TRISTAN'S POV As days turned into weeks, Willow remained true to her word, avoiding me at all costs. Despite her presence in our home, there was an undeniable distance between us. Her schedule kept her occupied, leaving early in the morning for her program and returning late at night, sometimes even past midnight if she was overworked.In an attempt to move on, I threw myself into various activities, trying to fill the void she left behind. Jaxon, set me up on multiple blind dates, but none of them seemed to pan out. It felt as though Willow had broken something within me, leaving me unable to connect with anyone else.Her absence weighed heavily on my mind, her memory haunting me even as I tried to distract myself. It was fucking pathetic that she had this much effect on me.Jaxon tagged me along on a mission and asked if I could assist him. Well, it's time you knew about my relationship with Jaxon. He's a tracker who has been working for the government for 10 years, tracking down m
WILLOW'S POVProbably every nurse in the hospital hates me. I haven't made any friends lately, and worse, I'm being bullied. It's like high school all over again. Especially Betty—I'm a nurse in training under her mentorship. All she does is tell me to go mop the floors, clean the test tubes, and make the beds. It's like I'm a janitor or a cleaner. And worse, she's been gossiping about me, spreading rumors that Markus and I had sex in his office countless times. I'm insulted and murmured about as every nurse secretly glares at me whenever they get the chance.They taped a 'Bitch' note behind me as an attempt to prank me, and every nurse laughed, making me look like a fool. Seriously, are we in high school? What was I thinking accepting that request? And worse, I barely sleep.If I utter a word to Markus, I'm afraid of what he would do to Betty. Last time, he threatened to give her a year's suspension just because she didn't knock. He scares me, and while she may be rude, I don't want
TRISTAN'S POV After changing the batteries, we resumed the mission, roaming through the city of Port Enrico at midnight, eventually arriving at a club."Our guy is in here. He's ordering two pounds of marijuana," Jaxon whispered, his words making my mouth drop. Fifty pounds? Does this guy want to land in rehab?"Fifty pounds? What does he want to use it for? I thought he was a scammer," I said, trying to make sense of the situation."He is also a notorious drug dealer. He's been sneaking marijuana from Mexico and selling it to traffickers all over America. The government wants him alive; he may have an idea of how they transport the drugs. Backup will be here any moment. Are you ready?" Jaxon said, handing me a gun as we pulled up our masks and hid our guns, then walked into the club.As we entered, many girls' eyes were on us, some even danced their way toward us."Wow, you two are both strong," the ladies complimented us."Sorry, girls, I'm taken, but he's single," Jaxon said, sell
TRISTAN'S POV "Willow, please stop. Drop the knife down," I pleaded."No... I won't. I'm tired. I can't remember you. I keep hurting everyone around me. I don't want to hurt anyone. I don't want to hurt you. And if I die, no one will ever be hurt again," she replied, her voice filled with despair. I slowly made my way to her."And how do you know that? Won't you hurt Hailey when she finds out? Won't you hurt Jaxon? What about you trying to be a doctor? Won't you prove your dad wrong that he didn't drag you down? What about people who care about you? What about me, Willow? You think if you die, everyone will be happy," I reasoned with her, trying to appeal to her sense of reason.She slowly withdrew the knife from going through her abdomen. She's finally listening to me."Yes, I know I don't remember you, but Hailey says I keep hurting you, and she would be happy if I'm not here to hurt you again, and you would be happy too," Willow said, her voice filled with resignation. As she spok
Caden'S POV"What do you mean all the surgeons are booked? Do you see my face? I look like a monster. I want a surgery booked now," I said, slamming my arms against the reception stand, scaring the nurse."Sir, please, this is a hospital. We are busy every day. Don't come here screaming as if it's a public place where you can cause chaos," the nurse spat as my hand found its way to her face."Sir, let's leave. Everyone is watching. You don't want everyone to blacklist you," one of my entourage said as I shot the nurse one last glare and exited the hospital.I gracefully got into my limo, as did my entourage."Do a lookup about that nurse. Find every piece of information you can about her now," I said as the driver got in."Where to, sir?" he asked."What have you found about her?" I asked my men, ignoring the driver's existence."She has no parents but a brother who is her only hope to inherit their parents' hospital when he graduates from NYU Medical School. He's in his final year an
TRISTAN'S POV I woke up late, feeling the need for more sleep, but despite my exhaustion, I felt a sense of peace knowing that Willow now trusted me. However, my tranquility was abruptly shattered by the pungent smell of burnt eggs wafting from the kitchen. I wrestled with my sheets, hastily throwing them off as I stumbled out of bed and slipped into my cotton slippers. Following the aroma, I made my way to the kitchen, where smoke billowed out from under the door, carrying with it the unmistakable scent of culinary disaster.With a sense of urgency, I pushed the door open and was met with the sight of Willow wearing kitchen gloves, or rather, oversized mittens, as she carefully removed a frying pan from the gas cooker. The acrid smell of burnt eggs filled the air as she swiftly turned off the gas and disposed of the charred remnants in the garbage disposer. Frustration evident on her face, she angrily threw the pan into the sink, the clang echoing through the room.Despite the situa
Caden POVI sat in my black SUV, awaiting the arrival of Doctor Markus, while my goons escorted him to me. He wore a black mask, covering half of his face."So, you must be Doctor Markus," I said."In the flesh," he replied, pulling his mask down slightly as he adjusted some files."Am I cleared for the surgery?" I inquired."I already have you booked. All you have to do is sign here to agree to the surgery," he said, handing me the paperwork. I grew bored reading it and picked up my pen, ready to sign."Sir, shouldn't we wait for Henry to review the contract before you sign?" one of my entourage interjected, earning my glare."Don't you see Henry is late? I don't have time to read a useless contract when I already know what's on it. And if you want to keep your job, I advise you to zip it... And by the way, call Henry and tell him he's fired," I commanded."But sir, Henry said his wife was in labor, that's why he couldn't come early," the entourage member explained."Then you are fir
TRISTAN'S POV "Willow, show yourself!" I half-yelled, but she didn't come out, and everyone looked at me confused, as if I'd lost it. I'm going to smack her so hard that she recovers her memory. I scanned the atmosphere, frustrated that Jaxon was out with Hailey when I needed him most. Next time, Willow is wearing a leash when we go out. My eyes spotted a familiar blonde with a baseball cap running down the streets, and I ran after her. She stopped and stuck her tongue out at me."You can't catch me!" she yelled as she hastened her steps. How is she so fast? I stopped, gasping hard for air. I resumed my scan and spotted her taking a turn to who knows where. I caught up to her as she stopped in front of a building."I've got you... Let's go home... How are you so fast?" I panted, but she didn't spare me a single look, her eyes fixed on the glass revealing a plethora of games. She moved closer and sighed, pushing her face against the glass and tapping it."I always wanted to go to an a
Willow's POVAfter I got my shift off, behold, I saw Hailey . She rocked black ripped jeans and an imprinted denim crop top. I wouldn't believe her if they said she recently gave birth; talk of she put to birth early, and guess what? Twins! I'm so happy for her and Tristan, and recently they got married. I swear Jaxon has his hands full with a boy and a girl; the boy's name is Allister, and the girl's name is Willow."I thought you were in London," I said as she pulled me into a hug."I'm on the run, and I missed you, and Jaxon wouldn't permit me, so I stole a jet and came here. So, how's the hospital?" she asked, clinging tightly to my arm and pulling me away from the hospital."Great! I'm getting full validation having over the hospital documents. You are free to call me Doctor Willow," I teased."After you go to med school," she said, ignoring my protests."Hey, I've not fully checked out yet," I cried, but she didn't listen."Jaxon is on the lookout for me, and I don't have much t
WILLOW'S POV"What if he doesn't like me?" Tina panicked, jolting back and escaping from my grip."He's my dad, and I'm sure he'll be happy to welcome you into his heart," I said as she looked into the community center for old people. It's been five months now, and she's nervous about meeting Dad.We've both had lots of time together to bond, and I'm sure she forgives me for the whole stealing her boyfriend thing, I think.My dad recently woke up from his coma, and Tristan permitted us both to see him. It didn't matter, though, because we were both going to go anyways."How do you know he will like me?" she said, clinging tightly to the frames of the door. Tina Mendoza, nervous? I think not."You've strutted the runway, eaten competition, and broken your competitors, and you're afraid of meeting your stepfather. Tina, he's heard so much about you and really wants to see you. Show him the real Tina Mendoza," I said as she let go of the frames and hugged me."It's Tina Shawn Davis to yo
WILLOW'S POVI'm in a wedding dress, and all eyes land on me. I feel very uneasy; they won't stop staring. Maybe it's because they are surprised to see a bride at an airport. Markus said we are getting married the moment we land in Croatia and start a new life away from troubles. As pleasant as all that sounds, I feel like I'm leaving a big part of me behind, like an other half, but every time I try to remember, nothing comes.It's my turn to pass through the metal detector. It scans for any metal but dings green. I prayed for it to ding red so that I might be held back, but it didn't. Markus took me by my hand, ushering me to the plane he booked. I can't believe it, and I don't know why I'm feeling miserable. The cloud is heavy, and it looks like it was about to rain. Maybe lightning will strike the plane because death is optional. Right now, I don't want to leave, but I'm afraid to tell Markus ; the way he reacted earlier scared me."Are you ready?" he said as our luggage was being
WILLOW'S POVThe nurse keeps asking me questions about who Tristan Donovan is. I don't even remember how I got here. I feel like I'm forgetting something, but did I just have an operation or plastic surgery that I don't remember anything? A doctor walked in with a cunning grin. I looked down. I'm wearing a wedding dress in a hospital. Something is definitely wrong because weddings and hospitals don't mix."Willow, you are alive. I thought those hitmen would finally get to you, but I made sure you wouldn't pass into the cold hands of death," he said, walking towards me. I feel like he's a bad omen or something."Who are you, and why am I in a wedding dress?" I asked."We were about to get married, but this man tried to kill you. He's already arm's length away from you, and to be safe, we need to leave the country," he said, showing me a picture of a man I think I remember but can't."Why?" I asked."I'm afraid you are not safe here. We will be departing from the hospital to the airpor
WILLOW'S POVBeing escorted by bodyguards, I slowly wiped my tears dry. I didn't like what I was about to do, but I had no choice. As I reached where Tristan was being held captive, I tapped gently, even though I didn't have to, before letting myself in.Tristan, pale and looking almost dead, brightened up. His eyes lit up in hope upon seeing me, as if he had been awaiting my arrival."What took you so long, and what's with the wedding dress?" he asked with a faint smile. His smile was so contagious that I looked down to the floor. It hurt so much coming here, it hurt so much seeing him in person, I felt soulless and inhumane to even be here to tell Tristan what Markus wanted me to say to him."I hate you." I started. It felt as if I got punched on my throat. "I don't love you anymore," my heart bled on mentioning that, it wasn't any better but I thought it might soften the blow."What exactly are you trying to say?" he asked."You're not deaf; you heard me. Like you said, you don't b
JAXON'S POV"Willow... Willow..." I yelled at the top of my voice over the phone, but I got no reply until I heard a scream, and eventually, the call hung up."What happened?" Sam asked, wearing a worried look, waiting for my reply."He got her..."WILLOW'S POVYawning, my eyes slightly opened to everything white. A sharp sensation hit my head as I tried bearing the migraines. I attempted to massage my temples, but my hand was pulled back; clearly, I was chained to a hospital bed. I looked around, seeing pedals on the floor. I struggled with my chains to break free, but they were solid metal. I felt a sharp sting at my arm. Why did it hurt so much? Oh right... I remembered that bastard shot me, and I bled so much. But how am I still alive? I think I lost a lot of blood.I looked down to see myself clad in a wedding gown. I could hear wedding bells playing, but how was that possible when I was chained to a hospital bed? There was a TV in the middle of the room."Help!" I yelled at the
JAXON'S POVI looked into the files with Tina's laptop, logging into my email to receive whatever Willow sent, but she cut the call. As we clicked on the file, it was called "Black File.""They look like normal computer programming to me," I said after minutes of searching, unsure of what Sam touched, logging us into another program."That's strange, these are all files of security tapes at the hospital where Caden got his surgery, but they look hidden," Tina said."And these look like contacts for the explosion of a plane to Ukraine," Sam added. "And these are contacts to the goons that chased us," she added as I got back into focus."That's not the only thing. Look at this, Willow is the rightful owner and heir to everything. This is Clara's original will, but in digital form because she left Valentina , which is Tina, some property," I said."It makes sense. That's why Clara wrote that secret message on the will. She was forced to write that fake will. Clara never willed Willow," S
91 "Mr. Donovan , you have a visitor," one of the cops yelled as they opened up the cell and cuffed me violently, escorting me to the visiting room. They pushed me into the room, instructing me to sit down on the chair while I wait for my visitor. I hope it's Willow. She hasn't picked up my calls, and I haven't heard from her. The only phone call I had, I used it to call her, but she didn't pick up. It's like she disappeared. The door opened, and my eyes lit up in hope but were crushed later on as Tina made her way in. I didn't spare her a look. All I wanted to see was Willow, but she's nowhere to be heard from. She grinned, sitting down on the chair opposite me, bringing out a plastic takeout and pushing it towards me as she gestured for me to eat, but I refused. "Come on, Tristan, eat up, please," she pleaded. I froze. I didn't want to eat anything. All I could think about was Willow. "Is Willow okay?" those were the only words that escaped my lips. She hissed at my reply, frow
WILLOW'S POV "But Willow, your mother knew she was going to die and she knew her killer. I'm sorry, but I think Tristan killed Clara..." Sam said. "It's not true..." I violently shook the table, driving both Rhett and Sam away from me. "Willow, is there any other proof? The evidence is right before our very eyes. Tristan killed Clara." "He didn't kill my mom, OK? This is just a coincidence..." I growled, trying to convince myself she's wrong. She has to be wrong. "Raelynn and Clara's clearly state someone was going to kill her, and it all points to Tristan . Tell me it's just a joke that you think he's innocent..." she said as I got up. "They didn't write Tristan's name, did they? And why would Tristan want to kill my mom? The government was after me, not Tristan . This doesn't make sense," I sighed in frustration. "Didn't you see the news? He killed Caden and probably burnt down his property... And it was just confirmed that he killed Caden with identified evidence. You