Novels by Author Beibah

ONE MONTH LATERSANTORINI GREECE The island looked like something out of a dream.White buildings stacked against the cliffside, blue domes catching the afternoon sun, and below it all, the Aegean stretched out endlessly in every shade of blue Arabella had never thought to name before.She stood at the window of the bridal suite, her veil catching the breeze from the open balcony, and thought about how far she had traveled to get here.Not just to Santorini.To this.A knock came at the door."Mom." Axel's voice. "They're ready."Arabella turned.He stood in the doorway in a tiny white suit, his ring bearer pillow clutched in both hands with the seriousness of someone carrying classified government documents.His hair was neatly combed. His shoes were shined.He looked exactly like his father.Arabella pressed a hand to her mouth. "Axie.""Don't cry yet." He said firmly. "Aunt Vera said you'd mess up your face."Arabella burst out laughing.She crossed the room and crouched to his le

By the time the salon staff were done with her, Arabella barely recognized the woman staring back from the mirror.Her hair, usually tied up or left alone, fell in soft curls over her shoulders.The makeup was elegant and understated. It brought attention to her warm brown eyes, sharpened the bridge of her nose, and gave her lips a soft rosy tint.The dress was even better.The emerald-green gown fit perfectly, hugging her waist before flowing smoothly to the floor.The front was a simple v-neck, but the back dipped low, exposing the graceful line of her spine almost to her waist.Diamond drop earrings brushed against her neck.A delicate tennis bracelet glittered around her wrist.Around her throat rested a thin diamond necklace with a single pear-shaped stone that caught the light whenever she moved.For several seconds, Arabella simply stared at herself in the full length mirror.For once, she wasn't a CEO juggling two companies. Or a vengeful ex-wife seeking vengeance. Or even a m

ONE YEAR LATERTime had a way of moving on, whether people were ready for it or not.In the twelve months since Arabella's life started to settle, lives had changed, wounds had begun to heal, and the world had settled into a new normal. Isabella's one year death anniversary came with some good news. Claudia, Marcus and James were finally convicted. As the mastermind, Claudia got thirty - two years. But for someone already in her 50s, that was a life sentence. Marcus wasn't so lucky. After his embezzlement charges from Vertex Energy went public, the Prosecutor knew bad habits die hard. They tracked his years in service under several positions, and more evidence of fraud, embezzlement of public funds, money laundering and even tax evasion. He got a cumulative sentence of sixty-three years.James, the fake dead guy, only got eighteen years. And would probably still get a second chance at life by the time he is free. On this day—Friday— it was the verdict hearing of Isabella's post

“You know,” Dr. Stanley, standing by the window in his office, his back turned to the couple sitting on the other side of his desk, “If it's up to me, I will have CPS take him.” “No, please.” Arabella cried at the word. Adrian dropped his head in shame. He’d also been a terrible father to him. Dr. Stanley turned to face them, “But what can I say? If you all are ready for family therapy with your child, then I have to give you a chance.” “Thank you so much, Dr. Stanley,” Arabella grabbed his hand like her life depended on it, “You're the best. The absolute best.” Dr. Stanley nodded, struggling to pull his hand from her grip until Adrian helped.“Thank you so much sir.” Adrian shook him firmly. After the meeting, Arabella and Adrian walked out of the clinic to their car, with Axel in between them. “Mom, can we go to an amusement park today?” Arabella grabbed Adrian’s hand, twisting it back to check the time on his wrist watch. It was past 5pm.“Axie, it's already too late to go

ST. AUGUSTINE BEHAVIORAL INSTITUTEIt's been a week since Serena’s conviction, and still she had not yet adjusted to her room.The room was a sea of white.White walls. White floor. White ceiling.Even the narrow bed tucked into the corner was dressed in crisp white sheets.The only splash of color came from Serena herself.A fluorescent light hummed overhead, bathing the room in a harsh glow that never seemed to dim. The reinforced window on the far wall let in little more than pale daylight.For the first two days, she just managed the place, thinking it was just formalities until the daily check-ins and medication rounds started. At first she refused.The nurses didn't force her. They just noted it down on their clipboard. Then she started demanding to see Dr. Ramirez who was in charge of the facilities. Whenever she throws a tantrum, the nurses try to calm her down. But she noticed it. They talked to her like a child, explaining to her that the doctor wasn't in office. Like

Adrian recovered quickly and a week later, he was being discharged. Gavin went for the papers. Axel was in school. Arabella was packing up Adrian's things while he went to change in the bathroom. “You asked of everyone else but your mom.” Arabella spoke as Adrian stepped out of the room. Adrian dropped his gaze. “I was worried talking about her would hurt.” “Oh, don't use me as an excuse. I even talked about Claudia.” Arabella shut him up quickly. Adrian folded the hospital gown in his hand and dropped it on the bed. “I even told you about the kidnap, and how she saved our baby hoping you’d ask about her. But you didn't.” “I asked Gavin.” He replied honestly, “I heard she’s crippled now.” A hollow laugh escaped his mouth, “Don't you think this is like a wish come through?” “She’s always wanted this. So desperately she pretended for 10 whole years.” He patted Arabella's shoulder, “Are you sure the doctor wasn't paid off? For all we know, she could be pretending again