As Sebastian heard the suggestions from the others, he shook his head firmly. "No," he said, his voice resolute. "Marco, Pablo, the cops, and I will go. The rest of you stay back. We'll update you once we have Katie." Katherine, eyes wide with fear and determination, immediately protested. "Sebastian, it's too risky! I need to be there. She's my daughter." Mr. Alfred gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Katherine, I understand how you feel, but we need to trust Sebastian. He's right. This isn't just about you—it's about Katie's safety." Lillian nodded in agreement. "We need to be smart about this. Let Sebastian handle it. We have to believe in him." Reluctantly, Katherine nodded, though worry still clouded her eyes. "Fine," she said softly. "But promise me you'll bring her back safe, Sebastian." Sebastian met her gaze, his expression unwavering. "I promise." As they approached the old warehouse, Sebastian felt a knot tighten in his stomach. The building stood ominously ag
Sebastian arrived back at the Alfred mansion with a heavy heart. The tension and worry etched on his face were evident as he stepped inside. Katherine, sitting numbly on the couch, looked up with hope in her eyes. Lillian and Mr. Alfred stood nearby, waiting anxiously.Sebastian took a deep breath before speaking. "The warehouse was a setup. We didn't find Katie. My mother... she's behind all this, but the cops already took her and they are taking her to the station for questioning."Katherine's face crumpled, and she burst into tears. "Oh my God, Sebastian! What if she hurts Katie? What if something terrible happens to her?" Her voice cracked, and she buried her face in her hands, sobbing uncontrollably. "Everything was good and then all of a sudden, things just fall apart and your mom is being vicious."Sebastian moved closer and took her hands gently. "Katherine, look at me," he said softly. "My mother is ruthless, but she won't hurt Katie. She wants leverage, not blood. I promise
Katherine and Sebastian arrived at the police station with a mix of hope and determination. They expected to see Mrs. Rojas behind bars, but their hopes were dashed when they learned that she had been released after questioning."Released?" Katherine echoed in disbelief. "How could they release her after what she did?"Sebastian's brow furrowed in anger and confusion. He approached the desk officer. "Why was My mother released? She was caught red-handed."The officer looked uncomfortable. "We questioned her thoroughly, but we didn't have enough evidence to hold her.""Not enough evidence?" Sebastian repeated, his voice rising. "She kidnapped my daughter! where's detective Harris?"The officer shifted nervously. "Sir, I understand your frustration, but without solid proof—"Katherine couldn't contain her fury any longer. She lunged forward, her hands clenched into fists. "This is ridiculous! How much did she pay you to let her go? How could you just let her walk free?"Sebastian quickl
Katherine woke with a start, her head resting on Sebastian's chest. She looked around in a daze, realizing they had both fallen asleep in the car. The early morning light filtered through the windows, casting a soft glow on their surroundings. Panic set in as she quickly pulled away from Sebastian, her mind racing with the implications of their intimacy. Sebastian stirred and opened his eyes, quickly assessing the situation. He was shirtless, and Katherine was beside him, her clothes slightly disheveled. He quickly put on his shirt, and they exchanged a brief, awkward glance before he started the car. The drive back to the mansion was silent, each lost in their thoughts and regrets. As they pulled up to the mansion, Katherine's heart pounded. She dreaded facing Lillian, who had always been her rock. How would Lillian react if she found out about what had happened? Her mind was a whirlwind of guilt and fear. Lillian had just finished feeding the twins when she heard the front door
Lilian stood in the living room, her arms crossed and her face lined with worry. "Katherine, this is a trap. Mrs. Rojas is trying to lure you out. It could be incredibly dangerous."Katherine's eyes were resolute as she shook her head. "Lilian, it's worth the risk. Katie is out there, and I can't just sit here doing nothing."Mr. Alfred stepped forward, his concern evident. "Katherine, you shouldn't go. Let the police handle this. It's their job.""I don't trust the police anymore," Katherine replied, her voice tinged with frustration. "They released Mrs. Rojas even though they caught her red-handed. We can't rely on them."Mr. Alfred sighed deeply, seeing the determination in his daughter's eyes. "If you're going, you need to be prepared. Take something to protect yourself, and I'll come with you."Sebastian nodded in agreement. "I'll go too. We’ll face her together."Lilian looked at them, her heart heavy with fear. "I want to come too.""No," Katherine said firmly. "You need to st
Sebastian’s heart raced as he watched his mother advance towards Katherine with the gun aimed directly at her. Katie clung to Katherine, her cries piercing through the tension-filled room. The sight of his daughter in such distress made Sebastian's resolve even stronger. "Mother, please, stop this madness!" Sebastian pleaded, his voice thick with desperation. Mrs. Rojas's eyes glinted with a cold fury. "This is not your fight, Sebastian. This is about what the Alfreds did to me." Marco, groaning in pain from his gunshot wound, tried to reason with her. "Mrs. Rojas, this has gone too far. You're destroying both families. End this now." Instead of heeding his words, Mrs. Rojas turned the gun on Marco and fired, hitting him in the leg. Marco cried out in pain, collapsing to the floor as he clutched his bleeding leg. "Interfere again, Marco, and the next bullet will be in your head." Sebastian's eyes darted between his mother and Marco, his mind racing for a solution. "Mother, you're
Katie’s sobs echoed through the mansion as she clung to her mother’s lifeless body, her tiny frame wracked with grief. “Mommy’s dead… and I… I killed Grandma. I’m a bad person,” she cried, her words choked with guilt and despair. Lilian knelt beside her niece, tears streaming down her face. She wrapped her arms around Katie, pulling her close. “No, Katie. You’re not a bad person. You did what you had to do to protect yourself. Your grandma was… she wasn’t well. This isn’t your fault,” she whispered, trying to soothe the child’s broken heart. Mr. Alfred stood nearby, his face a mask of sorrow. He felt the weight of Katherine’s death pressing down on him, but there was a cold relief in knowing that Mrs. Rojas could no longer harm his family. It was a bittersweet victory, tainted by the loss of his daughter. He stared at Lillian as she tried Katie, he walked close and placed a comforting hand on Katie's shoulder. "You didn't do anything wrong, you did what was right and I'm proud of y
Years later, Katie stood at the entrance of her new high school, the familiar feeling of anxiety twisting her stomach. Now fourteen, she had grown into a thoughtful and determined young woman, but the scars of her past still haunted her. Her aunt Lilian was beside her, offering words of encouragement as they walked towards the imposing building. "I don't know, Aunt Lilian," Katie said, her voice trembling slightly. "What if I don't fit in? What if... what if they don't like me?" Lilian gave her a reassuring smile and squeezed her shoulder. "You'll do just fine, Katie. High school is a new start. You've been through so much and come out stronger. Just be yourself, and you'll find your place." Katie nodded, trying to muster some confidence. "Okay, I'll try. Thanks, Aunt Lilian." With a final hug, Lilian watched as Katie walked into the bustling school. The hallways were alive with the chatter and laughter of students, but to Katie, it felt overwhelming. She clutched her backpack t
Katie sat at the cafeteria table, a tray of untouched food in front of her, as she excitedly recounted the details of her date with Andrew to Nora. "And then, at the end of the night, he asked me to be his girlfriend," Katie said, her cheeks flushing with happiness. Nora’s jaw dropped. “You’re kidding me!” she exclaimed, shaking her head in disbelief. “Andrew? The Andrew who’s been teasing you all this time?” Katie nodded, her eyes sparkling. “I know it sounds crazy, but he was really sweet. He told me he’s been thinking about me a lot.” Nora still looked skeptical. “I don’t know, Katie. Are you sure about this? He’s always been kind of a jerk.” Katie opened her mouth to respond, but before she could say anything, Andrew appeared beside their table. He slid into the seat next to Katie, casually draping his arm around the back of her chair. “Hey, ladies,” he said, giving them a charming smile. Nora’s eyes widened, and she glanced between Katie and Andrew, still trying to process w
As the night wore on, Andrew and Katie drove back to her house in a serene, comfortable silence. The moonlight bathed the streets in a soft glow, and the only sounds were the gentle hum of the car and their intertwined thoughts about the evening.When they pulled up in front of Katie’s house, Andrew turned off the engine and looked at her with a seriousness that made her heart skip a beat.“Katie,” he began, his voice steady but filled with emotion, “I know what I want, and what I want is you. I don’t want to play any games or pretend anymore. Will you be my girlfriend?”Katie felt her heart swell with emotion. The words she had longed to hear were finally spoken. She looked into his eyes, seeing sincerity and vulnerability. “Yes, Andrew,” she said softly, a radiant smile spreading across her face. “I’d love to be your girlfriend.”Andrew’s face lit up with happiness, and he leaned in, capturing her lips in a tender, heartfelt kiss. It was a kiss full of promise and new beginnings, an
Katie stood in front of her mirror, smoothing out the creases in her red shoulder-length dress. The fabric shimmered slightly under the soft light of her bedroom, and she couldn’t help but smile at her reflection. Her hair straightened to perfection, cascaded down her back. She added a touch of mascara and lip gloss, then stepped back to admire her handiwork. Satisfied, she grabbed her small clutch and took a deep breath. As she descended the stairs, she saw Lillian in the kitchen, feeding Kat. Lillian glanced up and her eyes widened with surprise. “Wow, Katie, you look stunning! Where are you off to?” Katie paused, feeling a bit nervous. “I’m going out with Andrew. He asked me on a date.” Lillian’s surprise deepened. “Andrew? When did you start hanging out with him?” Katie shrugged, trying to play it cool. “We’ve been talking more lately. He’s not as bad as I thought.” Lillian raised an eyebrow but smiled. “Well, have fun. Just be careful, okay? Don't forget to come back on time
Mandy stormed down the hallway, her anger bubbling just beneath the surface. One of her loyal minions, Jessica, had just informed her that Andrew and Katie were seen together in the school café. Mandy bit her lower lip, the taste of betrayal sharp on her tongue as she hurried toward the café.In the school café, Katie and Andrew were deep in conversation, oblivious to the storm approaching. They laughed and shared stories, the bond between them growing stronger with each passing moment. Andrew reached out to tuck a stray lock of Katie's hair behind her ear, a tender gesture that did not go unnoticed by the few students lingering nearby.Mandy burst through the doors of the café, her eyes immediately locking onto the couple. "Andrew!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the room. The café fell silent as all eyes turned to her. "I can't believe you're hanging out with a girl like her."Andrew looked up, his expression hardening. "Mandy, so what's wrong with that?" he asked, trying to
As Andrew and Katie sat side by side on the front steps, the evening air cool and crisp, they found themselves talking more openly than they ever had before. The tension that had filled the dinner conversation began to dissipate, replaced by a tentative curiosity about each other.Andrew turned to Katie, his expression earnest. "You know, Katie, apart from the contract, I don’t see it as such a bad thing, getting married to someone like you. You’re cute, smart, and pretty amazing."Katie laughed, a light sound that eased the remaining tension between them. "You think I’m cute? Really? Coming from the guy who’s been mean to me since day one?"Andrew shrugged, a sheepish smile on his face. "I know I’ve been a jerk, and I’m sorry about that. The truth is, I liked you from the start, but I didn’t want to show it. You’re different from the other girls I’ve met, and I didn’t know how to handle it. So, I ended up acting like an idiot."Katie’s smile softened. "I thought you hated me. The fir
Sebastian and Lillian sat in the Turner’s opulent living room, the tension palpable as they broached the sensitive subject. Mr. Turner, a tall man with a stern face, leaned back in his chair, while Mrs. Turner, a refined woman with a composed demeanor, sat beside him, her hands folded neatly in her lap.Sebastian took a deep breath, glancing at Lillian for support. "We need to discuss the business contract between Katie and Andrew," he began. "Katie found out about it from Andrew, and she's not taking it well. She won't talk to us, and we need to figure out a way to handle this situation. Is there any possibility of terminating the contract?"Mr. Turner sighed deeply, his expression unyielding. "The contract is still fresh. Terminating it would mean losing twice the profit according to the agreement. Our companies would suffer significant losses. I understand your concern, but this contract is binding."Lillian's eyes were pleading as she leaned forward. "But Katie is against it, we t
Nora jogged to catch up with Katie, who was walking briskly down the hallway, her face flushed with frustration. "Katie, wait up!" Nora called, finally reaching her. "Hey, about Andrew standing up for you... I think it's kinda sweet."Katie's eyes flashed with annoyance. "What's the point, Nora? I just want to be left alone." She quickened her pace, trying to escape the conversation.As Katie continued down the hall, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. People were staring at her, more than usual. She had always managed to fly under the radar, blending into the background. But today, it felt like she was under a spotlight.She passed two girls standing by their lockers, who whispered something to each other and then shot her angry glares. Katie frowned, her heart beginning to pound with anxiety. When she finally reached her locker, the reason for the stares became painfully clear.A note was taped to her locker, written in bold, mocking letters: **"She's married to A
Sebastian walked through the front door, his mind preoccupied with the usual work stress, but his heart heavy with worry about Katie. The second he entered, Lillian met him in the hallway, her face etched with concern."Honey, we seriously need to talk," she began, her voice barely concealing the anxiety, "Katie found out about the contract. Andrew told her everything."Sebastian's face fell. "What? How did he find out?"Lillian shook her head. "I don't know, but Katie won't talk to me. She didn't eat breakfast, and she refused to let me take her to school this morning. I knew something like this would happen. This is exactly why I was against that business contract."Sebastian sighed deeply, rubbing his temples. "I'll talk to her. We'll fix this."He walked upstairs, each step feeling heavier than the last. When he reached Katie's bedroom door, he knocked softly. "Katie, it's Dad. Can we talk?"There was no response. He knocked again, a little louder. Finally, the door opened a crack
Katie finished tucking Kat and Tristan into their beds, giving each a kiss on the forehead before softly closing their doors. She headed to her own room, looking forward to some peace and quiet. As she flicked on the light, she froze in shock. Andrew was sitting on her bed, casually flipping through one of her novels."What the hell are you doing here?" she hissed, quickly closing the door behind her to avoid waking her siblings or alerting her parents. "You need to leave before my parents see you."Andrew looked up, an amused smirk playing on his lips. "Nice to see you too, Katie," he said, leaning back against her pillows as if he belonged there.Katie stormed over, snatching the book from his hands. "Don't touch my stuff," she snapped.Andrew laughed, making himself more comfortable. "Relax, Katie. I came here to see you, I couldn't sleep. I keep thinking about you and the fact that you'll soon be my wife."Katie’s eyes widened in disbelief before she let out a sarcastic laugh. "Yo