Ximena/Angela’s POV
I left my room after some time. My stomach grumbled, and it seemed like the family wasn't planning on having breakfast today. As I walked through the hallway, I heard voices coming from Hudson's room. I moved closer to eavesdrop. He was fighting with Mila again. Do they do this all the time, or is my presence causing it?"Point of correction, we are not married. You seem to forget that fact every single day. The sooner you stop poking your nose into my affairs, the better for everyone," Hudson snarled.I couldn’t believe it—Hudson and Mila were never married. That means I was his last wife. The thought made me giggle.“What are you doing?” A voice behind me almost made my heart stop. I slowly turned around to see Adeline glaring at me, her eyes even darker than usual, making her look eerie."Um... I was just... I mean, I was about to see Hudson. But he seems busy, so I will just go get something to eat," I babbled, tryXimena/Angela’s POVIt was Saturday morning, and I woke up feeling dull and weak. My head throbbed, and my heart kept skipping beats. I tried calling Davey, but he wasn’t answering. Why do I feel so strange this morning? I should be overjoyed; Rafael is coming to get his child today, and Mila will be out of this house and out of Hudson’s life.At the dining table, Adeline and Mila kept glancing at me. Their unusual looks made me uneasy.Adeline smiled and added an omelet to my plate. “Fill up your energy, Angela. You will need it,” she said.My heart skipped a beat, and my stomach twisted. I glanced at Hudson, who was focused on his food, while Mila and Adeline exchanged sinister grins.“Excuse me,” I said, standing up. I couldn’t bear their stares any longer.“Are you alright?” Hudson asked, and I nodded.I went to my room and called Rafael to cancel his visit. Change of plans.Later, Hudson came into my room. “How do you feel now?” he asked, feeling my neck.“I’m okay,” I said,
Ximena/Angela’s POV"Where are you taking me?" I cried as they shoved me into a black van. My unknown sister climbed in with Rafael, and the van took off."Never mess with The Miles, Angela," Rafael said, making me want to punch him."You traitor. I thought you wanted your child?""I'm not the father of that child, idiot," he sneered."Lying bastard!" I spat. "How can you sacrifice your child for money? You are shameless."My unknown sister removed her shirt, revealing a hospital uniform underneath."Can you give her something, Lucy? Maybe a sedative?" Rafael suggested."You won’t do that to me," I growled.Lucy pulled out a syringe and filled it with some liquid."I don’t want to sleep. Let go of me," I struggled as she moved forward, pressing the needle into my skin. A sharp pain followed, then nothing. My vision grew hazy, and my head pounded. The blurry figures of Lucy and Rafael were the l
Ximena/Angela’s POVI have lost track of how many "good morning" greetings I have received from Lucy. I don’t even know if I have been here for a week or a month. My body has gotten so used to this bed that it feels like an extension of my skin. Each passing day brings back painful memories from my past. It’s driving me crazy. Was that their plan all along? Do they want me to lose my mind and become just like the others?“Hello, dear!" I heard a man’s voice and looked up. He was a muscular man with blond hair and sharp features. His smile was radiant and charming.I squinted, trying to remember where I had seen him before. I know this face. He stepped forward, felt my forehead, and took out a syringe filled with something.“Please don’t use that on me again,” I begged.“This is the last one, sweetheart. It will end your pain, I promise,” he said.“Wait, what does that mean?” I asked, my heart pounding.“Just stay still.
Ximena/Angela’s POVTwo weeks later, I sat in my room, lost in thought. I wasn’t sure if I was getting better or worse. The woman in white hadn’t appeared for two days now, which was a relief, but my mind was still full of intrusive thoughts.“I brought your medication," Mr. Desmond said as he entered my room with a glass of water and those bitter pills.“I might not be in my right mind, but I still have some dignity. Learn to knock next time,” I told him, and he chuckled.“You don’t sound like someone with a mental problem,” he said, handing me the glass.I popped the pills into my mouth and swallowed, feeling the familiar numbness wash over me.“Anyway, are you able to remember who Adeline Miles Lucas is now?” he asked.I stared into space for a minute before looking at him. “She is just a virtuous woman who loves her family. That is all I remember,” I said.He shook his head. “That’s not true. There is nothin
Ximena/Angela’s POVAt night, Davey entered the room, holding a glass of water with my drugs.“I brought your drugs,” he said, sitting next to me on the bed. I sat up to take it. Afterward, he tried to leave, but I held his hand.“We need to talk, please,” I said.“The doctor said you don’t need stress. Whatever it is can wait until you are better,” he said, then walked out.It’s been a week since Davey brought me home. I have finished all my drugs, and I think I’m well now, even though I still get a few aches here and there. Davey has been avoiding me, using my condition as an excuse.I dressed up in an elegant emerald gown, ready to go to my hotel. I couldn’t remember the last time I had seen the building.“Where are you going?” Davey asked, entering the room.“Aren’t you going to work?” I asked him.“That doesn’t answer my question,” he said, sitting on the couch.I took a deep breath. “I’m
Ximena/Angela's POVA month had passed since Davey's threat, yet he couldn’t bring himself to demand a divorce. He knew how much I despised the very idea of it. He also knew how deeply hurt I was, both emotionally and psychologically, when Hudson forced it upon me before.Snuggled under a cozy duvet, we huddled in the warmth of the living room, escaping the cold outside. We laughed together, enjoying a hilarious comic movie on a chilly winter night.“I will give us a child, Davey, and we will live together as one big happy family forever,” I promised him.“I willlook forward to that day,” he smiled and kissed my forehead.“Sir?” Tristan called."Yes, baby?" Davey replied, looking at him."I want a kiss too," Tristan wrote, making us laugh.“Come here, baby,” Davey said, lifting Tristan onto his lap, kissing him, and pulling him into a hug.Two days later, I walked into Hudson’s office. The fresh morning
Ximena/Angela’s POV“What’s going on here?" Hudson repeated, looking between me and his mother. Ignoring them both, I headed upstairs. “Here is the key,” Hudson said. I turned, and he tossed it over. My hands fumbled, and the key clattered to the floor. I scowled at him, and he just shrugged.I opened the door to my room, feeling a wave of nostalgia as I stepped inside. Everything was exactly as I had left it. Why would Hudson lock the door? I thought he hated me enough to let his obnoxious wife and mother mess with my things. Taking a deep breath, I moved towards the closet to retrieve my suitcase.“You can’t just leave!” a voice suddenly exclaimed, making me gasp. I spun around to see a woman dressed in white standing near the window. My heart pounded as fear and anger surged through me.“Are you real, or am I losing my mind again?” I asked, my voice trembling.She stepped forward, and I backed away. “You can’t leave this house, Ximena,
Ximena/Angela’s POV“I want my child back!” I heard someone yell downstairs. I quickly slipped on my slippers and hurried out of my room.“Lower your voice, Landon,” Mila tried to calm him.“Don’t give me that, Mila. I want my child,” Landon shouted at her.“What’s all the noise about?” Hudson asked as he entered the house. Mila stepped back, visibly shaken. I could almost hear her heartbeat racing. I couldn’t believe what was unfolding before me.“He... he is a criminal! He wants to take my child,” Mila cried.“Don’t you dare!” Landon raised his hand to hit her, but Hudson grabbed his arm, stopping him.“How dare you come into my house and try to hit a woman?” Hudson challenged him.“Let go of me!” Landon pulled his arm free. “I should have you arrested for keeping my child without my permission. Just because you are rich doesn’t mean you can get away with everything.”“Mila, what is he talking about?”
Ximena/Angela’s POVIt’s been a year since all the incidents. Life has become more peaceful ever since. To Hudson, Morris and Alexa were our last enemies. They had masterminded Hudson’s confiscated goods and his arrest.I lost my supposed father to liver cancer a few months ago. I thought I was going to hate him forever for what he did to my mom and aunt, but as he battled with his own life, I had to let it go. I showed him how much I cared about him being my father; I wanted him to die a peaceful and happy death.My siblings, Remi and Ryan, have been wonderfully sweet. They loved me like we had known each other since childhood. I bet their mother must be one of a kind. I know some stepmothers can be a pain in the ass; I’m glad she wasn’t, even though I never met her. As for Nevaeh, she went for her master's alongside Remi and Ryan. They have been moving on well ever since.I have never been so fulfilled in my life.“Be careful,” I told Tristan, who was supportin
Nevaeh’s POVI knocked on the door, and Alexa opened it, her eyes flashing with evil as usual. I was holding a baby. They had wanted me to bring Raven to them. They intended to use her as bait to get whatever they wanted from my dad. I believed everything they said, so I obeyed them.“Welcome, sweetheart,” she grinned, leading me inside. “I thought you weren’t going to do it,” she said.“She has the Miles Lucas blood flowing through her veins; she couldn’t have gone against what would benefit her,” Morris said, standing up and walking toward me.“You said I was adopted,” I said, stepping back from him. “How do I suddenly have the blood of Miles Lucas running through my veins?”“You were raised by Hudson, so you must have inherited something from him,” he smiled, reaching out to take the baby from me.I stepped back. “What do you want to do with her?” I asked, my chest heaving.“Give him the baby, Nevaeh!” Alexa demanded, her voice tightening.“Not unt
Ximena/Angela’s POVI paced back and forth in the living room, my heart pounding in my chest. Rita’s number wasn’t going through, and Raven was missing from the house. I strongly believed Rita didn’t go out with her; she had never done that, but others said she might have, so we’ve been waiting for her.“Just calm down, Ma’am. She’ll be back soon,” Penelope said.“For how long? She’s been out for almost an hour, and her line isn’t reachable. I hope it’s not what I’m thinking,” I said, both anger and fear exploding within me.“Mommy?” Tristan called, entering the living room. “What’s wrong?” he wrote on his tablet.“Nothing, baby. Just go freshen up and change,” I told him, and he nodded, running upstairs.“What’s the matter, Angela? You sounded so urgent,” Hudson said as he rushed into the house. I was so scared I had to call him.“My baby is missing, Hudson. Someone took my child.”“How is that possible? We have security men in the house. Who took he
Nevaeh’s POVI was driving to their place when a car swerved into my path. I pressed down on the brake abruptly, lunging forward. “Shit,” I muttered under my breath. I was ready to go scream the person’s head off when I saw Ryan stepping out of the car. He walked up to me, knocking on the window. I slid down the window, glaring at him.“Hey, psycho. What’s up?”“Have you lost your mind, scum?” I groaned.“I was looking forward to that,” he smiled, leaning on the window. “I was bored at home, so I decided to come have some fun with you. Can we go out?”“Get your bloody hands off my car!” I yelled.“Should we go in my car or yours?” he winked at me. “I promise it will be fun.”I clenched my fists, my chest heaving with anger. Zoe’s call came in at the same time. “He likes you, Nev, give him a chance,” Zoe said.“You set this up?”“If he betrays you, I will be the first to kill him. Have fun,” she said, hanging up.“Bar or park?” Ryan asked, maki
Nevaeh’s POV I stormed into my room, slamming the door. I grunted, swiping my makeup box off the vanity table. Everything he said was true. All they want to do is hurt me. How can she mingle with my enemy? How dare she? “I hate you all!” I yelled, kicking the bed. I was seated on the bed, my head in my palms when someone knocked on the door. “Can I come in, please?” Angela said. I didn’t answer, but she entered. “Can we talk, please?” she asked. “Get out of my room!” I snapped, lifting my bloodshot eyes to her. “Just listen to me, Nevaeh. I won’t take much of your time,” she said, moving closer. She came to sit beside me. “Uh, I know you don’t want to see me and my kids in your dad’s house; we have made plans to leave. You don’t even have to accept me as Ximena. Forget I ever told you that; you can see me as Angela only, nothing more. I just want you to return to being the loving Nevaeh I used to know. Remember that we all love you,
Ximena/Angela’s POVThe revelation of me being Ximena didn’t settle well with Nevaeh. Instead of being happy that she finally had me back, she chose to be scared of the possibility. It has been over a month now, but the more she looked at Ximena’s picture, the more she doubted the possibility of me being her.“Hey, girl. How was your night?” I asked, setting the table. “I prepared your favorite.”“Ximena never cooked,” she declared, heading out.“Nevaeh, please,” I hurried to block her path. “I didn’t tell you the story to distance yourself from me. I thought it was necessary for me to be transparent. Besides, my intention was for you to learn from my story; to know that you can forgive Fred and be happy again. If you don’t want us to stay, we will go. Just stop making it awkward,” I said.“Then leave,” she said coldly, brushing past me.I stood frozen, unable to believe my ears. I knew she had been acting weird for a while, and I thought it was because of he
Nevaeh’s POVI headed out of my room with Angela. I was going to see Zoe for our little discussion. “Don’t do anything you will regret, Nevaeh, please,” Angela said.“I’m already regretting a lot,” I replied.“Where are you headed?” my dad asked as he approached.“I’ll see you later, Angela,” I ignored my dad and walked out.“I’m talking to you, young lady. Why are you ignoring me?” he grabbed my hand, pulling me back.“Let go of me!” I groaned, pulling my hand away from him. “Everything is your fault. If you had allowed me to go with Fred to Australia, this wouldn’t have happened. You’re always ruining my happiness,” I confronted him angrily.“Don’t talk to your dad like that, Nevaeh,” Angela interjected.“The sooner you stop taking his side, the better for us,” I declared and stormed out of the house.***I met Zoe at her house. Her parents were out, and she was in the living room, watching TV and eating popcorn. I went straight to the bar, poured myself a glass of liquor, and retur
Nevaeh’s POV The moment Fred opened the door, my heart skipped a beat. It had been a while, and I still felt this way. Without thinking, I embraced him. “I missed you,” I said, my voice low and uncertain. He pulled away. “We need to talk,” he said coldly, walking back into the living room. I followed suit, my heart still beating faster. “I didn’t know you got a new house,” I said, sitting on the couch as he sat down too. “Without wasting much of your time, Nevaeh,” he began, my throat knotted. This wasn’t the same Fred I used to know. He would never speak coldly to me. “Won’t you at least offer me something? Is that how to welcome your girlfriend?” I asked, tilting my head. He tapped his foot for over a minute before standing up and returning with a glass of red wine. I collected it from him and took a sip. “I didn’t like the attitude you pulled out there, Nevaeh,” he said. “Why would you start a fight at someone’s birthday party? I was
Ximena/Angela’s POVI couldn’t believe Nevaeh could be this naïve and gullible. How could she trust that bastard so much to love him like this? After crying so much, she dozed off, and I returned to the living room. I didn’t find Hudson there, so I thought he had gone to bed. I turned off the TV and sank into the couch, relaxing my head against the headrest.“How is she?” Hudson asked suddenly, startling me. I gasped, looking at him. He sat beside me, holding out a glass of water.“Thank you,” I collected the water from him, taking a sip. “She’s asleep now,” I informed him.“Do you know who the guy is?” he asked, crossing his legs and facing me.“Of course. It’s the same Frederick, her childhood friend,” I replied.“Frederick Archer?” he asked, and I nodded.“Frederick has been away for so long. How could she still harbor feelings for him? Besides, they were just teenagers when they separated.”“Love doesn’t kno