It's been hours since Christian left after receiving that call, but he'd made sure the doctor had left as well before locking me in.I had to find a way to escape but how? I had no phone to make call. I tried to stand on my feet, it was a failed attempt. Frustration, pain and anger clawed viciously at me. I couldn't even walk to get to the door, much less break it to find a way out of the door.The only thing I was capable of doing was sitting on the bed and crying my eyes out. The pain relief drugs that doctor had given me just before he left had helped with the pain some. I heard an activity just outside the door, making me apprehensive. I couldn't tell what was happening but when the door opened few minutes later, it was the doctor.Relief flooded me. A familiar face, the one I hoped to see before I eventually gave up. "Doctor? I stopped hoping you would come a while ago.""I didn't think I'd change my mind too. My conscience and need for not involving myself were at a clash, I t
"Hailey?" "Mommy!"Celine was with Zion when I entered...or to be exact, pushed in by the good, nerdy doctor.She seemed shocked to see my condition but was happy as well. She hurried towards me.Zion too. They hugged me at the same time, causing a wince to escape me as Celine's embrace was a bit too tight, so was my son's but his hands were still very small and could do no harm or cause much discomfort.Not to say I didn't like Celine hugging me but my body was still covered in bruises. I guessed she heard me wince and pulled back, releasing her hold on me. She took a long examining look at me, her brows furrowing. "What happened to you?""Mommy, I missed you. Who hurt you?" Zion chipped in, his innocent eyes roaming my face. "I'll be fine, baby." I held his both hands, my heart swelling with love for my son. I couldn't tell him exactly what had happened. He was too young to hear such plus he wouldn't even understand all of it. "Who did this to you?" Celine asked, her expressi
MIAThe smile that had plastered itself on my face would not come off and I didn't think I wanted it to. This was going to be another issue but I didn't realize how much I missed waking up beside Jared.I couldn't remember much of yesterday but I knew something had happened between us both and it was really nice. I wish both brothers would let me be with them together.A woman having two husbands was unusual but not forbidden. "Where have you been?"The familiar voice finally succeeded in wiping off my smile, the old hag. Slowly, I did a turn to face her. I'd intentionally ignored her presence on one of the sofas while her face was glued to the television, hoping she'd ignore me as well. "Out." My response was bland."Jerome called you all night and this morning.""I already told him where I'd be." I knew how to deal with Jerome, if only Martha would butt out of it. "Yeah, of course." She sneered."What are you watching the television for anyways, you're better off in your room." I
JAREDI could only stand in awe and disbelief as the news reporter gave news about my win at the election polls. I didn't even put my name there, at least not anymore. Ever since the scandal, I'd taken my mind off the election, accepting my fate."How did this happen, uncle?" I turned to my uncle who was equally shocked as I was. He shook his head. His attention was now on the TV, rather than Hailey."Hi everyone." My head whipped to the sound of the voice — the President's wife. What was she doing here? How did she even know here?Looking immaculately put together as she always was, she stepped further into the room, her eyes on me. "Congratulations, Jared. You've earned it."The twinkle in her eyes was telling me a lot more than I ever thought to know.My brows furrowed. "Did you do this?" Uncle Pete beat me to it.Her smile was answer enough. "You deserve that position, Jared. I never forget to repay kindness.""But...how?" Uncle Pete asked, his tone showing but surprise and cu
DENISE"Oh... Mmm...this is so good, Jer." I moaned through a soft, quivery tone."I know it is..." He kept pounding deliciously into me.With the pace he was going, I knew he was nearing his climax. It was good because I was nearing mine as well. Our cries hit the ceiling as we both tumbled together in the wave of lust and sex, our release leaving me breathless yet content. The guy could fuck a girl's brains out and being a sex freak, I was always down for it. He fell off me, laying on his back, I rolled closer to keep my head on my chest. "So?""So what?" He pulled me closer. "Where did you learn to fuck like that?" I inquired.A deep chuckle escaped him. "We've been fucking for a couple of weeks and you're just asking?"I shrugged. "I wanted to savor it first before asking."He looked down at me with an amused expression. It was almost uncanny how much he looked like Jared. Ever since I'd helped Jared kidnap Mia, I'd been with Jerome and though the sex was great, it was for pu
DEREKAnger swirled as I switched off the TV, shutting up the boring faced, annoying tone of the newscaster. I turned to glare at Philip, he ignored me, taking a drink of the brandy he'd shoplifted last night. "Are you happy, man?" I began, knowing how much he avoided talking about it. He heaved a weary sigh. "I'm sorry, Derek. How many times do I have to apologize before you truly know how sorry I am?""No apology can repair the damage you've done. My life is fucking on the verge of being ruined. I should have left you at the hotel and zoomed off.""You almost left me." The accusation in his tone didn't go unnoticed by me. "I should have. I hate myself for having a change of heart. I should have let those cops coming after you get you." The half-filled glass in my made a thudding sound as it came in contact with the stool beside me. We were currently in a guest house in a remote location, hiding it out, searching for the perfect opportunity to leave the country. Though I still ha
I studied my reflection in the mirror, my eyes trailing the length of the burgundy fabric that clung to my skin, showing every curves I possessed. My face was back to its pretty state, though there were still tiny lines of scars that were fading gradually but thank God for the invention of cosmetics and beauty products, they were concealed beneath tubs and lotions of beauty products. Dr. Dylan deserved more than my thanks for the huge help he'd been. He was also surprised as how fast I was recuperating. His time frame of six months to a year of total healing had been reduced to three weeks to almost a month. I was grateful yet vengeful. And this step I was about to take would help me exert revenge on each and everyone of them. Kazim's number was no longer going through which was both surprising and disappointing. So I had to use other means to get what I wanted and Jared was a huge part in making it work."Are you ready?" Uncle Pete was standing at the entrance.I met his gaze thr
I watched from a corner near the fixed stage as guests and staff walked into the company's large function room. I had invited my employees from other branches, even my personal designer had come all the way from Italy.Jared stood with me and Zion who looked immensely cute in his custom-made suit, just like uncle Pete's and Jared's own. Their relationship has grown so tight and I knew it was time for Zion to know who Jared truly was. Uncle Pete was taking the stage as guests and employees crowded the big, luxurious space. I smiled when I spotted Dr. Dylan, my brows rose when Celine walked beside him, I nudged Jared. "Would you look at that.""Aunt Celine looks beautiful just like you, mommy." Zion's child-like compliment had my heart swelling with joy and the knowledge I was raising him right, though I had help from others. "I'm proud of you, champ." Jared hoisted Zion onto his hips and high-fived him, earning a pleased giggle from Zion.The picture they painted warmed my heart bef
THREE YEARS LATER...I stood outside in front the prison's huge gate, Zion and Zaya, still having their sibling rivalry, stood beside me. I paid them no mind. The day they would not argue, I would be genuinely worried. Jared stood beside me as I held a cardboard paper in view, waiting for her. "Where is she?" I questioned impatiently.Uncle Pete and Miss Nancy were home, they couldn't come because Miss Nancy had just put to bed a beautiful set of twin boys. The twin gene was really strong in the Johnson family. Celine was due at any moment. Funny right? Dylan had proposed a year after my wedding. Celine was expecting her first child but was advised to stay home and to stress as little as possible. That was what happened when your husband was a big shot doctor.The gates opened and there she was. I beamed.Zion and Zaya, now eight years of age, ran forward in unison, forgetting their meaningless squabble. "Aunt Denise!""Hey!" She opened her arms, stooping to hug them only they wer
When I finally came to, the first thing I heard was the steady beeping of the heart's monitor. I blinked reflexively as the bulb overhead hurt my eyes some. I tried to raise myself to a sitting position but a groan escaped my lips."Hailey." Someone rushed to the bed, helping me to sit up.It was Jared. "W-what happened? I had a dream. A weird dream." I told him, looking quite disoriented. "Really? What kind of dream was that?" He asked, tucking hair behind my ears. "I saw Zaya. Zion was holding her hand and they...they..." Emotions swamped me, making it difficult for me to continue speaking.I swallowed hard, trying to dislodge tears suck in my throat. He heaved a sigh. "It was not a dream, baby. Zaya is alive. I'm as shocked as you are but after uncle Pete and Miss Nancy explained all that happened, I am just thankful she's alive." Emotions rose to his throat. "No." I shook my head, not wanting to believe. "No, no. Zaya died. I saw her body. She...she laid there unconscious an
"Thank you Brenda, you did a superb job." I shook hands with the very pretty bartender dressed in revealing clothes as the cops threw handcuffs around the wrists of drugged, oblivious Philip and Derek.Finally, I did it. Actually, to be fair, I had help. Jared and me had tracked them to the location Denise had provided and it was true. I realized they frequented a rundown bar at this remote area and they were smart to because no one would have ever traced them here."It's my pleasure. Plus, the money was too good to pass up." She seemed pleased with herself. "Just a second." I left her to go get my checkbook and pen from my bag sitting in the car. I returned to her with these, wrote a figure and extended it to her. "This is thank you for a job well done."She took the check, her eyes bulged in both excitement and shock. "This is freaking much! What the hell do I do with so much money?"My eyes did a quick sweep of her work environment, then moved back to her. "You can pursue your dr
"I don't know why you brought me here. You could have come alone." I folded my arms, staring with a displeased expression at the entrance of the police station. "You need this." Jared said, turning off the engine and unbuckling his seatbelt. "Aren't you getting out?""I told you I'm not ready. I don't know what to tell her. I'm not even sure I want to talk to her, I can't forget the fact that she had a hand in my father's death.""Fine. Then don't talk, let me do the talking. I just want you to be available so you can hear the information she has. You want Philip and Derek to pay for what they have done to you, don't you?" He shifted to face me. "I guess." My tone was reluctant."Good, because I want Philip to pay for killing my father." His jaw tightened.I frowned a little. "You've never been this upset ever since...I don't know, he was your father-in-law.""A big mistake. My father's death ruined my family with my mother as an accomplice." His words were bitter to the ears. I pl
I was dressed for the event — a simple tank top and distressed denim shorts. It was time to pluck off another adversary.I opened the door and turned on the lights. "There you are." My smile was anything but welcoming or friendly. "And I thought I smelled a rotten fish." She spat, looking unkempt and dirty. And she was tied to a chair. "Oh, that'll be you seeing as you haven't had your bath in like...well, weeks." I drew a chair from the wall, placed it few feet from hers and sat. "Forgive my lack of hospitality, I've been busy.""It's been a while. What do you want?" Her once shiny red hair was now a matted mess. "Revenge." I simply said. As though on cue, I heard a rap on the door. I opened it to allow Celine and Jared walk in. Jared was carrying a box of things I'd asked for. "You bitch! You think I'm scared of you?" She was trying to act strong but the little quiver in her voice gave her away. "I think you already are." I emptied the contents in the box.I heard her gasp. "
"Room 48." I mumbled, blowing nerves away. I was here and there was no turning back. Uncle Pete and Jared had no idea where I was going. I'd lied about picking some things for Zion from the store. This should be over in no time. I raised a fist and rapped gently but firmly on the door. "Who's that?"Two of the cops had followed me upstairs but were hiding from view. That sounded like the President's voice. I knocked again, cleared my tone in a bit to disguise it and said. "Room service."There was seconds of silence, then the padding of feet coming towards the door. The door opened. "We didn't order any..." The rest of his words were drowned by shock."Hello, Mr. President." I plastered on a smile. "Can I come in?" He was yet to see the cops."Get out." Fear and anger had him growl out those words. He tried to shut the door in my face but before he succeeded, I had a foot stuck between the door and used all of my power to push it open, making him lose balance and fall to the gro
"Uncle Pete!" I dashed into the room to envelope him into a hug, not minding the presence of Miss Nancy and a nurse. He hugged me back, his chuckle a bit weak. "I missed you too."I blinked my eyes, struggling back tears and swallowing emotions lodged stubbornly in my throat. "I'm so glad you're okay, uncle Pete. I...I... thought..." I couldn't even say the words out loud. "You thought what? I'm going nowhere for a long, long time, babygirl."My heart swelled with both gratitude and love for the man. It was the first time he would be using such an endearing term in that soft, affectionate tone. "You'd better not.""Can't...breathe." He said, still hugging me. "Thank you for saving my life. Thank you." I sniffled. "I owe you everything, my life included." "I did what I'm supposed to do, Hailey. You don't have to thank me for that." He rubbed my back. I held onto him for a few more moment. "Save some for us, Hailey." Celine who had come with me chuckled. I let go, finally paying
Jared unbuckled my seatbelt and pulled me onto his laps, I could not stop sobbing. "Shh. It's okay.""I...I..." I hiccuped, words failing me. "You don't have to say anything now." His hand on my back, comforting and soothing was a bit helpful."But...oh God. I don't want to believe her, but..." I trailed off as more tears interrupted my speech."Me too. I thought she just being her sly self but when I heard her talk, I knew she wasn't lying."I sniffled back snot, raising my head to look at him. "You heard her talk? When?""When we worked together. See, everyone makes mistakes, including your father. And that mistake led to his untimely, unfortunate demise. Denise too and we both know where the mistake landed her.""I can't imagine being poor and having a rich father who didn't want you. I know my dad was wrong to have pretended Denise didn't exist but killing him didn't solve anything. She only killed the man I've loved all my life till the day he died.""And I'm sorry for that. I
"He's not our son." Was the only argument I could come up with. Disappointment and disbelief darkened his eyes. "So you're prepared to let that young boy who left his country to provide a life for himself and his family to die in a fight that doesn't concern him? Coming from you, a mother?"Guilty speared, so I kept mute, partly to reflect. "Look, babe, I know you've been through a lot and Kazim was giving every information to bring every injustice to an end and the people responsible to book and he has done a wonderful job so far, but it was getting too heated. He was digging in too deep and I feared it was only a matter of time before he would wound up dead probably in some remote location. I know you're a good person and would never want to put his life at risk, you just wanted to fight back the only way you knew how."I hated that the anger was no longer aimed at him. I felt ashamed that he'd considered the risks while I was only interested in what Kazim had to offer. "Where is