A/N: HAPPY FRIDAY, EVERYONE! Everyone will go back to work here starting on Monday so I might update this story every TUE & FRI again. Anyway, this chapter is sad. Enjoy reading. :)

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CHRISTINE's POV

Jace and I's relationship became better than ever. JC became the center of our world and he brought us incomparable happiness. He's such a cheerful baby. When he uttered his first word, I was full of joy because he said 'mamma'. I kept on teasing Jace about that because he wanted 'papa' to be JC's first word but it wasn't.

Well, to be fair; JC uttered 'papa' as his second word and Jace was so happy hearing it for the first time.

Each day was filled with overwhelming joy and I couldn't ask for more. Time flew by so quickly until the first birthday of our little one finally came. We were so enthusiastic about it. But three days before the special day, I noticed the change in Jace's behavior.

He became restless and looked worried over something. He was always on the phone talking to someone while looking so problematic.

"Are you okay, mi amor? You've been restless and tensed these past few days." I asked the night before the birthday party of Jacob while we were in bed. Jace smiled and then kissed me on the forehead.

"Don't worry about me, mi amor. I'm fine. I'm just excited for tomorrow. It feels like it was only yesterday when JC was born. Now, he will turn one tomorrow." I smiled fondly upon hearing that.

"Me too, mi amor. These past one year went by so quickly. He's growing up so fast so we should make sure to be by his side whenever we can because we can't take back these moments when the time comes that he needs to be separated from us when he gets married." My husband laughed.

"You're too advance, mi amor. JC will just turn one tomorrow but you're thinking about him getting married already?"

"Well, I can't help it. Just like I've said a while ago, time flies so quickly." He gathered me into his arms.

"Yes, you're right so we should do our part on raising our son so that he will grow up to be a good person."

"Yes, mi amor. We will."

I hugged him and kissed him on his chest. We were cuddling like that for about five minutes when JC suddenly woke up and cried. Jace and I got up right away and attended to him. His crib was just located next to our bed.

I tried singing a song while gentle patting his leg in order to put him back to sleep but he kept on crying.

"Why, sweetheart? Are you hungry?" I cooed as I took him from his crib.

"Mam mam." He mumbled impatiently and Jace and I chuckled. He's indeed hungry again. While I was breastfeeding him, Jace and I were watching him lovingly until he fell asleep again.

"He's such a cutie." I said proudly while brushing our son's hair with my hand.

"Of course he is because he looks like me." Jace answered with pride. I rolled my eyes.

"Whatever. He looks like me." I contradicted teasingly. He chuckled and then pulled me closer to his body. That night, we fell asleep with our son lying in between us.

But in the middle of the night, I heard my husband talking to someone at the terrace. I carefully got out of bed so that JC wouldn't wake up. I went to the terrace but when I was about to call for Jace, I heard what he said.

"I don't know what to do anymore, Arianne. Thankfully, you're here for me." I gasped in shock but thankfully, I managed to cover my mouth with my palm so that Jace wouldn't hear me. Why is he talking to Arianne in this time of the night?

He looked problematic and I couldn't understand why. When I asked him what was wrong with him, he said he was fine. But now, I suddenly heard him talking to another woman and looked like he was confiding to her. My heart clenched painfully.

I'm his wife but he couldn't even tell her his problems.

I furtively went back to bed while trying to digest what I just heard. I wanted to confront Jace but I tried my best not to give meaning to it. I didn't want to think that Jace was doing something behind my back.

When Jace came back to bed, I pretended to be asleep. With my half-closed eyes, I saw him staring at me with guilt written all over his face.

"I'm sorry, mi amor." He whispered and then gently kissed me on the forehead. After that, I couldn't sleep, wondering what his apology meant. I couldn't help but to think about the possibility that Jace involved himself with that organization again.

But then, I didn't want to get ahead of myself by thinking negatively about my husband. I just told myself that Jace loves me and our son and he would not do something that could destroy our family.

Then, the morning came and Jace returned to his old self. I wanted to talk to him about what happened last night but I didn't have the time to do so because we were all busy preparing for the birthday party of our little one.

Then, three o'clock came and the children's party started. While everyone was having fun, I noticed that Jace suddenly disappeared.

"Mommy, can you please look after JC for me for a moment? I just need to find Jace." I told my mother.

"Sure, darling." My mommy took JC from me. I then searched for my husband just to find him talking to Arianne at the gate. When he saw me, panic registered on his face. He said something to Arianne and then she left.

"What is the meaning of this?" I asked him sharply.

"She just came to tell me something." My eyes turned into slits.

"And that something is—"

He sighed. "Mi amor, I am doing this to protect our family. I'll tell you everything but not for now. Please, your understanding is all I'm asking right now." He pleaded.

"Make sure that nothing is going on between you and that woman or else—"

"Nothing, mi amor! I already told you that, right? Believe me, she just came by to tell me something important."

"Why do you have to be so secretive? May I remind you that I am your wife!" My slightly angry voice alarmed him.

"M-Mi amor..."

"Is this about that organization you were in again? I thought you already quit?"

"I did!"

"Then, what is this about?" My voice raised an octave. He heaved a sigh.

"Okay. I'll explain everything after the party. For now, let's go back before JC notices our absence. For sure, he's going to cry when he won't see us there." He was about to begin walking but I stayed on my spot while staring at him sharply, wanting to hear a clear answer from him.

"Mi, amor, please." He begged.

I shook my head in disbelief and then let go of his hand. I left him there without saying anything.

The party went on and everything went well. JC was so cheerful the whole time and kept on giggling as he watched the clown performs. Everyone had fun that I momentarily forgot about what happened.

When the party ended and our visitors went home; Jace told me to just go upstairs with JC as he helped our helpers to clean everything. I did as I was told because I needed to attend to JC's needs. After that, I tried lulling JC to sleep but he still has energy and wanted to play more.

"You're not tired yet, sweetheart? You still want to play, huh?" I asked and then tickled him on his tummy by kissing him there. He giggled and he looked so cute.

No matter how tired I am and stressed out; all those disappears whenever I see my baby. He's my sunshine and strength.

I was about to tickle him one more time when the door burst open and Jace came in. He looked weird.

"Mi amor, we need to get out of here. Now!" He then picked up JC and carried him onto his arms.

"What the heck are you talking about? What's happening?" I asked, got worried of his behavior. He took my hand.

"I'll explain everything later! For now, we need to get out of here!" Even though I was still confused, I just went on with the flow. We hurriedly went out of the house and went straight to the outdoor parking area where one of our car's was parked.

"Get in! Quick!" Jace instructed as he opened the door for me. He was really in a hurry. We then quickly buckled JC on his car seat. After that, Jace got onto the driver's seat and maneuvered the car out of there like the devil was after us.

"What's happening, Jace? You're scaring me." I asked again after we drove past the gates.

"Please, mi amor. Just trust me."

"Are we in danger?" I queried worriedly and when he didn't answer, I became scared even more.

"Jace, I'm scared. Please, tell me that we're not in danger. Remember that we have JC here with us."

"Calm down, mi amor. Everything's going to be fine. I will do everything in my power to protect JC and you." I was about to answer when Jace suddenly stepped on the brake because a car got in our way. Jace was about to change the gear into reverse when we noticed that another car blocked the way behind us.

Then, 5 men stepped out of the car in front of us and then another three from the other car behind our car.

"J-Jace, who are these people?" I asked my husband with trembling voice.

"Whatever happens, stay inside the car, mi amor. Look after JC. Do everything to be quiet." He answered as he grabbed a gun from the compartment of the car and then hid it underneath the waist of his pants. My lips parted in fear when I realized what he was planning to do.

"Jace, don't go. They might kill you." My voice was already trembling, didn't know what to do. He cupped my face and then stared into my eyes.

"I love you and JC so much. I will fight to protect the two of you. The car is tinted so do everything for them to not notice you." Before I could say anything, he went out of the car. Two among the 5 men in front of us approached him. It looked like they were talking about something now.

"Mam-ma." JC called and suddenly started crying. I quickly transferred to the back seat and tried get his attention so he wouldn't cry loudly.

"Hush, sweetheart. They might notice us." I tried my best to keep him entertained by making faces but he was irritated and on the verge of crying.

"Please, baby. Don't cry. Mommy is here." I kissed him on the cheek. I was about to unbuckle him to take him onto my arms when I suddenly heard gunshots. I covered my mouth to prevent myself from screaming when I noticed that Jace was behind the car of those men, taking cover while in the middle of exchanging bullets with those men.

JC burst in tears because he got scared of the gunshots. I held my son's hands to comfort him.

"Don't cry. Mommy's here. Mommy loves you." I then looked at Jace in his spot but I couldn't see him there anymore. There were no streetlights on that part of the road and the thing that only illuminates everything was the full moon and the three car's headlamps.

The gunshots continued and that scared JC even more. He burst out crying.

I tried to pacify him but he didn't stop. He looked scared. I wanted to call for help but I just realized that I left my phone at home because we were in a hurry.

"Think, Tin! Think of something!" Then, I thought of just driving the car myself to take my son out of there and bring him to safety. But before I could do so, one of the men suddenly appeared and then hit the window of our car with a mallet.

I screamed in terror and hugged my son, trying to protect him. The man kept on doing it until the window eventually got broken.

I screamed when he opened the door. He smirked when he saw us inside. I felt like cold shivers ran down my spine as I saw his scary face. He was a bald tattooed man.

"Jackpot!" He laughed triumphantly. "You! Get out of the car!" He ordered to me thunderously.

"P-Please, don't hurt us." I begged but he didn't listen. He forcefully pulled me by the hand, out of the car. JC's cries became louder as he tried to get off his car seat but couldn't do it because he was buckled with his seatbelt.

"Who would have thought that Slate's wife would be this beautiful." The man said as he gazed at me like a maniac. I got frightened even more because of how he scrutinized me from head to toe. He then grabbed me by the arm once again and then started ripping off my top like a caveman.

"No! Stop! Let me go!" I screamed and tried to fight but to no avail. He punched me on the stomach that I almost lose consciousness. I felt like all the strength I had was sucked out of my body. I fell on the ground. I tried to get up but I couldn't move a muscle anymore.

Tears began brimming my eyes.

"If you don't want me to kill your son, just let me do what I want. Your husband is surely dead by now anyway." He said and then laughed like crazy before started unbuckling his belt while gazing at me lying in pain on the ground. I looked at my son's direction. He was extending his arms for me while crying desperately.

"Ma-ma!"

"J-JC..." Tears fell from my eyes as he called for me. I was so scared not for myself but for my son. I was desperate to get up in order to take him far away from these bad people but my body wasn't listening to what I wanted. All I could do was to close my eyes while silently praying for help.

Then, I heard footsteps. "Boss, the others are still chasing after Slate. What do you want me to do, follow them?"

"Get the child out of here. You know what to do with him." I heard the maniac instructed to that other guy. Fear surged within me upon hearing what they were talking about.

"Yes, boss." The other man got in the driver's seat and then started the engine of the car.

"N-No! Don't take my b-baby, please!" I pleaded but no one listened. He drove off with JC on the backseat, crying. I kept on screaming for them to give him back to me but they didn't listen.

I could still hear gunshots everywhere. I closed my eyes while crying helplessly. I felt like I was going to die knowing that my son was in grave danger.

"Good girl. Just be quiet and let me do what I please to you. I might keep you alive after this." I heard him say and was about to resume where he left of when he suddenly fell on the ground next to me. I saw a lot of blood seeping out of his body. Looked like someone shot him. Then, a woman approached us. I couldn't see her face because she was wearing a red helmet.

She was wearing a red hoodie and black jeans. She looked familiar.

"Are you okay?" She asked upon approaching. I've heard that voice before but I didn't care. All I wanted was to get back JC.

"My son...They took my son!" I cried desperately.

"Don't worry. My comrades are already chasing after that car. C'mon, let's go." She answered as she offered me her hand. I gingerly accepted her help in order for me to get up. Even though I felt so weak, I persevered. All I wanted was to save my son.

"Can you manage to walk?" She asked and I nodded my head.

"Okay. Let's hurry then." She mounted that red motorbike that I haven't noticed until now.

"What about my husband?" I looked around, looking for Jace but no one was there aside from the dead bodies of the enemies.

"He's with my comrades. C'mon, let's go." I did as I was told and got onto the motorbike too. While we were on our way towards the direction where they took my son, I was so scared and worried of JC and Jace.

I kept praying hard with my eyes closed for them to be safe. I've never felt this scared in my life and I felt like I was going insane of thinking what might happened to them. After about 10 minutes, we finally stopped.

"Sh*t!" I heard the woman hiss. I slowly opened my eyes just to see a familiar car which was already on fire. It looked like it was our car.

"N-No...JC!" I screamed as I got off the motorbike quickly. I forgot about the pain that I was feeling. Not far from the car was Jace who was crying while kneeling on his knees, calling for JC's name in anguish. Three men were behind him. All of them looked shocked and sad.

I approached my husband like all the life within me dissipated.

"J-Jace, where is JC?" I asked with trembling voice as tears pooled from my eyes, silently hoping that JC wasn't inside the burning car. Jace looked at me while crying.

"Mi amor....JC is..." He answered and then looked at the burning car again. Before he screamed and then punched the ground repeatedly. I shook my head vigorously.

"N-No. My son is not in there...NO!" I screamed over and over again, couldn't accept what happened. I was about to approach the burning car, but Jace stopped me from doing so.

"JC! No!" I kept on screaming hysterically, crying so hard while calling for my son's name repeatedly until I passed out because of so much anguish. I felt like my world came to an end and all I wanted was to die too...

My sobs became more audible as I remembered everything that happened in the past. It felt like it was just yesterday. Until now, I still couldn't accept the fact that my son was already not with us anymore. Until now, I was still grieving that I couldn't even move on with my life.

I looked at the house again. I tried living my life these past three years like normal but during the night, I still cry. A lot.

I felt like an invisible hand squeezed my heart. I felt like an old wound open up again and this time, the pain became double.

"JC...My son..." I hugged myself while crying. I didn't know how long that I was crying like that until my tears finally stopped.

It has been years that I kept on avoiding coming to this place because I knew that this would happen. Instead of getting out of the car and ring the doorbell, I decided to leave. I didn't have the strength to go inside. I couldn't care less about my cellphone anymore. Jace could keep it for himself for all I care. 

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This is really sad. ;(

What do you think about this chapter? Any conclusion?

What do you think? Was JC really inside that burning car?

Is it right for Christine to blame Jace of what happened to their son?

Do you think they still have a chance to get back together?

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