Xavier~"Bella, stop; you can't leave without answering my question." I blocked her path by spreading my arms in her way."Xavier, what are you doing? Let us go; it's already so late." She avoided my gaze and attempted to move my arm out of the way."No, first tell me how your son got this birthmark." I bowed my head and pointed toward Alan's right leg, dreadand a fierce curiosity boiling under my calm exterior."What birthmark are you referring to? There is no birthmark on his leg." Bella’s face paled after hearing me, her expression betraying shock."Bella, I am talking about this birthmark." I embraced Alan, showing Bella the spot on his leg, the same one that held me in agonizing suspicion."No, this is not a birthmark; it's a burning mark on his leg." She made an effort to seem calm in front of me, but her trembling voice and perspiration on her forehead told me otherwise. Her denial, paired with her reaction, only confirmed my worst fears."What are you trying to hide from me?"
Isabella~"What happened? Why did you apply the car brakes so abruptly?" I gave him a furious glare. Due to his sudden application of the brake, Alan and I narrowly avoided falling onto the car's floor. However, I managed to balance my body weight and prevent Alan's head from colliding with the driver's seat."What did you just say, Alan is five years old?" He gave me a suspicious glance, his expression quickly sharpening as realization seemed to dawn. I immediately realized my mistake, and fear washed over me. Why did I keep giving him reason to doubt me? Now, he would undoubtedly learn the truth. Oh no, I must do something—anything—to keep his suspicions at bay."Xavier, why did you insist on driving the car when your entire attention is constantly focused on me? Do you wish for us to be killed in an accident?" I shot back quickly, trying to cover up my slip-up. I immediately opened the door and got out of the car, hoping to shift his focus."What are you doing, Bella?" He sounded
Xavier~What the hell is she doing? How could she flirt with him?My body boiled with rage when I saw the screenshot of James' chat with Bella that he shared with me. Every word between them hit me like a fresh wound, a constant reminder of how far she had moved away from me. I was scrolling through Bella's Facebook feed, eager to learn more about Alan, with the burning need to unearth the truth, igniting my every move. Learning that Alan was five years old deepened my suspicion that he was my son, yet with each realization came an ache I could barely endure. Every look, every habit Alan had reminded me of the boy I’d longed to raise. I planned to question her about Alan's exact age, but her anger compelled me to leave her car. How could I hold back when I felt the truth so close—yet every sign from her pushed me further from the answers I needed?What was the source of her anger? I now understand that this was a ploy to divert my attention. I was disappointed when I didn't find an
Isabella~"What happened, Victor? Why are you so silent today?" I found his behavior very strange. Usually, he wouldn't be so quiet after returning from his house, so I'm not sure why he behaved this way today. His silence pricked at me, his face clouded with something between remorse and fear."Nothing, Bella," he finally said, his voice unusually quiet, eyes fixed on his food. "Will you forgive me if I unknowingly committed a mistake?""What mistake did you make?" I asked, confused, yet feeling my stomach tighten with worry."If Xavier comes to know the truth, then what will you do?" He looked up, and a shadow of fear lingered in his gaze. His words hit like a splash of ice water, freezing me mid-motion."What? That's not possible." My voice came out too loud, even to my ears. I stood, almost knocking the chair back. "You can't tell him the truth!" I stared at him, trying to hide my rising panic, but Victor’s expression looked regretful, almost remorseful, and a silent understandin
Xavier~"When did you test his DNA?" Her tongue faltered, and a pool of precipitation formed on her forehead. "How can you keep such a truth from me, Bella? I didn't anticipate this from you." After seeing the DNA report, I was also shocked. During the court session break, I received the DNA report. I read the report following the judge's verdict. Before reading the report, my heart was filled with pity for Bella's condition, as she had been brutally trapped in this case by Jordan Lucas. I know that Jordan has a long history of purchasing judges for personal gain, but after learning that Alan is my son and that Bella concealed this information from me, I became furious with her. How could she conceal such a significant truth, even when I repeatedly questioned it? I never imagined she would go to such extreme lengths to deceive me. She exploited my younger brother as a pawn in her game after first showing me Alan's phony DNA report. She and Victor didn't have a romantic relationship
Isabella~"Bella, what are you doing? How could you get engaged to this bastard?" Xavier came into the party hall just as I was ready to put the ring on James' hand. My eyes gleamed with happiness on seeing him in front of me. Nine months have passed since I last saw his face. He left my life after discovering the truth, but his final words continued to haunt me to this day. I expected him to fight for his rights, but he left Alan with me without question. His action touched my heart deeply. I was always scared that, after hearing the truth, he would fight with me for paternity with Alan, but to my surprise, he disappeared from my life in silence. In his absence, I realized my mistake and regretted my behavior. Victor also felt sorry for lying to him about our relationship."How dare you play your dirty tricks on her despite my warnings to stay away from her?" Xavier struck James in the face. Xavier's unexpected strike caused James to fall to the ground, but he rose fast and straig
Xavier~"Oh my god, it's unbelievable. How can they put such a severe charge on you? If the media leaks this news, it could negatively impact your public image," Bella said, her voice trembling as she read the notice. I grabbed the paper from her hand, my own pulse racing as I tried to process the gravity of what she’d just said."What the hell is this? How can they accuse you of harassing your partner and accusing him of being a home wrecker? I mean, you both told me you were in a relationship willingly!" I looked at Victor, my expression a mix of confusion and shock, waiting for any sign of denial or explanation from him. "What’s this notice even about?"James leaned over, grabbed the court notice from my hand, and read it aloud."Wait… Are you… gay, Victor?" James looked up, startled, his eyes wide with shock as he searched Victor’s face for answers.Victor didn’t respond to James. Instead, he lowered his head, his face shadowed with a mix of shame and fear, his silence speaking v
Isabella~"Please open your eyes, Dad." I shook his body and asked him to open his eyes, but he lay down on the floor, unconscious. "Call the doctor, Xavier." As I saw his lifeless body on the floor, tears welled up in my eyes. Xavier and Victor took his body in the car and drove towards the hospital. With each step we took toward the hospital, my heartbeat accelerated. "Bella, don't cry; nothing will happen to Dad." As the doctor admitted Dad to the intensive care unit, Xavier wiped my tears. "Xavier, if something happened to him, then I will never forgive myself." Despite my promise to Victor that I would convince Dad to marry John, I was uncertain how things escalated before I had the opportunity to speak with him. I sobbed uncontrollably while resting my head on his shoulder. "It's okay, Bella; you are not to blame for anything that occurred." He stroked my hair and gently wiped away my tears. Victor stood in the corner of the hospital coordinator in a way that the culprit st
Isabella~"Bella, why are you so silent? You know I'm scared of your silence."Xavier stopped the car in front of our house and looked at me, concern evident in his eyes."I can't live in this house, Xavier. We have to find some other place to live," I unbuckled my seatbelt and turned to face him.His brows furrowed in confusion. "What's wrong with this house, Bella?""He will attack us at any time to remove us from his path. I don't want to take any risks." My heartbeat was still erratic from the near-fatal accident earlier. The image of the truck speeding toward us replayed in my mind like a nightmare.Xavier let out a frustrated sigh. "Sometimes I don't understand you, Bella. On one hand, you're so brave—boldly challenging Jordan Lucas, standing firm in court—and on the other, you're terrified of him?" He held my hand, searching my eyes for an answer.I tightened my grip on his fingers. "No, Xavier. I am not afraid of him. I am afraid of losing you." My voice cracked with emotion.
Xavier~"Bella, let's go." I held her hand and gestured for her to leave the courtroom."I will kill this man," she seethed, clenching her fist as she locked eyes with Andrew."Calm down. Avoid wasting your time on him." I held her wrist tightly, stopping her from following him."Xavier, you surprised me today. Why didn't you tell me about this proof before?" As we sat in the car, she arched a brow at me, suspicion flickering in her eyes."Bella, I didn't hide anything from you. I was also unaware of this evidence; it was a last-minute idea, and I'm pleased it succeeded." I shrugged my shoulders, watching her reaction."Xavier, what are you saying? How is this possible? I saw your confidence in the courtroom—no one could tell this was last-minute." Her eyes widened in disbelief."Mrs. Thompson, Andrew was the one who inspired me to provide this evidence." A small smirk played on my lips."Andrew? How?" She crossed her arms over her chest, demanding an explanation."My blood was boilin
Isabella~"My lord, Jordan Lucas, killed Victor Thompson and named it as an accident. He not only tried to fool the law but also he once again tried to play with people's feelings and emotions since Victor was not a normal citizen; he was a famous singer. Therefore, I ask that this court sentence Jordan Lucas to death and send him to prison." I stood up from my seat and initiated the opening statement for the defense. The judge listened to my statement and then looked at Andrew to begin the court procedure. "My lord, my colleague Veronica Luis, aka Mrs. Thompson completely forgot that this court is not working based on statements; it needs proof." After giving me a sarcastic glance, Andrew slumped back in his chair. "Prosecutor, provide evidence to support your assertion." The judge motioned for me to present the evidence. After glancing at Jordan Lucas' face, I turned to Xavier and asked him to present the evidence we had gathered. Andrew has already made me angry, so I'm finding
Xavier~"Oh my god, look who's here. The most wanted criminal couple." Andrew walked towards us and looked at us with a mocking-filled gaze. "Andrew, you have a misunderstanding; we didn't kill Alicia." I stopped Bella from explaining anything to him by squeezing her palm as she tried. I know that Jordan Lucas has poisoned his head so much that Andrew will not listen to us at all. "I don't require your lies; save your stories for court sessions." Andrew's venom is making the surroundings so suffocating. "Let's go, Bella; we will visit the place later." I signaled her to leave this place. "But Xavier, we have to inspect this place; we can't leave." Bella protested my decision, but I forcefully made her sit in the car. "You both will run away from the court in tomorrow's hearing." He chuckled darkly as he watched me maneuver my car. "Xavier, why do you always show cowardice and run away from everyone when you have to show courage?" Bella is fuming with anger at seeing me turn the
Isabella~"Isabella, what will we do now? He hated us and thought that we had killed his sister." Xavier's eyes filled with sadness as we watched Andrew leaving the house."Don't be sad. He will eventually discover the truth because it can not remain hidden for long," I comforted him by holding his hand.Victor's death had already shaken Xavier's confidence. He had faced continuous turmoil, and now seeing Andrew—who was once like a younger brother—standing against him shattered him completely. Jordan had poisoned Andrew's mind so much that he didn't even want to listen to us.James, from now on, my family's responsibility is yours. I turned toward James, my eyes pleading with him to protect them in my absence."Don't worry about them, Bella. I will protect them more than my own life," James reassured me."Mama, when will you come to live with us?" Alan's innocent voice tugged at my heart as he waved his tiny hand from the car window."Mama will be here shortly, so don't miss me," I fo
Xavier~"When did he become a lawyer, Bella?" I stared incredulously at the TV screen. "Xavier, I don't have any idea about it." In response, she shrugged her shoulders. When she sees Andrew as Jordan Lucas's defense attorney, she is similarly astounded. "Don't worry about him right now, Xavier. We'll figure this out shortly, but for now, we need to put our family first. They need our support." She grasped my hand and motioned for me to rise from the hospital bench as soon as she saw Dad leaving the doctor's office. "Why were they doing my CT scan while I was perfectly well, Xavier?" Dad cast a wary glance at the doctor. "It was merely a routine checkup, so don't be afraid, Dad." My heart became even heavier after seeing his pitiful condition. "Xavier, I am perfectly fine; please ask this nurse to not put an injection in my body." He holds my hand like a child. Observing his actions now, I comprehend the profound impact Victor's death has had on his mental health. "Dad, don't wo
Isabella~"Mrs. Thompson, you seem to enjoy messing with me, huh?" Jordan grinned as he glanced at the envelope. "Of course, I like to teach a good lesson to those who always take the wrong path to achieve their goals." I glared at him while crossing my arms over my chest. "Alright, then I am ready to accept your challenge. Since your husband has previously lost a case against me, you might also try your luck." His voice carries a mixture of shock and anger. "Jordan, history doesn't repeat itself; occasionally, new events occur to establish a fresh milestone." My heart was blazing with anger as I gazed at him. Upon discovering the details of Victor's accident, I felt a surge of anger. I never expected him to kill Victor so brutally. "Are you okay, Bella?" Xavier approached me as soon as Jordan Lucas left the cemetery. "Yes, I'm all right." I nodded my head. Xavier was examining my body as if I had returned from a war. "Bella, let's go home.: My dad came to me and caressed my ha
Xavier~"Stop it, Bella." I tried to stop her by running behind her car, but she ignored my pleadings. I sat on my knees and cried aloud, cradling my face between my palms. "Xavier, please control your emotions. If you break down like this, then who will take care of your family?" James comforted me by placing his hand on my shoulder. "James, I am broken now; it feels difficult for me to recollect my heart's shattered pieces. Victor was not only my younger brother; he was like my child. When our mother passed away, he was just five years old. I failed to keep my promise to my dying mother that I would always look after my younger brother. My mom's soul will curse me for breaking my promise." I wept uncontrollably, resting my head on his shoulder. "Xavier, I can understand your pain, but whatever happened was not your fault." James attempted to comfort me, but I was unable to slow down despite his comforting words. "How can I be relaxed when Jordan Lucas already warned me? How can
Isabella~"Victor, come on, open your eyes; you can't play a prank on me on this special day." I held his hand and asked him to get up, but he didn't move."Look at him, Xavier; he ignored me." I turned to Xavier, my voice trembling with desperation, searching for any sign that this was just a cruel joke."Bella, please control your emotions," Xavier whispered as he pulled me into a hug, but I could feel his own body shaking."Victor, get up! You can't leave me like this!" My cries grew louder, raw with agony as I saw him lying there—so still, so lifeless.A nurse approached Xavier, her voice soft yet firm. "We need your signature here."Xavier's hands shook as he took the papers. "How... how did this happen?" His eyes filled with tears as he gripped the document, unable to believe what he was reading."He was involved in a car accident and was rushed to the hospital, but unfortunately, he passed away before we could admit him," the nurse informed him."No, Victor, you can't leave me!