109I was sitting at my desk, staring at my computer screen when my phone rang. I picked it up to see Cameron's name on the caller ID."Hey Cam, what's up?" I asked."Nathan, I got some intel. Chloe has visited Eduardo," Cameron said, his voice tense."What? When?" I asked, trying to keep the surprise out of my voice."I don't know the exact yesterday, she went in with her lawyer, David. . The details of the meeting aren't clear, but it doesn't look good," Cameron said."How do you know this? Are you sure?" I pressed. Part of me still wanted it to be a lie, I still didn't want to believe Chloe was involved with the son of a bitch. Even after what she had put me through."Nathan come on, this isn't my first rodeo." Cam replied, sighing in exasperation. "I have my sources.""And how reliable are these sources of yours?""Very." He snapped back. I could tell he was losing his patience."I am sorry Cam." I apologized, I hadn't meant to antagonize him. "It's just... this is a lot on me.""
110I was sitting on the couch in my living room, trying to distract myself by watching some mindless TV after the disastrous deal with Eduardo. I just couldn't believe that I had messed up so badly. I had put everything on the line for that deal, and now it had all fallen apart. It was like my entire future was hanging in the balance.Suddenly, Addison walked in, interrupting my thoughts. "Hey, are you alright?" She asked, concern in her voice."Yeah, barely."Addison was quiet for a moment, thinking. Then she spoke up. "Chloe, maybe it's time for you to cut your losses and move on. North Carolina has been nothing but bad news for you.""Yeah," I said, smiling weakly. "You know what they say, never go back to an ex."We both shared a chuckle, the tension in the air loosening for a bit. I really needed as many laughs as I could get these days."Chloe, have you ever considered moving back to New York?" Addison asked out of the blue."What? Why would I move back to New York?" I asked,
111As I pulled up to Eduardo's sprawling estate, I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread wash over me. The last time I had seen him, he had tried to convince me to sell my shares in our joint business venture. I had refused then, but now he had new demands, and I wasn't sure if I was ready to hear them.But at this point, I really didn't care very much. I just wanted to get this over with and leave this damned state for good. Standing in front of the door and taking a few deep breaths, I promised myself to be on my absolute best behavior today. I couldn't risk antagonizing him and making the situation worse for myself.I rang the doorbell and waited nervously for someone to answer.The door finally swung open and burly looking guard in a black suit walked out. "Miss Montgomery?" He asked"Yes.""Raise your arms please, this will be brief." He replied, waving a sleek, black metal detector around me.As I raised an eyebrow inquisitively, he face an apologetic smile. "Standard proced
112As I drove my car into Chloe's neighborhood, my heart was pounding with nervousness. I was about to do something that could change everything. I had to plant a wire in Chloe's home to get the evidence I needed for Cameron, but I knew it would be risky. I had to be careful, or everything could fall apart.I parked my car outside Chloe's home and took a deep breath. I knew what I had to do, and I had to do it quickly. I walked up to the front door and rang the bell, hoping that Chloe wouldn't be home. But as the door opened, I saw Addison standing there, blocking my way."What are you doing here?" Addison asked, glaring at me."And a good morning to you too Addison." I replied, rolling my eyes."What do you want Nathan, you know you are not welcome here." She replied, ignoring my sarcasm and eyeing me with naked derision."Where is Chloe?" I asked, craning my neck to see past her."Out, on business." Addison replied, taking a step outside and shutting the door behind her. "Now what
113I sat in my car, my hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. I couldn't believe I had tried to kiss Chloe. It was completely inappropriate, and I felt like a fool. With all the drama going on around us now, I shouldn't be entertaining these kinds of thought about her, much less acting on them. And with her connections to Eduardo, I was playing with fire. I could almost see Cameron's disapproving face in my mind.As I drove home, my mind was filled with thoughts of Chloe. I couldn't deny that I was attracted to her, but I also knew that nothing could ever happen between us. When I pulled up to my house, I saw Lily's car parked in the driveway. I sighed, knowing that this was going to be a difficult night. Lily was my mistress, I reminded myself and she was heavily pregnant with my child. I knew that what I was doing was wrong, but I couldn't help the way I felt. I had to tolerate her, if not for nothing but my child's sake.I walked into my bedroom, and Lily greeted me with a sm
114As I made my grand entrance into Eduardo's ballroom, already full with the elites of North Carolina in their expensive Tuxedos and dinner gowns, I felt a sense of unease wash over me. Going for a pencil thing, knee length black gown and light make-up, I still provoked enough stares from the men. I could feel their lust weighing heavily on me, but I tried to ignore it as I scanned the room for Eduardo. He was nowhere to be found."Miss Montgomery?"Spinning around to see a bodyguard, dressed like a goon from a cheesy action movie, a cheap black suit, complete with dark glasses and an earpiece. I almost laughed at the absurdity of how he looked compared to the other guests and their thousand dollar Tuxedos."Yes?""The boss has been expecting you, he wants to meet you outside, at the garden."I nodded, feeling slightly amused by their insistence on calling Eduardo"the boss" like he was some mob boss."Please follow me." He added, showing me into the patio. At first, I couldn't find
115I slowly made my way towards her, restrained by the heavy crowd. Despite my attempts to be discreet, as though she was warned, she turned around and had me, our eyes meeting for a second. I saw the shock in her eyes turn to apprehension before she turned away hurrying up the stairs. I hurried on after her, getting to the top of the stairs and realizing she had disappeared.I walked into a passage way, hoping to find a few doors I could try but was disappointed when I was met with a row of doors on both sides of the passage. Sulking , I turned around to go back and try another route when I heard a faint whisper. It was Chloe's voice, apparently arguing with a man. Fighting of the urge to barge into the room and demand her attention, I walked back into the stair well and waited patiently for her to appear.Soon enough, I heard the door open and shut and her footsteps echoing down the hall as she approached. I allowed myself to enjoy the look of genuine surprise on her face when she
116I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing, my head pounding with a headache that could rival a jackhammer. What did I do last night? The memories slowly started to trickle in and I cringed at the thought of the night with Chloe. What was I thinking? I couldn't let my emotions get in the way of the mission.I ignored the ringing, staggering into the bathroom to reach for my drug cabinet and fish out some Aspirin. It was then I noticed the bathroom was indeed unfamiliar, I looked around in confusion, wondering where I was. Frowning slightly, I reached for the immaculate white bathrobe hanging on the door, reaching for the label on embroidered on its collar, I read the ornate inscription on it out loud."Pine Crest Hotels?" It then hit me. I wasn't in my bedroom, I had lodged into a hotel room 2 nights ago, to escape Lily's nagging.Cursing slightly, I stumbled back into the bedroom, reaching for the phone on the bedside table. I had to call reception to get something for this hango
220Chloe"Dada!" Adele's screams echoed through the air as Nathan swung her all over the place. I smiled at the sight. Her giggles were contagious. I watched through the window. Watched him spin her around, laughing his head off with her and for a minute I allowed myself to get lost in the moment with them. This was the life I had wanted all along. A happy home, a happy place, a perfect family. My eyes fell on my trembling hands and I retreated, allowing the blinds to fall. Except for the fact that we were the furthest from perfect. It had been three months since the accident. Three months since the truth of... Well everything was exposed. Mahn my life was a fucking rollercoaster. The more I thought about it, the more impressed I was that I had survived it at all. And it seemed it all started from that crazy one night stand. The world, my world, cracked and shook around its edges right from the day that I had met Nathan. If he hadn't gotten me pregnant, I most likely wouldn't hav
CHAPTER 219 NATHAN’S POV I headed to the doctor's office to collect discharge papers and a few other documents. Chloe was finally certified to be discharged and I couldn't be as happy as I was now. I was finally getting what I wanted. Signing something on the discharged paper, we started preparing for her departure. When I meant we, I meant Addison and Cameron and it was a very chaotic event. “Stop hissing, it's irritating!” I heard Cameron’s disgusted voice yelling at Addison. “Don’t you dare speak to me,” Addison warned. Feeling very embarrassed, I could see the several burning eyes on the scene happening. They had started with their annoying banter. Couldn't they just get along? I understood that Addison was annoying but Cameron had to behave like a man and stop whining like a child. I was getting angry with their actions and was only trying to cover it up with a smile. Women just loved arguing and that was it for Addison. She wouldn't miss a chance to argue with yo
CHAPTER 218 NATHAN’S POV I got to the hospital parking lot with a smile on my face. Walking into the hospital, I was very excited. Nothing was stopping me from getting her now, both Eduardo and Tristan were rotting in jail and that was all I could ask for. Pushing the don't open, I mentally groaned to see who was there with her. I was about to barge in when something stopped me. Chloe was sitting up while facing Addison and Adele with the widest smile I had ever seen. She was speaking gently and was even laughing. It felt like ages since I have seen that bright smile on her face, Chloe was the most beautiful person I had ever seen. She was always smiling and helping everyone regardless of her problems. She had a heart of gold and was always reaching out to others, losing her would be the biggest mistake I would make if I allowed it. I had already lost my loved ones once, I wasn’t going to allow this one again. Not again, she was mine alone! Seeing this just made m
CHAPTER 217 NATHAN’S POV I walked casually with Cameron beside me as we met with Officer Alex. “Good morning,” we exchanged pleasantries as he welcomed us into his office. We couldn't interrogate Eduardo a day before because he had been taken to hospital because of some minor injuries. “Are you ready?” Alex asked as we walked to meet Eduardo. “Never been this ready, I had been ready for this my whole life,” I added as I put on a forced smile. Wishing that Chloe was here to witness this, my mind drifted to her. I was going to make sure I call the nurse after this. I was also worried about her safety and had stationed two private guards for her. As far as Eduardo is concerned, he could strike anyone. I was very wary of that man and didn’t want any accident to repeat itself twice. I was never going to allow Eduardo to get to my family again, especially when I was still alive! Even if it means killing him, I would gladly do so without hesitating. He had done more than enoug
NATHAN’S POV I walked casually with Cameron beside me as we met with Officer Alex. “Good morning,” we exchanged pleasantries as he welcomed us into his office. We couldn't interrogate Eduardo a day before because he had been taken to hospital because of some minor injuries. “Are you ready?” Alex asked as we walked to meet Eduardo. “Never been this ready, I had been ready for this my whole life,” I added as I put on a forced smile. Wishing that Chloe was here to witness this, my mind drifted to her. I was going to make sure I call the nurse after this. I was also worried about her safety and had stationed two private guards for her. As far as Eduardo is concerned, he could strike anyone. I was very wary of that man and didn’t want any accident to repeat itself twice. I was never going to allow Eduardo to get to my family again, especially when I was still alive! Even if it means killing him, I would gladly do so without hesitating. He had done more than enough already! “Go
NATHAN’S POV I walked into the police station with Cameron as he discussed something with them. “You are back again?” I heard a policeman ask. “Yes, I want to reopen the case of Noah Nathan and his family,” I said as the cop went through the file. “A murder case,” I added again as they searched for it before finding it. Going through it, he nods his head. “I assume you have several pieces of evidence now?” He asked as I nodded my head. He invited me into his office and I started discussing everything with him. “That’s fine, let me arrange for an arrest,” he said before calling a junior officer. Everything was finally falling in place, I was going to get my revenge and also get my girl back. Eduardo shouldn't have played those silly games and thought I wouldn't get him. Though it was difficult, he shouldn't have messed with me. I was going to teach both him and Tristan a very good lesson. “Arrange for an arrest, Mr. Tristan, owner of….” I heard the cop saying b
NATHAN’S POV “Focus man!” I heard Cameron’s frustrated voice as I failed to carry the heavy weight for the fifth time. “I am not in the mood for this shit!” I said angrily before walking away. Not knowing why I was angry, I tried calming down my nerves. Cam was just trying to help, I shouldn't have snapped at him in that way. Everything was only because of her, it's been days since I last visited Chloe. Calling the nurse to ask if she was doing fine. I understood if Chloe wanted space and that was what I was giving her but it wasn't easy for me. My heart yearns for her presence. I was slowly going crazy with everything that has been happening lately. Every thought was connected to her, now that I knew she was innocent of everything I feel so stupid for even doubting her. She was the mother of my child and the least I could do was trust her but I had failed woefully. I had one job to do, to trust and love her but I had failed. Remembering how I had spoken to her that night
NATHAN’S POV I groaned as I went to the kitchen to search for something to eat. My mind wandered off to Chloe. “I am sure she will be fine,” I said to myself as I grabbed some cookies and a glass of juice. Walking to my office, I settled down and started some serious work. I was planning an event for models, actors and everyone in the entertainment sector so it had to be perfect. I started my work and didn’t know that time had passed, I was so buried in my work that I hadn’t noticed. Time flies as they always say, you wouldn’t believe it till you start experiencing it yourself. I went down the memory lane of how everything started. My meeting with Chloe, our relationship, everything was just so fast and now we were here. Judging by Chloe’s action I don’t think she can forgive me. I have been trying to deny that for a long time but it is getting obvious daily. She doesn’t say much and would rather ignore me. Sighing heavily, I rubbed my temples anxiously. Her being with
NATHAN’S POV “I don’t still support you buying her these flowers,” Cameron argued as we walked into the hospital. “Ohh please, Chloe is my wife and I know what she wants,” I announced angrily. “Technically, she isn't, you are only trying to win her over,” Cameron said with sarcasm. I wanted to strangle him, when you are friends with someone like Cam he does everything to annoy you. Facing him, I gave him a hard glare before storming out of his sight. “Wait, I am sorry,” I heard him say but rather chose to ignore. “I need to use the restroom,” he said but I still ignored him. “Dickhead!” I cursed before entering the hospital room. Looking bewildered, I couldn’t believe the person I was also seeing. Someone who despised me with her whole heart. “Hey Addison,” I greeted with a crooked smile as she scowled at me. Addison was always with a scowl, I wondered how Chloe was friends with her. Chloe was always happy while Addison was always the opposite. So uptight and annoying! Breathi