“I have to go now! I can’t wait for two days,” insisted Stephen, throwing a pointed glance at his wife, but she would not get out of his way.
“It was Nicole’s fault that you were imprisoned at Wicked Palace for months, and now you want to go back there to see her? I seriously doubt that you’re going there to see her. You’re probably going to see Avril!”
Stephen thought his wife was being unreasonable, so he tried to walk away.
Besides worrying that Stephen would be imprisoned in Wicked Palace again, Portia also worried that her husband would meet with Avril. Seeing how her husband insisted on going, the woman held onto Stephen’s arm tightly like a madwoman and would not let him leave.
Having never seen his wife like that before, Stephen was at a loss.
“If you dare walk out of Musgrave Estate, I’ll kill myself! And if I die, you can be sure that my family will bury you with me in my grave!”
Although the Ankins family was not to be underestimated, Stephen would not be threatened.
He squinted at his wife before ordering, “Let me go, Portia!”
“No! I’ve been silent for far too long, Stephen! I’m your wife, and I will not allow you to go meet another woman!”
“I told you that I’m only going to see Nicole, my daughter!”
“I don’t care! You are to meet no other women!”
“Stop this nonsense now!” he growled before breaking free of Portia. Then, he ordered someone to drive him to Wicked Palace immediately.
Rage pulsed through Portia’s veins as she watched her husband leave.
How dare you treat me this way, Stephen!
I’ll make you pay!
Portia stalked back to her room to make a phone call, and when she was done, a devious smile appeared on her face.
When Stephen arrived at Wicked Palace, he was surprised to see Levant waiting to welcome him.
“What brings you to Wicked Palace, Stephen?”
“I want to see Nicole!”
“The wedding will be in two days. You’ll see her then. I’m sure Mom’s waiting for you at home. It’s best if you don’t keep her waiting.”
Only then did Stephen realize Levant had been expecting him because Portia had called the man to inform him of his arrival.
Levant sure knows how to please his foster mother.
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned! Portia will stop at nothing to stop me from seeing Nicole.
With so many people guarding Wicked Palace, there’s no way I can get in. I guess I’ll just have to come up with another plan.
When she saw her husband return not long after he left, Portia’s mouth curved into a smirk.
“I’d like to see how you save Nicole or meet with Avril now.”
Stephen headed straight to a room where a portrait of Rosalie was hung and gazed at the art longingly.
How do I save Nicole, Rosalie?
Will she be like us, destined to be separated from the love of our lives?
Wait. I think I’ve got it, Rosalie. I’ll wait until the wedding day to rescue her.
It’ll be risky, so I’ll need you to watch over us. Let our daughter spend the rest of her life with her love and no regrets.
I miss you, Rosalie. I miss you so much.
The next day at Wicked Palace, instead of feeling excited, Nicole was downhearted about the coming wedding.
She would never see Evan again after marrying Levant, so all she could do was let her four children accompany Evan on her behalf.
She specifically urged Juan and Kyle to take good care of the man. She also asked Nina and Maya to be good girls for their father.
The four children all pouted unhappily when they heard their mother’s sincere request.
