Shawn Donnelly~~He woke up in his room. He had no idea how Xane’s men had done it but he woke up right in his room. He was shirtless and his pants were dirty but he was lying in bed.As he struggled to get up, his head protested against it, ringing relentlessly in his ears. However, the image of Serenity all tied up in that hole was unbearable when he thought of it.Wasn't it so fucked that after discovering that woman was a traitor, he loved her still? That he felt like he couldn't live anymore while watching those crooks hurt her?They hurt her. They would all pay for it. Xane and Sunny, they would seriously pay. He staggered to the close the blinds. The sunlight streaming in from it was hurting his eyes.He could feel how swollen his face had gotten. He touched it, felt the sore, and groaned. “Fucking, Xane!”He was barely allowed to ponder on his misfortune further when his phone rang. When he picked it up, he found that it was an unknown number. Instantaneously, his heart skippe
He again woke up on his bed. This time, his head was ringing even louder. He was again vaguely aware of the sunlight filtering weakly through the blinds.Shawn winced. This was like a deja vu from the day before. The only distinction was that his mouth didn't taste like hangover yesterday. If tasted of blood. His blood.How after all of that drinking did nothing to help his depression was even more frustrating. bottle. It hadn't helped. Not one bit.Serenity’s panicked face swarmed before his eyes and he shut it, hoping that it would shut the image of her in such a bad state off but it didn't. It was creating a throbbing ache in his head. He couldn't afford this. He couldn't afford the luxury of self-pity, not when everything he cared about was in danger and on the verge of ruins.He wondered if Serenity had given Sinclair the documents already. If yes, it meant he’d soon have cops banging on his door and not site workers.He needed water, aspirin, anything to dampen the insistent dru
The moment the shot blared, every one of the thugs– Shawn included was on alert. “I warned you not to try to be witty but you didn't listen?” Xane hollered. “Shoot her!” He ordered Sunny.At that moment, time seemed to stop. Shawn couldn't believe his ears. They were going to shoot Serenity. What the hell was happening?He was sure he didn't involve anyone. He came solo and abided by every rule. Who or what had fired that gun?Not caring for his own life, Shawn wanted to launch forward. His face was covered in beads of sweat now. He couldn't let Serenity die.Just when he was about to advance forward, the door behind got blown up, sending him and some of the thugs thumping away with a thud.“Shit!”“Get ready to fire!”“What's going on?!”He could hear the confused remarks from his perpetrators. All he could however think of was Serenity. Had she been shot? Had they got her?Coughing, he forced himself up in a pile of dust. It had created a somewhat fog that began to clear and give wa
CALISTA [Serrnity]~~I was locked in a dark room but not strapped to the chair. Food was given to me and, every time the door was opened, I tried to escape.Didn't work though.I kept on praying to God – hoping for a miracle. I wished for Shawn’s company to be saved. I didn't want people to lose their livelihoods because my life was on the line.“I promise to not exact my revenge on Shawn any longer if you get us through this, God.” I had prayed, hoping he’d listen.My revenge was something I desired for a very long time. It was something I had prayed for. Giving that up – praying to God and promising to let it go just because I didn't want other people to lose their livelihoods should mean something.Right?Could it be that I wanted something more than that revenge now?Replaying how Shawn was hit and beaten earlier in my head, I think I knew now what it was that I wanted more than revenge.It was Shawn.For a second time, he had managed to sneak into my heart. That prick. I tried s
I was pacing back and forth close to the surgery room – I mean, how far enough they could let me.Just when I was still getting into my thoughts, trying to place them together and allow myself to think of what comes after this, frantic questions came at me like bullets.Each one of the questions tore away at my already frayed nerves. "Serenity, are you okay?”“What happened?”“Did they hurt you?"Anyone could already guess who the ones questioning me were. They really needed to fill me up on a lot because I had no idea what had transpired in the heat of that moment.Yet, whatever it was, it saved me and Shawn. Partially. But it most definitely saved the Gadget Inc. Tears welled up in my eyes, instead, blurring the world around me. I could barely manage a choked sob, let alone answer their curious questions. The reality of the ordeal, the fear for Shawn, and the guilt of my own actions were threatening to drown me.You've been a bad girl, Calista.Just then, a uniformed officer approa
After the nurse’s exit, silence reigned between us. Since I had more than a million of questions in my head, I might as well ask my friends the ones they could answer.Perhaps, for distraction.“How did you even find us?" I finally asked, breaking the silence.Alice's soft voice answered, "We called the police, but it was Gabe..." she trailed off, flipping her gaze to him, "...he's the one who really tracked you down."Confusion clouded my mind. I turned to Gabe for explanation but he only gave me a weak smile and a shrug.“Tell me," I urged, "what really happened?"Brielle stepped forward, her hands shoved in her pockets. "Well," she began, "it all started with Jacob from the site. He called Alice, agitated because you hadn't returned after they said you hurriedly after– after well, you know… the site got ruined.”That. I almost forgot about that. My very important project. The one I had invested a lot of time, energy, and hope in.Gone like the wind.“They even checked with the CEO,
"I honestly don't know how to answer that." I finally sighed, feeling like there was a lump stuck in my throat. As much as none of this was my fault, I still felt a pang of guilt hit my chest. The company had placed me in charge of the project. All these workers relied on the site's completion to get their source of livelihood. And now it was nothing more than a pile of rubble. "Alright guys, that's enough. Let's give Ms. Fairchild some space to think. She's been through a lot already, and doesn't need to worry herself right now." Trust Jacob to come to my rescue. He'd probably noticed how tensed up I was because of the worker's question. I was more than grateful to have all of these men under me. Days turned into a week as I waited for Shawn to wake up. I stayed by his side every day, secretly praying to whatever force out there to get him out of this. "He'll be alright, Snugglebug." Alice would always try and comfort me. She had already caught on to the fact that Shawn was the
SHAWN DONNELLY~~"Would you wake up if I told you...I was Calista?"Those were the last words he heard before everything went blank. But funny enough, he could still hear some voices speaking frantically once in a while. They all sounded panicked, but somehow, he was able to focus on one voice. Her voice."Hang in there Shawn. Please don't die. You can't die. Not until I've gotten my revenge," he heard her say, even feeling her hold on his hand.Revenge? Serenity wanted revenge? For what? And why did she call herself Calista? Why did it make so much sense when he finally realized Serenity and Calista were the same person at that moment?His consciousness slipped away and came back once in a while with his only way of knowing what was happening around him being his hearing.Throughout, he could hear and feel her close. Even in his comatose state, he found it hard to believe the words Serenity told him.He even had such a realistic dream. A lucid dream. Serenity layed down on a bed, re
~~Two years later~~I could finally say that I had almost everything I ever desired In life. Love, children of my own, peace of mind after everything that happened in the past...it was all a dream come true.After Ava, I had another child, a son who we named 'Donald', after Shawn's grandfather. We'd been living life together, exploring all the hurdles that came with being young parents. But yet, something still felt missing....On a warm spring morning, I ate some toast, skimming through my phone. Ava was in school, while Donald was sleeping soundly upstairs. Shawn had gone to work, leaving me, the unemployed housewife here.It's been two years and I still didn't know what career path to chase. I had been so comfortable all these while cause Shawn kept assuring me I didn't need to work, but I didn't want to work simply because I wanted to help with finances. I wanted to work for me. As I scrolled through my phone, an ad suddenly popped up, showing a video done by some kids to sprea
Seven months after our honeymoon, it was finally time. The due date was here.I was currently in Shawn's room, his maids surrounding me and trying to get me to breathe. I bit my lips, struggling to hold in a scream that was going to come out any minute now.Just then, Shawn burst into the room, rushing to my side in an instant. "Doctor Ryan is close now. Hang on babe." Shawn parted my hair slightly, looking into my eyes as if trying to get me to stay. To not slip away.I shook my head repeatedly, trying to pull myself together. But then, I felt a sharp pain inside me, and I couldn't hold it in anymore."Ahhhhh!" I screamed, holding– or rather, squeezing– Shawn's arm for support. A maid came to face me, holding my hands gently."Ma'am, look at me. Look at me." She tried desperately to get my attention. When I finally managed to look at her, she took in a deep breath and then breathed out. "Take in deep breaths. And exhale." I nodded vigorously, before following her words. Breathe in,
Warning: Mature content ahead!Shawn's eyes bulged, as he looked at my face and then at my belly, and finally at my face again. He covered his mouth, his eyes beaming with pure joy and excitement."You- you're pregnant?" He repeated, placing a palm on my belly. I nodded in reply, my face flushing from all the excitement. "It's almost around two months gone now. I went to do a test two days ago but wanted to surprise you." I admitted, my gaze diverting away from his eyes. I was afraid he would get mad at me for keeping it away, but his reaction completely took me off guard.He drew me in for a hug, making sounds that further showed his excitement. It was almost like he was squealing. "And surprised I am." He whispered into my ears. "But next time though, maybe keep me involved with the delivery, okay?"I ended up giggling, nodding in agreement. "It's a deal."We finally broke the hug, as I looked into Shawn's eyes again, seeing the love in them. He seemed like he'd gotten a few years
After Gabe was arrested, Shawn and I decided to give it another month before we had another wedding. With that time, we were able to make the right preparations, as well as apologize to all our friends and family about the drama at the last wedding. It was necessary after the... traumatizing things they witnessed thanks to Sage. Speaking of Sage, she was paid off by Shawn, who also placed a warrant on her to never be within a hundred meters radius of either me or him. ..The wedding venue was nowhere else than our hometown...the place where it all began. It would be held on a beach, and this time, we'd decided to invite all our old high school classmates.At a hotel, which was about a twenty-minute drive away from the beach, I was getting ready for my wedding, with help from Brielle, Alice, and my whole bridal train. I was anxious, fidgeting constantly as Alice helped me with my make-up."Snugglebug, could you just relax for one second?" Alice groaned In mock annoyance when I move
The next day, I and Shawn set out to find Gabe. Reaching his house, it was obvious that he'd escaped, probably after hearing Brielle's announcement on the radio.I low-key felt bad that our trio had lost a friend, but it was for the best. Gabe needed to be stopped and held accountable.With help from a hesitant Sage, we were eventually able to find Gabe at an airport, about to book a flight. But we'd brought some police officers along and were ready for him."Gabe!" I called his name when I spotted him trying to enter a queue. He turned to find me, and when our eyes eventually met, I felt my heart stop. This man, someone I'd seen as one of my only friends, had tried to ruin my life... all because he wanted to get me for himself.While I was lost in my thoughts, Shawn pointed at Gabe, recognizing his face from some pictures I showed him."That's him, officers." His tone seemed to carry a mix of amusement and irritation, giving off a chilly vibe. He definitely wanted to get back at Gab
After minutes of hugging, I and Shawn finally let go of each other. His warm smile met my gaze, but I could see that his eyes were a bit swollen, likely from crying.I felt guilty seeing that, knowing I'd been willing to abandon him forever because I didn't trust him. But yet, he was still just glad to see me."Where did you even run off to?" Shawn finally asked, squinting his eyebrows in worry. But before I could begin explaining, he spoke again. "You know what? Never mind that. What matters now is that you're okay and you're here, in my arms."I smiled wryly, gripping his shoulders, subconsciously caressing them. I noticed that they'd gotten leaner, and I instantly knew why."Hey, how come you haven't been eating for a whole week? All because I was ignoring your calls?" I couldn't help but frown at the thought that he had starved himself because I was missing. Shawn chuckled awkwardly but tried to shift the subject. "So, you admit to ignoring my calls?" He pulled me closer, sniffi
It has been exactly one week since the unexpected turn of events on what was supposed to be my wedding day. Everyone had been worried, but I wasn't in the mood to pick up any of their calls, only sending a few texts assuring Alice and my parents that I was okay. I felt awkward talking to Brielle now, especially after what Gabe tried to do a few days back. I didn't go to work, I rarely stepped outside except at night to get some basic needs... my daily routine had become a depressing bore of me spending long hours on the couch watching TV. My mind was slipping away, I could feel it. The feeling of hopelessness, the finding peace in solitude and isolation while also feeling like the world had turned its back on me. I felt alone.Today, I went through some of the stuff that I'd managed to smuggle out of Gran Gran's place. Most of it was stuff from my college days, but some was also stuff that reminded me of Shawn. Amongst those things, was a videotape, containing clips of special mo
SERENITY FAIRCHILD {CALISTA}~~Everything had been going just fine. I had prepared in the mansion for my big day, with help from Brielle and my other bridesmaids. I'd driven to the church compound, entered the church, and received a reception like a princess, and then stood in front of my love, Shawn, waiting to become his wife.Until she showed up...Hearing this 'Sage's' allegations, I wanted to defend Shawn, I wanted to cling desperately to the hope that it was all a lie. But this bitch came prepared. "Oh, honey, I have proof," Sage had said with a sly smile on her face, pulling out her phone.At that point, my heart had begun pounding in my chest. Nothing could beat video evidence. When the painful clip of my so-called fiancee and Sage having sex played on the church's LED screen, I couldn't take it anymore.I ran off the altar, ignoring Shawn's pleading voice and the pitiful gazes from the congregation on me. I felt my breath cease and my heart felt like I was suffocating. Bef
It all felt like a bad dream. Shawn watched as Sage got closer to the altar, a mocking look on her face. "So, this is Serenity Fairchild." She had her eyes on Serenity. "Or, should I say 'Calista Whitaker '?"Shawn clenched his fists, trying to quell the anger boiling inside him. He looked at Serenity, watching her eyebrows contort into a frown. She turned her gaze to him now, "Shawn, who's this?" Shawn felt his mouth quivering, as he struggled to come up with a perfect way to explain all this. However, Sage beat him to it."I must say, after spending that night with me, I was quite surprised that you didn't try to reach out." Sage feigned a dejected look. The woman deserved an Oscar.Shawn glanced to see Serenity's reaction and watched as her face turned pale. But then, she took in a deep breath, as she faced Sage with renewed confidence.“Excuse me, but who are you? And what do you mean you 'spent a night with Shawn'?” Her voice was oddly calm and calculative, but laced with an u