BELLATRIX.... The resort manager's words amplify excitement within the crowd. I take a glance at Victor and catch his eyes on me; immediately, I look away, my cheeks heating up. After lunch, all of us enjoyed the scenic beauty of the resort, capturing memories of a lifetime in such an outstanding place. I helped Logan take some photos while a part of me searched for Victor. However, he wasn’t anywhere to be seen, except for Mathew. He was here as the co-assistant, so his presence bothered no one. Soon, everyone decided to play different games. Although I'm not good with playfulness, Logan requested that I join. Honestly, after coming here, I realized how alone I was. If it weren't for Logan, I don't know with whom I would talk. I was chosen for a partner game, and unfortunately, Logan wasn't my partner, but a girl named Amber; she's from the Personal Relationships Department. At first, I was a little hesitant, but soon we bonded. Amber turns out to be an easygoing and playful cha
BELLATRIX.... "What are you doing?" I yank his hands away from me, glaring at him coldly. "Stay away from me!" I hiss at him. "Bella..." His lips quiver, and his eyes are full of disbelief and... What's that, disappointment? What the hell is he disappointed about? "Look, Neil, I'm letting this go for now, but do not try this stunt with me a second time." My voice is so harsh that I am even surprised. "Do not forget that I am a married woman now, and the man I married is your brother by relation." There is a strange flash in his eyes that I am not familiar with. Slowly, he frowns. "Brother? Who stole my bride? Yeah, of course." He scoffs. "Victor is nothing but trash, Bella. He is using you only for your family status. He is a pathetic orphan who has no power to save you at all." I raise my brow. "Seems you don't know yet, Mr. Ryder. I've cut all ties with my so-called family since the moment they chose Florence, and for your information, Victor has helped me throughout it. So, st
VICTOR.... I feel like a loser, a pathetic, scornful loser who deserves to be exiled from this fucking world! What have I done? I just hurt the person I never wanted to let go of! What had gotten into me? Enraged by my own behavior, I bang my fist on the railing of the porch. My entire body is shaking with anger. How could I? What is she thinking of me right now? A few days ago, when she wished for me to join the trip, I knew I had to come. So, I hurriedly packed up for my business trip and joined her at the Mount Valkyro Villa. She was so happy to see me, and after days of longing to see her, when she smiled at me and hugged me tightly, I knew I'd lost it... my heart. Something I never planned to do. I lost my heart to her the day I first met her at the front entrance of the Valdez Villa. She was a mess, running away from her engagement ceremony, but that unruly attitude and strength against everyone perhaps pulled me toward her. I followed her, I married her, I supported her; e
VICTOR.... Fuck! She tastes so fucking good, I growled within. I've missed her so much these days. I kiss her sweet mouth deeply, sucking on her bottom lip. I let go before looking at her. She stares at me with a gasp, her lips slightly ajar, looking so damn innocent with her sparkling hazel eyes. I smirk, pulling her closer to my body and joining our foreheads together. "Let's not resist each other anymore, little bird, and give this marriage a chance... beyond the contract. Will you?" I ask, my heart tightening with nervousness. What if she denies me? I'm not sure what I'll do next. For the first time in my life, I'm moving forward uncertain and with no backup plan. Her hazel eyes open wide, her parted lips quivering, which slowly curve into a smile. "Y-you want th-at with mm-me?" she asks, breathless. "Yes, Bellatrix. I want you in my life, not for a year only but for the rest of my life. I want this marriage to work and never let you go." I said, if she wanted assurance, I’d
BELLATRIX.... "Do you want it, Bellatrix?" His deep voice made me look into his eyes. The green shade had turned slightly darker with emotion. Tonight turns out to be blissful, in the arms of my lover. Now, here we are again; do I want it? "Yes!" I say breathlessly. If not tonight, I don't know when, and I'm so ready for it. He smiles, slowly kissing my cheeks. He licks the side of my ear. "I'll eat you tonight, little bird," he whispers, quickening my heartbeat. Slowly, he starts kissing me down. His wet and hot kisses tingle every inch of my body, making me hotter with each second. I moan beneath him, tugging on his hair in pleasure. He stops at my breasts and slowly licks the nipple without warning, as his one hand trails down my thighs and settles between my legs. "Aah!" My body jerked up, and a wilful scream broke from my lips when he curled his finger and hit a certain spot within me. "Victor..." I moan his name. "Yes, baby. Scream my name. Let everyone know who you b
BELLATRIX.... The next morning, I woke up, stretching my arms. With bright light kissing my face, I smiled; even the air felt in love today. Slowly, I turned to the other side, only to realize my husband wasn't beside me. The rush of disappointment was faster than I had decided. "Did he just leave me alone after last night? What an arsehole!" I murmured. "Morning with a scolding? I surely am a married man now." Suddenly, a deep magenta voice rang in my ear, making me stiff. Immediately, my eyes snapped in his direction... There he was, near the window, under the bright daylight, sitting on the couch in his regular three-piece black suit. His right leg was on his left thigh, and his hand was holding a magazine. His aura was so majestic that it was somewhat impossible to believe in his ordinary lifestyle. He looked at me, his brow raising. I blinked; my cheeks started heating up, and I looked away in embarrassment. "Umm, I thought you left!" I tried to defend myself, only for him
BELLATRIX.... I turn to Victor; he is busy on his laptop, working. His brows are furrowed deeply, immersed in his own mind. Is it because he has to work harder now, after such a huge expense for this trip? My heart sinks for my husband. If I tell him about Neil's threat now, he’ll be angry, and perhaps it wouldn’t be for the best. I should not... "What's on your mind?" "Neil..." My hand flies to my mouth, my eyes widening as I look at him. I just blurted out something I shouldn't have! God! His fingers pause, and his green eyes snap at me. The softness in them is replaced with coldness. Suddenly, a dark aura envelops his expression, and I swallow hard. God, what have I done? "What about him?" His voice is icy, his words laced with disappointment. Oh God, is he thinking that I still have a soft spot for Neil? "No! I-it's not what you're thinking!" I blurt out. His brow raised with a questioning glance. "Then what is it, Bellatrix?" he asks, his tone hard; it seems he's trying
Mansion of Ryders, Neil Ryder's Study Room.... NEIL.... I smoked cigarettes one after another; I was embarrassed and angry. In the Mount Valkyro Villa, I went to finalize a deal with Valcro Corporation Ltd. It was their biggest project, and I perhaps had a chance to meet Chairman Abram. He was one of the mysterious men in the corporate industry; not many people had seen him. And I had a once-in-a-lifetime chance that night. But because of that bloody Victor, everything was fucked up! I clenched my fist, only to be burned by the cigarette. "Fuck!" I threw it away and kicked the desk. "It's all because of that fucking bastard!" I've been going through sleepless nights because of that bloody orphan! That night, I saw Bellatrix in the Villa. Though at first I was surprised, I was happy to see her. For the first time in my life, my heart throbbed; she was so beautiful that night. Our marriage was fixed in our childhood. Since I was eight years old, I had grown up learning that
ONE YEAR LATER.... BELLATRIX.... I stood in the bathroom, my body shivering, and drops of tears rolling down my cheeks... No, I'm not hurt; I'm emotional, and this feeling... It's beyond any joy and fear I could ever feel. I stared at the two pink lines on the pregnancy kit. Yes, I'm pregnant again. I sobbed loudly, and suddenly the door of the bathroom swung open, revealing my anxious husband, who was waiting outside. He rushed inside. "Wh-what is it?" He was worried and nervous too. I felt so weak and sat on the toilet seat, showing him the kit. One glance at it, and he froze. Slowly, he bent down beside me, watching the kit. He looked up at me, his eyes teary... "Is it a yes?" I nodded. "Y-es." I choked on my tears, smiling and crying at the same time. As soon as I confirmed my pregnancy to him, he dropped his head on my thigh and started crying. It was the same emotion for him. "We are... pregnant," he spoke between his tears, and I nodded. I hugged his head as we shed t
BELLATRIX.... I inhaled a deep breath before stepping inside the funeral home. I had avoided this topic after Victor informed me about her death two days ago. However, I came today for her funeral.Why? Well, I don't even know myself.I felt nothing for her anymore. The tie I had with her was brutally severed. Still, I wanted to see her, which was pretty surprising for me too.As usual, Victor accompanied me.Stepping inside, I walked toward her coffin. I saw her daughter, Florence, was there too, with police officers guarding her.The mother and daughter had both been sentenced to fourteen years of imprisonment.Seeing me, she tried hard to rush to me, but the officers did not let her. She glared at me hatefully. I knew that if she got a chance now, she would kill me. Well, unfortunate for her, I am not available for that.She was dragged away by the officers as I ignored her and looked at Rebecca's coffin. Her face was pale and slightly bluish. There was no charm on her face anymor
VICTOR.... Life wasn't the same after the truth was revealed. My always-smiling little bird isn't the same anymore... She smiles, but the pure charm she had is no longer in her.It's been a couple of months since all the miseries, cruel truths, and heartbreaks, and Bella was the one hurt the most during that time, which changed her a lot.After returning home and seeing her mother that day, she only asked me two things: 1. To give Lucia's mother a standard life.She did not want that lady to suffer because of what her daughter did. Her mother did not know about Lucia's crime, and when she learned, she cried and asked for forgiveness again and again. She did not ask to free her daughter, though. Perhaps she too realized the severity of her daughter's actions.And 2. Bella demanded to keep Florence and Rebecca separate and never let them know about each other. She wanted Rebecca to suffer, which I obliged gladly. After that day, she did not speak about them, nor about her biological m
BELLATRIX.... The revelation was hard, yet nothing is harder than losing a child. Perhaps because I have digested the shock of losing my child, I did not react harshly toward the unsaid truth.This taught me one truth, though. Now I know why my father used to be the one caring for me. Now I know why he wanted to see me on his deathbed and not Florence, because I was his biological daughter. I do not justify his actions, though; I never will..."Baby, we are here," Victor said to me, breaking my thoughts.I turned to him in a daze. "Huh?""We have reached here," he said again.I looked out of the car window. We are at the same investigation center. Our chauffeur opened the door, and we stepped out of the car."They are here?" I asked as my husband held my hand."Hmm. They have been brought for investigation..." He turned to me. "Are you sure you want to see them?" I squeezed his hand, locking our gazes. "Don't worry, I am fine... My mother taught me to face the hardest phases of life
BELLATRIX.... Is he joking? That's the first line that came into my head. I sharply looked at his face; there was no trace of humor there; instead, worry and fear lingered on his features.My heart twisted strangely... That means he did not lie.When I said nothing, he touched my face. "Baby, calm down. What I am about to tell you won't be easy."I swallowed hard. At this point, I am numb, but I want to know. "O-kay..." I replied breathlessly."Bella, Mrs. Valdez is not your biological mother. She did not give birth to you. But... Mr. Valdez is your biological father," he said, dropping another bomb over my head.My mouth agape, my gaze blankly watched him.He sighed, caressing my neck. "It does not end here, Bella. There are many more. Do you want me to continue? Or do you want to see for yourself?" He gestured at the file. I once glanced at it and gulped hard again. The idea of my life being imprinted in that file did not please me; in fact, it was scarier. I shook my head, "No, y
BELLATRIX.... "The person who wanted to kill you is your mother."As soon as those words left her tongue, I fell backward. The door of the room swung open at the same time as I heard hasty footsteps getting closer to me, and before I realized it, I was caught back in a pair of strong and familiar arms.I stared at her, dumbfounded. When she said that, I would never have imagined 'the person' she referred to; she did not lie. I would have never envisioned this, even in my nightmares!"What?" I asked, breathless."I did not lie," she muttered, hugging her knees. "She and her daughter threatened me that if I failed to kill you, they would hurt my mother... And now, I have failed," she sobbed.I don't know whether I should be happy about the fact that she told me or go into shock again; I have no fucking idea.I was in a daze when I was pulled back by my husband. He had already picked me up in his arms and started walking out, muttering, "I shouldn't have let you in here alone. Fuck!"Wa
BELLATRIX.... I look up at my husband, to whom I could not look since yesterday. How can I even look at him after breaking his dream like that? I have failed him, failed myself, and most importantly, I have failed as a mother.I could not protect my child. I trusted the wrong person, and now... my heart clenches at the reminder of that moment. Exactly right here, it happened.Victor stared at me; his beautiful green eyes held many emotions."Will you take me?" I ask again, hoping that he'll take me to her. Though I am not sure if she is alive or not.He raised his hand and touched my cheeks, slowly caressing them with his thumb. "Of course, whatever you wish."He took me out, and we sat in our car. Lucia was kept in an interrogation cell with high security. Of course, Victor used his power here, and none can blame him for that. She's the killer of our unborn baby. However, surprisingly, she is still alive but beaten very badly. She was arrested and sent to the interrogation room, wi
VICTOR.... "Open your mouth." Stella held a slice of apple in front of Bella's mouth. Slowly, without a word, she took the slice and chewed on it.I was watching her, standing on the other side of the hospital room. I was on a call, yet my focus was on my wife.Twenty-four hours had passed since she came out of that nightmare, still in a daze but much better than before. However, after she woke up and cried, she did not speak in the last twenty-four hours, as if she had lost her voice.Doctors said that it's due to the aftershock, but soon she would be fine. The main danger is gone; it's now upon her adaptability. We must be patient and give her enough time to adjust.Feeling frustrated, I turned around and left the room. It's hard to see her this way; I just can't.I walked out into the huge garden of the hospital, where the patients were walking, some maybe talking with their family members. I chose a quiet place and sat on a bench.I rubbed my face. I am not quite sure how to hand
BELLATRIX.... "Mommy." I heard a baby voice ringing in my ear. I looked around; where is she? I don't see anyone. "Mommy, don't you see me?" Her voice was soft. "No, where are you?" I shouted. "Mommy, please, come to me." She said again as I started running nowhere. "Where are you?" I screamed. Suddenly, I found myself on the stairs. In front of me was... "Lucia!" Her eyes were evil. She stepped toward me. "I'm sorry," she said, and then pushed me. "No!" My voice echoed in the hollow. My eyes flew open, and a heavy breath escaped me as I was greeted by a pure white ceiling. Wh-where am I? Am I stuck in nowhere? Am I dead? I was confused. I looked around. Everything around me was either white or off-white. There was a monitor beside the bed, beeping continuously, and a wire attached to the back of my hand. It took me a while to realize my surroundings. I am in the hospital. I look around again; I am alone in the room. How did I end up here? I tried to recall, and some vag