Arabel's POV My shoulders sag as soon as the car parks in front of the fountain, making me release a lungful of air I had no idea I had been holding in.Realizing my sudden consciousness, I almost let out a tear as the snippets of our memories together raced through my head; both good and bad memories. The good ones were few while the bad ones were a lot.Was it the night I had to wait up for him in the hope of having him try my new recipe? Was it the nights he had promised a date out and I had myself made up like a Barbie doll waiting till the clock struck 12 am and I eventually had to force myself to wash off the silly makeup and head up to bed?Was it the unapologetic smile he usually threw my way after returning home leaving me disappointed from his late nights out and his never-ending forgetfulness about one thing or the other which he promised and never happened?Or was it the part where we finally consummated our marriage and a few days after, having him return to his cold sel
Richard's POVShrieking excitedly, Daisy jumps into my embrace, tossing the bouquet away.The action jerks me out of my reverie, making me wonder if she knows I am her father just like I just got to know tonight.It makes my heart tug in pain. Seeing Arabel again reminds me of what I have lost; love, a good, kind, and submissive woman, and a beautiful baby like Daisy.“Hi,” I wave awkwardly at Arabel who has confusion written all over her as to why I am here. She does not reply to me.Instead, she asks. “Did you follow me here?”I should have known she would ask that. Everyone would have asked that but I didn't.Just before I can defend myself, Daisy cuts me to it.“You made it,” Daisy screams again, making Arabel open her eyes wide to stare from me to her daughter.Daisy took my number that day at the anniversary. It was as though the Heavens were working for me tonight.As soon as I figured out that there was a high possibility that she was mine, I thought of tracing Arabel to her h
Arabel's POVThe moment I step out of the car, I feel his gaze on me. I look up immediately but I can't see him.For a second, I think to myself that this is just one of my imaginations.Richard would be busy by this time of the day, not slacking around watching me from somewhere. I guess his sudden visit to me yesterday brought about this impossible thought.The more I think about it, the more I can't figure out what his intentions are. I am his ex.Why does he want to relate with me now?It was apparent he didn't like me so why does he want to keep showing up in my life and doing things to stop me from going ahead with my plan to pretend to be someone he doesn't know.I know he has his doubts about me. More reasons why I am confused. His visit last night scared the shit out of me. The fact that he has been speaking with Daisy behind my back is even more scary.All night, I couldn't sleep.My eyes were wide open till the break of dawn when I had to take the available flight back to N
Richard's POV It's been two hours and twenty-five minutes since she lost consciousness.Despite the doctor's assurance that she is fine and just asleep, I keep pressing my hand on her forehead and putting a finger in the middle of her nostril at intervals to check for some more assurance that she is indeed fine and alive. I don't want her to disappear, as she did years ago.This is my chance to make things right. Seeing her fall to the ground with a thud got me extremely worried.With Ashley's assistance, we rushed her to the hospital affiliated with the company. The hospital is conveniently located near the company.My mother built the hospital there to care for employees in the event of an industrial accident.Suddenly, two pairs of brown almond eyes meet mine, making me take my hand off her forehead and sit upright. It's been two hours and thirty minutes. She has been out for that long.As I stare at her speechless, I notice beads of sweat on her forehead, reminding me of the doct
Arabel's POVMy phone has been vibrating continuously for over ten minutes, making me rush out of the bathroom with my towel hanging loosely around me.It must be urgent. It must be Stella.I almost slip on the marble floor just before I get to the dresser, where my phone is still vibrating. I curse loudly and pick up the call."Hello," I say, sticking the phone to my ears and shoulder so I can tie my towel well in case Daisy decides to storm into my room."Hi," the familiar voice says, making me stop halfway tying my towel, my jaws unhinged.Richard.“Hi”, I almost stutter, wondering why he is calling. I know I should have called to thank him for today, but I didn't want to. “Thank you for today, sir.”“Are you home?” He questions out of the blue, making me raise a brow in confusion.He can't be here, can he?At the remembrance that the surprise visit was in London and not here, I let out a sigh of relief. He doesn't know where I live, in New York.“Is anything the problem?” I ask ag
Richard's POVRegret forms a jagged rock in my stomach as I watch her walk back the way she came without a word.Even though no one is in sight, shame soaks my skin and frustration eats at me.I know I made a huge mistake by asking her for a divorce, and I made an even bigger mistake by leaving home that night to go to Eve. If I hadn't left home, maybe I would have been able to stop her from leaving.But then Eve was my obsession. If I hadn't caught her cheating on me with my best friend, I wouldn't have thought of ever stopping Arabel from leaving.It makes the regret slump deeper in me as I drop my head to the wheels, thinking of what exactly to do to get her forgiveness.Obviously, she does not just hate me. She has not forgiven me yet, and I doubt if she will. She is finding it so hard to keep up with the pretense, and for the very first time since we met, I am beginning to feel scared of her coming out clean to tell me she is indeed Arabel.If she confesses, how do I apologize? H
Arabel's POVAlex's jaws clench, and his nostrils flare up in anger. Pretending not to notice, I grab Daisy's hand roughly before rushing back into the house.Richard is becoming a pest. Should I be regretting this partnership before its inception?I know he just did me a favor by bringing me my medications, but I know he used that to his advantage too.I already told him I am not Arabel. Why can't he just leave me the hell alone? Why does the past have to come haunting me now when the wound is almost healed?Time was what I gave. For me to heal completely. I did everything I could to ensure it happened. It is happening already, but he turned out to be my worst nightmare when I saw him at the anniversary as my partner.I wanted to flee. I wanted to scream. I wanted to hit him in the face and run off.But it was my dream.Having this feat is the only thing I have been on my list to achieve to take me to greater heights. Richard's company is one big industry, and having to be partners w
Richard's POVThe incessant ringing of my phone drags my attention away from the laptop in front of me. Lazily, I stretch a hand to grab the phone.It is Daisy.As my face breaks into a smile, pleasure spirals in my stomach.I don't call her, even though I am always tempted to. This is one rule I have decided to follow no matter what until Arabel comes out clean about her real identity and Daisy's.“Hey, princess," I mutter with a light chuckle.“Hey, buddy.”I laugh at that.“Buddy? Where did you hear that from?” I ask with curiosity.“From mom last night. She called Uncle Alex that, and when I asked her, she told me it meant friend. Since you are also my friend, I guess I am allowed to call you that, aren't I?”My pulse hitched.That guy is just her friend?I don't know whether to be glad about this piece of information or not. Considering what happened two nights ago, I decided to keep my distance for a while until she is fully recovered and back to work. I haven't seen her in two