Chapter 1 Chapter 1 On the screen , the video played as Bobby Clark asked innocently , Dad , does that mean if Sandra is pregnant with your child , youll divorce Mom and marry her ? His question about his fathers relationship with a personal assistant instantly silenced the lively room Elijah Clark swirled his wine glass with effortless grace and sophistication . Although he was already a father in a five yeu old , he still carried himself like a charming , carefree young man . With a smile , he gently patted Bobby on the head . Dont be ridiculous , he chuckled , playfully scolding his son . Im serious . I knew thats how Mom married you , so why cant Sandra do the same ? Bobby asked . My birthday wish this year is for Sandra to become my mother . After saying that , Bobby closed his eyes and made a wish before the cake . With the flickering candlelight illuminating his childlike face , he opened his eyes and turned to Sandra Brooke , mouthing Mom . It was a word Willow Robinson would never mistake . The weight of it hung in the air , a finality that struck deep into her chest . As the video ended , Freya Walkers furious voice blared from the phone , loud enough to be heard from miles away . Willows best friend was livid . How awful ! You could barely eat or sleep when you were pregnant with him , Freya fumed . After all these years of raising him , how dare he talk and act like this behind your back ? She went on , her anger escalating . And Elijah ? Absolutely ridiculous ! It was your sons birthday , yet he invited another woman instead of you . What kind of husband does that ? Hes full of crap ! Oh , I get it now … Freyas voice dripped with realization . Your son acts like this because he inherited all that nonsense from Elijah . And that Sandra Brooks wasnt she just your husbands personal assistant ? Wheres her share ? The voice message ended , but Freyas words echoed in Willows ears . She replayed the video with trembling fingers . Bobby sat between Elijah and Sandra , looking like a perfect little family . Sandra had been Elijahs personal assistant for two years , hired fresh out of university . She was young , beautiful , and full of energy . Her smile lit up the room effortlessly , drawing people in . Willow had met her twice . The first time was when Sandra drove Elijah home after he got drunk at an event . The second was when Willow took Bobby to visit his father at work . She still remembered that day it was the Fourth of July . Sandra had given her a scarf as a gift . At first , Willow had a good impression of her . Bobby had liked her too . But as time passed , Bobby grew closer and closer to Sandra . At first , he called her Ms. Then , it became Sandra . 1/6 12:52 Tue , Chapter 1 Sandra knows everything . Shes so amazing . Bobbys voice echoed in Willows mind . Why dont you understand , Mom ? Sandra knows . III ask her instead , he had once said . And then , the words that pierced her heart the most . Mom , youre always controlling me and telling me what not to do and what not to play with ! Sandra wouldnt do that ! Shes so nice ! Why isnt she my mother ?! Willow had tried to address the issue , even discussing it with Elijah . But he never took it seriously . To him , she was overthinking it and being unreasonable . When she tried reasoning with him , he snapped . You cant even handle your own child , and now youre blaming others because he likes them more ? Willow , maybe you should reflect on yourself instead . Frustrated and hurt , Willow cut off Bobbys contact with Sandra . Or so she thought . Willow watched the video play as it came to the part where Bobby addressed Sandra as his mother . A sharp , burning pain pierced her chest , sinking deep like a wound that wouldnt heal . Her gaze shifted to the cake on the table , which she specially ordered a week ago . Then , her eyes landed on the neatly wrapped presents beside it . I spent days picking those out , she whispered , pressing a hand to her chest as an ache spread through her heart . Earlier that day , she left home early to pick Bobby up from school , but unexpectedly , she discovered Elijah had called in sick for him . Confused , she immediately dialed Elijahs number . That was when she learned that he had thrown Bobby a birthday party . He hadnt invited her or told her where it was . Yet Sandra was there . At nearly ten at night , Elijahs car pulled up in front of his villa . He stepped out , walked around the front , and opened the passenger door . Sandra emerged , cradling Bobby in her arms , fast asleep . Dressed casually , she looked fresh and youthful , her radiant smile effortless . Standing next to Elijah , they looked like the perfect family . Compared to them , Willow , dressed in simple home clothes , felt like she was fading into the background . Sandra flashed a polite smile . Good evening , Mrs. Willow ignored her and glanced at Maddie Hill , the housekeeper . Maddie understood immediately , stepping forward to take Bobby from Sandra before heading upstairs . 2/6 12:52 Tue , 11 Mar 04O Chapter 1 Before Willow could speak , Elijah turned to Sandra . Tll have the driver take you home . Youve been drinking , so you shouldnt drive , His tone was warm and thoughtful as he instructed his driver to send Sandra home . His considerate nature was something Willow had once loved about him . When Elijah looked at someone with those deep , affectionate eyes , it was easy to believe you were the center of his world . He used to look at her that way and declared , Always talk to me , no matter what happens . Ill protect you , always . If you ever hide anything from me , Ill make sure to finish all your snacks ! That youthful promise now seemed laughable . Willow noticed Sandras ears turn red . Before getting into the car , Sandra threw her a fleeting but triumphant glance as if she had already won . Willows voice was cold as she looked at Elijah . Why didnt you tell me ? Elijah climbed the stairs without stopping . Bobby didnt want you there . Youre just letting him do whatever he wants ? Whats next ? If he decides Sandra should be his mother , will you let that happen too ? Elijah halted , then turned to her , eyes narrowing . You spied on me ? His voice was sharp , laced with irritation . Then , with a dismissive sneer , he added , Youre taking the words of a child seriously ? Dont be so petty . Willows stomach twisted . So Bobbys words were just a joke to him ? she thought . No wonder Bobby was growing more and more disrespectful . He was simply following his fathers lead . Elijahs gaze darkened . Dont forget how you got Bobby in the first place . Be good , and youll be Mrs. Clark as long as the kids around , he warned , his words like a slap to the face . Willows heart sank as Elijah walked away . She stumbled as she felt her world spin , her breath catching . Maddie was by her side in an instant . Clark , are you alright ? Taking a deep breath , Willow regained her composure . Hows Bobby ? Hes still sleeping , but he reeks of alcohol , Maddie reported . Willows brows furrowed . Has he showered ? He wont let me give him one , Maddie explained . Ill check on him . Willow pushed open the door to Bobbys room . The faint scent of alcohol lingered in the air . Bobby lay curled up in bed , his small face peaceful in sleep . His clothes were stained with wine , enough for Willow to be relieved that he hadnt actually been drinking . Willow remembered giving birth to Bobby at just 20 years old . One could say she and Elijah were childhood sweethearts . 3/6 Chapter 1 She had loved Elijah since they were young , devoted herself to him , and confessed several times . Eight years ago , her parents had died saving Elijahs life . After that , Elijahs mother , Charlotte Clark , took matters into her own hands and arranged their marriage . Elijah hadnt wanted it . He had resisted and resented it . That year , their relationship crumbled into pieces , hitting rock bottom . When Willow finally decided to let go , Charlotte sent her to Elijah with a cup of warm milk on a night when he was drunk . One night . That was all it took for Bobby to come into the picture . She had decided to keep the baby , but Charlotte intervened when she tried to leave while pregnant . They got married , and Bobby was born . From that moment on , Willows life had changed forever . She became a housewife , waiting every day in this beautiful villa for her husband and child to come home . Willow sat on the bed , looking at Bobby . She couldnt ignore how much he resembled Elijah , especially those same captivating eyes . Every time he told her she was the best , every time he smiled at her , she believed all the pain was worth it . Willow was willing to give her all to love and care for Bobby because she might not have made it this far with Elijah if it werent for the child . Still , there were moments when it felt like Bobby wasnt truly hers . He felt more like Elijahs reflection than her own child . Willow began undressing Bobby , trying to remove the alcohol soaked clothes . As she undid the buttons , he suddenly woke up , resisting her , refusing to remove his clothes . Lets take a bath and then sleep , okay ? Youre dirty , and the alcohol will give you a headache , Willow coaxed gently . I dont want to , Bobby protested . Be a good boy , Willow urged , but Bobby suddenly sat up and slapped her on her face . I said I dont want to , he screamed . Willow froze . This wasnt the sweet , obedient Bobby she knew . She suddenly felt the boy in front of her wasnt her son . Though mischievous at times , she knew Bobby wouldnt do that . For a brief moment , anger surged in her chest . She raised her hand to hit Bobby back but stopped herself . After all , he was her flesh and blood . Instead , she struck him lightly on the arm . Bobby burst into tears . Willow held back her anger , voice steady but firm . I told you never to hit anyone . Or be prepared to be hit back. Sandra said Im protecting myself by doing this ! Youre a bad woman ! I dont want you ! Go away ! Bobby shouted , pushing her away . 4/6 12:52 Tue , 11 Mar Chapter 1 Willow stood there , motionless , watching him cry . The years of love and care shed given him faded into the background . She felt utterly delaxed as if all her ottone had sens for nothing . A wave of exhaustion washed over her . With a heavy heart , Willow walked out of the room and wood on the iding ded into the dark , endless night . The night was dark , grim , and long . Much like her life . Dark , long , and filled with misfortune . After a deep breath to steady herself , Willow grabbed her phone and left the home . The following day , Willow was missing from the breakfast table . Bobby complained of a headache when Maddie brought him downstairs . Elijah noticed then that Bobby was still wearing the dirty clothes from yesterday , stained with alechel and crea He snapped . Wheres Willow ? Mrs. Clark left early this morning , sir , Maddie replied . Leaving the child like this ? Elijah asked angrily . Maddie hesitated . She didnt seem to be in a good mood last night . So , because she was in a bad mood , she threw a tantrum and abandoned her own son ? How could she be so irresponsible a her age ? Elijah muttered , his voice dripping with disdain . Maddie didnt respond . Elijah ordered , Get Bobby cleaned up and take him to the hospital . Maddie glanced at him . Should I call Mrs. Clark ? She left in the early hours , and Im worried . Elijah shrugged . Shell be back by noon . Whats the point of worrying ? He couldnt understand why Willow would leave . She had always been there for him , and he assumed she would return , as she always did . To Elijah , Willow was just a housewife who couldnt even care for her child and didnt think she would have anywhere to go She had always walked out on them for years whenever she was upset . So Elijah thought this was just another one of her little games , leaving the house so he would look for her . I must have been too nice to her , he thought , sighing in irritation . She still hadnt had enough of such childish actions ? Maddie , however , had a strange feeling this time . She wanted to say something but , in the end , swallowed her words . After all , for years , it had indeed been like this . 5/6 54 % Chapter 2 Title: A Princess? No! I'm the Female General! In "A Princess? No! I'm the Female General!" by CrushReel, Adela Taylor, a noble family's daughter, disguises herself as her brother to secure their Duke title by joining the army. Despite facing obstacles, she achieves remarkable success. However, upon her triumphant return, her brother betrays her, setting off a chain of events that will test her resolve and reveal hidden truths. This captivating novel delves into themes of secrets, reincarnation, revenge, murder, and drama. Adela's journey from deception to betrayal is filled with intrigue and suspense as she navigates through a world where power dynamics and family loyalties collide. What sets this story apart is its strong female lead who defies expectations and challenges societal norms in a quest for justice and redemption. Experience the riveting tale of Adela Taylor online at CrushReel and witness the transformation of a princess into a formidable female general.