Onika's POV I scrolled through my phone, my thumb moving lazily over the screen. I wasnât looking for anything in particular just something to distract myself. But then I saw my name."Onika moves to another man shortly after the scandal.""Scorned lover? Onika spotted with mystery man after Russo fallout.""Onika's swift rebound was it all a game?"My stomach twisted. My hand, which had been resting casually on my thigh, tightened into a fist. I clicked on one of the articles, already regretting it.It wasnât just the headline that stung it was the comments."She didnât even wait for the scandal to die down before moving on?""I knew she was playing the victim."Nathan dodged a bullet."My vision blurred slightly as I scrolled through the attached images. My heart, already heavy, sank even further.The pictures werenât even recent. They were from the night of the gallery event. The night I saw Nathan again.I tapped on the images, enlarging them. My face was clear as day, but the ma
Onika's POV I sat in the back of the cab, my phone clutched in my hands, staring at the message Nathan had sent earlier."Meet me at the lounge at 8. I have something to show you."I had read it over and over, trying to decide if I should go. I had told myself I was done with him, that I didnât need any more of his explanations or excuses. But when Laura saw me hesitating, she told me to go."Just hear him out, Onika," she had said. "If nothing else, at least youâll get answers."And I wanted answers.So here I was, outside the lounge, hesitating with my hand on the car door handle.I let out a slow breath. My heart felt heavy in my chest, my stomach twisted in knots. This wasnât just any meeting. This was the moment that could change everything.Did I even want that?I shook off the thought, pushed open the door, and stepped out onto the sidewalk.The lounge was quieter than I expected. Dimly lit, filled with soft music and hushed conversations. It was private, the kind of place Nat
Onika's POV The city was quieter than usual as I stepped out of the cab, but maybe that was just my mind playing tricks on me. Everything felt distant, muffled, as if the world had decided to slow down while my thoughts raced ahead.I pulled my coat tighter around me, the evening chill biting against my skin as I walked toward my apartment building. The streets were almost empty, the streetlights casting long shadows on the sidewalk.My mind was still tangled in knots from my earlier meeting with Nathan.I had walked away telling myself I needed time to think, but the truth was, I had already been thinking. Ever since I saw the proof he presented, I had been struggling with one overwhelming question.Had I been wrong about him?Everything he showed me the documents, the reports, the analysis of the pictures used in the scandal it all pointed to one thing. Someone had set him up. Someone had gone to extreme lengths to make sure I believed he had betrayed me.And I had believed it.I h
Onika's POV "Onika, Onika," Laura muttered as she tapped me continuously."What, what, what," I mumbled out of my sleep.How I managed to sleep despite this storm inside of me, I didn't know. I guess it was for the better."I think I have an idea who's behind all of this," she muttered."What?" I exclaimed my eyes widened in surprise."Okay hear me out out okay," she started. I arranged myself on my bed to listen to her attentively. "I think Gina is the one behind all of these.""What kind of assumptions is that? Gina's in prison, there's no way that could happen," I said."Then who else would have the motive to do such things? Think about only Gina can do these things," Laura said."According to Nathan, his mom is behind all of these," I muttered."Yeah, I forgot to ask what did Nathan say to you," Laura asked."He brought evidence Laura, evidence," I muttered."What evidence?" She asked her eyes widened with curiosity."Evidence that the pictures are fake, his picture wa fabricated
Nathan's POV I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling for what felt like forever. The quiet hum of my office did nothing to ease my mind. The past few weeks had been a rollercoaster of emotions, but for the first time, I felt something close to relief.Onika hadnât pushed me away completely.She had asked for time.That meant she was considering everything I had told her.It wasnât a rejection, it was hesitation. And hesitation meant there was still a chance.I picked up my phone and stared at her contact. My fingers hovered over the call button. I could call her right now. Hear her voice. Maybe even convince her that she didnât need any more time.But I knew better.She had been through too much already. Pushing her now would only make her retreat further.I exhaled sharply and set my phone back on the desk.Patience.I needed patience.I pushed my chair back and stood, stretching out the tension in my shoulders. It had been a long time since I had allowed myself to feel ho
Onika's POV Gina's out, there's a sucide incident entangling Nathan in it, just when I wanted to decide to forgive him, this comes up and changes my mind.I didn't know what to think or believe anymore.I laid on the bed, my eyes heavy. I needed to sleep, my body demanded for it.I've been thinking too much, I needed to rest and I allowed myself to.My body and mind went to a rest as I shut my eyes, the sleep closing in.A sharp buzz from my phone startled me awake.I groggily reached for it, my heart pounding slightly from the abrupt awakening. I blinked a few times, adjusting to the dim glow of my screen.Nathanâs name was on the notification.I hesitated before unlocking my phone. The last time we spoke, I had told him I needed time. I wasnât sure if I was ready to hear from him again so soon.Still, my curiosity got the better of me, and I tapped on the message.Nathan: Onika, I need to tell you something. Kent was the one who stole the artwork from your gallery.My body went com
Onika's POV I sat in silence, staring at the screen in front of me. The name glared back at me like a warning sign, something I had overlooked for far too long.Kentâs real last name wasnât what I thought it was.It was something else.Something that tied everything together.My stomach twisted. My breath came out in short, uneven puffs as my fingers curled tightly around the edge of Matteoâs desk."Onika?" Lauraâs voice was hesitant, her hand resting on my shoulder.I swallowed hard, still unable to tear my eyes away from the screen.Kentâs last name before he changed it matched the name on the death certificate from the anonymous package I received.His sister.The woman who allegedly killed herself because of Nathan.It all made sense now.He had a personal vendetta.Laura leaned over, her eyes scanning the screen as realization dawned on her face."Wait," she muttered, piecing everything together. "Kentâs last name used to be Harrow? As in... the same last name as the woman from
Onika's POV I paced about, gripping my phone so tightly my knuckles turned white. Nathanâs name stared back at me from the screen, the call button just a tap away.But I couldnât bring myself to press it.My thumb hovered, frozen in place.I didnât want to call him.I had promised myself I would stay away, I wanted to stay away till I made a decision, till I found out the truth.But nowâŠI sighed, rubbing my forehead.I couldnât deny it he was the only one who could help me.Nathan had resources, people, ways to dig into things I could never access on my own. If I wanted answers, if I really wanted to uncover the truth, I needed him.But calling him meant opening a door I wasnât sure I could close again.I bit my lip, staring at the screen like it would make the decision for me.What if he didnât pick up?Worse what if he did?I could already hear his voice in my head, calm and steady. I could already see the way heâd look at me, the way his eyes always searched mine like he could re
Nathan's POV "What's are you waiting for Onika, it's almost 7 pm you would be late for our dinner" I said to Onika, it was almost 7pm and she wasn't ready yet. "I'm coming she said walking down the stairs making me open my mouth in awe" she was wearing a long white flowing gown it was armless. Though her dressing was simple she still looked really elegant and beautiful in it. I felt so happy that she was going to belong to me soon, she's going to be my wife, my partner and the mother to all my children and I'm going to make everyday of her life a beautiful fairytale. "If you keep staring like that then I'm not sure we would be able to get to our destination before 7" she said teasing me. "It's not my fault, I just can't help but stare at the beautiful angel in my front. You look so beautiful honey" I said pecking her cheeks. Holding her hand we walked to where our car was parked entering it we went to our destination. As we arrived at the Cable Beach, Onika's eyes widened in aw
Onika's POV Nathan still wouldn't tell me where he was taking me to he kept insisting that he was a surprise and that I should just be patient and see what was going to happen. "Are you sure you don't want to tell me were we are going Nathan?" I asked for the hundredth time while on the flight. "Just be patient Onika, you would know when you get there" he said with a smile on his face. As the plane touched down, I couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement. Nathan still hadn't revealed our destination, but the warm tropical air and palm trees visible from the plane window hinted at a paradise. We collected our luggage and made our way to the taxi stand, where Nathan finally revealed our destination: Nassau, the capital city of the Bahamas.The taxi ride to our resort was a blur of colorful buildings, lively music, and the sound of waves crashing against the shore. As we checked into our luxurious beachfront villa, I couldn't wait to start exploring. Nathan handed me a tropical fl
Nathan's POV I couldn't stop myself from laughing when they both looked at me as if they had heard something bad. "I'm just joking no need to be so serious about it" I said making Laura laugh also."Well I was already planning the way you were going to carry the next baby," Onika said looking at me mischievously. "Com'on ladies can we go and do what we came here for, we need to check the wedding dress fitting for Onika today." I said they both needed. Soon the designer called Onika to come over to try her out her wedding dress. Onika came out of the dressing room looking like an angel the long white dress fitted her perfectly. It was an off shoulder fitted dress with a cape around the waist. I could help but open my mouth agape in shock. "The dress looked perfect on you" I complimented her and she blushed shyly. She change to her old dress while the receptionist packed the wedding dress into a shopping bag. "So my Onika is finally going to have her happy ending and even her dre
Onika's POV It was already time for me to be discharged from the hospital. Nathan has been very happy since the birth of our child, he has always been around, he even went as far as learning how change diapers saying he wanted to act like a normal father and not a billionaire. This act makes my heart melt in love and happiness. My Nathan was no longer the proud and arrogant father, he was now a loving and doting father. "Lucas get the car ready, we need to get going now" Nathan said to his assistant as he carried Daniel in his arms. We finally decided to name our child after Nathan father. Daniel it was such a nice name. Nathan mother was very happy and touched when she heard the name we gave to our child. "Your dad will be so proud and happy when ever he is" she said with a smile on her face. We need to get going now Onika Laura said with a smile on her face. We walked out of the hospital only to be met by the media outside. "Congratulations Miss Onika on giving birth to your
Onika gives birth Nathan's POV Four months later. "Com'on Onika can't you be any faster we need to go shop for child's clothing" I called out from downstairs. I've been waiting for her to get ready for over an hour now. She's already in her due month and she could give birth anytime in this month. We were able to find out the child's gender even though we didn't mean to. Onika's was feeling really skin and we had to do a scan on her that was how we found out about our child's gender. We even did our child's gender reveal party a week ago, everyone was happy especially my mom and her best friend Laura. "Will come and drive me to the boutique or will you keep on day dreaming about God knows what." Onika said smiling looking a bit irritated. She is easily irritated by things these days, I asked my mom about it she said it's because of her pregnancy. I could only nod in confusion not understanding pregnant women and there mood swings.As we arrived at the boutique, Onika's irrita
Onika's POV Nathan mother was standing at the door smiling sheepishly at me, I thought I was dreaming until she spoke up "can I come in?" She asked. I could only nod my head walking back inside as she followed me quietly. "Who's that babe?" Nathan asked while serving the dish on the table."Nathan" his mother called from the living. Making Nathan look up in shock, it was obvious that he had no idea that his mother was coming. "What are you doing here mum?" He asked his face looking stern. "Can't I come to see my son and my future daughter in-law" she said making both of us look up in shock. She walked over to the dinning table sitting on down to have breakfast with us, "will you keep on standing or will you both join in for breakfast" she said serving food into her plate. As we sat down at the table, the tension was palpable. Nathan's eyes were narrowed, and his jaw was clenched. I could tell he was still upset with his mother.Willow, on the other hand, seemed determined to ma
Onika's POV "Let's leave this place" I said to Nathan feeling nauseous after see so much blood. I still can't believe that Gina killed herself just like that. Even though she made my life a living hell from the beginning, I was still willing to forgive her but she ended her own life just to escape prison. I feel like I'm the one to blame for this. Nathan held my hand in a comforting manner "it's not your fault Onika she brought it upon herself" he said leading me out of the hospital. Nathan drove us back to the house in silence, he seems to be contemplating on what to say. "How are you feeling now?" I asked smiling a bit. "I'm okay, I just had bruises on my stomach and my head" he said making me look up at the bandage on his head. It was already turning red now. It seems his wound has reopened. I made a mental note to myself to change it when we get home. As we arrived home, Nathan seemed to be struggling to keep his balance. He was weak and pale, and I could tell that he was in
Nathan's POV I opened my eyes slightly looking around to see the doctors and nurses walking around my room carrying trays with some medical stuffs on them. "Doctor, Mr Nathan has regained consciousness" one of the nurses said calling the attention of the doctor. He came closer to me checking my vitals and injures to see how I was doing, "thank goodness mr McAllison you woke up sooner than we expected. Do you know where you are or do you recall anything?" He asked. "Calm down doctor I haven't lost my memory yet" I replied him jokingly looking around the room in search for onika. "Any problem Mr McAllison?" He asked when he noticed me looking around confused. "Where is onika, doctor?" I asked him as he looked at me confused. "The police contacted Miss onika when you got an accident but she is yet to come Mr Nathan" the doctor said. "What that can only mean that something bad had happened to onika, call my assistant for me" I said feeling really anxious. "Sir, you are awake, are
Onika's POV I braced myself for death.Tears streamed down my face as I waited for the gunshot that would end my life. My chest tightened, my breaths coming in shallow gasps. My child... they wouldnât get to see the world, to take their first breath, to feel my love.It was heartbreaking.I squeezed my eyes shut.But the bullet never came.âWhat the hell?â Gina's voice dripped with rage.My eyelids fluttered open, and through my blurry vision, I saw her shaking the gun, pulling the trigger repeatedly. Nothing happened.The gun was empty.A dry laugh escaped my lips before I could stop it.Ginaâs furious gaze snapped toward me, and for a split second, I saw something else beneath her anger, panic. She hadnât expected this.Her face twisted, and before I could react, she struck me hard across the face.Pain exploded in my skull, my head snapping to the side. Blood filled my mouth, the sharp metallic taste making me gag. I gasped, blinking through the ringing in my ears.âJust wait, Oni