~~Victor~~“My name is not Collins. It's Michael and I am your Cousin!” I heard him say.I could tell my look was priceless. There were a lot of things going on and he decided to drop this.I slammed him against the elevator, “there are a lot of things going on today. In our lives and you decide to drop this.” “I'm sorry, I have waited a long time for this. And I didn't know my parents were going to be here.” He said.“Edward is your father?” I asked softly. “Yeah.” He replied and I let him go.“That means you're Michael. But you were lost at sea.” I said.“I was and I think you know the rest of the story.” He said.“Yes, yes I do.” I said, nodding my head. “The police found the kidnappers but when mom dad showed them your picture they said the people they sold you to wear dead and they have lost track of you.” “Yeah, that's right.” He said.“And the police said someone, a victim, helped them get those bastards but they wouldn't release the name. Was that you?” I asked.I watched h
~~Maddie~~“So who is your buyer?” I heard the reporter ask her another question.My distaste and anger was visible in my face. I would do anything to smack that smile off her face.“50 STEEL.” My face dropped immediately, I don't I didn't hear right.Most of us looked surprised, apart from Edward, Alex and Victor. Even Victor.“What does she mean by that, Victor?” I asked him. My voice was shaking.I didn't get a reply, not for another minute, “is what she is saying, the truth?” I asked another question.“Why will you do this Victor?’ Greta asked, her Dad and Alex tried to stop her.“No, Dad. Did you know about this?” She asked him.He took a deep breath, “I pushed him to.” He blurted.“What?!” myself, Greta and her Mom gasped “Honey, why will you do that?” She asked her husband. It was clear she knew nothing of this and didn't approve of her husband's dealings.“It needed to be done, Margaret. The Company comes first.”“But we are family.” Greta said, cutting me off.“We might be,
~~Madison~~I'm no longer the same person, I'm still my Mother's daughter that will never change.But Maddie took shit from people, Maddie let herself be a victim. Maddie was weak. Maddie needed to be loved when she could love herself. Maddie said she wanted action but she didn't see the action and couldn't enforce it.But Madison would do all of those things. Madison will be strong. She would flutter. She won't look weak. She will get her legacy back and no one will be able to question her.“Ma'am?” I heard from my assistant Keekly.“Keekly, how long have you been standing there?” I asked her.“Quite some time, I have been trying to get your attention.” She said.“I'm sorry. You can come in.” I told her.She came in and sat in front of me, “did you get the gift I sent to you?” I looked at her.“Yes, I did. They were lovely. You didn't have to do that ma'am.”“Did you like them or not?” I asked, she nodded her head, “then I had to.” I said, smiling at her.“So what can you tell me?”
~~Victor~~“You need to go after her.” My Mom said to me.I couldn't say anything to Maddie. I couldn't even look at her. I felt mad, mad at myself, furious at everything. Why didn't I just talk to her, why did I make her feel less of herself.How could I do that to someone I love?I looked at Edward, “how did this happen?”“I don't know, Son. The contract we signed specifically demanded secrecy.” “Well good thing it's out in the open. No more contracts.” I said, picking up my coat.“I understand that, Son. But we need—”“We don't need to do anything!” I screamed, cutting him off.The babies started crying almost immediately.“I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I can't believe this is happening.” I looked at my Dad, “the deal is over. And I mean over. Whatever Chemical compound we have available, that's what we will use.”“You should start by apologizing to Maddie.” My Mom said in a worried tone.I pressed my lips together, “I can't do that.” She raised her eyebrows, “can't or won't.”Greta s
~~Madison~~“Why will she do that?” Cynthia asked.“Do what?” I responded with a question.“She just left, doesn't want any help.” She said, with concern in her voice.“I have come to learn that with Renee, she is worse than me.” I said, smiling.But the look on Cynthia's face didn't show relief.“What if she is working for the enemy?” I paused what I was doing and faced her.“Why will you say that?” I asked, with uncertainty in my voice as well.“I'm just saying, the way she walked out of here.” “Renee wouldn't do that.” Maeve pitched in.“Are we entirely sure? This can't go down the drain.” Sheila said.I watched as they spoke among each other, they even started to unpack the documents we put together already.“What are you guys doing?” I asked, I could tell they didn't hear me, their voices sounded like echoes in my ear.“What are you guys doing?” This time they heard me.“Getting more evidence.” Cynthia said.“Wh–why do we need more evidence?”“In case something goes wrong. We ca
~~Madison~~I drove like a mad person to the hospital, lucky I had earlier fastened both Aiden and Caleb's seatbelts.“Are you both okay?” I asked them.They just nodded, they couldn't say anything, especially at the speed I was going.I got to the hospital, picked up the boys and ran to the reception.“Where is my sister!” I shot at the nurse in the reception.“Ma'am you need to calm down, who is your sister and what happened?”“Uhh— uhh, someone called and said she was in an accident.”“Someone, a nurse?” She asked, looking at me like I was drunk.“Yes, she says she is a nurse in this hospital.”It was at that moment I heard my name, “Miss Thompson?” I turned around quickly, “yes, I'm Thompson.” “I'm sorry for taking so long, I will take it from here.” The nurse who called said to the one at the reception.“You can leave your babies with her, she will take them to our daycare.” “No, they're staying with me.” My sister is on a hospital bed, I'm not letting my sons out of my site.
~~Thea Moore~~“You shouldn't have done it.” I heard Stephanie say to me.“Don't what.’’ I acted like I didn't know what she was talking about.“Oh come on. Don't act dumb. You know exactly what I'm talking about.” She said with her hands on her waist.“Honestly, I don't know what you're whining about. This is my company.”“And I'm the one helping you do your dirty deeds. The deal was for me to be aware of everything you are doing.” She said she could hardly catch her breath.“Well, it's done. Nothing we can do about it now.”“So that's it. You tell the world you are dissolving your company. And in that world, you have my step sister that wants to take it away from you.”“There is nothing she can do, they have no evidence.”“Is that what your spy machine is telling you, because it seems to be wrong.” She said she was pointing at my laptop.Madison thought she could stay ahead of me. But I was already two steps ahead. Before I met her in the gravesite, before I made my intentions cle
~~Madison~~“Heyy, your Mom is in.” I saw my niece Isabella lurking outside Renee's room.“Is she okay?” She asked.“Yeah, your Mom is tough as nails. She will be okay.” I said, patting her back.But then she began to cry, “what if she had died.”“But she didn't, she is okay.” I said to her.“You don't understand Aunt Maddie—”“Madison.” I cut her off.“What?” She asked, giving me a confused look.“Madison, I changed it to my full name.” “That's good Aunt Madison. I like it.” She said.“So what were you going to tell me?” She looked down, playing with her feet.“Nothing. It's fine.” “It's not fine, you know you can talk to me.” She sighed, “that's what Aunt Thea said and now she tried to kill Mom.”I looked at her, what must be going through her head, “who told you that?”“I'm not stupid Aunt Madison, I'm 15. Besides I hear y'all conversations.” “Your Mom will be fine.” I tried to hug her.She pulled away, “I know you hate Aunt Thea, I know everything. But I don't want to lose my
~~Victor~~“Matthew! I'm right here.” As I said those words it felt like some sand particles were dropped into my throat.I kept walking deeper into the mall but I didn't see him, just some of his minions pointing guns at me from across the wall.“Well, well.” Matthew came out clapping his hands with a smirk on his face. It was taking everything in me not to run towards him and see if I could end this once and for all.But nope, I have to think of Madison and the kids.“Why are you doing this Mathew?” I asked him.He shrugged his shoulders and then stared at me. “How does it feel to be the lesser man right now?”“I don't understand you.” I said to him, trying not to jump out of my skin because of the weapons close to me.“Madison needs a bigger man and right that isn't you.” He said.“So you are the bigger man because you are holding a shopping mall hostage?” I asked him, sounding disgusted.He placed his two hands in front of him, “anything for a reunion with my girl and my boys.”“
~~Victor~~I stood in front of the giant window in my office. Marveling at the sight of the city from where I stood.This city has taken a lot from me. It has also given me plenty of reasons to keep on fighting.I took out my phone and opened it. My wallpaper showed Choice. Madison likes calling her Miranda.I know that's her name but I prefer, Choice. She makes me think of the different ways I will choose to protect my family even if it means giving my life for them.She looks so pretty in this picture and peaceful like she doesn't have any care in the world.“Turn on the TV!” Alex shot at me while he barged into my office.“Oh please, come in.” I said sarcastically.“Just turn on the TV!” He yelled“Okay.” I said softly. I turned on the TV and it was showing a mass shooting in a shopping mall.“Is this any of ours?” I asked him.“No, but Madison and the kids are in there.” He said.I felt numb and the whole world seemed to stop moving. The sound of the remote falling down brought me
~~Madison~~It feels like the world is finally in our favor. Our lives have been filled with so much joy and glamor that sometimes I begin to doubt that I went to some certain things in my life.Life has been good. My career has been flourishing and so has Victor's. He has opened fourteen more branches in different parts of the world.Mark and Meave left the country because Mark is overseeing some of the branches. That was after we found out his fiance wasn't a real fiance after all. She was fake and used to trick Meave.She nearly killed him when she found out but I'm happy she found someone to love her just the way I am loved.Cynthia is living her best life with my step brother, Philip, who is in the race for Mayor of the city. She has been helping him with his campaign and so have we in our free time.Renee and Michael are having a blast, especially with Isabella. They looked so lovely and happy. I'm so glad she found me and I found her because I wouldn't have made it out of some
~~Madison~~I froze as I felt water trail down my thighs. A gasp escaped my lips as I realized my water just broke. Panic swelled in my chest as the wetness clinged to my skin and I struggled to control my panic. “Vi–Victor.” I stammered, feeling the fear in my throat.“You are fine.” He said holding me. “Steven is outside, I will go get him.” He said, trying to leave.“No, no. Don't leave me alone.” I said to him. I held his arms.“Okay.” I took a sharp breath, taking in the pain hitting me every ten minutes and counting.“We are just going to the car.” He said.“I don't think I can!” I yelled at him, digging my fingers into his arms.“Yes, you can.” He said.Each step brought a sharp pain to my legs like I have ever felt before.It wasn't like this with Aiden and Caleb because it was a C-section.“We are almost to the door.” Victor said.“Go, get Steven.” I said to him.“Are you sure?” He asked, “it's just a few steps.”“Get him!” I yelled at him. I don't know if I meant too or did
~~Madison~~It's been a few months since my step sister kidnapped me and held me hostage for ransom money.These last few months I have been trying to heal and also grow a human being inside of me.Finding out I was pregnant came out with mixed reactions. I was glad I got to give my boys a baby sibling but on the other hand I was scared another enemy will come after us or maybe Stephanie will break out of prison.Holding this picture of myself and Stephanie in my hands reminds me of when we were little. How we did not have any evil in our mind. All we wanted was for our parents to give us sweets and treasure.“Hey, you have been staring at that picture for a while.” I heard Victor's voice behind me.“I know.” I said, putting it back in the box. “My Mom gave it to me during the trial.” I said to him.“She shouldn't have done that.” He said, sternly.“I know, but it's okay.”“No, it's not. They might be your family but all they have wanted to do was hurt you. The only person who made am
~~Victor~~I heard the door open and closed then I saw Renee walk towards me.She squatted the same way I did and placed her head on my shoulders.“When I found Madison. I thought she was going to be mean to me for having spent time with a dad that loved me. And I will be mean to her because she had our mom.” She said.“But even with all those thoughts in my head when I saw her it just flew away because she brings so much light out of her body. And maybe because her first reaction to seeing me was calling me mom.” We both laughed.She held my hands, “Madison is strong. With everything she has gone through. She is strong and capable of handling herself against that evil woman.”She scoffed, “I never understood why she still refers to Stephanie as her step sister but I see it now.” She said.“Why?” I asked her “Because she believes in love, you made her love. So you have to believe in her. Believe in her to survive.” She said.“Thanks Renee.” I said to her.“Don't just thank me. Get up
~~Victor~~It felt like the earth was spinning in different directions. How can one victory lead to another problem?“What–do you mean?’ I stammered, I could feel sweats on my forehead including on my eyes.Everything was in motion but I wasn't understanding it.“He needs to get his phone out.” I heard Renee's voice but it sounded so far away.I watched as Bethany was taken away by the police. Our eyes met and she seemed to be sympathetic.I turned my hands into a fist and released them. I did for about five minutes. It's a trick Edward taught me to do whenever I'm scared and right now I'm pretty scared.“Victor, we have to go.” I heard Alex say, loud and clear.“Yeah, yeah.” I got up and rushed out of the room with all of them racing behind me.There were a lot of reporters everywhere. My security spotted us and came to our rescue.“Mr. Reynolds, is Bethany behind this?” A reporter asked.“Have you seen the video, Victor?” Another one asked.“What video?” I blurted out.“Just let's g
~~Victor~~I buttoned up my tux as I got out of the car. Mark and Michael guarded me up to the inside of the court while my security helped Renee and Cynthia.My Mom had to excuse herself from the case because of her conflict of interest which is me. “Thanks guys.” I said to Mark and Michael.“Are you ready for this?” Alex asked me.I inhaled sharply, taking in as much air as I could.“Yes, I'm ready.” I tapped his shoulder.“Hmm, Victor.” Renee called me. I turned around to look at her.She and Cynthia were giving me the same expression they give to me before we entered the courtroom.“This is the most crucial part of this case. And it will be the end of you like I tell you to.” She said.“I will.” I said to her.“I don't need that. You have said that countless times and still misbehave. Today you are going to swear it.” She sounded serious.I laughed, so did the guys but their expressions didn't change.“Oh you are serious?” Michael asked.“I'm dead serious.” Renee said to him. “I
~~Madison~~It felt like we have been driving for hours. The van doesn't seem to stop at each checkpoint.It just drives away like a crazy person. The van, not who is driving it. Maybe who hmis driving it I could feel my wrist getting numb because of how tight the ropes are tied around my hands.I could breath because the bag over my head smells like feaces or something else. I don't know but if makes me choke and neousous.I didn't know if I should scream or kick the van until I'm able to get out. This isn't my first rodeo in getting kidnapped but have been dreaming everyday for the past week how Stephanie is going to make me suffer. Thinking straight has been thrown off the table.The van suddenly came to a stop. I heard people get down and the back of the van was opened.“Get down!” I heard a very deep voice say.Asking them for help will be a mockery to me. They are definitely going to laugh so there is no need.I struggled to lift myself up and I did. I got out of the van and th