didn't need the training, arguing that I was in a safe pla
Chapter 14 The house was absolutely beautiful, a single-story gem painted a warm shade of yellow. It featured five bedrooms, a kitchen, a bathroom, a living room, and a washroom—nothing overly extravagant. According to Ace, the beach was located just behind the house, and I would be able to see it in a little while. He was in the kitchen, busy unpacking the food he had bought, while I admired the beauty this house had to offer. The walls were adorned with art featuring flowers and various nature scenes, and a large seashell hung above the sleek black couch in the living room. I never wanted to leave this enchanting place. I was engrossed in a quote written on the bedroom wall when I felt Ace's presence behind me, followed by his arm snaking around my waist. His breath brushed my neck like a soft whisper as he asked, "Do you like it here?" "I love it, Ace. Can we stay here, like this forever?" I asked, feeling the warmth of his embrace and the serenity of the moment
Chapter 15 It's been four weeks since Ace and I went to the beach house, and Micah has been acting a bit strange. With neither Ace nor Rico around, I need to find out what's bothering him. "Are you sure you're okay?" Micah asks, holding back my hair as I gag my breakfast into the toilet. "I'm fine; it's probably just the flu. What about you?" I say as I flush the toilet. "You look a little pale. I think I should call Ace to take you to the doctor." "I'm fine, Joeniya. You're the one I'm worried about," he responds in between coughs. "It's just a little nausea, Micah," I said, feeling his forehead; this isn't his normal temperature, I thought. "Micah, you're burning up, and your breathing isn't—" Before I could finish my sentence, I found myself puking again. Micah sat in the corner of the restroom, watching as I rinsed my mouth, his eyes filled with concern. I could sense something was seriously wrong with him, and I wasn't going to sit idly by while his symptoms worsen
Chapter 16 How could this happen to me? I'm only nineteen and feel completely unprepared to raise a child—I can barely take care of myself. How am I supposed to care for an innocent baby? Will I even be a good mother? Considering my current circumstances, I know that Ace and I are not ready to raise a delicate child. What will he say if I share this with him? "I'm not ready for a baby. We are not ready for a baby," I whisper, brushing my hair back with trembling fingers. Just then, I hear Ace's voice from a distance, "Hey, I've been looking all over for you." I quickly wipe my eyes and clear my throat, struggling to compose myself before responding. "Yeah? I just needed some air," I lie, avoiding his gaze. Ace sat beside me and wrapped his arms around me, his warmth enveloping me as he whispered, "I miss you," planting a gentle kiss on my cheek. The silence hung between us for a few moments before he tenderly brushed my cheek with his thumb, his gaze searching mine. "H
Chapter 17 I lost track of time, disoriented and unsure if it was even the same day when ice-cold water suddenly drenched my hair and soaked my blue t-shirt, pulling me from a haze. Blinking away the droplets, I found Paul looming over me, a wicked grin playing on his lips as I realized I was tied to a chair, my cheek still burning from that brutal slap. My mouth was bound, silencing my cries for help, and I felt an overwhelming weakness wash over me. Panic gripped my heart as thoughts of my baby flooded my mind; the innocent little soul didn’t deserve to suffer through this nightmare. "Look what you made me do to your pretty little face," Paul sneered, studying my features with twisted satisfaction as I rolled my eyes in defiance. "Ace will know I mean business. Get him on the screen." He commanded the man beside him, who obediently went to work on a large console. Moments later, Jake’s head appeared on the screen, tension crackling in the air, while I noticed Ace distrac
Chapter 18 I watch as the men approach me, their faces adorned with sinister smiles. Paul appeared pleased with the orders he had given them. “Just give her a single shock, boys, then take a break. We need to be ready for when that jerk boyfriend shows up with his entourage.” Instead of worrying about being electrocuted, I focused on Ace. He had been preparing to confront his cruel uncle ever since they killed his mother, and I believed he could take them down along with his men. One of the men, who looked to be in his early twenties, approached me. He brushed his black hair back, his striking blue eyes locked onto mine. "I'm Malik. And you are?" he asked, with a hint of pity in his voice. "Do you always make conversation with your victims?" I seethed, my gaze fiercely piercing into his face. "I just thought you were cute and wanted to help you out of this situation; after all, I'm Paul's right-hand man." He casually twirled a lock of my hair around his finger. "Ge