Diya I was still a little shaken by Ace’s reaction to my pregnancy. I never planned this, but it happened. This was shocking to me too and Ace's reaction was making me feel worse. I thought I was used to his anger, but what I witnessed was entirely different. Ace could easily come back and kill me, or worse, kill my child and not me. I shuddered. “Are you okay?” my mom asked, and I nodded. “I’m okay.” I lied and gave her a shaky smile. “I think it’s best if you lie down for a while,” she said, pulling me to a room. “I'm fine. I’m just shaky but fine, mom,” I said, and she looked at me. “You - you called me mom,” she said, hugging. “Oh,” I said, pulling back. "Yeah," she nodded, looking at me, "Anyway, let me leave you to rest. Shout if you need anything." “Can I use your phone?” I asked before she could leave. “Sure,” she said, pulling me to the open room. “Why don’t you relax? It’s in the lounge. I will get it for you.” I nodded and went to sit on the bed and waited for
Matt I was surprised to get a frantic call from Diya asking for my help. She told me she was in danger and she was afraid of her husband. I did not know what happened, but she said she had something important to tell me too. I didn’t know what to expect, and I realized I had left without a second thought. My heart skipped as I thought of Elisa and Thomas accusing me of being in love with her. I wasn’t in love. She was in danger and she needed my help. Period. I wouldn't help her if she asked. I had talked to Elisa, who seemed happy when I told her I had to leave for a day or two. I lied about going to Tanzania to give Mike’s family my condolences. She seemed off, but I guess it had to do with her going after Diya. It could have been her sulking for not getting a stamp of approval for doing her own thing. I told her I was still mad about it, but she quickly apologized, which was strange. I didn’t have time to question her because Diya needed my help as of yesterday. We had lived t
Diya I woke up feeling like I had a headache. I remembered nothing, and I didn't recall where I was. I blinked, having deja vu as I sprung up from the bed and began looking around. This was not where I had been before. “Ace,” I shouted, confused. He couldn’t have done this? He couldn't have taken me? He couldn't have gotten rid of my baby? I pause, thinking back for a second. I had gone with my mother. She gave me her cell and I think I called Matt, wanting to meet. I can’t remember. I don’t remember how I got to be here. As I looked around, my stomach twisted. This couldn't be what I think it was. Ace didn't just abduct me so he can force me to kill my baby. I was being rash. “Where is my phone?” I spoke to myself, looking around. "No. No. No. This is not real." “I see you still love talking to yourself and they say I’m crazy,” Elisa spoke. "It's been a while, Diya. How have you been?" “Where is my son?” I said running to her, but I hit what looked like a transparent wall
Diya I heard footsteps again. I did not know how long I had been in this position. I looked up and saw Elisa and she looked happy, smiling. She walked closer to the glass and folded her hands. She never spoke, but I could sense her. The way she watched me, smugly. She didn't have to rub it in my face with words, and she knew it. What she had done had broken me. “What do you want?” I asked. “I want you to look at me,” she said. I looked down, ignoring her request. “LOOK AT ME,” she shouted, and I tensed. “Haven’t you done enough?” I said, “Leave me alone,” I went back to leaning on the glass still sitting. “Hey,” she shouted and kicked the glass. “We are not friends, Elisa. I don't have to listen to what you have to say.” I got up and walked to the bed. I had no energy. My body was getting weak. “You will,” she screamed as she grabbed my hair and I screamed too. I did not know how she got in so quickly before she began pulling at my hair. “You thief.” She said. “Let me go,” I t
Elisa FOOLS! They were fools. All of them. I scowled as I was being dragged to my room as per my brother’s orders, like I was a child. He wanted to control me again. Treating me like I was crazy. I wasn’t crazy. I was going to show them all. “Let go of me,” I was kicking and screaming. "Put. ME. Down." “Miss Elisa, please don’t fight,” one guard said. “Ahhhhh!” I shouted out of my lungs. I was wiggling and convulsing as one held my feet and the other my shoulders. They never let go and kept moving, and I screamed again. "Let go of me. I'm going to kill you both," I laughed, shaking and wiggling. "You are both dead." “She is crazy,” one of them said. “I’m going to kill you first,” I said, moving my foot, trying to see if it will kick him. “Hey, that is not a way to speak to the boss,” one of them chastised. “What?” the one by my feet spoke again, “She won’t remember anything soon,” he laughed, “She should be in the loony. Where she belongs. That way, we don’t have to keep doin
Diya Saying that Thomas and I were taken from the hospital unintentionally was an understatement. Thomas had the same confused look on his face as me when we were hauled back to the house. I was still recovering, but it was not bad that I could walk on my own. Something felt different about all of this, and I glanced at Thomas, who seemed unimpressed. I thought maybe Ace had found me and came to my rescue because it appeared Thomas was not the one calling the shots anymore. He barged into the room and I noticed Elisa, her back at us as he shouted at her. “What is the meaning of this?” “Boys, hold him down,” she commanded and men ran to hold Thomas. I froze when she glared at me. “AND YOU.” “Make one more step and I will put you to the ground,” Thomas shouted as the men stood, putting their hand up “Awww, you think you still call the shots,” Elisa laughed, holding her torso. "How foolish of you." “What are you doing?” Thomas gritted his teeth, looking at her. “Boys,” she said ag
Matt I wasn’t afraid of Ace. He thought he could scare me, but all my life, I had been ready for this. I would die before I told him where Theo was. The feeling of him not having power over me was keeping me alive. He was exhilarating. “I see you are enjoying this?” Ace said. “You have no idea,” I replied. I beamed looking at him. “Watch how you speak,” Filip said, and both men towered over me. Ace held a hand over Filip’s chest and he settled down. “I see you train your dog well,” I mocked, looking at Filip, who growled. “See you even sound like one,” I taunt Filip, who lunged at me and punched me, “Now that’s disappointing,” I spat the blood out laughing and coughing, “You punch like a bitch.” “Oh yeah,” Filip punched again. “Eh,” I shrugged, spitting again. I couldn’t feel my jaw and I could feel a few of my teeth might have chipped. “You didn’t even break my teeth,” I tried to grin and it hurt. “Enough,” Ace said, finally holding off his dog. He was acting calmer. He was h
Elisa They told me that because I suffered such a huge trauma that I couldn’t handle the business. The truth was, I was blamed because I shot myself in the head. My father always disqualified all my ideas and everything because I was a mere girl. I hated being treated like a princess with tutus and crowns. Guns and knives were things I loved to own. I grew around them and they fascinated me more than being an undefensive girl. It’s a man’s world, Elisa. Your brother will protect you, Elisa. Be careful, Elisa. It’s dangerous, Elisa. You are just a girl, Elisa. Your role is motherhood for your future husband, Elisa. My father's words always haunted me to a point that I had to prove my worth. I had Romano blood in me and I did twice as hard as my brother. That’s why I have surpassed them in an instant. All they ever did was plan, but hardly acted. Something they could have learned from me if they took the chance. If they had involved me because I make things happen. “Do you want
AceI had just parked the car in the driveway when I got a call from the hospital. Diya was being monitored more extensively than before. I don't understand what went wrong because when we left; she had been fine. The monitors were functioning normally. She didn't cause any distraught to nurse Brenda, and she was doing better than she normally is when we leave.The drive back was harder than I thought because I didn't want to go over the speed limit. Celeste had refused to stay, and we were all going back to the hospital. I did my best to get us back as fast as I could.I didn't wait for them when we were at the hospital because I needed to know exactly how things had changed when all was fine. We spent over two hours with no beeping. I was so proud of her. They both have been doing great. "Mr Torane, you can't go in there.""Why not?" the old nurse rushed and blocked my path"Calm down." "I am calm." I looked at her."Take a deep breath and have a seat. The doctor is with her.""I
Diya"What are you doing out of bed?" Ace sighed, handing the Ezra to my mom."I was beginning to think all of you abandoned me?""And you decided to get out of bed?" he asked.Ace carefully led me to the bed. I huffed and sat back on the same bed I have been couped up in for the past four months."I wanted to walk for a while.""How did you get out of bed?" Ace asked, shaking his head."I can show you how I did it,""No," he sighed, "Stop getting out of bed. Jesus," he whispered under his breath."No swearing in front of the kids," I glare at him before looking at Theo, "Wanna sit next to mommy Theo?" I asked."Daddy said I could hurt you," he looked down at his shoes."Hmm?" I glared at Ace."How are you, dear?" my mother walked closer."Fine," I grit out and looked at Theo, "It's okay, Theo. You can come give mommy a hug. I missed you."Theo looked up, beaming, and ran beside me. He looked up and his father for approval first before he climbed on the bed."Careful with you legs," A
AceI was sitting on a chair watching Diya hooked too many machines. I had left for a while to cool off and came to this development. Something bad kept happening, and I blamed myself. Doctor Bowman had advised me to make my choice soon because they needed to know what to do. I didn't want to make a choice. I wanted both so badly that it hurt. This shouldn't be happening to us. We were fine a few hours ago. "Ace," I looked up and saw my grandfather, "Let's go for a walk.""I want to be with my wife," "I understand, but staring at her like this won't help. Let's take a walk.""The last time I went for a walk, I came back to this," I pointed at my wife."You can't blame yourself for any of this and -""I don't want us talking about this in here." I rubbed my brow."Come then. We can sit outside and talk."I begrudgedly stood. I walked to give my wife a kiss and walked, following my grandfather out. He walked past the chairs. I didn't have the strength to argue, so I walked behind him
AceWhat was I thinking?That’s right, I was not thinking but reacting. Doctor Bowman had suggested that Diya could be pregnant, but we both know she could not be pregnant. She can't because of Elisa. That psycho bitch was still bringing hell to my family.Even now, as I stood and watched the doctor, I knew I should have agreed to forget about this with Diya. Things were great between us. We just welcomed our son. It hasn’t been a day yet, and we were doing an ultrasound for Diya.I ran my hand on my chin, and I watched my wife. I was afraid to look anywhere else. This was going to wreck my wife. I don’t know how I will pick up the pieces. All the words I told her were encouraging, but if I cannot keep my word, then my family would never recover.“Ace,” I heard Diya’s strained voice.I looked at her and grabbed her hand. Nothing was happening, no matter how much he moved. I was not this type of man anymore, but I would have killed this man for making us briefly believe in something we
DiyaAce’s suggestion to have a baby through surrogacy had been so random, and I had been against it because it was soon and Theo was not even five yet. We had struggled with Theo before and the vacation had helped the three of us. We had only got our bearings and bringing another baby seemed like a stretch. It looked impossible, but I was glad he convinced me I agreed.Watching Ace turn into this big teddy was worth this. His happiness made me see how much he wanted a huge family. I don’t mind or feel hurt that I can’t carry children because we have options. Options I would gladly be open to doing again soon. This house was still small for us four alone.I fished my phone from my pocket and took a photo. It was adorable seeing him and Theo together, watching the baby sleep. I couldn't get over such cuteness. We had been worried Theo would be jealous, but he was happier and always asking to hold his little brother Ezra.I was surprised too because we hadn’t discussed baby names. My gr
AceI was watching Theo ride his bicycle. He has been growing up so fast. Every day, he seemed to grow an inch. I had missed two years with him and I don't think I was ready to see him grow older yet. I wish I could freeze time and get as much of him like this as I can.“Are you looking, daddy?” he shouted, looking back. "Look! See!"“Watch where you are going. You will crash.” “Are you looking?” he asked again.“Theo, watch out,” I sighed when he almost hit a guard, but he stopped his bike. “Move! Move! Move!” he shouted.“Theo?” I called, “What do you say?”“Please,” he pouted.“That’s my boy.”I smiled and watched him move his bike around again. My phone rang in my pocket before I could answer. Theo shouted again. “Daddy, you are not watching.” "We are on our way,” I responded on the phone quickly and hung up.I smiled and looked back at Theo, but he was not on his bike and he was walking to me with a frown on his face. I smirked and raised my brow. This boy was me in every sen
Diya One year later, I paused and stared at the long table set before me that was filled with laughter. I smiled and looked around, my heart relieved. The past couple of months, if not years, since the night I saw Ace kill were rough. Ace slid his hand under the table to lace mine before he leaned in closer to my ear. “You okay?” he asked as he kissed my cheek. “I’m okay,” I smiled at him as I looked around the table before looking at him, my eyes shining, “How can I not be happy?” “Mommy,” Theo screamed and my head snapped to him, but I wasn’t frightened because we were safe. We had been safe for a while now. “Faster, run faster Theo. Make the old man sweat.” Ace shouted beside me and I shook my head. Theo was running as Arnold chased him around the table, making everyone around the table laugh harder. My grandparents who I had finally met were sitting at the table laughing at something my mother had said. “Sorry guys we are late,” Ruby walked in with Filip in tow. “Slow down
Ace I opened my eyes and looked at the blinding light. I closed my eyes trying to speak, my throat dry, like someone had forcefully shoved a sandpaper through. As the sound pierced my ears, I tried to speak, but my heart rate spiked and I couldn't. The next thing I saw were people towering over me. It took me a few seconds to remember everything that had happened. Elisa. The shoot out. Matt, the fight. Diya. I tried to shove the people off me and get up. I needed to see her. Someone held my shoulders, and I felt a push back. Two people came on both sides to hold me down, as I was still fighting them. I have no idea how long I was like this, but I need all the tubes and wires off me. I was fighting a losing battle. I could feel whatever drug they had injected in my veins, and I relaxed. The pain I had felt earlier was fading slowly. The machines quieted down as I unintentionally closed my eyes. ***** The next time I opened my eyes, I was reclined, not laying flat on my back anymor
Ruby The metal benches at the hospital are colder than the howling wind outside. I got up and paced as I bit my nails. I was trying to think of everything and how it all went wrong. The doctors had said nothing. Things were looking bad. I tried to think of something else. Filip seemed aloof toward me. He looked at me as if it was my fault. I wiped the tears away. It was my fault. I was the only one who was still walking. Most people I knew were dead, hurt, or fighting for their lives. The emergency room swarmed with people in a short period. My breath hitched as I clung to the wall, trembling like a leaf. My legs felt weak before I saw Celeste walk in with the armed men. “Ruby,” she ran to me. “What is happening?” I whispered in my weak voice. "Are we still in danger?" “Where are my grandsons?” I was blinking and looking around as Celeste held me and helped me to have a seat. I looked at the men as the flashes of my first encounter with Elisa rushed through my head. All the p