I get a text stating that something had happened to Claire. What I didn’t understand was how. I had sent an undercover officer to monitor her and ensure her safety. I rush to Jasmine’s house hoping to find Claire is okay. Leo would never forgive me if something were to happen to her and I could never forgive myself if something happened to her boys. I rush to the house and find Claire shell-shocked and disassociated. I watch her movements carefully as we eat. Claire finishes her food and pull a small juice bottle from my pocket and hand it to her. She takes it with a shaky hand and offers me a small smile as I help her in opening it. She takes a drink and set it in the living room table before returning her gaze to me.“Claire, are you okay?” I ask her gently. I could tell how fragile she is and I don’t want to scare her.“I-I met a woman today. Sh-she said she knew Charlotte.” She says as she fiddles with the Velcro on her splint.“Did she threaten you?” I ask carefully.“No.” She n
I’ve kept myself busy at work after what happened with Charlotte. I just can’t wrap my head around her disheveled appearance or her manic behavior. Did I really do this to her? I walk back to my office after a very big meeting for an upcoming contract when I hear my phone ring. It was Mason.“Is everything alright?” I ask quickly as I answer. With Charlotte being on a psych hold, I didn’t expect to hear from Mason for a few days.“We may have another issue.” “What is it? Did something happen to my boys?” The anxiety quickly sets in as I wait for a response.“No. Something’s happened to Claire.” My body freezes and I feel a jolt of electricity race through my spine.“Where is she?!” I hear my voice raise in anger.“She’s at Jasmine’s house. She was out shopping for baby items today when she met a woman that goes by the name Julia.”“Julia? Charlotte doesn’t know a Julia.” I reply as I try to piece things together in my head.“That’s the thing. She doesn’t know Julia but Julia is very
I sit back and try to strategize my next move. I could recant my confession but Charlotte would have to take the fall or I would be captured once again and lose the opportunity to raise my son with the love of my life. The choice seemed obvious but it wasn’t at all what I had thought.Charlotte needed me and as much as I felt betrayed by her, I felt this need to save her. Julia was everything I had wanted and now she holds my son. My heir and she doesn’t like competition.“Enzo.” I call to my henchman. I could use another perspective.“Yes boss?”“You see the dilemma I’m in. What would you do?” I muse as I sit back on the couch.“I would pick Julia. She is a woman of power and strength and holds the heir to both our empires.”“Interesting. And what about Charlotte?”“She’s proven troublesome. I’d have her killed but being she could face prison, I’d want her to suffer long-term as well.” “A good point.” I pull the phone from my pocket and decide to call Julia.“Mon Amour, I’d love a m
After Mason left, I sat in the living room pondering and thinking about my interaction with Julia. If she had wanted to hurt me, she would’ve had the perfect opportunity to do so. I was cornered, alone and defenseless. Not to mention- I’m pregnant. But she chose to share information about her son’s father with me and seemed to dislike Charlotte. She even offered for me to call her in the event that charlotte chose to make another appearance.Was this a trick?I couldn’t decide when recounting the events to Mason so I decided to keep the fact that she had given me her number a secret for now. She may actually want to help me.“Hey, I know shopping didn’t go as planned but how about we take a dip in the pool. I read that hydrotherapy is extremely good for you and the babies.” Jas tries to convince me as I sit lost in my own thoughts.“I don’t have a bathing suit.” I had grown a lot quicker this time around so anything fitted would not fit.“Oh, I’ve taken care of that.” She pulls a one-
My breath caught as I saw how beautiful Claire was in her bathing suit, waiting patiently on the couch. I don’t know what it was but I was enamored with her and I knew it was wrong. She’s married to an old business acquaintance of mine and worse, she was carrying his children. I make small talk with her to cover my admiration and offer to teach her how to swim. For a woman, who was married to a man with everything, she hadn’t experienced life the way she should have.I help her into the pool and instruct her to paddle as I hold onto her and after seeing her exert herself, I offer to teach her how to float. She trusted me and for some reason, that meant the world to me. I let her go after about five minutes and decide to tell her. The way her face beamed with excitement and she ran to hug me in congratulations made my heart skip a beat.I hug her tightly and as I draw back, I can’t help but look at her beautiful eyes. The way the sun bounced off of them made them look almost like emera
I drive to Leo’s office and pick him up before paying Charlotte’s father a visit. We drive to the county jail where the Warden is already waiting for us at the entrance.“Mason, any news on our escaped prisoner?”“No. But I need to see Charlotte’s father.”“Why?” He asks quizzically as he sees I’ve brought Leo as well.“He was the last one to speak with Francisco and I think he knows something.” His face turns stern as he hears I explain my theory about him having something to do with Francisco’s escape. “Follow me. I’ll have the guards bring him down immediately.” He stalks off into the building and we follow. We’re brought to a room and within seconds, we see Charlotte’s father being brought him. The warden leaves without a word after he sit released from his chains and sat down.“What the hell is he doing here?” He spits as he looks as Leo.“Does my presence upset you?” Leo asks calmly as he’s hoping to get him to talk.“You’re the reason my daughter is in this mess.” He seethes.
After speaking with my counsel, we’ve decided that I should hold onto my information until a plea or reduced sentence is offered to me and I’m sure Francisco wouldn’t mind - seeing as he’s sacrificed himself for my egotistical daughter anyways. I watch as my enemy and his officer buddy strode back in and have a seat. I look at my attorney with a smile - it’s playtime.“Look Joe, we know you saw Francisco and spoke with him briefly in the hallway before his escape after your visitation with your daughter.” Officer Mason says as he laces his hands together on the table.“My client is willing to cooperate in exchange for benefit.” Lawton chimes in on my behalf as I watch with a malicious grin. I want out of here and they need my help if they wanted Francisco back - it’s only fair I reap my benefits in exchange after the hole I’ve had to live in for the last few months. “I’ve spoken with the ADA and prosecutors assigned to your case and it’s my understanding that you’re up for a forty ye
She was fine until I came along? What did that mean?“Joe, what changed in Charlotte after her relationship with Leo?” Mason asks as I sit there silently - trying to piece together what could’ve happened.“She became obsessed with regaining Leo’s love and affection. She became devoid of any other emotion. Her fixation on him grew.” He says to Mason.“Did she ever hear voices?” I interrupt.“No. Why would you ask that?” He seemed appalled.“Charlotte was yelling and talking to someone when we detained her but there was no one there.” Mason adds.“No. That’s not possible.” He shakes his head.“Did you know that she orchestrated attacks harming Leonardo’s wife?” Mason asks gravely.“No. I only learned this when she asked Francisco for more assistance in my presence.”“Did he agree?” I ask quickly.“No. He told her that he would not assist her in harming the girl any further and it enraged her.” I add.“Do you think she is a harm to herself and others?” Mason asks.“Yes.” “We want to get
I’m sitting in my office after having sent the testimonies directly over to the judge. He seemed pleased to see my diligence today. I sit back and wonder what could’ve happened to Charlotte to have made her so sour. To driver her off the edge to kill her own mother and hurt Claire so badly? It was unthinkable.My thought process was interrupted by the sound of my phone ringing. I see that Leo is calling me and answer promptly.“Hey, I’m at my office. Is everything all right?” I assume it has something to do with Claire and that thought alone made me nervous.“Claire is fine. I just dropped her off at Jasmine’s. I wanted to see if you had time to assist me in seeing Charlotte today.” He was serious. He had no intention of leaving this be and wanted to pursue an answer from her even if it hurt Claire.“Do you think that’s a good idea?” I ask as I text a few of my officers to inform them of Claire’s whereabouts to switch rotation as well as location.“I don’t know, man. There has to be a
It’s been another day. I’ll be out of here by tomorrow night and I couldn’t wait. My freedom meant that I could see Leonardo again and finalize my pursuits in ridding him of his parasitic partner.I sit on my bed eating my breakfast as I hear the nurse knock at the door.“Come in.” I groan as I continue eating. “Good morning Charlotte! Today, you have another therapy session. Would you like to head over or would you like to go later?” She asks with a pleasant smile. “I’ll go later.” Couldn’t she see that I was still eating? What is it with this place?“They want you to confess.” My mother’s voice rings in my ears as I see her appear at the foot of my bed. I ignore her as the nurse agrees to come back in an hour and leaves.“Why the hell do you want now?” I ask annoyingly.“A confession.” She says as she stands tall.“Yeah, that’s not for you to decide, is it? You’re dead.” I mock as I finish my food.“You will never rid yourself of me until you confess.She threatens. She seems to f
I had my hopes diminished when I heard Leo asking to speak to Charlotte but the shopping was helping. I could tell it was exhausting for him but it brought me joy so he continued until our cart was overflowing. I bought almost double of everything for both houses. It seemed like a good idea as we wouldn’t be living together when the boys arrived. I could see the relief on his face when I told him we were done. He was exhausted.“That was nice of them to include a diaper bag for you.” He says as he pushes the cart out to the parking lot. “And it was just the right color.” I smile in return. I see Leo’s driver pull up to the car. “Is he taking us somewhere?” I ask confused. Leo had drove us here.“No. I texted him to take these bags back to the house and assist Elena once the delivery crew arrived with the furniture. I didn’t think everything would fit in my car.” He jokes as Arthur comes to help put the bags in the trunk and backseat. He nods hello to me and I wave shyly at him.“Tha
Claire and I take a drive to a large baby store downtown and begin shopping for the boys. I can see by her demeanor that she is still a little bothered. I’m sure that my question to speak to Charlotte rattled her but I felt that an explanation from her was needed and I felt it was only right to receive it in a controlled setting. I park and help Claire out of the car and we walk inside the store to see there are hundreds of aisle lines with apparel, furniture, toys and baby necessities. “Have you purchased anything for the boys yet?” I ask as I keep my hand on Claire’s back as we grab a shopping cart. “I have a nursery furniture set and some clothes. Jas got excited and bought the furniture set as a gift.” She says she begins pushing the cart.“That’s a nice gift.”“It is. She had it delivered on the same day. I met Julia that day and I was frightened so Nathan took me home.” She stops to see my reaction.“Did he see what happened?” I question.“No. He was holding our bags and came
“Mason, do you really think they’ll put her away?” I ask as I hand over my testimony. I watch as Leo’s face is stone cold as he hands his over to Mason as well.“Yes. The judge is confident that the petition meets the legal standards. But this is only a temporary resolution, Charlotte will be released when they deem her fit or mentally capable.” He says coldly. It was a warning. Unless I pressed charges, Charlotte would be free once again. I look over at Leo and see his eyes change to a dark shade of green. A sign that he was troubled or upset.“Is there a way to meet with her while she is in the psych ward? I’d like to talk with her.” Leo asks. I’m shocked to hear his question.“I can arrange for that.” Mason says coldly. He knew this was upsetting to hear.“Why do you want to speak with her?” I ask sadly.“I just want to see if she’s getting better and has any explanation for what she’s done.”“She’s not sorry, Leo.” Mason interjects.“How can you be so sure?” He asks quizzically.“
I sit in my bunk thinking about what I had just done. I wrote a testimony confessing that Charlotte is both unhinged and a danger to the woman she attacked. I wrote down every detail about our encounters and her manipulation. I discussed every occurrence in an effort to be with my son and save Roman after his involvement on my behalf. And for some reason, I felt nothing.After seeing Julia and meeting my son, there was nothing more important than my son. I needed to be there to raise him alongside the love I had thought I lost. Charlotte meant nothing to me anymore. With Julia and my son at my side, I had everything. I wait for Roman to be returned to our cell to share the news. He had already left to collect commissary and shower prior to my arrival. I needed to confer with him and share what I had done and I could feel that he would be proud of my decision although it meant breaking the code I vowed to hold for the rest of my days.I see Roman freeze as he enters and witnesses my p
I woke bright and early to head to the courthouse and meet with the judge following my petition filing. I knock at the door and wait for him to grant entry. “Chief Commissioner Mason, I didn’t expect you this early. Come in, have a seat.” I nod and walk over to a seat.“I got your message and thought it was best to come here first.” I respond as he sits across from me. “Is there a problem with my petition?” “Well I wanted to discuss your testimonies to support this petition. I see you have a sworn testimony from two incarcerated men. One being her father and one who seems to be of personal relation to her. But I don’t see a sworn testimony from the person who requested the Baker Act. I think it’d be best to suspend the filing until you get one from Leonardo. It would be crucial in approving this matter.” He hands me a paper with the printed concern.“I wasn’t aware that it would be necessary. Is there a deadline for this document?” “I would need it by tomorrow. I understand this Ch
I hadn’t noticed how much I missed Elena’s cooking until the sweet and savory scents woke me from my little nap. I see her bring a platter of plates - each a very sizable portion and the babies quickly make my stomach growl. I finish each plate happily until they are all left clean. Elena smiles as me happily.“The boys love my cooking! I am so relieved.” She then hands me a bottle of water and places another one on the nightstand beside me. “Don’t forget, Ms. Claire. You must hydrate. Babies need good water.” She says as she piles the plates back onto the platter. “Thank you, Elena. Everything was delicious.” I smile at her as I feel Leo staring at me.“My pleasure, Ms. Claire.” Elena gets up as if to leave and I ask if she’d like to feel the boys. She is surprised and looks at Leo for confirmation. He nods with a smile and she quickly sits beside me and holds her hand out gently.“Oh, they have grown! I feel the kicking!” She giggles as she brings her other hand to my belly and sof
The drive back to my house is quiet but I’m relieved to have Claire at my side. Once we park, I brag her overnight bag, open the door for her and assist her out of the car. I hadn’t noticed how difficult it’d become for Claire to move around.“Thank you.” She says as she is slightly breathless.“Of course.” I place a hand around her waist to assist her if need be as we get to the front door which swings open as Elena plunges herself forward to hug Claire.“Ms. Claire! I have missed you!” They embrace each other for a few minutes and Elena takes hold of Claire’s hand before swooping her away to the living room. I remove my suit jacket as I see her and Claire get comfortable.“How are the babies?” She asks eagerly.“They’re doing good. they’re growing very fast and have a healthy appetite.” I see Claire’s smile as she talks about our boys.“Are you hungry? I make your favorite snacks.” “That would be lovely, Elena. Thank you.” She replies with a smile. I place Claire’s bag on the stair