LOGINPedro HernandezAmanda glares at me. She has no intention of hiding her anger from anyone. But what I'm saying here, the board needs to know. In fact, they know, but they act as if they don't because the man who used to sit in the chair I'm in now knew very well how powerful he was. No one would dare go head-to-head with Max Hernandez."It's a serious accusation, Mr. Hernandez," Patrick says, his tone serious.I know he's staring at me; I can feel his gaze burning into my skin as all I do is stare at the two people sitting at the end of the table."It's not an accusation, Patrick, it's a fact," I reply, turning to face him."Suddenly, you arrive with new accusations, with this arrogance that surely came from your father, and accuse us of fraud? Is this the man who will run the company, ladies and gentlemen?" Leonard asks, and I can see he's starting to despair. "Who's going to guarantee you're not lying? That your evidence isn't false and full of fraud? Who's going to guarantee that t
Pedro HernandezI leave the reporters and head toward the elevator. I plan to go up to my office to get some files I prepared last week. When I enter my office, they're all as I left them. Iris follows right behind me, her awkward, nervous manner. I take off my blazer and place it on the hanger, returning my attention to the papers. Victor gave me a good idea last week, and I've put things in order. I know the board will question me about it, and I want to have an ace up my sleeve so I'm not caught off guard.There are more files on my desk. I remember asking Iris to bring me all of Leonard's agreements and partnerships he's made. Reading through the documents, I notice the name of a company I've never seen before. But the "CEO"'s name is very familiar to me: Barbara LeBlanc. I know we're talking about the model who's been maintaining the lie of being someone she's not for seven years.That bastard has signed contracts riddled with fraud. Illegal companies, with dirty dealings. That B
Pedro Hernandez Monday morning, 7:30. I'm in the kitchen with Minnie. Adie and Abby haven't come down yet. I know they're still fighting, and I'll never blame Adrielle for that. She's our daughter. I can't forgive Minnie, but after everything, maybe she has a right to be afraid too. Leonard is crazy, and I need to make sure a man like him doesn't get close to anyone else. I have a board meeting today; either way, I'll have to resolve these conflicts with Leonard and Amanda. I know they'll be there and will try something. I didn't see Helena this weekend. At my mother's house, she said she had some things to sort out. I imagine it's something about the advertising campaigns. Her agent must be trying to secure partnerships with American brands. Either way, I don't care. I know that at some point, Leonard will take advantage of her presence to provoke me. That way, he'll know I already know everything, because I have no intention of continuing to pretend. I can hear Abby's voice as s
Pedro Hernandez"Do you think she'll come back?" Abby asks, lifting her head to look at me as the turtle drifts away with the waves.I give a small smile, certain that this turtle must return at some point. I don't know what stranded her on the beach or what brought her here, but I imagine she'll return someday. Maybe her eggs are here, close to hatching, and she just came back out of maternal instinct."If she doesn't come back, maybe there will be new baby turtles hatching on the beach in a few days, dear," I answer softly, kneeling in front of her. "Can you tell me when turtle eggs hatch?"Abby ponders for a moment, her head tilted to think about it. She's an expert on this subject."Well, I heard a woman say it takes sixty days. When is that? Do you think she laid her eggs here? Can we come see when the baby turtles hatch?" Her excitement is noticeable, as is her eager smile."Yes, we can." I nod. "We'll keep an eye out, and if there's any movement, we'll go down and observe. I pr
Adrielle Hale Pedro and I walked down to the beach a few minutes ago. I wiped my face to make sure Abby wouldn't notice I was crying, but I think she's known this sight for so long that any slight change in my eyes tells her something's wrong. The sand isn't as hot as I thought. Our house provides good shade for us to walk barefoot. Pedro is quiet, with a distant look in his eyes. I know he's still thinking about the things we discussed inside, and I can't help but feel him reconsider his actions and scold himself. His fingers are intertwined with mine, a subtle hint that he doesn't want to distance himself, but his fingers aren't so attached that I couldn't let go if I wanted to. Abby and Austin are running along the water's edge while Victor takes countless photos of them with his phone. A small smile spreads across my face at how happy Abby and Austin look. That smile has never been brighter than it is now. I can clearly see how happy she is. "Hi." Abby waves to us, a wide smil
Adrielle Hale "Adie…" His blue eyes stare at me, searching for some sign that everything is okay. But I'm not okay. His arms are still around me, holding me to him as if I might slip away at any moment. And I really want to. I remain silent. The room—the environment around us—is silent, silenced by the terrifying tension gripping us. My lips tremble, and I still can't control my breathing. I can't control the tears. "Adie… I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Please…" His tone is subtle, light. But I hear his concern clearly in his voice. "I shouldn't yell at you; this isn't your fault." "I don't like you yelling at me, Pedro." My voice is tearful. "It makes me relive everything all over again." His hand caresses my cheek, as if trying to show that everything is okay. "Forgive me for yelling. Please." His voice is broken, as if he also realizes how it destroys me to experience this again. "I said it would be a safe love. And I will deliver." I sniff, but my arms are still trying to push h
Adrielle HaleJackson returned an hour later. With so many papers in his hands that even he didn't know what each one meant. My brother shuffled them all around, and we practically had to put together a puzzle. In the end, I only need to sign one of them. Jackson and his ADHD."Can you explain to m
Adrielle HaleThe doorbell rings a few minutes later. Jackson gets up and goes to answer the door. Within seconds, I see him and Pedro enter the living room. Pedro is wearing a white, short-sleeved button-down shirt. I think it's linen. His pants are tailored and well-fitted. I smell his perfume be
Adrielle HaleAbby and I headed to my parents' house. I texted my brother to meet after lunch. My mother prepared grilled salmon for Abby. Although she recognizes many sea creatures and is reluctant to eat them, Abby loves salmon, so she hasn't yet reached the point of refusing it. There are also p
Adrielle HaleAbby and I head home. I see the security guards following me, but I don't see Pedro's car. After I get home, Abby runs down the stairs, excited, and into the house. She stops in front of the door, a huge smile on her face."Are we going to live here?" she asks, unable to contain her e







