BELSHAR NESSAR ABED POV "We've got their location, boss," Stone said, and I met his gaze as I got to my feet. "I know," I said, then glanced at the laptop in front of me and the video that was playing repeatedly on it, a video of Delia pushing Selene, no Crystal, off the roof of G&H corporation. Xavier had sent it, and I knew he'd done it deliberately and was probably planning an ambush, but I didn't care. Celine had already stayed with him for more than a week, and I was close to losing my mind. "Get all the men ready; Celine comes back home today," I growled as I shoved the gun on my desk into my gun holster and walked past Stone. Celine had been telling the truth. Crystal had lied about everything... She'd deceived me into thinking that she was the real Celine I'd met in the school field that day when she was not and the hurt that came with finding that out was heart-wrenching.I should have realized it sooner, especially after I saw the surgery scar on Celine's stomach. She h
DELIA HERRERA POV "I think Celine is dead," I said, and Enoch glanced up from his phone, his hand dropping from his mouth where he'd been worrying his fingers with his teeth. "What?" he asked, paring up at me with a confused expression and I pointed at the news with shaky fingers as excitement flooded through my skin.It said that Celine Herrera had been kidnapped by one of the company's rivals and had been killed during the rescue mission and that some of the men who abducted her had managed to escape. Enoch shot up from his seat in an instant and walked up to the television all the while shaking his head as he stared at the picture of Celine on the television. "No. No. I refuse to believe it. This is a fucking false news. They're probably just trying to get traction, and I am going to bloody sue their ass for this," he said, and I gaped at him, my jaw nearly on the floor because there was no way he was serious right now."What do you mean the news is false? This is the national n
BELSHAR NESSAR ABED POV I walked into the house and stopped when I saw the people gathered around the picture of Celine that had been mounted at the center of the house, the scent of incense lingering in the air as the family's priest chanted loudly. "What the hell is going on here?" I roared, and they all turned to face me, the room going quiet. Father's features hardened as his gaze landed on me, his jaw ticking in anger."What does it look like Belshar, we are holding a funeral for Celine since you have refused to do it yourself and rather spend your whole day killing and wasting away in alcohol"I scoffed, then started towards him as I scratched my head with the gun that was in my hand. "And why will you do that, father? Who told you that Celine was dead?" I asked, tilting my head so my gaze could take in everyone in the room."You failed to protect your wife and she lost her life, stop being pathetic and do what is right," he said and I stared at him before I burst into a fit o
DELIA HERRERA POV There was something bright shining into my eyes, and I blinked my eyes, wincing when a flood of pain coursed through my skin. Was I dead? Was I in hell? There was a constant beeping sound, and that drove me to near insanity, but I could do nothing but lay still.Forcing my throat to work, I let out a groan and then heard my name, but even my ears weren't working right, and everything sounded muffled."Delia... Delia, are you awake" I tried harder to get my eyes to open, but it was like there were weights placed on them, and the pain that I had become aware of only got worse the harder I tried."Please wake up, Delia... I am so sorry about everything. If you wake up, I swear I am going to be a better husband to you, I am going to spend the rest of my life just making it up to you, I promise, so please open your eyes and look at me again Delia" I wanted to, and as his voice became much clearer, it became easier to move my eyeball beneath my lids, too.So I wasn't in
DELIA HERRERA POV The applause around made my heart stutter and as I shook hands with the board members, I couldn't help but grin widely. This was my dream come true and it was happening exactly how I'd envisioned it."We are so glad to have you on board, Mrs Stanton," one of the board members said, jerking my attention from my inner thoughts, and I glanced at him to see that he was offering me a handshake. I gladly took it and when that was done, I spent the next few minutes getting acquainted with everyone around the table.The atmosphere was jovial, and I basked in all the attention that was being showered, but I couldn't enjoy it because what I was really looking forward to was for everything to be over so I could go to the one place I'd been dying to go. Celine's office that would now be mine. Just the thought of it was making my skin tingle and I couldn't wait for the meeting to be over. "Hopefully, with you on board, we can finally get that deal with the Caruso corporation,"
BELSHAR NESSAR ABED "There's still no information, is there?" I asked, my gaze burning into Stone's as he stood in front of me, his hand clutched at his back, his expression wry and his eyes evasive. "So, what should I do" I asked as I picked up the gun from the table in front of me and aimed at him. "Should I just kill you and do everything myself?" I asked, then grinned when Stone just stood there rigidly, his eyes never showing fear even though he knew that I could decide to kill him at any time I chose."We have information that there have been some covert operations led by Xavier's clan members at Deluxe Bayou; I already sent our men to intercept them," he relayed, and I threw my head back in exasperation. "I know that already, Stone; who do you think tipped off your source?" I got out, drew my head up, and stared at him tiredly. "Those men will all be killed but they are of no importance to me, Stone. They are bloody pawns that Xavier wants to use in diverting our attention,"
BELLA POV I'd been impulsive again, and as Belshar shoved me away from him harshly, the whole scenario that led to this moment flashed through my head, and I wished that I could take it back, but I knew I couldn't.I stumbled back and fell to the ground, my gaze jerking up to see his angry ones looking down at me. I swallowed hard.Have I been too hasty? Should I have given it a little more time? But that was what I have been doing all this time, and what did that get me? Nothing, absolutely nothing.If Belshar had not realized by now that I had feelings for him even after all I had done and all the subtle hints I'd given him, he was never going to, and I was tired of waiting. No, I was not just tired; I was sick of it.I'd been patient from the very moment Selene died and he'd come to me because we shared the same sorrow. I offered him an ear when he needed someone to listen to him, and I shared his pain as best as I could, but what did I get for it? He shattered my heart with a fuc
DELIA HERRERA POV "So, she's a drug junkie huh. I knew there was something suspicious about her after I saw her putting that drug in Celine's drink." I got out as I stared at the pictures in my hand, then glanced up from them to smile at Kail. "This is something Kail, but it is not enough" Kail shrugged, his eyes looking tired. "That was only what I could find out about her. So what are you going to do now? What do you plan to do about Belshar? He has totally incapacitated the whole family, he has us under surveillance twenty-four-seven and monitors all the collection" "Does he now?" I grinned, and Kail rolled his eyes. "I know my way around the measures he'd put in place, that is why I can see you without anyone finding out about it. So what is your plan and are you going to give me all that cash I asked for"I dropped the pictures and documents he'd gotten on Bella, placed my hand under my chin, and held his gaze. "You haven't gotten what I really want, Kail, so why should I gi
CELINE HERRERA POV The shot was a warning and Delia flinched, getting distracted for a second, but that was all I needed. I shoved at her hard and she fell to the floor, a gasp escaping her lips. The gun skidded out of her hold and she crawled after it. I got it before she could, then I kicked her in the face with my leg. She grunted, her head smacking against the hard concrete. She slumped to the floor, blood seeping out of the cut on her head. The cops lying in wait all rushed up to the roof, then they swooped in and grabbed her by the arms, handcuffed her hand, and dragged her to her feet. Delia looked around wildly as her shock wore off, and then her gaze met mine in disbelief. "How... How" she stuttered but I felt no pity for her. I'd always wanted her to pay for her crimes and now that it was happening, It felt like a breath of fresh air."It was pretty easy Delia. You are not as sly as you think you are" Once I was sure they had her secure, I walked toward her and wasn't s
CELINE HERRERA POV "I'm so glad you are here Grandma. I thought you wouldn't make it" Grandma held my face In her hand, a smile on her face. "I would travel over the seven seas just to celebrate you, my child.""Aww, that is so Sweet. I am so sorry for the stress though. It must have been exhausting for you""You don't have to apologize. I should be able to do this much after everything that happened" I frowned. "Didn't we say we were going to forget about that, Grandma?" "Oh right, we said that. I'm sorry, I keep forgetting about that. You look so beautiful by the way. You're so pretty, it's making me tear up" she said and I laughed "You're going to make me cry too, Grandma"She patted my head and then looked around. "Where is Belshar. Why isn't he here by your side? He's been gone for a while hasn't he""I'm sure he'll be back soon," I said, glancing around. The music suddenly got louder and the DJ encouraged everyone to get on the dance floor."See, he should be here with you.
DELIA HERRERA POV Celine was smiling and moving through the crowd. She looked so happy that it made me sick. I watched as she spoke with some group of people, the happy smile on their faces making my fist clench. Bunch of people pleasers. I was sure most of them didn't even like her. They were all just pretending so that they could get something out of her. It had been annoying to find out that despite all the money I'd siphoned out of the company, she'd still managed to rebrand it and keep it running. Then she went on to change the name, erasing Herrera from it. She destroyed my very legacy. All the time that I suffered, she'd spent it in achieving great things and being happy with Belshar.Tremor racked through me all of a sudden and I swayed on my feet. My hand trembled and my body grew hot. I knew exactly what I needed. The darn pills that Zane had gotten me addicted to. Why hadn't I taken the stupid pills? I thought I could survive without them but now as I shook like I was c
BELSHAR NESSAR ABED The party was in full swing. My gaze stayed on Celine as she laughed and mingled with the guests, and I couldn't help but fall deeper in love with her. She was so damn perfect, she made my heart ache. As if attuned to my gaze, she glanced up and our gaze clashed. Her eyes brightened, then she blew me a kiss. I made a show of catching it then grinned as she grinned bashfully and put her hand over her heart.I mimicked her gesture and then gave a nod back. Celine's smile widened, but then she pressed her lips together and pointed with her chin that someone was behind me."Belshar" My expression hardened as I turned to face Kail. It was one thing that Celine had invited him to the party but that he was shameless enough to come was another. "Thanks for inviting me..." "Don't bother with that Kail, I didn't invite you. I am also sure you know how I feel about you being here. Didn't I warn you to stay out of my sight" He blanched, then stepped back. "I just wanted
DELIA HERRERA POVZane was right about everything and I hated that he was. His words rang in my head, driving me Insane.Wanting to get rid of those voices In my head, I reached for the bottles of pills, my hands trembling as I uncapped them. I glanced inside it and noticed that there wasn't much left Inside. I frowned, wondering just how many I'd used up in two days, then recalled that each time I felt even the slightest discomfort, I'd drowned the pills as if they were the solution to all my problems... Maybe they were. I didn't feel as shitty when I was high on them.I picked out two of the pills and then stopped as I brought them to my mouth. Was I really going to do this too myself? Was I just going to watch everything crumble like dust around me?I couldn't. Throwing the pills away, I capped the bottle shut and got up from the bed.A quick shower helped to reduce the tremors in my hands and also helped clear my head."You are Delia Herrera, Delia," I told myself because it was
DELIA HERRERA POV "You said you wanted to watch me kill Celine. It's been three days now and you still haven't told me how that's going to happen. Are you stalling because you're having second thoughts? You've also been spacing out lately. Are you thinking about her " I asked unable to keep it in.After the last sex we had on the day he arrived, he hadn't touched me and it was driving me Insane just thinking that it was because of Celine. It was infuriating and recalling his words about how he was going to let me kill Celine because he couldn't have her made it worse."Are you not going to answer me" Zane glanced at me from across the table then sighed, before flinging his spoon to the wall. "Can you stop? You're fucking ruining the romantic atmosphere, Delia" he growled but I was too pissed off to care about his anger."You're so fucking delusional. There's nothing romantic about this setting" I screamed then dragged my hand through my hair, before clutching at it tightly and pull
CELINE HERRERA POV "I think I am going to take some time off work" I got out and Belshar's gaze jerked to mine in surprise as he stopped pacing.He'd been walking in circles for a while and at first I just thought he was agitated from excitement, he was, but he was also worrying and I could see it on his face.Belshar was damn perfect at hiding his emotions, so if he was so expressive this time, it meant he was really stressing over it."You are" he asked, his tone disbelieving. Deep down I knew he was throwing a fist in the air. "Are you sure about that" I gave a quick nod, then smiled. "Yes, I'm sure. I think Karen should handle things in the meantime. She's really the best at what she does. I'm sure she'll be able to handle things in the office without me, Besides, I feel like if I don't stop working, You're going to pace a hole into the ground" I joked, then narrowed my eyes "Tell me the truth, you were trying to come up with a reason to make me stop going to work, weren't you"
CELINE HERRERA POV "Congratulations, Celine. You are approximately four weeks pregnant" the doctor announced and I jerked into a sitting position, my eyes widening as I looked from the doctor to Belshar whose jaw was literally on the floor.He'd stepped inside the room just in time to hear the news and It was a miracle that he didn't drop the glass of water he'd gone to get."I'm pregnant?" I asked dazedly.It was quiet for just a second and then Belshar threw a fist in the air. "Yes! That's what I am talking about" he grinned as he rushed at me and engulfed me in his strong arm, then he proceeded to pepper kisses all over my face while I struggled to shove him off. "Oh my god, Belshar" I groaned even as I laughed. "You're suffocating me" I got out and he quickly let go of me. "Are you alright? I didn't mean to hold you like that" he asked as he looked me over, worry written all over his face. "Will you cut it out? I am perfectly fine. Stop fussing already" "You're carrying a ba
DELIA HERRERA POV "A present," I asked, my heart thudding hard against my ribcage. Zane nodded. "Yes, I did. " He said and pointed to the shopping bags he had dropped beside the bed. It wasn't what I was curious about but I forced a smile to my lips. I've learned that if I was patient enough with Zane, he would eventually tell me what I wanted to hear."Thank you so much, Zane," I said and picked them up, my hands trembling. Zane noticed it and my breath hitched in fear when he frowned. He grabbed hold of my hand and I held my breath, waiting for him to hurt me. "Have you been skipping out on your pills You're shaking so badly" I let out a gasp of air. "There are only two pills left and I didn't know what day it was. You've been gone for so long..." "I was gone only for a weak" I fidgeted. Had it really just been a weak? It felt so much longer. "You never let me go out of the house, so I can't tell how long it's been" "Are you saying you want to go outside""No of course not