Isabella~"What is all this?" Knowing he was waiting for me in his room, I opened the door. I didn't expect this kind of aggressive behavior from him. The room was enveloped in darkness, prompting me to switch on the light, only to discover the room was appalling. The couch is torn, cushions and bedsheets are scattered in one area of the room, and all the display pieces have fallen to the floor. In addition, he damaged the LED television. Every step I took into his room revealed another shattered item on the floor. He stood silently on the balcony, gazing up at the dark sky. "Why aren't you responding to me? What’s all this for?" On reaching behind him, I questioned him in a low tone. I've never seen him so furious before. That's why my body trembled with fear when confronting him; talking to him is important to me now. "Why did you return home now when you could spend tonight with your ex-husband?" Even though he is still staring up at the night sky, I can tell how frustrated he
Xavier~"I discovered additional clues about Jordan Lucas." I opened my laptop as I saw her entering her office. "Mr. Thompson, this murder case is yours, so we must prove your innocence before focusing on Jordan Lucas." She turned on her laptop and started working on it. Her cold, distant behavior tells me that she is not in a good mood today. I wanted to ask her about the events from last night at her house, but the awkward silence between us made me even more afraid to question her. "Mr. Thompson, you need to mentally be ready for Derrick Merchant's harsh interrogation. I am pretty sure that he will come to the court well-prepared this time." After spending the last two hours working on her laptop, she broke the silence and gazed directly into my face. "I understand, but I don't believe he's going to specifically target me this time." I sighed heavily as I thought about Jordan's threat to Bella. "What do you mean?" She questioned me with confusion. "I believe he set you up fo
Isabella~"Miss Luis, in response to your request, I have granted an additional hearing date before my final decision. But remember that this is your last chance; if you don't have any solid evidence or proof at the next hearing, I will close this case. We have adjourned the court until the 15th of next month."I felt relieved as I had more time to prepare for this murder case. But a storm was brewing inside me, one I couldn't calm down. "Miss Luis, what's going to happen in the next 30 days? I don't understand why you refused to admit defeat at today's hearing and wanted to squander my time." Derrick's words stung, but I gave him a brief smile and turned away from the courtroom. I didn't want to argue with him now. It was already difficult for me to digest his harsh taunting and accusations, and I never thought he would involve me in this murder case so cruelly. His words had exposed my deepest scars.I walked faster, desperate to get away from the courtroom, from Derrick's gaze, a
Xavier~"Can I come to meet you at your hotel tomorrow?" I received her message on my phone at midnight. My mind was already overflowing with numerous thoughts, making it difficult for me to sleep, and the strange message she sent me only heightened my anxiety. Why would she want to meet me at a hotel? Why is she still awake?I wanted to talk to her right away, but thinking about her husband stopped me from calling. I drank whisky to help calm the intense feelings of humiliation, remorse, and dread. But one bottle wasn't enough to dull the overwhelming thoughts swirling in my mind. Why does she always push me away when I try to keep her safe? I know she's moved on with her life, but I can't stop trying to protect her.Today, I followed her car not just out of curiosity but also because it was the only way I knew to ensure her safety. For a brief moment, she leaned on me. That feeling of having her trust, even if it was fleeting, made me feel complete. But then, like always, she ran aw
Isabella~"You took the wrong way, Bella. We have to go straight." When I turn left instead of straight, he directs me in the right direction. "Indeed, I am aware." In a narrow street, I pulled over and peered into the car's side-view mirror. "Why did you stop the car here?" He glanced at me, bewildered, utterly oblivious to anything happening around him. "See those two black cars that are pursuing us?" I motioned for him to look into the side-view mirror. "Oh, they must be Jordan's man. We have to be careful." Silently, we waited in our car for those cars to cross the street. Once I spotted the cars heading in the opposite direction, I decided to drive to his house instead of using the main road, I opted to drive on narrow streets. "Bella, how did you know that they were following us?" He questioned me. "They were constantly monitoring us, but it wasn't until yesterday's incident that I truly noticed their presence. As a result, we need to gather all the evidence covertly so th
Xavier~"Bella, be careful." I tightened my grip on her waist as soon as I noticed her losing her balance. In an attempt to save herself from falling, she clutched my shoulders. Sensing her closeness made the desires I had been trying to bury deep within me come to the surface. Our lips were just inches apart when our eyes met. I can feel her heavy breathing and loud heartbeat. Is she affected by my proximity? For the first time in my life, I looked closely at her beautiful face. Her lips, delicate feather-like cheeks, and beautiful eyelashes caught my attention. I noticed how plump her lips were and had an immediate want to taste them, but I forced myself to repress my lustful thoughts. I still remember how passionately I sucked her lips on that night. Even after so many years had passed, I could never forget the passionate night I spent with Isabella—even if I was inebriated - and couldn't recall precisely that I was romancing her rather than Alicia. That night, I experienced a pe
Isabella~"Let's go, Mama." I turned to look at him after hearing his excitement-filled voice. "Alan, are you sure?" I stared at him in bewilderment, then at Xavier, wondering what magic he had worked on him to get him to agree to his dance performance right away. "Yes, Mama, Uncle Xavier will accompany you to my school function, and then my friend will not make fun of me." He grinned as he observed Xavier's face. "What?" I looked at Xavier’s face in shock. "I tried to convince him, but he wasn't ready to listen to anything. Then I found this solution to the problem." He let out a remorseful sigh and stared at the ground. "However, Mr. Thompson, you can not accompany me to Alan's school function; you are not his father." I now regret taking him to Alan’s school with me. But I didn't take him with me intentionally. The alarm on my phone reminded me of his school function, which I had completely forgotten due to my intense focus on the case. I have no choice but to accept his assi
Xavier~"Let me help you." I opened the car's door to help her get down. Alan was sleeping on her lap, which made it challenging for her to get out of her position. "It's all right, Mr. Thompson; I will manage." She asked the security guard to help her. I managed my anger throughout the entire drive, but I'm finding it increasingly challenging to deal with her peculiar behavior. One moment, she was very friendly with me, and the other moment, she treated me as if she were talking to a stranger. Her behavior abruptly changed after that phone call. During the call, I overheard her discussing DNA reports. Was she talking about Alan? Why did she appear so terrified after speaking with her husband? "Open the gate; I will take him inside the house." I saw the old watchman and asked him to open the gate. Alan was suffering from blisters on his feet, so I didn't want to disturb him further. She opened her mouth to argue with me, but when she saw my frustrated gaze, she immediately closed i
Isabella~"What did Albert say to you, Bella?"As soon as I left the courtroom, James started questioning me. His face was tense, his voice edged with urgency. I knew exactly why—Albert's demand for Xavier to kneel had unsettled him just as much as it had enraged me."He wanted to appease his ego by making Xavier kneel as a reward for supporting Dixie," I thought bitterly, clenching my fist to control my anger."What did you say to him?" James pressed, his inquisitive gaze remaining fixed on my face."James, what did you expect from me?" My voice came out sharper than I intended. "Did you think I'd grovel? Did you think I'd ask Xavier to kneel before such a bastard as Albert?" My eyes flicked toward the closed courtroom door, the memory of Albert's smug face still fresh in my mind. "Bloody rascal.Don't worry, Bella. We'll figure out a solution to this problem." James patted my shoulder gently, his attempt at reassurance barely making a dent in my frustration.I raked my fingers thr
Xavier~"Where are you, Bella?" I dove deep into the river, the icy water biting into my skin as I frantically searched for her. The river's current was swift and relentless, making it nearly impossible to swim against it. My arms strained as I pushed forward, desperate to reach her. Then I saw her—a shadow beneath the surface, her form struggling against the force of the water. Gripping her hand tightly, I pulled her up and held her close, keeping her from being dragged under again. "Stay with me, Bella. Don't give up." My voice trembled, the desperation clear in every word. Her body was limp as I guided her through the current. The struggle was immense, but somehow, we crossed the river, battling every inch against the water's strength."Open your eyes, Bella." I laid her gently on the riverbank, her face pale and her chest still. "Please, Bella, open your eyes!" Panic clawed at me as I pressed on her chest to expel the water trapped in her lungs. For a moment, nothing happened,
Isabella~"Bella, are you all right?" Xavier looked at me with concern as I pulled the car in front of the giant tree. His voice, though calm, couldn't mask the urgency in his eyes."Xavier, who were they?" My voice quivered. "I didn't know they were journalists."My heart still raced, the remnants of fear coursing through me after the chaos we had just escaped."They were Jordan Lucas's men," Xavier said, his tone firm. "Everything we experienced was part of his plan." He reached for my hand and gently caressed its back, attempting to calm me."Why did you mess with them despite my warning to you?" I jerked my hand away, anger bubbling to the surface."I was unaware of his plan, Bella. I only realized what was happening when I saw him standing in the crowd." His explanation, though sincere, did little to douse the fire of my frustration."Xavier, we have to go back immediately." Panic clawed at me as I turned the car key, but the engine sputtered uselessly. My anxiety skyrocketed.
Xavier~"Miss Luis, what brings you to this club? Is it true that you came here to meet Mr. Fernandes?"As soon as Bella stepped out of the club, a swarm of reporters descended on her like vultures circling prey. The harsh glare of camera flashes illuminated her anxious, startled face. For a fleeting moment, she looked like a cornered deer, caught in the harsh, relentless scrutiny of the media.I stood a short distance away, watching her struggle to keep her composure. My fists clenched at my sides as I fought the urge to charge forward and shield her from the barrage of invasive questions. Her irritation was evident; I knew she was still angry at me for interrupting her plans with Albert. Yet, I couldn't just stand idly by."Is seeing Albert Fernandes in the club your new strategy for winning Dixie's divorce case, Miss Luis?"The reporter's pointed question rang out, laced with venom. My blood boiled as I listened to their baseless accusations, tarnishing her character with every wor
Isabella~"Xavier, what are you attempting to prove? Why don't you let me live in peace?" I gripped his shoulders violently, my voice sharp with anger. Yet, instead of answering, he smiled—a maddening, infuriating smile that made my blood boil.He had ruined everything.I came here to meet Albert, hoping to uncover his intentions behind requesting a personal meeting. Yet Xavier, with his reckless intrusion, barged in at precisely the wrong moment. Granted, his assumption about Albert was correct—when I entered Albert's room, he tried to harass me. But I had come prepared. Before I could use the recording I planned to threaten him with, Xavier stormed in and brutally beat Albert, derailing my plan entirely."Bella, how could you put your life at risk for a single case?" Xavier's deep blue eyes locked onto mine, searching for an answer."Xavier, please stop pretending you care about me. I know you only came to witness whatever you imagined would unfold between Albert and me." My voice w
Xavier~"Victor, why did you go to plead with her when I asked you not to request her to return home?" I stood in front of his room door to prevent him from entering."Xavier, I feel alone in this house without her, and as a family member in the Thompson family, I must take care of everyone." He crossed his arms on his chest, his defiance clear."What did she say to you, then?" I asked, my voice softening with a glimmer of optimism. Given her admiration for Victor, I allowed myself to hope—maybe, just maybe, she consented to come back after hearing his request."She informed me that she would never return home, and she also prohibited me from visiting her." He lowered his head sorrowfully. "She also discovered my deception." His slow, regretful voice conveyed the deep hurt he was feeling at that moment."Victor, don't feel sad; I am confident that one day she will forgive me and return to this house." I patted his shoulder to comfort him, though I wasn't sure if I was comforting him
Isabella~"What are you doing here, Victor?" As soon as I entered the hotel reception to collect my room key, my gaze fell on Victor, who was sitting in the reception area. His slouched posture and tear-filled eyes made my heart sink."Bella, I have left that house, and I have no intention of returning," he said, his voice trembling with suppressed emotion."Come to my room." I got the key to my room, held his hand, and led him there.Once inside, I sat him down on the couch. "Now tell me what happened."I had known Victor for so many years, and I couldn't recall a time when he had looked this broken. He wasn't one to get upset over trivial matters, let alone choose to leave the house entirely. Whatever had happened, it must have shattered him completely."Xavier has changed, Bella." His voice cracked as he spoke. "He's no longer the kindhearted man I once knew. He has become self-centered and obsessed with controlling everything." Tears rolled down his cheeks as he broke down."Victo
Xavier~"Xavier, did you call Bella and ask her to return home?" Dad questioned me about Bella as we sat at the dining table for breakfast. His swollen, puffy eyes gave me the impression that he didn't sleep well last night. I don't want to aggravate him further by informing him about Bella's response. How can I explain to him that she broke off all contact with us and now refuses to even meet her son?I don't believe that she could be so angry with me that she refused to meet even Alan. I don't think I made such a severe mistake that she couldn't forgive me and return home.Dad's voice carried a sadness that stung. "Xavier, why are you quiet? Didn't you talk to her?" His voice brimmed with eagerness.I don't want to break his heart by telling him the truth, but I can't lie to him anymore."Dad..." I fidgeted with my fingers nervously, trying to gather the courage to tell him the truth."Mama, finally you have returned!" Alan's excited voice broke through the silence. I turned to lo
Isabella~"Mama, Dad wants to talk to you." When I noticed the call from my home landline, I assumed it was Alan, but when I heard him mention that Xavier needed to speak with me, I let out a disappointed sigh. Why is he repeatedly using my son as a pawn in his cheap game?"Xavier, I am already done talking with you. Now I don't have anything to talk about with you." Before listening to him, I told him my decision, my tone sharp, before hanging up."Please listen to me just once, Bella. I know you're upset with me and don't want to see my face, but please don't hang up."I paused the call and placed my phone against my ear."Ok, I am listening." I gripped the phone tightly because it would be difficult for me to ignore him, particularly when he was genuinely apologizing for his behavior."Dad wants you to come home, Bella. He is deeply upset about Lincon's situation, and he feels deeply guilty for not trusting you." The weight he held on his chest was evident in his tone."Tell your d