I swallowed hard, and halted in my tracks. That voice belonged to none other than Jordan - my ex-husband. My heart was beginning to thump fast in fear. My instincts were right after all. Was he the mystery caller? How did he get my contact? And how did he find out about Tristan? ''Emily?'' my tone had a hint of surprise in it. I should have guessed this right. The moment Emily walked into the scene, I knew she was the brain behind everything.''Hello, Ivy,'' she sneered at me with a haughty smile as she walked over to Jordan, ''Or should I say, Valerie?''This was a joke. No, it had to be one! This wasn't happening. Emily wasn't standing with Jordan, maybe I was hallucinating or imagining weird things. But, on a second thought, they were both standing side by side and sneering at me. What if Emily had told Jordan about the twins I had for him while in jail? What if he had Kyle and Khloe in his custody? What if my kids were with him? No, that couldn't happen!''Emily,'' my teeth gri
As I slowly opened my eyes, the harsh reality hit me like a ton of bricks. I was in a cold, dark room, my body aching all over. The memories of the previous night's events came flooding back, and I felt a wave of fear wash over me."Tristan?" I whispered, my voice shaking."Valerie, oh, thank God you're awake," Tristan exclaimed, rushing to my side. "I was so worried about you. What did they do to you?"I winced in pain as I tried to sit up. "Jordan...he knows about Kyle and Khloe. He took them away from me."Tristan's expression turned from concern to anger. "That bastard. I'll make sure he pays for what he's done to you."I felt a surge of gratitude towards Tristan. "You saved me, Tristan. If it wasn't for you, I don't know what would have happened to me."Tristan's eyes locked onto mine, filled with determination. "We're going to get your children back, Valerie. And we're going to make sure Jordan can never hurt you again."I nodded, feeling a sense of hope for the first time in da
''I need to do something to silence Jordan for good,'' I muttered as I walked around aimlessly in the house. He had managed to hurt me, but I was prepared to show him that I wasn't the naive Ivy Winters he got married to ten years ago. I was now the powerful and fearless Valerie who was tougher and rougher.''You need to rest,'' Tristan tried pacifying me, seeing the worried look on my face that threatened to worsen my health, ''We can talk about getting back at your ex-husband later,''I halted abruptly. Emily... Emily had the right to give information about my twins to Jordan. She betrayed me even after knowing everything I went through in jail. How could she forget so suddenly? She was my prison warden!''I can't rest,'' I threw back at Tristan, declining his suggestion, ''Jordan now knows about our children. He's taking them away from me. And the fact that I haven't seen them since they were born is weighing me down. I have to do something,''Tristan knew better than to keep argui
As we drove away from the party, Hailey looked at us with a mix of confusion and fear. "What's going on, Aunt Valerie?" her tiny, innocent voice asked me, "Where are we going?"I smiled, trying to reassure her. "Don't worry, Hailey. I'm going to take you somewhere safe, okay?" The little girl nodded her head, still sipping her fruit drink.Tristan glanced at me from the rearview mirror, his eyes warning me to be careful. We couldn't let Hailey suspect that we had kidnapped her and that we were using her as leverage against her father - Jordan.Meanwhile, back at the party, Aurelia was starting to panic. She looked around frantically, searching for her daughter. "Hailey! Hailey, where are you?" she called out, but there was no response.She rushed over to Jordan, her voice trembling. "Jordan, Hailey's gone missing! I can't find her anywhere!"Jordan's face turned red with anger. "What do you mean she's gone missing? She was just here a minute ago!"Aurelia's eyes welled up with tears.
Two people were hurt. They were innocent people who were a victim of the circumstances regarding my quest for revenge. Watching Hailey's little body drop to the cold floor unconsciously, I couldn't help but feel the hot tears that were streaming down my cheeks.I didn't plan to hurt her. I didn't plan for any of this to happen. Tristan was rushed by an ambulance to the nearest hospital. And I couldn't bring myself to look as his body was wheeled to the emergency unit. My tears kept pouring in full force and without my control. And, my thoughts kept drifting off to Hailey.What if she was dead? I would never be able to live with myself, or even forgive my actions. I know it was a mistake, but I ended up hurting my own blood. I saw Hailey as a daughter of mine, and she trusted me so much not to care about seeing her parents for days. She loved and respected me. And what did I do to her in return? I had pulled the trigger on her little, tender body.I knew Jordan would come for me if Hai
It was funny to think that barely six months after I got released from jail, I was back in it. I felt stabs of pain too, just sitting in there and knowing I was jailed for something that was clearly unintentional.But, the law wasn't going to believe me. They didn't see things like that. Unintentionally or not, I had hurt a little girl. And, I still had no idea if she had survived the bullet or not.Tristan… what about Tristan? He had done nothing but try to save and make me get all I wanted. For the few months since we found each other, it had been pure bliss. Never had I imagined seeing a kind soul like him, but now he was hurt. And it was nothing but my fault.Jordan wasn't arrested, even when it was known that he had shot Tristan in his chest. I was paying for my crimes, but he was still living out there in freedom.‘’Maybe I shouldn't have tried to take revenge. It's all a disaster,’’ I kept wailing and crying to myself while sitting on the cold walls of the prison. Now, that I w
‘’About Hailey…’’‘’Yes? What happened to her?’’ I probed at him, already feeling uneasy at his hesitation. He kept quiet for a few more seconds, heaved a deep sigh, then stared at me uneasily, ‘’She's alive… Hailey survived,’’‘’My sweet little girl,’’ I cried out in happiness and relief, placing a hand over my mouth in surprise, “I’m so happy right now. Thank God she survived,’’Tristan nodded his head, then clicked his tongue as he watched me sob. Now that I knew Hailey had made it alive, I was willing to retrace my steps and make a change. This whole madness with Jordan, Aurelia, and Elena had to end.‘’We have to put an end to all this, Valerie,’’ Tristan uttered to me, like he could read my mind and thoughts, ‘’I think it's best if we get what we want without hurting innocent lives. Let's be more careful with our actions and decisions,’’I nodded in agreement with him. I wasn't going to keep on making innocent people suffer and get hurt. All I had to do was find a more safer way
I knew Aurelia wasn't bluffing. She was definitely going to come for me after what happened to her daughter. I watched Hailey closely with tears in my eyes. My bullet had gone straight to her left leg, and it was making her leap.‘’Aurelia, just listen to me,’’ I said to my stepsister in a pleading tone, ‘’I really didn't mean for that to happen. I mean, I love Hailey so much like my own daughter,’’She scoffed at my words, clicking her tongue as she bit down her lips in anger. I was the one who wanted to get back at them at all costs, but here I was, pleading and begging the ones who had done nothing but made my life miserable from the start.‘’I know I wronged you, Ivy,” Aurelia sounded like she was about to cry, and I could feel my tears forming too as she spoke to me, ‘’But, never will I even have the thoughts of hurting your own children. Hailey did nothing to you. I pleaded with you to not hurt her, but you broke your promise. You almost took the life of my only child!’’ My tea
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