~~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~~“You don't speak to me like that!” I screamed at the members of the board who barged into my office.“You don't come in here and try to fix things, you are not the boss.” I said to them,This has been going on and off for the past few weeks. They keep telling what to do with Thea's contract.Even after she broke the term of the deal, they still insist on rebranding the terms of the contract.I haven't spoken to Madison or my sons, since I pulled that stunt in the ice cream shop.I don't know if I can be blamed for it but I know I can't be blamed for pulling back from Thea Moore's deal.Ever since I pulled the contract from Thea's company it's been a hellhole in this company.“We might not be the boss, but we are shareholders. We have stakes in this company.” Nathan said.“I don't care about your stakes. You understand the rules of a contract. So why are you directing all this negativity at me.” I stood up from my chair.“You placed that rule on the contract because of you
~~Victor~~“The school was targeted.” The detective said.I took a moment to deal with what he had just said.I looked shocked, so the ny security and Micheal.“What do you mean, the school was targeted. By who and why?’“We are still gathering the fact, we don't know about who but we do know about why.”The female detective added more, “or we think, we know why.”“What do you mean?” I asked them.“From the little evidence we have gathered, we found a link between an open arson case from eighteen months back.”“What does that have to do with me?” I asked.All of these were still sounding strange in my ear. And with the look on their faces, I don't think I want to hear the next answer.“The evidence is linked to the fire that happened in your building eighteen months ago.”“What?!” I screamed, I didn't know when I left Caleb side, until I heard Michael speak to him.“How is that possible?” I asked.“For now, all we have is a theory. We believe.”“You believe.” I cut them off, “I need a
~~Madison~~I roll my eyes as the Doctors greets Victor like he is the man of the hour.He is not the man of the hour, or maybe he is. Since everywhere he goes, problems seem to locate him and now he has brought them to the shores of my children.“They are my sons too.” His voice echoes in my ear.I badly want to believe him, when I saw him come out of that building, I remember when he was in the hospital for poisoning.I remember feeling so helpless, like I would hate myself if anything had happened to him.I secretly leaped for joy when he came out with Caleb. I might hate him right now, but my heart still skips anytime he speaks.He still looks so dashing and arrogantly handsome.He wasn't wearing his suit, guessing he pulled it off, before entering the hospital.The looks on nurses as they passed us was so irritating. I don't know who I want to punch first. The nurses for being such flirts or him for being arrogantly handsome.I tried to listen to what the doctor was saying but w
~~Madison~~“Don't spill that.” I say to Aiden, who keeps playing with his medicine.“I don't want to take them, Mama.” He cries.“You have to take them, to get better. To be stronger.”“I'm stronger.” He pulled his shirt, showing his arms. He tighten his fist, trying to bring out his muscles.I bust out in a horrifying laughter, “mama, that is weird.”Caleb says, laughing along with me.“You are making fun of me.” Aiden cried.“No, we are not. We want you to be fine. So take your medicine.” After another round of showing us his muscles he finally took his medicine.“Aunt Maeve!” Caleb screamed immediately Meave walked through the door.“How is my favorite mucho?” She rubbed his head.“Bored.” He placed his arm on the counter and his hands on his cheeks.“Is there a reason why you are bored?” She asked him, giving me the side eye.“Mama keeps us inside.” He said.Caleb is right, ever since the fire incident in their school. I haven't let them out of my site.They follow me everywhere
~~Madison~~“Please tell me I'm not dreaming.” I squeak, feeling good and happy.‘“Ouch!” I cried out when I felt her pinch me.“See, not dreaming.”“When is the fashion show?” I asked Meave.“Next week Thursday.”I sigh, and placed my hands on the counter and gave my body a little stretch.“Have Cynthia or Renee give us any news about the case.”“No, not yet.”I slammed my hands against the counter, “how is it that, that Judge could betray her own moral high ground. Dad chose her for a reason.”“She is probably just checking her facts.” “Oh really, while she is checking her facts my sons were almost burnt alive because Thea Moore wanted Victor to know she can get to him.”I paused for a while, “she wanted me to know!” “What am I going to do Meave?” I sat on the stool by the counter, “how am I going to protect my kids from a ruthless woman?” I broke down in tears.“Hey, hey. You are strong and resilient. You are one of the strongest people I know. And I know a lot of people.” She sm
~~Victor~~“How good was it?” I asked Michael. He laughed, “some are calling it the Moore's Cavelier.”I smiled. It did exactly what I wanted it to do.We were just entering the company building.“Good morning, Mr. Reynolds.” The receptionist greeted me.I nodded in return. We got into the elevator. I ask Michael the question that has been bugging me.“Do you think she has seen it?”“Yeah,” he scoffed. It's all over the internet. If she doesn't her lawyers would have shown her to ask if she did.“Oh shit!” I exclaimed, “I shouldn't have done it then, it could hurt her case.”“She didn't do it, sir I don't see why it should.”We got out of the elevator, “any progress on what we spoke about.”“Yes,.” My mind screamed good for me. “I just want to figure out something more and I will debrief you.”“When will that be?” I asked.“Today.” He looks at me, my face was showing my concerns.“Don't worry bro, I got you.”“Yeah, except you could be a spy for them.” “Oh come on!” He spread his ar
~~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