Rachel's POVMy eyes widened when I saw what David was about to do. He wanted to hit Marina!! Before I could do anything, the man standing beside Ethan had rushed to the front and held David's hands. "How dare you try to hit a woman?" He said angrily, protecting Marina from David's gaze before shoving his hands down.I felt a surge of gratitude towards the stranger, but it was quickly replaced by my own anger and outrage. How dare David try to hurt Marina like that?! I marched towards him, my heart racing with fury."You disgust me!" I spat, my hand raised before I even realized what I was doing. I slapped him hard across the face, the sound echoing through the room.David's eyes widened in shock, his cheek red and stinging. "You...I'll..." he started, but Ethan cut him off."What would you do?" He asked, coming to stand in front of me, glaring at David. His huge body hid mine completely, shielding me from David's piercing gaze. I looked around for Marina and found her staring at E
Rachel's POVMy head jerked to the side as I heard the bushes rustling. A man and woman emerged from behind the foliage, their clothes disheveled. The woman's garments were ruffled and slightly torn, while the man struggled to put on his pants as they took in the scene before them."Em..." The woman's eyes met mine, and she gasped in surprise. "Oh... Sorry, we didn't know anyone was here... Er... We'll just leave," the man said, holding the woman's hand and quickly leading her away from us.I recognized the woman as one of Olivia's assistants, who always accompanied her everywhere. After they departed, I turned my attention back to Ethan, finding him staring at me. The moment we shared had vanished, replaced by awkwardness."Ahem... Okay, I believe you" I said, attempting to dispel the uncomfortable atmosphere taking a step back. Ethan took a few steps back, scratching his neck nervously. We both kept silent enjoying the cool night breeze in the garden."The dress looks good on y
Rachel's POVWhat were they doing together? "Rachel, you're here!" Hannah exclaimed with a smile. She looked happy to see me, but I couldn't say the same for Olivia. She was glaring at me like she had been doing for weeks. What did I do to her?Hannah walked over to Ethan and gave him a hug. I stared at them in shock and anger. "Ethan..." He had a broad smile on his face, matching Hannah's, as he hugged her back."Ahem..." I coughed, distracting them. This better not be what I was thinking. Could Ethan and Hannah be together? No, no, no. I felt my stomach churn at the possibility. But if they were together, Ethan wouldn't display his affection for her in front of me, right? Even if we were in a fake relationship, he wasn't allowed to have a girlfriend, let alone a wife.I forced a smile and hugged Ethan's shoulder lovingly. "Babe? How do you know her?" I asked in my most loving voice.Olivia's glare intensified. If looks could kill, I'd be six feet under by now. I was also surprised
Third person's POV"David's anger erupted as he stormed into the hotel room, his face red with rage. "How dare she talk to me like that!" he bellowed, slamming the door behind him.Lana, who had been walking behind him, tried to calm him down. "David, please, you have to calm down," she said, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.But David shook her off violently, his eyes blazing with fury. "This is all your fault, Lana!" he thundered, his finger jabbing accusingly at her. "If you hadn't convinced me to attend that charity gala, I wouldn't have run into Rachel and those people she hired to deceive me!"Lana shook her head. "How is this my fault? How was I to know that Rachel moved on from you so quickly?" David's anger increased rapidly. How dare she say that! He raised his hands to Lana's neck and began squeezing. "Let me go!" she begged desperately, trying to remove his hands from her neck so she could breathe properly, but her small hands had little effect on his strong hold."Sa
Third person's POV"Are you sure you're okay?" Mark asked Marina again after Ethan and Rachel left. His voice was filled with concern, causing Marina to smile."I'm fine, really. That bastard's hand didn't even touch me... thanks to you." She answered with a huge smile.Mark released her shoulders and clasped his hands behind his back, looking a bit awkward. "By the way, you haven't told me your name."Marina suddenly remembered. "It's Mark, and I know yours is Marina since your friend introduced you earlier.""Mark... Mark who?" She inquired, trying to remember if she had heard his name or seen him somewhere before. It would be impossible for a person without a profound, powerful, or well-known surname to be at a party like this.Mark hesitated before shaking his head. "Just Mark."Marina frowned. Why was he hiding his last name? Could he be like one of those billionaire's heirs who love keeping their identity a secret? Or could he be hiding from someone? Or was he one of those wanna
Third person's POVOlivia had a fake smile on her face the entire time she and Rachel were conversing. Why? Well, the answer was simple. Rachel was clutching Ethan's hand lovingly the entire time! Olivia wanted so badly to rip those hands off her man, but she couldn't afford to do anything harsh, not in front of Ethan."Okay, we have to get back to the party now," Rachel said after a while, still holding onto Ethan. Olivia balled her hands into tight fists behind her back. Hannah noticed it before she looked back at Rachel with a smile. "Okay, we'll just enjoy the fresh air for a little bit." Ethan gave his sister a nod before walking hand in hand with Rachel back to the party."What was that!" Olivia yelled, enraged, as soon as Ethan was out of sight. "I should be asking you that question, Livia. What was that? Why were you behaving like that towards Rachel? You're working together, for Christ's sake." Hannah yelled at her best friend. She had noticed the change in Olivia's mood sinc
Third person's POV" What do you say? I want words Ann, are you in or not? " Olivia persisted. Hannah nodded the tears that had gathered in her eyes falling sharply. " Fine. I'll help you in anyway I can, but you have to promise me two things". A huge smile adorned Olivia face as she nodded in acceptance. She could promise Ann anything right now, as long as the girl helps her get her brother to notice her. " Anything ". " You'll never speak of what happen that night eve again, and I mean it Livia, you can't use that to threaten me". She began glaring at Olivia. It was her greatest secret, her worst nightmare and she told Olivia on her own, she had never imagine in her wildest dreams that the girl would use the worst day of her life to threaten her. But now that she knew the type of person Olivia was, she couldn't afford to take any chances. "Yes... I would never speak of it again, it's just I'm really desperate right now, that's why. What's the second one?" Olivia asked eagerly
Rachel's POV" Can't believe that bitch actually spilled her drink on you... Seriously what gives?" Marina complained as she opened the door to our hotel room.She had been saying the same thing over and over again since our drive back from the party, and sincerely I thought the same. Despite her denial, I was very sure Olivia spilled the drink on me on purpose, but why? "Maybe it was really mistake, you can never know". I said walking into the room. Marina stared at me with a dumb look an did chuckled. " It was sarcasm, come on. Even a fool would see that she did it on purpose ". Marina shook her head at me as she removed her shoes before falling flat on the bed." I've had long day ". She groaned making me chuckle even more. "We've had a long day ". I corrected following her footsteps of removing my shoes before falling on her bed. She suddenly sat up earning a raised brow from me. What's up with her? Her face had a huge grin on it, if it got any wider I feared that her lips w
Ethan's POVI stayed in my study for the rest of the evening meditating on everything that had happened today at the office. Rachel was the lost daughter of the Nielsons. She was Emerald Nielson, and her parents wanted her back.The information was just so surprising. What baffled me now was, how did Emerald, or Rachel end up in the hands of the Andrews?From what I knew, the Nielson were in Europe when their daughter went missing, while the Andrews were a family established in the states. " I need a drink ". I sighed standing up from seat and walking towards my mini bar.My eyes instantly surveyed the numerous amount of bottles there but couldn't find any bottle of bourbon. What?I had made sure to always stock up, and I don't drink often. But this past few weeks had been terrible. I couldn't sleep until I had at least a few glasses to take my mind of things. "I don't even know if I'm drinking to celebrate Rachel finding her parents or to get rid of all these questions revolvin
Ethan's POV" Mr and Mrs Nielson are here to see you ". Mark announced as we walked through the halls to my office. They are here?My brows furrowed together in confusion. 'This could probably be related to Rachel '. I thought. Two days ago the woman met me in my office and offered to help, and just yesterday she interfered in Rachel's case and got her freed. But the question was why?" Do you think it's about the help Lenora rendered to Rachel yesterday?" Mark asked the exact question in my mind and I looked up at him. "Probably". I shugged as we proceeded. Mark read out the some of what I had to do today and I listened keenly. This last few weeks I had been so behind on work, that it was starting to have an effect on the company. "Also, I've gotten all the CCTV cameras footage in Lana's house checked and even all the cameras within a one mile radius ". I stood walking, just few metres from my office. " What then? " So far, Lana's death was one issue that got me on edge.
Rachel's POVI froze as I stared at the older woman. Ethan? In love with me?" How can you lie so freely?" I asked after a while. Why can't I believe it? Why can't I just tell myself it's the truth and actually believe it?Maybe it was because I had seen what really was real, and I couldn't even allow myself to pretend anymore. "Lie? " Victoria looked shocked as she stood up from the bed. " Why do you think it's a lie huh?" She argued. "Isn't it not? " I retorted before releasing a sigh "Ethan can't be in love with me. He probably doesn't even like me that much ". I felt my heart sink into my stomach as soon as those words left my mouth. Why was I feeling disappointed with my own words? They were the truth. The sooner I began telling myself the truth, the better it would be for both me and... Well me. I'm the only one suffering anyway. Victoria shook her head and looked down at me with pity. " You really are a fool, Rachel, since you can't see what's right in front of you. "
Rachel's POVI had been avoiding Ethan all morning since we came back from the hospital. What was I to say to him?The man was strange, really strange. If Lana was the love of his life, why was he still acting all nice and sweet and kind to me? Was he bipolar?If it turned out he was, that would explain a lot of things. I threw down the book I was reading with a sigh. Just to reduce the probability of bumping into Ethan, I had cooped myself up in my room since morning, and right now, I was so bored that even reading wasn't helping. Guess getting out of the hospital and jail wasn't too good. At least in the hospital, I had Joyce and, lately, Marina to talk to.The way Lenora just came in and me magically being released... It all remained a mystery to me."For fuck sake Rachel, stop thinking about that now. You're out and that's it."But wasn't there a catch?There had to be a catch, or at least something someone was not telling me. How could I just magically get released from jai
Lenora's POV I rushed down into into my mansion, where Simon, Owen and Raine where seated in the living room, probably waiting for me. " I've found her, I finally found her ". I nodded my head, a huge smile plastered on my face as I sang." I've actually found her ". " Found who? " " What's going on mum? " Owen and Raine asked at the same time. I just couldn't help myself from grinning as I danced around happily. Today was officially the happiest day of my life. " Len, what's going on? " Simon asked walking up to me as he held my hands. " And why are you crying? " Tears? I blinked, realizing that tears had begun to flow from my eyes again. " This... This are tears of joy Simon, joy ". I answered, enjoying the suspense in the room. " Could you tell us so we can be part of this joy? " Owen remarked sarcastically while standing up from his chair. " Some of us had to take a quick two hours flight down here in a jet just because you mentioned that it was really urgent ".
Lenora's POVShe raised her head up and pointed at herself "Me?" She said in a high tone before blinking twice to compose herself. "I recently turned twenty six ma'am." Twenty six. I repeated to myself nodding my head. "Did you test if you are my daughter? Is that yours?" I asked, rasing the tube up and she instantly shook her head. "No..." She laughed putting out her hand. "I know my parents. I just went to the lab and found this one there" She explained.I pursed my lips handing the tube over to Joan who took it with both hands. "You do this one, I'm off to check on some of the patients". Joan looked at me in surprise, and I couldn't blame her. The past few years, I had always been the one conducing the test alone and she knew it. But she had been working for me for over ten years, and I knew her very well. She was trust worthy enough, plus there was no guarantee that it could or could not be the right one. I gave her a tight smile before walking back to my office. I had sa
Lenora POV...Few days ago ..."Today is the day for the test Mrs Nielson." Joan Jett, my friend and the manager of the hospital said as we both walked back to my office. I had insisted that we do a round check on some of the patients in the top floor, something I started to do after the lady, Rachel Andrews was admitted her. I found myself being drawn to her in many ways than one, and was extremely dishearten after I heard she was arrested for a murder crime.It even became worse after I heard from my niece who was her doctor than she was rushed to an hospital after gotten almost beaten to death by a jail warder. She did look like a stubborn lady, but what could she possibly have said to a jail warden for the person to want to kill her with a beating?"... Mrs Nielson". "Huh?" I asked in confusion after I head Joan call my name. " Are you alright ma'am? I've been calling you for the past few minutes". She said looking worried and I nodded. "I'm fine, just thinking about stuf
Rachel's POVAfter the extremely awkward moment with Lenora, Joyce announced that I could be discharged today. I found the sudden information surprising and that was when she explained that the only reason I was still on the hospital as from two days ago was only because I would be immediately taken back to the station if I was discharged, so she just choose not to discharge me. Ain't that nice?I was all set to go back to Marina's house, when Ethan just grabbed my things and said: "You're coming with me."Judging from the look on both Joyce and Marina's faces, they had thought I was going to argue, and that would probably been the right thing to do. My brain was screaming red alerts. What if he was taking me back with him to avenge Lana's death? She was after all the woman he was in love with, but my heart and body refused listening to my head. I just followed him out like an obedient puppy, and we were now on the way to his car. " Hey, Rachel!" I heard someone yell my name, a
Rachel's POVI hugged myself with my hands sighing for the fifteenth time in the last hour. Marina and Joyce were in the room with me yet I still felt lonely. I missed Ethan, so much. No matter how much I tried not to think of him, or even to just forget about everything he did, I just couldn't, and hearing Joyce talk that he was around wasn't helping either.I mean, why would a guy cheat on you, then after his girlfriend dies (PS, you're being blamed for the murder ), start doing everything he could to get you out of prison?What the hell was that?Was he waiting for Lana to die or something?"Rachel what are you thinking about ". I heard Marina say, and I blinked, looking at her. " What? " I asked still feeling lost. Marina shook her head before looking at Joyce, and then at me. " Are you still thinking about the meeting happening in a few days? " She asked before speaking again. " Nothing is finalized yet. And you can't let that bother you, you literally have bigger issues on