LOGINShare
181
Last Updated:
2024-12-31 06:26:37Related chapters
Betrothed 182
Kelvin's POVThe doctor informed me about the changes they noticed in my mom's condition. Unlike before, he mentioned that her pulse was more balanced, and he discussed the ECG and how they concluded their report. The part that concerned me the most was the positive aspect he highlighted.My daily routine had settled into a regular pattern: checking on my mom and telling her exactly what she needed to hear about my relationship with Kim. I suspected that might even be what triggered the reaction they noticed in her. After that, I’d go to a nearby restaurant, and the rest of my day was spent talking with Bella on the phone.Sometimes we chatted, and sometimes we called. She’d first report on how things were going at the company, often rambling about her dislike for the vice president, before I updated her on my mom's health. Even though she had never met my mom, Bella had grown accustomed to hearing about her improvement. She was overjoyed when I shared the latest report from the docto
Last Updated : 2024-12-31Betrothed 183
Kelvin's POVI stared at my reflection in the mirror, frustration swirling within me like a tempest. Today was meant to be one of the happiest days of my life—my wedding to Kim. But instead of excitement, I felt the weight of our circumstances pressing down on my shoulders, making it hard to breathe. Each breath I took was heavy with the unspoken worries that loomed over us, casting a shadow over our joy.“Hey, Dad,” I heard a voice from behind me, pulling me from my spiraling thoughts. I turned to find my father watching me, his expression laced with concern.“Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked, his voice steady but full of the same worry he had expressed multiple times before. I tried to project confidence, giving him the same answer I had given before, even as doubts crept into my mind like unwelcome guests. “Yeah, I’m sure,” I replied, though my heart didn’t echo my words. Things had escalated quickly since we left the hotel where we had been staying. We had rented this
Last Updated : 2024-12-31Betrothed 184
Kim's POVI rested my head in my hands, feeling the weight of the world pressing down on me. Confusion twisted inside me; I couldn’t comprehend how everything had spiraled out of control. One moment, we were in the courthouse, embarking on what should have been one of the happiest days of my life, and the next, we were engulfed by reporters. Their questions had sliced through the air, each one feeling like a dagger aimed directly at my heart.I was on the verge of tears, my lips still quivering as the shock of the incident left debris scattered throughout my mind. I felt so fragile as if I could shatter into a million pieces at any moment. I glanced over at Kelvin, sitting beside me, lost in his thoughts. It was as if an invisible wall had risen between us; neither of us could break through to the other.I couldn’t fathom what he was thinking. I knew it had to do with Bella, but the implications of our situation weighed heavily on me. How was I supposed to face the world after this? E
Last Updated : 2024-12-31Betrothed 185
Rachael's POVThe moment Kelvin's voice echoed through my phone, I felt my heart drop. His tone was accusatory and sharp, and it sent a chill down my spine. I was dumbfounded, caught off guard by the intensity of his confrontation. It wasn’t just a simple question; it was an accusation, and it hit me like a punch in the gut.I paced the floor, beads of sweat forming on my forehead. A throbbing pain pulsed through my temples, each beat echoing the chaos unfolding outside. My mind raced as I tried to process the situation. How had everything gone so wrong? I felt like a ghost, tongue-tied and motionless, watching the horror unfold around me.My thoughts flickered to Rayla, Mike, and Noah, who were outside, panting and looking terrified. I excused myself to the restroom, needing a moment to collect my thoughts as they trailed behind Kim and Kelvin to the lobby. That was the last coherent thought I had before the storm hit.I locked myself in the restroom, but something felt strange. The
Last Updated : 2024-12-31Betrothed 186
Noah's POV I'm driving, but my mind is a whirlwind of thoughts, each one pulling me in a different direction. The road stretches out before me, but it feels like I’m stuck in a fog, battling against the weight of everything that’s been happening. I should have reached out to Sniper and Venom last night, but after putting Rachael to sleep, I just lost track of time. There's a nagging feeling in my gut that Juliet is somehow involved in all of this. It doesn’t make sense, but the instinct is there, gnawing at me like a persistent itch I can't scratch. Why her? What motive could she possibly have? Yet, the lack of any clear evidence only adds to the headache throbbing at my temples. I pull into the nearest store, the fluorescent lights flickering over the aisles as I head to the cookie section. I could have asked my old granny or my butler to whip something up, but it might be too late for that. I grab a pack of cookies, their sweet scent wafting up as I open the bag. Chocolate chip.
Last Updated : 2024-12-31Betrothed 187
Rachael's POV.I'm sitting in my car, parked outside a small pharmacy, my mind a chaotic mess of swirling thoughts. It’s been a while since I last saw my period, and that realization hits me hard. The symptoms I’m feeling are all too familiar—nausea, fatigue, the strange longing for pickles and ice cream. I can't help but think back to when I was pregnant with Ariella. It was a time filled with excitement, but now, it’s tinged with uncertainty.I haven’t been taking my birth control pills. I stopped them intentionally, telling myself that since I’m married, there’s no real reason to keep taking them. But now, standing here, I can’t shake the doubt creeping in. What if I am pregnant again? What would that mean for us? For Noah? Today, I met with Juliet to clarify a few things. I thought I could trust her, but as I replay our conversation in my mind, I’m left feeling uneasy. When I told her what happened, I expected concern, maybe even a hint of panic. But instead, she was so calm, so
Last Updated : 2024-12-31Betrothed 188
Kim's POVI'm sitting in the car, the world outside a blur of colors and sounds that feel so distant from me. Today marks one week and two days since I’ve been stuck with Kelvin. It’s a strange, unsettling routine we’ve fallen into, where every interaction feels scripted. We follow the terms of our agreement, which means I endure his sudden disappearances and unannounced returns, never allowed to question or confront him about his choices. Today, Mrs. Patterson is being discharged from the hospital, and my heart aches at the thought of what that means for us. I should feel excited, but instead, there’s a strange mix of relief and dread. I’ve been anticipating this break, convincing myself that it’s a step toward freedom. But beneath that, there’s a nagging worry: what will I do when the facade crumbles? We’ll have to put on our calm, happy couple act once more, pretending everything is fine. Kelvin has been more engaged lately, but only in the sense that he shares his thoughts with
Last Updated : 2024-12-31Betrothed 189
Kelvin's POV I was sitting in the lobby, staring blankly at the floor, my mind racing with thoughts that refused to settle. The coldness and disgust in Bella's voice during our last conversation haunt me, a constant reminder of how far we’ve drifted. It kills me to realize that our once-solid friendship is now slipping through my fingers like sand. I replay the moment we spoke for the first time after the incident, her tone shattered, filled with pain. Silence stretched between us, thick and heavy, as we listened to each other breathe. It felt like an eternity before she finally broke the silence, delivering only the bare essentials. I couldn’t muster a response, nodding along like some obedient child waiting for a reward. I remember the ache in my chest as she concluded the call with, “The Vice president will set you up on conference with him, sir.” The formal tone she used stung, a stark contrast to the warmth we once shared. Every time I hear my name on her lips now, it cuts de
Last Updated : 2024-12-31
Latest chapter
Betrothed 202
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
Betrothed 201
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,
Betrothed 200
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
Betrothed 199
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
Betrothed 198
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
Betrothed 197
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,
Betrothed 196
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
Betrothed 195
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
Betrothed 194
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.”
