Richard's POVMy eyes drift slowly over her body again before I stare back at her face, trying to memorize every inch of her beautiful face.Brown eyes.Pink lips.Black straight hair.Pointed nose.She appears to be in shock, with her jaws slightly dropped.Carefully, I lift my eyes away from her, glancing around the entire place before looking down to see myself lying there.I am in a hospital bed.What happened? Who is this woman? Where am I?I look back at her, and I see her head slightly bent with a frown on her pretty face. It makes her look so small, pale, and sad, and I wish I could move closer to her and console her about whatever is causing her sadness.Suddenly, she lifts her eyes to meet mine, and I freeze.Beautiful. Captivating.It makes my heart beat twice its normal rate, assuring me of life. For a moment, I thought I was in heaven, dwelling with the angels, and attracted to this particular angel.“The doctor…” someone calls out, breaking into the buzzing tension betwe
Arabel's POVRight now, I wonder what it would feel like to have him remember me. To have him come hug me. Kiss me. Tell me how much he still loves me.Tell me that he remembers everything and that this is all just a silly prank to scare the hell out of me.I can't lose him to Eve again. Not again.Losing his memory is not as frightening as imagining how he would feel if he could only recall half of his memories, where Eve held a significant place in his life.What if he doesn't remember me? What if he never recalls our marriage or his mistake in divorcing me? What if he doesn't remember Daisy being his?With his gaze sweeping over me again, my heart picks up, and my breath grows deeper.Eve moves to his bedside and sits in, preventing me from seeing his face to determine if he recognizes me now or not.“Babe, I am Eve, and she is Arabella, your ex-wife. Can you believe she even pretended to be someone else? She lied to you by telling you she is Bella Portillo and not Arabel Cooper, s
Richard's POVDrowsily, I lie on my sides.I no longer feel the throbbing in my head, yet I continue to experience aches in my chest. It started when I couldn't recognize my own mother until I was told.That was when the gravity of my situation dawned on me.Not only can't I make out who I was with between the two women and who betrayed me, but I also can't remember my mother.I should have known the moment she walked in, sobbing and calling me her boy. But I didn't want to trust anyone, not when I could barely recognize myself.I feel like a shadow.Merely living. For a moment, I was tempted to ask the doctor to give me some sedative so I could sleep it off and wake up.Back to myself.Not to this man I don't know.Not remembering anything about my past. Or who I was.Arabel had empathy written on her face. Not regret or fear of me finding out I know who she was; a cheat like Eve claimed.Eve, on the other hand, looked desperate to get me out of here. To protect and guide me from eve
Arabel's POVA movement wakes me up.Fluttering my eyes open, I lift my gaze to the open window, allowing sunlight to seep into the room and making it bright.Slowly, I sit up, only to connect my gaze with Richard.He's observing me. Sitting up in bed, making my heart stutter in my chest.His eyes narrow, raking all over me as he asks. “Did you sleep here all night?”His voice is not like the voice of the man I know. It's been a week since he woke up from his coma, and I hardly recognize him as Richard.It hurts.Mother persuaded me to stay back and come with him to the mansion. Maybe that will help restore his memory, but for over a week now, nothing has happened.Nothing is working.Not even having Daisy constantly around him. He was always watching her with smiles, but no form of recognition appeared in his eyes.He doesn't even recognize his own child.The more I think about it, the more I blame myself. The more I wish I could turn back the hands of time to change everything, Righ
Richard's POVWaking up with a jolt, I see sweat pouring down my face as my heart skips with fear lodging in.A nightmare.But I can't even remember what happened. Yet I can feel how scary it must have been.Is it because of my memory?These past few weeks, it has been so difficult to go a day without having a throbbing headache because of how numerous scenes race through my head.The doctor mentioned it might be due to the fact that I was beginning to regain some parts of my memory, but I still can't remember anything.Everything is blank.With a finger running through my hair, I get out of bed with a groan. I reach the door, pull it open, and bump into someone.I raise my head to see her.Arabel.A frown creases her face. “Are you okay?”I remove my hand from my hair and shake my head.“A nightmare again?” She demands with a tone laced with worry and concern. This is when I realize she is carrying a tray bearing my meal.I nod and turn back in. She follows, shutting the door behind
Arabel's POVRichard is practically forcing me out on a date.But I have my own plans.We plan to visit places we have visited together, allowing him to experience the familiar sensation of having been there before.That would help him recover his memory. I know I vowed to confess my feelings for him the moment he wakes up, but I can't do that when he can't even remember who I was.My job right now is to ensure he remembers everything and makes a decision; whether he wants me or not.My decision was a result of all the unanswered questions that kept spinning in my head. Questions about what would happen when he remembered it all? The arranged marriage, the divorce, and having him chase me around the world again for a second chance?Would he still want that?Having to date him when he can barely remember who he was is just like taking advantage, and I don't want that to happen.I want him to remember me. Remember our child. Remember it all.Then we can take it to the next level.My bod
Richard's POVA pulsing ache in my head makes me grab a strong hold of the wheels, my eyes shutting for a minute before the light turns green for us to go.Moving ahead, I notice how silent Arabel has been since we left the dance shop, and it leaves me sparing her a glance.Just to see her watching me.Intensely.I look away instantly, afraid she will see through me and not believe the lie I am about to feed her.The memories.Back bits by bits as soon as I stepped out of that dance shop to find the little girl. My head was spinning as a scene raced through me.It was the scene of the day Daisy went missing at the dance shop. Just like that little girl went missing and her mother was hysterical.Arabel was acting almost the same. Squatting at the entrance of the dance shop, crying her eyes out, while I rushed out to find Daisy with fear gnawing at my heart.I think that was what brought it all together.That single incident, with Daisy missing, and Arabel's reaction.“Aren't you going
Arabel's POVIt is exhausting.Spending my time thinking of a future that seems far-fetched. Hoping for a new beginning with him.Each time I hope for something more, something bad seems to spring up.At first, I thought he had recovered his memory with that look on his face, but now I find out that the marriage Eve claimed was between them is real.How?Richard had been in the hospital since his accident. I have been with him all along, until now.How did that marriage happen?Was it before the accident?As I drive to Ashley's place, I keep fuming, fixating my eyes on the road so I don't lose focus.This is making me question my decision to be close to him, care for him, and even give him a chance when he eventually recovers his memory.Richard couldn't defend himself. He couldn't say anything until I saw the certificate in his hand.I don't need a soothsayer to explain what that means.The marriage is genuine.However, marriage requires both a man and a woman. A woman cannot be marr
Arabel's POVA YEAR LATERA smile radiates from my face as I give my reflection one last check.Unable to ignore the blushes on my cheeks, I remain conscious of the excitement fluttering in my stomach, making me feel like a young adult getting married for the first time in her life.Because the first wedding wasn't real, it feels like the first time. We didn't tie the knot out of love, but this time we're marrying because we love each other.It took me birthing Andrew Giodano to realize what I wanted: to have a family with Richard.He never mentioned marriage to me again until a week after the birth of Andrew, when I asked him when he would propose to me again.His jaws dropped in surprise, but quickly disappeared as relief took over. Before I could do anything, he swept me up in his arms and spun me around.Before he could drop me back on my feet, I bit his shoulder.Everything feels surreal.This is indeed happening. This time, I won't stop myself from telling him how much I love hi
Richard's POVArabel suggested a family date night with mom, Ashley, Caleb, and Daisy present. I haven’t seen her for more than an hour because she is bent on supervising every single meal that comes out of the kitchen tonight.It makes a little smile dance across my face.Sometimes, the pregnancy takes a toll on her. Initially, she experienced morning sickness and constant cravings.At times, she exudes energy and happiness, and today is one of those days.She mentioned she wasn't like this with Daisy. Her pregnancy was stress-free except for the first three months, when she couldn't control her cravings and could barely devour any meals she prepared.When a car drives into the courtyard, I stand up to welcome our first guests, Ashley and Caleb. I still haven't gotten used to the fact that Ashley is no longer my employer but my friend’s wife.Caleb is gradually taking up the role of a best friend in my life. He is very supportive, just like Ashley loves and supports Arabel.He stood
Arabel's POVStella had just left my office, only to rush back in with a bouquet of flowers and a bright smile on her face.I raise a brow in question, dropping the pen in my hand and asking, “Who is that for?”"You, of course,” she replies, making butterflies erupt in my stomach at the thought of Richard.Is he back in London?I shoot up to my feet as she drops the bouquet on my desk. My eyes catch the little note stuck in between, and I grab it.‘To the most beautiful woman ever.’My heart begins to beat faster as I feel an instant burst of excitement. When I glance up, Stella is still standing with a grin on her face.Just as I am about to ask her to leave, she mutters. “He is waiting outside.”He is really here. My eyes widen as I drop the card, signaling for her to leave. As soon as she leaves, I attempt to maintain composure and avoid displaying excessive excitement before heading out.Richard has been away for two weeks now, and it feels like eternity. Just yesterday, I was tem
Richard's POVI open the door quietly to see Arabel standing by the window with her arms wrapped around her waist.She is so engrossed, she doesn't even know when I enter fully until I step closer to her and wrap my hands from behind around her stomach.She freezes.“Richard?!” She calls with surprise, and a low chuckle leaves my mouth.She turns around, allowing my hands to drop. “Who else would it be?”I pull her closer and give her a brief kiss on the lips.“What are you doing here?” She glances around her room, probably wondering if I came with someone. “What are you doing here this late?”“I miss you,” I admit in a soft voice.She chuckles and steps back, her arms still around her waist. “But we saw each other a few days ago, Richard. I thought you said you were okay with me being here in London.”I did.But I can't help it. She gave me a condition, and that condition is for her to go back to London.Her home was in London.I didn't give it much thought before giving in. I didn't
Arabel's POVFollowing my gut is the best thing I can do to reach a decision.I must decide whether to follow my heart's desires or not. For years, I have tried. I have tried to find other men attractive, but none have ever gotten my heart racing the way Richard does.I have tried to despise the man I bore a child for, but nothing has worked. Even though I harbored intense anger towards him for abandoning me, my love for him surpasses even life itself.The words he spewed at me that day, after announcing the divorce, began to ring in my ears.“Remember the agreement we had? Now that Eve is back, we should get a divorce so I can marry her.”The agreement!I thought he was talking about how he told me he still loved Eve. I never recalled him mentioning that our marriage was going to be temporary.I misunderstood him.My overexcitement made me overthink his words that day.And my refusal to feel bad about him having a girlfriend while we are getting married.How could I have thought he w
Richard's POVShe is wearing the dress.Emotions begin to spiral as I try hard to keep the tears from flowing.When she turns to me, I dart my eyes away quickly and focus on the road.Finally, she breaks the silence. “Where are we going, Richard?”The sound of my voice leaving her beautiful, inviting lips sounds so much like music to me. It prompts me to steal another glance at her beautiful face.She raises a brow, reminding me of the question.“You will see,” I only say, forcefully peeling my eyes off her and hoping she won't insist on knowing where I am taking her. “We are almost there.”Silence falls.The fact that she is wearing the dress I bought for her, which I left on the bed before sending her a text to get dressed because I have somewhere to take her, brings me immense joy.It's tempting me to grab her in my arms and slam my lips on hers.After a few more minutes of driving in silence, I pull over in front of the diner, nervousness sinking into my system.She looks out of t
Arabel's POVBy the time I drive into the open gates of Ashley's home, I can't keep my left hand from trembling with intense pain.My decision to drive here with one hand unbandaged and the other in cast is an impulsive one, but I was too desperate to be here to think of another alternative.I carefully park the car in the garage and exit, a wince leaving my mouth.I am not supposed to drive here myself, but the tension around Richard and I since I found out about my pregnancy has been so awkward.We haven't talked about it, and Ashley was the first person who came to mind. I could barely stay calm back at the hospital. All I was thinking of was Ashley and about coming here to see her.When I get to the front door, my phone begins to ring, but I ignore it as I hasten to go in.Ashley doesn't know I'm here. The moment I see her maid, I flash her a quick smile. “Where is she?”“In the living room,” she answers after greeting me politely.Without hesitation, I practically jog to the livi
Arabel's POVMy eyes drift open at the sound of Richard's voice. When I can't see him anywhere around, I lift myself up from the bed, wincing a little, and rest my back on the headboard.He arrives with a phone glued to his right ear.Our eyes lock.“I will have Scott come to you in a couple of hours,” he mutters, his gaze not leaving mine. “Good. Thank you.”He drops the call, and a smile creeps to his face.A frown is etched on my face as I begin to wonder how I got into bed.“Hey,” Richard says, closing the distance between us, his gaze not wavering. “Are you okay?”When I don't answer, he presses his lips on mine briefly before pulling away while I sit still, just in time for his phone to start ringing again.“Work?” I watch him bounce his gaze from me to his phone. He is indecisive on whether to pick up the call or not, probably because he thinks I will convince him to go back home again.“I will call her later, are you okay?” He presses the reject button, then digs it back into
Richard's POVThe ringing sound of my phone cuts my laughter short as I dig my hand into my pants pocket to fish out the phone with my gaze still fixed on Daisy watering the flowers.I glance at my screen and see that it is Amy, my secretary.She was employed after Ashley resigned. She is nowhere near as excellent as Ashley, but she is okay.Having been away from work for about a month, I wouldn't be this concerned if Ashley was still my secretary.Amy calls me for every single thing.I get that she is still new, but some of her calls are totally unnecessary. I'm thinking of asking Ashley to help me put her through some things while I'm here in London.“Amy?” As soon as I answer the call, Daisy turns to face me. I signal to her to continue watering the flowers before I move away.“Good morning, sir,” she says politely. “Are you back in New York?”“No, Amy. I told you I would be back next week, didn't I?” I remember telling her this a week ago, and two weeks ago, too.“The appointment