Isabelle's POVMy eyes shot open. I was sure he could read the confusion in my eyes. He took his hands off me and sat up grabbing his shirt from the ground. He hung it on the hanger and came back to the bed."How do you feel? Did I pleasure you well enough?" What was he doing? I didn't want him to stop but…something was amiss."Did I do something wrong?" I asked and sat up."No, you didn't, darling. You were great but I am taking things slowly. Aren't you hungry? Would you like to cook something?"Aha. He should have said he was hungry. I jumped on my feet and headed out like I knew where I was headed. "Where is the kitchen? You should have told me you were starved."He scratched his head and leaned on the wall by the door. "I was hungry."I pretended not to understand what he meant and smiled. He led me to the kitchen and brought out an apron. He handed it to me and took another one. I chuckled as he tied the apron around his waist."You want to cook?" I asked.He rested his palm on t
Danielle's POV Seven months later I slept on my side and watched the sunrise. I have been awake since three AM and I haven't been able to stand up or sleep back. Different thoughts have been coming to my mind. It has been like this for a while since I gave birth to my children. Two months at most. It was a relief. I left lighter than I have been in months. Mothers were good soldiers, they all went through what I went through. Unlike how labor had been said to be, it was pretty easy for me to give birth in the hospital. The babies came out with ease as if they had been waiting to be born. Three beautiful girls I have been blessed with. They all still didn't have a name yet. We decided to wait till I come up with one. The sun grew taller in the sky, brightening my room a little more. I stretched with the mindset of not being lazy today. I must be productive. I did nothing but feed my babies the day before. My door slammed open, waking me up completely as I sat up. "Good morning mu
Danielle's POVI was walking down the mall with my basket, trying to get something to cook for the first time since I have been in the house. I have spent a year without cooking, I might get rusty soon.They were already rounding up in the house in preparation for their forthcoming trip. Going with them wasn't a bad idea at all but I missed Gramps. I'd rather be with him than stay with the people I just got to know.I took some spinach and tossed it into the basket. That was enough to be called shopping. When I got home, they all stared at me as I stepped into the house. Their eyes froze me up."What happened?" I asked and walked straight to the kitchen to drop off the groceries. "Is there something you aren't telling me?" I went and asked Sam who came to join me in the kitchen."Everyone was looking for you and your babies were crying…we had no idea you went to the market. Gabe has been dead worried."Oh, I see. "That's bad, I should have told someone that I was going to the Mall.
Danielle's POV I slowly backed away from my family and waited for them to say something about having come along with me. Yes, I needed his help but for a very little reason. I finally backed them and went in search of Gabe. He was easy to find. I had gone with the baby and two of my luggage including his to the border. I caught up and yanked his hands off the carrier. "What is this about? If you want to help, here is your stopping point. You need to leave now." "Calm down Danielle, my ticket is going to New York, and besides I have personal things to do there. It's just an opportunity to help you with your stuff. Is it too much for you to handle?." I walked away and followed the rest of the people that were heading to the plane. I can handle myself and I can do anything all by myself. I didn't need him to come along. Personal stuff? I scoffed. A clown, that is what he was. Our luggage was too much, I wondered how they fixed it in the plane. I had to carry Mila and Lila then Ga
Danielle'sPOV Where was Gabe going to sleep? Gramps was with the babies, all three of them. He kept on poking their noses like he does mine. Gabriel decided to come on his own, he would enjoy whatever he saw. I went to my room. Alas, home sweet home. Although I missed the comfortable and cozy bed, I still prefer my single little bed. I missed my window side and the sunrise that came from there. I had no idea Pa had made a room for Gabriel already. It was a room that I was never allowed in but he had changed it in a way. I wondered how he was able to do all of it alone. My babies weren't much of a hassle. I could handle them perfectly. They were also feeding on infant milk which kept them active for the day. Gabriel took his face away when I tried to approach him. I had no time to spare. The rest of the day was spent in awe with my Gramps. He used the night to tell me the old stories he used to tell me when I was a kid. "...and when you are done telling them that story, you can
Danielle's POV It was just like yesterday. Exactly the way I had left it. There were people around the trees in the old hag of Professor Grab, I sighted a few students around the library. People barely visited the place. I looked forward and was calm. I blended in just like I did a year ago. I thought people would look at me, acknowledging my return but they barely turned their faces as I passed through. I was worried for nothing. I went to see Mrs. Helen. From the message I had in my email, she was my course advisor and the best person to meet once I returned. I knocked on her door and waited outside, scouting the surroundings with my eyes, anything to show the presence of Clara around. "Come in." I went and sat in front of the black beautiful woman I met wearing glasses. She didn't look friendly. "Good morning Miss Anderson, you're welcome." I smiled briefly. "It's Arnold. Thank you, ma'am." I felt a little uncomfortable. "Oh, I see. I'll correct that now. So, how are your b
Bryan's POV This was the third time Isabelle had insisted on me coming to take her from the school and I hated the crowd she drew to herself. I sighed and came out of the car, so much to please little Miss. My eyes caught the sight of a young lady, probably twenty-two of age. There was something about this lady that caught my eye…she was staring deep into my eyes. Unlike other people who were shouting and asking for an autograph, she just stood there with a confused expression, an expression that told a story with which I guess I must have been acquainted. He had questions and I was interested in them. If we meet again, then we surely will have something to say. After a few minutes, she blinked out of whatever daydream she was having and turned away. Isabelle didn't notice and I was glad. She'd have turned away and stayed angry for the rest of the day if she saw me looking at another woman. After what seemed like hours, she finally got inside the car. "I wouldn't be coming after
Danielle's POV I was sure I knew that man somewhere. I am in school again and I plan to wait till he comes again so I can take a better look at him. "So, I heard you gave birth. What's the name of your child?" Isabelle walked up to me with a lollipop in her mouth. When would she grow up? Does she think this is bullying? I think I have grown older than that. She could only have gotten such information from Clara. I'm suddenly glad she hadn't reached out for a while. If she had, I'd have told her about my three babies and she'd have told the whole world. "Given my age, I love the way you guessed that I have a baby. Of what concern is it to you?" I straightened up. I was enjoying this. "You came to meet me so early in the morning, I assume you have become so jobless and all you can do is gossip around and talk about things that are of no concern to yours." She look piss. "I see you have grown a bigger mouth. The class was peaceful when you were gone. I thought you were dead. No wonde
Bryan’s POV The sound of a gunshot made me rush outside, Danielle was outside. I found Danielle’s lifeless body, swimming in her blood. I knelt and screamed so loud, I didn’t hear myself. The air, once familiar, became thick with an unbearable weight, and the pulse of grief pulsed through my veins with every beat of my heart. Emotions collided like storm-tossed waves — disbelief, anguish, and a profound sense of loss that threatened to consume me. I shook her body but she gave no response. “Danielle!” “Finally, goodbye Bryan. I’ll see you later.” I looked up and found Susan leaving. I thought she was dead. I lifted her and took her into the car, I could lose everything but not Danielle. I took her to the hospital where she was attended to immediately. They did all they could but I knew… I knew she was gone. She is the first treasure I had and now… I lost her. How careless of me.Every sound and strength drained in me. We had goals…we had things we wanted to do and…having her leave m
Danielle's POV I opened my eyes and finally, it was a new day with no worries and sorrow, although I would have to go and meet Pa Bruno and let him know all that happened. We all got in the car and went down to meet Pa Bruno. He welcomed us with a warm heart, he has always been that way. “What a lovely surprise,” he said when he opened the door. The kids rushed inside with their father.When I fit inside, I found Isabelle helping Mrs Helena with her hair. “Oh,” I said when I saw her.“Oh…”“I… what are you doing here?” I asked. “She volunteered to come and help us once in a while to pay for all the bad things she has done to you. She has been coming for a couple of months now,” Mrs Helena explained.I sat down beside her. “I um… I didn’t know you would be coming around. I should get going, I’ll see you all later.” She hurried and packed her bag. “Hey,” I laughed. “Where do you think you are going to? You can stay, you don’t need to leave.”“I want to stay but I need to leave, I’ll
Danielle's POV “Tell me it’s a lie,” I said to him but he didn’t answer me. I trusted him with my whole heart, he was like my best friend. What would the kids think? What of his family? Why!“Are you truly what they have called you out to be?” The judge asked him. “I am what they said I am. I give up. Yes, I killed Susan and yes, I framed Bryan for it. I wanted him to rot in hell and never come back. He took it all from me, everything.” Have looked at me, tears clouding his eyes. “I love you Danielle, you know I do. The kids… they used to be my kids. I was there where you were pregnant, when you gave birth and I also watched them grow up. Seeing Bryan take it all from me broke my heart and no matter how much I try to be there for you, you never see me. And that bitch, Susan. She deserved it. She was always after you so I didn’t want that. I figured there is no reason for me to lie when I am busted.”He turned to the judge. “You have heard it all.” Someone went to the judge and whispe
Danielle's POV ran out to the door and found the woman walking up the stairs. “Are you—”“Lead the way, quick!” The woman said and I led her to the court. It was the moment the judge was sentencing Bryan but he held it when he saw me come in with a lady. Everyone looked back and I took her to the panel. I winked at the defendant and he knew what to do. He stood up immediately. “My Lord, one and only witness, please,” he begged. All my oceans of despair were now replaced by a world of hope. The judge accepted it like he had been waiting for me to show up with someone.But sighed and went back to sit. The kids stretched their necks and waved from the far end of the row. I smiled and focused on the woman. She stepped in and took the oath. “My name is Margret and I will be telling you what exactly happened that night. This man,” she pointed to Bryan, “came in with a lady into my old house. He had asked me to lend it to him for a moment but I thought he was going to have sex or something
Danielle's POV I roamed about with the phone plugged into my ears. “Pick up, goddamit.” I have been trying this woman’s number for seven hours. It’s night time and there has been no response. I am starting to think it was all a lie. Maybe the woman doesn’t exist but Jack keeps putting me on.Eventually, I went to sleep with my phone in my ears.The next day, I woke up and found Jack making the call. I have not heard from Linda or Gabriel. I have tried all I can and it’s just a few hours to the trail. We have no evidence, nothing to prove him innocent. “I have an idea. The witness made mention of returning the instrument to the house. I would go and check the house out. There would be footage. Keep trying the woman, we will meet in the court.” He left with the Benz car. I feel like I am restraining him from doing a lot of things in his life and all he does now is go and look for evidence to prove his boos innocent. I sighed, I just have to keep trying. I kept calling the woman… duri
Danielle's POV “What did he say?” Jack asked in haste. “He has evidence. An old woman who takes care of the old house. He says he knows where she is but he wouldn’t tell me unless I come over to his house. He also said I should come alone.”“It’s a trap. He might not have any evidence. We need to find our means and besides, he might want to kill you. He’s unpredictable so I would not allow you to go alone.”I raised my brows. “I’m not taking any chances. I would go and I would go alone. I would be perfectly fine.” I took a small knife from the table. “Just in case he tries shit, I will stab him wherever I can. I would be fine, trust me. What if this is my best shot? What if this is the only thing that can help me get Bryan out of there? I am not letting it go just like that. I’ll be back. “Jack stood in front of me. “Then let me put a tracker on you.” He attached it to my phone. “You can go now.”I followed the map and went to the location Mark sent me. The road that led to the plac
Danielle's POV I didn’t get to see Bryan that day, not even the slightest chance. Jack, Linda, Gabriel and I have been looking for ways to get better evidence but it was to no avail. I made posters and shared it around for people to see if they could help. With the current way things are, the judge just bought me time to find a way to outrun what the prosecutor had in hand. Whatever they were planning, it’s not going to be good.I sighed and paced around my room. It felt as though a fog of shadows was blinding me from seeing what I should see, doing what I should do but I do know that somewhere out there, there is an answer to the problem I have at hand.I sighed. “What do you think we can do now? I mean, we have done everything we can,” I said to Jack who was also thinking of a way to get his boss out of his mess. The alarm rang and the phone rang as well. I ran to take the call. “Hello?”“Honey, it’s not nice to hear your sweet voice again.” I have waited for a long time to finally
Danielle's POV It was another opportunity for me to see Bryan again. I have been denied the right to visit him and this is just two weeks. I sat at the front as planned. Linda and Gabriel also sat beside me. When Bryan came in, his eyes dazzled around to look for something that was equally looking for him. I stood up and he saw me. Pain and sorrow waited in front of my chest to pierce my heart with its spares of hope. His lips curved upward as he sat down and took his eyes off me. All I wanted to do at that point was walk into the board, take my husband, and leave. A warm hand cooled my temper. I looked at Linda and she smiled. It helped me to get myself together. Then the trial started. The mass media were around, the jury, the prosecutor… defendant… everyone was gathered together once again. The prosecutor started. “My lord, may I?” He asked the judge and he gave him a go-ahead. “Some two weeks ago, the suspect, Mr Bryan Smith was charged with violence and was sentenced to a yea
Danielle’s POV I have gone to eighteen different paper companies to look for which would accept and publish my side of the story but they all turned me down and said they couldn’t help the wife of a criminal. Of course, I can’t let that stop me from trying other means. I wrote a lengthy article on my Instagram page and posted it. Settling in my office, I went through my Instagram page. I’m a rampage, all I read were hateful comments and speeches about how I and Bryan killed Susan. No…this isn’t going to work. The latest news now is about how Bryan would have to face the court again tomorrow. Fucking Jury, I did everything I could. “Linda, can you… can you help me work on the case? I need everything I can find but I can’t do this alone. I need you, I need everyone. Fuck!” I said to Linda in a hurry. I slammed my hand on the table and paced the room with my hand on my forehead. I needed to cool down, I needed to be calm in this time of bad luck.“You need to calm down, alright?”“I!”