~~Victor~~“Are you sure?” I asked him for the tenth time.“I'm very sure bro, you need to get to my office immediately. We need a game plan.” He says“But I'm in a therapy session with Madison, can I see you tomorrow?” I'm ask him.“Not if you don't want the whole story and you don't want to nail these guys to the tooth.”“Of course I want them to pay for what they are doing to my father's company but Madison and the therapy–”“Hold up, hold up. Therapy? I thought you were just kidding when you brought it up.” He says“I wasn't and I need to take it seriously for her and the boys.”“Madison will understand, you need to get here now!” He made it sound like an order.I rushed back into the office with both Doctor Catherine and Madison waiting for me.“Everything Okay?” Doctor Catherine asked.“Uhm, I have to go.” I said“What?!” Madison shot at me, “you can't just leave. We are in the middle of a session.” She says.“A therapy session which I didn't want to do in the first place.” I a
~~Madison~~My body woke up and I turned to the other side of the bed, I touched it and opened my eyes. Victor wasn't there.“Urgh.” I groaned. “You are only punishing yourself.” My mind said to me.After I told him no sex for a while he made us bet on who would break down first.And right now but seeing him here, it's killing me. But I'm going to win this bet.I checked my table clock, I still have some minutes to spare and play in the bathroom a little. And that's what I'm going to do.“Morning mama.” I heard Aiden and Caleb immediately as I walked out into the living room. They were on the counter in the kitchen.“How are you guys doing today?” I asked them, hoping I would get a solid answer.“Fine.” Caleb said while Aiden shrugged his shoulders.“That's good.” I said to them, At least it was better than yesterday or the day before or last week.“Okay time to go.” I said to them and they jumped down from their seats.“Okay, put on your seatbelts.” I said to them as I drove out of t
~~Victor~~“Are you sure this is the right call?” Mark asked me as we stood in my office preparing to face the boards of directors.“I don't see why not.” I said to him.“Anything could go wrong in there. We don't know if they are dangerous.” Alex says.“Dangerous?” I turned around to look at him.“Yes, dangerous. They are working with Thea” he says“Were. They were working with Thea. She is in prison now.”“She might be in prison.” Michael said, a“but she might be pulling some strings. Or even pulling their strings. Making them make decisions that will affect your company.”“Which is why we have to take the fight to them.” I said, “I understand you guys are concerned.”“Concerned?!” Mark shot at me, “I'm terrified. I'm terrified for you, for me, for Meave, for every one of our loved ones. We can't–” he stammered, “you can't put our loved ones through another crisis.”“Crisis? What does that mean?” I ask him.“It means you should be careful. That you should not underestimate them.” He
~~Victor~~I walked into the prison, feeling weird. The air was different. It has a mixture of mint and gas.I felt like I was walking into a death trap and I needed to be released instantly but if I wanted and I needed to know what the board of directors have done or are going to do. Or maybe who there are, I need to talk to Thea. At least that's what Dad said.Thinking about him makes me sad. But not telling him was the right call, he always tells me to act and think like a businessman, well that's exactly what I did.“Sir, who are you here to see?” The Officer asked me.“Thea Moore.” I told him. He looked at me like I was crazy, “you want to see crazy pants?” He asked.“Is that what she is going by now?” I asked.“Of course. She acts like she is crazy.” He says.“Yes, of course I want to see crazy pants.”“Okay, have a seat.” He directed me to an open space with a lot of tables and chairs.I sat there for about a minute and an old looking man walked up to me with two Officers behi
~~Victor~~I sat in my car unable to move because of the mob of reporters surrounding the car.“Sir, how do we move?” My driver asked me.I sighed deeply, taking my hands through my hair, “I don't know but we have to move soon.” I said to him.“How soon?” He asked.I watched the way the reporters were moving unevenly around the car, trying to get a picture of my face. “We are going to get an opening soon.” I said to my driver.“What opening?” He asked“That opening, drive!” I yelled immediately, a reporter cleared from the front of the car.“That was intense.” He said.“Yes, it was. Take me to Miss Thompson's place.”He nodded and increased his speed.I don't know how I'm going to explain this to Madison. I really hope she understands and keeps her cool because when it comes to Thea, she is not cool.I'm not saying you should or must be cool but this about something larger than her and she needs to understand.I might not have been fully there for her during her trying times but this
~~Madison~~Today is a new beginning in my fashion designing career. Today I spearhead one of the greatest fashion designing competitions the world has ever seen.Registration starts today and the numbers don't seem to reduce at any moment. I feel so proud of myself. I could say I also feel like a bit of an achiever.The Aurora around L's Design seems to be illuminating. The colors of the light blend with the environment in the room and everything is looking so perfect.Standing in the big room upstairs, I could see everyone and everything around the registration area. This is going to go down as one of my biggest achievements.“Madison.” I heard Meave's voice behind me.“Meave? What are you doing here? You should be down there.” I said as I hugged her.“I know that but did you see, Matilda is here.” She said, pointing down to our boss back in Italy.“I know, because I invited her.” I told her.“And you didn't think about telling me?” She asks.I gave her a “are you serious.”look, “yo
~~Madison~~I just sat on the floor with Stephanie's head on my lap. A lot of eyes were on us but I didn't care. This has never happened before, Stephanie has never used the word, “Forgive me.” In our whole lives.“Madison, you need to get up.” I heard Renee's voice behind me.“No, I don't. I want to stay here with my sister.” I said to her, I know that is absurd, Stephanie has been a pain in my ass since I returned back from Italy. But seeing her laying down here, looking harmless makes me feel for her.“Going through.” I heard the sound of a gurney coming towards me. I have been going to hospitals for a very long time, I know what a gurney sounds like.The paramedics picked her up and rolled her into the ambulance.“I'm sorry everyone, but the registration can continue.”“Yay!!” There were a lot of screams. People actually thought I would cancel the contest.“I'm going to follow the paramedics.” I said to Renee, Greta and Cynthia.“You can't be serious.” They all said at once.“Hold
~~Victor~~“Hola.” I said to Aiden and Caleb through the tablet and they started laughing.“That's not how to pronounce it Daddy.” Caleb said, giggling.“Then how is it pronounced?” I asked him.“It's pronounced, ho-la.” Aiden said.“That's basically what I just said.” I said to them and we all laughed. “Oh okay, time to go.” I said to them, because I could see their babysitter behind them.“Bye Daddy!” They both yelled into the screen.“Bye Boys. Love you–.” The screen went blank before I could complete my sentence.It's been like this for a while, I'm trying to steer clear of them because of what's going on in the company.“You should go see them. It is clear that it is telling on you.” Mark said “No, I'm fine. I can't put them in danger just because I miss them.” I said to him.“I still don't know how you are putting them in danger. They are not the CEO of the company.” He said.“Not yet.” Alex said and I nodded.“No, Victor, what are you thinking?” Mark asked, his face looked con
~~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