Isabel's heart sunk at the sight of the so-called savior.She recognized the man almost immediately. It was impossible to forget the man's face, even after nine whole years.How could she forget about the man who had taken her captive because he adoptive father owed him?The man who'd tried to force her to become his mistress, to pay up the man's debt.Sebastian Bernadotte.She despised the man, and after the last time their paths crossed, she vowed never cross path with him ever.He was the reason she became wary and apathetic towards rich people. She saw them through the lens she'd viewed him with.Narcissistic and snobbish.She pulled away from the man almost immediately, seeing the devilish glint sparking in his eyes.The way he was looking at her now, was no different to the way he'd looked at her that night..He was staring at her lewdly, like a predator that has found an easy prey.He must be out of his mind, if he thinks he can intimidate her like he did that night. S
Sebastian did not return home on Saturday like he'd intended.How could he return home, when he has found the one thing he has spent the past eight years searching for?Not even Zachary's assumption of the lady being married could deter his happiness.He would go to any length to have her, including soiling his hands with blood.It wouldn't be his first time.While they stayed back in Seattle, while Zachary did all the background investigations he could on the girl.When he finally got all the information he needed, he was overjoyed, knowing there was nothing on his path of making her his.Sebastian was determined to kidnap her, if need be, but he has resolved within himself that he wouldn't leave Seattle without her.He waited until Sunday, the day she would least expect him to show up at her doorstep.They left the hotel a few minutes past five p.m, when the sun was slowly bidding farewell to the city.The drive to Colby lasted for about fifteen minutes, during which Sebas
Isabel didn't hear from Sebastian again in the next three months, which she was grateful for.She suspected he must've realized she meant everything she said about calling the cops on him if he ever shows up near her property again.Or maybe fate has decided to take him far away from her.Either ways, she was glad that he wasn't harassing her with his presence anymore. She didn't want anything from her past coming to ruin the tranquility of her present life. She was happy where she was, with her son, and needed nothing to ruin that happiness.Her business was thriving, and her relationship with Austin was getting better.Although she haven't agreed to become his girlfriend yet, they've gone on a few dates and she wasn't keeping him at arm's length anymore.Deep within herself, Isabel knew she was only agreeing to go out with him, because she wanted to prove to herself that Sebastian was wrong.She was never belonged to him, and would never become his.It was all flowers and roses for
Isabel wasn't her self the whole day, and even when she went to pick Reynolds from school, the boy noticed her anxiety."What's wrong, Mommy? You seem worried." The boy asked her, as they drove home.She looked through the rearview mirror, flashing him a faux smile,"I'm fine, Rey--""You are lying, Mommy. You are worried about something, I can sense it." His tone was unemotional, even as he stared intently at her."Did anyone get you into trouble?""No, Honey." She said in her most convincing tone, widening her smile,"I've baking all day, and because there were lots of customers at the cafe. Mommy's just tired, that's all.""Why can't they go home and eat, instead of stressing you to bake more treats for them?"She smiled, amused at his seemingly innocence."They can't, because mommy needs their patronage." She explained to the boy, "Is it to take care of me?"Isabel nodded, stealing a glance at him, then she returned her attention to the road ahead of her."Mommy needs to work h
Isabel remained shocked to the marrow, even after Sebastian left her home.She was pulsating fervently, as if she had encountered a ghost.How could it be true that Sebastian Bernadotte, the one man she despised more than any other man on planet earth, was the father of her son?It seemed surreal to her, even after he showed her the proof.He showed her the same documents she signed all those years ago.She could've argued that the documents were fake, but they weren't. As much she hated, the man wasn't lying.He was the anonymous billionaire from nine years ago, the one she'd became a surrogate for, and had faked the death of one of his sons.He was Reynold's biological father.She'd worked for him, just to pay him and then, she still stole from him again.Isabel didn't know whether to be devastated, angry or to start crying.She felt like her whole world, including everything she has worked hard to build, were going down the drain. Like she was standing on the precipice of disaster,
The next day came, and Sebastian did not show up at her doorstep, demanding for her reply, which Isabel was quite relieved about.There was only one reasonable decision to make, and even though it would cost her her freedom, her dignity and self-worth, she was ready to take the risk for Reynold's sake.The next day came and went, yet no sign of the man.Isabel was beginning to feel optimistic.Maybe he must've figured that he didn't really need her to be his mistress, especially since he already have a fiancé.Yes, she did her research about the man, and although there was nothing about his personal life on the media, there were photos of him and a particular lady.Her name is Shakira Valande. She's thirty-one-years-old and is one of American most loved supermodel. According to what she has found out, this Shakira lady have been in a relationship with Sebastian Bernadotte for over a decade and there were rumors of them being married.What Isabel did not understand was why the man woul
The first question Reynolds asked Isabel after he entered her bedroom and closed the door behind him, was,"Why were you crying, Mommy and what is he doing here?"Sebastian turned to the boy with creased brows, unable to fathom something to say about the second question."I wasn't crying, Rey." Isabel lied to the boy, coming out of the bathroom with water sprinkled on her face. She masked the discomfort she was feeling with a smile, as she approached the boy.She could tell he wasn't buying her lie, judging from how he was looking at her like she was an errant child."Mister---I mean, your father and I were having some grownups conversation." She forced a smile, stopping in front of the boy who wasn't still convinced by her reply."Baby," she took his hands into her, staring affectionately into his brown eyes, "mommy's fine.""Yes, your mommy is fine." Sebastian added from where he was standing, a tinge of jealousy lacing his tone.Both Reynolds and Isabel turned to him,"I am n
Two days later, Isabel was exhausted from Sebastian's domineering presence. She haven't been to the cafe, nor did he allowed her leave the house.He demanded sex from her every minute and she couldn't say no to him, because as much as she hated his guts, he was slowly turning her into a sex addict like himself.His new favorite word was to call her his whore, or his little rabbit. As much as the word disgusted her, she couldn't deny him pleasure.He took her so many times, leaving her sore and secretly wanting for more, even though she was exhausted and nearly breathless.It was clear he was an insatiable beast when it came to sex, and she secretly enjoyed it.It felt like he has rejuvenated a part of her she never knew existed.However, although the pleasure always left her at the peak of euphoria, Isabel knew she could not let her life spiral out of control because of it.She could not allow the moments of pleasure ruin everything she has worked hard to build in years.It wa
Sebastian and Isabel returned to New York about three weeks later, after Damien was charged for violating his probation, kidnappings and attempted murder.He was tried in court where although he pled non-guilty, he was sentenced to a fifteen years imprisonment with no possibility of an early bail.Damien was devastated by the judge's sentence, and tried everything he could to shorten his sentence, but the judge remained absolute."You not only defied the law, but you constituted more crimes, Mr. Giddorti. No matter who you are, you should be made to face the full consequences of your action." The judge told him,"By the order of the law, I sentence you to fifteen years in the Stafford Creek Correctional Facility, Aberdeen, Washington."Sebastian and Isabel were present in court when he was tried and the former was overjoyed, knowing that his biggest rival was down.Shakira did not make it in the hospital, thus escaped the jail terms. With Sebastian's help, her body was interred
With the detective permission, Sebastian waited until after the Ob/gyn finished her assessment on Isabel, and assured them that their baby was alright, before going to see Shakira.But, before leaving for the ICU, he'd to speak to Deputy Rivera. The man had come to speak to them, concerning getting official statements.Sebastian and Isabel gave theirs first, then Moses gave his. And to the man's conviction, it tallied with the statement Pendel had given them.Thereafter, he called the detective aside, while Sebastian waited with Isabel."What do you think they're discussing about?" She asked him,"You need not to worry about it, Isabel. I will take care of everything."Sebastian told her like he always did, then turned to Moses who was seated farther away from them, asking him,"Did you later put a call across to Pierre and Mr. Gonzalez?""Yes, sir. I have done that, and explained the situation to them. Mr. Gonzalez is on his way."Sebastian nodded with a proud smile, squeezing Is
Sebastian refused to go see the doctor,no matter how much the doctor begged him."I don't care if her insides are spilling out of her body through her mouth, I do not want to lay eyes on that bitch, else I would expedite the process of sending her to hell." He spat with disdain,"She brought this on herself and she nearly killed my fiancée had I not intervened early. Tell her that I wish her nothing but the worst death ever, and I pray she goes to hell after that."The doctor was flabbergasted.It was a miracle that she made it out of her unconscious state, after they managed to remove the bullets from the vulnerable locations she was shot at.However, he knew that she wouldn't make it past the morning. She did lost a lot of blood and one of the bullet had severed her anterior spinal artery and her spleen.She was as good as death, but somehow, was given a second chance, which wouldn't last up to six hours.She was on her deathbed and has requested to see the man. He'd personally a
Sebastian's eyes fluttered open, groggily taking in his surroundings. The bright morning light streaming through the hospital window made him squint and look away from the window.He was met with an unfamiliar ceiling and the sterile smell of a hospital room. His mind was foggy, and his body felt heavy, as if an invisible force was weighing on him.As he tried to sit up, a jolt of pain shot through his head, making him wince."Fuck!" His hand instinctively went to his temple, but it was restrained by a cold metal cuff attached to the bed frame. He tugged at the cuff, but it wouldn't budge.Confusion and panic began to set in, but they settled the second realization dawned on him.The memories of the event of the night before came crashing on him like a blizzard on a snowy night and he lwt out a loud sigh. He couldn't believe that he was being held like a criminal.Sebastian Bernadotte, CEO of Bernadotte and Sterling Groups, was being cuffed to a hospital bed like a common crimin
The first sight that shocked Sebastian as they were led out of the house, was seeing Jarvis's lifeless body on the ground, near the entrance.His immediate thought was Isabel, as he watched the body.Is she safe?God, let nothing happen to her. He prayed within himself.Nothing had better happen to her and his child, else he would kill Damien himself, spending the rest of his life in jail."Sir!" One of the men outside called, rushing towards them,"Speak to me, Howard. What have you got?" The man holding Sebastian probed him."Sir, so far we've rounded five casualties" He informed the man,"Make that seven!" Someone hollered from the side of the house, stealing all their attention.Pendel emerged from the darkness, and from behind him were two armed men."There are two casualties at the other side of the house. Caucasian armed male and female."One of the men shoved Pendel, who was cuffed top, pushing him to where Sebastian and Damien were standing."We received report about a h
Meanwhile, Sebastian and Pendel relentlessly went after Damien and Shakira who were trying to escape through the back."Sir, Giddorti is hiding in there, and I think he's out of bullets " Pendel informed Sebastian, who was hiding by the other side of the door,"Cover me, while I go in.""No...go after Valande and the man, I will take care of Giddorti myself." Sebastian told him instead,"I think it is time we put an end to all this. Me and him.""But, sir....""Go, and make sure Shakira doesn't escape.""Okay, sir."Pendel left immediately, following Sebastian's order, while he tucked his gun into the back of his pant."Giddorti, I know you are in there and I sure know that you are out of bullets." Sebastian began, taking steady steps into the room,"I can perceive the nauseating smell of your fear from here, you son of a bitch." He scoffed,"I might be a bastard, Bernadotte, but I am not as cowardly as you are. You allowed another man take the fall for your sins, when you should be
Moses and Isabel have walked halfway through, when suddenly, a light flashed through the darkness, from a near distance.Moses was immediately on alert, raising his gun for action."Stay close, Ms. Hadid. We have an unwelcomed guest ahead of us." He told Isabel, slowing his step, so as not to alert whoever the other person was.With his one hand on the trigger, and the other holding Isabel's hand, they carefully approached the light.Suddenly, Moses stopped walking, which made Isabel stop too."Stay here and wait for me, Ms. Hadid."Without questioning, Isabel waited in the spot he asked her to, hiding behind two tall trees."Get down, and no matter what you hear, do not come out until I ask you to." He warned in a low whisper,"And once I tell you to run, you run as fast as your legs can take you." He dug his free hand into his pocket, pulling out a car key, which he handed to her."Head north, till you get to the main road. Take the Chevy and drive to wherever you can you'll be s
"Stay here and don't make any fucking sound!" Damien ordered Isabel in exasperation, bolting out of the bedroom as another gunshot fired in the air.He slammed the door shut, leaving Isabel confused, and shaking with terror.What could be happening out there?Were they under attack?Despite her trembling limbs and pounding heartbeat, she got up from the bed, to go see what was happening. Just as she apprroached the window, another shot was fired, louder than the previous ones.Isabel's body reverberated with trepidation, causing an immediate abortion of the idea in her head.She thought of hiding somewhere to save herself, but a crazy thought flashed her mind instantly.Escape, Isabel! You should be using this opportunity to escape from this hellhole.Her instinct screamed at her, while shots continue to fly outside, instilling fear into her.If you think anyone is coming to save you, then you are dreaming. You are responsible for the safety of your baby and yourself, and this is
Meanwhile, Isabel had almost dozed off, when she was awoken by the sound of running engine approaching the house from a distance.Her eyes opened and she listened keenly as the car drove closer to the house, lights from its headlights fairly illuminating the bedroom, through the window.Finally, the car came to a stop in front of the house, and its engine quieten down. For some reason, Isabel's heart was beating crazily.Not because she was scared, but because she didn't want to face them, knowing either of them would come to check up on her, to be certain that she haven't escaped. She didn't want to see their disgusting faces, Shakira's especially.A couple of hours ago, she was faced with the most shocking and unexpected revelation, aside being abducted.Sebastian wasn't the mastermind behind her kidnap, like she'd earlier suspected.It wasn't him. In fact, he might have no idea about it, except that Austin have informed him.Instead, it was Damien Giddorti and Sebastian's ex-fi