CHARLOTTE’S POV“Looks like your dad and I, are going to have a longgg chat” she whispered, a chilling smirk playing on her lips as she slowly leaned away from my face. She was fond of doing this. Always looking down on me with contempt, like she was better than I was! But in as much as I wanted to blast at her for doing so, I had more pressing issues to worry about.What did she mean I should go complain to my father? What did she mean by saying they were going to have a long chat?!Could she…could she have found out something? About my father?No. No, that’s not possible!We took precautions and everything had been smooth so far. How could she know about him? Or linked our relationship together?It was impossible! Absolutely impossible!She was probably just bluffing and wanting to get a rise out of me. “Manipulative crazy bitch!” I cussed underneath my breath and turned to get her before she fully left the environment.“Hey!” I called out, my irritation reaching the roof as I watche
HUDSON’S POV“Hudson!”“Huddie, it was her!” a groan of frustration almost left my lips as I heard her yell from outside my office door. There really is no stopping her, is there?She wouldn’t stop screaming about like a crazy person! This was the third time she was going at it just today and honestly; I was so sick of it! But before I could move to lock my door, it flung open and in she came. Fully fledged with her brown eyes holding promises of another round of screaming. I pressed my eyes shut as I groaned inwardly, totally disliking the way my evening was going.First, I hadn’t heard from Val these past days ever since she left me standing at her company’s parking lot. That alone was enough to trouble my mind, and attending that stupid handover party with Charlotte didn’t help matters. Mom refused to listen to a word I said, all she cared about was how I was letting myself get seduced by Val.So, granting Charlotte a space in the business was her own way of reminding me what was i
HUDSON'S POV“It is! It is Hudson, it is!” she snapped, her voice cold. “You’re embarrassed and angry because people now know about me. About our dealings with each other! You wanted to keep me hidden and only meet me when you wanted to, isn’t it? That’s why you brought up that whole talk of getting us a home!”What?My blood boiled hot at those words. Was that what she was thinking? Was that why she had been giving me cold shoulder all these why?! Without trying to understand me?! “There’s a reason why I wanted to keep you hidden!” I argued, my voice loud. “There was a reason I wanted us to build a home where I can easily go to everyday after work without having to remember Charlotte was just few blocks down the street! I wanted us all to be safe, I wanted you and our kids, our family to be safe from any drama that may arise for the meantime! I never planned to keep you hidden forever, Valerie! How could say things like this?!”“Now, they know all about us what next? What next?! What
VALERIE’S POV“What happened?!”“Sir! She just started bleeding and-“Through her nostrils?!” he bellowed, panic coursing through each word as he rushed to her small form on the living room couch, the maid following behind. “Aby, baby, can you hear me?” he called out eagerly, cupping her cheek for a bit as he tried wiping off the blood that had stained her clothes all over.“What the fuck happened here?! Why is there so much blood?” he roared, frightening the already trembling maid. “This-it has happened before Sir. She started having nose bleeds a few weeks back, but she has never passed out because of it! I just found her bleeding at the stairs when I called you and now she- she…” the maid cried out, her voice breaking as she broke into tears.But Hudson was having none of it, “Abrille.”“Abrille!!”“Shit! She’s so cold. Get James and the car, NOW!” he thundered, his eyes blazing with anger as he hurriedly cuddled the little girl to his chest before rushing to the front door. His l
VALERIE’S POVA moment of silence passed after Mason’s question. Everyone keeping quiet and looking expectantly at, well… Hudson. He was the daddy here, right? His son just asked him a question then. “Daddy?” Miley pressed, blinking her green eyes at the screen.“Err-I-” Hudson stuttered, seemingly speechless at the moment as he shared a surprised look with me. But eventually, “No. I’m not married, Mason” he responded, his voice firm.“I told you!” Miley announced immediately, her eyes fixed on Mason. “But he took so many pictures with the shiny hair lady and none with mommy!” Miles argued and just then I realized what was going on. “Daddy, why didn’t you take pictures with mommy?”I felt Hudson suck a breath as he tried to come up with answers for these curious trio of mine. They had most definitely surfed the internet again despite my warnings. But then again, these things were bound to come out one day. No matter how much we wanted to avoid it, it would find a way to show its ugly h
CHARLOTTE’S POVCold.That sensation right there, was what I felt through out my body. Its unrepentant poison coursing through every nerve on my skin as I laid there in the slightly reddish water of my bathtub. Caused by the deep cut on my arm. An injury I had inflicted on myself after knocking down the hand dryer in the bathroom as a result of my anger and frustrations.Who wouldn’t be in my situation? Who? I would love to see that person!Just then, I heard footsteps approach the bathroom and my head rose from its bent position, my eyes hopeful as I waited for the man that I wanted to walk in. The only man that could make all these heartaches go away… But all hope came crashing down as a lean physique man rather, walked in. His movements skeptical and his eyes scanning the bathroom before settling on me.Alarm shot up in his eyes as he took in my condition, “Madame!” Ethan cried out, rushing to me.“Are you okay? You’re bleeding… can you hear me?” he probed, fussing around in the ba
CHARLOTTE’S POV The sun had hung up high in the sky by the time I had arrived at the mansion. Today was to be the old man’s classic ranch day! Another one of his practices where he made everyone gather in the fields for his amusement. I call it; the mud day! A day you should get prepared to be attacked with the unpleasant smell of horse pop and other animals that he reared for fun. You get stained and do stupid chores while he relaxed at a spot on his wheelchair, watching you make a fool out of yourself. An eerie way to have fun if you ask me, but what do I know? I after all wanted to become his granddaughter in law, so I guess I had to endure. Which was why I was seated here, under a very stylish canopy with individuals I would rather not even glance at on a normal day. “Ah! Such a great weather today, isn’t it?” Coco, Hudson’s elder cousin commented, letting out a sigh as she took off her sunshades to bask in the morning sun. I just discreetly rolled my eyes at her, yeah the we
VALERIE’S POV“Grandpa!”“Daddy!” my babies squealed out, each of them racing to the different men in delight. Their excited laughter filling the air as I slowly joined from behind, a flawless smile on my face as well the moment I took in the floored expressions on literally everyone’s face at the table!Every single person had stood up from shock, their eyes bulging, their stylish yet comfortable outfits making the table look colorful as they watched those oblivious trio of mine, that simply couldn’t be bothered as they switched hugs between their daddy and Grandpa. It truly was a funny sight to be honest. “Valerie,” Grandpa called out, my name rolling of his lips breathlessly as he spread his arms wide open for me.“My dear, welcome!” I smiled back, unable to resist his contagious smiles as I took off my sunshades to hug him.“Good morning, Grandpa. Sorry, we are late!” I apologized, pulling back from his warm hug just in time to watch him wave it off like it was nothing. “What? What
VALERIE’S POV“Just go down the left, Ma’am! She is currently in our OR” A nurse at the kids ward said to me, pointing at a corner in front. And immediately, I thanked her, hurrying off with Miley in my arms. The boys right behind us, alongside Rosey and the other maid that had joined in the car earlier.“Excuse me! Hello?” a man dressed in a white coat called out a few minutes after we arrived at the spot the nurse had pointed. “Please slow down, what are you here for?”“A little girl!” I responded quickly; my hands panicky as I handed over the card I received from the nurse in front. “Abrille Rodriguiez”“Yes!” I exclaimed,“Is she okay?! Please tell us she’s okay!” Rosey followed right after.“She will be!” The doctor assured, showing us to comfortable chairs to wait on. “Don’t panic! Just wait right here, and her doctor will come to explain her situation to you”His words seemed soothing, his white coat adding more to ease our hearts. At least at the moment.“I’m scared, mommy” Mi
VALERIE’S POV“What? Ma-madame Charlotte?”“Yes Rosey! And we need to get moving right now, she couldn’t have gone far” I responded seriously, walking past her as I hurried back into the yard. Her footsteps echoing behind me, right after closing the walls she opened of course but that was by the way.“We need to catch up with her before she leaves the estate!” I sounded aloud, hastening my steps towards the front yard where my kids and a maid stood waiting for me.The sight of them alone, waiting eagerly for me only filled me with renewed strength to get Abrille. My phone!” I called out, hurrying towards them. “Get me my phone, please”The maid did as told, that by the time I got to them, my phone was out and ready for me. Immediately, I dialed the Estate’s security line. My mission, to get them to lock the gates so no one leaves! “Hi! I am Valerie Hernandez, building 10 and I need you to shut the gates right now! Someone just kidnapped my daughter and she is trying to leave. Make sur
VALERIE’S POV“Mommy, are you ready yet?”“No, sweetie. But I’m almost done!” I responded, trying another set of earrings.“Ohhm” he groaned softly at my response, making me smile because I knew he was doing the whiny dance again, where he stomps his foot around in circles as he complained. It was supposed to be some sort of protest, but I just couldn’t help the chuckles that leaves my lips anytime he did it.Frankly speaking, I was surprised he still came to ask, cause he has at least done this 5 times already under the span of 30 minutes. And all the times, I gave the same response to his overly excited self.“Why are you taking so much time, Mommy? Grandpa’s waiting for us,” Miles asked, moving to check out my face from the vanity mirror I currently sat in front of. “Are you done now, Mommy?”Argh…“Yes Miles! Yes, mommy is ready now” I responded to him, ruffling his hair for a bit. Excited cheers filled the air as he ran out of the room. To tell the others, I’m sure.As you know,
CHARLOTTE’S POV“I think you made a mistake, Madame”“No”“I didn’t. I couldn’t have” I muttered quietly, just enough for Maria that stood beside me to hear.“But Madame… he-they- they all look very happy!” she insisted, choosing to voice out my inner worries rathe than have faith like I wanted. And that alone, annoyed the shit out of me!With a death glare I turned to her, “Go and try to contact those greedy bastards, again! They still have my videos and I want it!”How dare those criminals?!First, they contact me and tell me they have the videos ready, even requesting for a ridiculous sum as payment! An amount I couldn’t even afford at the moment, all because Hudson had my cards connected to his accounts frozen!Then, when I finally came up with a tangible sum to at least get one video, those bloody twats decided to go mute on me! To ghost me! Like what the actual fuck?!“You make sure you keep calling, text them! I need that video now!” I whisper yelled at her, my eyes housing my
HUDSON'S POV“It feels like I haven’t seen you since forever! Hudson wouldn’t even let me meet the kids, claiming you all needed some family time! He’s so stingy…” Grandpa complained, narrowing his eyes at me as Val chuckled before guiding him to a seat.“We are back now though, so you can come visit the kids whenever you want! I’m sure they will love that” Val comforted, taking a seat beside him. And almost automatically, my smiles fell. “You’re sitting there?” I questioned, gesturing to her.“Why?! You’re so far from me! Come over here”Almost immediately, Grandpa grabbed her hands stubbornly. “Huh? Why does she have to do that?! You’re not a child and you most definitely don’t need her to care for you right now!”“Well, I do!” I retorted seriously, not liking how he was arguing about my woman with me. She was my woman and not his!“I do need her to take care of me! I’m hurt! Only her can help”“Huh? You? Hurt? From what?! Falling off your ego, now?!” Grandpa taunted, his voice loud
HUDSON’S POV“To the mansion, James!”“Yes, Boss!” he responded solemnly, his attitude reflecting my mood as we drove off from the darned restaurant.I knew this was a bad idea. I just knew it!Now, here I was getting all worked up from seeing her again. Fucking crazy woman!She still didn’t give a shit about her child! Everything else was important to her, everything else held value in her eyes except her daughter! Her very own flesh and blood! If I hadn’t watched over her all through her pregnancy and even the delivery, I would honestly be doubting f Abrille truly was hers!Because how do you explain this? How?!Even postpartum depression wouldn’t make someone this selfish! How could my own… how could such a little girl be tied to this self-absorbed person?!It broke my heart the more I thought about it. Just how much my little girl had to suffer because her mom was like this.But I won’t let this continue. I won’t allow her life to be destroyed simply because of this! I will make s
CHAPTER 231VALERIE’S POV“What happened?!” I whisper yelled as soon I flung the door open. My eyes frantic as I scanned the room for the one person I was looking for. And the moment I spotted his tangled-up self in the sheets, my feet moved on their own accord, next thing I knew I was all over him. My heart beat suspended in panic as I rushed to help him out.“Oh, my goodness, what happened here?!” he winced from pain as I pulled on a side of the sheets. “Oh my, sorry! Sorry…does it hurt? Does it?” he nodded gently to my question. His expression pitiful as slowly, I untangled with from the sheets that had wrapped him up like a sausage roll!“Hold on, let me see” I cooed softly, helping him relax as I gently checked his bandages. Everything looked good. There were no blood stains or any signs of an added injury, so we were all good. But only after I had calmed down did, I realize just how quickly our sleeping arrangements had changed.Nanny Beth’s orders were strict; no sharing of bed
CHAPTER 230VALERIE’S POV“I don’t-I don’t know…”“You don’t know? You don’t know what exactly?” he questioned; his tone perplexed. “Charlotte, you accused me of emotional abuse! On national Tv! I have even received a copy from court concerning the details of YOUR sue! And you sit there to cry that you didn’t do it? It was someone else and you don’t know who that is?! Can you hear yourself?”“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry baby” were the words she kept whispering. Her cries filling the air as I listened, as we all listened. Myself, Hudson and Charlotte herself!“I’m sorry Huddie, I will fix this I promise! I will close the case right now and-” she whispered; her voice thick with emotion as she addressed him.“No need!” He interjected, his voice firm. “Just send the documents after you’ve signed them, if you want that is. Otherwise, see you in court, Charlotte. I’m not letting you ruin my daughter!”“No. No way! No Huddie, no!” Charlotte cried out, her voice panicky and I knew he was leaving.
CHARLOTTE’S POV“Char?”“Ohh Charlotte…” the voice sang out, its mocking laughter following soon after as it echoed everywhere in the hotel room that I currently stood in. Looking all confused and properly scared to the bones as I couldn’t find the source of the sound.Someone was definitely talking; laughing and taunting at me, right here in this hotel room I had booked after no luck at getting into Hudson’s other buildings that he owned! Everything he owned had cut me off! All the entitlements I enjoyed and had been enjoying all these years, framing my lavish lifestyle… everything has been cut off!It was just me now.Me and this hotel room, plus the voice I as currently hearing inside it!“Don’t tell me you don’t recognize me now, Char” the voice continued, sounding clearer and clearer as a silent sob left my mouth. My lips trembling as I refused to believe it. I refused to believe the obvious truth that was right before me.“No,” I whispered, my hands flying to my ears to block ou