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Richard's POV"Did you get slapped?" I asked. I put away the book I was reading and noticed a minor wound on the corner of Krystal's lip. It wouldn't have been noticeable if blood hadn't oozed from it."I caught that idiot Trevor kissing in the science lab. With Claudia, that slutty girl!"I kept staring at the corner of Krystal's injured mouth as she spoke. Something inside my chest was churning with heat. I wanted to find Trevor and pay him back for what he did to Krystal. Three times over. "I grabbed Claudia's hair, but that made Trevor mad and yell at me. I hate being yelled at, so I slapped him and told him we were breaking up. Trevor was outraged and slapped me back. Ah, shit! I'm still annoyed at Claudia's smug expression when Trevor slapped me!"I let out a long sigh. Thankfully, at least Krystal had payback at Trevor first. I'll get him back twice as much.I was still thinking of a plan to get back at Trevor when Aaron suddenly appeared beside me with a stack of books in his
Nikkie's POV"Nikkie, why don't you ever come see me? What kind of work are you doing in that place?" I could hear my mother's words even though she was far from where I stood. All around me was my bedroom at Krystal's house, and all the windows and exits were locked.I banged on the window, shouting apologies to my mother. But she was sinking further into the lake, her hands reaching me for help.I screamed and cried as much as I could, pounding on the dead-locked windows. I wanted to go there and save Mom. The sight was so frightening. I didn't want her to leave me."Nikkie, wake up!" I heard a faint voice that became clearer and clearer. My body also felt shaken, and my cheeks hurt slightly from being patted."Nikkie!"I opened my eyes; my heart was beating fast, and my eyes were blurry. I rubbed my eyes and felt my eyes get wet. I felt a firm hand slip under my back, holding my arm. A moment later, I felt that arm pulling me to sit against the headboard. I was still trying to re
Nikkie's POV"I know, but can this meeting be postponed?" Richard looks frustrated. He rubbed his head in frustration. The other person's voice on the other side was no longer loud. Richard then hung up, saying he would call back in a while."Go on, I'm fine. I have Sharon to keep me company," I said while rubbing my uncomfortable stomach. Richard looked at me with a complicated expression as if to imply that he didn't want to leave.Sharon picked up the soup bowl and left us alone. The air around us felt heavy because of Richard's moodiness. He didn't say anything. His large hand then moved to stroke my stomach. The warmth spread through the fibers of my clothes, sending a sense of comfort. Unconsciously, I let out a comfortable sigh. I closed my eyes to enjoy the stroking."I'll leave after you sleep. Get some rest," I faintly heard Richard speak. I don't know when I fell asleep.All I knew was that when I woke up, I no longer had Richard by my side. I didn't feel nauseous anymore,
Nikkie's POV"Why? Don't you think we should make the most of the time we have left?" asked Richard with a mischievous smile. My face felt hot as a result of him saying that. Making the most of the remaining time? What does he want to do? Don't tell me that..."Hahaha, why is your face so red? Don't worry. I won't do anything out of line. We're already under contract. Or... are you imagining something else?" Richard whispered in my ear. His deep voice successfully sent goosebumps all over my body. I quickly pulled the blanket over myself and turned my back to Richard. Trying to save myself from embarrassment. The sound of low laughter could be heard from behind, along with a warm embrace from Richard, who was snuggled under the same blanket."Why are you so cute, Nikkie? Made me want to bite you," Richard whispered in a muffled voice from behind. I could only stand still, my body stiffening even more as I felt Richard rubbing his face against my back. I didn't know how to react. Th
Richard's POV"Sharon, get some warm water and a towel to compress! Bring some drinking water, too!" I opened the first aid kit in a hurry and took out a thermometer to take Nikkie's temperature. The reading on the thermometer showed 37.4 degrees Celsius. "What happened? She was fine this morning," I demanded an explanation from Krystal while I waited for Sharon to get the requested items.I was preparing to leave when I received a call from Krystal. She was confused because Nikkie kept spitting food and wasn't getting out of bed. I had called Aaron on the way home. Aaron said that if Nikkie's fever didn't reach 39 degrees Celsius overnight, then there was no need to take her to the hospital. The fever is her body's response to a lack of nutrients and fluids. It can also be caused by stress."I just invited her to have lunch together. Everything was fine until moments later when I suddenly heard a sound like someone throwing up. And sure enough, when I looked into the room, Nikkie
Richard's POV"I understand. I'll try to keep my emotions stable," Nikkie said. She didn't sound as excited as before. I felt something was wrong, but I didn't know what it was. Nikkie finally fell asleep a while later. I took this time to eat, then went back to check on her. Nikkie was sleeping restlessly. Her eyebrows were furrowed, her breathing was rapid, and her forehead was sweaty. I touched her forehead, which was still as hot as before. It was almost 11 pm, and Nikkie still had a fever.I continued to compress Nikkie for an hour. Nikkie occasionally moaned in her sleep, making me unable to bear it. I suddenly remembered an unusual way to reduce fever. I had practiced this on Krystal when she had a fever a few years ago, and it had successfully lowered her fever.I hesitated for a while before deciding to do it. It seemed okay; Nikkie wouldn't know. I slowly brought my face closer to Nikkie's by suppressing my guilty conscience. From 5 centimeters away, I could feel the hea
Nikkie's POV"I managed to persuade Krystal. But you can only use your cell phone for two hours a day," Richard said, waving his hand holding my cell phone.My eyes rounded in delight, instantly forgetting the shirt in my hand. "Really? I want to call my mom!" I squealed happily. Richard stepped inside while chuckling softly. "I expected you to say that," he said as he passed the phone into my hand. I hurriedly turned on my phone, checking that the battery percentage was still enough for a 2-hour video call.My hand was already moving to press the video call icon, but I decided against it. I glanced at Richard, sitting on the edge of the bed with a hesitant look."Can I make a video call?" I asked timidly."Of course. But I don't want to take any risk, so I'll stay here and listen to your conversation," Richard said, making me sigh with relief.Richard suggested I make the video call at my desk, with the wall in the background. I agreed. After all, it was better to minimize the poss
Richard's POV"Wait here, I'll be right back." It wasn't Krystal's voice. My eyes felt heavy to open. I chose not to think much and waited until I felt someone ask me to sit reclined on the headboard.It took me a few minutes to take in my surroundings and recognize the figure sitting on my side of the bed. It was Nikkie. Oh, right. Krystal said she had an important meeting at her family mansion this morning. A meeting that no one outside of Krystal's immediate family was allowed to attend. Including me. "I've asked Blake to prepare some porridge for your breakfast," Nikkie said as she picked up the bowl of porridge. I wasn't used to eating porridge when I was sick, but seeing the tense expression on Nikkie's face made me choose to give in."Have you recovered? What about your morning sickness? Sorry, I didn't wake up this morning ...."Nikkie didn't react, her expression flat. She handed me an aspirin and remained seated in the chair, staring around the room. It was apparent that sh
Nikkie's POV"Sick? What's wrong with Krystal?" I asked in surprise. The TV didn't mention any details about Krystal's illness. I remained pensive until the news ended and changed to a sports program.Richard turned off the TV to realize that I looked unfocused. I started to realize something was wrong when I saw that Richard didn't look surprised at all or even concerned at all."You must know something, right?" I urged Richard. Richard let out a long sigh, then stroked my hair with a helpless look."What's the point of caring for a bad guy like that?" asked Richard, looking less than pleased. I shook my head stubbornly, waiting for him to speak."Be honest with me. You weren't involved in Krystal's death, were you?" I urged frantically.Richard sighed. "From my reports, Krystal has been sick since before she entered the prison. The TV report was real. She suffered from a malignant disease in her reproductive organs due to her habit of changing partners."I frowned, a conjecture popp
Nikkie's POV"The bride enters the altar!" the MC exclaimed. This time, Calvin was assigned to be the MC in our wedding procession.As the name implies, it was an intimate wedding only attended by those closest to us. There were 4 of Richard's family members, including Richard's biological mother, Shawn, Calvin, Sharon, Blake, and the household assistants. The wedding preparation went quite fast because there were only a few people. The blessing and the party were held in the hall of Moonstone mansion. I stepped with Uncle Denise towards Richard at the end of the altar. This day was full of happiness, with smiles never fading from everyone's faces. I haven't seen Richard since last night, and I'm feeling nervous. How will Richard see me in my wedding dress?When Richard turned around and accepted my hand from Uncle Denise's, Richard's eyes were suddenly wet. He smiled, and the tears just fell.I'm sure that they weren't tears of sadness. We then said our wedding vows in front of the
Nikkie's POV"I don't know either. My coming to this place wasn't planned. I didn't know where to go after my mom died. I also didn't have a home anymore and only had my suitcase and the money from the sale of the house that my mom gave me before she passed away. I boarded a bus randomly, letting it take me wherever it wanted. Throughout the ride, I cried alone by the window. Then, when I was tired of crying, and my tears dried up without realizing it, I arrived in this city. I took it as a sign from my mother that I should stay here. I then spent two days in a cheap hotel and looked for affordable apartments and part-time jobs. I was lucky to find both right away.From the first day of work, I never stopped working. My days off were spent sleeping or doing laundry. Because, you know. I have to work to support myself," I laughed.Shawn looked at me with interest. "You know, you can stop working and be provided by Mr. Richard completely," he said with a serious face.I laughed amuse
Nikkie's POV"Besides, you might think that way. Mr. Richard is a forgiving person. Shouldn't he forgive Mrs. Krystal based on that trait? Even if they can't get back together, Mr. Richard should never think of cutting off the core pleasure of his ex-wife's life: the money. Their company."Shawn stopped talking when the waiter arrived with our order. The thin, flavorful smoke of the food that would typically instantly whet my appetite now meant nothing. My mind was filled with questions."Are you saying that Richard was the mastermind behind exposing the rottenness of Krystal's company?" I asked after the waiter came back downstairs.Shawn nodded. "I did it all. But I was carrying out the orders given by Mr. Richard. The message was obvious, which was to destroy Goldman Inc. until it could not rise again."I was stunned by Shawn's words. "But why? Doesn't Richard love Krystal? I honestly didn't even think Richard would follow through on his words to divorce Krystal," I said, astonish
Nikkie's POV"Miss Nikkie! Hold on!" a man exclaimed in an absolute tone. Goosebumps ran down my spine, recalling the time I was almost kidnapped when I was going to buy flour when I was still living in Krystal's apartment."Miss Nikkie! Have you forgotten me?" this time, the man even dared to pull my arm. Gosh, did he forget that we were in a supermarket full of people? Even now, there were already several pairs of eyes looking at us with suspicious glances.When I remembered that I wasn't alone this time, I glanced at the man who dared to pull my arm. He was a tall man with big eyes that reminded me of a CCTV camera."Shawn?" I asked incredulously. Shawn nodded with a smile. There was a trace of relief on his face that made me wonder why he looked relieved.Until I remembered that Shawn was usually not far from Richard, I glanced around, then out the window. But I didn't see Richard or his car parked in the self-service parking lot. "I'm alone, came here by car. No, Mr. Richard her
Richard's POV"Since you mentioned it, I've been thinking about it. You're right; Krystal's male mistresses all have something in common with me!" I exclaimed in disbelief. My eyebrows knitted together, an oddity crossing my mind. "But I don't understand; what do you mean by Krystal loving me so much? Just because I have some things in common with those men?"Calvin explained again. "From a study I read, it was explained that love is complicated. The way each person loves another person and expresses their feelings is unique and different from one another.Some of them cannot distinguish love from obsession to the point that they commit deviant acts.But I won't talk about deviant acts here."Calvin paused momentarily as he overtook a car in front of us."There seems to be an emptiness in Mrs. Krystal's soul that makes her look for an outlet outside the home. It could be loneliness or an unhealed childhood wound.Or it could be that Mrs. Krystal is wrong for thinking that she doesn't
Richard's POV"Did you try to find out from the real estate agent? Shouldn't it be traceable to the person who bought the house?" I suggested to Shawn an idea that came to my mind this morning."I've already done this method first. But this house was sold about a month ago by Miss Nikkie's mother. The payment was made in cash, making it even more difficult to check through the bank," Shawn said on the other end of the line.My eyebrows furrowed at this oddity. "Why is Nikkie's mom selling the house all of a sudden? Is she in dire economic straits?" "I found out through the nurse you assigned to look after Miss Nikkie's mother. The answer is they are not experiencing economic hardship.The nurse mentioned that Miss Nikkie's mother had mentioned that she wanted to move to the countryside, which is why she is selling her house now," Shawn explained.I let out a long breath. Who would have thought that Nikkie's mother would move to heaven? "Why can they still live there when the house h
Krystal's POV"What are you going to do now, Krystal? You can't run a company, and now you're officially a widow!" Grandpa exclaimed in a high-pitched voice.Why does everyone always ask me the same thing? Do they think I have 1001 solutions to every problem?I nibbled on my thumbnail, feeling depressed at seeing the divorce papers lying on the table. Grandpa wasn't helping at all, just pacing around, making me even more dizzy! I held my nose, which had been bleeding a lot lately. Ever since I hit Richard's car that time, I'd been feeling unwell.Unfortunately, I didn't have time to go to the hospital to get my health checked. Why? Of course, because of my current status as a police fugitive!Grandpa suddenly stopped pacing when he got a call from who knows who. Shortly after, he turned his body to face me. The look of anger he had shown me lately no longer frightened me.Usually, he would immediately spout out curse words. But now, Grandpa seemed to have run out of words and could
Richard's POV "Let's head back," Shawn commanded Calvin. The three of us quickly entered the car and drove away from Nikkie's hometown.It was already late when Calvin dropped me off at home. I felt like my energy had been sapped, and I didn't have the power to do anything else."Tomorrow, take a day off. I'm not going to the office either," I told Calvin as I was about to get off.Calvin had been with me all day and even late into the night. These days, he didn't even have a day off as he was busy assisting me with various matters."Yes, Mr. Richard. Good night," Calvin said before walking away with Shawn. I staggered towards the front door. I don't know why it felt like the front door was so far away to reach.Halfway there, the front door suddenly opened. The figures of Grandma and Aunt Karina, wearing quilts on their shoulders, immediately came into my view."Oh, Richie. What's going on? Why do you look so messy?" the two women immediately ran to meet me. My tears fell again when