I knew I had her where I wanted her. Her facial expressions gave it all, she was shocked beyond words.‘’How… How did you –?’’I tiptoed slowly to where she was standing, taking another stick of cigarette to place in between my fingers. Aurelia fidgeted, clutching her handbag tightly.‘’I know about the little games you've been secretly playing,’’ I disclosed, taking a twirl around her, ‘’Is your husband aware that you're flirting with his rival?’’She heaved a heavy sigh, and I watched her lips quiver in guilt and shame. I stood tall, watching her shoulders slump, and eyebrows furrow with a deep crease forming on her forehead.Her pursed lips parted slowly, trying to form the right words.‘’What do you want from me, Ivy?’’‘’Valerie,’’ I corrected for the third time, sighing in frustration, ‘’I told you it's Valerie,’’She shrugged her shoulders, forcefully giving in to my correction. ‘’Whatever,’’ her eyes rolled impatiently, ‘’What do you want from me?’’‘’Now, you're talking,’’ I
She halted in her tracks fearfully, rushing to cover her ears with her hands.I stood still in my position, waiting for her to turn and walk up to me. I knew she'd do exactly what I imagined, and if she tried to act smart and indifferent by walking away, I was going to pull the trigger on her.Aurelia slowly turned to look at me, with her hands still covering both ears. I could hear her panting hard from the gunshot. My glare at her was strong enough to end her life if looks could kill.''I... Ivy?'' her voice conveyed the fear and distress she was feeling, ''You... You have a gun? Where did you get it from? And... Did you just fire it at--?''''Shut up!'' I ordered sternly, interrupting her questions, and making her shudder as she closed her lips tightly.She swallowed hard in fear. She looked like she had been punched in the gut, with her face pale and drained.We were a few feet apart from each other, but I wasn't going to be the one to walk and fill the gap. I was going to make he
Tristan was eager to hear the news about how things turned out between Aurelia and me.I took off the sunglasses I had on, throwing myself tiredly on the sofa.''I told you she would give in,'' I spoke casually, loosening the bun I had packed earlier on my head, ''She was proving stubborn, but I had to go tougher on her,''Tristan's eyes were filled with curiosity. They indicated his desire to know more about what "tougher" meant.I tossed my bag across the living room impatiently. I had forgotten that it was only slightly locked. It fell off the sofa I had thrown it on, and the one thing I didn't want Tristan to see fell out of it - his gun.''Valerie!'' he yelled out in surprise, seeing his weapon falling out of my bag. I turned my face away from him, finding the strength to explain.''You took my gun along with you?'' the surprise visible in his voice was understandable. I had taken it without his notice, and I knew it was going to annoy him.But, the plan wasn't for him to find ou
The moment we pulled up in front of Dan Steward's law firm, I knew we weren't going to play. Nothing much had changed about the whole environment. The building was the same as it was twelve years ago, and it was a sucker to see it remain untouched even after being owned by a well-renowned lawyer like him.''Do you have an appointment with him, Ma'am?'' the tiny girl at the front desk asked me, preventing me from moving further into the office to meet him. I halted in my tracks and tilted my head backwards to give her an unwelcoming stare.''Yes, we do,'' Tristan had accompanied me just like we planned.''What's your name, ma'am?'' she inquired, and after hearing nothing, but silence from me, she raised her head up to continue, ''I'm sorry for bugging you with questions. But, it's just the procedure we need to follow,''I nodded absentmindedly, not really caring about what she was saying. My lips parted to respond, already getting impatient at waiting, ''Mr and Mrs. Kings,''Her finge
I stared with eyes widened in shock and confusion, unable to believe what he had just said.Was that a joke? A prank? A stunt? Or was he really being serious?I turned slightly to get a glimpse of Tristan, and he had the same expression as the one I had on. So, my father's will was read seven years ago? While I was still in jail? And yet, I heard absolutely nothing about it.''What do you mean by my father's will was read seven years ago?'' I asked him to confirm, unable to believe the words he was saying.Dan Stewards stared at me with eyes filled with pity, and I hated that look. I hated anyone feeling sorry or pity for me.''I'm afraid, Ivy,'' he muttered, repeating the same confession as before, ''But that is the truth,''I bated my eyelids, licked my lips nervously, and muttered something under my breath. Elena - I knew she had something to do with this. They both had something to do with this. They had tempered with my father's will.''I knew Elena planned all of this,'' I grunt
I made my way back home with a whole different mentality, trying so hard to register everything that Dan had told me. So, my father was murdered? But, not the way I had witnessed it? That was crazy!''What do we do now?'' Tristan asked me as we walked over to where our car was parked. He could see the way my shoulders were slumped in worry, and I guessed he was concerned.''I don't know,'' I responded honestly, ''I guess I'll just have to think about everything for now,'' The driver opened the passenger's door for me to get in, and once I was in, I muttered to Tristan, ''I need to see Elena,''****Only she could be responsible for the poison my father had ingested. While he was alive, I was the one taking care of his health, food, and everything that concerned him, until his last days on earth.Tristan complained that he was hungry, so we had to pull over at the nearest restaurant to get something to eat.We bumped into someone on our way into the premises. Tristan did actually. A
''I can't believe you actually hit him,'' Tristan said to me as soon as we got home. I messaged my wrist gently, feeling a little stab of pain from the force I had used to hit Darren.''I had to do something,'' I responded without remorse, tossing my handbag to the side, ''That man couldn't stop blabbering his mouth. And I certainly couldn't stand him trying to disrespect my personality,''Deep down, I knew I had reacted because of the way he had spoken to Tristan. And, I just couldn't stand it any longer. I had to step in to fight for my man. Did I just call Tristan my man? Oh no, I guess I was actually losing my mind.''I still think you overreacted,'' I couldn't believe Tristan would think that. After stepping in for him? ''Darren is usually one to run his mouth without thinking,''''Well he shouldn't have done it in front of me,'' I retorted, turning squarely to face Tristan, ''I just couldn't stand watching him hurt you with his feelings, and taking pride in the awful things he d
I got up in a rush, and dashed into the bathroom to take a shower. Standing in the shower, I kept scrubbing my body hard, hoping it would wash away the memories and intimate touches from last night.''What were you thinking, Valerie?'' I asked myself, trying to recall how I got into such a messy situation. How was I going to look Tristan in the face? What was he going to think of me? What about our friendship? How were we going to see or think of each other from now on? This was one big mistake that should never have happened. I screwed up big time.I took about an hour in the bathroom unknowingly. It wasn't planned, but I wanted to remain there so badly. I couldn't face Tristan's, neither could I imagine how he was going to look at me. Or even think of me. We both had sex even after proclaiming our friendship as a platonic one.My body was turning cold as I remained in the shower, and I was so close to freezing to death. I knew I had to get out of the shower and the bathroom. But, I
The ice cream cones were a sweet symbol of our newfound understanding. Hailey's giggles filled the room as she licked her cone, her eyes shining with happiness. Jordan and I exchanged a soft smile, our hearts still tender from the emotional storm we'd weathered.As we sat there, the tension between us began to dissipate, replaced by a sense of hope and renewal. We chatted quietly, our words gentle and conciliatory, as we began to rebuild the bridges we'd burned.Hailey's joy was infectious, and soon we were all laughing and smiling together. Jordan reached out and took my hand, his fingers intertwining with mine in a soft, loving grasp."Let's start fresh, Val," he said, his eyes shining with sincerity. "Let's work together to build a better future for our family."I nodded, my heart full of hope. "I'd like that, Jordan. Let's do it together."As we sat there, hands clasped, our hearts full of love and determination, I knew that we were on the path to healing and redemption. We were s
I stood my ground, my eyes locked on Jordan's. "I'm going to find him," I repeated. "I'm going to find Tristan, no matter what."Jordan's face twisted in anger, his eyes flashing with a fierce determination. "You're making a mistake, Valerie," he said. "You're making a mistake that will tear our family apart."I felt a surge of fear, my heart racing with emotion. But I refused to back down. I knew that I had to find Tristan, had to know if he was alive."I'm willing to take that risk," I said. "I'm willing to do whatever it takes to find him."Jordan's eyes narrowed, his face hardening. "Then so be it," he said. "But don't expect me to be here when you get back. I won't be waiting for you, Valerie. I won't be waiting for you to come crawling back when you realize you've made a mistake."I felt a pang of pain, my heart aching. But I refused to back down. I knew that I had to find Tristan, had to know if he was alive."Goodbye, Jordan," I said. "I'll be back when I find Tristan."And wi
As I stood there, phone still in hand, my mind raced with a mix of emotions. Disbelief, hope, fear, and uncertainty swirled inside me like a maelstrom. Tristan, alive? The possibility was both exhilarating and terrifying. I felt like I was standing on the precipice of a cliff, staring into an unknown abyss.My heart, once heavy with grief, now raced with a glimmer of hope. I had thought I had closure, that I had begun to heal. But Julia's words had ripped open the wound, and I was bleeding again.I looked at Hailey, my beautiful daughter, who was watching me with concern. Her eyes were wide with questions, but I couldn't answer them yet. I couldn't voice the hope that was rising inside me.And then there was Jordan, my rock, my confidant. He had been my support system, my partner in every sense of the word. But now, as I looked at him, I saw fear in his eyes. Fear of losing me, of losing what we had built together.I felt a pang of guilt, knowing that I was carrying his child. A child
As I lay in the hospital bed, surrounded by the sterile smell of antiseptic and the soft beeping of machines, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. Aurelia was finally behind bars, and I was safe. Julia's hand held mine, her grip tight and reassuring.The doctor bustled in, a kind smile on her face. "Welcome back, Valerie. You've had an quite an ordeal. But you're safe now. You and your baby are going to be just fine."I nodded, my throat still dry. "Thank you," I croaked.The doctor nodded. "We'll get you hydrated and comfortable. You've got a long road to recovery ahead of you, but you're going to be okay."As the doctor examined me, Julia filled me in on everything I had missed. The police had found evidence of Aurelia's sinister plans, and she was facing charges for attempted murder and conspiracy.I listened, my mind reeling with the implications. I had been so blind, so trusting. But Julia and Jordan had seen through Aurelia's facade, and they had saved me.As the days passed,
As we stood before Aurelia, her gaze pierced through us like a dagger. Her eyes seemed to bore into our souls, and I could feel her malevolent energy coursing through the air. Jordan's hand tightened around mine, a subtle reminder of our unity and strength.Aurelia's gaze lingered on me, her eyes narrowing as she took in my appearance. And then, her gaze dropped to my stomach. A sly smile spread across her face, and she let out a low, menacing chuckle."Ah, Valerie," she purred. "I see you're carrying a little secret. A tiny life, growing inside you. How quaint."Jordan and I exchanged a shocked glance. How did she know? I had barely begun to show, and only Jordan and I were aware of the pregnancy. I instinctively placed a hand on my stomach, as if shielding my baby from Aurelia's wrath.Aurelia's eyes gleamed with knowledge, and she took a step closer to us. "You think you can keep secrets from me? I have eyes and ears everywhere. I know all about your little family, Valerie. And I w
As we stood frozen in the doorway, the eerie silence was broken only by the creaking of the open door. The air inside was heavy with the scent of vandalism and menace. Jordan's eyes never left the graffiti, his face pale with a mix of fear and anger.I felt a shiver run down my spine as I stepped inside, my eyes scanning the room for any signs of Aurelia's presence. The furniture was overturned, our belongings scattered everywhere, and the windows were open, curtains billowing in the wind. It was as if a tornado had ripped through our home, leaving destruction in its wake.Jordan's voice was low and menacing. "She's been watching us, Valerie. She knows where we live." He took a step forward, his eyes fixed on the graffiti. "She's trying to intimidate us, to make us feel vulnerable."I nodded, my heart racing with fear. "We need to call the police," I whispered, my eyes fixed on the graffiti.Jordan nodded, his eyes never leaving the message. "I'll call them. You check the rest of the
As we delved deeper into the planning process, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement mixed with trepidation. Julia's enthusiasm was infectious, and she had a way of making me feel like everything was going to be okay. But despite her reassurances, I couldn't shake off the feeling of uncertainty that had been plaguing me since I found out I was pregnant.As we discussed everything from baby names to nursery decor, I couldn't help but think about the future. What kind of mother would I be? Would I be able to provide for my child's needs? And what about Aurelia? Would she continue to pose a threat to me and my baby?Julia seemed to sense my unease and placed a reassuring hand on my arm. "Valerie, you're going to be a great mother. You're strong, capable, and loving. Your baby will be lucky to have you."I smiled, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. Julia's words of encouragement meant a lot to me, and I knew that she was right. I was going to be a good mother, no matter wh
As we drove away from the house, the tension in the air was palpable. I could feel Jordan's eyes on me, his gaze burning with intensity. I knew he was still upset with me for going to the house alone, but I also knew he was relieved that I was safe."Jordan, I'm sorry," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I know I shouldn't have gone there alone. But I just needed to see it for myself. I needed to know that Tristan was really gone."Jordan's eyes softened, and he reached out to take my hand. "I know, Valerie," he said. "I understand. But next time, please don't do something like that. You could have been hurt. Or worse."I nodded, feeling a surge of guilt. "I promise, Jordan. I'll be more careful next time. I'll never put myself in danger like that again."Jordan's eyes locked onto mine, his gaze piercing. "You better not," he said. "Because I can't lose you, Valerie. You're the only family I have left."I felt a surge of emotion at his words, and I squeezed his hand. "I love yo
As I turned to exit the house, I suddenly heard footsteps behind me. My heart skipped a beat as I spun around, my eyes scanning the empty hallway. "Who's there?" I called out, my voice shaking slightly. The footsteps grew louder, echoing off the walls. I felt a chill run down my spine as I realized I wasn't alone in the house. My mind raced with worst-case scenarios as I called out again, "Who is it? Show yourself!" But there was only silence.The footsteps stopped right behind me, and I could feel a presence looming over me. I slowly turned around, my eyes wide with fear. And then, I saw her. Rebecca, Tristan's ex-wife, standing in front of me with a cold, calculating gaze. Her eyes seemed to bore into my soul, and I felt a surge of fear."What are you doing here?" I whispered, my voice barely audible.Rebecca's eyes narrowed, her lips curling into a sneer. "I could ask you the same thing, Valerie," she said, her voice dripping with venom. "What are you doing in my house?"I swallowe