~~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
~~Madison~~Aiden didn't say anything or I don't know if he couldn't say anything.“I need to find my son. Where is my son!” I could feel the walls shaking around me. My head was beginning to hurt and my eyes blurry.“Ma'am you need to take a bit, y—.” The nurse said to me.“Take a beat, my son was here all of a sudden he isn't.” “You are scaring the other kids, including your own.” she paused for a while, “the one you have left.”I looked at her, “what did you say?” Sheila stood in between us immediately. I don't know what I would have done to her at that moment.Maeve and Mark walked in, “what's going on?” Maeve asked.“Caleb isn't here. They don't know where he is.”“What?!” Maeve yelled.I picked up Aiden and walked out of the daycare.I sat him down and began spinning around, “oh my god. This can't be happening.” I kept face palming myself telling myself this isn't happening.“I need to call Victor.” I heard Mark say to Maeve.“No, you don't.” I grabbed his phone away from him
~~Madison~~Today isn't just another day, it's more of a a different day for the rest of my life.“What time is it?” I asked Cynthia on the phone.“10am, be there.” Her tone was different, like she was lying.“Okay.” I put my phone off and laid it on the table.“Are they ready?” I asked Maeve as she walked into the dining room.“Oh, there are. Just not concerned about going to school.” She said.“Well, since they won't talk to me, they will have to go to school.” “It sounding like you are punishing them.” She said, smirking at me.“I'm not. Aiden isn't suppose to be angry, I didn't tell him to leave his crush.”“She is not my crush.” Caleb said, walking towards the dining room.“Well, whether she is or not, you have to go to school.”“But I want to see her.” He cried out.And she isn't your crush, I thought in my head.“She isn't his crush.” I heard Aiden behind me.“I don't think you know what crush means.” I said to them.“Oh, I know. When you like someone but you haven't told the
~~Madison~~We got outside the courtroom and I tried to come down.“Shit!” I heard Renee curse.“You too, Renee.” Cynthia said,”you have to calm down.”“Calm down!” She yelled, roaming around the hallway around us, “this all thing is going to fall apart if I calm down.”“Well you won't get anything done if you are not calm,” Maeve tried talking to her, “you need to sit down.”“It's a fake.” I said as she sat down.“What's a fake?’ Cynthia asked.“The signature, it's a fake.” I said.“You know it's a fake, or you need it to be a fake.” Renee said, like she was mocking me.“What's your problem?” I asked her.“What do you mean, what my problem. We are all here to help you, aren't we?”“So that it, you are tried of fighting my battles.” I said, nodding.She was quiet for a while, she wasn't looking at me, “I almost died, I almost died and I haven't had enough time with my daughter, all because I'm fighting your battles. When I came looking for my sister, I just wanted my sister not a bunc
~~Madison~~“Did you, or did you not, fabricate evidence, Mr. Sloan?” She shot at him.He was silent for a while, “Your honor, if we could—.”“No, we couldn't, Mr. Sloan. We can't. I need your answer right now!” She yelled.The whole courtroom was quiet, not one sound was made.I looked over to Thea, her head was bent down. I don't know if it's in shame or fear.“Mr. Sloan?” The Judge called out to him again“I can't answer that, your honor.” He said.Cynthia knocked her fist on the table, meaning what he said could mean the fabrication of my grandfather's signature will be a pass for him.“Okay.” The Judge said, smirking, “defense, call your first witness.”“The defense calls the accused cousin, Mr. Moore.”“Objection, your honor. The witness is the father of the defendant's niece.”The Judge looks at Cynthia who nodded in affirmation. “Well, he is also the accused Cousin, I think that trump's anything. Overruled.” Sloan sat down immediately, feeling defeated.Thea's cousin and Isa
~~Cynthia~~I looked at Madison face, she didn't deserve this, neither did Sheila.I sighed deeply as I look round the court and at the jurers. There were all I cared about, thankful Renee selected them before she was excused from the case.I looked at Jurer number 5. She was frightened by the sound of the gunshot.Jurer number 9, seem to already have hatred for Thea.But Jurers 1, the man just folded his arms like he didn't care. I'm going to have to change that.Sloan picked him, but he hasn't shown any empathy toward Thea either.“What does this video have to do with anything?” Sloan jerked me up from my thoughts.“Your, I will like to present Exhibit F. This is Mr. Moore, the accused father bank records.”I paused looking at Jurer 1, I seem to have gotten his attention.“But not just any bank records, it's his offshore account records.”“How did you get your hands on those?!” Sloan yelled.I smirk, “order in my court.” The Judge slammed her table.“Order.” She slammed again, pro
~~Cynthia~~I stood still, not able to move. His struggle with the security seems to be genius, I could see his lips move, calling my name out.Everything went silent, the voices sounded faraway.“Ma'am?” The head of the security jerked me from my thoughts.“Should we let him through?” I looked at him. Three of the security had to hold him still.I remember when I used to watch him in the gym. It was the highlight of my day. Just watching him do his push ups or lifting something heavy.“You have to let me through, we have a lot to talk about.” I walked back, no. There is no way, I was going to let myself get hurt again not by that man.“Don't let him through, and take me up.” I said to the head of the security.“Standfast.” He ordered his men.“Cynthia don't do this.” He pleaded. His eyes were puffy and he pouted, I use to fall for those things and one more look at him will make me change my mind.I nodded for the door of the car to be open, “I know about Isaiah.” I heard him say as
~~Madison~~“How did he react?” I asked Cynthia, she was just telling us what happened between herself and Eric.“He just stood there as I walked away.” She said she took a sip from her wine, “into the supermarket.”“Wait, he was waiting for you when you got out?” Maeve asked her.“Yeah, which was pretty weird.” she says I took a deep breath, “what if he only wants to talk?” I asked.“Like you are talking with your baby daddy.” “My baby daddy is different from your baby daddy.” I said“How so?” She took a sip from her wine again, almost choking.“Carefull.” I said, giving her a napkin.“What did he say?” Meave asked her, “I don't think you're telling us the whole thing.” I looked at Cynthia, “are you telling us the whole thing?” She sighed, “it's not something to talk about.”“Why?” Myself and Maeve said at the same time.“Because I don't believe it for a second.” Myself and Meave looked at each other, “you have to give us more than that.” I said to her.“No, that's all you get.”
~~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