Chapter 116EnzoAfter Reese had fallen asleep, I stepped out of my room and onto the balcony of my house. My heart seemed to be continuously sliced, leaving my soul feeling empty.Even in the darkness, with only the faint glow from the garden lamps, the yellow roses in my garden were visible. They were her favorite, Byers had told me, and I had planted them over the years, just to witness her smile once more upon seeing them.I had been waiting for her return all this time. And finally she was here, and now my beloved wife.Yet, I hurt her once more. I understood her earlier reaction. She had been abducted by Mandy and her lover, and perhaps they had harmed her in some way, which she recalled when I pressured her, and I despised myself for causing her that pain.I compelled her to recall that trauma, and the urge to inflict pain upon myself was overwhelming.Pain constricted my throat, and the solitary tear that dropped onto my cheek took me by surprise. I closed my eyes tightly as a
Chapter 117ReeseWaking up in the morning, I felt incredibly weak. With a groan, I sat up in bed and realized I was in my own room, my eyes puffy from excessive crying.Thankfully, I was on hiatus from the public eye. Jimmy would be alarmed if he saw my current state.My thoughts drifted to the fact that I still didn't want to see Enzo, which meant skipping breakfast with him and Riza.How could I avoid him now?The door creaked open, and to my surprise, Riza entered. She adorably wheeled in a tray laden with food and stopped by the bed, her wide eyes reflecting shock.''Are you okay, Leese?'' she inquired, her expression fraught with concern. ''You're so pale and look unwell. Should I call Uncle Enzo, and we can go to the hospital?''I quickly shook my head, indicating that I was fine. Perhaps Enzo had informed her that I was sick.''Baby, I'm okay...'' I said, a smile forming as I ran my fingers through her hair. ''I'm just a little tired...''Riza continued to gaze at me, concern
Chapter 118ReeseOverwhelmed by a headache, I rested in my room until dinner time. During the quiet moments, I couldn't shake off the strange voices echoing in my head.Riza was painting her family, and maybe a pang of jealousy hit me for not having a complete family of my own. Yet, in reality, we were similar-both left behind by our families.Choosing to stay in my room would only worry Riza more, so I decided to join them for dinner, despite my reluctance to face Enzo again.With a heavy sigh, I rose from my bed and made my way to the dining room. Upon my arrival, Riza's warm voice welcomed me.''Leese!'' she exclaimed, embracing me in a tight hug.I softly pinched her cheek and kissed the top of her head, letting out a chuckle. She raised her eyes to mine, and a wave of relief washed over her features as she saw I was on the mend.However, when I glanced at Enzo, his expression told a different story. Worry etched across his face as he gave me a piercing look.''Hey, are you okay?
Chapter 119Reese''It looks horrible...'' I heard Riza mutter to Enzo, who seemed to struggle with baking, doing his best to smooth the mixture into a tin.''I only cook, I don't bake...' Enzo retorted, rolling his eyes as he kept smoothing.''Isn't that the same thing? Where's the cheese?'' Riza inquired. ''She loves cheesecake, not whatever that is!''She slid another container towards him, the contents of which were a mystery to me.''Patience, Riza...'' Enzo groaned. ''Please, patience, okay?''Enzo inhaled deeply, apparently needing it more than the little girl who watched him with patient eyes.I observed the unfolding scene in front of me with my mouth agape.''Oh my God! You ruined the cake!'' Riza snapped, visibly irritated for the first time, yet her pouting pink lips still betrayed a hint of cuteness. ''You promised to bake it for her, and I was so excited for nothing!''Enzo heaved a deep sigh. ''You know baking isn't my forte. But practice makes perfect, doesn't it?''Th
Chapter 120ReeseI closed the book and carried it with me as I left the library, heading to my room upstairs. Upon opening the door, I made a halt, noticing something new. A small plate of cheesecake sat on the center table.I moved closer and scrutinized the cake. Its untidy appearance made it clear that it wasn't the work of a professional baker from this house.It had to be from Enzo.The idea of him going to the effort of baking this for me, despite never having done so before, just to bring a smile to my face, filled me with warmth.Indeed, this was the first time anyone had ever cooked for me. Driven by curiosity, I tried the cake with a spoon.To my surprise, it was exceptionally tasty, and it made me smile again.*********''You're the seeker!'' Riza exclaimed, catching me behind the curtain in the living room. We were playing hide and seek again.I chuckled as she embraced me. She coaxed me out of my hiding spot, and as I moved back to the center of the living room, I notice
Chapter 121ReesePlease save her! Save Riza!I could feel nothing except the pain coursing through my body, mirroring the ache in my heart. I was immobile, and it felt as though life itself was ebbing away from me.''No!'' I woke up, my chest throbbing intensely.''Reese...'' Enzo's voice reached me, laden with concern.Gasping for breath, I struggled to come to terms with the reality I found myself in. I was upright in bed, drenched in sweat.Was it just a nightmare? But it seemed so vivid.I looked over at Enzo, who was perched beside my bed, gripping my hand tightly. His face was etched with worry. ''How are you feeling?''Once again, I was trying to come to terms with the reality unfolding before me. Glancing down, I realized I was no longer soaked but instead clad in my clean housedress.The wall clock indicated that it was almost evening.''Riza...'' My voice quivered as her name escaped my lips, tears welling up in my eyes. I gazed at Enzo, fear evident in my trembling lips. '
Chapter 122ReeseRiza finished the chicken noodle soup I had fed her. She smiled after savoring the last spoonful of her dinner, and a smile graced my lips as I placed the bowl back on the tray.''Thank you for feeding me, Leese... It tastes super delicious!'' she exclaimed with a beam.I felt a wave of relief seeing her return to her cheerful self. It was as if the accident had never occurred, and I was wondering how this could be?After assisting her with drinking water, she burped, and we shared a laugh before she covered her mouth, embarrassed. ''I am so full. I love it!''''That's good to hear...'' I responded gently. ''Because after this, you need to rest again and recharge your energy...'' I reminded her, even though she no longer appeared ill.I helped her settle back into her bed and drew the sheets over her. She smiled as I caressed her hair, while Enzo observed us, wearing the same smile on his face.''I'll teach you how to swim...'' Enzo told Riza. ''So that next time tha
Chapter 123ReeseEnzo's gaze softened as he settled back beside my bed, gently stroking my hand. ''Okay...'' he whispered. ''I won't leave you alone. I'm staying right here with you...'' His voice carried such tenderness, and I trusted him.His fingers lightly grazed my cheek, prompting me to close my eyes, only to open them again at the sound of his reassuring words.''There's nothing to worry about. You can take a rest again...'' he said, assisting me to recline once more, and I exhaled a sigh of relief.Despite my reluctance to shut my eyes, they were heavy with mental exhaustion.Yet, with Enzo's presence, I persuaded myself that all was well, that the nightmares would not return.And for that, I was grateful they did not.*********After several hours of sleep, I awoke to find the clock displaying three in the morning. I had assumed I slept through a significant portion of the night, yet dawn had not even broken.As I turned to my side, I saw Enzo, fast asleep with his head rest
Chapter 149ReeseWe stood in front of Enzo's grandfather's house, and a sense of apprehension washed over me. This marked my first encounter with my grandparents-in-law, hoping that it wouldn't be the last.A maid opened the door, greeting us with a respectful bow and gesturing for us to enter. Enzo held my hand while his other hand clasped Riza's as we stepped inside. We were welcomed by a beautiful woman seated gracefully on the living room couch. She was someone I recognized but had yet to meet. Beatrice Jackson.''Hello, Enzo...'' she said with a flirtatious smile, rising from her seat to approach him, planting a kiss on his cheek. Her gaze remained fixed on him, seemingly oblivious to our presence.''Beatrice, what brings you here?'' Enzo inquired, releasing my hand to wipe away the lipstick mark on his cheek.''Oh, grandpa invited us for dinner. He mentioned you would be joining us...'' she replied nonchalantly, then took Enzo's hand from Riza's. ''Come on. They are waiting for
Chapter 148TroyI stood up as the female warden escorted Mandy into the room where I was waiting for her. My brows knitted when I saw her current state. She was using a cane for support, and a metal brace extended along her right leg. What happened to her? Had she been involved in a fight with her fellow inmates?Our eyes locked, yet her expression revealed no emotion. She appeared to have lost considerable weight, her once fake ginger hair now dark and cut very short. Her complexion appeared quite pale, and she seemed excessively thin, a stark contrast to the woman I believed I had fallen in love with.Mandy was hardly recognizable.''Mandy...'' I spoke as she settled into the chair opposite me, with the guard positioned a few meters behind her.Mandy regarded me with an expressionless face. ''What the fuck are you doing here?''I observed her closely, noting the animosity reflected in her eyes.''I came to say goodbye. I'm leaving Manhattan...'' I replied, anticipating her inquiry
Chapter 147Troy I had just paid a visit to my mother's grave and opted to enjoy a coffee at a nearby café beforehand. As I gazed through the glass window, I noticed a woman on the pavement across the street who bore a striking resemblance to my ex-wife. Her long peach dress, covered with a coat, fluttered in the breeze as she stood, lost in thought, staring down the road. She brushed a strand of her ginger hair away from her face with the back of her hand, a gesture so familiar that it sent a jolt through my heart.I rose abruptly, inadvertently knocking over my cup of coffee. The woman turned her lovely face upward, and for a fleeting moment, it felt as though she was looking directly into my eyes. In that instant, I realized that the woman was indeed my wife. I recognized her without a doubt.ReeseThe last time I had seen her at the office, she had noticed me but chose to ignore my presence, heading straight for the elevator to meet her husband, Lorenzo Carter.Prior to that, I h
Chapter 146Reese''Each morning, my mom prepares a cup of milk for me, joins me for breakfast, and gives me a kiss before I head off to school. Upon my return home, she is there waiting, ready to greet me with another kiss. We love playing hide and seek together...'' Riza continued to recount these cherished memories to Asher, and I felt a wave of warmth envelop my heart as if I were reliving those moments. ''At bedtime, she reads my favorite stories and gives me yet another kiss before I drift off to sleep...''Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. Riza was cherishing every single moment we had shared.''Do you love your mom, Asher?'' Riza inquired, to which the boy nodded. ''I love my mommy too, but I feel like she doesn't love me...'' Her voice became strained, and my heart ached as I watched her cry, wiping her tears with her shirt. ''I wish we could be together forever. I wish she would never leave me again...''Oh, God! My baby!I rushed to her, enveloping her in a tight
Chapter 145ReeseCandice received a call and had to leave immediately, which gave Enzo and me some privacy to talk.Enzo recounted everything to me: the events that transpired, how he located both me and my daughter, and his decision to allow Troy to remain at the company to facilitate Mandy's imprisonment. It was Troy who had also disclosed all my favorites and personal details to him.As Enzo finished his story, my sobs became increasingly uncontrollable.My daughter had endured so much pain. She was aware that I was her mother, and all of this turmoil stemmed from the schemes of Mandy and Flora, who sought to destroy my life.My heart shattered further as the last words I had spoken about my daughter reverberated in my mind.What had I been thinking? She must be feeling heartbroken and angry with me now.''I never intended for you to love me and Riza because you were forced to...'' Enzo said, holding me close as we locked eyes. ''I did not wish to impose any pressure. My desire wa
Chapter 144ReeseThe tears that streamed from my eyes onto Riza's drawing paper in my grasp, soaking her watercolor artwork.My sobs were relentless, and I struggled to catch my breath. My lips quivered as I silently screamed within.Every memory flooded back into me.How could I not when I gazed down at Riza's paintings? When I saw the words that she wrote.These phrases, which I found myself reading repeatedly, drove me to the brink of madness. ''I love you, mommy and daddy!''A wave of panic surged within me, as if the car crash had just occurred anew.My child. She was in pain.My knees trembled as I rose, clutching the drawing papers in my hand, and rushed back to Enzo's room to retrieve my phone.With unsteady fingers, I finally dialed Enzo's number.Enzo. The man who rescued me from that bridge. The man I gave my all to, after Troy cheated on me. The man I had missed dearly, to whom I had entrusted my heart and soul. The father of my child.How could I forget about him?Please
Chapter 143Enzo''Daddy...'' Riza sobbed against my shoulder, and all I could do was hold her close, trying to reassure her that everything would be alright. The big lump in my throat made it nearly impossible to speak, and I could only manage a whisper as I said, ''Mommy didn't mean what she said, baby. Please try to understand her...''Tears filled my eyes as I recalled how Nick Rivers found Reese and my daughter.''Both Reese and your daughter survived the accident. The hospital contacted Flora, her guardian. Incredibly, the baby was healthy and unharmed. They entrusted her to Flora, who assured them she would take good care of her...''My heart raced as I awaited Nick's next words.''I've looked into the orphanages in Los Angeles, and there is one girl who arrived on the same day your daughter was released from the hospital and entrusted to Flora...'' Nick continued, and my heart plummeted. ''I spoke with the head of the orphanage. That day, someone left a box at the gate. When
Chapter 142ReeseA heavy silence enveloped Flora and me, and it took her some time to respond to my question.''I really have no idea what you mean...'' she replied, her voice barely audible. ''Please, I don't want anyone to disturb me. Your husband sent me to jail! I hate him! I hate both of you!''I began to feel a surge of impatience. She was evading my question. ''Who is the sister you mentioned when you tried to shoot me? Who else was imprisoned besides you?'' I retorted, and once more, Flora hesitated to answer me.The seconds of silence stretched on, and it felt like ages to me.''N-nothing...'' the moment she stammered, I knew something wasn't right. ''Please, I want to rest now. Don't ever call me again, you ungrateful bitch!''''Don't even think of hanging up on me!'' I snapped, tears welling up in my eyes. I sensed that my emotions were on the verge of overflowing. ''Did you know Lorenzo Carter?'' I yelled. ''Did you know him before he reached out to me and proposed marria
Chapter 141ReeseI watched Candice and Mrs. Martin as they both attempted to reach Enzo by phone, yet he failed to answer their calls. This situation heightened my unease, leaving my thoughts in disarray regarding the events that had transpired.I had no idea what was going on. Why people around me said things that were incomprehensible, making me feel as though I was the only one without understanding.As Mrs. Martin's expression shifted to one of panic due to Enzo's continued silence, a sharp headache struck me once more. The image of Riza's tearful gaze lingered in my mind, and I felt as though I might faint from the intensity of the pain.I slowly moved away from them, making my way upstairs to Enzo's bedroom. Perched on the edge of the bed, I pressed my hand against my head, grimacing in discomfort. I was starting to think that I had significantly underestimated the severity of this headache.Could it be attributed to my lack of sleep the previous night? That seemed unlikely. As