Çhapter 6: First win.

Cielle's POV.

The look on her face was satisfying—the grimace that told the story of anger and probably the desire to smack everybody's face.

Her eyes were enraged, probably holding back the tears she dreaded to shed.

I just stood there, my hands folded against my chest as the crowd continued to murmur.

"You won't get away with this," she said, running towards me, but I stood my ground, ready to slap some sense into her.

When she was just a step away from me, she stopped, glaring at me, her breath heavy, and I must say it was disgusting to have her in my face like that.

"You will pay for this, Cielle. You will pay for making a mockery out of me on the night of my engagement," she threatened, and I scoffed.

"Me? Really?" I chuckled wryly.

"I'm not the one making a mockery out of you. Your future husband is." I clicked my tongue, enjoying every ounce of the confrontation.

"It's clear your fiancé can't keep his peanuts in his pants.

He's the one making a fool out of you in front of everyone, not me.

Watch who you blame, will you.

You should be glad I'm letting you know how much he has been disrespecting you in every hotel room in town," I mocked, and each expression on her face was damn satisfying.

"You damn bitch!" She raised her hand in an attempt to hit me, but I caught it mid-air.

"Watch your hands, and watch your tongue.

You might lose them both the next time you try something so foolish," I said, throwing her hand away with so much force that she stumbled back.

"Okay people, party is over," I yelled as I walked away.

The crowd parted for me to pass, but then I turned, my eyes returning to her.

"See you soon, bestie," I said with a scornful smile as I walked out of the building.

Phase one was completed.

Returned back into the space, reminded them that I was still that girl, showed the media that I didn't come to play, and showed Ethan and Ashley the tip of the iceberg—just a little taste of what was about to befall them.

Walking into the parking lot, I found Zayn leaning on his car, a smirk on his face.

"You did great in there. It was so satisfying to watch you speak," he said, and I rolled my eyes with a smile.

"It was more satisfying to behold the look on Ashley's face when the video came into play. She looked so shocked, embarrassed, and at the same time angry.

I bet she never knew the man she took from her best friend was nothing but a cheating man-whore," I said, reaching him, my back hitting the car.

"So what next?" I asked, my tone cutting off the lightheartedness of the conversation.

"We go to court," he said, maintaining the tone.

"We gather enough evidence and get you back into your company.

Give their asses to your fame, and then punish them for all they have done."

He added, and I swallowed hard.

"What about my baby? You still don't know where she's hiding her, Zayn," I said as my eyes began to sting.

Even though I tried hard not to think about it too much, I couldn't.

She was my baby, after all.

A child I had never met, taken away from me before I could even lay my eyes on her.

How was I supposed to fight the urge to hold her in my arms?

"We will get your baby. I promise to bring her to you.

But we have to act smartly and beat them at their own game," he said, and my shoulders curled with ache.

"We don't know where they're keeping her, and any mistake will jeopardize her safety."

He turned to face me and took my hands.

"I know how impatient you might be to get your child back... just don't let it ruin your mission, at least, for your baby," he implored, and I nodded slowly.

Letting go of my hand, he let out a heavy breath.

"We need to get hold of the doctor who delivered your baby.

The gynecologist you told me about—she's a critical part of our plan," he said, opening the door to the passenger side of the car.

I entered and fastened my seatbelt.

"I think she knows Ashley took your baby, and we need to get to her before Ashley does," he said and closed the door.

He entered the car, ignited the engine, and drove away.

***

I laid on the bed, my back against the soft mattress, my limbs fully stretched, my eyes fixed on the ceiling as I contemplated Zayn's words.

Monica was my gynecologist. I trusted her with my life, with my child, yet she betrayed me.

The thought of her being part of Ashley's and Ethan's wicked plans made my stomach churn with uncertainty and distress.

They all betrayed me.

From my best friend to my gynecologist, they were all in on it.

They all wanted to see me suffer, to see me cry and rot in jail.

Even though I was nothing but generous and kind to Monica, even donating a fortune to the hospital, she still brewed heartlessness to take my baby away.

Now I had nothing but hatred for her—a desire to make her suffer the way I did.

A gentle knock on the door jolted me from my troubled thoughts, and I sat up straight on the bed.

"Who is there?" I asked, tying my hair into a bun.

"It's me, Debbie," the person behind the door said, and I cleared my throat.

"You can come in," I said calmly, waiting keenly to see who it was.

The door opened slowly and her figure came into view.

A slender brunette with full cheeks, a heavy baby bump, and a contagious smile.

"Hey, Cielle," she greeted as she entered the room, walking to the bed and sitting beside me.

"Umm... hey," I said awkwardly, and she giggled.

"I know you have no idea who I am, and it's Zayn's fault.

He asked me not to meet you, but I can't help making new friends," she blurted, and I couldn't help but smile.

"I'm Zayn's sister, it's nice to meet you."

She stretched out her hand for a handshake, and I took it, but then she pulled me into a hug and snuggled into my hair.

Why was she so bubbly?

"You seem very happy," I said lightly with a chuckle as I pulled away.

"I'm always happy. I guess my pregnancy hormones decided to make me a happy Percy, and then Zayn isn't helping matters, one single frown and he's out and about giving me a lecture," she said, and we both giggled.

"You look pretty. I guess your pregnancy hormones also made you glow," I complimented, and she pouted.

"Awww... you look pretty too," she said, and I smiled warmly.

I think I like her.

She's a sharp contrast to her brother.

Warm presence, a sense of humor, a pretty smile, bright eyes, and gentle words.

Zayn lacked all of those.

But one thing was for sure—they looked alike, a beauty never to be unrecognized.

Wait... did I just call Zayn pretty?

"I heard what happened to you... I heard about your baby, and I sincerely hope you find her," she said, and my eyes narrowed even though that wasn't the expression I was planning to showcase.

"I'm sorry if I sounded intrusive, but I was worried about you and I asked Zayn.

He told me about your baby... I'm sorry," she apologized immediately, and I instantly felt bad.

"No, no, no, no..." I repeated the words like a mantra.

"I'm just surprised you know about it," I said, taking her hands into mine.

"How many months gone are you?" I asked, motioning to her baby bump.

"Six months," she replied with a smile, and I smiled back.

"Do you know the gender?" I asked, and she nodded.

"It's a boy. A baby boy whom I'm going to name after my brother."

I scoffed, her words close to unbelievable.

"You're going to name him after your brother?" I asked with a mocking tone, and for the first time, a frown descended on her face.

"What's wrong with that?

Zayn is a good man, the best I have ever met.

I want my baby to be just like him," she said defensively, and I couldn't help but admire their bond.

"Alright, fine," I raised my hands as if surrendering.

"But he should at least have your smile. Zayn is a bit stingy in the smiles department," I said, and we both giggled.

We continued with our lighthearted conversation until my chest tightened at the smell of smoke.

I tried to ignore it, but it grew more pungent—so much so that Debbie began to cough.

"Are you okay?" I asked, standing up from the bed.

"I will go get you a glass of water and check where the smoke is coming from."

As I approached the door, loud screams filled the air.

"Fire... fire!" My eyes widened as I began to feel the heat, the suffocating smoke causing my heartbeat to accelerate.