Fabe tilted her head to the side, still feeling groggy. She blinks her eyes to focus on the unfamiliar place she's in.
"Where am I?" she said, holding her head.
"Miss," Layla said, checking her temperature. Fabe got a slight fever last night and was under observation due to her condition.
"Who are you?" Fabe kept blinking her eyes, becoming delirious, and couldn't recognize Layla. Then the pain hit her back to her senses.
"My baby!" she groped her bulging belly and turned to Layla, "How's my baby?"
"She is fine, Miss, but you almost lost him. Why did you follow me there?"
"I thought Bryce stay for the night, but…," Fabe's voice quivered in sadness. That Irene insults her. She purposely did that to hurt Fabe.
"Did Bryce bring me here?" Fabe remember being carried by Bryce before she fainted.
"Yes, and stayed for a while, but Madam called and asked Sir Bryce to come home because of Miss Irene."
"He didn't come back?"
"No, but he will later."
Fabe felt her whole world collapse right before her eyes. She almost lost her baby, and yet Bryce goes back to Irene.
"Is having a baby a joke to him?" she fists her hand as her belly cramps.
"Miss, stop stressing yourself, please. You get lucky this time," Lyla rubbed her belly; she might sense the cramp as the baby moved when Fabe's eyes burst into tears.
The doctor came in and advised Fabe to complete rest. Stressing herself created trauma for her baby; who knows what will happen the next time? Because of that, her morning walk was forbidden. As much as Fabe loves the morning walk, for the sake of her baby, she will bear the boredom inside her room and take the morning sunshine on the balcony.
After discovering he has a grandson, Master Rafael ordered the servant to serve the meal in Fabe's room. Lyla will watch over her around the clock.
He also warned Madam Claudia and Lady Sophie to refrain from misbehaving toward Fabe or face his wrath.
"That worthless bitch! Of all the women, why did brother marry a nobody? Such a shame! I can't imagine having a nephew from that piece of shit!" Lady Sophie whined to Madam Claudia.
"Calm down, my daughter. After the baby is born, you can do as you please. Right now, we must obey your father," Madam Claudia caressed her hair.
"Once the baby is born, Bryce will divorce her, and we will throw her on the street like trash where she belongs," Madam Claudia smiled wickedly. Lady Sophie grinned, agreeing to her mother's plan.
Another monthly check-up. Fabe asked Lyla to take her to the park. Staying inside the mansion is suffocating. Lyla knew Master Rafael wouldn't like the idea, but they could sneak for a few hours. No one will know.
Lyla told her Bryce was in London for a business trip. But she missed him so much, although Bryce never failed to send her the payment. God knows Fabe doesn't want the money but a family.
"Where is that woman?!" Master Rafael loathe impatiently. It's been three hours since Fabe's prenatal check-up, and she hasn't been home yet. He called Fabe's doctor only to find out that the session ended early since the laboratory results showed the baby was fine and healthy.
The Master demands Madam Claudia to call Fabe, but she lies and says that Fabe's phone is out of reach, which makes the Master grow furious while Lady Sophie and Madam Claudia are rejoicing secretly. In this state of Master Rafael's rage, Fabe will never get away this time.
Meanwhile, Fabe and Lyla lost track of time. They were agitated going home. Lyla told her to stay quiet once they got home and let her do the talking.
They heard Master Rafael’s scream. He demands an answer from all his servants to look for Fabe. After hearing this, Fabe rushed in and kneeled in Master Rafael's front, cowering in terror.
"You ungrateful woman! I ask you one thing to keep my grandchild safe, and you dare to disobey me!" Master Rafael dragged Fabe inside her room.
"From now on, you will never leave this house until I make sure my grandchild is safe! I set one rule, but you cannot comply! Stupid!” he ordered to lock her room.
"Master, please, let me out of here! Master, please, let me out!" Fabe beg with all her might, but no one listens.
"You, guard her! I trusted you, and you disobeyed me! If you do it again, I'll ensure your family will starve to death!" Master Rafael pointed his finger at Lyla, handed her the key, and left.
"Please, let me out, please!" Fabe twisted the knob and clobbered the door. She moved to the balcony, but it was too high. She called Bryce, but he was out of reach. Feeling hopeless, she fell asleep in tears.
It was dinner time when the door clicked open. Fabe stooped up and saw Lyla holding a tray of food.
"I'm sorry, Miss, but the Master ordered not to let you out until your due date," Lyla found her sleeping on the floor and woke her.
"Lyla, why are they doing this to me?" Fabe cried.
"I know, Miss. Hush now," Lyla embrace her, "You need to eat. You have to be strong. Come."
Lyla set the food on the table for Fabe.
"You must take care of your baby and yourself. On your due date, I promise to help you escape. For now, please eat."
With a heavy heart, Fabe followed Lyla. She knows she won't stand a chance against the Hamilton family in her condition right now. She thought of calling Bryce again, but what difference could he make when he didn't believe her? In her devastating situation, her baby is the right thing that only happens to her. There's no room for regrets now, but face what lies ahead, prepare herself for the worst, and learn to accept her faith.
Days passed, and being locked inside her room, loses her sanity. Bryce didn't even call or text to check on her; he was still out of the country. Her phone is her only window to the outside world. She stops posting on her social media account; she stops doing everything and loses hope.
"They will ditch me after I give birth and who knows if I can see my son again!" this thought runs through her mind continuously, and it scares her. Her growing anxiety about losing her baby is driving her crazy.
Even her next prenatal appointment was held inside her room, considering she's seven months now. Fabe stays silent as the doctor notices her affairs; she wouldn't dare to suppress the Hamilton; no one does. Being one of the most powerful families in the country, they will slander you in a snap.
Beep! Beep!
Fabe got a message from an unknown recipient. The number is from another country. She quickly opens it and drops her phone by the picture displayed on her screen. Bryce was half-naked in bed with Irene covered in a blanket up to her chest.
"I am such a fool to believe Bryce will love me!" Fabe threw all their picture frames, wailing. She clumps, pacing her room, screaming like crazy.
Lyla was perturbed and hastened to unlock the door. Fabe's feet are bleeding, stepping on the broken glasses on the floor. Fabe didn't stop wailing. Master Rafael interfered and blaster out in anger.
"What the heck?!" he hasted inside and slapped Fabe.
She felt her cheeks burn, followed by gushing blood on her thighs. Then an immense pain took over. Fabe held her breath and grasped the Master's robe, screaming in pain. Master Rafael quickly called for the driver to immediately bring her to the hospital.
While screaming in immense pain, Fabe fainted after.
"Miss! Miss!" Lyla shook her.
Madam Claudia felt restless with Fabe’s situation. To clear Master Rafael’s name, she decided to call Bryce to explain everything and cover-up. He threatens to leave the mansion with his family if they keep secrets from him, and she cannot afford to lose her son.“Bryce Fabe is in the hospital.”“What?! What happened, mom?”“She was gone mad and got hysterical. She tried to attack your father and….”“Fabe attack dad? I’m sorry, mom, I don’t think she can do that. She is pregnant.”“But it’s true. Because of that, she was bleeding heavily, so we rushed her to the hospital.”“How is she? And my baby?”“We are waiting for the doctor’s call. I will notify you after.”“I’m going home.”Thereupon, Fabe was inducted into the hospital and delivered a premature baby by a caesarian section. She was unconscious the whole time, so the doctor acted immediately, or the baby will die. Hours later, Fabe was transferred to the recovery room, and the baby stayed in the incubation room for further exami
One shot. That is all she needs to put the man down. No one can get away with Massimo. There is no place for treachery in his triad. You cross the line; you are dead—his virtue. Being at the top of his game, he makes sure he wins. In this world, he is the king."Peri is on the move. Do you have a sighting of him?" Massimo cleared over the wireless microphone. "On it," the woman answered, walking to the crowd and blending in, following the man, driving slowly along an alley in the car. "Got a sighting of him," she moved quickly, pulling out her gun with a silencer. A group of men was waiting for Peri in that alley. As Peri steps out of his, the woman points her gun at him, blowing his head. The men recognized her. Instead of fighting back, they disperse."Mission accomplished.""Welcome back, Nova," Massimo raised his glass to face his comrade."Cheers for Nova's come back. Problem eliminated," he laughed triumphantly. ****Boarding in a private plane owned by the Donovan Corporati
"We need to leave now!" Levi paid for their drinks and urged Fabe to leave. She was watching Bryce and Irene firmly. "Fabe, this is not the right time for them to see you. Let's go."“Fabe Ava Everette Donovan, come on!” Mimi pulled her hand, but Fabe was glued to her chair. "Ava, what are you doing? This is not how you fight," Levi blocked her sight. Fabe came to her senses, grabbed her bag, and finished her glass of wine. Before leaving, she glances again at the couple. In her mind, Bryce must have been happy to get rid of her and finally get reunited with Irene. "From now on, I don't want you calling me Fabe," she uttered."What do you mean?" Mimi asked confusingly, glancing at Bryce. "Call me Ava. Like you used to call me. Fabe died in the hospital five years ago, and her foolishness ends.""Then welcome back, Ava," Levi grinned, leading her the way out.At the same time, Bryce noticed the woman from a distance. "Fabe?" he rushed into the crowd, but the woman disappeared fro
"So you don't know?" Frank asked."The what?" Fabe paces in her office, baffled. "The Hamilton's has been trying to partner with us for years since you left. Stephen declined, and they keep coming back," Frank explained. "They did?""Yes, and as a matter of fact, the news about the new CEO escalated in the business industry, and companies everywhere are on their feet, dying to be our partners. Isn't that amazing?""It is, can't blame them, but a meeting with my ex-husband? Right now? I am not ready yet.""You can cancel the meeting if you like. Just tell them you are now off for some personal agenda. Tell that to them, Michel.""I, sir," Michel step out of the office.Fabe relaxes in her chair. "I understand your situation, Ava. Stephen is right; this isn't the right time yet for you to face the Hamilton. You should know that they are relentless. Just make some excuses, or better, we tell everyone that the CEO is out of the country. That way, you can avoid them.""Frank, I just got
Fabe's POVNo more hiding. Five years of skulking were enough to delay my vengeance. It's time to face the past; it's time to bury them and be me. But this time, I will shock them. The memories of Liam in the hospital still linger in my mind.Flashback.Seeing my son suffer, fighting for his breath, makes me realize he didn't deserve to be a Hamilton. They don't deserve my son. Bryce made it clear choosing Irene over us. He doesn't care. If I stay, not only will I lose my son, but myself. "Lyla, where's my phone?"Lyla retrieved my phone from his sling bag. It was still unlocked. The photo of Bryce and Irene in bed was still on the screen. I skipped it and dialed Stephen's number."I need you, please," I cried for help. Stephen came along with his men. The doctor was one of his colleagues in college, so it was easy for us to leave without a trace. "I told you, marrying that guy was a big mistake. I've been around them for years, I know, but you wouldn't listen," Stephen scolded me,
"Now that Bryce and his family know your back, I am pretty certain that they are on the move to break you," Stephen visit her in the office to join the board meeting. "They can try. I will put up a good fight.""Sir, Ma'am, the board members are waiting for you," Michel informed them, handing her an envelope to Fabe and flowers."What's this?""That came along with these favorite flowers," Michel answered, giving her the bouquet of pink tulips."Thank you, Michel."Fabe checked the card in the flowers."You're back! Hmm, intriguing," she opened the envelope and read it."Who sent it?" Stephen asked, hoping it didn't come from her sister's ex-husband."Looks like we are invited to a fashion ball.""Who?""From the famous artist in London, Rosie Harper.""Your friend in college.""Yup! She knows I'm back."Stephen properly announced to the board the merger of Donovan Corporation and Ava Fashion Company. It wasn't what Fabe expected. Stephen didn't inform her in advance, although their
Fabe felt her heart fluttering fast as Bryce mentioned their son. Her throat suddenly dries, and she can't move. Did he find out about Liam? "Fabe, if he died, I want to know where you buried him." A cold wind suddenly blew on her, bringing her back to her senses. She has kept Liam from him to protect him, and meeting Bryce sooner didn't cross her mind. It will take a while for her to trust him again. "I cremated him and threw his ashes into the ocean. Happy now?" she turned away immediately to avoid the conversation about Liam. "Wait! Fabe," Bryce followed her. "What do you want? Our son died five years ago, and it opened my eyes to be so stupid to serve your family and marry you! Now, leave me alone!" "What? Look, we both agreed on our marriage, and in case you forget, you are still married to me." "Not for long," Fabe got away as fast as she could, but her heels were failing her. "We need to talk. Fabe," Bryce continued to follow her, "Listen to me. I've been looking fo
"You've been keeping secrets," Bryce wrap his arm around her waist tightly. Smelling her breath."We are just the same, but it doesn't matter anymore," Fabe tried to break loose, but Bryce didn't allow her."It does to me.""The feeling is not mutual," Fabe took a quick swivel, bowed at him, and stepped away. The crowd applauded as the music stopped."Fabe!" Bryce tailed her."What is wrong with you? Stop following me!""Let's talk.""There is nothing to talk about!""Oh, sure there is. You left wi…..""Princess? Is Mr. Hamilton bothering you?" Stephen saw them and quickly came to rescue his baby sister."Stephen! No, not at all. In fact, Mr. Hamilton here is about to leave," Fabe arched her brow at Bryce, then wrapped her arms around Stephen's arm."Mr. Hamilton?" Stephen stared at him, waiting for his response."Yes, Mr. Donovan. Enjoy the night.""What was that? You dance with him! You are exposing yourself!" Stephen scolded silently."I am not. That was unexpected!" Fabe answered,