Xavier~"Bella, I reached my hotel." I don't know why I texted her about reaching my hotel room, but the urge was too strong to resist. My thoughts always seemed to drift back to her."Good night, take care," she replied almost instantly.I blinked at the screen, surprised she was awake—surprised she responded at all. Why was she still up? It was late. After spending time with Alan and sharing dinner with Bella and him, I felt an unusual sense of peace and contentment. It was as if, for a brief moment, I was part of a family. A perfect family. Meeting Alan had only deepened my desire to fit into Bella’s life once again.As I lay on the bed, my mind raced back to how pleased Alan looked earlier that day. His innocent laughter filled the house, and for a fleeting second, I allowed myself to imagine what it would have been like if I hadn’t betrayed Bella. Would we be a real family today? The thought sent a wave of longing through me, but I quickly pushed it aside. She wasn’t ready to l
Isabella~"Miss Luis, are you prepared to lose this case today?" As I entered the courtroom, Derrick's haughty voice filled my ears."Good morning, Mr. Merchant." I disregarded his taunting and greeted him with a warm smile."It's a beautiful morning, of course, but once you lose this case, it will quickly become a nightmare for you." When he saw my composed face, his arrogant smirk transformed into resentment."We will see, Mr. Merchant." I motioned for him to take a seat. His confidence irked me, but I had prepared myself. I knew my composure was unsettling for him, and I was ready for anything. "Miss Luis, you still have the opportunity to join my firm after you lose this case." He tried again to shake me, but I smiled inwardly. His words no longer had the power to affect me. "Thank you for your generosity, Mr. Merchant." I responded coolly and returned to arranging my papers, keeping my hands steady. Inside, my heart raced, not because of him but because of the weight of what wa
Xavier~"Bella, what is he doing with Alan?" I looked at Bella in confusion, my heart pounding. "Bella, why are you quiet? Answer me: What is Victor doing with Alan?" Her silence sent a shiver of fear through me, even though my mind had already pieced together the disturbing possibility."Victor." My voice wavered, barely containing the surge of emotion. "Where did you disappear after that night? Do you know I searched for you everywhere?" My eyes filled with tears, and I took a step toward him, desperate to embrace my brother after so many years of silence, but he remained frozen. He was so cold, so distant—as if I were invisible to him."Daddy, meet my new friend." Alan’s innocent voice interrupted the tension, and I stared in shock. "What? Dad?" The word struck me like a jolt, causing me to remain motionless. Alan tightly wrapped his hand around Victor's, his smile naive and pure. This can’t be happening. "What is he saying, Bella? Is Victor Alan's father?" The realization was
Isabella~"What are you doing, Bella?" He gripped my hand tightly, pulling me back to safety from the high-speed train rushing past."Why did you save me?" I whispered, my voice thick with despair. "Victor, I want to die. I have nothing left now." Overwhelmed, I buried my face in his shoulder, letting my sobs break free."I never expected this from you," he murmured, patting my back in comfort. "You've always seemed like a strong, resilient woman who would never give up. How could you be ready to die over something so... trivial?" His words were gentle, yet I felt their weight."Victor, it wasn’t a small thing," I choked, fighting to find the words for this unbearable ache in my heart. "I loved him; he was my life... I don’t know how I’ll survive without him.""But why are you grieving for him?" Victor’s voice grew firmer and steady as he helped me to the platform seat. "When has he ever shown you real love? Does he deserve your loyalty?""But I loved him, Victor." My voice cracked as
Xavier~"Congrats, Bella." I held out a bouquet to her, feeling uneasy due to the awkward silence between us. Victor was looking at me with anger-filled eyes as he saw me approaching her. She softly mumbled, "Thank you," before returning her attention to the ground. Why is she avoiding eye contact with me? "Uncle, my mama looks beautiful, right?" Alan's innocent question increased the tension between us even more. After hearing Alan, my gaze returned to Bella. She does look stunning today. She looked even more stunning in her full-sleeved, champagne-colored gown. Most of the time, she dressed like a lawyer, but tonight, she looked amazing. The red roses in her bun enhanced her beauty, but my heart raced as I watched Victor apply them to her hair. Observing their intimate bond filled my heart with jealousy. How can Victor do this to me? How can he marry Bella when he knows she is my wife? However, this is not his fault; rather, it is entirely my fault, as I have failed to recognize
Isabella~"What are you doing?" I stared bewilderedly at Xavier's face. Xavier's unexpected action caught me off guard while I was deep in conversation with my guest."Please excuse us; I need to speak with Bella." He gestured for the guest to continue enjoying the party, then dragged me upstairs to my room."Where are you leading me, Xavier?" I attempted to extricate myself from his hold, but he ignored me, too caught up in his anger as he escorted me upstairs. I couldn't understand what had triggered him so suddenly. I'd seen him talking with Derrick, and I had a feeling Derrick might have said something to provoke him, explaining why he was now behaving so harshly. Victor and my father-in-law noticed us and attempted to intervene, but Xavier was too far gone, ignoring everyone in his path. His reckless actions would only further irritate Dad, so why was he doing this?He pulled me into the room and closed the door behind us, blocking Victor from getting to me."What's wrong with y
Xavier~"Ouch.."My head struck the floor, causing me to open my eyes. How did I end up here? I found myself in my hotel room and glanced around bewilderedly. I scratched my head, trying to recall how I got here. As I struggled to recall what had happened the night before, all the unpleasant recollections rushed before my eyes. Oh no, what did I do in my intoxicated state? I regretted my last night's outburst. A dull, hollow ache settled in my chest. My actions, once impulsive and thoughtless, now weighed on me like a lead weight, as if every misstep had been building up to this inevitable fracture.How could I coerce her? I revealed all my deepest emotions to her. That's all because of Derrick Merchant; if he hadn't provoked me, I would not have reacted in such a manner. I attempted to rise from the cold floor of the room, but my feet ached and made it impossible. I realized my error again when I gazed at my swollen face in the mirror. It's difficult to reach out to Bella once agai
Isabella~"Victor, please return my phone to me." I pleaded with him as he disconnected Xavier’s call on my phone. "Bella, don't request anything that I can't fulfill. You already broke your promise two times, first kissing him and second accompanying him to his hotel in his drunken state." Anger burns in Victor's eyes. "Please let me talk to him once; maybe he has to discuss something urgent with me." I know my request had no impact on him, but still, I tried to take my phone back. My heart yearned to speak with Xavier after the events of yesterday night. Victor forbade me from speaking to Xavier again after he discovered that I had helped him get to his hotel the previous evening, even though I had already forgiven him for his actions and understood that the events between us were a result of his intoxication. I didn't deliberately offend Victor, but after seeing Xavier’s vulnerable state, I can't hold myself from accompanying him to his hotel. He needed my help at that time, an
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!