Meanwhile, Reynolds was impatiently waiting for his mother to return.It has been almost an hour since Zachary returned from the restaurant, with takeout dinner for him, and the flimsy excuse that his mother was saying hello to an old friend she'd met inside the restaurant.At first, he'd believed the man.His mommy had lived in the city before he was born, so it was possible that she'd met an old acquaintance and had stopped to say hello.However, after thirty minutes crawled into an hour, he began to get suspicious that something must've happened to her inside theIf not, what else would be holding her?"Open the door." "Why?" Zachary who was seated in the driver's side, asked the boy.Earlier, after he'd lied to the boy that his mother was greeting an old friend, thus the delay, he decided he wasn't going to leave immediately to not arouse the boy's suspicion.Now, he was regretting that decision."I need to go get my mommy, so we can go home. She has taken too long with this frie
Seeing her son's ashen face, Isabel tried to disengage from Sebastian, but he refuse to let her go."Let me handle this." He whispered to her, while she was battling with embarrassment and regret. How could she have allowed herself to be irresponsible, kissing a man in front of her son?She blamed herself, although she knew the situation was beyond her control.Her innocence did nothing to extinguish the guilt that was eating her.The knowledge that she has traumatized her little boy, filled her with self-loathe.At that moment, all she wanted to do was envelope him into a warm hug and apologize to him, but Sebastian insisted on handling things himself."It's not your fault that he caught us in the act. He wasn't supposed to be here." He reassured her, seeing the guilt that has glistened her eyes.He was angry too, but his anger were directed at Zachary mostly.Not only did he fail to do the simple job of keeping the boy away, but his carelessness has cost him a golden opportunity
The drive to the manor was the longest drive of Isabel's life. It felt like it was never coming to an end, and in the latter part of the drive, she wished she could buy herself more time.Although it has been eight years of seperation.it felt like an enternity, and her heart raced with anticipation and dread.What would they be like?What if they don't like her and refused to acknowledge her as their mother?Of course she wasn't expecting them to jump for joy when they meet. She wasn't even expecting them to acknowledge her, since she wasn't legally their mother, and she doesn't know what the man have told them before now.He wouldn't tell her when she asked him, but she suspected that he'd told them the truth."She was just a vessel to carry my heirs, and you don't need to know who she is."However, a twinkle of faith lingered in her heart, giving her hope she didn't want to accept, but couldn't help herself.The last time she saw them, they were both newborns weighing no more tha
The reunion went better than Isabel had expected. The boys were warm towards her, at least, the oldest, Alexander was.The younger one, Oliver, seemed neutral about everything, even after Sebastian introduced her and Reynolds as their mother and youngest brother respectively.He spoke only when he was spoken to, retaining a bored expression throughout the meeting.His personality mirrored Reynolds' so much, leaving Isabel marveled.The only difference between them was that, he appeared to be a little more outspoken than Reynolds, but that did not ease her concern.She'd always believed that Reynolds' indifference to the world around him was because of his health struggles in his early childhood, coupled with the fact that it'd mostly been just the both of them.However, she couldn't say the same for Oliver.While Alexander was entertaining both Reynolds and Oliver with random talks, which they both seem uninterested in, Sebastian got up and excused himself."Isabel, can I speak to y
The day of the event finally came and despite her warning, Sebastian did not return to the country, nor did he call her, which was unusual, but Isabel did not call him.She was angry at him for choosing his work over if own son's, and vowed to not pick his calls if he ever called.Since their father wasn't attending the event, Alexander invited her and Reynolds instead."You and Reynolds should take the invitation, since Father won't be showing up like always."The boy's disappointment kindled her anger against Sebastian, but she did not say anything, except to thank the boy for the thoughtful gesture.Zachary drove them to the venue of the event, which was at the boys' school, and the drive lasted for about ten minutes.When they arrived, Zachary opened the door for them, and Isabel stepped out of the car and onto the manicured grounds of Alexander and Oliver's school, her eyes widening in awe. The sprawling campus stretched before her, with majestic stone buildings, immaculate l
Ignoring the stranger flattering question, Isabel walked past the stranger, keeping a straight face.The last thing she needed was having another man hit on her when she was yet to get rid of the two on her neck."Come on, a pretty lady like you shouldn't walk around with such expression. It doesn't suit you." The man persisted, while she walked away briskly, not wanting to be left in an awkward situation with the stranger.However, he following her, talking to her, even though she outrightly ignored him.What kind of an idiot doesn't read the atmosphere to know when a lady wants to speak to him, and when she doesn't?"I couldn't help but notice you from earlier, while you were speaking to Principal Anderson. Honestly, I was beyond captivated by your beauty and I knew I'd to speak to you before the day runs out." He continued, while Isavel hastened her steps, barely saying anything to him."I understand that you are skeptical about indulging in a conversation with a man you just me
Getting the boys out of the arcade wasn't an easy task for Isabel. She had to promise to make it up to them, before they begrudgingly followed her out."But we've not spent up to an hour there, why do we have to leave?" Oliver grumbled, as she led them to where Zachary was waiting for them.Damien Giddorti and his bodyguard, Taylor had left by the time they returned."Are we all set to leave?" The man asked them,"Yes--""Why do we have to leave now?" Oliver questioned Zachary tersely, cutting off his brother's reply."I don't understand we have to leave now, when there are still lot of games and activities to be done.""There has been an emergency, so we have to leave now." Zachary replied to the boy, expecting him to throw questions at him.Oliver would never obey any order without questioning its reasons, even if God came down and ordered him Himself.The boy was a little too assertive for his age. Reynolds too."What emergency?""I will explain better when we get to the car. Now,
Two nights later, Isabel and the boys were having dinner, when her phone began to ring from the kitchen.She excused herself, then got up to go pick the call, out of the boy's earshot.Seeing Austin's name on the caller screen, she felt a tinge of disappointment.Not that she didn't appreciate Austin who have been calling her nonstop for the past two days, to check up on her, but because deep within herself, she wished it was Sebastian calling her not him.She wanted him to be the one calling, not anyone else.But despite her disappointment, she accepted the call, placing the phone against her right ear."How are you doing, Isabel?" He asked her the second she accepted his call, his voice laced with concern and care like always."I'm fine, Austin.""You don't sound fine, Isabel. At least, not to me." He persisted,"I will be fine." She told him, sounding as convincing as she could,"Has there been any news about his whereabouts?""Not yet. The search is still ongoing, but they've found
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