Three

Three hours later, after leaving Kade's mansion, Isabella was dropped in the hospital by his driver.

She was so eager to hear her mother's condition, hoping her mother's surgery would be successful. She stood anxiously outside the ICU room, her eyes fixed on the door as she waited for the doctor to emerge with an update.

The memory of her encounter with Kade still lingered, leaving her with a mix of feelings of fear, guilt, and a hint of shame.

She had never intended to lose her virginity to a stranger, a guy she knew nothing about, but desperation had driven her to make a choice she never thought she'd make.

She did this to herself and can't rectify it, the deed is done anyways. At least she'd be free from poverty, it brought her something she could imagine herself spending for a lifetime.

Despite the turmoil brewing inside her, what gave her concern was Kade’s words.

"My fuck mate belongs to me. I own you, you belong to me, and everything you have belongs to me including your life Isabella Parker."

She let out a shaky sigh, it's too late to back out.

As she waited, her thoughts drifted to her mother, who had always been her rock, her confidante, and her best friend.

She remembered the countless times her mother had been there for her, supporting her through thick and thin, and sacrificing her own happiness for Isabella's sake.

The thought of losing her mother was unbearable, a wave of determination washed over her. She would do anything, anything at all, to ensure her mother received the best care possible and recovered from her illness.

The door to the ICU room swung open, and the doctor emerged, a sympathetic smile on his face.

"Doctor, how is my mother?"She threw the question at him immediately.

"Isabella, your mother is showing signs of improvement, she is perfectly fine" he said. "The treatment is working, and we're cautiously optimistic about her prognosis."

"Doctor,when? I mean when will she regain consciousness." She asked to be sure.

"Anytime soon, she'll be just fine, we are watching her closely"The doctor reassured her.

"Thank you doctor, thank you"She said with tears in her eyes.

"No dear,your mother is really lucky to have you as a daughter, some mothers are not lucky like this." The doctor told her and she sniffed, wiping her nose, her eyes on the door.

Meanwhile, a guy stood behind her watching them, he had never seen someone as determined as her, he nodded at the doctor walking past him.

Isabella felt a weight lift off her shoulders as she processed the doctor's words. She had done it; she had found a way to help her mother, no matter the cost.

She would face whatever challenges came her way, knowing that her mother's health and well-being were worth fighting for.

"Miss, please get all these for the patient before she regains consciousness"A nurse informed her,she nodded.

"Thank you," she said.

—

[Gilbert's ESTATE ]

Kade's car halted smoothly in the car park, he got down, two guards behind him, Carter and Lewis, his bodyguards trailing after him as he walked.

"Carter," he called.

"Yes boss," Carter replied sharply.

"Make sure no escorts trail me tomorrow, clear them all."He said, still walking elegantly.

"Yes boss,but hope you won't need anything?"Carter rushed after him, but he stopped suddenly.

"Lewis would be escorting me, you can take care of things here." He said blankly.

The maids, standing and waiting patiently to welcome him, his eyes met with one of them.

He lost his virginity to her when he was twelve years old,she was older but she seduced him.

Anytime their eyes collided like that, she would smile prettily at him.

"Welcome Mr Gilbert "They all greeted him, but he scoffed instead and emerged inside the mansion.

Mina and Gilbert sprang up from where they sat,already worried all day. Kingsley was also there with Collins, his best friends, both are not surprised or worried like his parents.

"Kade...you're..."He shifted from her touch making his way to his room.And Mina burst into tears instantly,her husband held her, patting her shoulder.

"I want my son back, I want my son back!!"She cried.

"Dude,"Kingsley called after him.

"Ma'am, he's back, you don't have to worry about him "Collins consoled her.

"Please talk to him,he should stop....argh"She cried.

"Mina,you need to chill,"Gilbert half yelled.

"I'm not like you, if my son ever gets hurt, I won't be as calm as you want me to be, I promise. How old is he? He's just twenty and he's this notorious..."She stormed off.

In Kade's room>>

"You wanna die?" Kade growled at him when Kingsley won't stop talking.

"Kill him! don't you know how lucky you're to have your parents at the palm of your hand?You've them to yourself,they love you!”

"Enough,you've said enough!" Kade yelled.

Kingsley sighed,he knew even if he told him more than that he would still act nonchalant like he used to to his parents.

"Shut the crap and stay out of it!" Kade warned,his eyes icy, ain't playing at all.

Collins shook his head and said nothing.

"There's a gala next week, we're going there to eliminate a goat," Kade said and pushed his hands in his pocket.

"You met Alex today?"Collins asked.

He shook his head and parted his lips to continue,interrupted by Kingsley again.

"You guys can go alone,what if I get killed, the last time…”

"Shut it coward," Collins cut him off.

"Reginald Pembroke." Kade said.

"I'm not going. I'll not go,I need to spend time with Phoenix,"Kingsley muttered, sobbing like a child.

"Do something good with your life for once"Collins pulled his hair.

"Eliminating..." Kade glared and he became silent.

"Pembroke will be eliminated at the gala"He said and Collins nodded.

"Just as I thought "Collins said,a perfect strategy,he smiled at Charlie who seemed to be calculating his move.

"You hosted a party tonight didn't you?"Kingsley asked, staring at his phone.

"My sister did, you're invited if you want, don't make a fuss about it."

"Good, will be there,"Kade said before entering his bathroom.

Collins and Kingsley exchanged glances.

"Do you think he still feels something for your sister?"Kingsley asked.

"No,if he does, it won't work,because I can't watch my sister getting hurt again,"Collins replied.

"Maybe because Jarvis....

"Don't talk about that"Collins uttered coldly and he nodded.

Kingsley understood it all, but Kade can be confused at times, why did he suddenly want to party in Collins mansion after hearing that his sister hosted the party.

"Don't think about it and let's get out of here"Collins pushed his head.

"You didn't have to push me like that!"Kingsley yelled.

"Sleep there"He scoffs, how childish he can be.

"Motherfucker!"Kingsley shouted, and he descended down the stairs afterwards.

After they left his room, Gilbert walked in, at the same time Kade walked out of the bathroom.

"Kade...

"Leave my room,there's nothing to discuss."He told him,buttoning his shirt.

"Be careful in anything you do son."He told him before leaving.

Kade smiled, his psychotic smile, staring at the file on his bed. If anybody was there with him, that person wouldn't have the slightest idea of the file or what's on his mind.

He held the file and opened it, the photograph stamped on the left side was Isabella's photo.

“Mine.” he whispered darkly.