~One Week Ago.~Zacharie was seating in the comfort of his office chair, tablet pen held tightly in-between his fingers as he finished up the completing touches for their new brand design, that the advertisement team had presented to him, when the sound of someone knocking gently on his door reached his ears.Without looking away from the work at hand, he called. "Come in."The door opened shortly after and Eric walked in, closing the door behind him before walking all the way to Zacharie's table."Mr. LaCroix," He greeted with a bow. "The report from last night just arrived." He said and whipped out a small envelope from his pocket, gently p*ssing it to Zacharie, who stopped his work almost instantly to receive it.In seconds he had torn away the brown envelope and began reading the contents, and after a few seconds, he silently chuckled, placing the letter face down on his desk."Doctor Arnaud sure doesn't taste time." He mused."It seems so." Eric answered.Zacharie adverted his ga
"A...a favor?" Damien asked.Amelie smiled and nodded her head, gesturing with her fingers for the man to come closer. "Yes. A favor, right now and here, I'll pay off all that man's debt and interest, under one condition. Are you game?"Hearing her words, Damien fidgeted with his fingers, looking between Amelie, Fernando who was downstairs wasting his life away and racking up more bills and finally Zacharie who was staring at him quietly yet intimidatingly.There's was no way he could reject. And he didn't see any need to. It was a win situation for him and he wasn't going to p*ss on the golden opportunity.Stepping closer like Amelie had suggested, he finally spoke out. "I agree. What's your condition."** ** **A few minutes had p*ssed before Damien stepped out of their private floor. Amelie watched him stepping out before tucking her phone into her blazer pocket.That was one fish taken care of. She thought, turning her attention to Fernando who had moved from one table to another,
"Thank you for bringing me back to the hospital, once again." Amelie said as she bowed her head at Zacharie after stepping out of his car."It was no problem." Zacharie responded indifferently.Ever since their talk at the restaurant, Amelie had noticed that he had barely talked much to her nor teased her. At times, he even refused to meet her gaze. She knew this was none of her business, hell she shouldn't even care if he was behaving this way, yet she couldn't help but feel disturbed somehow."If that's all, I'll take my leave now." Zacharie said and Amelie quickly reached out, her hand holding onto the edge of his sleeve."Wait.""What is it?" He asked, his voice cold."Did I... did I do something wrong today?" She asked, her expression worried.Zacharie paused, his eyes staring blankly at her before looking away.Her eyes twitched."You did nothing wrong." Zacharie responded, prying his hand free from her hold. "I have other things to take care of, so I'll be on my way now."He st
The following day, Amelie was awoken by the sound of the television coming from the living room. She sighed, pulling herself up and out of bed and dragging her feet across the floor as she walked down the corridor, only to be welcomed by the sight of the twins p*ssed out in the living room, television remote in Miguel's hand while Michelle had the candy bar that They had picked up from the mall yesterday, hanging in her hand and ready to fall to the floor.Her eyes slowly opened as she realized that the children hadn't gone to sleep last night, but rather stayed up to binge watch whatever show was currently playing on the television."Those little rascals." She muttered and picked up the candy bar, placing it on the table.She then took the remote from Miguel's hands and switched the TV off. She placed the remote away and bent down, gently nudging the two awake."Hey guys, wake up. You need to get ready for school." She called out, trying to wake them."Uhhh..." Miguel groaned, turnin
Arriving at the hospital and having nothing much to do, Amelie immersed herself in the results of their previous medical examination, running several tests all over again and gathering as much knowledge as possible.One test after the other, it seemed like she was getting closer to cracking the code, closer to saving her daughter before her very own clock even began to tick.A knock on the door was the one thing that pulled her away from the test results and had her attention shifting to the door."Come in."Florence opened the door and walked in, a bright smile on her face and a cup of coffee in her hand."Hey Doc, how are you today?" She asked, placing the hot beverage in front of Amelie."I'm doing good. Just reviewing these test results. What about you? Anything new with you?""Nope." Florence responded and took a seat."That's good. Oh, another thing, it's a good thing you're here. Could you check the storage room and see if the hospital has this medicines?" She requested, p*ssin
"Hey Doc, here's the formula you requested."It was the following day, and Florence walked into Amelie's office, dropping a stack of paper on her table as she spoke.Amelie rose her head from her current work at the sound of the paper dropping on her desk."Ah, already?" She asked, slightly surprised at the females efficiency. "Thank you." She picked up the paper and gently flipped through it, taking in what her brain could handle in that short moment before dropping it down and once again facing Florence. "You've been of great help, thanks.""No, it's fine. I was the one who told you about the drug's history anyway. Besides, you can always count on me whenever you need anything."Amelie smiled. "Thank you, really.""It's no biggie. Now, should I leave?""Yes, please. I'll take a look at this immediately.""Alright, I'll go now." Florence said and stepped out, leaving Amelie alone to her thoughts."Now then." She murmured and picked up the papers once more, skimming through it's conte
"I finally found you, Amelie."Those give words alone were enough to make Amelie's inside tremble.Looking at the male in front of her, she had several flash backs to when she was still in England, the clearest one being when she had first encountered the male in front of her.Jasper Alvarez, Jasmine's twin brother.At first, she saw him as an angle. He tended to the little wounds she had gotten when thrown off the bridge and even played father for her children after they had been born. Apart from Benjamin and Skylar, he was the one other person she trusted and was constantly happy to be around.That was until he confessed his feelings for her and she rejected him without batting a lash.This was one of the many reasons why Jasmine's hatred was fuel. But none the less, Amelie chucked it up to them all being confused about life and Jasper having a silly crush on her.But one thing she should have known is that at the age of twenty two, Silly crushes didn't exist.Soon, what she thought
"And, welcome home."Jasper rejoiced as he shoved Amelie into the confinement of his penthouse apartment.She stumbled a bit, fortunately catching her balance, before turning back to glare at him. "This isn't home, this is a prison." She spat."Of course it is." He said, smiling giddy as he walked forward and harshly led her into one of the rooms, once again shoving her inside. "I understand if you don't want to accept it immediately. You'll get used to it sooner or later." He had and closed the door.Amelie quickly rushed forward and tried bending the handle, but just then, she heard the lock from outside click, indicating that she had been locked in."Jasper! Jasper open this door!" She demanded, banging her fist ruthlessly against the door.However, after some time, which the pain in both her hand and head growing, she stopped banging on the door and begrudgingly turned around to view the room she had been locked in.The place was decorated luxuriously and elegantly. The bed was hu
Florida was a place more comfortable than Amelie could have expected. It had sunny beaches and humble neighbors and fresh air.Although it could not hold a candle when being compared to the beauty of Paris, she was growing to love it here and it was growing on her children as much as it was growing on her.Two years, Amelie and the twins has been living in Florida for the past two years, and in these two years, she had managed to find a job and earn a lot of money and even opened her own hospital.The children were enrolled in a private elementary school each in their final years of elementary and they were having a blast.It was perfect and Amelie couldn't be more happier.At least, that's what she wanted to believe.She had a feeling her happiness was yet to come, but for now, this would have to do."Mommy, when's dinner?" Miguel asked as he stepped into the living area, Marco following closely behind.Marco was the German shepherd they had adopted upon moving to Florida. Amelie had
The week following the whole disastrous event was unnaturally peaceful.Amelie didn't complain as it gave her enough time to secretly look for a new place for she and the twins without them knowing anything about it and it also gave her enough time to gather her things and once again, secretly some of their.The reason why she was doing things in secret from them was because the last time they had moved from England back to France, the twins had thrown a fit, refusing to leave after just settling down perfectly in their new school.And right now, it was a silly case of Deja Vu.“Not gonna go around and say your farewells." Florence asked as she slipped Into Amelie office while she was packing the last of her things."I'd rather not." Amelie replied, glancing around."Well, at least bid me goodbye." Florence said and opened her arm for a hug.Amelie chuckled and went in, encasing the younger female in a p*ssionate hug for a few seconds before dressing back."You'll make an amazing team
Amelie arrived home later than day with a puffy face and red eyes.The lights were off and the house was quiet.It was obvious that Miguel and Michelle were fast asleep. Gently tip toeing over to their room, she cracked the door open slightly and stepped inside, seating at the edge of their bed and stroking their head gently, not wanting to wake them."Michelle, Miguel, mommy won't be able to make your wish come true. You won't be able to have Zacharie LaCroix as your new daddy." She whispered."Mommy will be the only one to be there for you from now on." She promised, the words leaving a sour taste in her mouth.She didn't want to be the only one, she wanted Miguel and Michelle to have a happy family. Just like the dream she had of them all being in one big happy house."I'm sorry, guys."As she apologized, a tear rolled down her cheek and landed on the bedsheet, staining the fabric.Wiping the remaining tears, Amelie leaned forward and kissed her children's forehead, smiling slightl
Zacharie was stunned to hear what she was saying.Eight years ago?He had forced himself on her? Had they met the first time back in the scan room?That didn’t make sense.He hadn’t even been in any woman ever since that night and that woman had committed suicide, had she not?“what the h*ll are you talking about, Amelie?” He finally asked, his brows deepen in confusion.“Don’t play innocent with me, Zacharie. I saw the tape. I know it was you.” She said, taking a step forward and jabbing her index finger into his chest.Zacharie’s eye twitched and he grabbed her hand. “Look, I don’t know what kind of nonsense you’re spewing, I haven’t slept with any woman in eight years, not even Odette.”“Liar.” She sneered and ripped her hand out of his grip. “You’re a lying scumbag. I’m not the only one that knows the truth.”“The truth?”“That you tainted an innocent girl, Zacharie. That night, I begged you to stop. I knew nothing of my step mother and sister’s plot and I begged you, I tried reas
"Zacharie LaCroix." Amelie uttered, her voice barely above a whisper. "Zacharie LaCroix..."As the video continued, and showed the two of them leaving the hotel, Amelie remained speechless, her mind a mess and her body unmoving.Her thoughts were jumbled and she felt the need to throw up.How could she not have seen it?It was obvious from the beginning.Now that she thought hard about it, Miguel was similar to Zacharie in some ways. The mole underneath his eyes, the same eye colors and even Michelle had some similarities to him.They both shared the same blood diseases.Like father like daughter.Just the thought of that alone almost made Amelie throw up."Oh my God." She breathed, finally standing up.Her legs were shaking, her hands trembling and she was sure her heart was beating fast."Calm down." She whispered to herself. "Calm down, it's not real. There has to be an explanation for all of this." She re*ssured herself and stood up, stumbling ever so slightly in her steps and nea
Zacharie kept true to his words, because two days after the entire incident, he showed up at the hospital, ready to begin or at least finalize the procedure of his new treatment plan."So, how is this going to work?" Zacharie asked, leaning back in the chair as he stared at Amelie."Well, the plan is very simple and straightforward, and very easy to execute." Amelie explained. "We'll have you come here and inject a serum I will prepare. This will be a one time process and will only last about thirty minutes.""One time?""Yes." She confirmed. "The serum is simply to cleanse your inner system. After that, a blood transfusion would follow.""I see. And then?""After the transfusion, there will be a period of recovery and rehabilitation, but it's not really necessary. We can skip that step. I'll provide you with some tablets that will help with the process and that will be all." She concluded."However, there is just one problem.""What is it?" Zacharie asked, sensing the worry in her vo
"This is all your fault." Odette accused, turning to glare at Amelie. "I hope you're happy now. You ruined everything. Not only did you cost me my engagement, you also had the guts to show up in such a revealing dress and try to seduce my fiance. What a shameful b*tch.""Odette that's enough!" Zacharie fiercely demanded. "Haven't you done enough?""You're right. I have. And I'm sorry. It was just... vitamins I slipped in. I went to the doctors the other day and they recommended some vitamins for you. But I knew you wouldn't take anything that has not been prescribed by your doctor so I tried to slip it in. I'm really sorry." Odette begged."Just vitamins, huh?" Zacharie asked and snapped his finger. Instantly, Eric appeared with the gl*ss of wine and handed it to Zacharie. "If you say so, then drink it.""W-what?""Drink it." Zacharie repeated."I-""I'm sure there's no harm if it's just a few vitamins.""Zach, are you kidding? It's a full gl*ss.""It is. But if it's just vitamins, li
"This drink is contaminated?" Zacharie questioned. "What do you mean by that?""Well the thing is..." Amelie began, looking like she was hesitant to speak. "The thing is..."Before she could complete her word this time around, Odette quickly took her hand and dragged her away."What are you doing? Let go." Amelie demanded, trying to pull her hand free.Odette did not comply until they were separated from the crowd, standing someplace near the balcony."What are you doing?" Amelie asked once more."I could say the same for you." Odette challenged, folding her hand over her chest."What?" Amelie blinked twice, not understanding."Why did you say that the drink is contaminated? What's your purpose for lying?""I didn't lie." Amelie retorted, clearly remembering what she has seen when she stepped out of the balcony.Odette had dropped something into the wine gl*ss, and although Amelie couldn't figure out what exactly it was, she wasn't about to just let Zacharie drink whatever concoction
Over the weekend and until she was discharged, Amelie continuously told herself not to misunderstand Zacharie's words.He had only said all that in a bid to calm the rowdy twins down and it meant nothing.She continued to tell herself that, dissuading both her heart and head from growing any sort of attachment to the words that meant nothing. That reality however, was smacked even harder in her face as the day she got discharged and went home, she was met with an invitation letter from Odette.Her birthday was tomorrow and Zacharie was holding a banquet for her and she had been invited.Staring at the letter in her hand, Amelie felt sore. She had nearly forgotten the fact that Zacharie had a fiancée who loved him very much.Not only that, she was pretty and kind and everything in all that could make a perfect wife. Unlike her, an already spoilt product.Amelie gritted her teeth at the comparison. Why was it angering her so much?Why did it have to do with her if Odette was a perfect w