Chapter Thirty-OneMikaela:I scrambled through the entire place, pulling each drawer of his dresser to find something. Anything.There has to be something that was enough to use against him.Flash drive after flash drive, I inserted them into the laptop and went through them but nothing suspicious was in them.I found another one in his drawer and inserted it again. Still nothing. Another. And another. And another.Nothing. Nothing. And nothing.I was getting frustrated, until I clicked on one and finally, something!I played the video and it displayed images of my kids tied up on the screen with a few backups of his chat with someone where they talked about the kidnap.As I scrolled through each image, my heart broke more.Just as I was about to pull out the flashdrive, I heard someone's footsteps approach.I recognized those footsteps.The pattern. The rhythm.That was Kevin.I didn't know where to hide. Under the bed? Too far from me and I would need time to shove myself in perfe
Chapter ThirtyMikaela:I laid on the bed, going through my phone as I crossed my legs.It's been days since I left Kevin's place to hide at this hotel and keep myself safe for the meantime. Something in me said Kevin would come for me, either to attack, or to apologize.I didn't need any of those so I kept myself hidden here and ordered Adeline to run the company. I ensured she also blocked him everywhere and ordered the security to restrict him from entering the company.I just didn't want Kevin anywhere near my things, or me.My phone rang, the caller ID projecting prominently on the screen.ETHAN.I was skeptical for a while but ended up answering the call. You just never know.âMikaela,â Ethan called before letting out a sigh and mumbling, âThank Goodness you're perfectly fine.ââWhat?â I spat back. Blunt. Emotionless. Rude. But I didn't care.âAre you okay?â He asked, concern heavy in his voice, but I wasn't going to fall for another man posing fake concern.I had learned my les
Chapter Twenty-NineMikaela:âI see everything! He fucked Ava! He killed your father! He's not who the fuck you think he is. Kevin is a traitor and he stabs you in the back more than Ethan did.â She blurted out, her tone so sharp that it stung my heart.I shook my head, cupping my mouth. âNoâ I mumbled, still shaking my head vigorously and trying to deny it. âNo, he doesn't. No!â Tears brimmed in my eyes, stinging my iris.I blinked rapidly, trying to hold back my tears.âHe doesn't like you. What were you thinking? He was only using you. There's nothing between you guys aside from a mere business contract strictly between the CEO and the artist. Just who do you think you are to him? You don't matter, not one bit. I should be with him, not you.â She snickered, her voice filled with bloody venom.âNo!!â I screamed, squeezing my eyes shut and grabbing my head in frustration.âNo? Come on. Go ahead. Ask him! Go ask him!!â She yelled, and I pushed the door, racing back to my car, my chest
Chapter Twenty-Eightâ Flashbackâ Mr. Davidson(Kevin's Father):I grabbed my suitcase, ready to leave for work. Just then, the door swung open. I raised my gaze, expecting to see my driver, but I was met with someone else standing by the door.It was the security.My brows furrowed. âWhat's wrong? Who's here to see me?ââHe says he's Gary Abrams.â He responded, his head slightly lowered.I let out a sigh. âWhy now?âJust why did he decide to come now of all times. I was already late for work.Gary Abrams was my highschool friend but even though I didn't want to talk bad about him, I couldn't still deny the fact that he had no job and barely enough money to give his family a three square meal.He came here almost every week for money as if I was responsible for feeding his whole family. But he was my best friend in highschool and we planned to become wealthy.Only I made it, and he was my friend so I didn't want to let him down.As long as I had the money to take care of him, I didn't s
Chapter Twenty-Seven(Short Chapter)âAUTHOR'S NOTE: THIS IS A VERY SHORT CHAPTER, SHORTER THAN YOU EXPECT AS USUAL, AND I SINCERELY APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE IT MIGHT HAVE CAUSED YOU. THIS CHAPTER CAN'T BE LONGER UNLESS I ADD USELESS DETAILS WHICH WILL MAKE IT BORING, SO I DECIDED TO KEEP IT SHORT AND KEEP ITS QUALITY.âEthan:âExactly. And fuck youâ Mikaela hissed, her voice low and heavy with long piled up malice.She slammed the door and the car zoomed off.âShe hates you, doesn't she?â Kevin asked, his voice filled with content, as if he was thrilled to watch me suffer in the hands of Mikaela.âYes. She does.ââIf I was asked, I would also say the same. You are the number one suspect in this kidnap case.âI turned to face him, âAnd sometimes it's always the ones who we trust.â I spat, turning the accusation back to him.He scoffed. âWhy would I kidnap the kids who live under my roof?ââAnd sometimes it's always for reasons we don't know.â I added.âLet me just make it clear.
Chapter Twenty-SixMikaela:My eyes enlarged, my eyeballs almost rolling out of their sockets.How did she know my name?Oh, so the bossy vibe wasn't fake after all.âOh, girl, where are my manners?â Her steps became quicker, her heels knocking against the hard concrete of the road. âI'm Veronica. Veronica Black.â She introduced, and at this point, she was only a few inches away from me, our eyes boring into each other's. âI hope you know what that means?âYes. Her last name is Black. Mine is White.My heart raced but I wanted to play it cool. Everything about her made me feel unsafe now, like there were eyes hiding around us watching me closely.I gulped down my fear, my face hardening. âMove your car, Veronica. Can't you see I'm trying to get somewhere?â I spat, masking the courage.She took small steps, walking to my left hand side slowly, circling me. Then to my back.I didn't turn or tilt my body to monitor her every step. I could hear them.I felt her slowly push my hair away fr
Chapter Twenty-FiveMikaela:I shoved Adeline aside, running backstage.My feet stumped loudly against the floor as I dashed through the entire crew and headed for the stairs.âStay right where you are. I'm coming home immediately!â I shouted, racing down the stairs and out of the building.My gaze swept across all the cars parked and it was difficult to recognize mine at first glance since it was eight fucking pm, and dark.I headed to the car but before I could get in, I felt someone grab me.âMikaela!âI turned, only to see Kevin and Ethan standing behind me.âWhatever happened, just forget it. You can't just leave those people hanging. They deserve to get the full package of what they paid for.â Ethan blurted, running his fingers through his hair as he breathed heavily. He said it as though I was the childish one who didn't know what I was doing. As if I wanted to neglect my own duties for something that's not important.âThe kids have been kidnapped!â I raised my voice. Their ey
Chapter Twenty-FourMikaela:I need not be told before realizing the truth that the kids loved Ethan.The last part of it was bitter but still the truth: they loved him more than Kevin.My eyes darted to Ethan but he didn't move even though he was looking right at me.I looked over to Kevin, and then at Ethan again, then the teddy before bending over to carry Samantha in my arms while holding Natashaâs wrist.âLet's go, kids!âAnd that was it. That was the last time I set my eyes on Ethan until during an art event where I(Aela Muse{my pseudonym}) was highlighted.I didn't expect to see Ethan there but it was until I was called on stage that I noticed him at the front seat.The stage was set and five of my greatest paintings were positioned behind me on the stage.I was meant to tell everyone how I painted them. What I felt while painting them. What each of them meant. And my journey so far as a painter. âGood day everyone. I'm Aela Muse as you all know, while some of you might recogn
Chapter Twenty-ThreeEthan:It's been a week since Ava's death, and I knew I had to do something else with my life aside just work, work and work.Since Mikaela refused to hand over the kids, then I would meet them myself.I did a lot of research and discovered where they schooled. I waited until school was over before entering the place.I didn't know where exactly the kids would be but all I knew was their names. Samantha, and Natasha.Such sweet names for my daughters.I entered the main building and a lady in a white shirt and black skirt approached me, scanning me from head to toe.âGood day, sir.â She greeted, stretching out her hand for a handshake.âGood day, ma'am.â I forced a smile, shaking her.âWelcome to Bright Stars Academy. It's the first time I'm seeing you here.â She adjusted her glasses, pressing it onto her face even more, as if my face was way too small to be seen without those glasses.âI understand. This is my first time and I came to see Natasha and Samantha. Th