107.“How did it go?” Roland asked Ashton the moment Ashton walked into the office.“The reporters have dispersed, but some are still lurking around, waiting for when you or Annabel will step outside the company so they could ask more questions.” Ashton answered as he sat down.“That's not what I meant. I mean, how did it go with taking down the post?” He asked.Ashton looked around. Annabel was not in the office. “Where is Annabel?” “She said she wanted to use the employees' restroom for a while.” Roland answered.Ashton shook his head. There was no doubt she was probably crying herself to stupor in there. He sighed and looked at Roland. “The post was taken down, and so were the news, but I don't think the people are going to stop talking or posting about it anytime soon. When something of this sought happens, what we need to do is show them proof. Only the proof can quench the fire.” Roland ran his hands through his hair. “I understand, but how do we find proof?”“How about you ta
108.Annabel was thrown aback by the question. “What?” She muttered.“Who is Olivia's real father?” He repeated, and Annabel's heart dropped to her stomach. Why was he asking her a question she was desperately trying to avoid all these while?“What brought about this question?” She asked, trying to think of an excuse to give him.“We need to know her real father so that we can clear the rumors in the air. Ashton was able to bring the post down, but people are still talking about it, and it's no doubt that they're going to continue talking about it for a very long time.” He explained to her, hoping she would understand his fear.Annabel sighed. There was no way she was going to tell him who the father was right now. She'd have to wait for all these to be over. After that, she'd tell him by herself. For now, she had to think of a perfect excuse to give him. She thought for a while, and then something clicked.She looked up at Roland, her face teary. “He's dead.” She said, and Roland ga
109.“Please, come in,” He ushered her in.Annabel walked in, and he gestured for her to sit down. He sat facing her.Annabel wondered why he didn't say something to her, or didn't he see the news? Why was he acting normal like nothing happened?“You don't look good, Anna. What's going on?” Carson asked, feigning ignorance. He was going to act as if he knew nothing, that way, winning her over to his side would be easier.“Why should I look good when things are falling apart, Carson?” Annabel asked.Carson blinked. “Falling apart? What do you mean by that?” He stared at her, his expression clueless.“Wait, haven't you seen the news?” She asked.Carson shook his head. “No. Ever since my phone got stolen, I've been trying my best to get my old number back and freeze the accounts on that one that I haven't really had time to check what's trending. Hope there's no problem?” He inquired, looking at her, concern etched in his features.Annabel realized that maybe that's why she hadn't gotten
110.“Have you been able to reach her?” Sasha asked as she rushed into Roland's office.Roland had called her to ask if Annabel was home. She left work, rushed home and realized that Annabel wasn't at home. She had to rush to the company, for the fear of what she might do to herself by being traumatized by the news flying around.“No, I couldn't find her. Her line isn't going through either.” Roland facepalmed as he paced to and fro in the office.Sasha sighed. The door opened, and they thought it was Annabel, but it was Ashton.“I was unable to find her. She's nowhere around the company.” He facepalmed.“Where could she have gone?” Roland was becoming worried now. He knew how everything had affected Annabel and didn't want her to do anything regrettable to herself. He was damn worried about her and no matter how much he tried, he couldn't stop his fear.“I'll see what I can do and will keep searching.” Ashton glanced at Sasha before walking out of the office.“I just hope she isn't i
111.A day later…Annabel walked into the company and was shocked to see the employees all gathered, waiting for her. She looked around, wondering what might have happened this time around that made them stand in her way.Roland walked out of their midst with a smile on his face and approached her.“What's going on?” She whispered to him.“They're here to apologize to you, Anna.” He answered, the smile not leaving his face.“Apologize to me? What for?” She was confused.“Are you in this universe at all? Haven't you seen the news?” Lucinda asked.Annabel shook her head, and they showed it to her. Carson had made a public post, and cleared the air, telling everyone that him and Annabel were best friends and nothing was going on between them. He also informed them that he wasn't Olivia's father, and that Olivia's father died 5 years ago when Annabel was pregnant, so technically, Annabel wasn't a cheat, and she deserved a chance to love whoever she wanted to love.When Annabel watched the
112.Roland returned to the company. He was in a very foul mood and ignored the greetings from the employees.When he got to the office and didn't see Annabel, he sighed and walked straight into the suite but was surprised at the aroma that filled the whole room.He closed the suite door and wondered who must have entered. “Could it be Ashton?” He asked no one in particular and went straight to the kitchen.He was surprised to see Annabel cooking. She stood in front of the electric cooker with an apron around her waist and a hairnet. The way she looked so focused on what she was doing brought a smile to his face, and he quickly forgot that he was in a bad mood.He tiptoed to where she stood and wrapped his hands around her waist. Annabel stiffened, but when she got a scent of his perfume, she calmed down and leaned into his touch, his breath fanning her neck.“What are you doing?” He asked and she smiled.“What does it look like I'm doing?” She teased him.“You're cooking of your acco
113.Before they knew it, three days had passed by. Roland and Annabel got themselves busy checking the things on Annabel's to-do list. From grocery shopping together to picnics, live events and movies with Ashton and Sasha.Annabel just returned from one of their outings and plopped on the couch, exhausted.“Look who's back!” Sasha exclaimed as she got down from the stairs. She walked to where Annabel sat and sat beside her. “Did you have fun?” She asked.“I did, but my legs are aching.” She sighed.Sasha cleared her throat and looked at Annabel suspiciously. “What did you do?” She asked.Annabel furrowed her brows. “I don't understand. What are you talking about?” She asked.“You said your legs are aching, so technically, something must have happened between the two of you — something secretive and sacred.” She whispered to Annabel, and Annabel quickly got what she was saying.“Oh my goodness!” Annabel screamed and hit Sasha's shoulder. “How could you even think of something like tha
114.Annabel couldn't believe what this woman was telling her.“I'm sorry, ma. Maybe I didn't get you quite right. You want me to leave your son for thirty million dollars?” She asked.Mrs. D. Ville looked at Annabel, her expression turning serious. “Why are you looking surprised? Isn't that why you're dating him in the first place?”“You think I'm dating your son for his money?” Annabel shook her head. “You're mistaken, ma'am. I'm dating Roland because I love him not because of his money. Please, don't misunderstand me.” She explained but Mrs. D. Ville didn't look like she was believing whatever Annabel was saying.“And you think I'm going to believe that gibberish you're spluttering?” She asked, her voice suddenly becoming cold and firm. “Aren't you ashamed of yourself, Annabel? You're a single mother. I don't see any reason why you want to have an affair with my son.” She said and Annabel lowered her head. “I don't think there's any need to bring the fact that I'm a single mother i
158. AT SCHOOL… Olivia was on a seat, trying to get a class work they had given to them done. Sebastian hadn't been to school for a while, and she was darn worried about him. She didn't know his place and had even asked Mrs. Genevieve about him several times, but she would tell him Sebastian would come soon. “Are you still pouting because of that boy?” Winter scoffed. “His name is not “that boy” Winter. His name is Sebastian and yes, I'm pouting because of him because I'm angry that he hasn't resumed school for days now.“ She folded her hands with a huff. “You care about me that much?” She gasped when she heard the voice she had been wanting to hear for a few days now. She turned and was shocked to see him. “Sebastian,” She called, and he smiled at her. “Where have you been?” She rushed to meet him. “Come with me,” He held her hand and led her outside to the car. When they got there, he smiled at her and Olivia wondered why he had brought there. “Olivia,” He called, and she loo
157.6 MONTHS LATER…“Congratulations, Mrs. D. Ville, you're four months pregnant!” Doctor Preston told Annabel, and she shrieked in surprise.. “Are you for real?” She asked because it looked like a dream to her. She was pregnant for her darling husband; pregnant with his second child.Doctor Preston nodded and she beamed. He handed over the test results to her, and she took them with excitement laced in every of her movements. She stood up and picked up her bag.“Thank you so much, doctor Preston,” She walked out of the office. “Roland is gonna scream!” She twirled happily as she headed for her car.When she got there, she was surprised to see Jacinthe leaning on her car. It's been months, but she still recognized the lady.Jacinthe smiled and waited for Annabel to get to where she was.“Hi,” She waved at Annabel with a friendly smile on her face.“Hey,” Annabel smiled back. “Jacinthe.” She called.“Wow, I'm glad you still remember me.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ears.“
156.Annabel's eyes widened as Nadia fell to the floor in pain.Roland sighed, happy that the policemen were not dull doing their jobs. They rushed to where Nadia dropped the gun and picked it.Nadia looked at her bleeding leg, where she got shot, and screamed in tears. “All I wanted was for someone to love me! Is that too much to ask for? It isn't fair that people don't get what they want!”Annabel sighed in relief. For a moment there, she thought she was going to die on her wedding day. Roland held her hand as they walked to where Nadia sat on the floor in pain.She looked at Roland and covered her face in shame. “I'm sorry, I apologize for trying to hurt you.”Roland just looked at her. “I'll see you in court.” He said, and left with Annabel.She glanced her parents' way, and they just stared at her with tears in their eyes. There was nothing they could do anymore. She has to face the law. She was taken away by the police, and Roland turned to the people.“Let's not allow what happ
155.THE WEDDING DAY…“Gosh, Annabel, I can't believe this is actually happening!” Sasha screamed in delight as she watched Annabel get into her wedding gown. The feeling was out of this world. She was so excited and she wasn't even the bride.Annabel couldn't believe it was happening either. Her dream was finally coming true. She was getting married to the man of her dreams; the father of her child and the person who proved to be more than a friend and boss to her. She loved him so much and just the thought that she was going to spend the rest of her life with him sent tingles down her belly.Tears rolled down her cheeks as she turned to look at Sasha, who was bubbling with excitement. Sasha rushed to her and hugged her tight.“Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!” Sasha exclaimed.Annabel chuckled. “You seem more excited than I am.” “You do not know the half of it. After everything you passed through, you deserve a happy ending my love. You deserve the joy that comes with this day and I'm really
154.Annabel tears rolled down in relief the minute Roland stormed through that door. She removed her veil and was about to run to him but Carson held her hand.“You are going nowhere, Annabel!” He snapped.“Let go of her right now, Carson. You do not want to see the other side of me.” Roland was vexed at how he held Annabel.Carson smiled. “I can't let go of her, Roland,” He pulled Annabel to himself and took a gun, startling everyone in the church.Roland was about to rush to them.“Don't you dare take another step else I'll shoot!” Annabel screamed.“Carson, don't try anything stupid, you'll regret it.” Roland lowered his voice, scared that Carson might shoot Annabel.Carson wasn't ready to let her go. This was his opportunity to finally get what he wanted right now that Roland was here.“I hate you, do you know that? Why do you keep ruining my plans and acting like a hero all the time?” He snarled. “I've tried my best to be ahead of you in all ramifications. I tried to surpass you
153.“What the heck did you just spit out of that ass you call a mouth?” Roland balled his fists. Carson had definitely grown wings to have the courage to talk to him like that. How dare the scumbag say he wanted to get married to Annabel? His Annabel? For what?Carson was happy that he had been able to get a reaction out of Roland. He knew the dude didn't like joking with anything that involves Annabel. “You heard me well. I would have invited you to our wedding but I'm worried that you'd turn everything upside down, so you're not going to be invited. But, I'll be lenient and give you a video of the whole wedding procession.” He laughed.Roland tightened his fists. “Shut up.” “Why should I?” Carson chuckled. “I'm just sharing my happiness with you and you're silencing me. I'm just happy that I'd be getting married to the woman of my dreams tomorrow—”“Shut up, Carson!” Roland snapped. He couldn't take it anymore. He wished he was with Carson now to reset his brain with a punch or sla
152.“I can't marry you now, let me out of here!” Annabel snapped at him but he chuckled and sped up.She couldn't believe Carson was behaving this way. Olivia was scared and held Annabel.“Mummy!” She called, her voice shaking.Annabel held her close to herself and quickly took her phone. She sent a text message to the number Sasha used to text her but it didn't deliver. With a frustrated sigh, she texted Roland, asking him for help. “If you think texting them the location of where I'm taking you will make them find you then you're mistaken. I suspected something like this might happen, so I already had my plans implemented and waiting for execution. Where I told you isn't actually where I'm taking you now, Annabel. Where I'm taking you is where our wedding will take place.”“Over my dead body will I agree to marry a monster like you. I saw you as a helper but you betrayed me. You have no conscience!”Carson laughed. “Hear who's talking about conscience? Where was your conscience whe
151.Roland sprung up from his seat and rushed to meet Sasha.“You said what?” He asked to be sure he heard her well the first time.Sasha tried to catch her breath. When her breathing was stable enough, she looked up at Roland. “Annabel is leaving the city with Carson and I have no idea when she'd be coming back.”Roland blinked. “What! Why?” He asked.“She said she wanted to go somewhere far away, rest for awhile and heal. She wants to forget about you and everything you two had.”“No!” Roland shook his head. “I can't let that happen, Sasha. Where is she now?” He asked, picking up his car keys immediately.“She should be at Carson's now. You have to stop her from leaving, Roland. I don't trust Carson one bit.” Sasha was scared for Annabel's safety.“Neither do I,” Roland said and rushed out.Sasha sat in the office with her palms on her forehead. She was already getting a headache from all these issues on ground.“Where is Roland?” Ashton asked the moment he walked in.Sasha sighed.
150.TWO DAYS LATER…“Nadia, how could you do something like that?” Mrs. Durand asked after the news about what Nadia did, got to her ears.It's been two days, Annabel didn't want to see Roland or anyone. Roland had been devastated over everything that happened and had refused to eat or drink. He was getting worse daily and no matter how much evidence they gathered, they'd always lose it.Nadia on the other hand was bent on making things worse for them. Roland's parents tried to talk to her but she refused to hear them out. She was indeed showing them the other side of her and it made them relieved that they didn't give her to their son in the First place.Nadia blew a bubble from the gum she was chewing and glanced at her mother. “I've done a lot of things, mum. Which one are you talking about?” She asked.Mrs. Durand couldn't believe how her daughter changed suddenly. Nadia wasn't always like this.“You framed Roland and you know exactly what I'm talking about. Meet Annabel and expla