S5-Chapter 155

Richard’s POVSeveral days had passed since Tess left. My father convinced me it was better to let him handle it and focus on Anabel and the babies. He assured me Tess had left and was already working at the place he had arranged for her, that she was keeping quiet and seemed ready to make good use of this opportunity. This brought me relief, I wouldn't forgive myself if she continued spiraling downward, and I wouldn't be comfortable with her in that life. The choice was hers, but I needed to do something.Lionel had also been transferred to the place Don arranged, completely dependent on nurses for everything. While he was in the hospital, Anabel visited him daily, but at the nursing home, she decided to go only occasionally. She was deeply upset about his condition. But as Melissa said, we needed to move forward.So I sought out Melissa and we finished preparing everything for me to propose on Saturday. This should have happened earlier, but with Lionel's illness, I decided to wait a

S5-Chapter 156

Richard’s POVIt was finally Saturday morning and I told Anabel I had scheduled lunch with our friends, but it was actually the day I would propose to her. When we arrived at the reception, the others were already waiting for us, as if it were just another Saturday morning at the club."Where are the kids?" Ana asked while greeting everyone there."They're with the nannies, because we're going to the spa! We deserve a massage," Lexie replied. "Bye, boys, behave yourselves."I gave Ana a kiss and, as she walked away, I held Melissa back for a minute."Relax, everything's set," Melissa smiled."Is the club really empty?" I asked."Just us and the staff," She widened her smile at her great accomplishment."Crazy girl, I don't know how you pull these things off," I laughed."I know the right people," She gave me a wink. "Get ready, because this might take a while.""That's fine. I trust you," I hugged my friend and turned to the guys."Come on, Rick, Mel gave me a list of tasks, we have to

S5-Chapter 157

Anabel’s POVThe girls' idea of going to the spa was wonderful. I loved getting massages and treatments like that, and after everything that had been happening, it was a gift to get this massage to relax. But I found it strange that the spa was so empty on a Saturday. Actually, not just the spa, the entire club was too quiet, and it was such a beautiful day."Alright, now that we're all relaxed, get ready because..." Mel looked at her phone screen and stopped talking. She clicked her tongue and answered. "Fernando, this better not be a problem." Mel listened. "Got it. Okay, just keep me posted.""Is everything okay, Mel?" I asked, noticing she stared at her phone for a moment."Oh, you know how men are, not as skilled as we are." She smiled, but I could see her mind was racing at full speed. "Girls, how about we get our nails and hair done? Show up looking gorgeous for lunch with that bunch of slowpokes?" she suggested, and the girls quickly agreed it was an excellent idea.I looked at

S5-Chapter 158

Anabel’s POVI was worried and nervous watching her, but Manu stepped into my field of vision for a second and whispered something to Melissa. Then I looked at the girls more calmly and noticed they all seemed very relaxed. I looked at Catherine and thought she had quite a healthy glow and seemed way too calm for a pregnant woman who was supposedly feeling sick. Then it hit me."You tricksters!" I stood up from my chair with my hands on my hips. "You can stop now, Cat, you're not feeling sick at all." I started laughing at their faces. "You just wanted to stall me!""Oh, sometimes smart people just get in the way." Melissa looked at me with an amused smile playing on her lips."Come on, tell me, why keep me waiting so long? I could have finished this over an hour ago." I wanted to know."Yeah, Mel, your plan didn't work out so well today." Catherine laughed, seeing Melissa's disappointment at the hole in her schedule."It's all precious boy's fault! But also, what did the prince do? He

S5-Chapter 159

Anabel’s POVOf course, the girls showed up the next day to start the wedding preparations, as if they were just as anxious as I was. But I knew exactly what kind of wedding I wanted: it would be simple, small, and attended only by people who truly cared about us. I didn't need anything more than that."Is this a joke, Anabel? You want me to plan a mini wedding? Is that right?" Melissa looked at me in disbelief."Mel, I only have Don and you girls as family, and if you're with me, that'll be enough. I don't have any other friends. I lived a very lonely life until Rick came along," I explained."Oh, how sweet! She considers us family! Come here, give me a hug." Melissa stood up and opened her arms to me. "You're our family too, Ana, and you'll never be alone again!" Soon the others got up and I was wrapped in a big group hug. I had never felt so surrounded by love and affection."Well then, it'll be a mini wedding." Melissa wiped her eyes, trying to hide her emotion. "I know you can't h

S5-Chapter 160

Lionel’s POVI had been transferred to this nursing home days ago, and no one had visited me. Donald accompanied me during the transfer, but he hadn't come back. And Anabel, the last time I saw her was at the hospital. But I couldn't complain. I truly deserved my children not caring, especially Anabel.What punishment had I been subjected to, my God! I was trapped in my own body, in my own mind. I could see, I could hear, I understood everything, I could feel, but I couldn't speak, couldn't move, couldn't even feed myself. I needed someone to do everything for me.How did a man like me end up like this? I was an important man, imposing, master of my own desires. But in this nursing home I lived depending on others' goodwill. Someone had to dress me, feed me, clean me. I wore diapers and pajamas all the time, no more expensive suits and imported cologne, no brand-name watches or Italian leather shoes. Just diapers, pajamas, and odorless urea-based moisturizers.And what did I eat? I was