MasukONE YEAR LATERTime had a way of moving on, whether people were ready for it or not.In the twelve months since Arabella's life started to settle, lives had changed, wounds had begun to heal, and the world had settled into a new normal. Isabella's one year death anniversary came with some good news. Claudia, Marcus and James were finally convicted. As the mastermind, Claudia got thirty - two years. But for someone already in her 50s, that was a life sentence. Marcus wasn't so lucky. After his embezzlement charges from Vertex Energy went public, the Prosecutor knew bad habits die hard. They tracked his years in service under several positions, and more evidence of fraud, embezzlement of public funds, money laundering and even tax evasion. He got a cumulative sentence of sixty-three years.James, the fake dead guy, only got eighteen years. And would probably still get a second chance at life by the time he is free. On this day—Friday— it was the verdict hearing of Isabella's post
“You know,” Dr. Stanley, standing by the window in his office, his back turned to the couple sitting on the other side of his desk, “If it's up to me, I will have CPS take him.” “No, please.” Arabella cried at the word. Adrian dropped his head in shame. He’d also been a terrible father to him. Dr. Stanley turned to face them, “But what can I say? If you all are ready for family therapy with your child, then I have to give you a chance.” “Thank you so much, Dr. Stanley,” Arabella grabbed his hand like her life depended on it, “You're the best. The absolute best.” Dr. Stanley nodded, struggling to pull his hand from her grip until Adrian helped.“Thank you so much sir.” Adrian shook him firmly. After the meeting, Arabella and Adrian walked out of the clinic to their car, with Axel in between them. “Mom, can we go to an amusement park today?” Arabella grabbed Adrian’s hand, twisting it back to check the time on his wrist watch. It was past 5pm.“Axie, it's already too late to go
ST. AUGUSTINE BEHAVIORAL INSTITUTEIt's been a week since Serena’s conviction, and still she had not yet adjusted to her room.The room was a sea of white.White walls. White floor. White ceiling.Even the narrow bed tucked into the corner was dressed in crisp white sheets.The only splash of color came from Serena herself.A fluorescent light hummed overhead, bathing the room in a harsh glow that never seemed to dim. The reinforced window on the far wall let in little more than pale daylight.For the first two days, she just managed the place, thinking it was just formalities until the daily check-ins and medication rounds started. At first she refused.The nurses didn't force her. They just noted it down on their clipboard. Then she started demanding to see Dr. Ramirez who was in charge of the facilities. Whenever she throws a tantrum, the nurses try to calm her down. But she noticed it. They talked to her like a child, explaining to her that the doctor wasn't in office. Like
Adrian recovered quickly and a week later, he was being discharged. Gavin went for the papers. Axel was in school.Arabella was packing up Adrian's things while he went to change in the bathroom. “You asked of everyone else but your mom.” Arabella spoke as Adrian stepped out of the room.Adrian dropped his gaze. “I was worried talking about her would hurt.” “Oh, don't use me as an excuse. I even talked about Claudia.” Arabella shut him up quickly. Adrian folded the hospital gown in his hand and dropped it on the bed. “I even told you about the kidnap, and how she saved our baby hoping you’d ask about her. But you didn't.” “I asked Gavin.” He replied honestly, “I heard she’s crippled now.” A hollow laugh escaped his mouth, “Don't you think this is like a wish come through?” “She’s always wanted this. So desperately she pretended for 10 whole years.” He patted Arabella's shoulder, “Are you sure the doctor wasn't paid off? For all we know, she could be pretending again.” Arabel
TWO MONTH LATERCatherine had been discharged. They hired a live in nurse to be taking care of her round the clock. But Adrian still stayed unconscious…but alive. Arabella was juggling being a good mother with with returning to work. Things had never been more hectic. Despite that, she still made time everyday to visit Adrian. By weekend, Arabella takes Axel and spends more time with him. Adrian's friends also visited him from time to time too. Sometimes together, sometimes separately. Serena on the other hand was still in jail and for the first two hearings of her case, she and her lawyers weren't even trying to deny the charges. They were just too many evidence. And she already had her ‘perfect’ escape plan. Richard found the psychiatrist Claudia contacted on her behalf.Dr. Ramirez.With Claudia in jail, it didn't take the doctor a second thought to switch loyalty.But they weren't asking him for much just to continue with their initial plans. In the past week, the court ha
A day and a half passed. Isabella was finally starting to accept her reality. Arabella was still struggling to juggle between properly caring for Axel and visiting Adrian and Catherine in the hospital. Gavin was handling the majority of the company work, but it wasn't easy. “Ms. Greene, you need to come to the company at least, to complete the formalities.” Gavin explained as he sat on the stool by the kitchen island across from Arabella. Arabella was making lunch for when Axel returned. “What formalities? Everything is going smoothly and fortunately Adrian's condition is not even making them panic, so it's supposed to be a good thing.” Arabella insisted.She held out a spoonful of soup to Gavin, “Come on, test this.” Gavin blew on it then took it. “Umm, perfect.” he said, blowing his mouth with his hand. “The executives aren't panicking because you are now the largest shareholder and also the CEO of Sterling Law Group. Adrian is more or less a lawyer in the company.” Arabel
CRACK.Arabella's palm connected with Adrian's face. "What the hell did you do?"She was breathing hard, face flushed with fury.Adrian touched his stinging cheek. "What did I—” "Don't." Arabella shoved her hair back from her face. "Don't play dumb. That article—what were you thinking?” "I told
The weekend crawled by. Arabella spent most of it buried in work reviewing audit files, preparing interview questions, and building her case. She wouldn't let herself rest. Not until Adrian was dethroned as CEO. Not until Serena paid. Only then could she look back at her 25-year-old self and
Arabella did a quick sweep of the office with her eyes. This office? How could she not recognise it? The same place Adrian forced her to give her child up.“Adrian's office?” She finally asked. The sofas had been moved out, providing more than enough space for her new desk right across from Adria
Arabella froze.Axel was walking toward her.He was taller now—so much taller than she remembered. Maybe 4'7. His hair was cut in a messy fade. He wore a school uniform: sky blue shirt tucked unevenly into navy pants.Her hands started to shake.After five years. Five years of being apart, of being







