Chapter 19BIANCA’S POV Did I mess up by signing that contract and agreeing to all his terms and conditions for our wedding and marriage? A part of me worried it was the biggest mistake of my life, while another part insisted it was not. It was just a piece of paper with fancy words. A piece of paper can’t define our marriage. It can’t define our love. The love I have for him. I’m pretty sure everything in it will be forgotten once we’re married and living together. He didn’t mention where we’d stay after the wedding. Fuck! I forgot to ask him that. Maybe he forgot too or it’s at his family’s house. I hadn’t been there before, but I was sure it was huge enough to contain two families from the way Mum and Dad spoke of it. My parents want us there, but I want our own place. I don’t want his father overseeing us and discovering our marriage is based on a contract. I sighed and looked at myself in the vanity table mirror. Richard booked a presidential suite for me to get ready for the w
Chapter 20BIANCA’S POV “What has gotten over you, Nina? Are you crazy?” I stared at her in disbelief, my face grimacing with extreme shock. “How can you think of sabotaging my wedding?” Her brows furrowed in an agonized expression, and she looked at me with a blank, blinking gaze. Maybe she didn’t expect my response. What did she expect? For me to go along with her craziness? No way!! “B…I’m only trying to save you…I’m your best friend and I’m looking out for you…” “If you’re really my best friend then you’ll support me and not come up with such a crazy idea!” I interjected before forcefully freeing myself from her grasp. “Let go of me!” She looked at me, frightened and defensive, like I had taken something valuable from her. I rolled my eyes, grabbed my dress, and moved to the other side of the bed to get dressed, trying to put some space between us. I took off my robe, just in my underwear now. As I was about to get dressed, she said something that grabbed my full attention, s
Chapter 21BIANCA'S POVOn hearing the doorbell ding, I rose at a measured yet swift pace to put on my dress. “Are you expecting anyone?” She asked, her brows pulling in together. “No, not really,” I replied, searching my mind as I hastily got dressed. The only person I was expecting was David, who was on his way. If he arrived, he’d call and head straight to the rooftop; he wouldn’t come to the suite since I didn’t mention staying here to him. Nina shrugged. Seconds later, I heard the door open. Then a little scream. “It’s the delivery guy! There’s a package for you. Want me to sign on your behalf?” “Delivery?” My face scrunched up. I don’t remember ordering anything, online or offline “B?!...” Nina called again, snapping me from my thoughts. “Yes, you can!” A few moments later, she came back with a big grey box and placed it on the bed. “You didn’t tell me you had something big coming?” She asked with a mix of confusion and amusement as if it were for her. “Trust me, I didn
Chapter 22BIANCA’S POV After taking a closer look, the rooftop turned out to be a great venue, contrary to what Nina thought. Surprisingly, Richard made the right choice. He had rented it just for our wedding this evening. It had a small bar and eatery with fairy lights, giving a cosy glow. Elegant tables and chairs covered in soft linens were neatly arranged in tables, and artificial climbing ivies adorned the walls. One could enjoy their drink and food while surrounded by the open sky and cityscape. It was the perfect spot for our wedding. The venue itself was already beautifully decorated, so we didn’t need much. Still, we added delicate drapes and floral arrangements in the colour of the event; ivory, wine gold, and rose red to create a more wedding-like atmosphere for our guests to know it’s a special occasion. For inexplicable reasons, my pulse throbbed unevenly. My heart knocked against my chest and my breathing was icy, freezing. Though the heater was on, it wasn’t really h
Chapter 23RICHARD’S POV The guy was in a black suit and had round nerdy glasses. My jaw tightened. I emphasized keeping the guest list minimal, but this wasn’t minimal. And she’d never hugged or smiled at me like that – it was always nervous, secure, but hers to this guy was carefree, smooth, unguarded like they’ve known each other for long. “Richard,” her soft voice barely above a whisper as though she was surprised to see me at our wedding - What? Sad and nervous I bumped into you and ruined your blissful moment with your nerd? Her gaze scanned me like light rays. Mine returned the favour. The dress I sent her was divine. It covered her from neck to toe, hugging her figure perfectly, accentuating her slender shoulders, firm high-perched breasts and dainty waist. Looking down a bit, I can already see the toi et moi ring sparkling on her finger. “Bianca.” Her brows furrowed. I could tell it was probably because of the bridal bouquet I was holding. I know I said no flowers. But re
Chapter 24RICHARD’S POV “Do you, Richard Smith, take Bianca Sinclair to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?” David looked at me expectantly. I was lost in the depths of her eyes when those words echoed in my head. Inwardly, I jolted and my breath hitched a bit. Was this real? Was I really getting married? If someone had told me this day would arrive so soon, I would have thought they were ridiculous and laughed my lungs out. But the day has come. The day was now. Marriage was never something I envisioned for myself after Heather’s disappearance. Tales of marriages falling apart and the demands and daunting challenges made me see it in a not-so-positive light. If my father hadn’t set this up, I might have waited until I was over forty, or honestly, I’d have been content as a bachelor. That way, life would’ve been simpler,
Chapter 25 RICHARD’S POV On the long dining table covered in a fancy dark red tablecloth, there was a huge variety of food – grilled chicken, fish with lemon butter sauce, roast beef, a mashed potato bar with different toppings, vegetable curry, and a selection of vintage wine, along with other side dishes. Since David loved carbs and had a thing for bread, there was a pile of freshly baked bread and a container of butter to spread on them right in front of him. I couldn’t help but wonder how he’d manage to eat all that without feeling sick later. Strangely, a part of me wished that would happen. Like right now if possible so he can stop talking and staring at my wife like a fucking pervert. After signing the marriage register, we settled at the rooftop venue’s eatery for a reception dinner. However, it quickly turned into something like a high school reunion dinner, all thanks to David and B’s best friend. I watched B laugh out loud at the cock and bull stories flowing from their
Chapter 26 RICHARD’S POV I furrowed my brows, feeling confused and disoriented. Worried one of those hungry reporters or paparazzi might be stalking me, I scanned the area, hoping to find one. If they found out about the wedding and had my phone number, the news of my marriage to B could spread like wildfire tomorrow. I don’t want that to happen after putting in all this effort to prevent it. But how did they even manage to find my number? Fuck!! This wasn’t good at all. Ben! Maybe that idiot ratted me out. Or even worse he could be the stalker monitoring and sending me this message. He did say he’d ruin every relationship I got into. And this was perfect timing. If I find out he was the one behind this, I’ll do more than punch him in the face, this time, I’ll make sure he spends the rest of his pathetic life in the ICU. My phone binged again, almost startling me as I quickly looked back at it. Unknown number: You’ll soon break your neck(a hand on the face disappointed emoji) I’m
Chapter 174 RICHARD’S POV Approaching B’s family house, I saw B stepping out, but the moment she saw me, she ran back inside. My heart hurt from seeing how she was avoiding me. “B please wait. Hear me out first. I have something important to tell you. The pregnancy was fake…I know everything now…” I said as I rushed out of the car and chased after her. But I didn’t think she heard me as she quickly slammed the door shut down on getting inside. I banged against the door, screaming for her. Apologizing. Pouring my heart out and letting her know how much I loved and missed her. I didn’t care if I was constituting a nuisance or being absurd, I just wanted her forgiveness. I wanted her back. But it all fell on deaf ears. No one opened the door for me. I wondered if my dad had come like he promised. Maybe he hadn’t yet. I wondered if her parents were around. Surely, they won’t approve of my behaviour and I didn’t even know how to explain the whole situation to their understa
Chapter 173 RICHARD'S POV By the time I made it back to the apartment, it was almost dusk. Heather’s parents had the heart to forgive her for lying to them. Despite all she did, they still loved her as their one and only daughter and were willing to take her back. After they left, my father noticed how troubled and unhappy I was, and I couldn’t help but tell him everything that happened. I needed someone to talk to. Someone who could understand and advise me. And right then, my father was the only one I could turn to. He advised me to be patient, to give B more time and not act rashly to avoid losing her completely. He also promised to go see her parents intercede on my behalf and convinced me to head back to the apartment and rest because I really needed it. As I was approaching my apartment from the elevator, I noticed the door was left ajar. I didn’t put too much thought into it because it was probably Gideon. I had seen him earlier that morning before stepping out.
Chapter 172 RICHARD’S POV I wasn’t sure where B could have gone, but the only place that came to my mind was her family house. I just hoped she hadn’t gone to any other place. It’ll be hard finding her if she did. No matter what, I had to get her back. I want her back. Not only is she the love of my life, but she’s also carrying my unborn child. She will be the mother of my children. Rushing into the room, I hurriedly pulled out the drawer of the nightstand, searching for my car keys. I couldn’t remember where last I kept it but I think it should be in the drawer because I usually left it there. Instead of finding my car keys, I found something else. My brows drew in curiously as I took out the paperwork. Going through the contents, terrible regrets assailed me as I shook my head in agony. B was pregnant. All these while, she has been carrying my child but kept it from me. All these while, I have been hurting and treating her badly not knowing my seed was growing inside her.
CHAPTER 171 RICHARD’S POV The news of Heather’s pregnancy hit me like a shockwave. I was so shocked I struggled to accept it. How did it happen? How am I the one responsible for it? As far as I knew, Heather and I hadn’t gotten into any intimate act since she returned. There must be a mistake somewhere. B was so shattered she couldn’t even look at me. But I wished she could just listen to what I had to say before jumping to any conclusions. This was all a misunderstanding. I knew nothing about it. I know I have been cold and mean towards her lately, but that was only because of the way she’d been acting towards Heather. I believe with time she’ll stop seeing Heather as a threat and apologize for her actions. I cared for Heather and promised to be by her side to make up for all those years I failed to protect her from Ben. But that doesn’t mean I’ll go as far as sleeping with her. I made it clear to her that I loved B and only B now. What Heather and I shared was all in the
CHAPTER 170BIANCA’S POVIt’s been almost a week now. That night I went out of the apartment, I wasn’t thinking straight. I was losing my mind. I had no one else to run to except Nina. She was the only one who could understand me right now and tell me what to do. At this point, I was considering a divorce. Divorce him and move on….He lied about loving you….He never loved you….He only agreed to this marriage because his father wanted him to… you were only a second option, a plan B.Nina advised me not to give up on him yet. She said if he truly loved me then he’ll come for me. She also said I should threaten him on leaving the apartment and if he persisted, then I’ll make him choose between me and Heather. That was a good idea. The only way I could bring an end to this once and for all. It was either her or me. And I know Richard will choose wisely because deep down, he still loved me. That bitch was only putting a blindfold over his eyes, but it’s only a matter of time before I ta
CHAPTER 169HEATHER’S POVBy the time I was done adjusting myself, getting everything together and reaching downstairs, Richard was already seated on the sofa of the living room watching a movie.Thank goodness he hasn’t brought the drinks. I sighed in relief. That would have ruined the whole plan.While Richard and I were in my room, I heard the entrance door squeak open and slam shut. That meant the bitch has gone out. That makes everything a lot better. I hope she never comes back. I hope she gets hit by a bus or truck or falls off a cliff and her body is never found. As it stands now, that will make things a lot better now.“Hey,” I smiled at Richard as I took a seat very close beside him. “What are you watching?”He looked at me with a smile before looking back at the TV.“I just turned on the TV and found the movie interesting,” he said. He grabbed the remote and pressed the information button to check the title and description. “It says ‘The Idea of You.’”“Ok,” I beamed a smi
CHAPTER 168HEATHER’S POVRichard tried to make me feel better but I wasn’t fully giving in to it. I will feel a lot better, and be the happiest woman on the planet when he throws his garbage wife away from this penthouse apartment and our lives forever.“I’m sorry Hay,” he apologized, his voice very gentle and soothing to my hearing. “Please forgive B. She doesn’t know what she’s doing.”“She knows what she’s doing!” I blurted out, sobbing heavily. “She hates me and is out to destroy me. She's dangerous and the earlier you realize that, the better and safer it is for us. Who knows what she might do next and accuse me of?.... perhaps she could stab herself next and say that I did it. Maybe she could come back with bruises and cuts and broken bones and accuse me of hiring hitmen that did it to her…and you might just have to believe her…”I broke down in another outburst of tears, burying my face in my hands. I could tell Richard was extremely worried and cared for me a lot because he
CHAPTER 167 BIANCA’S POV “Great,” I muttered sarcastically. Ben’s arrest was supposed to be good news. Perhaps the best news ever. He had hurt me and wanted to do very bad things to me, but I couldn’t shake off the feeling that something wasn’t right. If possible I needed to find a way to question him about Heather. I needed him to tell me everything he knew about her. If they planned her rape story together to deceive Richard. But how do I do that? The last thing I want is to meet up with him after what he did to me. And if Richard found out I met with his greatest enemy, he’d be mad at me and think I was somehow involved with him. Little did he know that bitch sitting close to him was his greatest enemy. “I’m glad he’s finally getting what he deserved,” Richard said, still sounding overjoyed. “Can you imagine he asked to see me?...” But then he stopped halfway, realizing the look on my face. “What happened to your face?” He peered closer, his eyes squinting and b
CHAPTER 165BIANCA’S POVAfter I threw up earlier today, I started feeling strange. I felt unusually tired and drained both physically, mentally and emotionally. I couldn’t shake off the feeling that I could be pregnant. And the thought of that made me feel worse. I just couldn’t get pregnant now. Now wasn’t the right time at all. Heavens, please…I threw up a couple more times and the whole discomfort deteriorated. I got dressed and decided to visit a lab nearby to run some tests, keeping my fingers crossed that it had better not be what I was thinking.To my greatest shock and disappointment, it turned out to be true. The test turned out positive. I was fucking pregnant.Since I came back, I have been feeling extremely sad. I didn’t know how to handle the news much less break it to Richard.I knew pregnancy was supposed to be good news. I knew it was supposed to bring and bind the couple together and make them stronger in love. The thought of starting a family was something beautif