My Ex Next Door

Novie and Ken arrived in his apartment the next day. They were even more exhausted than yesterday. When they entered the apartment, it was already clean no sign of animal, not even a hair.

Even Novie felt exhausted. She looked around for her phone and dialed Daniella's number.

It was ringing for some time. When Daniella finally answered the phone, the door of their apartment slammed opened followed by Daniella and Evan's figure.

Novie ended the call and was about to speak when Daniella marched to Ken's direction with darkness around her.

BAM!

Novie widened her eyes when Daniella lifted a hand and throws a slap on Ken's cheek.

Evan tried to stop Daniella but, the woman pushed him aside and throws another slap on Ken's cheek.

"I trusted my kids to you and this is how you will treat them? I am doing everything I can Ken. If I can split my body in half to be in both places I would but I can't. I gave you the triplets because I trusted that you will take care of them but this… Ken… Is it too much?" Novie could hear the grief in every word Daniella had spoken. Her eyes were black while tears formed in the corner. She wanted to say something but, she knows she's also at fault.

"I am on my way to get them from the orphanage" Ken replied and about to turn around when Daniella held his wrist.

"No need, my kids are not there. I can't find them, Ken. Ethan sent me a code but, I couldn't understand it. I found all their tracking device on the side road near the forest. I can't find them..." Daniella started wailing. Helpless with the situation.

"Selena, she took the kids there." Ken held both of Daniella's shoulder and stared at her with guilt in his eyes. He felt so bad to see her in this position, the last thing he wanted was to hurt her.

Daniella looked at him, and looking at her eyes was tearing his heart. He didn't know that he could cause her this much pain.

"Selena is also missing. She didn't go to Paris and Nathan is on his way here. Ken, I can't find my kids. What if something happened to them. What if someone took them. What if they're dead" As she said those words, her body slumped to the floor. Ken sat on the floor in front of her and wrapped both hands around her body and embraced her tightly.

"Don't worry we will find them. This is my fault Daniella I shouldn't have left them alone" he shut his eyes. This was the first time he'd seen Daniella helpless, her sobs went louder. When he looked at Evan, the man was busy making phone calls while walking back and forth.

When Novie gave him a glass of water, he handed it to Daniella but, she slapped it away.

"I don't need water, Ken. I need my kids, I need to find them!" she yelled at him,

He blows a sighed and helped her to sit on the couch. "We will find them, ok? I had contacts with the army. I will make some calls and check all the surveillance around. I am sure we will find them. Just don't cry please." he spoke with assurance while wiping her tears away.

Daniella nodded and looked at Novie.

"Can you come with me?" she asked in a cracked voice.

Novie nodded without hesitation and the two left the room.

Ken got up and walked to Evan's direction.

"I am sorry Evan. I didn't mean this to happen" he spoke in a sincere tone.

Evan shrugs a shoulder and replied calmly, "I asked her to go easy on you"

Ken looked around for his phone, he tried to dial Selena's number but, it was out of reach.

"Don't worry, Selena and the triplets are at Kirby's house" hearing those words from Evan's lips made Ken's expression went blank. He turned to Evan with confusion all over his face.

"Tsk. You clearly don't know my wife Ken" Evan chuckled and walked towards the door.

Ken was stunned, still confused but slowly understand what Evan meant.

"She's faking it? Why did she slap me?" He asked.

Evan turned around to face him, "Be thankful she loves you or else you'll be a corpse now. And let's admit it. You deserve that slap. Let's go" Ken blows a sighed in relief. When he saw the helpless expression on Daniella's face, a lot of scenes played in his head. If something were to happen to the triplets, he wouldn't forgive himself.

In the elevator, after it closes, Daniella wiped her tears away and all the sadness and hatred expression she had earlier faded.

Novie held her shoulder and patted it slowly, "I am so sorry Daniella. It's my fault and..." she paused when she saw the smile Daniella plastered on her lips.

"Why are you smiling?" she asked in confusion.

Daniella turned to her and smirked, "Was my acting good?" Novie rose an eyebrow and her expression went flat.

"Your daughter acting is better than yours" she shook her head in disbelief. She fell with all the tears Daniella shed only to find that she's faking it.

"Wait! Are the triplets really missing" she continued asking.

"AT first, but I found them" Daniella replied.

Novie was stunned and curious why Daniella slapped Ken.

"Why did you tell Ken that you can't find the triplets? And why did you slapped him?" she asked.

"Because I am angry at him, all right? Matthew did it once and he stayed in the hospital for weeks. He should be thankful I love him that he only got a slap from me" Daniella replied.

Novie blows a sigh in relief. She still doesn't think that what Daniella did was right but, she couldn't blame her hurting Ken.

"Where are we going now?" she asked in curiosity after seeing that they are heading to the parking space.

"I want to show you what the real world is, and it's not as pretty as you think" somehow, those words gave her heart a whacked. She gulped and decided to follow her.