I paused for a moment, unable to find the right words to use. But, trust my prickling conscience, it just wouldn't let me keep quiet at the whole situation.''Wait a minute,'' I was trying to get something straight, while making gestures with my hands, ''I… I thought you both separated… Why are you here…? I mean… why are you both kissing and…''I couldn't help the stuttering, neither could I complete my sentence. It felt like I was crossing my boundaries, and I decided it would be best if I had my mouth shut.''Valerie, listen–'' Tristan tried uttering a word, but I interrupted him by waving my hands at him, and breaking into his words.''It's… it's fine. I'll just be upstairs.''My legs carried me faster than I expected, and I could feel Rebecca's eyes on me while climbing up the stairs to my room. Or was it her room? What if she was here to claim back Tristan and everything that rightfully belonged to her. That meant I had to find another place to move into.I didn't hesitate to get
It turned out Tristan wasn't holding me back from leaving. He had something else entirely to say.‘’If you're leaving, then you have to drop the keys to the car,’’I snorted out in disbelief. Was this a joke or something? I noticed the mischievous smile dancing on the lips or Rebecca. Of course, she was relishing every single action, and was happy to regain everything once more.‘’Fine!’’ my voice uttered coldly. I reached for my handbag, and grabbed the keys to the car he had given me. My breath was a fuming one, I was feeling so humiliated, and I wished I had my own money to get everything I wanted. Without thinking twice, I threw the keys at him, and stormed out of the room.*_**_**_*It wasn't easy to get a cab. I barely had enough money with me. The only thing I could think of at that moment was how to get back at Tristan, and a place I could stay.I made a reservation to stay at a hotel cheap enough for me to afford. While trying to pay for it with my card, it declined. And I
I stopped talking the moment my eyes came in contact with hers. My breath became shaky, and I could feel a lump in my throat. Fate and coincidence was something I really couldn't understand. Because why in the world would I meet her here? And at such a crucial moment?‘’Ivy…’’ there was a hint of shock in her tone. And disbelief was written all over her huge brown eyes. I swallowed hard, pulling away from the nurses that tried to control my previous actions. She didn't look sick, or maybe she was. Her lips were quivering as she called my name, with her hands slowly taking off her sunglasses like always. She held on to her designer bag gently, and I noticed her fists were clenched together.My heart was thumping fast, and my hands kept fidgeting about what to do. Now that my sly stepmother had seen me, I was sure words about my appearance would spread out to Jordan and Aurelia.‘’You're alive,’’ she added, making me even more scared as she tried walking up to me. Those words confirmed
I stood up to leave, so I could rush over to Tristan's house to check for myself. But, the moment I got up from the chair next to his bed, I felt his hand hold mine firmly, preventing me from leaving.I swiftly turned to look at him, wiping my tears with the back of my palms. His eyelids were baiting slowly, and his breath got heavier. My stomach churned in excitement that he had regained consciousness, even though I was half a bit scared that he was trying to move too soon because of his condition.‘’Tristan…’’ my voice was warm and filled with pure concern for him. He held on to me tightly, almost as if he was preventing me from running away.I watched his every movement, while I ran a hand through his hair gently, trying to soothe his pains. He was trying to sit up straight, but I could see it was a struggle for him to do so as he kept tugging at his chest with his other hand.‘’Careful,’’ I cooed, trying my best to help him sit up. He winced in pain, and with his eyes twitching at
Tristan was discharged from the hospital after a week. I returned to his house, and made sure he was taking his medication as prescribed.Even with his health condition, he was hellbent on taking his revenge on Rebecca. On the other hand, I wanted to know what my stepmother was doing with my late father's autopsy results. There had to be something she was hiding, and I was going to find out.****I did some digging into Aurelia. She was going to be my first target while I took out time to taunt Jordan. I hired a secret investigator who kept following her around to find dirt on her. It paid off. He discovered a spicy secret she had been hiding from the world.It turned out Aurelia was having an affair with Henry Strada - a man who was a sworn enemy and rival of Jordan. He was a billionaire and business tycoon just like Jordan. But, somehow, they didn't get along well. I was surprised when my source gave me the information. There had to be a reason she was secretly spending time in t
‘’I..Ivy?’’The fear in her tone signified that she was shocked beyond words to see me. It felt so good — watching her struggle and fumble with her words. And realizing that their plans to eliminate me had failed.I walked with an aura she couldn't disrupt, feeling like the star of the moment, with my heels giving outstanding rhythms. Her jaw was still dropped in awe, and I felt the urge to shut it up for her.‘’What’s wrong?’’ I asked mockingly, taking my pack of cigarettes from my bag, ‘’Is this how you greet your beloved sister after so many years? Huh? My sweet little sissy,’’She did her best to regain her composure, trying so hard not to be intimidated. She swayed her hair to the side, and I could see her clutching the hand of her purse tightly in guilt.‘’When did you get out of jail?’’‘’Is that what you're curious about?’’ I asked, grabbing a lighter from my bag to give light to my cigarette, ‘’When I got out? Or you're curious to know why I'm still alive?’’I saw her struggl
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
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