JAXON'S POV{IN SPAIN }[AT THE SHAWN RESIDENCE]"What is the article about again?" Miss Veronica asked, bringing in some more tea."We are doing a biography of Clara about her struggles. She has inspired millions of young women around the world, and we thought, why not ask the person who gave birth to her if you are comfortable," I explained as she nodded and slumped into a couch."Please help yourself to some ginger tea," she gestured, and we accepted."So, Miss Veronica, what was Clara's passion?" I asked, pressing the play button on my recorder."She always wanted to help people. She was cheerful and saw the best in others, even the bad seeds, something I never understood. And she wanted to make her father proud and follow in her sister's footsteps," she replied."Clara had a sister?" I asked as Rhett took down some notes."Yes, her name was Valentina Shawn. She died of a weak heart when she was seventeen. That's why Clara chose to be a doctor, hoping to save more lives," Miss Ver
JAXON'S POV"Oh my God, Tina is Willow's half-sister.It all makes some sense now, the familiarity. They are both blonde, they both have the Same pointed nose, dimples, but Tina has paler skin than Willow. Willow has a golden tan skin. Tina has brown eyes though, but Willow has golden ember eyes. In an unrelated note, they are both in love with Tristan, I guess.I need to do some more research. Maybe this could just be a coincidence, though they share an uncanny resemblance if you notice it. But anyone can. It took me a year to realize Tristan and Hailey share a resemblance, so the Same applies to Willow and Tina."Miss Veronica, do you have any idea which orphanage Valentina was sold into?" I asked, hoping she would give me more detail."I would, but the orphanage got shut down ten years ago after some illegal scandal. But you could take a look at the certificates; maybe you could find a clue," she said, bringing out some certificates in an envelope."I, Frederick Shawn, legally bequ
WILLOW'S POVI fell down on my knees before Princess Sam as my mask peeled off from my face."Who are you?" she asked."I'm Willow... And we need something from you," I said as she glared at me and then back at Stella."I don't buy any of it. I know my uncle sent you to kill me, like he killed Raelynn," she said as a tear slid down her cheek."Well, we tried. Maybe we can find another clue. Willow, let's go. I'm not playing this game with a sixteen-year-old," Stella persisted, pulling me up as I jerked away from her grip."Can you hear yourself? She just admitted she's the princess. She can help us," I said as Stella rolled her eyes. She's definitely the queen of eye rolls."Why should I help you two? By the looks of it, you both are probably in your late thirties under heavy plastic surgery," Sam spat, while I held Stella back from giving Sam the beating of her lifetime."For your information, I'm 23, and this is my real face," Stella pouted as I pushed her out of the way."Look, I'm
JAXON'S POVWe went to the police station to see if they could be of any help, with Rhett escorting me."I'm only familiar with Antonio. He's an old cop from Spain I was paired with to track down the tunnels across the border between Mexico and USA," I explained to Rhett before pushing my way into Antonio's office, ordering Rhett to wait outside."Excuse me, sir?" I said, pushing my mask down to reveal my identity."Jaxon, is this you? I thought you were dead?" he asked, shocked, as I let out a chuckle."An agent never dies," I said, and he laughed at our made-up motto."Sit down. What brings you here?" he asked, offering me a seat."Actually, I need a favor about any rape cases," I said. He gawked at me like I was some lunatic."Are you joking? This is Spain. We get rape cases every day, some aren't even paid attention to," he said, going back to his stamping."It's about a Clara Davis. Does it ring a bell?" I asked. He stopped what he was doing, giving me a subtle, quiet look."How
JAXON'S POV"it was Fredrick Shawn, my husband he's responsible for Clara's pregnancy." She said as she broke into a sob.I couldn't help but feel pity over the poor woman watching her husband abuse their own daughter then having nothing but Loathe for Clara."It's okay Miss Veronica, how did it happen? " I asked handing her a tissue."Valentina was posted to Have her surgery in Ukraine, Clara hit puberty and was growing in places her father lusted. He queried me to leave with Valentina or else he would Hold me responsible if Valentina Died. I did what I was told." She paused reflecting on the choice she made. "I wanted to carry Clara along but her father refused. If only I knew what he had in mind, my baby wouldn't have passed through that painful emotional trauma. To think your own father would defile you that destroyed every logical reason for Clara." She fell to her knees again in tears. I felt disgusted at the dog of a father but then felt sympathy for the mother and daughter who
WILLOW'S POV"If I don't get what I came for, I'm not going anywhere," I said, shooting her a cold glare. She slapped my hands away from her grasp, returning the gaze."I don't have anything to do with Raelynn... Raelynn kept things away from me. Whatever makes you think I have it is a sham," she said. I breathed in."Willow, let's go. She doesn't want to cooperate," Stella pulled me, but I shook off from her."These files belong to your sister. Every piece of information and detail about her mission is in the file," Sam gasped, swiping the files away from me."How did you get this?" Sam asked."Now you want to cooperate. We just found it at the hospital," Stella hissed."They are coming for me," Sam let out a tiny shriek."What do you mean they are coming for you?" Stella asked."Whoever had access to these files knows I'm alive... What have you done?" Sam asked, almost in tears."What's the big deal? It's only some information about Raelynn," Stella said."Nobody knows Raelynn was m
WILLOW'S POVStella nodded, her expression tense with the weight of fear pressing down on her. I could see it in her clenched hands gripping the wheel, her breath coming in gasps, hitched with anxiety."But I can't pull over. We might get killed before we make a stop," Stella cried out in desperation."We don't need to stop. We can switch right now," I suggested, trying to calm her nerves."Are you crazy? We could die... Just pull over. I'd rather die in their hands," Sam blurted out, but Allison quickly silenced her with a slap over her lips. It might have been rude, but I appreciated Allison for doing that."Stella, listen to Willow. Trust her," Allison muttered in a soothing voice, sharing an assuring smile good enough to convince Stella."Okay, let's do this," Stella said, getting her head back on the road. She took hold of my hand and placed it on the wheel, her own hands still gripping it tightly. She carefully got up, signaling for me to do the Same. Her legs stretched to my si
WILLOW'S POV"Willow, give it up. We did our best. We won't survive this..." Stella advised, making it feel like all hope is lost."Yeah, maybe he'll actually spare our lives, and if we survive this, we can have a chance to see each other again..." I felt my cheeks wet as tears trickled down my cheeks, and I sucked in painful defeat.TRUST NO ONEThe Same advice flashed across my brain like the universe kept a reminder of what Vivian and Raelynn said as I again dried my tears."Denied," I said, switching the gear lever and adjusting the rearview mirror."You know I could kill you all... And my goons are still after all," it threatened, but I cut him off mid-sentence."Suck it up, motherfucker. What makes you think I'll accept your empty promises? I'd rather die trying than succumb to you," I spat."Don't make another mistake, Willow. It will cost you," it said. I was more than creeped out that it knew my name. I heaved a deep breath."Go ahead, do your worst," I said."Then..." a bull
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