(Judy)Never have I imagined being this vulnerable, this shattered but I'm too broken to put up any sort of emotional shield right now.I have to admit, I've been wrong about Bella all along, she's not the problem, I am.It was unfair to have judged her, to have condemned her because of her past, and to have broken her home.I thought she was out to get Dean, that she was using him, always believing that she wasn't good enough for the son I raised.And with Dean paying her debt and getting her out of that shit hole, my hatred piqued. But I was too quick to judge.Yes, I was.She was never with him for money, walking out of the marriage without demanding for a penny should have told me so but my hatred for her blinded me.I wanted Ashley so bad for Dean that it led me into doing outrageous things, I did everything to get them together, knowing fully well that Dean only has eyes for Bella.He loves her deeply, the press conference was an eye opener and then this, taking a bullet for her
(Bella)"Baby, you need to go home, freshen up and get some rest," Dean tries to coax me, stroking my hair gently. "I promise I'll be fine on my own, Ethan's coming over." He gives me that look, hoping to get through to me.I might be tired out from crying and all of that but there's no way I'm leaving him alone in this sterile place, all to himself. I need to be with him.I look at him and shake my head. "I need to stay here. I need to be close to you, I can't leave you all to yourself." I insists.Dean holds my gaze and a soft smile appears. "I know babe, but you need rest as much as I do. And the kids, they might—," he trails off and his smile grows a little bigger. "Okay, let's do it this way. Ethan's almost here, why don't Raymond take you home, get some rest, change into something more comfortable, then he can bring you back right after?" He tilts his head, searching my eyes as he says this.As much as I want to be stubborn about this one, he's damn right. I haven't seen my babi
(Bella)I clear my throat briefly, my eyes flickering on both Ethan and Ivy. "Dean's safe now, the doctor just brought the news," I say, my voice cutting through the tension like a sharp knife.I don't know what that is, but then it's Ethan, he's always had his way with women, but looking at Ivy, she looks undaunted, unmoved.It migh—-- it might be nothing, perhaps I'm just overthinking it.Ethan shifts his gaze to me, but I don't miss the shock in his eyes. "Than— thank God he's okay," He says, letting out a deep breath, something is definitely off with him, but I don't let that thought linger on.From my spot, a little further down the hallway, I see Judy and Elena darting towards us, their stride is quick, the fear written all over their faces.I don't — I don't remember telling Judy about this. My eyes flickers to Ethan as I think this and he gives me that apologetic look."She called and I— I just couldn't keep this away from her," he says softly.I take a deep breath and nod, my
(Bella)My heart is been ripped out of my chest, as I helplessly watch the paramedics load Dean into the ambulance.I look over and see the police officer's car driving away, with Ashley in it and my chest tightens, tears streaming down my face. I haven't felt this hate towards anyone in my entire life.I know that Ashley is capable of many things but trying to kill me, with a gun, by herself, in broad day light was never in my list.And in doing so, she has hurt Dean, so badly.I was too disheveled to tell where the gun had hit him, but I know he has lost so much blood.My eyes flickers to my shaking hands, sticky with Dean's blood and my heart shattered.I could barely catch my breath, my lungs became impossible to stretch, making every breath far too shallow to suffice.I know Dean loves me, more than anything but…. But taking the bullet for me, I don't… I don't know what to say.It all but brings fresh tears to my eyes. Knowing that the man who'd give his life up for me is in there
(Ashley)I've waited for this day, impetuously, biding for the perfect time. Dean tightened the security around her, but that's fine. I needed to lay low for a while anyways.I knew my time will come, just like it did before and I will fucking grab it, making the most out of it.Kendra became my eyes and my ears, the only one I could trust at this point. I have her constantly tail her and keep me in the loop.It was taking much time, it feels more like a dream that was taking far too long to achieve and to top it all, I got an email from Judy, asking for a respite, a truce.And then my mother called, Judy must've coaxed her into ordering for my return.I let out a loud laugh, but there's no real humor in it.She must think I'm stupid. She's even dumber than dog shit to think I'll back down now, to forfeit everything I've sacrificed for the past eight years.Never.Dean will have to choose me, no one else.He was supposed to be mine till she came and stole him from me. But I'll do whate
(Bella)"You speak so highly of this woman," I say, my eyes darting on Ivy, as she gets ready for work.She gives me quite the look and chuckles lightly. "Well, that's because she's all that. I mean, we just clicked and she seems like a really sweet soul, I can tell."I tilt my head. "Hmm, well if you say she is then she is. I've heard Dean say nice things about not personally about the chair lady but the company in general, I'm sure she's that good,""Trust me she is," she says dismissively, shifting from the mirror to grab her bag, then she turns to look at me. "So, what are up to today?"So, yeah. I have a day off today, I've had really hectic days in the past few weeks, we got the contract we were hoping for and Calvin asked Cynthia and I to take a day off.Calvin himself left for LA this morning, he had an urgent meeting with the board.I can't say I have anything planned for the day, but I got an email from a spa this morning, I was booked for facials, pedicure and full body mass
(Dean)My phone buzzed and Jasmine helps bring it to me. "Thank you sweety" I mutter and she nods, off she goes.I take a look and it's Ethan calling. I shake my head before sliding the green icon."Hey, man," Ethan's familiar voice wafted into my ear as I take the call, whilst helping Javier get into his jacket."Where have you been in the past few days, Ethan." I breathed out with a groan."You know the drill, Dee. I'm out having the best fun of my life," I can't help but shake my head and stifle a chuckle. "What's that noise?" He asks and I look up to see Jasmine and Aria giggling, throwing up their dolls.It brings a smile to my face as I reply. "The kids are in the penthouse and— we're going out to have a little fun,"I bet Ethan has his eyes rolling, because this isn't the kinda fun he's so used to. "Outing with the kids, sounds pretty hectic than fun to me," he says, his tone light but teasing and I shushed him. "But—-- I'd like to tag along, I miss them both, I'm an uncle afte
(Bella)"She said what?" Ivy says as she sits across the kitchen island, her brows knit together. "She can't be serious," she let out a humourless chuckle.I shrug, my eyes darting on her and when she looks at me, she froze for a second. "Don't tell me you believe that lie?" She asks, sitting up straighter, her voice unsteady.I exhaled and dropped the knife, wiping my hands clean before turning to face her once more. "I don't, it's just…." I stop, the words catching in my throat. "She looks pale, stressed and didn't even sound like her at all.""Exactly why you shouldn't even consider it," Ivy scoffs, looking at me like I'm unbelievable. "This woman never treated you like human, she treated you like crap and threw you out of your home, and now she comes back to say sorry and expect you to just….what?"I get it, okay? I really do. She's right, Judy never saw me as a person, she and Elena were so mean to me, she called me horrible names, she told me that over her dead body will she let
(Bella)I resumed work a day after the day I said I would, and believe me, I saw the questions in some of my colleague's eyes but they didn't dare ask.A few moments later, a knock came to the door and Cynthia's head popped out from the doorway. "May I come in?" She asks, her tone skeptical.I offer a small smile and replied. "Yeah, sure."She walks in and settles just across from me, her eyes crinkle as she gives me a look, probably debating whether or not to say anything. "How are you holding up?" she finally asks, her voice etched with concern.My smile widens knowing she actually cared. "I'm good. It's been taken care of,""I know that." She says, her gaze softening as she takes me in. "I just want to know if you're like — really really okay?"I exhaled briefly and nod. "Absolutely, might've not been at first, but I'm okay now, I have the best people around me," I have a smile when I say this, but I'm genuinely appreciative of her concern.She lets out a deep breath. "You're a str