~~Maddie~~“Thea?She's the one in the video?” I was surprised. “If you are going to make your enemy look bad, you shouldn't use something you look bad on.” I said to myself.“Everyone has a weakness.” Victor said, like he was reading my thoughts.I look at him, we used to finish each other's sentences,I believe him when he said my Father asked him to stay away from. That's what fathers do all the time, especially father's who found their lost daughters.“So how did you find out?” I asked him. He hesitated for a while.“I already had the analyst at the company going through the video, but one night we were together.” He stopped there.I didn't really care, I just wanted to clarify all of these. “What happened?” I asked.He took a deep breath, “she asked us to do a sex video.” I opened my mouth wide. Everyone truly has a weakness.“Told you everyone has a weakness. When she said that, that was when I got the idea. The analysts were taking a lot of time, so I asked them to analyze the pi
~~Maddie~~He took the phone from Mark when I said, “let me speak to her.” The look on their faces made me rethink what I just said.“You can't do that Maddie. We are to pretend so she will think she is still in control.” Victor said and left to take the call.“You need to trust him.” I heard Mark sayI turned around to face him, “why do you think I don't?” I asked him.“All of this isn't his fault, you know that.” He said, “that doesn't answer the question.” I said to him,“It looks like you don't.” He pauses for a while, “you don't trust him.” he said.“I don't know how I can, he is technically sleeping with the enemy.” I said, raising my hands.“But for you.” He said, moving closer to me, “everything he does is for you and the boys.” “I know that.” I said.“Do you, because it seems like you will do anything to get your family company back, damn the safety of others.” He said.“Why do you think that, I will put the lives of people I care about in danger. Why the hell will you think
~~Renee~~I stared at the picture in front of me, I don't know how to start or speak to her. It's been two years since I saw her.“I can go with you if you want me to.” I heard Maddie behind me.I turned around to look at her, her face was filled with guilt and affection. “Don't tell me you are regretting making me bring her here?” I asked her.“I can now see what it's doing to you.” She said, sadly.“I will be fine, she will be fine and I will bring her here. She will be glad to meet you.” I hugged her and left in my car.I decided to get to the airport early, her flight isn't due till three hours. Why I decided to do that I have no idea.I got to the airport and walked to the restaurant myself and the girls had lunch the other day.I looked around for the waiter who had served us but couldn't find him, I felt sad for a while. I don't know why I felt that way but I did.It's been a while since a guy made me feel that way, the last time I let a guy make me feel that way was with my da
~~Victor~~“Why do you always have to leave early?” i heard Thea voice as I got out of the bed. “Because I have a company to run and apparently so do you.” I said increasing the volume of the TV.“The new CEO of L's Design will be making an important announcement today, rumors have it that it's a partnership with a company that hasn't been disclosed yet, it has been…” the TV went blank.“Why did you do that?” I asked her.“Because you need to get back to bed.” She said seductively.It's been a week since I spoke to Maddie about my plan. And even with Thea having no clue, it's exhausting just speaking to her. Maybe I should have thought of something else instead of being with her to bring her down. I haven't seen the boys in a long time and it's killing me.“You need to get up.” I pulled the duvet off her body. She stood up and walked to her dresser.“You have been acting strange lately.” She said sitting on her chair.I gulped, Thea is a very cautious person, she could see someone
~~Maddie~~My breath began slower as I tried to hasten my feet, hurt couldn't tell how far back my pursuers were.My feet had begun to hurt me and I needed to take a break. I saw a big oak tree and ran to it. It will give me the cover I need for a while.I got there and rested my back against the tree, I removed my phone from my pocket and tried to get a read on the network.It was the only thing I could grab after the accident. My head still hurt from the impact and I was beginning to get dizzy.“Check there, she must be close.” I heard a voice far behind me.Once they get close, even the big oak tree won't be able to protect me.My legs were heavy but I know my life was heavier.I began running, using the trees as my cover. I got a network tower and tried calling Renee.“Hello, Renee.” I tried to speak but my words weren't coming out right.“Maddie– where– are you.” The network was spotty, I couldn't quite hear her.“Renee send help.” I said to her.“Where are– you?” I was able to h
~~Maddie~~The hefty man in front of me dropped his gun immediately and fell flat on the floor, the bushes began crawling with police officers. “Madison.” I heard Renee's voice from where I was.“Renee!” I screamed as I ran back to her. I left the man for the police to take over.I ran into Renee's arm crying, “it's okay. You are safe now.” She patted my back.My voice cracked and my body was shaking violently as she held me. “Nothing is happening to you. She wanted to taste your limit. And I am damn sure she knows by now that she underestimated you, just like you didn't underestimate her.” “But this is too much. I mean I was hallucinating about Tobi.” I said, slapping my hands against my body.“Tobi? The guy in the picture?” She asked.“Yeah.” I said, still confused by it. “He said she was his wife.” I told her.She held me as the paramedic gave me a blanket and walked me out of the bushes, “remember you were hallucinating.” She said,We got to the freeway and I saw my car being to
~~Maddie~~“You were in love with him.” I said slowly.She looks at me with so much affection, and careful consideration. “It was a few years after the death of your grandmother.” She said.“Hmm, here I was beginning to think you were my grandmother.” I joked.She chuckled, “I never knew her, but your grandfather worshiped her. He loved her too much. I didn't think he would be able to love me like that.” “But he did.” I said, smiling at her.“Yes, he did. Your Mother not so much. But she came around later.” “How did my grandma die?” I asked.“You don't need to know that Maddie.” She said sweetly. “But I do. She's family.” I said.She took a deep breath, “Cancer.” She said,My breath shuddered immediately, my Mom died of cancer. She held my hands, “it doesn't mean anything, Madison.” I closed my eyes, thinking of so many things at the same time. This can not be happening. At least not right now.“You shouldn't be here.” I heard Sheila's voice. I opened my eyes immediately. “Victo
~~Victor~~The Doctor's voice faded as I looked at Maddie. Her face was white and she just stared at him.When I came to, the Doctor was explaining things to her. “Fortunately, we caught it early.” “Fortunately?” She asked, sarcastically, “doctor it's cancer. There is nothing fortunate about it.” “I'm sorry.” He apologized, “do you have any history of cancer in your family.” It took a while for her to respond, “my mom.” She looks at Sheila. “My grandmother.”“Okay, we will start running some tests. And I will keep you informed.” he left almost immediately.“He is very subtle.” Sheila said.“He took really good care of me the last time he was here. I think I'm growing on him. The way he is growing on me.” Maddie tried to make a joke.“You know you don't have to do this alone.” I said, holding her hands.“We got this. All of us.” “She didn't respond to me, instead she said, “you should get tested Renee.” Surprisingly, Renee looks at me. I simply gave her a nudge to save something p
~~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