Richard's POVEvery ounce of shame, guilt, and regret fills me inside, making my heart thump wildly.“I'm f**king sorry.” I drag a hand through my hair, looking down in defeat. “I'm sorry, Bella.”She sniffs and moves away. For a moment, I think she will leave and never come back again, but she surprises me by going to the couch to sit with her two hands over her forehead.I stay rooted in a spot, unsure of what I am supposed to say or do. Not sure if moving close to her is a great idea.She is sensitive to the topic of our divorce. And I understand.When she looks up at me, the raw pain in her eyes causes fear to gnaw at my heart. Even though she has forgiven me, forgetting everything is highly unlikely.I find myself moving towards her. When I am close enough, I kneel in front of her, her gaze fixated on me, I mutter. “I'm so sorry.”“It's fine.” She nods. “Just a date, right?”Shock completely submerges me, but I nod anyway. She let out a sad smile before leaning backward. “A date
Arabel's POVAs a tear trickles down my cheeks on my way out, I begin to wonder why. I keep asking myself if this heaviness inside my heart is because Richard keeps confessing his feelings for me while igniting mine, or if this is just because he kissed me again.After I warned him.I gave him a chance.He ruined it again. He couldn't hold himself back.In a haste to be far from here, to gather my thoughts and decide on what I really want, I bump my shoulder into someone just as the elevator opens.I stumble backward, but I am quick to grab myself, stopping me from falling to the ground.“I'm so sorry,” the young woman apologizes quickly, squatting down to grab my phone, which rolled down from my hand to the floor.I plaster a quick smile on my face so she won't assume I am offended by what happened. It is not entirely her fault; I wasn't looking either.I was blinded by my tears. When she looks up, my eyes flash in recognition as a low gasp leaves my mouth, making my heart beat lou
Richard's POV My hand freezes halfway to my ears, allowing my phone to crash to the floor, as soon as my eyes flash to catch sight of her red car driving off.Shit!She must have bumped into Eve downstairs.Without hesitation, I grab the phone and run back into the living room to get my shirt and car keys before heading out.Shit!That bitch. I wonder how she got to know this place. I'll make sure she never steps foot here again.With that determination, I dash out, not bothering to take the elevator, and quickly descend the staircase before sprinting to the car.My insides are in disarray. My mind is jumbled.What exactly am I supposed to tell Arabel for her to believe me? That bitch had never stepped foot in here; this is her first, but I am sure Arabel won't believe it.When I am inside my car, I angrily slam my fist on the wheels. My phone begins to ring, and I pick it up.“What?!” I bark into the phone, reversing out of the gate and turning onto the road at a high speed.“I want
Arabel's POVShock punches through the tatters of my anger. And my heart leaps with fear.After the loud noise, I shoot to my feet and listen attentively to the voices coming from the distance.Quickly, I call out. “Richard? Are you there? Are you okay? Richard?!”No reply.My heart skips another beat. My mouth becomes dry with indecision. Whether to believe what is going through my head and rush out or just sit back and wait for his call.But how can I do the latter when the call is still ongoing and I can't hear his voice? What the hell happened?“It's a man. Get an ambulance!” A strange voice shouts, making me step backwards with my hand over my mouth. I miss my step and fall on my buttocks.“An ambulance!” Another voice shouts over, and I finally disconnect the call.Shivering, I force myself back up and rush out of the room I just checked into less than thirty minutes ago.Richard. Please. Let it not be what I am thinking. Please.Tears are already streaming down my eyes. I don't
Arabel's POVI open my eyes again to land them on Caleb, who is sitting opposite Ashley and me. I turn to Ashley, and she wraps a hand around my shoulder, understanding what my look means.I'm blaming myself already.What if he dies? How could I live with that, knowing full well that I forgave him but not fully? Knowing full well that I caused it?I sob. The lump of dread stuck in my throat has refused to go down.The doctors won't let us in.We were just lucky enough to see him when he was brought out of the surgery room. There were tubes all around him, and I almost collapsed at the sight.Richard was hale and hearty an hour ago. Smiling at me. Kissing me.And now he is bedridden. Unconscious.How can I possibly cope with that? What do I tell Daisy? What if she asks him? Is this a punishment for me to value him more than I currently do?I blame myself because I keep pushing him away. Forgiving him was one thing; forgetting everything was another; and giving him another chance was o
Arabel's POVIf I didn't know better, I would have believed it the moment the words rolled out of Eve's mouth.“Richard and I are married in secret. I have the evidence in case you have your doubts,” she announce confidently, making Ashley's jaws drop.But I am not moved. Nor intimidated.“What rubbish are you spewing? Richard cannot marry a wh*re like you!” Mother retorts sharply, making me think she wants to believe what she is saying.“Ouch!” Eve pretends to feel hurt by her words. “Well, he is married to that wh*re now.”Eve turns slowly and leaves our presence with the doctor, leaving us helpless. Mother curses loudly and begins to make some calls while I stand rigid.Obviously, Eve recognizes me. Eve recognizes me not just now, but also when we were in the elevator an hour ago. That leaves us with one thing: this is planned.This is all planned.The reaction from me. And Richard's determination to chase after me and explain everything to me.Perhaps she is also responsible for t
Arabel's POVFor days, I haven't moved a muscle from where I am seated, right next to Richard's bed.The more days we spend here, the less my hope diminishes, leaving me with nothing but doubts and fear.I have cried. Pleaded. Prayed. Apologized. Hoped. And I wished for nothing but for him to open his eyes, smile at me, and tell me he loves me or that he would love to kiss me again.Just anything.Anything would do.But he has been silent. Eyes closed. And unconscious.It makes me wonder just how long he is going to be this way, even though I don't stop praying for him to come out of it.“Arabel?” Someone calls, coming into the room as I look over my shoulder. It is Mother. “Why aren't you sleeping? Did you even sleep at all?”It is just the break of dawn, but I haven't slept a wink in days. Most times, I don't cheat nature, and I make up for it by sleeping during the day, but at night, my eyes are always wide open, staring at Richard and hoping for a miracle.I shake my head without
Arabel's POVMy insides have been bubbling with excitement ever since I saw his fingers move again this morning.At exactly 2, the movement of his middle fingers catched my attention. I sat on the wooden seat beside his bed, watching Eve, who was fast asleep on the sofa.There is renewed hope building up inside me. Making a smile curve up my lips. As I wait for that miracle.Ever since he moved his finger the very day Eve had Mother thrown out, I have been expecting him to wake. But he hasn't.He keeps moving almost every single day without opening his eyes.But I don't want to be pessimistic. I believe he will be awake soon. That movement is a good sign.For no reason, I am in a good mood today. The movement was longer than every other one.The moment I tried to grab the moving finger, he stopped. Yawning loudly, Eve stands up and moves close to me, making me divert my attention back to her. I see her stare at Richard for a split second before turning to me.“I'm out to get breakfas