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