Xavier~"Dad, where is Mama going? Please ask her to stop." Alan shed tears upon witnessing Bella's car leave the house."Alan, don't cry; she will return home." I kneeled to match his height and wiped off his tears. I don't know how this happens suddenly. I never intend to raise my hand against her. I brought him back inside the house and asked Victor to take care of him. I closed the door behind me, collapsing onto the bed. The image of her tear-filled eyes haunted me. What had I become? The very hands meant to protect her had caused her pain. My chest tightened with the weight of my failure. If she left me now, I wouldn't blame her. How could I ask for forgiveness when I wasn't sure I deserved it? My mind kept replaying the moment when I furiously slapped her. I was so overwhelmed by the pressure from everyone that I lost my temper and smacked the woman I had never wanted to hurt in my life."Open the door, Xavier." Dad knocked on my room's door."Dad, I deeply regret my actions
Isabella~"Bella, please think again before making any decision since it's not only about you, but your entire family will be affected by your decision." James asked me to reconsider my decision to leave this house as soon as I got into his car."I have made up my mind; I will not take my steps back." I looked at the closed door of the house and gestured to him to drive the car. The pain from Xavier's forceful slap on my face is still searing my cheek. His slap not only hurt me physically but wounded my soul, too."Where do you want to go now?" he asked me since he had no idea where I wanted to go at this point. After careful consideration, I asked him to drop me off at the hotel."Bella, you can stay with me if you want. I am a friend to both you and Xavier." He looked at me with sympathetic eyes."James, I know you are a good friend of mine, but I am sorry I can't live with you since I don't want to create any misunderstanding between you and Xavier because of me," I explained to hi
Xavier~"Dad, no lawyer wants to fight against Bella in court!" I conveyed this to him in a worried tone."I understand; it is not her fault that she is flying so high; rather, it is my fault that I have given her such large wings. She's flying over our heads now." Dad got off the sofa and returned to his room. He shut the door to his room before I could get inside, even though I wanted to talk to him to calm his nerves.I sat defeated on the couch. Everything was out of my control. I wanted to live a simple life with Bella, but I didn't know I would have to pay such a great price to love her. I struggled with balancing my devotion to my dad with feelings of regret. I have no idea where she is or what state she is in right now. Why did she prosecute Lincoln in this case, adding to the complexity?"Where is Mama, Dad? She didn't receive my call. I want to speak with her." Alan came downstairs, his eyes filled with tears."Why are you crying, Alan? What happened?" I embraced him and for
Isabella~"What have you decided now, Bella?" Victor questioned me as he took Alan to meet me."What would you do if you were in my place?" I folded my arms across my chest and challenged him."Bella, I appreciate your decision, but your commitment to your work has the potential to destroy our whole family," Victor said with a beseeching look, his voice tinged with concern."Family?" I murmured bitterly, the memory of Xavier's harsh slap on my cheek flashing before my eyes. A bitter smile spread across my lips. I heard Dad's heartless remarks as I departed from the residence."I know, Bella, you are deeply hurt, but at least think about your son. He lived five years without his dad, and now you want him to make his life miserable by keeping him separate from his mom," Victor pressed, giving Alan's face a worried glance. Alan was engrossed in playing games on my phone, completely unaware of the storm brewing around him."I can't take a step back, Victor. What will I tell myself—that I
Xavier~"My lord, Miss Luis is attempting to divert attention from this case." Dad stood up from his chair in anger upon witnessing Bella's intense interrogation of Lincon. "She used Lincon's statements against him in court to entangle him and has not provided any evidence in the court till now," he added, his voice brimming with frustration. I'm worried that Dad might lose this case at his first hearing if she doesn't quit immediately. "Objection overruled." The judge’s stern voice echoed in the courtroom. Additionally, the judge forbade Dad from interfering with Bella's questioning of Lincon. "So, Mr. Thompson, according to your wife, you take her on vacation by telling her that this was your private tour, right?" Bella raised her brow, her sharp gaze fixed on Lincon. "Yes." Lincon shook his head and said yes, his voice barely audible. "What are your friends doing on that cruise, then? Are all of your buddies traveling together, or is it just a coincidence?" Bella’s unwaverin
Isabella~"What did he just say?" I stared incredulously at Xavier's face, my breath catching in my chest."Bella, please calm down; the court session is about to begin." Victor kept me from falling by holding me in his arms, his grip firm yet gentle. Seeing no remorse on Xavier's face, my eyes welled up with tears. Is this how he hurts me now? I never thought he would go to such lengths to force me to withdraw from Lincoln's case. How could he defend murderers in court? The news hit me like a bomb, shattering every ounce of resolve I had left."Take me to my hotel, Victor." My voice trembled as I struggled to keep my emotions in check."They wanted to see you broken, Bella, which is why Xavier decided to stand up for Jonathan. You must keep your vulnerability hidden from them," Victor said, his tone laced with disappointment as he glanced at Xavier. I noticed the shadow of pain in Victor's eyes—pain for me, for what I was enduring, and for the betrayal that hung heavy in the air.
Xavier~"Xavier, what are you doing here? Let's go." I was standing in the car parking lot and watching Bella's car leave the court premises."Did you ask the judge to schedule the hearings for both cases on the same dates, Dad?" I questioned him as I got in the car."Do you think that I need to use such a cheap trick?" He lifted his eyebrows in my direction."No, Dad, I didn't mean to offend you; I am just asking you to confirm." I gave a shoulder shrug."No, I don't know, but I am glad she has to choose one case now. She is entangled in a big, complicated situation now that she has to miss one court hearing that day." Even though his smile did not extend to his eyes, Dad still tried to fool himself as his lips curled into a smile.I am well aware that Dad is not happy with this complicated situation at all, but he is compelled to protect Lincon, and like him, I am also compelled and trapped in my own words. Her eyes showed me the broken pieces of her heart, but even if I wanted to,
Isabella~"My lord, I believe the prosecution has withdrawn from this case." Xavier's voice echoed in my ear as I opened the door to the courtroom."No, my lord, I am not the one backing out." I swiftly put on my lawyer coat and tied my disheveled hair into a bun, preparing to present myself in front of the judge."Miss Luis, what kind of behavior is this? Do you understand how important punctuality is in court?" The judge’s voice thundered as I stepped into the room."I am sorry, my lord. I was caught in an emergency. I promise this will not happen again." I bowed my head in apology."All right, enough wasting time. Begin the proceedings," the judge said, his voice softening.Before starting the judicial process, my gaze instinctively flicked toward Xavier. I never intended to face him as an adversary in this case. We were supposed to stand together, supporting one another, not at odds. Promises, affection—everything seemed to have vanished. Was love truly a force that could be overs
Isabella~“Bella, stop worrying now. The judge will give his verdict after three days. We all know that he will give his verdict in our favor; after seeing the recording of his crime, you need not doubt the judge’s verdict.” He held my hand to stop me from pacing anxiously."Xavier, I don't get a good vibe. I observed how Jordan Lucas looked at us with a mocking smile on his face as if he had already planned something to handle the situation," I voiced out my fear."Bella, I too felt frightened upon hearing his threat, but I believe this was merely a ploy to intimidate us. You tell me what he will do now. If he decides to kill us, it won't benefit him in any way, as the television has already broadcast his crimes." He tried his best to comfort me."Xavier, I know this too, but my heart still feels very heavy." I put my hand on my heart to calm myself."Bella, come on, don't overthink things now; at least take a calm sleep tonight. Wouldn't you agree that we should celebrate our succes
Xavier~I told Bella to hold my hand. We were falling from the waterfall together. We jumped into the waterfall’s flow. I held her hand tightly so I wouldn't lose her this time in the water. We reached the riverbank, and there was a village nearby. We were running late for the court hearing."Bella, are you all right?" I asked. She nodded, but I could see the worry in her eyes. "Don't worry about me; I am all right. We have to reach the court on time." Her breath was heavy, and she looked tired, but she nodded again and gestured for me to continue our walk.We took help from Jackson's father to reach the court. He was working near the courtroom, so we didn't have much difficulty getting there on time. Our clothes were wet after coming out of the waterfall, but by the time of the hearing, we were completely dry. We thanked him and then entered the courtroom."Thank God, we reached today's session on time." Bella looked at the empty judge's seat and sighed in relief."Oh, it seems you t
Isabella~“Xavier!” I shouted when I saw him being carried away by the river current. He reached the same place near the waterfall where I was stuck before. He struggled to come out of the stream, but the river's flow made it difficult for him to swim."Xavier, hold this!" To assist him, I tossed one rope in his direction, but because of the strong wind, it floated in the opposite direction."God, please help us; we can't lose now." I prayed to God, my heart hammering in fear.I wanted to jump into the river to save Xavier, but Jackson grabbed my hand and stopped me. Xavier was still having trouble getting out of the river while holding the drone tightly in his hand. Just in front of the waterfall, he gripped one large stone, taking a few deep breaths to relax himself. He used all his strength to swim against the current."Thank God you're safe, Xavier!" I hugged him as soon as he reached the bank of the river, tears of relief blurring my eyes."Bella, I found it!" In front of me, he
Xavier~"Please don't give me to the police. I'll tell you everything." That boy held my hand and pleaded with me, desperation dripping from every word."Tell me the truth, or I will report you to the police." I threatened him again. Although I was thankful for him saving my life, my mind was filled with doubts after seeing him living in this deserted place. Because of the unexpected flood, the government had strictly forbidden people from residing close to the river. Those who disobeyed faced severe penalties and fines for violating the regulation."Tell me, what’s your connection with Jordan Lucas?" Seeing his quietness, I threatened him once again."Jordan Lucas?" He gave me a perplexed expression, genuinely confused."Don't lie. I know he sent you here to keep your eye on us." I narrowed my eyes and gave him a doubtful glance, every nerve on edge."Sir, I don't have any idea who you’re talking about. I’m a student doing my research on submarine life." He quickly handed me his iden
Isabella~The cold water felt like an ointment to my burned skin, but soon I found myself flowing with the river's current. My hands felt numb in the chilly water as I attempted to swim against the stream. I had trouble breathing as water began to fill my nose. I looked around in search of Xavier, but I was unable to find him in the violent current.My body was still in shock from witnessing the car blast. I had never been this close to death before—never felt it breathe against my neck the way it did now. I made every attempt to locate the riverbank so that I could escape the current, but I was unable to do so since my hands and feet were not functioning properly.I heard the roar of the rushing water grow louder, and my swimming became more desperate. I was about to plunge into the waterfall ahead if I didn't exit the river's grip. This river would plummet vertically off the edge. If I didn't get out now, I would tumble down the cliff and that would be the end.I fought the river wi
Xavier~“Bella, what did you do? I am now sure he will not show any mercy to us.” Jordan Lucas' threats rattled my body. His eyes blazed with anger and retaliation. The moment he saw us in the court, he was fuming with anger. I am well aware of Jordan Lucas' nature. Once he decides something, he will not back out of it, no matter how far he has to go to achieve the desired outcome.“Bella, why did you discuss another case in this court when we already have difficulty handling Victor's murder case?” I looked at her with a complaint-filled gaze. I am well aware that she is not doing anything wrong, but I don't think messing with Jordan Lucas in every situation is a good idea.“Xavier, I didn't have any choice at that time. Can't you see how Andrew argued with us in today’s court session? He is one step ahead of us. He came here well prepared, and we would have lost this case in today's hearing if I hadn't diverted the court's attention to the recent crimes of Jordan Lucas.” She sits on
Isabella~“My lord, Jordan Lucas not only killed Victor Thompson but he also killed two of my staff by burning them alive. He not only took the lives of those two innocent people but he also burned my costly property.” I turned to look at Jordan Lucas with hate-filled eyes. Now he has to pay a high price for his sins. I waited for the perfect opportunity to enter the court so that I could see this fear-filled expression on his face. When I saw Jordan Lucas, I felt retaliation and rage in every cell of my body. How could he burn those two innocent individuals so viciously? I saw no trace of regret in his eyes. His brutality went beyond all bounds.“Objection, my lord, Mrs. Thompson is trying to mislead the case. She is attempting to squander the court's valuable time by involving my client in her latest baseless charges, even though we are here to discuss Victor's case.” Andrew rose from his seat and gave me a furious glare.“Andrew is correct, Mrs. Thompson; your statements seemed un
Xavier~"Bella, what are we going to find in this dusty area?" I looked at her with confusion. The house was covered with black dust. A shiver ran down my spine as I saw the state of the house. We would have been buried under the ground by now if we hadn't left this house on time. I am afraid of losing Bella while trying to send Jordan Lucas to jail."Take off your shoes and don't touch anything in the home, Xavier." She handed me the gloves after removing them from her suitcase."What are you saying, Bella? How am I supposed to remove my shoes on this dusty floor?" I gave her a perplexed look."Xavier, do what I am saying."I removed my shoes and shook my head in disappointment when I saw her demanding gaze. "Bella, please stop using the magnifying glass; we are not detectives." She took the magnifying glass out of her bag and then began to look at the burned items available in the house.I don't understand what new hobby she developed as a detective. She carries everything with he
Isabella~"What are you going to do now, Bella?" Xavier's eyes brimmed with curiosity. "I don't know, Xavier; I only have to win Victor's case by hook or crook." I sighed deeply and fixed my gaze on the laptop screen. My attention was drawn to my phone's buzzing sound. "Are you okay, Bella?" I heard James' anxious voice on the call. "Yeah, we are all right, but why did you sound so worried?" I asked him. "I watched the news on TV." After listening to him, I became aware of the impact this news had on my family. They had no idea what was going on here. "Don't worry about us, James; everything is OK." His worry is evident in the weight of his voice. "I feared we lost you both, Bella." I heard him sobbing. "It was part of my plan, James. I am well aware of Jordan Lucas' cruelty. That's why I have already moved out of that house. I don't want any of you to get into problems, so please don't contact me again." I cautioned him once more. "Bella, everyone is concerned about you and