Nikkie's POV"Richard? Is that you?" I exclaimed. My fear was quickly dispelled when I recognized the voice of the person who was calling me outside. I ran to the front, and without even thinking twice to check who was behind the door, I quickly opened all the door lock slots.Sure enough, it was Richard. I breathed a sigh of relief. "Richard! I felt scared! Why are you banging on the door like that? You can ring the bell normally," I scolded even before Richard entered the doorway. Richard didn't answer. Instead, he looked at me from head to toe inquisitively. I could even feel the anxiety emanating from him. Not quite there, Richard even made me spin around in front of him. It was only after two rather dizzying spins that Richard was satisfied and finally hugged me tightly.I began to feel something was wrong. Richard didn't usually act strangely like this."Let's go in first," I asked reluctantly. I still felt embarrassed in case a neighbor passed by and witnessed our hugging s
Nikkie's POV "What do you mean by talking like that? Look, Richard, I never considered you a useless man. Stop beating yourself up like this. You also have other things to do; you're not a God who can solve all problems simultaneously. And that's okay," I said quickly. I think I've hurt Richard's ego as a man, even though I didn't mean it that way. Richard glanced at me with a forced smile. "Then why do you permanently hide everything from me, Nikkie? Why do you make me the last person to know when you're in trouble? Am I that unreliable?" My heart said it was useless to say any comforting words to Richard. Richard is compassionate and not in a positive frame of mind. "I'm sorry, Richard. But I never thought of you that way. It was all a misunderstanding," I said, at a loss for words. Richard didn't answer. Silence enveloped the atmosphere around us, sending a sense of unease through me. When the silence became unbearable, Richard suddenly got up. "Get some rest, Nikkie. Ther
Richard's POV"Nikkie! Keep running. I'll catch up with you soon. Try to keep your phone on you!" I called out as I stepped on the gas pedal deeply.There was only the sound of gurgling noise, panting breath, and clattering feet. I also saw a heavy-voiced man yelling at Nikkie and telling her to stop."Nikkie, are you hearing me?" I called again to ensure that Nikkie had heard my instructions. "I, hah, hah, I hear you," Nikkie responded. She sounded overwhelmed and exhausted. I overtook several vehicles at once. Bad images began to haunt me. And regrets. Why was I so careless? I should have prepared for the worst by adding more people to guard Nikkie.Instead of doing that, I was busy thinking about my feelings. To hell with inferiority. Nikkie and the baby's lives were at stake because of it!Too focused on the road, I didn't realize our call had been disconnected for some time. I tried to stay calm and reason then decided to call Shawn."Hello Shawn, trace Nikkie's whereabouts. Sh
Nikkie's POV"Richard, help me!" I cried to my own hands. My legs were tired of running, and I lost focus to realize that my phone was no longer in my hand. It had been thrown somewhere, I don't know when.There were three big guys, and one of them was huge. They were still excitedly chasing me. Running around suddenly made me feel like my stomach was cramping, and I had to stop on the side of the road while holding my stomach. Even so, I still walked away from them. At least I had to try, even if it would end in vain. "That's enough. I said, stop right there!" one of them shouted. I didn't know who was crying, too scared to turn my head because it would only make me panic even more. "Never mind, this isn't working. I feel bad for forcing a pregnant woman," said one of the others. I continued to listen as I hobbled along."Don't equate this woman with other pregnant women. She's willing to impregnate for money! She's even willing to take our client's husband!" said another man
Richard's POV"Nikkie!" I called out to hear Krystal scream inside. What kind of injection was Krystal referring to? Was she trying to inject something wrong into Nikkie? I pounded frantically on the tightly closed cottage door.After coordinating with Shawn, I decided to follow her to the cottage. I left my car at the intersection leading to the cottage's entrance. I ran as fast as I could up the slightly climbing road. The climbing terrain made me quite out of breath after reaching the top. I stopped a few meters from the cottage courtyard, which was filled with jeeps and sports cars in bright red. One look and I knew it was Krystal's car.Trees slightly hid the cottage, and there was a ravine behind it. My heart was racing at the thought of Shawn's words coming true; they had dropped Nikkie into the ravine to die without anyone finding her."No, Nikkie is alive. I'm not late, she's okay!" I shook my head vigorously, trying to get rid of the frightening image that came to my min
Nikkie's POV"Richard...," I called weakly. My eyes, which had been closed, opened forcefully to hear Richard's cry. He sounded terrified and panicked. Richard breathed a sigh of relief. His gaze looked very sad. "Please stay with me," Richard's whisper sounded heartbreaking. He hugged my body tightly to his body, and I suddenly felt something warm and liquid on my forehead. Amongst the pain that wracked my entire body, I could still think if those were Richard's tears. If so, why isn't it me who is in pain?The scenery outside the car window was moving fast, making me nauseous. Not to mention that my eyelids felt very heavy to keep open. But I didn't want to make Richard even more panicked and sad, so I forced myself to stay awake. I never thought that Richard would come to save me. When he appeared, breaking down the front door like a superhero with the sunlight behind his back. I felt like I was dreaming.Or like my dreams and hopes had come true. But when I discovered that Rich
Richard's POV"Richard!" exclaimed Nikkie irritably. I chuckled happily, leaving Nikkie in the room while I finished the paperwork. I didn't forget to ask one of the nurses to look after Nikkie until I returned. I was really grateful that all my fears didn't happen. After this, I would tighten my guard for Nikkie and keep her at home as much as possible. My mind drifted back to when Nikkie asked me to buy food this afternoon. Never in my life had Krystal worried about me in the same way that Nikkie did. I no longer had time to feel hungry because of all the surprises and stressful events that had just passed. But Nikkie, whose condition was full of wounds, still managed to remember that I hadn't eaten anything for the past 20 hours.The longer I lived with Nikkie, the more stunned I became by her excellent qualities. It made me even more convinced that I did have more feelings for her."Ready to go home?" I asked Nikkie after finishing the paperwork. Nikkie nodded enthusiastically.
Nikkie's POV"Nikkie!"I jerked awake when I heard someone shouting my name loudly. I didn't recognize the owner of the voice. The sight I saw after I woke up was something I didn't recognize. I was in a vast green meadow on a summer afternoon that didn't feel hot."Where am I?" I asked in astonishment. I looked around but found no one but myself. "Hello? Is anyone here?" but I did something else stupid, shouting. After waiting for a full minute, no one answered me at all.I looked down at myself in a calf-length, short-sleeved white dress made of silk that fell beautifully."Why does this look like a wedding dress?" I muttered, looking at my dress. The cut of this dress reminded me of Richard. Most of the dresses he bought for me were cut like this."Wait. Richard? Wasn't I with him earlier?" I asked again. I walked forward, ran, and walked again when I felt tired. Surprisingly, I couldn't find the end of this meadow. I felt tired and fearful at the same time. The sunlight in this
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