"I tried to leave the office, but Principal Anderson blocked my path. That was the last thing I remember, before waking up hours later, in that room." Reynolds continued, looking at both Sebastian and Zachary,"Ms. Shakira said plenty awful things about you and mommy, especially mommy."Sebastian needed no soothsayer to guess the awful words Shakira must've said to the boy's hearing, about him and Isabel."She called mommy plenty unsavory names, claiming that mommy stole you from her, stole her position and ruined her life." The boy continued,"She claimed that I was the key to separating you and mommy, because you are with my mommy because of me. She also talked about using my kidnap to create a rift between you and mommy.""What rift?" Zachary asked confusedly, staring at both father and son."I don't know, but they were going to make my death look like daddy's fault, so my mommy would leave him." He explained to the man,"I overheard their conversation. She claimed that I was the o
Isabel woke up quite early the next morning, after not having much sleep, only to be faced with the information that they were moving."Where, and why?""Ma'am, I cannot say why, but that was the order we received this morning from Mr. Bernadotte." Brittany explained to her, going to keep her freshly pressed laundries in her closet."And where is he?"Anger was building inside her, although she tried to keep her voice down and neutral, because the boys were still sleeping."I think sir is in his study now.""Okay."He must have a reasonable reason. He'd better.She calmed herself, looking at her sons who were still sleeping peacefully. Alexander was sprawled on his end, his limbs thrown everywhere, including on Oliver's body.She chuckled softly, amused at his careless sleeping position, which reminded her of hers, according to Sebastian."You're one heck of a careless sleeper, Isabel, but I'd rather sleep with you by my side, than anyone else." He would tell her jokingly, then go ahe
Isabel couldn't catch any wink of sleep that night, as she kept thinking about Madam Magdalene's words of advice.The words were stuck in her head, replaying like they were taped to her memory. No matter how much she tried to shut the voice, the continued to play relentlessly.Of course, she love Sebastian and it was undeniable that he loves her too. Maybe, a lot more than she loves him. However, she loves her sons more. She loves them more than anything in the world, and wouldn't trade them for anything.She could survive anything, but not something happening to any of them.Reynolds's disappearance nearly drove her insaneAfter much tossing and turning, she pulled her weight up from the bed, and picked u her phone which she'd left to charge, on the nightstand.She unplugged it, then dialed Sebastian's number, hoping he would pick up.Fortunately, he did after the second ring."You're still awake, Isabel?" He asked her, his low voice filled with concern,"How are you still awake by t
Two days later, Shakira was still on the run. Sebastian had his men scattered all over the city, in search for her, but they was no sign of her. Even when he tried to use her father to bait her, yet she did not show up."How disappointing that your only daughter would rather have you suffering, than turn herself in." He spat disappointedly, looking at the man and his wife."Chester, you should be shameful of the kind of child you've raised. One who'd rather watch you die, than take responsibility for her doings."The man did not say anything, neither did his wife.Of course, they were disappointed that their daughter, whom they've raised properly would be capable of kidnapping a child and hiding the child under the roof, making them look like accomplice to the crime.Who wouldn't?Chester knew that had the girl not been his only child, he would've allowed her bear the brunt of her actions, without any hesitation. However, those admonitions were reserved for later. Now, he was proud
The day of the hearing finally came and Sebastian was ready.He'd Miranda, his secretary postpone every appointment he'd during the time of the hearing. He was determined to be there, since the man's sentence also meant justifying Isabel and all the women he'd sexually assaulted.Surprisingly, the courtroom was almost filled, and there were plenty of reporters scattered everywhere.Being one of the hotshots in the city, with lots of recognition, everyone was hungry for firsthand information about the judge's verdict on Damien Giddorti's case, since he'd pled not-guilty to the charges against him.Wearing a turquoise shirt which was nicely tucked into a pair of gray golf pants, and a black sunshade to cover his eyes, Sebastian blended into the croud, taking a seat on the fourth to last row. He didn't want to be recognized by the press, and have them shove their microphones and cameras in his face, asking him questions he'd no intentions of answering.With his choice of dressing, he was
Later that day, Isabel was on the phone with her employees from the cafeteria, when a knock came on the door."Excuse me, Sarah." She told the girl, then told whoever it was at the door to come inside.The door opened to she was surprised to see the Oliver and Alexander march into the bedroom, glum look on their faces."Sarah, can we have this conversation later? I need to attend to something very important.""Okay, ma'am. I will forwards the inventories to you now.""Thanks, dear. Send my regards to everyone.""I will, and my regards to Reynolds and your father. He should get well soon."Isabel muttered an inaudibly reply to the lady, before ending the call, then she moved her attention to the boys who were approaching her.Her first concern was their unhappy faces, which she pointed out immediately."Why the unhappy faces, boys? Did anything happen? And where is your younger brother?"Oliver was first to speak up,"Reynolds is in the bedroom, trying to solve some mathematical equati
Before Sebastian could say anything else, she ended the call, clenching her fist tightly.Isabel was having the strong urge to haul her phone against the wall, but she restrained herself, knowing the damage it will cause the phone, which was purchased barely three days ago.She burst out of her closet, slamming the door behind her. She strode across her bedroom, her feet pounding the floor in frustration. She felt like she was going to explode, her emotions boiling over like a pot left unattended on the stove.She flung open her bedroom door and stormed out into the hallway, not sure where she was going, but knowing she needed to get out of there. In fact, she didn't want to see Sebastian even if he teleported himself home right that moment.That was how mad she was at him.She paced down the hall, her hands clenched into fists, her mind racing with thoughts and feelings she couldn't process.She was livid, but the rest emotions she couldn't process accurately.How dare that bit
Sebastian stood in the hallway, his eyes fixed on the closed bedroom door, Reynolds was knocking against, his mind reeling with regret and guilt. He felt like he'd been punched in the gut, his breath knocked out of him.He thought about the look on Isabel's face, the shock, the anger, the hurt. He knew he'd broken her trust, shattered the foundation of their relationship. He couldn't blame her that she hated him, and if she chose to leave him, he deserved worst.Reynolds stopped knocking and turned to him,"Daddy, she won't open the door." The boy inveighed,"What did you do to her?"His eyes dropped to the floor, his shoulders slumping under the weight of his guilt. He felt like he was drowning in a sea of regret, unable to keep his head above water.He wished he could bring himself to tell his sons the truth, but they would hate him even more than Isabel does now. They would despise him, knowing he was the cause of their mother's loss and misery.And once his whole family
Isabel didn't tell anyone about her plans to relocate, including Austin. She kept them to herself, executing them subtly.First, she began looking for a realtor to put her house on lease, as selling it would arouse suspicion.She contacted one of her neighbors who was a realtor, informing her about her desires to let her house on lease."Are you moving permanently, Ms. Campbell?" Mrs. Parker was surprised,"Yeah...something like that." Isabel smiled nervously,"My sister has lost her husband, and she wants me to come stay with her and her kid in Pasadena. I am thinking of staying there for a longer while.""What about your business here? You're going to close the cafe?""Not really. Toby and Sarah will be handling the place for me." She told the woman,"Okay. I will put it up in the market..we might start getting interested renters by this weekend, hope you don't mind if I bring them to check out the house? And, when are you moving?""I'm selling everything in the house, so it might
Isabel was discharged from the hospital later that day, and was driven home by Austin.The drive from the hospital which was in Seattle, to Colby took about an hour, which to Isabel, it was the longest one hour of her life, and was plagued with different thoughts.The car glided smoothly along the deserted highway, the only sound being the soft hum of the engine and the occasional tick of the turn signal. Austin's eyes were fixed on the road ahead, his expression neutral, while Isabel sat beside him, her face a mask of turmoil.Her eyes stared blankly out the window, her mind reeling with the news they had received from the doctor.The doctor's words echoed in her mind like a cruel joke.How come? When? Why?Isabel was confused, wishing this would all be a nightmare that she can be woken up from. She didn't want to believe the news, but the doctor had showed her evidence. It was indeed true.But, why is this happening to her?She was careful and took her pills religiously, except
Several days past, and Isabel was still struggling to get used to living without her son. There were some mornings she rose very early, fretting about what breakfast to make him, only to be reminded of his absence, by the cold silence coming from his bedroom.One afternoon, she left the cafe and drove down to his former school, only to remember that he was no longer schooling there, when she was almost at the schoolThat day, she cried.She cried so hard, she began to feel lightheaded and nauseous, yet the tears wouldn't stop falling.Her whole body was quivering as if someone had ran her an ice bath on a snowy day, sobs and sniffles escaping from her trembling lips.Isabel had never felt so frazzled like she did that day.After crying herself to stupor for over an hour, she managed to calm her frayed nerves and she drove herself home.She'd wanted to call Austin or one of her employees to come drive her home, but she didn't want them to meet her in that condition, and certainly didn
Several days past, and Isabel was still struggling to get used to living without her son. There were some mornings she rose very early, fretting about what breakfast to make him, only to be reminded of his absence, by the cold silence coming from his bedroom.One afternoon, she left the cafe and drove down to his former school, only to remember that he was no longer schooling there, when she was almost at the schoolThat day, she cried.She cried so hard, she began to feel lightheaded and nauseous, yet the tears wouldn't stop falling.Her whole body was quivering as if someone had ran her an ice bath on a snowy day, sobs and sniffles escaping from her trembling lips.Isabel had never felt so frazzled like she did that day.After crying herself to stupor for over an hour, she managed to calm her frayed nerves and she drove herself home.She'd wanted to call Austin or one of her employees to come drive her home, but she didn't want them to meet her in that condition, and certainly didn
Despite Austin's subtle objection, Isabel accepted the package sent from the delivery guy, and she carried it into the house, but did not open it.She dropped it on the dining table and left without sparing it a second glance."I don't understand why you won't let me deal with the bastard." Austin was still fuming,"He needs to be taught a lesson, after everything he has done.""Austin, I don't want you to get involved in a rivalry with Sebastian. It is not worth it." She advised him,"Sebastian is the worst person you'd want to get into a feud with, and I wouldn't want you to get hurt because of me.""I am not scared of him, Isabel and you shouldn't be. That bastard wronged you, and he took your son away from him, I don't see why you should be afraid of him." He admonished her,"You've to fight for yourself and for Reynolds. You've got to fight to get your son back. Stand up to that bully.""I can't!" She screamed at him, her voice raised to a crescendo,"Don't you understand tha
Sebastian stood in the hallway, his eyes fixed on the closed bedroom door, Reynolds was knocking against, his mind reeling with regret and guilt. He felt like he'd been punched in the gut, his breath knocked out of him.He thought about the look on Isabel's face, the shock, the anger, the hurt. He knew he'd broken her trust, shattered the foundation of their relationship. He couldn't blame her that she hated him, and if she chose to leave him, he deserved worst.Reynolds stopped knocking and turned to him,"Daddy, she won't open the door." The boy inveighed,"What did you do to her?"His eyes dropped to the floor, his shoulders slumping under the weight of his guilt. He felt like he was drowning in a sea of regret, unable to keep his head above water.He wished he could bring himself to tell his sons the truth, but they would hate him even more than Isabel does now. They would despise him, knowing he was the cause of their mother's loss and misery.And once his whole family
Before Sebastian could say anything else, she ended the call, clenching her fist tightly.Isabel was having the strong urge to haul her phone against the wall, but she restrained herself, knowing the damage it will cause the phone, which was purchased barely three days ago.She burst out of her closet, slamming the door behind her. She strode across her bedroom, her feet pounding the floor in frustration. She felt like she was going to explode, her emotions boiling over like a pot left unattended on the stove.She flung open her bedroom door and stormed out into the hallway, not sure where she was going, but knowing she needed to get out of there. In fact, she didn't want to see Sebastian even if he teleported himself home right that moment.That was how mad she was at him.She paced down the hall, her hands clenched into fists, her mind racing with thoughts and feelings she couldn't process.She was livid, but the rest emotions she couldn't process accurately.How dare that bit
Later that day, Isabel was on the phone with her employees from the cafeteria, when a knock came on the door."Excuse me, Sarah." She told the girl, then told whoever it was at the door to come inside.The door opened to she was surprised to see the Oliver and Alexander march into the bedroom, glum look on their faces."Sarah, can we have this conversation later? I need to attend to something very important.""Okay, ma'am. I will forwards the inventories to you now.""Thanks, dear. Send my regards to everyone.""I will, and my regards to Reynolds and your father. He should get well soon."Isabel muttered an inaudibly reply to the lady, before ending the call, then she moved her attention to the boys who were approaching her.Her first concern was their unhappy faces, which she pointed out immediately."Why the unhappy faces, boys? Did anything happen? And where is your younger brother?"Oliver was first to speak up,"Reynolds is in the bedroom, trying to solve some mathematical equati
The day of the hearing finally came and Sebastian was ready.He'd Miranda, his secretary postpone every appointment he'd during the time of the hearing. He was determined to be there, since the man's sentence also meant justifying Isabel and all the women he'd sexually assaulted.Surprisingly, the courtroom was almost filled, and there were plenty of reporters scattered everywhere.Being one of the hotshots in the city, with lots of recognition, everyone was hungry for firsthand information about the judge's verdict on Damien Giddorti's case, since he'd pled not-guilty to the charges against him.Wearing a turquoise shirt which was nicely tucked into a pair of gray golf pants, and a black sunshade to cover his eyes, Sebastian blended into the croud, taking a seat on the fourth to last row. He didn't want to be recognized by the press, and have them shove their microphones and cameras in his face, asking him questions he'd no intentions of answering.With his choice of dressing, he was