Isabella~"Alan, please don't cry; Mama is coming home." He kept calling me after sitting in Xavier's car, so I answered his call. "Mama, it's evening now, and you haven't returned home yet." He voiced his dissatisfaction with me. "Alan, please don't cry; you are Mama's strong boy." The sound of his tears pierced my chest again. I love him more than anything in the world, and I can't imagine him facing any kind of difficulty. "Please take care of yourself; I'll be returning home in two hours." It wasn't until Xavier offered me tissue paper to wipe my tears that I realized they had fallen on my cheeks. I refused his offer to drop me off at my house because I only wanted to spend time with him for work-related matters. However, as soon as I saw how much rain was falling, I quickly changed my mind, thinking of my son's health. This time, I decided to sit in the passenger seat to keep him from ogling my face in the car's rearview mirror. Heavy clouds obscured the sun, engulfing our s
Xavier~"Alan..." She ran inside her house with tears in her eyes. After hearing her housemaid’s news, she completely lost control of her senses. She threw her mobile and bag on the street, rushing into the house to check on her son. I couldn’t hold myself back from following her inside, concerned about what had happened. I picked up her mobile and purse from the roadside and entered her house without her permission. I knew she didn’t want me here; she didn’t want me to see where she lived, but I couldn’t just stand by while she was this distraught. Her son’s condition and the fact that she had left him alone because of my case weighed on me heavily.I hesitated before entering her hallway, fully aware that no one would welcome me, but my worry overshadowed everything else. The beautifully decorated house made me feel like a trespasser for a moment. Bella had always been precise in everything she did, and this house was no exception. It was full of memories I didn’t know—reflections
Isabella~"Wh...what type of question is this? He is, of course, my son." My voice faltered upon hearing his query. It unfolded in the manner that frightened me the most. I did everything in my power to keep Xavier from seeing my son, but fate had other plans. Xavier eventually became acquainted with my son. "Bella, I am asking who’s the father of Alan." His eyes are filled with suspicion, and his tone is dominating. "Mr. Thompson, please get out of my house immediately. You have no right to inquire about my personal life." I gestured toward the open hall door. "I'll leave when you respond to my questions." His rage was evident in his voice. I am well aware of his dominating nature. He won't leave until I provide him with a satisfactory response. Even if I'm not prepared to handle the situation right now, I must answer his inquiries. "Alan is my son, and his father is out of town. When he gets back, I'll introduce him. It's too late, so please leave my house now." Even after rec
Xavier~"Mr. Thompson, I would like to meet you tomorrow morning." Her message beeped on my phone. What does she want to discuss so urgently that she texted me at midnight, even after today’s incident? I pondered over her text. I know She wants to withdraw from my case, but why would she want to meet me again? Placing my phone on the side table, I immersed myself again in today's events. The more I try to put my life and my broken heart back together, the more confused I get. My life has become a gigantic mess.Jordan Lucas is not in prison. Jordan Lucas put Alicia in my life to exact retribution on me, but instead of doing so, he murdered his pawn and ensnared me in her murder investigation. I kept getting more and more entangled in this murder case whenever I attempted to gather evidence that would show my innocence. However, my conflicting emotions toward Isabella are exacerbating the situation, not to mention that the murder case itself is the primary cause of my distress. Even
Isabella~"Tell me, what is his weakness?" I peered attentively at his face. "I must go, Miss Luis, but I'll get back to you when I find Jordan." He hurriedly rose from his chair and headed for the office door. "No, you can't leave me in the dark about his weakness. I want to know where you are going." To obstruct his path, I leaped ahead of him. "Before I reveal everything to you, Miss Luis, I would like to clarify my suspicions, as I am uncertain if this path will lead me to Jordan or not." He looked surprised to see me blocking his way. "It's no matter how minor details you find about Jordan; as your lawyer, I have every right to be fully informed." I looked into his eyes and refused to let him go until he shared the details with me. "Miss Luis, you act like a little child." He shook his head in disappointment. "No, I am doing my work only. Either tell me about his weakness or stay in this office." I extended my arms to fully obstruct his path. "I would love to stay with you
Xavier~"Have you reached home?" As she answered the call, I heard a strong, masculine voice on her phone."I am going to find Jordan Lucas," she glanced at me before speaking into the phone. I maintained my focus on the road, feigning not to hear her, but my curiosity was piqued. Who was this man that had her so terrified she broke into a cold sweat when his number flashed on her screen?"Bella, please stop this nonsense. Do you even see the time? You're going to search for a gangster at eleven o'clock in the evening?" The irritation in the man's voice was palpable."Don't worry about me; I'm not alone. I'm with Mr. Thompson," she replied, hesitating to meet my gaze again. But I continued to act as though I couldn't hear the words."The icing on the cake is that you're chasing Jordan Lucas with that murderer! Bella, I told you to stay away from that bastard, but you ignored my warnings. I'm coming back tomorrow, and we will have a conversation." The anger in the man's voice escalated
Isabella~"What's your name?" John's hungry eyes made me uncomfortable as I entered his house. "Laura." Before I could come up with a convincing lie to John, Xavier spoke up. "What's your relationship with her?" John's face seems angry at seeing Xavier following me inside his room. "She is my wife." He sat across from me and placed his hand firmly on my shoulder. That surprised me—this protective aspect of him. I want to stop him from claiming me as his wife, but I know it's not the right time to argue, so I force a smile on my face. Goosebumps race down my spine as I feel his strong arm encircling my shoulder. "If you're interested, I can show you other horses, but I've already sold that particular one." When John saw that Xavier was sitting next to me, he frowned. "Mr. Martin, please don't say no to me; I like that horse." I got up from my place and sat next to John. "Umm, let me think about how I can help you." He tried to touch my thigh. His hungry gaze irritates me greatly,
Xavier~"I will provide you with his address, but I need to know what I will receive in return for this favor.""Provide me with his address. I can do whatever you desire."The scene where he flirted with Bella flashed before my eyes as I turned on the shower. How could she show such madness? I never expected her to be so reckless. Bella forbade me from being involved, even though the way he touched her in front of me made me want to tear his skin off. He had attempted to forcefully kiss her while pointing his gun at me.I've faced situations like this many times before. This wasn't the first time a man had aimed a pistol at me, but this time, Bella was involved, and that changed everything. Observing how he was occupied with coercing her, I quickly grabbed the vase from the table and hurled it at his arm, hoping to deflect his gun. The bullet missed my leg as he squeezed the trigger in pain. I told Bella to run, but even at that moment, she was still thinking about Jordan's address.
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
Xavier~"Bella, please don't say this; I am genuinely sorry for my behavior." I held her hand to stop her from leaving the courtroom. My heart was drowning in guilt after seeing the real face of Lincon. I never imagined that he would go to such extreme measures to achieve success and financial gain, such as joining Jordan Lucas' drug supply company."Xavier, sorry isn't enough for the wounds you caused on my heart." She turned to face me, but her eyes remained fixed on the floor instead of my face."I understand that apologizing is insufficient, Bella, and I am willing to accept any form of retribution for my errors." I lowered my head in embarrassment.Her slow, painful voice was like a needle piercing my heart. "Don’t think any penalty is sufficient for the hurt you caused me; therefore, if that’s the case, I want to cause you the same suffering." Suddenly, a hint of malice crept into her tone."Bella, you already know that I am not as strong as you are, so please don't even consid
Isabella~"Point to be noted, My Lord, Lincon Thompson, not only secretly engaged with Ms. Jennifer also promised her marriage after his divorce from Dixie Thompson." I thanked Jennifer for coming to court by blinking my eyes. She is a well-known television actor, and testifying in this case could damage her reputation in public, but she consented to assist me after I informed her of Lincon's reality."Defense, do you need to interrogate Ms. Jennifer?" The judge questioned Dad.I turned to look at Dad's face in the hope that now he recognized Lincon's true colors."Thank you, my Lord." Dad rose from his chair, scrutinized my face, and then proceeded to question Ms. Jennifer. I could see his inner agony in his eyes, even though his countenance was emotionless."Since when did you know Lincon Thompson, Miss Jennifer?" He is attempting to keep his cool, as seen by his taut jaw and white knuckles."From the last three years." Jennifer glanced at me before turning to face Lincoln. After w
Xavier~"James, what are you doing here in the court? Where is Bella?" I questioned him in confusion as I noticed him seated in Bella’s chair.When Bella failed to return from her lunch break, the courtroom erupted into murmurs and uneasy glances. This time, I was sure the judge would penalize her for her tardiness. The judge entered, her stern gaze sweeping across the room, and gestured to begin the proceedings. Her frown deepened when she noticed Bella’s absence."My lord, we will be jointly prosecuting this case for the remainder of the hearing session, as my colleague was forced to leave due to an emergency." James rose from Bella’s seat, his voice steady as he requested permission to proceed.My chest tightened as I saw Victor sitting next to him, dressed in a lawyer’s suit. What’s he doing in court? Upon seeing him, my eyebrows furrowed in disbelief. Before presenting the evidence to prove Jonathan's guilt, Victor glanced at me, his expression heavy with frustration and disapp