"Your parents were killed, Zara Hall. They didn't just die by accident. They were killed!"Zara's jaw slacked when she heard the strange voice from the other end of the line. She couldn't believe her ears. "What did you say?""You heard me right. The accident that took your parents' life wasn't just an accident. Someone orchestrated it!"Hearing this, Zara's legs turned to jelly. She staggered back until her back hit the wall. Her head became foggy and tears made her eyes sting. "Who are you? How do you know my parents?"Scott, who had been staring at her with his eyebrows raised, moved closer in worry. He mouthed, "What's wrong, Zara? Who are you speaking with? What are they saying?"Seeing that she was trembling, he got even more worried. He reached out to take the phone from her, but she avoided him and pressed it against her ear.Just then, the menacing voice came through again. "My identity is not important. What's important is that I have the info that you need. You want to know
Scott grunted with his face twisted in pain, "Ow! What did you do that for?""That's what you get for poking your nose into what doesn't concern you!" Zara snarled, holding his shirt even tighter. "I thought I made it clear that I don't want to be followed. Why the hell did you follow me here?""Give me a break, Zara. Did you really expect me to stay back when you ran out of the house like a madwoman? I had to make sure you were okay."She completely lost it. "Who are you to be concerned about my well-being? You never gave two fucks about me even when we were married. Why the hell are you bugging my life now that we are divorced?"Scott said nothing to that. He just coughed and averted his eyes."Do you have any idea what you have done? And what your presence here cost me?" she continued to yell.A few passersby glanced at them and whispered. Zara didn't give a damn. Today, she was going to set the record straight. She'd had enough of his bugging. Most importantly, she wanted to vent
Zara felt a thump in her chest at the sound of his voice. It was nothing like the clear and domineering snarl he usually used in speaking to her. This time, it was low and pitiful. Somehow, it reminded her of the night of passion they shared just before their divorce was finalized."I need you..." he muttered again. His grip got a little tighter. Zara felt his sweaty palm against her cold wrist. It gave her goosebumps in the twinkling of an eye.She stood frozen for another minute. Soon, Scott stirred on the bed. She saw his eyelids peel open slowly. Her breathing seized when her gaze met his. His moss-colored eyes were warm. All the hatred Zara harbored for him seemed to take second place now. He was like a helpless child in her eyes at this moment.Slowly, she turned her body by ninety degrees. She held his wrist and made him let go of hers. "Okay, I'll stay. Just go back to sleep. I'll be here when you wake up.""Promise?"After a sigh, she crossed her heart and replied, "Yes, prom
The shout echoed in the bathroom. It was as if it bounced on the walls and even the glass for the shower enclosure. A second later, the bathroom went silent.An icy warning trickled up Zara's spine. She could tell whose voice that was even in her dream. Sure enough, she turned to find Cora standing at the threshold with her nose flaring."Didn't you hear me? What's going on here?" Cora snarled, her eyes red with fury.Scott leisurely wore his pants and turned around with difficulty. He frowned slightly. "What are you doing here? Who told you I was here?""Really, Scott?" Cora raised an eyebrow and said, "Is that all you can say in this situation?""It's not what you think," Zara chipped in."It's not what I think? I find you in the same bathroom with my man who is pants down and you say it's not what I think? Do you take me for a fool, Zara? I always knew you were trouble from the first day we bumped into each other after your return. But I thought you, at least, had some self-respect.
Cora felt her knees buckle. Her head suddenly felt full. She broke out in cold sweat as her mouth went dry. What was Scott talking about? What did he know? Did he know she had been deceiving him all along? No, it can't be. He still dotes on Tommy. He wouldn't if he already knew the truth, right?Blinking in a bid to maintain her composure, Cora stammered, "I... I don't know what you are talking about."Yes, you do!" Scott snarled. "Quit pretending, will you? For once, own up to your shit!"She burst into tears. "Why are you yelling at me? I really don't know what you are talking about. I don't know what lies Zara or anyone told you, but it's not true!""No one told me shit! Stop bringing Zara into this, will you? You were so mean to her just now. How can you still act like a saint?"Cora screamed, "Why are you always defending her against me! Rumor has it that she has been sleeping with different men. All the companies she acquired in the last few years were done crookedly. I even hea
Jordan's car pulled into the driveway of the Hall family's mansion. Seconds later, Zara got out of the car and shut the door. She lowered and said thanks to him. After watching him leave, she walked into the house. "Good morning, Grandma," she said to Karen who was sitting at the dining table with a cup of hot tea in hand and a plate of toast and eggs before her. Karen peered at her granddaughter over her glasses. "Welcome. Go take a shower and come down for breakfast. I'll tell Abigail to fix you something." "Okay..." Twenty minutes later, Zara returned clad in a loose shirt and a pair of shorts. Her hair was in a messy bun. She had decided against washing it because she was feeling too lazy. After having breakfast, she walked up to where Karen was sitting in the living room. "Jayden is sleeping in today. When I checked on him, he looked so tired." "Yes, he is. I allowed him to stay up late yesterday," Karen explained with her eyes on what she was knitting. Her granddaughter rec
A slight tension rippled between all four of them. Just then, the waitress came up to the table with Jordan and Zara's order. She set it down carefully. The situation became a little more awkward after she left."Mr. Brown, you are here to have dinner, aren't you? Why don't you go ahead?" Jordan finally broke the silence, glancing at Scott's company.For some reason, Scott smiled brightly. "Yes, we are. But I forgot to make a reservation before coming here. We were on our way out when I heard your sweet sweet words."Zara instantly felt uncomfortable. She sensed something in his tone. And it wasn't good. When he moved closer to the table with his companion, she bit her tongue and cursed him out in her mind. Jerk! Why don't you just go your own way? Why did you have to stop? Don't even dare do what I think you are about to do!Suddenly, Scott pulled the chair nearby and said with feigned politeness, "We already came a long way. Since you reserved a large table, how about we sit with yo
Scott's eyes glowed red like torches. After slamming his glass down on the table, he glanced at the two of them as if he was some kind of cop they were obligated to answer to."What do you mean?" Zara frowned at him. "Watch your tone. Even if you want to ask such a personal question, you shouldn't use that tone.""Huh? What's wrong with my tone?" He turned to face her squarely.She rolled her eyes and took a bit of the spare ribs as if he hadn't addressed her. The expression she had on her face was indifferent. However, she was panicking inside. Can he just drop it already? Why did he flare up? Was he jealous? Did he think he was free to date anyone he liked while she was supposed to stay celibate forever? How arrogant of him! It wasn't until Scott was about to flare up again that Jordan finally piped up. "As she said, we have been dating for quite a while now. We would appreciate it if you—"Scott cut him off. "For how long have you had eyes for her?""I beg your pardon?" "Answer t
Ten months later."Wake up, Daddy, Mommy! It's morning already!"Scott and Zara, who were snuggled up in bed, woke up to the excited squeal of their son. Zara opened her eyes and yawned. She nudged her husband as he was already drifting to sleep again."Wake up or he will come jumping on the bed again," she whispered to him.Scott stirred and rubbed his eyes. "But I am so tired. You wore me out last night.""It's not my fault. The baby wanted to eat a lot last night and she refused to let me sleep until I satisfied the cravings.""You know that's not what I'm talking about," Scott chuckled. "How can a pregnant woman have so much energy?"Hearing this, Zara slapped his arm while blushing. "Shush! Don't let Jayden hear you or he will start asking questions again. Help me up, will you?"Scott pulled her closer and gave her a kiss. Looking at her slightly swollen face, he said, "Good morning, beautiful.""Me too! I want a kiss!" Jayden shouted, running into the room without shutting the do
Time seemed to stop as Zara let out a scream that reached the ears of the policemen outside the gate. She lost the sense of her surroundings as she looked at Scott's face. Even the gunshots from nearby and the thud that came moments later didn't draw her attention.Her tears fell on his face. He stretched his bloodstained lips again, flashing his red teeth at her. Coughing, he muttered, "Take care of Jayden. I love you two… So so much."Zara nodded her head. "I will. I'll take care of him. But don't leave me. Let's take care of him together, okay? I can't live without you. Stay with me, okay? I love you, Scott. Always have."Still smiling, Scott raised his hand and touched her face. He held her gaze for seconds which seemed like minutes. His hand slowly dropped. Zara held on to it and continued to tell him to stay with her.But at this moment, his eyes slowly closed. Zara's cry increased in tempo alongside Jayden's. The little boy was just as horrified as his mother. Zara shook Scott'
All of a sudden, a loud noise came from not too far away. Portia and Cora looked in the direction of the exit."What was that?" they uttered at the same time.A gunshot came from a distance above. It was followed by several thuds, louder than the first one."It's the police! You are surrounded. Surrender right now!" a shout came from above.Portia immediately swung into action. "Stay here! I don't think they have found this place. I'll go handle them. Don't let these two get away, okay?"Being instructed, Cora nodded her head even though she was shaking. She sat on the ground while still holding Jayden's hands together. Portia quickly headed for the entrance with the knife still in her hand.Outside, several policemen broke down the door of the house with multiple battering ram. They took several positions while the best of them matched into the kitchen with guns.The door of the pantry was kicked down in the blink of an eye. They broke into twos, looking around in the pantry. A duo s
"That shoe!" Scott's eyes widened as he leaned forward. He zoomed in on the live footage to have a better look. The other men also opened their eyes wide. Their eyes were on Portia's pair of blue and white trainers."I have seen that shoe somewhere before," Scott mumbled as he began typing on the keyboard again. Another tab opened. He clicked on the surveillance video Portia had given to them. Without wasting time, he looked at the footwear Zara had on when she arrived at the Andersons' home. It was a pair of pink and black sneakers. Quickly, he fast-forwarded the video to when she was leaving. Strangely, her footwear was no longer pink and black. It was blue and white!Scott increased the brightness level of the screen and zoomed in more just to make sure he wasn't mistaken. The footwear had indeed changed."Holy smokes!" Anthony exclaimed at the mystery that was unfolding before him.In silence, Scott scrolled up the body of "Zara". It was at this moment he noticed that the body s
The person she was looking at was Scott. She imagined slapping him in that hard face of his for all the pain he caused her child. The nerve of him to show up here after everything!"Mrs. Anderson... Mrs. Anderson," Detective Marshall called out, snapping his fingers.Finally, Portia drew her gaze away from Scott. She looked back at the cop and said, "Can't we talk here?""I'm afraid, no. I also need to speak to your daughter."Portia turned. "I could call her out.""No, there's no need. To the best of my knowledge, she's under house arrest, I don't want to stress her more than she already is. Also, she could get into trouble with her probation officer. Just let us in. Or is there something you don't want to see in there?"Hearing this, Portia's face changed immediately. She eyed him and then turned around. She walked into the house, leaving the door open. The four men walked in immediately.As soon as they entered, Scott's eyes swept around the house. He walked around while the others
"Mommy!" Jayden screamed as soon as he saw Zara sitting on the chair with her head hanging low. A rope was tied tightly around her. There was a dry patch of blood on her neck. Wisps of her hair stuck to her sweaty face. Her hands were tied together in front of her pelvis. Her collarbone was visible at this time, it was deeper than it had ever been. At the sight of his mother in this state, Jayden leaped to his feet and darted to her. Before he could get through the door of the cubicle where Zara was, Cora pushed him down with a smack. He fell to the dusty floor, hurting his back yet again. He screamed, "Aaaah!""Shut it!" Cora roared at him, raising her hand to hit him again.Jayden held his lips as he looked up at Cora with fear. His pale face instantly turned red. He coughed hard but still didn't let go of his lips. Suddenly, something caught his attention. He looked away from Cora. He soon screamed again, "Mommy!"Cora turned to look in the same direction as the little boy. She
Cora drew her head back. Looking up at the ceiling, she let out an evil laughter that reverberated in the entire living room. There was a bloodstain on the figurine. The sight of it made her more joyful. She looked down at Zara again and smirked. "Stupid bitch!"The patter of flip-flops suddenly came from the side. It was followed by a scream-whisper, "Cora! Why did you do that?"Cora looked at her mother with a smile still on her face. "I told you she was going to come, Mom. She was about to search the whole house. I had to stop her."Holding her forehead, Portia didn't know what to say for a while. She looked upstairs to make sure Steven was nowhere in sight, then she asked, "How did she get here? Did she come in her car or taxi?""I don't know!" Cora shrugged. "Why do you ask?"Portia put two fingers on Zara's neck. After confirming that there was a pulse, she said, "Use your head, Cora! We can't just let her go. And if we keep her here, the cops are gonna come here. You could be s
The mood in the Hall family's home was sadder than it had ever been in more than fifteen years when Zara's parents died. At the time, many people were crying, but today, it was a one-man crying marathon.Zara, who hadn't taken a shower since the day of Jayden's kidnap, dragged herself from the sofa and sat on the cold floor. Her crying increased in tempo. She dragged her greasy hair and scratched her red face. She looked like a woman who had just lost her husband.Mia moved closer and reached out. "You need to stop crying, Zara. You have been crying for more than two days.""If I don't cry, what else can I do? Eh! What else can I do? My son is missing. And the police keep telling me stories upon stories without having a single clue as the where Jayden is. Yet, I am not supposed to cry?" Zara asked sniffing hard.She suddenly slapped Mia's hand off her shoulder. "Leave me alone. Let me cry!"On the sofa opposite the two young ladies, Karen was seated in casual clothes. Her eyes were he
"Yes!" Scott punched the air as he stared at the masterpiece he had made. There was a big smile on his face at this moment. He had taken the day off work and spent the entire morning and noon painting the huge Spiderman figure on the wall of a spare room.With one of his hands on his hip, he muttered to himself, "I just have to put a child's bed here and make it more comfortable. Then, I have to convince Zara to allow him stay the night a few times."The thought of bringing up the topic made Scott shiver. He could already imagine her shooting him a deathly glare. But he was going to give it a shot anyway. "She can't kill me, can she?"Scott chuckled as he imagined her agreeing after his incessant pleas. "She can be very stubborn, but once I make her see the good in this, she will surely agree."As Scott continued to talk to himself, there was a knock on the door. The nanny's voice came from outside, "Mr. Brown, your phone has been ringing. Sorry to disturb you."Scott turned to look a