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KATERINA I took a sharp breath when I heard Luca's words, not believing it. I thought that…Maybe he said what he said yesterday because of the alcohol influence. However, it turns out that he meant every single word that he said.Did he just…choose me over Monalisa? I couldn't help it but ask myself. Wondering if I had heard his words right or if I was dreaming. I stared at his hand on top of mine on the table then raised my head to look at him and our eyes locked.“I hope you won't regret the decision that you just made. I don't want to cause any problems to your family so that I can be the reason for it falling apart, again.” I felt the bile raising up in my throat when the words escaped my mouth but I swallowed it back.I remembered how Lucas blamed me for breaking his family four years ago. I recalled the hurt and anger in those blue eyes which were now looking at me with care and concern. I didn't want to be the reason for his breaking. I had made up my mind and decided that I w
~KATERINA ~ "Wha-what are the results doctor?" I inquired as soon as the doctor entered the waiting room holding test results. I shifted uncomfortably in the chair, my heart pounding wildly against my ribcage as though it would escape from my chest the next second. " Congratulations Mrs Thompson, you're pregnant!" The doctor said with a big smile on his face. My eyes widened when I heard his words, " Re-really doctor?" I stuttered, not sure if I had heard him right or if my ear was playing some dump trick on me. It felt surreal. I have been waiting to hear those words escape the doctor's mouth for like forever. If it was a dream, I didn't want to wake up from it. I wanted to dream forever because the reality was too harsh and my fragile heart couldn't take it anymore. " It's real, Mrs Thompson. I have run a few tests and all gave the same results. Here are the medical reports, see for yourself." The doctor handed me the test papers. Taking in a nervous breath, I stretched my s
~KATERINA~ My hands shook uncontrollably and my legs felt weak. I sat on the chair, tears burning in my eyes. I blinked countless times to make sure that I wasn't dreaming. If it was a dream, I wanted to wake up from it. Sadly, I wasn't dreaming… ' Is this the reason why Lucas was acting cold towards me?' I couldn't help but question myself. I tried to recall if Lucas and I ever talked about getting divorced but it didn't ring any bell in my head. Why? Why was he divorcing me? Why did he decide to divorce me now when I needed him the most? Tears streamed down my cheeks because I couldn't hold it back anymore. My phone on the table dinged but I didn't care to check what the message was all about. I continued to stare at the divorce papers as tears rolled down my cheeks. What about the innocent soul growing inside my belly? What will I tell the baby when she/he asks about his daddy? More tears streamed down my cheeks when I gave it a thought. I subconsciously wrapped my hand aro
~KATERINA~ " Monalisa?" I asked in surprise, trying to jog my memory. I couldn't remember talking to Monalisa or telling her anything before her wedding. Even though four years have passed by, I still remember every tiny detail as if it happened yesterday. " I'm happy for you, Monalisa. I wish you all the best in your marriage with Lucas." Those were the words that I told her with tears in my eyes. I couldn't remember telling her anything else. " You thought I would never find out about it? Monalisa showed me the message that you sent to her. Threatening her that if she gets married to me, you would harm our baby. That's why she ran away to protect our son just like any woman out there would do in case someone threatened the life of their baby." My eyes popped out when I heard Luca's accusations. " Surprised? You thought I would never find out?" He asked, the corner of his lips curving into a bitter smile. " I never sent a text message to Monalisa the night of her wedding. She to
~LUCAS~After leaving the room that I shared with Katerina.I headed to the guest room to have some alone time. I couldn't find it in my heart to share the same space with Katerina after finding out what she did four years ago.It felt like I didn't know her anymore. She felt like a stranger to me even though I have known her my whole life. All I wanted was the truth from her but she was still lying on my face and that made me feel like a fool. Why was she denying the truth while all the evidence was pointing at her?I thought Katerina cared about me, or so I believed. In all the people in this world, I never expected that Katerina would hurt me the most. We grew up together, played together and did many things together. We were like twins even though we didn't share the same parents. Katerina knows the pain that I have gone through while growing up. She knows me more than I know myself. She has been there for me in the darkest days of my life, giving me hope and encouraging me not to
~KATERINA~ I flickered my eyes softly to get rid of the blurry vision. My eyes felt sore and so was my throat and stomach. I looked around, trying to recollect the memories of what had transpired to my exhaustion. My heart twisted inside my chest as though someone was squeezing it into a tiny ball and it was becoming hard for me to breathe when reality hit me. I was laying on the bed, wearing the same red dress. The side of the bed was empty and cold, reminding me that I was officially divorced from Lucas. I stared at the brown envelope which was laying on the bedside table, the proof that it was over between Lucas and I. He didn't come back to our room at night after he left. He spent the night in the guest room. I waited for him, thinking that he would change his mind and come back to me so that we could talk but…. I was disappointed instead. I couldn't remember how I fell asleep. The only thing that I recalled was wrapping my hands around my belly protectively as tears continued
~ KATERINA~After giving Lucas the divorce papers and resignation letter, I left his office and headed to my office which is located not that far from his. Lucas told me that he will send me the alimony money in my bank account since he knows my bank details. However, I told him there was no need for him to send me the money. He asked me if I was sure I didn't need the money and I told him I was sure about it. It's not that I didn't need the money or something. The reason why I turned it down was because I didn't want Lucas to think I was after his money. I know that was a trap for me because he thinks I agreed to marry him as Monalisa's substitute bride because he was rich. The truth is, I didn't care if Lucas was a billionaire when I agreed to the marriage.I accepted to marry him because I loved him. It was not because he's the C.E.O of Thompson Fashion company. It broke my heart to learn that Lucas thought I had a hidden agenda. It broke my heart into a million pieces. Monalisa
~KATERINA~ Swallowing the lump down my throat, I turned around and came face to face with Monalisa, my stepsister. She had a triumphant smile on her face because she knew fucking well that she had already won like she always does. She always gets it her way and this time it was no different. My heart twisted inside my chest as though someone was squeezing it into a tiny ball and it was becoming hard for me to breathe. My lips curved into a smile because I didn't want to give her the satisfaction of defeat. " Hello dear sister, long time no see." I said, a big smile playing on my face. I shifted my eyes to the little boy besides Monalisa. The boy looked like a young version of Lucas when we were toddlers. He had crystal blue eyes and pitch black hair like Luca's, reminding me of how he used to look in the old days. The little boy looked at me innocently. When Lucas informed me that he had a child with Monalisa, I didn't believe him. I thought that he was looking for a way to an
KATERINA I took a sharp breath when I heard Luca's words, not believing it. I thought that…Maybe he said what he said yesterday because of the alcohol influence. However, it turns out that he meant every single word that he said.Did he just…choose me over Monalisa? I couldn't help it but ask myself. Wondering if I had heard his words right or if I was dreaming. I stared at his hand on top of mine on the table then raised my head to look at him and our eyes locked.“I hope you won't regret the decision that you just made. I don't want to cause any problems to your family so that I can be the reason for it falling apart, again.” I felt the bile raising up in my throat when the words escaped my mouth but I swallowed it back.I remembered how Lucas blamed me for breaking his family four years ago. I recalled the hurt and anger in those blue eyes which were now looking at me with care and concern. I didn't want to be the reason for his breaking. I had made up my mind and decided that I w
AUTHOR'S POV A groan tore from Luca's lips as he tried to flicker his eyes softly to get rid of the blurry vision. His head throbbed, and the whole body ached as though he had been run over by a train or something much heavier than that. ‘What happened?’ He couldn't help but question himself, trying to find out why he was feeling out of place because it doesn't happen that often. A sweet aroma hit his nostrils and he couldn't help it but wonder where he was. Did he die and was in heaven? He couldn't help it but wonder because it was unusual for him to wake up and smell such a mouth-watering scent. Finally opening his blue orbs, he was met by a face that he least expected. He thought that perhaps he would see an angel welcoming him in heaven but…he was met by Katerina's face. Is she one of the angels? “Good morning?” She said, a subtle smile touching her lips. Was he dreaming of Katerina? He questioned himself. Wait, where was he? He looked around and that's when he realised that
KATERINA I blinked just to make sure that my eyes weren't playing some tricks on me and…indeed it was him, Lucas Thompson. I had forgotten I added his name to the people who can visit my apartment at any time because I was expecting him to drop by and let me know about his decision regarding the case. I didn't want the situation to look awkward like what happened back at the company. I wasn't expecting Lucas to show up since I had already given up, called my lawyer and explained to him the situation. Why did he show up at my doorstep? Was he here to inform me that he had chosen the other side? A lamp formed in my throat when I gave it a thought. The doorbell rang again, pulling my mind back to the present. Swallowing hard and with shaky hands, I slowly twisted the metallic doorknob, bracing myself for what Lucas had to say to me… Before I could open the door fully, Lucas was already in the house. I gasped when Lucas wrapped his hands around me tightly, burying his face in my neck
KATERINA THREE DAYS LATER The night’s cold breeze brushed against my skin, the feeling chilly but soothing. However, it wasn't cold enough to calm the fire that was burning in my veins. I stood on the balcony, staring at the clear sky, my mind wandering as I tried to find a solution to no avail. I have been wrecking my mind for ideas but…it was blank. All ideas exhausted.It's in the middle of the night, I should be sleeping at the moment, having sweet dreams. However, I couldn't bring myself to sleep no matter how much I tried, the nightmare of finding out what really happened to my dad four years ago still haunts me.I checked my cell phone, hoping maybe…just maybe, I would find a missed call or text messages from him but my hopes crashed when I was met by a blank screen.The corner of my lips curved into a bitter smile. I should have known better than to trust him. It has already been three days but I have never heard anything from Lucas. Not even a sin
Chapter 048LUCAS“I can't allow Katerina to take advantage of my mother. You know how much our son loves his grandma. If Katerina sends her to jail, Liam would be the one who would be the most affected. We need to protect our son, Lucas.”I ran my fingers through my hair when Monalisa's words echoed in my head over and over again. It's true Liam loves his grandma so much and there's no doubt that if she goes to jail, he would be affected so much.“I would like you to testify in my favour because you were there with me. You know what really happened.” Katerina’s words re-played in my mind and I couldn't help it but release a frustrated sigh. I recalled the tears in those brown hazel eyes as Katerina fought hard to hold it back. I could see the raw pain that she has been harbouring for years through her eyes.How does someone deal with a situation like this? I have never been caught in such a difficult situation.I have been thinking for hours but…I haven
AUTHORS POVKaterina was expecting Lucas to give other compliments. However, she never expected him to say what he had just said.Taking a deep sigh, she composed herself, a faint smile touching her lips.“Who knows, maybe.” She shrugged nonchalantly, her lips twisting. Katerina turned her hand to check the time on the wrist watch.“I think…we have talked a lot more than I intended. I have an important meeting in the next ten minutes. I need time to prepare since it's a design presentation…”She said politely, reaching for the file.Lucas looked at Katerina for a while then nodded in understanding, playing along. He knows fucking well that Katerina was avoiding the conversation. That's how good he knows her. As much as he wanted to talk more, he tried his best to hold the words back. He didn't want to push harder and complicate things.“I guess…I’ll get going.” He said, raising up from the high-backed chair. Katerina nodded since she didn't have anything more to te
AUTHOR'S POVKaterina’s breath caught in her throat when she heard Luca's words. To be honest, she wasn't expecting him to trust her that easily, not even in her wildest dream.Why the change of heart? Why did he believe her without asking questions like he always did? Katerina couldn't help it but wonder, many questions buzzing in her mind.“You…believe me?” She asked hesitantly, not sure if she had heard it right or if her ear was playing a damn game on her. You can't blame Katerina for acting that way because…it was hard for Lucas to believe her in the past, since Monalisa walked in her once peaceful life where they were no doubts. Kate wasn't expecting the conversation to be this smooth either. She was prepared to face the difficulty that was ahead of her. She was ready to accept the fact that Lucas wouldn't believe…The smile on Luca's face broadened when he saw her reaction. He knew damn well that she would act that way when he heard his words.“Yes I
KATERINA “Mr Thompsons, I politely ask you to follow me. You're not allowed to enter this building without Madam boss's permission.” Evan said politely.I swallowed hard when I heard his words. It's true that I had asked them never to allow Lucas, Monalisa, Stephanie or anybody to enter the company without my permission for security purposes.Lucas ignored the security guards words, his eyes were on me as he looked at me worriedly.“It's okay Evan,” I said, the corner of my lips curving into a small smile. Everyone turned their heads to look at me as if I was an alien, never expecting my reply.Jade,my secretary, was surprised too when she heard my reply. I had asked her never to make another appointment with Lucas Thompson ever again.“ Okay ma’am.” Evan nodded in understanding, leaving immediately to give us some privacy.“I’ll go through the document later t
LUCAS“Sure, on my way.” I hung up the phone, shoved it in my pant’s pocket then turned around and walked away.“ Lucas, where are you going? You can't leave the meeting just like that. You know how important this meeting is to the company.” I heard Adam's laboured voice come from behind me. I could tell that he was running to catch-up.It's true the meeting was important to the company and it was our last hope. The investors had agreed to increase the investment in the company. Well, what made me walk away from the meeting imposed too…Adams finally caught up with me and stepped in front of me, blocking my way. I heaved a deep sigh, trying my best not to kick him out of the way.“What's wrong with you man? Don't tell me you're going to cast away all the efforts that we made to convince the investor to increase their investment. What's more important than this meeting?” He asked, clearly pissed off with my behavio