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 POV“Warm up your defense, Adeline Miles Lucas,” I said as she was heading out.“I know who you truly are now, Angela. Don’t make me speak,” she warned.I smirked, meeting her gaze. “I can’t wait for Hudson to take you to the psychiatric hospital, Adeline. That will be fun,” I laughed, heading upstairs. She stood there, watching me leave, speechless.When I opened the door to my room, I was startled to find Miss White sitting on the stool in front of the vanity table. Her reflection wasn’t visible in the mirror.I staggered back in surprise.“You should get dressed, Ximena,” she said calmly. “You don’t want to miss the show.”“Where am I going?” I asked, moving toward the bed.“Follow Adeline. There is something you need to see,” she replied, standing up.“Why don’t you follow her yourself and tell me what you find?” I retorted, sitting down and picking up my phone.In an instan
Ximena/Angela's POVMy feet carried me downstairs, but my mind was elsewhere. Lost in thought, I didn’t notice the stairs creaking beneath me. My thoughts swirled, consumed by Miss White's command. Why didn’t she explain everything in detail? Where am I supposed to start?As I turned toward the parlor, something caught my eye. I stopped dead in my tracks, my heart skipping a beat. A piece of paper lay on the floor, partially hidden under the couch. It was a note. A chill ran down my spine as I read it: "They are watching you. Don’t go outside." I looked around the empty parlor, but the shadows seemed to hide unseen eyes. Every creak made me jump. I felt trapped, like I was being watched. The silence was suffocating, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that eyes were trained on me. Fear gripped my heart, and I screamed."Angela?"I felt a cold touch on my shoulder. I flinched, snapping my eyes open.“Were you dre
Ximena/Angela's POVI jolted awake, drenched by a sudden splash of water. My blurry gaze locked onto Adeline, her tall frame casting a menacing shadow over me. A sinister grin spread across her face. I tried to move, but ropes bound me to a pole in the cold, harsh light of the warehouse."Untie me now, you evil, wretched, cold-hearted woman!" I spat, struggling against the ropes."Thanks for the compliment," she said, moving closer. "I want to show you something," she added, holding up her phone to me.My eyes widened, and I gasped. Hudson was sitting drowsily on a chair, signing some documents. Adeline stood beside him like a looming threat."What did you make him do?" I cried out."Don't worry, I haven't killed him yet. I just wanted to show you this," she said, smirking. "Maybe this will be the last time you see him. Who knows?" With that, she turned and headed out."You are evil, Adeline! You are going to die a shameful death!" I snarled, tears streaming down my face. "Set me free
Ximena/Angela's POV“Dad?” A beautiful young woman rushed in, stopping abruptly when she saw us.As our eyes met, a spark ignited deep within me. I was frozen, unable to look away, as if an unseen force held me captive. My heart skipped a beat when I realized it was Nevaeh. Tears welled up as I took in how much she had grown. Her close-set amber eyes shone like warm gold, framed by thick lashes that enhanced their allure. Her raven-black hair and flawless, sun-kissed skin completed her breathtaking beauty, making her a captivating young woman, resembling her late beautiful mother, Miss White.Nevaeh quickly moved to Hudson's side, her eyes filling with tears."Who did this to him?" she cried, shaking him gently. "Dad?"Hudson had been wrong about his daughter; she did care about him.“Compose yourself, Nevaeh,” Aunt Sadie said, stepping closer to comfort her.“Don’t touch me!” Nevaeh snapped, recoiling from Aunt Sadie. “
Ximena/Angela's POV"Be careful," I told Hudson as we entered the house two weeks later. He had just been discharged from the hospital, and if you ask me how he survived, I still don't know. The doctor had confirmed him dead when his heart stopped beating, and the heart monitor flatlined. We were all shocked when, just as the nurse was about to cover him, the heart monitor beeped again. I couldn't contain my happiness when Hudson regained consciousness."I'm strong enough to walk on my own now," Hudson said, freeing his hand from mine."You are too stubborn, you know that?" I teased, and we both laughed."Where is Nevaeh?" he asked, taking a seat on the couch."She is bringing your things inside," I replied, sitting beside him. "Do you feel any better now?" I asked, and he nodded. "Are you sure?" I repeated."I adored her, Angela. I respected her, obeyed her, and gave her everything she ever wanted. What more could I have done?"
Ximena/Angela's POV“I’m pregnant!” The words slipped out instantly.“Does that matter?” Hudson asked, still straddling me.Despite my desire for him, I couldn’t bring myself to cheat on Davey. He would never forgive me. “Yes, it does,” I said, and Hudson got off me. I sat up, adjusting my dress.“I’m developing feelings for you, Angela,” he confessed. “I have tried to control it, but every time I see you, I’m drawn to you like a moth to a flame. You have this allure that captivates me. It hasn’t been long since we met, but it feels like I have known you forever. I can’t stop these growing feelings. I love you, Angela. Will you give me a chance?” the way he said those words made cheating on Davey cross my mind.“I just said I’m pregnant,” I reminded him.“I know, but how does that change anything? I can take care of you and your child, and many more if you would like,” he insisted.“I’m married!” I revealed. He narrowed
Ximena/Angela’s POVEleanor’s doctor and caregiver arrived the next day. Hudson and I excused ourselves, stepping out to the veranda. I took a deep breath, enjoying the cool breeze on my face.“I hope she gets better soon,” Hudson said quietly.“She will,” I assured him. “She is strong. If she could survive the struggle and the effects of those drugs, she will be fine.”Hudson hesitated for a moment before asking, “So, when are you leaving?”“I’m just waiting for Nevaeh to come back. Then I will be gone,” I replied, focusing on the flowers in the yard.“Will I ever see you again?” Our eyes met briefly in the silence.“I don’t know.”“Will you miss me?”“I’m not sure.”He sighed. “Do you remember the second time we met, when you asked if my wife caught me cheating?”“I do. You admitted it without saying much,” I smiled faintly.“After Camila, Nevaeh’s mother, died, I promised m
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