Xavier~"My lord, my client did not pressure John to enter a relationship with him; John was willingly involved with Victor." I began my argument to defend Victor in the courtroom after the court session began. I was so nervous while leaving the house, and now, in the absence of Bella, I feel helpless. My dad's doubt-filled gaze still haunts me, as if he is trying to mock me for showing the confidence that I will defend Victor."Xavier, the court is not focused on accusations alone; it requires proof, so please present your evidence to the court." Jorawar Uncle mocked me. He observed my nervousness and exploited it to heighten my anxiety.I discovered some evidence, but my nervousness prevented me from properly presenting it in court. The ongoing argument in the court is not fully occupying my mind. Rather, I have many questions and doubts running through my head. I feel uncomfortable arguing with my uncle to defend my younger brother. Jorawar Uncle holds a special place in my heart,
Isabella~"I'm proud of you, Bella." As soon as we entered the hall, Dad's proud-filled arms were ready to embrace me."Thank you, Dad." His warm embrace relaxed me as I hugged him."Did you take medicine?" After resting in his arms for a few minutes, I questioned him."Of course, you left your assistant behind, who ensured that the medication was taken on schedule." His eyes were full of complaints as he gazed at Alan."Grandpa wasn't taking his medications, but when I told him that I would put him in jail for breaking the rules, he started taking them. He also assured me that if I placed him in jail, he would hire you as his attorney, and you would then release him from jail." Alan also started to gripe about his grandfather."Bella, tell him that you will free me from his prison." Dad exhibited childlike behavior while playing with Alan."My mama only defends those who didn't commit any crime and those who are innocent. Am I right, Mama?" Alan's voice of innocence and trust stirred
Xavier~"Dinner is ready, Bella." I gently knocked on my dad's door, inviting him to join us for dinner. "Give me just a few minutes; we will be there." She motioned for me to leave immediately. I found her behavior very strange. what she is hiding from me. After we met Jordan Lucas today, she looked so worried. I tried to find out the cause of her concern, but she didn't want to discuss it with me. Upon seeing her in my dad's room, my suspicions about her intensified. She told me she was tired and needed some rest, but when I went into her room to call her for dinner, I didn't find her there. I could tell they were talking about something serious by the solemn expressions on Bella's and Dad's faces. However, what were they talking about?"Call your grandfather for dinner, Alan." Victor was excitedly setting the dining table for today's dinner. "All right, Dad." Alan stopped helping Victor and walked towards Dad's room. "Alan, you don't need to call your grandpa; Bella takes him.
Isabella~"Bella, I am exhausted now; I need to get some sleep." With a yawn, he rose from his seat. The abrupt change in his behavior heightened my suspicion. He seemed uncomfortable, which made it obvious to me that he didn't want to discuss Laila."Good night, Xavier." I got up from the couch and walked toward my room. I discovered a substantial barrier separating us even after he admitted his love for me. He still did not fully trust me with his secrets, and in truth, I wasn’t being entirely honest with him either.As I lay on my bed, I couldn’t shake the weight of guilt pressing on my chest. Hiding my decision to meet Uncle Jorawar from Xavier felt like a betrayal, but I had no choice. His faith in me and his hope for our future made it even harder to keep secrets, but what choice did I have? If he knew, it could unravel everything I was trying to protect.I returned to my desk and resumed working on the Jordan Lucas puzzle. I needed to figure out his next move before he presente
Xavier~"Bella, when will you return?" I waited for her for the past three hours, but she didn't arrive at the scheduled time, so I texted her instead. I don't understand what important thing she discussed with James; she ignored my calls. Alan was also upset with her, as she had once again betrayed her commitment."Xavier, don't take stress; she will come back." Victor comforted me by giving me a shoulder pat after noticing how stressed I was."What important discussion is she having with James because she is ignoring my calls?" I tightened my fist to keep my boiling rage under control. Her growing friendship with James has now become the source of my anger. Even though James and I were good friends, I didn't want to share Bella with anyone. Seeing James with her was like salt in a wound I couldn’t heal. I hated that he had access to a part of Bella’s life that felt closed off to me. Was I imagining it, or did she look happier around him than she did with me?Jordan Lucas created su
Isabella~"How's my acting, Mama? In this courtroom drama, I played the role of a judge." Alan rushed to embrace my knees as soon as he saw me."You were amazing. Alan, I wish you would become a judge in the future." I took him in my arms and kissed his forehead."No, Mama, I want to be a police officer." He rubbed his cheek, trying to erase the imprints of my kiss."Bella, to fulfill your dream, you should plan another kid because Alan didn’t seem interested in becoming a judge." James made fun of me when he learned that Alan wanted to become a police officer."James, not again." Since I was finding it more difficult to hide my blush, I asked him to refrain from making fun of me in front of my family."What are you saying in my wife's ear, James, that she can't hide her blush?" Xavier approached us and wrapped his arms around me in a possessive manner. His sudden possessiveness surprised me. I felt uncomfortable experiencing his closeness in front of Dad because he still did not appr
Xavier~"Please open the door, Bella." I knocked on her room's door, but she refused to engage in conversation. "Damn it, it's all my fault." How could I lose control over my emotions? How could I use my dominance to control her? When I saw her conversing with James, I was so envious that I gave her a forceful kiss to prove to him that she was mine. Despite my best efforts to suppress my envy, I felt extremely insecure about the way James looked at Bella. Even though Victor had previously informed me that Bella had little interest in men, my envy and fears peaked when I learned that so many men had proposed to her."Bella, I am sorry; please listen to me once." I pleaded with her to open the door again, but she didn't respond. Was she punishing me for what I did—or for something else I couldn’t see?"Is everything all right, Xavier?" James followed me to her room and questioned me. When I saw him there, I became even more irritated."James, this all happened because of you." I made
Isabella~"Bella, is everything all right between you and Xavier?" The next morning, Victor came into my room before breakfast. "Yes, absolutely." After hearing his query, the memories of last night flashed before my eyes, but I decided to keep quiet because I didn't want to talk to anyone about our private issues. Xavier's forced kiss has deeply hurt me, yet I choose not to express it through my behavior. "I noticed that Xavier is upset from last night, so I thought that something happened between you two." He fixed his gaze on my face as if he were trying to see the lie hidden in my calm face. "Perhaps the case is stressing him out." I combed my hair and then tied it into a tidy bun. "Maybe you are right; let me drop you off at your office. I'm headed towards your office today." When he saw my car keys in my hand, he offered me a ride in his car. "No, I will manage; I have an important meeting with a client." I grabbed my purse from the side table and headed down the stairs.
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!