Reina's POV
I gasped out with sweat running down my face, and my chest heaving heavily, I flipped my gaze around taking in sight of the room I was in when I saw Nina, seated on the long couch, how long had she been sitting there?A wave of pain shot through my body, numbing me for seconds, and I reclined against the wall, squeezing my eyes tight as memories from what had happened came back just like a running train would have.Did he hate me that much already? I could remember vividly well that I had stretched out a hand to him, hoping that he would hold me but he had flashed a grin at me before stepping back."My babies" I gasped out, running a hand on my stomach, were they gone?"Reina..?" Nina's voice came through and I flicked my eyes open,"My babies….." I whispered with dread filling my voice, that shallow feeling in my stomach seemed to have worsened,"Don't tell me I lost them?" She averted her gaze to the ground and my heart flipped, my hands lay limp by my side and I could feel life snuffing out of me with each moment that passed. Does it mean I have lost everything? My children also?I clasped a hand over my mouth as I tried as hard as I could not to let out the muffled cries, I couldn't do that. The bed dipped when she sat beside me, before taking my hands in hers."Your babies Reina" She tilted my head to face her, placing a finger underneath my chin. "Are fine"I sighed in relief, pulling my hands from hers before caressing them, and cooing gently to them. "I thought that I had lost them…. I did…when I slipped down and hit my head on the tile…I thought" Tears cascaded down my face and I let them down as my body convulsed, Nina pulled me close, patting me gently on the back"Why do you keep making excuses for him when he doesn't deserve them? Why…."" I didn't" I shrugged, but I knew it was all a lie."You did Reina, you didn't slip and I know it…the doctor said you were pushed," she palmed her forehead, a hand on her waist."Tell me how exactly did it happen? What did you do wrong that Richard had to treat you in such a way? Not minding the fact that you were pregnant, with his child"" He doesn't know that I am pregnant" I whispered under my breath, but the look on her face told me she heard what I had said perfectly well.She squinted her eyes at me, a dumbfounded look on her face," You said you were going to tell him, so why didn't you?"I gazed up at the ceiling, fixing my gaze on the one hole in it, the one that seemed to pull me in the longer I stared at it. "Ariana is back"The silence that ensued was deafening and I could tell she was going to have a hard time also" He is leaving you for Ariana? Isn't he? That's good for nothing man, the same person who you shouldn't have given an effing chance is leaving you for his ex-girlfriend?"I nodded my head at her" That jerk who you had given it all to, your shares, Reina, gosh" she palmed her head, stalking toward the door.My body shook when I remembered all that I had done for him, I remember how he kept calling me his helper when I had stormed the company, just to vote for him, my family had the highest share after his and he had been glad when I had handed it all to him, wasn't I foolish? Thinking he wouldn't leave?" I. Told. You. I. Warned. You but you didn't listen, you told me that he wouldn't hurt you and that he had promised never to leave you now this"" Is this all you get in return, for your years of helping him, like how….tell me how…does this even make sense?"" Nina, please stop" I fiddled with my hands while staring at her with glossy eyes, remembering how I had chased her away only to know that she was the only one who had been here," Let me tell you what you are supposed to know, Richard hasn't been here for over two weeks, two weeks Reina" she raised two of her fingers, pointing them at me."And this…" she picked up a piece of documents, one that I could recognize even at first glimpse, she threw them at me. " He gave instructions that you should sign them whenever you are awake" I picked up the documents that were thrown at me."Don't you think I should talk to him? Please hand over the phone…I need to place a call to him…I need him to know that I am awake and I want to tell him that we are having babies…please Nina," I placed both of my palms together, rubbing them."Just this once…this once and I promise not to look back…let me talk things out with him and I will make a decision"She sighed heavily and dipped her hands into the bag by her side before stretching the phone to me.I fidgeted as I tried to type in Richard's number and when it finally went through, I placed a hand on my chest when it hit the voicemail."Hmmm..'' I gulped in, trying it countless times,"He isn't picking, is he?" I continued, not wanting to listen to whatever it is that Nina was saying."Come on…please pick up" I pleaded as I tried again, and relief washed over me when he finally answered." Richard.. this is Reina and I am calling to let you know that I am fine now and that I am expecting our babies, not just one but two of them... you know you always talked about twins…I am finally pregnant..can you have a change of heart?" I fiddled with my fingers as I waited for him to give me an answer" Richard isn't here, and he would never know about your babies, I will make sure of that Reina, so get rid of them"The phone slipped through my hands, hitting the bed I was on as my chest tightened, everything seemed to be working against me, why? My eyes glistened with tears on them as I stared at Nina who had picked up the phone, flipping it in the air."He didn't pick up," I said amidst tears, "Richard didn't pick up, he had given Ariana the phone, or maybe…he isn't there…yes," I nodded," That is the only reason why Ariana would pick up because I do not understand why this is happening"Nina walked closer to me, cupping my cheek, before forcing me to stare at her. " You look just like a mess" she whispered to me, while caressing my face gently." And you do not look like the Reina I had grown up with, get a hold of yourself and do the needful"I shook my head, there was no way I could, " I cannot let him go, Nina, not Richard, I cannot do that and…"" He has let you go!" Her voice was cold, and it penetrated through my heart, numbing me for a second"And you should too"" Do you think it is for the best? What if.." I shrugged but I couldn't find the right word to say anymore, I knew I had kept making up excuses for him" Do it, Reina…" Nina fixed her eyes on the documents, " Do it and let's get away from this place together, away from him and let's start life anew"" With you?" She nodded before flashing a smile at me.I let out an exasperated sigh, before taking the documents,skimming through them, life with Nina didn't seem so bad. I took the pen I was handed, scrambling gently on the paper" I think it is time I let him go, Nina"Richard's POVI sat on the chair, the air heavy with dread, as my eyes drifted to the papers that littered about the office. The scent of the coffee that I had ordered my secretary to brew for me a while ago lingered in the air, but still, I couldn't take my eyes off the documents that had just been placed on my table, the one with the large font in front of it that read divorce papers.A while ago, Ryan had walked in, holding them in his hands, and although I had prayed that it was just a figment of my imagination playing out on me, I was faced with the sad reality that it wasn't when he had slammed it on the table again, jolting me out of my thoughts My heart ached as I reached out to take it, fiddling through the pages. I just couldn't believe Reina had signed them, my chest tightened, and a lump formed in my throat, one that stayed, no matter how hard I tried to force it down. “Richard, I'm sorry,” Ryan apologized, his voice dripping with sympathy, that made me chuckle, why wa
Richard's POV“I don't care whatever it is that you intend on doing or how exactly you are going to search for her but get me Reina!” I screamed at Darren, my nerves bulging out as I punched the wall, denting it in the process,He stood still, not moving an inch further away, “I have searched everywhere for her, It has been weeks, and she is nowhere to be found, Why don't you just give up on her?” I shot him a glare, one that I was sure as hell sent shudders down his spine as I demanded him to say what he had just said again, “What did you just say?” I asked, while tapping on my knee earnestly, waiting for an answer,He said words that came out in muffled sounds before shaking his head to the side, “Nothing boss” he answered before turning on his heels and making his way out of my office.I ran a hand through my locks, before letting out a hiss, I was vexed, vexed at everything happening. Why had she gone that far? What happened to our promise to be with each other forever? I wondered
Richard's POV It was taking all the restraint in me to keep my sanity in check as my eyes bore through the laptop in front of me, the stocks were plummeting with each minute. I stood up, with my hands placed on my waist before kicking the chair in anger, my feet stung, but I couldn't care less as I fumed in anger, I threw a glance at the door when it was yanked open and Darren stepped in, his face was stormy, and I could tell the answer already, “She is nowhere to be found” I took in a deep breath, hoping that it would help me think better, but it did little to help, it was times like this when I needed Reina more, months without her felt so dark and I needed her,“The shareholders? What exactly is going on?” I was trying everything inside of me to be calm, trying not to look at the system in front of me, but I couldn't. I bit on my nails anxiously as I waited for an answer, “Speak!” “ Somehow the news of what you have done found its way to the reporters, and they were all eager
Richard's POV“ They are here” Darren announced as he pushed the door open, his eyes fixed on mine, I stood up, picking up my blazer with me before storming toward the door. My heart stomped fast against my rib cage, “ What do you think it's going to be? Do you think it will be in our favor? The shareholders, do you think they are going to listen to me?” I blurted out, I knew that I shouldn't be having cold feet, at least not presently but I just couldn't help it." They should, you are still the CEO of the company” he answered. I knew that he was trying to help, but it wasn't helping at all. “ I hope so” I placed a hand on the doorknob before pulling it back quickly like I had been scalded by a hot iron. I could hear them all, chattering and talking, I knew that I had to prepare myself for the worst, but I didn't want that either.Taking a deep breath, I pushed the door gently before stepping in. Contrary to what I was expecting and how it should have been, they didn't stand up li
Reina's POV“Hand it back” I snapped at Nina, stretching my hands out at her. Her eyes were fixed on me, a sullen look on her face, “ What do you think you are doing? Tell me Reina'' she held my arms, forcing me up, “Tell me you aren't thinking of helping him because if that is what you are thinking, I would never forgive you”.“Yes” I nodded, giving her an answer, "Yes, that is what I want to do, I cannot watch the company I painstakingly built go down the drain, I just can't”Her eyes darkened, as she flipped her head to the side, “He hurt you, can't you see he is facing the repercussions? Can't you see that? Why do you want to help the very person who broke you? Whyyyyy!” she yelled out. My eyes turned misty with tears, I was finding it hard to explain to her, “You love him still, don't you?” Her eyes widened in shock when I stared into hers, “ Whyyyyy? Why do you still love someone like him? He doesn't even want you back, he doesn't even respect you, and now you are talking abo
Reina's POV“ Stay with me, Reina” Nina held my hands tightly when I was lowered on the stretcher, the pain that shot through me made me gnash my teethA tear slipped through my cheek when the memory came back again, this time harder than the last, the way Richard's face had lit up when he stared at Ariana had broken me, why her? Why does it have to be her? I kept asking myself repeatedly until I couldn't anymore. I knew I needed to stay sane, the dark crimson color that had flown down my leg was there still and Nina's pleading voice for me to stay with her was still echoing in my head. “ I can't…. I can't…anymore” I flicked my head to the side as the intensity worsened, it was taking every single thing inside of me to keep my strength, I wanted to meet with my babies, they deserved that much.Her feet sank to the ground, “No…no…you can… Reina..you can't, gosh, Reina, don't do this, don't…” she pleaded as I felt darkness envelop me, I could feel myself drifting with each moment that p
Reina's POVI listened with a stern look on my face while holding one of the twins firmly, my chest beating fast.“ I can still remember when we were little, I keep thinking about what it is that you didn't like about me, but you just wouldn't say” Jackson shrugged, a frown on his face as he peered into my eyes. I was taken aback at what he had just said. It was true that I didn't really fancy him then, and it was still the same now. It has never changed. “I would have been a better choice, you know” he added while dipping a hand into his pocket, “But I guess, I wasn't fit enough to stand close to you” My heart ached as I clenched the blanket I was holding, Nina stood at a far distance with Kelvin and when our eyes met, she flashed a smile at me, while urging me on. It was amazing how she had managed to get along with Jackson in the span of a short time, and she was always chipping in words of how he was just perfect for me. I couldn't recall how many times I had to remind her abou
Reina's POVI couldn't stop the drumming of my heart as I stared into the mirror, everything seemed to be moving too fast. It seemed just like yesterday since I had Kelvin and Karen and when Jackson came into my life and now, this was happening.The door creaked open, and my breath hitched when a hand touched me," Nina" I whispered anxiously. “ You look so tense, loosen up a bit, would you? It is a date and nothing more, besides you have gone on countless other dates with him, so why are you looking this way?” I heaved, hoping that it would calm down my racing heart, but it did nothing to help," I cannot just fix my hands on it, but I can feel that something huge is about to happen” I loosened up to her while biting on my lips nervously. She closed the gap between us, leaning forward, “All you have to do is be positive, stay positive, and stop jittering around, take a deep breath and everything will be fine” she assured me. I snapped my head at her, nodding gently, it didn't seem
Ryan's POV “Am I doing too much?” I questioned Richard who stood by my side. I had on a sea green suit and a blue lapel which was to match with the gown she had on, but she wasn't here yet. I didn't know what to do, if I was going to cry, but I wanted to do this clear headed and without shedding a tear. It wouldn't make me masculine like I was supposed to be. She shouldn't see me tearing up. Richard stood by my side, in a peach suit to match Reina's own. “You doing too much would be you tearing up when she shows up to the aisle, please don't do that. You did before and it wasn't easy for me to stop you, don't make me do that again” he pleaded. I bore a hole in him at the words he had just spoken. He wasn't supposed to say that .He was still going to rub it over my face. “You did the same to me, remember?” he quizzed when he saw the look on my face. “So I don't really think I am doing anything wrong by telling you what I just did” I shook my head, not wanting to listen to him.
Nina’s POV “ You don't get it Reina” I hadn't known when exactly this had happened, but it was too much. I had given up on Christopher right now because I had no other option, but that was because my mum looked so happy with him. I knew he was young, well, too young if I am asked, but my mother being happy was everything to me and I wanted her to be. “ You both were going at it raw, what did you expect? A truckload of gifts?”Wait, what? “ I am almost in tears right now,” I explained. I just couldn't explain it, but I was really tearing up. She stood up, patting me on the back. “ It's the hormones, you are actually tearing up” “I am pregnant, just a month to our wedding and I don't know how to tell him, the wedding gown won't fit” “ The designer can always work on it, we can have her do that” “ But still, I am not ready for this. I don't know if I want this child, it is too much for me to bear right now, what exactly am I to do?” I questioned. I had to think about this. All t
Ryan's POV That name didn't ring a bell at all, why would somebody who wasn't affiliated to them do something like that? Or was it that we didn't know what exactly we were searching for? “ I can't really say” We both got into the Porsche as I answered.“ There is no one else that would be able to give an answer except her, but I don't know where she is”“ Who?” “ Her mother of course, I am so sure Nina doesn't know anyone by that name, and it will be so awkward bringing that up to her, we need to be certain. We don't want her suspecting us now, would we?” A part of me was glad that I didn't have to do this anymore, it would have pricked me a bit to know that. Richard was a drive away from the bar when my phone rang out. “ Ryan, where are you?” I could sense the urgency in her tone as she asked. I swallowed, gazing at Richard whose eyes were probing to know what's wrong when I answered. “ With Richard, is something wrong?” “ Yes, can you come over? I am at the morgue and I di
Nina's POV I had never felt this jittery in years, months even with how tense I was, I thought I was going to mess things up. “ You have to calm down, he is just your mother's spouse” That brings us back to why we were here, my mother's spouse, the one she said she wanted to introduce to me. I had wanted to be here first, just to get along foremost before passing it on to anybody what exactly he looked like, but my mother had insisted I came with Reina. She was better than me, as it was to be expected, and she was here to keep me in place or so I had thought. “ Something bulging your mind?” I shook my head when she asked. We had just gotten to the spot, fine dining with a reservation so difficult to get even if you were well known, but we seemed to be here, my mum had said this was the designated venue, and so we had to be here on time. “ It's now or never” the door opened with a slight push from me and we were in. It didn't take so long to find the booth that we were looking
Ryan's POV A smile crested over my face while I hummed alongside to perfect by Ed Sheeran, that was how my life was like currently, it was going the right path that I wanted it to be. Stepping on the gas, I couldn't keep thinking of how everything was just the way it should be presently, but there was merely a problem and that one had to be taken care of. I slammed the brakes in front of Richard's company, swept my gaze around when I stepped out of the car, beaming at the CCTV camera that told me he had his eyes glued on it. I figured him letting out a string of curses at what I had just done, before turning his attention back to his pile of documents. When he wasn't with Reina and the kids, playing the obsessed husband, he had his head into his documents trying to work even harder. Stepping into the elevator, I waited for it to drop me in front of his office and when I did, I pushed the door open. “ You should take a breath, you are always working” I pointed at him when I was
Nina's POV I beamed at the hand that had wrapped itself around me, before kissing me noisily. Pushing him off gently, I let out a plea. “ Let me sleep a bit, hmm” I pleaded while trying to shut my eyes a bit when the scent of freshly baked potatoes and cabbage lamb roast stew had me opening them in a sec. “ You surely do know how to get me” I gave him a slight jab at the arm before staring around, my mouth watered at the sight before me. “A little bit burnt, but I guess it's the intentions that matters” Ryan said while being nervous. I could tell because he was unusually jittery, which wasn't a fine attribute of his person, unless he had done something wrong, or he intended to do something that has him this way, I hope it was the latter because I could do without any huge thing at the moment. “ Spill” I urged, taking a scoop of the delicious goodness in front of me. A moan escaped my lips sending a little tingle in-between my legs when he stared at me like I was the most delic
Nina's POV “ Mother” I ran across the pavement after slamming the door shut, accepting the hand she had given me. “ Nina” she enclosed me into her arms, savoring the moment. “ Are you okay? I heard about the verdict?” I bobbed at her, giving her an answer. “ It was nothing, I feel better now, and I am glad that I had to watch” She searched my eyes probing before she pulled away, grasping my hands in hers as she sauntered off with me in suite. “ Is something wrong?” She shook her head. We were at our house, the one where everything had gone down, where I had been poisoned, where I had come to seek refuge after Ryan, and where my father had decided to get. We had memories from this house, a lot of it and I would have kept them all if the very last wasn't as painful as it had been. She smiled briefly before shaking her head. “ Would you want anything else? I am bringing down the house”“ Mother” I exhaled. That must have caused a lot of decisions and I didn't really know if
Nina's POV My hands squeezed around Reina as as we waited for the judge's verdict, my heart slammed so hard as she made a point on how he had committed murder, and had burnt an orphanage killing kids as well. Everyone had watched the video and it had been brutal. So brutal that I had shut my eyes through it all. “ Brian is sentenced to death by shooting for mass murder, and it should be carried out immediately” she snapped the pen she held into two. He stood up, eyes bloodshot as he glared at the judge. My heart spiked as I recalled what he had done the last time, thinking of how he might make a repeat of the same thing, it was going to be heart-wrenching. “ You won't be able to kill me. You won't be able to, what makes you any different from me? You do the same thing as I do, and you are still alive, you can't!” My eyes brimmed with tears in them, as Ryan punched a hand up in the air, his eyes were on me as he mouthed out. “ We did it” I knew he was also trying to tell me abou
Ryan's POV My eyes slithered into red when I saw him pinning her against the wall. “ Fuck” I cursed, pushing against the chair in my way before shoving the door open. It came open in a crank and shoving him away from her, I threw a punch into his face. He collided against the wall, before aiming one at me. He threw one on my face, which I returned before we were pulled away. “ I will make sure you live the rest of your life behind bars” I yelled at him, venomously. Even if it was going to take my last breath, I was going to make that happen. Nina stood at the far edge, a hand around her neck as she took in gasps of air, pulling off the jacket I had on, I threw it over her before guiding her out. I made sure we were safe in the car before zooming off. I didn't know what I was going to know if he had hurt her more than this, maybe send his body rolling, I would have made him regret every single thing about his life. I might have ended up punching him to death, the rage in me st