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The large gold doors opened slowly as two big black SUVs drove into the compound. At the back of the house, behind a wrought-iron gate adorned with vines, Mom Camilla stood near the large, gated pit where a swarm of crocodiles thrashed and snapped hungrily at eleven raw chickens being thrown in one by one. “Calma! Calma! There's enough for everyone,” Camilla called out, waving a manicured hand as if taming wild beasts with grace. A maid rushed up to her, panting. “Ma’am… Mr. Diego Mondragon your son he’s here.” Camilla’s hand paused mid-toss as she turned, brow arched. But before she could speak “Still feeding these overgrown lizards, mother?" Diego’s voice rang out mockingly as his footsteps were heard approaching..... He came into view, dressed in dark slacks and a white shirt unbuttoned at the top, his sunglasses pushed up onto his head. “You know,” he added with a smirk, “sometimes I wonder if you raised these reptiles better than you raised your own children.” Camilla
Reafe's expression softened as he took in Thersa's desperation. He glanced around cautiously, making sure no one was watching, then nodded slowly.“Get in,” he said quietly, pushing open the passenger door.Thersa slid in, her hands trembling as she wiped away the tears forming in her eyes. Reafe got in beside her, closing the door with a quiet click.“We’ll figure this out,” he muttered with a low voice as he gripped the steering wheel tightly.“He’s going to kill me… just like he made me lose every child I carried,” she whispered, her voice cracking with emotion. “Please, do something. Help me. I can't do this anymore... You're my only hope.”Rafael swallowed hard, fighting the surge of rage boiling inside him. He turned to face her, his jaw tight, eyes fierce but gentle when they met hers.“I won’t let anything happen to you, Thersa. I swear on my life,” he said as he reached out and placed a hand over hers. “You’re safe with me. And I’ll do anything... whatever it takes to protect
Before Mon could reach the bar, Thersa stepped right into his path.“Where were you?” he growled with narrowed eyes..“I... I was in the washroom,” Thersa replied her face slightly trembling.“Let’s get out of here,” Mon muttered, grabbing her hand.“But we just got here...barely twenty minutes ago,” Thersa said, confused.“Don’t act like you wanted to be here,” he snapped. “You never did.” He tightened his grip and pulled her with him.They were almost at the door when Rafael stepped in front of them, blocking their path.“Where’s the Mondragon family rushing off to so soon?” he said “Don’t tell me you’re leaving already...the party’s just getting started.”Mon forced a smile “Some of us have real things to do. We can’t afford to waste more than thirty minutes on the same event.”He glanced at Thersa. “Besides, my sweet wife here already feels out of place. Isn’t that right?”Thersa looked down without a word.“Enjoy your night,” Mon added coolly, then held her hand tightly and led h
1 month laterOne maid stepped out quietly, holding a glass of water. “Ma'am, you’ve been here for hours.”Thersa smiled faintly, eyes not leaving the flower in her hand. “It helps me breathe.”The maid crouched beside her. “You haven’t spoken about the baby since....”“Because there’s nothing left to say,” Thersa whispered. “If I speak, I’ll cry. If I cry, I’ll break. And I’m afraid no one will put me back together.”She took a long breath and lifted out the fragile rose.The maid's eyes watered. “Would you like me to call Grace again?” Thersa shook her head. “No. Not yet. Grace brings truth. And I’m not ready for that either.”There was silence. Only the sound of petals brushed one another.Then, softly, Thersa said, “When I was little, I used to think people who liked flowers were soft. Now I know....they’re the strongest. Because they know beauty grows where no one sees the roots.”She stood slowly and handed the small watering can to the maid.“Keep them alive,” she said. “They l
Rafael's phone ranged and he picked it up without checking the caller ID.“Mr. Wood?” the officer on the line said.“Yes, speaking.”“This is Detective Morris, NYPD. I’m calling regarding the case you filed against Mr. Diego Mondragon” “Go on.”He said as he stopped at the door..There was a brief pause. “Sir, after reviewing the evidence and speaking with the victim… I’m afraid we won’t be able to move forward with pressing charges.”“What do you mean you can’t move forward?” Rafael said.“The victim has denied any assault took place. She confirmed her injuries were caused by a car accident. With no cooperating statement and no eyewitnesses willing to testify otherwise, our hands are tied.”Rafael clenched his jaw. “She is scared. You and I both know that.”“I understand your frustration, Mr Wood,” the detective replied calmly. “But legally, without her cooperation, there’s nothing we can do at this time.”Then Rafael exhaled slowly.“Understood.”“If anything changes, or if she come
Diego Mondragon sat up slowly as blood trickled down the corner of his mouth.He winced as he wiped his face with the back of his hand.“He laid his hands on me…” he muttered, “He put his hands on a Mon.”A flicker of anger rose in his chest and before he could stop himself, he snapped.And stood up sharply, eyes burning with rage. He turned to his guards four of them, built like walls standing awkwardly at the side.“You’re all useless,” he spat. “All this muscle, all this bulk...for what?!”He grabbed one of them by the collar and pulled him forward.“You let him walk in here and turn me into a damn punching bag!”He shoved the guard back and turned to the next one, gripping his shirt just as tightly.“Bloody ass fools....do you know who I am?!”Not one of them spoke. Not one dared to meet his eyes.“You all stood there while he humiliated me!” Diego shouted as he breathed heavily. “This is the last damn time.”He let go, his chest rising and falling as his fists trembled beside him.