The way I was driving right now—I had never driven like that before. I just kept blaring the horn, speeding at the highest limit without even stopping at the traffic signal. I knew that I would still have to drop by the police station later but right now, we were talking about my daughter.The tires screeched as I pulled into the school parking lot, my heart hammering in my chest. My hands trembled against the steering wheel as I jerked to a stop, barely remembering to put the car in park before I flung the door open."Maya, wait!" Betsy called out behind me, her voice thin with worry as she and Mia scrambled from their seats.But I ignored her, my legs propelling me forward with a mother's desperate energy. Every second that passed without knowing where my daughter was felt like glass shards in my lungs."She has to be somewhere within the school," Mia panted, jogging to catch up with me. "There has to be some misunderstanding."I whirled around, my eyes burning. "Then why did Bryan
The world felt as if it was spinning out of control, a relentless tornado of grief, fear, and desperate hope crushing my soul with each passing moment.It had been two days.Two good days since Bella disappeared, and we haven't heard a single thing about her whereabouts. Two days since the entire city turned upside down, searching for her as we placed a huge reward for whoever knew anything or had any information about her whereabouts.But we still haven't gotten anything.“WHERE IS BELLA WELLS?”This very question echoes everywhere—through every television, newspaper, and every single social media platform. The world already knows that Marcus Roderigo's only granddaughter is missing, as Dad even went live, begging anyone with information to come forward.But still, we found nothing.The cops dropped by several times, asking me to walk them through that day again.And so I did. Over and over again. I gave them every single detail, every single moment. Starting from how we were at home
“ Congratulations Mrs Wells, you are two weeks pregnant.” The doctor’s words repeated played on my head as I headed out of the hospital. “Oh my God! Lance and I are having a baby, this is officially the best day ever!” I sequeled in happiness as it was so hard for me to believe that something this amazing could happen to me after everything that I had went through in my marriage with Lance. At the thought of Lance, a slight frown flashed across my face. Lance has been acting totally weird over the last couple of months. He’s getting distance, more angrier at me for making a slight mistake and even hit me few times. It's been four good years since I married Lance. I gave up him everything and abandoned so much for him but he gave me nothing except pain and despair. I knew Lance had always loved another woman; Ashely Miller, the woman who abandoned him. But with this child, I knew everything would change between us. Putting tthe test results on my bag, I walked down the hospita
I got out of my car and headed into the house, only for me to find both my mother-in-law, Laura, and sister-in-law, Morgan, at the entrance of the house with packed boxes. Seeing them like this, surprised me and at first, I actually thought they were traveling somewhere but with their dressing, it definitely doesn't look so. "Heading somewhere?" I asked with a bright smile on my face but Morgan only smirked at me as she replied me in a rude manner. “No, Maya. We’re not going anywhere. You are.” "What do you mean?” "Mom, she's a real drama queen. How can she act like everything's fine when Lance just served her divorce papers on a hot plate?" Morgan's said in a mocking tone that cut deep. What the fuck! They already know about everything? “Let's not say much. Just leave immediately.” My mother-in-law said with a dismissive hand in the air as Morgan continued making jest of me. The smile on my face faded immediately and my shoulders slumped. I really had no idea they already kn
I stumbled down the drenched streets of LA, my clothes clinging to me, heavy and soaked from the rain. Although the downpour had stopped, a bitter chill remained, and each raindrop that lingered felt like an icy needle pressing into my skin. Wrapping my arms tightly around myself, I shivered as a cold wind sliced through the empty streets. As I dragged my heavy feet forward, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in a foggy storefront window and for a moment, I froze, staring at the massive figure staring back at me. My eyes roamed over my face, my chest, then to my entire body, and a weary, hollow expression grace onto my face. As I looked at my own reflection, for the first time in my life, I hated what I saw. I hated myself. I hated the way I looked and the way I felt, the weight of everything pressing down on me. Growing up, I’d been teased mercilessly by families and even mates for my plus-size figure, but I’d always found solace in the belief that there were at least three people
I sat on the hard chair of the dimly lit police station with my hands trembling. I had never been to this place and what scared me most about this place was the the loud voices of thugs and criminals. And yet, here I was, caught between regret and humiliation. I was also surrounded by strangers and criminals. Glancing around, I swallowed hard, trying to remind myself that not everyone here was guilty of being here. After all, I wasn’t either. After some minutes, one of the cops from earlier returned and sat across from me, holding a clipboard. His stare was unyielding as he tapped his pen against the paper, a hint of impatience lining his face. “Alright, miss. You need to call someone to come down here,” he said, his tone brusque. “as you’re facing assault charges.” “ Assault charges?” I repeated and he nodded. No matter what I say to defend myself, they just won't believe me. I have been telling them since that I didn't hit him hard but it's just as if they had set their mind on a
After four long years of endurance, endless nights of tears, and the quiet, gnawing ache of one-sided love, here I was—divorced, broken, but not defeated. Eight months ago, I had thought my marriage to Lance left me with nothing but scars and regrets. Yet, as I cradled my daughter Bella, watching her tiny face as she slept, I realized she was my unexpected miracle, my blessing born from pain. Bella yawned softly, her pink, toothless mouth stretching as her tiny hand instinctively reached up, gripping my finger. My heart swelled at the sight of it, remembering the intensity of her birth. The labor pain was like fire coursing through my veins, far more excruciating than anything my mother had described when I wasn still pregnant. But holding Bella now, I felt every ounce of that pain was worth it. I'm now back to my parents house, it was a difficult journey but I'm still trying to reclaim my life back, especially when my parents had lied to everyone that their daughter was studying in
I looked at my father and for a moment I was speechless, disbelief freezing my words. I also glanced at Mom, hoping—no, pleading—for a sign that this was some twisted misunderstanding. But her face mirrored Dad’s expression: as if I was demanding for a child I never have…as I I was crazy, that was how they are looking at me. My body trembled as I now realize what my parents are demanding from me. Yes, I knew that I must pay a price for returning leaving them and then return back….but not this…not with my own daughter. I made the decision to come back home because of her, not to lose her. “No,” I breathed, shaking my head. My lips trembled as I struggled to form words. “Dad… please… tell me this is some kind of horrible joke. Bella… she’s my daughter. She's also your own granddaughter!” Dad’s gaze hardened. “No, she is not! And.. will never be a Roderigo.” He thundered. “ You have humiliated me far enough and now you will abide by my own decisions. That ‘child,’ as you call her, will
The world felt as if it was spinning out of control, a relentless tornado of grief, fear, and desperate hope crushing my soul with each passing moment.It had been two days.Two good days since Bella disappeared, and we haven't heard a single thing about her whereabouts. Two days since the entire city turned upside down, searching for her as we placed a huge reward for whoever knew anything or had any information about her whereabouts.But we still haven't gotten anything.“WHERE IS BELLA WELLS?”This very question echoes everywhere—through every television, newspaper, and every single social media platform. The world already knows that Marcus Roderigo's only granddaughter is missing, as Dad even went live, begging anyone with information to come forward.But still, we found nothing.The cops dropped by several times, asking me to walk them through that day again.And so I did. Over and over again. I gave them every single detail, every single moment. Starting from how we were at home
The way I was driving right now—I had never driven like that before. I just kept blaring the horn, speeding at the highest limit without even stopping at the traffic signal. I knew that I would still have to drop by the police station later but right now, we were talking about my daughter.The tires screeched as I pulled into the school parking lot, my heart hammering in my chest. My hands trembled against the steering wheel as I jerked to a stop, barely remembering to put the car in park before I flung the door open."Maya, wait!" Betsy called out behind me, her voice thin with worry as she and Mia scrambled from their seats.But I ignored her, my legs propelling me forward with a mother's desperate energy. Every second that passed without knowing where my daughter was felt like glass shards in my lungs."She has to be somewhere within the school," Mia panted, jogging to catch up with me. "There has to be some misunderstanding."I whirled around, my eyes burning. "Then why did Bryan
Maya’s POVWith our arms in arm, Betsy, Mia, and I walked our way to one of the best sushi restaurants in town.I had been feeling down for like four months now, and the two of them told me that eating sushi in this place could take away any sorrow or worries.But I doubted it, as nothing could take it away unless it was a miracle sushi. Ever since I had Sophia locked up in a psychiatric hospital, trying to turn her everyday life into horror, I thought things would get better. But instead, I got news a day later that Ashley had escaped from prison.Once one trouble settled, another just kept popping up. Four months ago when I heard the news, I was supposed to be scared or panicked, but deep down, part of me was actually relieved. I never wanted her to be punished for something she didn't do, and the thought of her being locked up in a cold cell, suffering for crimes she never committed, had been eating me alive.And now I knew the real reason why she wanted us to save her. It wasn't f
“I thought…” she paused, sighing heavily. “I thought you might have decided to beg. To fall on your knees and grovel until they scrape off, telling me that you wish you never did that.”“If that is what you are here for… then I am sorry to disappoint you, sweetheart.”She scoffed. “What was I even expecting from someone like you? I must be stupid to think you could change so easily.”“It’s so good that you realize that you are. I'm—”“Why?” she asked, cutting me off. “Why did you do all this? To me. To my father. I thought we are all family, Sophia. So why?”I could see disappointment and pain in her eyes, as she waited for my response. But those sickly emotion of he, only her more irritating. she always tries to act innocent. I laughed, shaking my head as I took a slow step toward her.“Family,” I repeated. “You say that like it means something. Do you know what happens in the wild, Maya? Even the closest blood turns against each other when it comes to survival. Lions kill their own
~~~SOPHIA'S POV~~~Leaning against the wall with my arms crossed, I watched the maids moving around my bedroom as they packed my things into suitcases. They were quiet and fast, folding clothes and stacking boxes like little worker bees. I didn’t bother helping. Why would I? That’s what they were paid for.One of them picked up my silk dress and tossed it into the suitcase without a second thought. I narrowed my eyes.“Fold that properly,” I snapped, my voice sharp as a blade. The girl froze and quickly pulled it out to smooth the wrinkles. “Do you have any idea how much that dress costs? One single crease, and I swear I will throw you out of this house myself.”She mumbled an apology and continued packing.Pathetic.As my eye scanned my big room, my eyes shifted to the large mirror across the room. I saw my own reflection staring back at me, cold and unbothered. Seeing some strand of hair messy, I gently used my hand to straighten my long, dark hair that cascaded over my shoulders.I
Maya…” she dragged my name, and my stomach twisted a little as if I was scared of what she wanted to say. “Did you… taste this before serving it?”I blinked at her, not once but more than three times as I tried to remember if I did taste the food or not.Taste it?Oh my God!I... I really didn't remember tasting any of it. I was just so caught up with finishing everything quickly and setting the table before they woke up that I didn’t even taste the food that I made.“I... is it that bad?” I stammered, my hands suddenly clammy.Everyone's eyes darted to me immediately, even though it was only Betsy who had taken a bite from the lasagna.Then Mia also picked up her fork and ate some of the lasagna, but her face suddenly twisted in horror, and she dropped the fork with a loud clank, picked a tissue, and spat it out. “ It seems somehow…I don't know, but maybe overcooked. And it's also very salty.”Turning to Bella, she added. “I don't think it will be a good idea if you try this out. How
(THE NEXT MORNING)The sun was barely up when I woke up, tying my hair into a messy bun. This morning, I woke up with a lot of energy—without any hangover or headache. And right now, I felt like doing something special.And that was cooking.So, without waking Lance up, I slid away from the bed and headed to the kitchen. Getting to the kitchen, I began to make breakfast, still thinking about how much I enjoyed myself yesterday.It was so amazing.The kitchen was quiet, except for the soft sizzle of bacon in the pan. I moved around, multitasking like a pro—flipping pancakes, stirring the soup, and slicing vegetables all at once.Then I made freshly brewed coffee mixed with warm vanilla… just like Lance loved it.By the time I was done, the dining table looked like something out of a cooking show. There were golden pancakes stacked high, fresh fruit sliced to perfection, salads, steaming hot soup, crispy bacon, sausage rolls, and warm bread straight from the oven. I just made everything
~~~MAYA'S POV~~~Feeling on top of the world, I spun around the room, holding Betsy's hands. My hair whipped around as we both let go of one hand while the other was still intact.“Wooow!” I shouted out.Feeling that I needed more energy, I slowly began to reduce my speed of swirling around until Betsy and I balanced. Then I snapped my fingers at one of the bartenders, who immediately handed me another glass. After gulping it down, I returned the glass back on the tray which he was holding and then turned back to Betsy. “Let's continue,” I said, holding her hand again.We continued to dance again but as I moved around, I suddenly noticed that I didn't see Lance anywhere.I couldn’t even see someone that looked much like him around here.I stopped dancing and glanced over at the bar but he wasn't there either.“Where is he?” I asked no one in particular, scanning the room.As I couldn’t find him anywhere, I leaned closer to Betsy and told her that I needed to find Lance before beginni
After some minutes, I finally managed to drag Paul into the secluded alleyway, my body trembling with exhaustion. His weight pressed against me as I lowered him to the ground, his breath ragged and shallow."Hold on, okay?" My voice wavered as I brushed the damp hair from his forehead but he didn't answer and just winced, his swollen eye barely able to open.I quickly opened my purse, pouring out everything that was in it until an ointment tube fell out of it. I always carried it around in case of any small emergency. Never know it would come handy today.My hands fumbled as I ripped open the ointment tube. My fingers shook so badly that I nearly dropped it. I scooped some onto my fingertips and dabbed it against the worst of his cuts.As it touches the area, Paul hissed in pain and tried to flinch away."Hold still," I muttered, gritting my teeth.But he couldn't. Every touch made him jerk, every press of my fingers made his body twitch in pain."I said hold still, Paul!" My voice c