Dedicated to: Fairi1107 pinky5383 Love_Roxy17 Oladapoaishah MsIndrani Teemonera thanks alot guys.

Enjoy......

............................

*Third pov*

Clara stared at the child who was sleeping so peacefully. She'd draped him in her own over-worn pajamas and tucked him in her bed. His bed that was upstairs in the attic was tattered and filled with bedbugs and other insects. Hell, The whole place was filled with too many irritable creatures. Caroline had picked the warehouse where her father used to store some goods before.

Even through the tiredness and fear of not being close to his family, the boy had boldly told her his Name. Justin.
Clara chuckled silently. So cheesy, so....Sola.

Clara sat still as her mind went back to the time she had first met Sola. She felt the full force of that afternoon as her mom had informed her that her friend's daughter was there.

"Her name is Solaoluwa, and she's your age mate darling!" Her mum had said to her excitedly. Clara had been ecstatic when she'd met Sola for the first time. Sola had been so young and lovely, being so respectful and carefree. That was what had captured her attention, and she had liked Sola since that moment.

Clara could still feel that seed of envy, of jealousy she always felt whenever she glanced at Sola. The fair, beautiful girl.

Why can't my hair be as long as hers? Why don't I have her type of body shape? Why can't I be as good as her?

Those were always the thoughts that ran through Clara's head anytime they were out together, and Sola got all the attention she wanted for herself.
Being almost like a shadow of Sola had felt like hell.
And Sola, on the other hand, had always denied all the attention!.

A man would approach Clara, only for him to ask for Sola's contact or her information. But Sola would just wave it off like a Goddamn snow queen!.
"But he truly likes you, Sola! And he's loaded!" Sola would roll her eyes at the way Clara tried to hype her up.

"I could care less if he's loaded. Please, just tell him to get out. Or better still, you can accept his request."

Clara wouldn't say it out, but the envy and jealousy she always felt when Sola got the nicer hand from people was always consuming and palpable.

A lone single tear slid down her face as she thought of how her life had ricocheted. All for what? Hatred for her one-time best friend? The only person that had put up with her madness and bipolar behaviors?
Because of a man that didn't have a care in the world about her?

Sola wouldn't have done this to her if the situation were reversed.
What happened to me? Why did I become this way?

With a heavy resolution in her stone-stiffed heart, Clara picked up a paper file from a nearby cabinet. She glanced at Justin, who was still sleeping quietly, and began to write.

..................................

*Alex*

I glanced at Sola's door for the thousandth time. Three hours. She never slept that long during the day. Was she so exhausted or was there a problem?

After I'd calmed her down in the toilet, she'd complained about a splitting headache and she'd told me she needed some sleep. I'd offered to stay with her and cuddle, but she'd refused, stating that she wanted to be alone.
I'd felt a little bit hurt at the withdrawal but I understood how tough it was for her. But now, I couldn't stop the worry and dread that filled me as I kept looking at her room's direction.

Had she fainted in there? Was she crying again?

"You're worried about her." Amina stated. It wasn't a question. So I nodded my head.

"Does she sleep this long?" I asked in a voice filled with worry.

"Not really. I think you should check up on her." Amina said. The worry in her eyes betrayed her straight face.

I stood up and went over to Sola's room. I knocked on the door. First time. Second time.
Amina was by my side in an instant. We both knocked on her door frantically. No answer.

"Push the door open, Alex. She might have hurt herself." Amina said in a shaky voice. Her worry mirrored mine.

I moved back to give some space, then I hit the door with as much force as I could gather. The first time. Second time. Third time. The door snapped open.

She was not on the bed. I moved to the bathroom and checked around. Nothing.

"Oh my God! Where is she?!" Amina groaned with a tiny sob.
My heart doubled over as I stared at the open window. The window was linked to the backyard and from the backyard she could sneak out.

"Sola went out." I said.

"That's not possible. Where could she have gone to?"

I glanced around and froze when I detected her phone, which was sitting on her bedside table. I ran to it and picked up. Fortunately, it was not Locked, so I was able to open her phone.

My eyes narrowed as I stared at the screen. Then I froze.
"Oh no." I whispered. An unknown number had sent Sola an address. Probably the address where Justin was being kept. Justin. My son.

My head was pounding with rage as I recalled how nervous Sola had been in the toilet. She'd looked so guilty. Because she knew what she wanted to do.
Even though I had warned her not to.

Sola had gone to save Justin. Alone. She was in danger. Oh God!

.................................

*Sola*

DARK. Every where was stark dark. I could hardly make out anything as I walked slowly through the long passage of the two-storey building. I cringed as I pictured how my son had been staying in the distasteful place for the past thirty hours. I thought about how angry Alex would be when he realized that I'd left.

I hope you can forgive me.

I felt the back of my eyelids burn with unshed tears. Now wasn't the time to cry. I needed to be strong. For my baby. For Alex. My heart bursted with joy as I thought about the two important men in my life. I would never let anything happen to them. Even if it meant facing Clara alone.

My thoughts vanished as I heard a ruffling noise. After an instant of paralyzing fear, I sprang to action and moved towards the sound.

I opened the door to the room and froze as I saw Clara. Face to face. She also stared at me with her mouth wide open in shock. Like she couldn't believe I was here.

"Sola. You came.." she whispered with so much disbelief.

I glared at her. "Yes, bitch! I came. Where did you keep my son?!" I barked at her. The anger in my voice could not be mistaken.

Clara glared right back at me with an ugly snare on her face. "You better calm down, madam. Your son is safe. Asleep. I never expected that you would really be this stupid to come here alone."

"I have nothing to say to you. Give me Justin!"

Clara laughed out loud. "Always the impatient one." she smiled slowly as she stared at me, up and down. "Alex really cleaned you up nice. See how you're shining."

"It's always Alex. Because of him you drugged me and set me up!"

"You took Alex from me!" Clara screamed.

"Alex was never yours to begin with! He was always mine. He wanted me, not you. The world doesn't revolve around you!" I shouted back at her.
Her eyes widened in shock as she took my words in and I noticed the moisture in her eyes.

I held my breath as she moved closer to me. In the next instant, I pulled out my little dagger knife I had brought along with me.

"I will slit your throat if I don't see my son in the next ten seconds I swear!!" I bellowed, moving in as she raised both her hands in alarm. She moved back towards the small balcony.

"Calm down, Sola. Justin is fine. He's over there."
My eyes automatically followed the direction Clara pointed to. I saw my son. He was motionless. Like he was dead.

"He's asleep. He's being drugged, but he's fine. Wait here while I go bring him. And then you leave immediately."

I waited as Clara went to pick him up. He looked much more smaller than he normally is. My heart shook as I took in his figure. Oh, my baby!.

I was about to take him from her arms before I heard the blinding sound of a gunshot. I screamed as I fell to the ground. I saw Clara turn around in a flash of speed, which caused the bullet to hit her behind instead of Justin.

"HOW DARE YOU CLARA?!!" The lady's voice screeched. I turned around and gasped as I stared at the lady who almost broke I and Alex apart. Caroline. She is in on this with Clara!

"Oh my God! Clara, you're hurt." I said and began to move to stand up so I could help her, but I was held down as two bulky men came and grabbed me by my arms.

"Let me go!" I screamed and tried to break free. But they were too strong. I watched how Caroline threw my son out of Clara's arms, making him fall with a harsh thud. My baby!.

"You bitch! You wanted to help them escape!" I heard Caroline scream at Clara.

"Yes! They don't deserve this! Let them go!"

"Well... You don't deserve to live, you idiot!"

They kept fighting and punching each other. Clara's cloth was drenched with her blood, but she kept on pushing at Caroline. The tears strolled down my eyes as I watched them, unable to move as the two men held me down.

I gasped as Caroline began to push Clara towards the balcony. She was going to push her downstairs!

"No! Clara!" I screamed, trying to break out of their grasp, when I felt a blow on the side of my head.

"Shut up!" one of the men shouted, spilling spit on me. I felt the breath leave my lungs as the other guy delivered another blow to my ribs, making me fall face-down to the ground.

Through the blurry haze, I saw Caroline throw Clara over the balcony. I heard the sound of her broken bone as she hit the ground downstairs with a loud thud. "No!"

Caroline turned to me and smiled wickedly.
"Relax, Sola. She'll probably just loose her legs. That will teach her never to betray her partner next time."

She stalked to where Justin was. "Now, it's time for him to jump downstairs too." she said with a cynical tone and picked him up.

"He's such a sleeper. I guess the pill worked too well."

"No! No, please drop my son! Please I beg you! Just.. Kill me! But please... Let him go! " I screamed as she carried my son and walked towards the balcony.

I kept crying and whimpering and sobbing till I heard the door snap open. "Justin!"

It was Alex. Alex was finally here!

............................

*Alex*

I didn't think. Didn't waste Anytime.

I shot Caroline on her left thigh with the gun in my hand, and bolted through the room with the iron rod on my second and hit the two men that held Sola tight like an animal.

I growled as the both of them fell down and passed out on the cold, hard floor. Then I turned to Sola. She had blood oozing out on the side of her head.
I bent down and gathered her into my arms.

"I'm.. I'm so sorry, Alex. I shouldn't have.."

"How are you feeling? Are you wounded?" I asked in a tight voice. I was so mad at her, but I wouldn't show it now. I just needed to know that she was okay. My security man came in and picked Justin up as he glanced around at the scene.

"I'll call for back up." He said before he left.

"I.." Sola was about to reply when I heard her gasp. "Alex!"

I turned and my eyes widened as I saw Caroline pointing her gun towards me with her shaking hands. As I closed my eyes, bracing my self for the death that was sure to come, I saw my life flash before me. My family. My friends. And Sola. My lovely sugar.

But my eyes snapped open as I felt a shadow block my field of vision.

It happened in an instant. Quick as a flash, Sola jumped and placed herself in front of me before I was able to react. Gunshot!
The gun went off with a jarring bang which made me flinch.

But I felt nothing. No pain. No blood.

"Sola!!!" I screamed.

Blood. There was blood. On the side of her smooth creamy neck. It tainted the skin there as the blood began to drop out. She stared at me with shock and instinctively placed her palm on her neck, trying to cover the wound.

I instantly reached for her before she fell to the floor. She gasped, trying desperately to collect air. She gurgled as the blood escaped her lips.

"You..you took the bullet meant for me!" I choked out as I grabbed her into my arms.

I glanced at Caroline and saw that she was still. Motionless. She had passed out.

Sola was breathing very slowly, trying to take in air as the blood kept rushing out.

"I need help! HELP!" I shouted on top of my lungs. I couldn't loose her. I couldn't.

"Alex.." She whispered in a tiny, tired voice.

"Don't say anything. Just hold on. We'll get you to the hospital. You'll be fine." I turned to the door again. "POLICE! HELP!"

There was no answer. Where the hell were they?!

"Hold on, baby. We'll get help!" I moved to pick her up. But she placed her other hand on mine, stopping me.

"No.. Alex.. Don't.. Just.. Hold me.. Please.. Hold me..Stay with me... " she whispered in a breathy voice. She was trembling violently as she tried to hold on to her breath. Her beautiful face was scrunched up in pain.

"No! Please, I can't lose you! Just hold on!" I was scarcely aware of the tears that streamed down my face. But I couldn't stop it.

Sola giggled lightly. Her breath was so faint, it was like a whisper.
"Are you really crying? Big man like you?... Please don't cry, Alex.... I love you so much..."

"You've been the best man for me, you've made my life meaningful. You're a good, strong man. And... I hope you can be strong for me now.. I'm so.. So sorry.. That I wouldn't be able to share my.... love with you."

"Don't say that! Shut up, Sola! You can't lose too much blood, please!" I whimpered. Breaking down as she smiled sadly at me.

"Let me talk, Alex. I love you... And my baby, Justin.. Please... Don't fail to remind him of how much his mother loved him. Cherished him. And also, how much his mother loved his father."

"No.." The sob caught in my throat.

Everything was all my fault. I came into her life and brought so much difficulties and problems. I broke her heart and dumped her. I chased her again and now, she was dying because of my psycho ex.

I sniffed as she placed her hand over my cheek. A tear escaped her eye as she stared at me, smiling so sweetly. "Hey..."
Then I watched as her eyes began to close, she was slipping.

"No! No! Sola!" I picked her up. Please don't leave me! Stay with me! Please, Sola!

"Thank.. You.. For.. Everything, Alex." Her eyes closed, and her hand fell away from her neck.

"No!.. Sola..."

..............................

I stared into the distance. Hardly noticing anything, or even hearing anything.
We were all gathered at the hospital. Amina who was carrying Justin, Kene, And some few others that I didn't want to care about. Amina's face was swollen and I was glad she had Kene beside her to comfort her.

"Daddy?" I glanced at Justin. "Will mommy be fine?" He asked.

I tried to come up with words, but couldn't. Everything in me felt numb. My head kept pounding, and I tried so hard to keep the tears at bay. I wanted to shout. I wanted to scream. But I couldn't. I didn't have the strength or will to.

"Mr Williams?" my head snapped up at the doctor.

"Yes doctor?"

I knew what he was about to say before he mentioned it. His face was too down cast. It was not good.

"I'm sorry... She passed away over the night. It was swift and..."

My mind blocked out the rest as I shook my head in denial. My vision blurred and I unconsciously knelt on the hospital ground.

No....

.................................

End of chapter 26.
This is one of the hardest chapter I've ever written guys. It literally made me so emotional. I hope you will not be angry at me?
Let's watch out for the next chapter.
See ya!

And.. If you're less busy, you can check out JUST ANOTHER VALENTINE by @IamMoana17.

Stay safe. :*