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Noah's POVI couldn't help but feel elated when I saw Racheal and my sister holding hands. I had been contemplating how to discuss that situation without scaring her off. Things had started to go well between Racheal and me, and I didn’t want to disrupt the joy we were both experiencing.I realized that the best approach for us was to move on from our past and not dwell on it. If we faced the consequences of our previous actions, I believed that our love and trust could withstand any challenges.Racheal had suggested a little surprise for Mike and Rayla, but I decided to take charge of it myself leaving no hint of how I admired her idea. I didn't trust her with Rayla; she might slip up and ruin the surprise. I had everything organized with my team, and thankfully, James was out of the picture. His seriousness would have killed the fun.I arrived at my office late and found Mike buried in documents."Tsk," I made a noise to grab his attention, but he ignored me, which only annoyed me m
Last Updated : 2024-12-29Betrothed 149
Kayla's POVI loved Mike. I always had, even when I denied my feelings and refused to admit them. Deep down, I longed to be with him. Over the past few months, while we were close, we hadn’t officially started dating. I knew he had a soft spot for me, too. I loved his cold demeanor—the aura that surrounded him when he walked into a room. But lately, that coldness had seeped into his heart, leaving him unsure of how to react to the feelings developing between us.We enjoyed each other's company without ever confessing our feelings. I had poured my heart out to him, and the only response I received was a simple "okay." That remark crushed me, and I buried my feelings immediately. I tried my best to keep my emotions from affecting my work and daily life, but it was difficult. I had grown accustomed to his presence, and it hurt to feel him retreat into his shell again. My mom kept asking about the issues between us, but I brushed it off with a forced smile that I knew she could see throu
Last Updated : 2024-12-29Betrothed 150
Racheal's POVAs we set off to one of the prestigious boutiques in the city, my heart raced with a mix of excitement and anxiety. Rayla and Mike were in one car, while Noah and I rode in another. The tension from our earlier moments lingered in the air, but Noah's hand resting on my knee was a soothing reminder that I was not alone.When we arrived, the boutique was a sight to behold. Tall glass windows showcased elegant dresses and luxurious fabrics that sparkled in the sunlight. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation, and as we stepped out of the car, I felt the eyes of the crowd on us. Whispers and murmurs filled the air, and I could sense the excitement as people recognized Noah and the rest of us.Noah walked with confidence, commanding attention effortlessly. I felt a rush of pride being by his side, but it was overshadowed by my growing anxiety. People began pulling out their phones, snapping pictures, and sharing them on social media with various hashtags. The attention was o
Last Updated : 2024-12-29Betrothed 151
Noah's POV“What's wrong with you, Racheal? She just wanted to talk. Why did you have to make such a big deal out of it?” The words slipped out before I could stop them, frustration bubbling to the surface as we drove away from the boutique. I had hoped for a fun evening of shopping, but that confrontation had put a damper on everything. We were supposed to be moving past our past, but Kim’s presence had rubbed salt in old wounds.The silence in the car was deafening. Racheal sat in the passenger seat, her arms resting on the window, staring outside as if the world outside could offer her an escape. I slammed my hands against the steering wheel, feeling the tension rise within me.“Really!?” I growled, unable to contain my anger. “I don’t want to talk about it, Noah. I’d appreciate it if you let it be that way,” she whispered, her voice barely above a murmur.I shut my eyes briefly, focusing on the road ahead. I could feel the weight of her silence pressing down on me, and it only f
Last Updated : 2024-12-31Betrothed 152
Noah's POVI went upstairs, leaving Ariella to her iPad. It was clear she had waited for me, just as she said. My heart sank as I noticed her lying uncovered, the duvet tossed aside. Moving to her side, I readjusted her position to pull the duvet over her. She stirred slightly, opening her eyes just enough to focus on me. “Are you still angry?” she asked, her voice drowsy. I widened my eyes in shock, almost unable to believe she’d asked such a thing. “Little… just a little, but I’m fine now,” I managed to say, forcing a smile.She sighed, studying me with a hesitance that told me she wanted to say more. “Why did you leave?” “We were both angry, and it wouldn’t have been a good idea to stay in the same vicinity,” I explained carefully, trying to choose my words wisely as her head nestled against my arm.“Am I a bitch for dismissing her like that?” “No, you’re not. A lot of people in your position might do the same thing. You have every right to be angry, Racheal. I understand,” I
Last Updated : 2024-12-31Betrothed 153
Racheal's POVAfter waiting for Noah for what felt like hours, I finally succumbed to exhaustion and closed my eyes. I stirred awake to the familiar scent of his heavy cologne mixed with the lingering aroma of black coffee. A knot formed in my stomach as I realized he must have gone to see Kim, and I felt a wave of irritation wash over me.I had woken up earlier than anyone else, including Ariella and Evelyn. My mind replayed the remnants of our earlier conversation, but I pushed those thoughts aside. Instead, I focused on the tasks I had planned for the day. I’d been teaching Rayla some things to make my work easier, but the thought of Noah’s meeting with Kim gnawed at me.As I tidied up, I noticed something sticking out of Noah's jacket pocket—a brown envelope. I tried to ignore it, convincing myself it was just work-related. But curiosity got the better of me, and I found myself opening it to reveal a scan result. My heart sank as I processed what it meant—Noah deserved to know the
Last Updated : 2024-12-31Betrothed 154
Racheal's POVIf they want each other this much, they should just have lodged in a hotel. Did they have to parade their display in front of me?Now, Noah couldn't take it anymore. I felt bile rising in my throat as his expression revealed a mix of pain, guilt, and pity—emotions I struggled to decipher. I bit my lip hard to stifle the scoff that threatened to escape, then turned away from the scene. "He seems to be regretting that he married me now. He probably hates our child now," I thought, trying to rationalize the turmoil swirling within me. It felt as if that expression were meant for me, or perhaps for Kim.I halted in my tracks as the world spun around me when he uttered those words—words I couldn't believe, words that stung more than any betrayal. I turned back, hoping that Noah would laugh it off, that it was just a prank. It sounded insane that information could hit me this hard, but what could I do when the girl I had spent over twenty years of my life even when the memori
Last Updated : 2024-12-31Betrothed 155
Noah's POV I changed into my loungewear, slipping on a pair of sweatpants and a fitted shirt that accentuated my biceps and triceps. As I headed downstairs, I was shocked to find the atmosphere even tenser than before. At least there were no more tears.The aroma of chicken wafted through the air, making my mouth water. I approached the kitchen to see Kim and Racheal giggling over something I couldn’t quite catch. I grabbed a cup from above Kim's head, feeling a bit awkward but dismissing it as I gulped down water to quench my dry throat, a remnant of the excessive alcohol Mike had gotten me to consume.Kim moved to the opposite side of the cabinet, leaving a space beside Racheal. I seized the opportunity, wrapping my long arms around Racheal from behind, my hands pressing against her chest."Are you still angry?"I whispered, my breath tickling her, causing her to flinch.I waited for a response but received none. Since she didn’t insist I let go, I took it as an encouragement to pr
Last Updated : 2024-12-31
Latest chapter
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Noah's POVOne week later...I stood beside Racheal, who was propped up on the hospital bed, still struggling to fully recover. The sterile scent of antiseptic hung in the air, but it was the sight of her fragile form that gripped my heart. Kelvin and Bella had flown back to New Coastal two days ago, insisting on leaving after Racheal woke up. Their departure felt like a hollow echo of the chaos that had consumed us.Juliet was locked away, and sentenced to life imprisonment. I made sure of that. She deserved every bit of it. A maniac like her wasn’t meant to walk among the living.As I watched Racheal adjust herself, attempting to sit upright, I instinctively reached out to help her. But she slapped my hand away with a surprising force. The sting of her rejection hit me like a cold wave. She had done the same thing when she first woke up, and it scared the hell out of me. I rushed to the doctor, fearing she was suffering from amnesia, but my worries eased when he assured me she had b
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Kelvin's POV"You left us, remember? You gave us hope, Ana! You let us all believe you would come back! We waited for you, Ana. I waited. Mom waited... You broke your promise! You broke your fucking promise because of your selfish interest, your lust for revenge!"I pulled Bella into an embrace, which she calmly accepted. Juliet, whom I now realized was Anabella, had recently been caught at the same tournament Bella had described. She had a lot on her mind and plenty of tools at hand. If not for Bella, we would still be in the dark; no one would have thought that this old tournament, long neglected, would be used to commit such a devious act.Just two days ago, Bella had been crying in my arms. So much was uncovered—so much I hadn’t expected at all.After coming to terms with the fact that Bella was Juliet's younger sister, it occurred to me that Juliet wasn't who we thought she was. Her initial aim in entering R.A. was to cause harm to the Houston family. As she had said moments ago,
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Kelvin's POVI was on the brink of tears the moment I set my eyes on Kim. The fact that she was breathing with the aid of oxygen wasn't enough; she was hooked up to a life-support machine. I felt a flicker of irritation that Noah had signed the forced labor consent form, but perhaps I was wrong—maybe that was the best decision.Bella had a tough time going back to sleep after mentioning a random name that only gave me a hint amidst the shattered debris of my thoughts. I tried not to force any conversation on her, at least keeping my promise to Noah until she opened up. Until then, I remained silent.We couldn't go into the ward, so we decided to stay back, looking through the transparent glass that separated us from the lobby lawn. Bella couldn't control her tears anymore; I had been hearing her trying to stifle the sobs since we arrived. Her soft gasps said it all. It made me reflect on my decision to stay outside; I didn’t think I could keep my emotions in check once we entered.Lin
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Kelvin's POVI couldn't believe I had given in to my lust once more. The last time something like this happened, I apologized and vowed it would never repeat itself. Now, as I sifted through the files Noah sent me, I still struggled to admit that Juliet and Bella might be sisters. Our alliance was built on a shared goal, and the last time we had met like this was to reveal the truth behind RA. Now, we were here because of Racheal, but my purpose was to uncover Juliet's identity.*I didn’t start this relationship on a clean slate just to end it because of a culprit sharing her blood.*“You seem early!” Noah remarked, his voice laced with sarcasm.“And you seem late,” I shot back, eyeing him. He looked lean and disheveled, a total mess compared to the Noah I knew.“Is she with you?” he asked.“Why would I bring her with me?” I replied, my irritation rising.“You have no reason to call me here, then—”“What makes you think they’re related? Even if they are, I doubt she knows about her ex
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Bella's POVEvery part of my body ached from the journey, and I could barely feel my legs. But it was worth it. It had been a long time coming—discussing the idea of flying down here to visit Kelvin's parents. He had been overly protective, worrying I wasn’t ready for this. Yet, here we were, on our way to meet both my idol and his parents. The former excited me; the latter filled me with dread.Kelvin noticed my uneasiness and pulled me into an embrace, planting a soft kiss on my forehead—a gesture I had grown so accustomed to. We had just landed, and as we headed to the lobby, I spotted Kelvin shaking hands with someone I didn’t recognize. Others bowed slightly to him, showing their respect.*What should I expect?* I thought. *He is one of the youngest renowned businessmen, linking a channel between New York and the USA is no small feat.* I mustered a smile for those who acknowledged me.We would head home before leaving early to visit Racheal in the hospital. My gaze was caught in
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Kelvin's POVI had barely settled back into my office when the news hit me like a freight train. Rachael had been in an accident? My heart sank as I slumped into my chair, the weight of the world crashing down around me. I had just returned, hoping to find some semblance of normalcy, when everything spiraled out of control again.“Kelvin, are you okay?” Bella asked, moving toward my chair, her eyes scanning my face for any sign of reassurance.“No, not really,” I replied, rubbing my temples to ease the pounding in my head. She could see how close I was to Racheal, and I knew she understood my worries. “Rachael is in critical condition. I need to get down to New York,” I added, my voice strained.“Do you want me to come with you?” she offered, concern lacing her tone. I hesitated for a moment, the urgency of the situation clashing with my instincts to protect her. “No, I’ll travel alone,” I said, pushing myself to my feet. I grabbed my phone and shot a quick message to my secretary,
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Kim's POVI could remember feeling utterly drained when I returned home, free from Kelvin's silence, the weight of everything pressing heavily on my shoulders. My parents welcomed me with open arms, their warmth almost overwhelming. My dad, who had been distant for so long, embraced me tightly. The love in that moment nearly brought me to tears.“Kim, we’ve missed you so much,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “I’ve missed you too, Dad,” I replied, feeling the tears well up in my eyes. It was a bittersweet reunion, knowing what lay ahead. I wasn't expecting such a reaction from my dad and hearing how he missed me made me feel like I was close to my endThe last time I went to the clinic for a check-up, I had received the results I had dreaded. I had known, deep down, that choosing to keep the baby while battling cancer was a gamble. The odds were stacked against me, and I felt the looming shadow of my mortality.My mom had sensed something was wrong, even when I tried to keep
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Racheal's POVI couldn't take Noah's silence anymore. It was suffocating me, and it was terrible for Ariella to witness all of this. My heart raced as I stormed into Noah's study, furious and desperate for answers. My hands trembled with anger and confusion as I stumbled upon a collection of files and documents, all centered around Juliet.I picked up every picture I could find. My breath caught in my throat as I looked at the images of Juliet and her family. There was one of a man smiling lovingly at a woman—Juliet's parents, I realized. The man’s coat struck a chord in my memory, though I couldn't pinpoint why it seemed so familiar. As I traced the photos, my eyes fell on a little girl who looked strikingly like Juliet. It had to be her sister. A shiver ran down my spine as I pieced together the fragments of my discovery. But then, my gaze landed on a guillotine with a body labeled "XAVIER'S." My heart dropped. I was about to open it when Noah’s voice shattered the silence.“You're
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Kelvin's POVThe air between us hung heavy with unspoken words. I could see Bella processing everything I had just said, her brow furrowed in thought. I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words to bridge the gap that had grown between us.“Kelvin, I don’t understand why you didn’t tell me sooner. I could have helped you,” she said, her voice steady but filled with a hint of disappointment. “I thought I was protecting you,” I replied, my frustration mixing with regret. “I didn’t want you to be dragged into the chaos of my life. But now, I realize that keeping you in the dark only hurt us both.”She fell silent, staring at the ground as if searching for answers in the cracks of the pavement. I wanted to reach out, to comfort her, but I hesitated, unsure if she would welcome my touch again.“Do you think this is something I could just forget?” she finally asked, her voice breaking slightly. “You made me feel like I was special, and then you pulled the rug out from under me.”
