Naomi's POVAs the medics rushed Rueben to the hospital, I followed closely behind, my heart filled with both relief and anxiety. The fear of losing him had been replaced by the hope that he would recover, but the uncertainty of what lay ahead still weighed heavily on my mind.Arriving at the hospital, I anxiously paced the waiting room, my eyes fixed on the door, waiting for any news about Rueben's condition. I couldn't help but worry about what had happened to him and who was responsible for his current state.Minutes turned into hours as I waited, the anticipation building with each passing moment. Finally, a doctor emerged from the room where Rueben was being treated, his expression grave but determined."Miss Naomi," the doctor called out, motioning for me to come closer. "Your presence is needed. Rueben has regained consciousness."Hope surged through me as I followed the doctor into the room. There, lying on the hospital bed, was Rueben, his eyes open but still weak. My heart s
Belen's face hardened, her voice sharp and resolute. "I won't stand in your way, Naomi. But knowing this, I will always support Demetrius. Our alliance with him is unbreakable."Rueben squeezed my hand, his eyes filled with sadness. "Belen, I had hoped that you would see reason. But if you won't stand with us, then we'll have to face Demetrius on our own."Belen's gaze shifted between us, her expression wavering for a moment before hardening once again. "So be it, Rueben. But remember, I will always be loyal to Demetrius."With those words, Belen turned and walked out of the hospital room, leaving Rueben and me behind. I felt a deep sense of loss and sadness, knowing that the divide between our families had grown even wider.Anger surged through me as I stormed out of the hospital, my mind filled with a mix of frustration and determination. Belen's betrayal and her unwavering support for Demetrius had ignited a fire within me. I couldn't let them succeed in their quest for power and d
As I stood there, realizing that the queen was also under Demetrius' charm, a mix of sadness and frustration washed over me. It seemed that everyone I cared about was falling victim to his manipulation, and there was nothing I could do to save them.But I knew that I couldn't force the queen to see the truth. Just like with Belen, I had tried to convince her, but she was blinded by her own ambitions. It was a painful realization, but I had to accept that I couldn't change their choices.With a heavy heart, I turned and left the palace. I needed to gather my thoughts and come up with a new plan. Demetrius had to be stopped, and I couldn't rely on others to do it for me.As I walked through the streets, my mind raced with possibilities. I needed to find a way to expose Demetrius and reveal his true intentions to the kingdom. But how? I couldn't do it alone, and I needed allies who could help me.As Rueben continued to chase after me, his illness becoming more evident with each step, my
As I hurriedly walked away from Rueben, his anguished cries echoed in my ears, tearing at my already shattered heart. Each step I took felt heavier than the last, as if the weight of my decision was crushing me from within. I desperately tried to hold in my tears, not wanting to show weakness, but the pain was too much to bear.Finally, I found a quiet corner where I could be alone, away from Rueben's searching gaze. With my back against the wall, I couldn't hold back the flood of tears any longer. They streamed down my face, mingling with my stifled sobs. The pain of losing Rueben, the one person who had loved me unconditionally, was unbearable.I felt a mix of guilt, regret, and heartache wash over me. How could I have let it come to this? How could I have pushed away the one person who truly cared for me? The weight of my mistakes and the consequences of my actions crashed down upon me, and I felt as if I would drown in my own sorrow.In that moment of despair, I reached out to my
As Sarah's words sank in, I realized that she had been observing me all along. She had seen the changes in my life, from joining the royal family to the devastating news of my pregnancy with the wrong person. And now, she was urging me to gather my strength and make a comeback.But there was something I needed to tell Sarah, something that only she deserved to know. I took a deep breath, gathering my courage, and looked into her eyes."Sarah, I need to tell you the truth," I began, my voice trembling. "The child... it actually belongs to Rueben."Sarah's eyes widened in surprise, but she remained silent, giving me the space to continue."I made a mistake, Sarah. I let Demetrius manipulate me and I pushed Rueben away. I thought it was for the best, to protect him and the child from the chaos that surrounded the royal family. But now, I realize that I was wrong. Rueben deserves to know the truth, and so does our child."Tears welled up in my eyes once again as I spoke, the weight of my
I stared at my phone one last time and smashed it as I did it. My heart shattered too…I was too determined and not even my parents would change my mind. They would understand me if I explained my redemption.As the days turned into weeks, I found myself caught in a whirlwind of emotions. The pain in my heart was still raw, and the weight of my shattered dreams felt unbearable at times. But I knew that I had made the right decision to leave the city and start anew.One evening, as I stood behind the counter of the coffee shop, serving customers with a smile, I noticed a familiar face in the crowd. A man, with kind eyes and a gentle smile, would come in every day, ordering the same cup of coffee. He seemed drawn to me, always choosing a seat near the window where he could catch a glimpse of me.At first, I didn't pay much attention to his presence. I was still healing from the wounds of my past, and the thought of opening my heart to someone new felt daunting. But as the days went by, I
I turned around, my heart pounding in my chest, and looked up at the television screen. There, in front of me, was the image of Rueben, my past love, speaking about my disappearance. My breath caught in my throat as I listened to his words."I am here today to make a plea," Rueben's voice echoed through the coffee shop. "My dear Naomi, the love of my life, has gone missing. I am offering a substantial reward to anyone who can provide information about her whereabouts. Please, if you have any information, contact the authorities or reach out to me directly."Tears welled up in my eyes as I watched Rueben's genuine concern and desperation. He truly believed that I was missing, that I had vanished without a trace. But little did he know, I had chosen to leave, to start a new life away from the pain and heartbreak.Oliver's eyes widened in surprise as he watched the news alongside me. He turned to me, his voice filled with confusion. "Naomi, what is this? Why is Rueben saying you're missi
The weeks went by, the symptoms of my pregnancy began to intensify. Nausea plagued me throughout the day, and even the smell of certain foods made me queasy. Fatigue weighed me down, making it difficult to find the energy to do even the simplest tasks. And to top it all off, my belly started to show a visible sign of life growing within me.Sarah had been my constant companion during this time, taking care of me and ensuring that I had everything I needed. She even took time off work to be by my side, knowing that this was my first pregnancy and that I needed extra support. Her presence brought me comfort and reassurance in the midst of the uncertainty that surrounded me.One day, as I sat on the couch, trying to find some relief from the constant nausea, I heard a knock on the door. Sarah glanced at me, concern evident in her eyes, before getting up to answer it. I watched as she opened the door, and my heart skipped a beat when I saw Oliver standing there.There was something about
lThe weight of Demetrius's words hit me like a ton of bricks. My heart raced, and a sense of dread settled in the pit of my stomach. I couldn't believe what I had just revealed to him in my moment of desperation. I had unknowingly given him a weapon to use against me and Reuben."You can't be serious," I whispered, my voice trembling. "You wouldn't stoop so low as to deceive the Queen and claim my child as your own."Demetrius's smile widened, his eyes gleaming with malicious delight. "Oh, but I would, Naomi. I would do anything to secure my place on the throne. And what better way than to present the Queen with an heir, one that she believes is mine."Tears welled up in my eyes as I realized the extent of Demetrius's wickedness. He was willing to manipulate everyone, even his own mother, just to fulfill his lust for power."But the Queen will see through your lies," I pleaded, my voice barely above a whisper. "She knows the truth, and she will never accept you as the rightful King."
The events of the past few hours came rushing back to me, and I felt a wave of fear wash over me. Demetrius had captured me once again, and I was at his mercy.Before I could gather my thoughts, the sound of the door creaking open filled the room. Demetrius stepped in, his eyes filled with a sadistic gleam. My heart pounded in my chest as he approached me, his presence filling the room with a suffocating aura."Well, well, well," Demetrius sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "Look who's finally awake. Did you miss me, Naomi?"I shrank back, trying to create as much distance between us as possible. "Demetrius, please, let me go. I beg you. There's nothing between us. I want to be free."Demetrius chuckled darkly, his voice laced with contempt. "Oh, Naomi, you always did know how to make me laugh. But you see, you're mine now. And I won't let you slip away again."Tears welled up in my eyes as I pleaded with him, my voice trembling. "Please, Demetrius, I'm begging you. Think of the
Chapter 156Jade pleaded with me to reconsider my decision, I could feel my resolve weakening. His words echoed in my mind, reminding me of the love and happiness I had shared with Reuben. But deep down, I knew that returning to the palace was not the right path for me or my child."Jade, please understand," I pleaded, my voice trembling. "I can't go back. I can't live a life that isn't true to myself. And I can't bear to grow up in a world of duty and tradition."Jade's eyes filled with tears, and he reached out to gently touch my arm. "Naomi, I can't force you to do anything you don't want to do. But please, consider the consequences of your decision. Reuben loves you, and he wants to be a part of your life."I nodded, my heart heavy with the weight of my choices. "I understand, Jade. But for now, I need to do what I believe is best for myself and Please, respect my decision and don't come back."Jade's expression was filled with a mix of sadness and understanding. He nodded slowly,
It had been two weeks since I left the palace and settled down in the bakery with my parents and sister, Salie. Life had taken a drastic turn, and while I missed Rueben dearly, I knew that leaving was the right decision. The weight of tradition and duty had become too heavy to bear, and I needed time and space to sort through my emotions.But lately, something unusual has been happening to me. I had been feeling nauseous in the mornings, and my appetite had changed. The thought crossed my mind that I might be pregnant, but it seemed impossible. Rueben and I had never been intimate more than once, and I couldn't fathom how it could have happened quickly.The morning sickness persisted, and I couldn't shake off the worry that gnawed at the back of my mind. I confided in Salie, who listened attentively and offered her support."Naomi, it's possible that it's just a stomach bug or something you ate," Salie reassured me, her voice filled with concern. "But if you're really worried, maybe y
Surprised by my mother's statement, I turned to face her, confusion evident in my eyes. "Rachel?" I repeated, my voice laced with uncertainty. "But mother, I thought we agreed that it was best for Naomi and me to part ways."The Queen's expression softened, her eyes filled with a mix of understanding and determination. "Rueben, I understand your reasoning, and I respect your desire to do what is best for both yourself and Naomi. But we must also consider the implications of breaking the promise made by our forefathers. The council members and the people of our kingdom hold great importance to tradition and stability. By choosing Rachel as your queen, we can maintain that sense of continuity while also fostering a sense of unity among our people."I took a moment to absorb my mother's words, feeling torn between my own desires and the weight of responsibility placed upon me. The council members watched me expectantly, their eyes filled with a mix of hope and concern.But as I glanced a
Exhausted from the weight of my decisions, I decided to lie down for a quick nap. Sleep had eluded me in recent days, my mind consumed by thoughts of Naomi and the consequences of my actions. As I drifted off into slumber, I hoped for a moment of respite from my troubled thoughts.But even in my sleep, I found no solace. My dreams were plagued by visions of Naomi, her tear-streaked face filled with anger and rejection. I reached out to her, desperate to explain myself, but she turned away, her words echoing in my mind."No, Rueben. I can never forgive you. You have hurt me too deeply."My heart pounded in my chest as I jolted awake, my body covered in a cold sweat. The image of Naomi's tearful rejection lingered, haunting me even in the waking world. But as I blinked away the remnants of my dream, I realized I was not alone.Standing by my bedside was my younger brother, Jade, his concern evident in his eyes. Jade had always been the calm and level-headed one, a stark contrast to my i
As I turned to walk away from the queen, my heart heavy with the weight of my decisions, her voice cut through the air like a knife."Think, Rueben," she sneered. "Think about what you've done to that poor girl. You took her innocence and claimed not to know her. Do you honestly believe she would ever accept you back? Even if you were to beg on your knees, she would never be your betrothed again. You have lost, Rueben. You have lost everything."Her words pierced my soul, each one a painful reminder of the irreversible damage I had caused. The realization hit me like a tidal wave, and I stumbled back, feeling as though the ground beneath me was crumbling away.No, it couldn't be true. I couldn't have lost Naomi forever. I couldn't bear the thought of a life without her by my side, of never hearing her laughter or seeing her smile again. But deep down, I knew that the queen was right. I had betrayed Naomi in the worst possible way, and there was no coming back from that.Tears welled u
As I closed the curtains, blocking out the view of Naomi's house, I made a vow to myself. I would do whatever it took to earn her forgiveness, to prove that I had changed. It wouldn't be easy, and there were no guarantees that she would ever accept me back into her life. But I couldn't live with the regret of losing her without trying.But as the days turned into weeks, my frustration and anger began to consume me. I couldn't shake the image of Naomi's smiling face, her laughter echoing in my mind. It haunted me, a constant reminder of what I had lost.Unable to contain my emotions any longer, I found myself smashing things around my apartment. The anger and regret boiled inside me, fueling my destructive actions. It was as if the physical pain could somehow alleviate the emotional turmoil I was experiencing.But no matter how many things I broke, the pain remained. I couldn't escape the reality of what I had done to Naomi, the hurt I had caused. It was a heavy burden to bear, and I f
A few days had passed since the intense encounter with the reporters, and I was determined to move forward with my life. I had made the decision to take my younger sister, Salie, out for a day of shopping, hoping to distract ourselves from the chaos that had consumed our lives.As we walked through the bustling shopping mall, I couldn't help but feel a sense of freedom. The weight of the world seemed to lift off my shoulders, replaced by a newfound lightness. Salie skipped ahead of me, her laughter filling the air, and for a moment, I allowed myself to forget about the pain and betrayal that had plagued me.But as we turned a corner, my heart skipped a beat. There, standing in the middle of the mall, was Rueben, arm in arm with Rachel. My breath caught in my throat, and I felt a surge of anger and hurt wash over me. How dare he show his face after what he had done?Rueben's eyes met mine, and for a split second, I saw a flicker of remorse. He began to approach me, his lips parting to