Lahat ng Kabanata ng After His Eyes Opened: Kabanata 81 - Kabanata 90

I tapped my feet on the ground as the judge sat down. A lump grew in my throat, lingering there as his eyes swept over the jury, finally landing on my lawyer. I leaned against the older man. “What’s going on? The persecutor hasn’t even arrived,”“I’m as confused as you are, Madam. I wonder what strings they are trying to pull. Rest assured, you’ll leave here a free woman.”I nodded and faced the Judge but my mind retreated to last night. When Louis said that, I was stumped. I even went as far as asking Atlas to take off his shirt in the morning. As I expected, his birthmark was right there.I wasn’t sure if Louis was confused or if something had happened between midnight to dawn. I wanted to check at the exact moment Louis said it but I also didn’t want to disturb Atlas. He went out of his way to organize a birthday party for the kids and It didn’t feel fair to startle him awake. Either way, it was a closed case. Atlas was Atlas and I wanted to forget I even assumed he wasn’t. Th

9 months later. “Call him again!” I shrieked as the nurses wheeled me into the OR. Greta sniffled. “I’ve called him already, he’s coming Julia—““No!” I cried, my hands digging into the stretcher, my lower half aching as if a trailer crashed into me. “You’re lying so I stay calm, right?” I hiccuped. Greta shook her head, wiping my tears. “Just hang on, okay?” She begged: “They have the best doctors here and—““I want my husband, Greta!” I sobbed as we got closer to the operation theatre. I wasn’t sure if I was referring to the Atlas from the courtroom or the one who returned from that trip nine months ago. Greta and I had narrowed down multiple possibilities. It was so bad, that we considered it a split personality disorder. Because that’s how pathetic I’d become. I found myself searching for the same man who saved me in the courtroom and made me feel special for the past nine months.I hadn’t found him. Atlas vanished after the doctor left and when he returned, he had the same

Five years later. “Now, we’ll call on the woman of the moment,” The presenter began. “She has won the businesswoman of the year award thrice in a row, established dozens of ventures across the world, and right now,” He gestured to the audience. “She has graced us with her presence.”The spotlight landed on me, bright but not blinding. Over the years, I adjusted to the press, paparazzi, and everything that came with being Bella Hollen. The daughter of Billionaire Richard Hollens, a woman who silenced a crowd with a gaze, handled boardrooms with a flick of her wrist, and charmed investors with facts and a smile that could cut through any objection. After reuniting with my father, I spent the past few years rebuilding my life and preparing for the moment I could return. The moment I could take back everything that was snatched from me. I waved at the flashes and reporters yelling over the top of their lungs. They were all desperate to hear from me. After all, I was the CEO of Hol

“Stop,” I instructed Rade, glancing at the mansion in front of me. Volkan Mansion. “Ma’am? Is there a problem? Since we arrived in Miami, you’ve been insisting on this route.” He said, “Is there…”“Slow and steady wins the race,” I smiled, my gaze lingering on the Golden cage that ruined my life. “But patience is a double edged sword. This is why I want this route.”He raised an eyebrow. “Mark my words, Rade.” I said, leaning against the car seat. “I will enter this mansion before tomorrow ends. I step into it with respect and my five year long yearning will end,”“How… you’ll be entering the Lion’s den, Ma’am!”I smiled, “I belong there, Rade. I’m the lioness after all.” Silence loomed for a few seconds before I gestured at him to continue driving. I glanced outside, the sound of the trees, footsteps and car speeding were familiar. Like the taste of a favorite food that worn out over time. I was finally in Miami and I wasn’t leaving alone this time. The car pulled to a halt in

I sighed, watching as guests filled the hall from the control room. My birthday party started an hour ago and my guest of honor had yet to arrive. My stomach twisted at the possibilities. Was Atlas going to turn me down?How could I lose so easily? Everything was at stake. I had already lost the partnership father wanted — Losing my children was not an option. Before the night ended, I had to enter the Volkan mansion. I wanted to see them and hold them. I shut my eyes, biting back a sob. “I have news,”I turned to see Rade standing at the door. “If it’s not about Atlas, keep it to yourself.”“Trust me, Madam. You want to know this.”I spun the chair, glaring at Rade. I reached out and he handed me a file. “We found the nurse who attended to you five years ago.”I frowned. “How? I thought the building had burned down and most of the workers died in the tragedy.”“We were lied to,” Rade didn’t miss a beat. “She’s alive and even better, she’s spoken.”I stood, my heart racing. “