DANE
Two hours later, the officer had taken the full account from Dahlia. I didn’t want her to be stressed, not when she was pregnant, but it was inevitable. I just hoped that once this was all over and all those behind it were behind bars, life would become easier.
"This video is enough, but I think if we had a full confession from Amal El Nazari we could have a stronger case. She comes from a wealthy family, even if your influence is much stronger. Warren Murdock is already using the sympathy card that we are abusing power and holding him. Under pressure, there are chances they will be released on bail until the court passes the final judgement. I think the best thing we can do is get a full confession from her. Ms El Nazari, I think you are the one best for this job."
"She can’t…" I trailed off when Dahlia nodded.
"We will be there, all set around you. We would be happy for yourself to be there too Mr Altaire. I assure you that Ms El Nazari’s safet
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DAHLIA Baba had come this morning and Aria, bless her soul, was beyond ecstatic when she learned that Baba would be living with us. The only thing that worried me was, his days were numbered. I had personally gone with Markus to collect Baba’s medication from his doctor. I was hoping Amal would ring me as Baba had warned me that she was very angry he was leaving. Once she called, that would be my cue to invite her to one of the spots the officers had suggested. We were on the way back from getting the medication when the phone rang. I smiled when I saw my stepmom’s number. Well, it seemed this was my chance. I answered the call after taking a deep breath. "Hello?" I answered. "Dahlia. Hello. I will skip the pleasantries; how do you think I feel knowing you have taken my husband from me?" "He’s my father too. I just feel you are always so busy anyway, at least this way I can take better care of him." I said. I wan
DANE She had done it, when we heard those words, Mason motioned for two officers to move in. I stepped back feeling relieved. That’s my girl… it was less than five minutes of madness. Amal screamed that Dahlia had tricked her, swearing she wouldn’t get away with this. "Let's just take this to the station, Ms." Mason said, cuffing Amal. I knew it would make some news, but I had called a few people from the company to settle things down at the restaurant. Hopefully, it wouldn’t blow up completely and some damage control would minimise the damage. I walked over to Dahlia as Amal was being led out, a few cops surrounding her. They were all dressed in casual wear as they had been around the restaurant blending in. "You don’t understand! I demand my lawyer! Now!" "You will be allowed to call your lawyer at the station. Anything you say can and will be held against you." "This isn’t good… No… I can’t be caught! I’m pregnant!"
DAHLIA It was a week since that dreadful shooting and the news was still plastered all over the media. However, I too had been dragged into the news. There were rumours that Amal and I had argued just before the shooting, and there was CCTV footage of what happened. Luckily, it was clear that I had nothing to do with it. Nevertheless, our representative had to make a statement about our argument. The funeral was over, and everything had finally settled again. Baba had handled it very politically and it made me wonder if he ever loved Amal or had he simply needed someone to pass time with? My only guilt was towards the child who had no chance at life, long gone before he even entered the world. I had a word with Baba after I heard him talk about Warren to Dane, I had given him a piece of my mind and he admitted he had made many mistakes in life. Malcolm had said he had got news of Kendra being sighted not far from this city, which brought me hope
DAHLIA "I’m always going to be your mama." I whispered. She nodded vigorously. When had my baby grown up so much? "I know you’re my only mama, the one who takes care of me and loves me. It doesn’t matter what anyone says, you are the only mommy I want." She whispered. I smiled wiping her tears. "I love you Ari." I whispered, kissing her forehead. She smiled, wiping my tears in return with her mitten covered hands, and hugged me tightly. Nothing could change our relationship… But the fact that my daughter had to find out like this… I stood up, holding her hand as I looked at the woman who was muttering to another as she held her cheek. "Mrs James… The El Nazari’s will not be working with your husband’s company anymore." "W-why you can’t let a child’s issue-" "A child’s issue?! Really?! Then why did you get involved! When you insult the future heir to that company, you have made your decision. As for this school,
DAHLIA I closed my eyes as she dragged it down to midway down my cheek, laughing hysterically. "Oh, let’s see what Dane will think of his precious woman now. If you live." She whispered, backhanding me across the face. Do I fight? If I did, what if I failed and she unleashed her anger on Aria? What was the right thing to do? "You know… I staged my rape, I had to admit I enjoyed that night…several men… sex… I paid them and they delivered… and Dane, he had totally brought it… Well he did, until you somehow brainwashed him!" She spat. I couldn’t even believe this was the same woman who had pretended to be so sweet. How could she do that to Dane? Rape was not something to lie about, I felt disgusted at the thought. My heart went out to the women who truly suffered, and here we had a sick, twisted woman. Who staged it for her selfish gain… "What? Not even one fucking sound? So boring!" She spat, slapping me across my already stinging face.
DAHLIA The doctors’ words rang in my head and I froze. My heart was pounding louder than the beat of a drum. My head was spinning, remembering the woman on the bridge… Her words echoed in my head. ‘We broke up. He doesn’t want anything to do with her.’ "Dahlia…Dahlia!" I gasped, looking at Dane, who looked pale. His eyes full of shock as he gripped my shoulders, looking at me concerned. The door shut and I realised the doctor had left to give us some privacy. "She said you didn’t want anything to do with her." I whispered. Tell me she lied… because if she didn’t… I don’t think I could forgive him... My baby girl could have died that night… all because her parents didn’t want her. "Did you know that your girlfriend was expecting?" I asked quietly. The pain I felt inside confused me, I needed to know he would never do this to Aria. Only then could I focus on the fact that he was her biological father. "I swear I didn’t, w
DAHLIA The following day Markus dropped us to the airport, where we had taken our flight to the location of the country house. I was glad Markus himself was ok, Elizabeth had pretended to need help and had lured him away under false pretence’s that she needed his assistance. Only to hit him on the head, tie him up and leave him behind some bins down the side alley behind the school. He had not been found until the following day. I had given him two weeks off to recover as he had been rather disturbed. After a week he had returned adamantly saying he was well and happy to continue, I personally couldn’t be happier, knowing Markus was back with me. We had taken our flight and landed at our destination under an hour ago, finally arriving at the villa. It felt strange to be here. Looking around the neglected entrance hall, I realised that this place was abandoned. Ivy and other weeds had found their way through the cracks. There were cobwebs with odd leav
DANE We had just arrived home when we heard Aria laughing as she and Hadid sang some Arabian song. "Finally home…" Dahlia said with relief. I was glad she was feeling better now. "Home indeed, speaking of which… I have a few things I wanted to show you." "Sounds perfect." She said. "Mama!" Aria said as she hurried over. Dahlia hurried forward worriedly. "Careful Ari." She scolded lightly catching her carefully and kissing her head. "Mama, Grandpapa and I are singing songs!" She said. "That’s lovely, now how about you go and enjoy yourself? Mama will go shower and then we will join you all for some pizza?" "Oo yummy! Takeaway?!" "Yes." Dahlia laughed. Aria gave me a hug before she walked off to tell Hadid. Dahlia stood up, smiling as she turned to look at me, taking her coat off slowly. If only she realised how enticing that move was… "Mind ordering?" "Not at
TWO AND A HALF YEARS LATER… DAHLIA "Careful there Cain!" Dane’s mother scolded her grandson despite the smile on her face. "You will get your mother's clothes dirty." She kissed the chubby little boy on his cheek. He pouted as he tugged at her necklace. I smiled watching them, my little boy with his large grey eyes like mine and his hair was the same as his father and sister. "Let me fix that for you." Amanda said adjusting my veil that Cain had just tugged. I looked in the mirror, I was dressed in a stunning white wedding dress with jewels and beads. My hair that now almost reached my waist, was open and in its natural curls, pinned back in an elegant puff. The scar on my face was faint and I didn’t hide it any longer. My face glowed with the dewy makeup my stylist had applied, and my jewellery glittering. Today was the day I was to marry the love of my life. Dane. Life had changed so much since the day we ended Joaqui
DAHLIA I didn’t know where he had taken me or why he had the sudden need to come out with his true identity. We hadn’t driven far when the van stopped and I was being dragged out of it, all I could see was it was some sort of car park. My stomach sank as he pulled me into the darkness and down the ramp to the lower floor, I couldn’t see anything much and I did my all not to stumble whilst Joaquin didn’t seem to care. There were a few dim lights but for the most part, it was dark here. He pushed me against a post and began tying me to it roughly, I winced when the rough rope singed my skin. "I’ll make quick work of this." He muttered. My stomach twisted in fear, what was he planning? Every worst-case scenario flitted through my mind and I just felt sick. Maria… Zara… Amal, who was carrying his child… Kendra, who could have been his daughter… The moment he removed the cloth from around my mouth I thought of what I could say.
DAHLIA It had been a few weeks since Kendra’s body had been found and Dane had stayed true to his word. Emily would not get away with it and the doctor who had attended to Aria had given his statement. I was officially free from Warren completely and I couldn’t be happier. Dane’s relationship with his family had been strained, but regardless of that fact, I had invited them to our engagement. I knew deep down, they were still his parents, and I also knew they would treat Aria well. They had treated her well before too. I just hoped one-day things would work out. Family was not always pleasant, and many of us had parents who made mistakes, but that does not mean we should immediately disown them. I just hoped with time things would work out and they would realise what they were missing, because I would love it if Aria had more family around. The news of my engagement and pregnancy was swirling around, but we had not confir
DAHLIA My heart was racing as he spoke those words. Dane was proposing. My chest rose and fell as I tried to speak. My throat felt dry and I got choked up. He reached over and took the ring from my fingers. His gorgeous dreamy hazel eyes looking into mine for an answer. I couldn’t reply, so I nodded. Breathing deeply as I held my hand out. A devilish sexy smirk crossed his lips. "Use your words, princess." He purred teasingly. I poked my eyes at him. "Yes, I would love to." I whispered, holding my hand out to him. He took it, kissing it softly before he slipped the stunning ring onto my finger. "I love it, and I love you." I said, cupping his face as he stood up and pulled me into his arms. I kissed him passionately, hoping he could feel all my love for him in that kiss. He moved away when I gasped for air and I smiled at him. "Love you too, princess." He said running his fingers through my hair.
DAHLIA It had been a few days since we had visited Devin in the hospital, yet still we were unable to track Kendra down. Although Dane did tell me that there was a high chance she may be dead. I just hoped it wasn’t the case, for Devin at least. Malcolm had tried to find more details on Kendra’s birth father, but he wasn’t even mentioned on the birth certificate. There were a few places Malcolm went to ask around, people who knew her mother, but he had drawn another blank. Tonight, Dane was taking me out. He had said it had been a while since we got a break and just a change would be good for us both. I was excited about it. I had taken some time to pick out a crystal-encrusted mini dress, which I wore over a nude bodysuit that emphasised my curves. The dress had a high collar and shoulder pads, which only had more tassels. It was probably the shortest dress I’ve worn, the dangly bling strands just about covering my behind, but it felt right. I paired it with silver
DANE Was she a woman or an angel? She was so selfless that here she was willing to help the brother of her ex-husband's mistress… I had seen her looking around the hospital earlier with a frown on her face. "I haven’t got the money for the bills, and the doctors said they can’t keep me on dialysis-" "Devin. I’m here. Don’t worry. I’ve paid the bills on Kendra’s behalf. No one will bother you. Calm down." Dahlia said, placing her hand on the boy’s shoulder. He noticed the cuts on her hands and looked at her sharply. "What happened to your hands?" "I… was attacked." She said, giving him a small smile. "Oh… I’m sorry…" "It’s ok, I’m alive. That’s the important part…" Dahlia stated with a gentle smile, "Is it ok, if I take a seat?" "Of course, any friend of Kendra’s is a friend of mine. I mean… I don’t really have friends, so…" "Do you get to go out?" "Yeah, if someone takes me, but Kendra’s busy… Sh
DAHLIA It was several days later and luckily, it seemed like that was the end of Emily. There was nothing she could do to us or try to claim Aria. There was plenty of proof of her neglect, after all the doctor had seen the state Aria was in when I had taken her to the hospital that night. Thanks to the cold that night I had fallen ill too. We had to go through legal terms to register her as there was no proof of any child being born in any hospital in the city that was unaccounted for, there was no way she could do anything. Today, Dane and I had decided to head to Maria’s old apartment. We had planned to ask them if there was anything they saw or heard before Maria was killed but we had drawn a blank. Maria’s friend had passed away and her son had renovated the entire building and had a shop built in its place. "Another dead end." Dane said, tapping the steering wheel as we drove away. "Dane, shall we visit The Hope Trust Hospital? Kendra’s brothers
DANE There was only one Emily I knew, and for her to be here… felt unreal. I was done and dusted with her, so why now? I didn’t need her, nor did I want her anywhere near Aria or Dahlia. I looked towards Dahlia, who was standing there looking stunned. Her large eyes were full of emotions, her chest heaving. "One moment…" I said to the watchman. Closing the door, I walked over to Dahlia. I was about to pull her into my arms when she stepped back, sending a stinging pain through me. Her breathing was heavy, and I could tell she was beginning to panic. "Don’t worry… She cannot come between us… or Aria. If she thinks she can worm her way back in, then she has another thing coming." I said quietly, tugging her by the elbow. I pulled her into my arms forcefully. I didn't care if she wanted to or not, I needed this. "Have faith in yourself beautiful, and in me… No one can mess this up." She nodded, but I could still feel her shaking. I didn’t
DANE We had just arrived home when we heard Aria laughing as she and Hadid sang some Arabian song. "Finally home…" Dahlia said with relief. I was glad she was feeling better now. "Home indeed, speaking of which… I have a few things I wanted to show you." "Sounds perfect." She said. "Mama!" Aria said as she hurried over. Dahlia hurried forward worriedly. "Careful Ari." She scolded lightly catching her carefully and kissing her head. "Mama, Grandpapa and I are singing songs!" She said. "That’s lovely, now how about you go and enjoy yourself? Mama will go shower and then we will join you all for some pizza?" "Oo yummy! Takeaway?!" "Yes." Dahlia laughed. Aria gave me a hug before she walked off to tell Hadid. Dahlia stood up, smiling as she turned to look at me, taking her coat off slowly. If only she realised how enticing that move was… "Mind ordering?" "Not at