Nicole's POVThe news about Adeline committing a crime a few years ago spread. Many media outlets aired and publicised it on various websites, but I didn't read any news about it.Instead of checking the news as usual, I was now pouring one of my finest collections of drinks into a glass, watching how the almost dark brown liquid filled my glass halfway before I gulped it down in one searing gulp.The strong scent of alcohol pierced my nose, as did the taste sensation that was much stronger than my usual drink, but one that I desperately needed at this moment. I don't know what happened to me, and I didn't feel anything after my plan finally went through."Is something wrong with me?" I muttered to myself, not understanding the strange feeling I was having.There was no joy, satisfaction or euphoria when I heard about it. Rather, it was empty and made me feel gloomy and unpleasant. I went to my private bar after finishing my work, alone and without any music to accompany me to drink.
Nicole's POVI woke up with my head aching. I changed my position to sitting, leaning against the headboard for a few moments while holding my head, starting to regret my decision to drink without making a limit."Ah, that sucks." I groaned, still feeling an intense dizziness, before being able to consume the hangover reliever provided on the table near my bed.I quickly got ready and made my way to the dining room, which was already crowded with Father, my son, and a few waiters standing guard to serve us if needed. When I turned to my son again, Richard had already started eating his food so I involuntarily smiled.I approached the table, looking at my father, who was also looking at me. "How did you do last night, Nicole? Did you have enough fun?" He asked me.I paused, looking at Richard, still eating voraciously, before trying to hide my embarrassing expression.I smiled politely. "Yes. I feel quite happy, Father."Edwin accepting my answer without question. I sat across from R
Nicole's POVI showed the puzzle piece to Richard, asking my son. "Do you know where this is for, Richard?""Let me see, Mom." He lifted his gaze to the puzzle I held before pointing towards the spot I had found moments ago, much later than Richard. "Right there, Mom. The piece you're holding is ambiguous, but look at the color combination for reference."I secretly smiled, glad to see him explaining to help me keep solving the puzzle with him instead of just telling me where it was. "Yeah, Mom seems to be getting a headache since we've been working on this for over an hour.""You can just ask me again if you're having trouble." He smiled before getting serious about the remaining pieces of the puzzle.I managed to attach more than a dozen pieces, completing the hundreds of pieces already attached by Richard, who looked happy that we had almost finished his puzzle.He picked up the last puzzle piece and showed it to me. "This is the last piece, ma'am." His eyes shone brightly, and he
Nicole's POVI watched as Chris just stood there. He then knelt, held my headstone with one hand and spoke. "Nicole, I am so sorry for what I did to you back then…."I frowned, not understanding how such words could come from his mouth after all these years. Regret, he said, what was that man thinking?I looked at him sharply, annoyed by his words that made no sense. Chris was continuing with his words. This time, instead of looking sombre, the man looked annoyed to the point of clenching his fists. I could gnash his teeth even though we were pretty far away."If only I didn't believe that video of you kissing Jayden...." He tightened his grip even more until he looked red and closed his eyes momentarily. "I just found out that Adeline was the one who sent the video.""I talked to that woman a few days ago. She was finally arrested, along with her mother, and she told me that she sent the video so that our marriage would never happen."Chris seemed to open his eyes, revealing the tear
Nicole's POVI returned home feeling empty. I still hadn't come to terms with what Chris had said at my grave, the fact that I'd just found out, and the other things that left me not knowing what to do.".... Cole."That guy said all those things long ago when no one was around, but I don't understand why he could say all those things so easily when we've met several times before."Nicole...."He just tried to get close to me for no apparent reason and even defended Adeline in front of my eyes several times instead of apologising for the things she said. I was so angry, jealous, confused and hurt, not knowing what to do to stop feeling all this."Nicole." I heard my name being called, as well as someone's touch on my shoulder. "What have you been thinking about since before?"I turned and looked at Edwin, who was frowning at me. He was the one who had called out and touched my shoulder. "Dad, what's wrong?""I've been calling you since earlier, but you didn't answer at all...." He bli
Nicole's POVI woke up with my head aching and my eyes feeling heavy to open. Vaguely, I could hear Richard's voice, which seemed to be waking me up. My hand also felt moved, which made me drift out of my sleep."Mom, Mom." He called me several times while moving my hand. "Come on, wake up, Mom."I opened my eyes slowly, looking at Richard's face, which was so close to me before I shifted my head slightly. I grimaced. "What's wrong, Richard?"My son's face looked sad, so I wrinkled my forehead.He said, obviously noticing my state from earlier. "Mom, it is very difficult to wake up. When I hold your hand, it also feels too warm. It's not like the usual mother.""Grandpa said you were already asleep before I came back from the lab, so you've been staying in your room for a long time."I paused, raised my hand with some difficulty because I felt weak, and touched my forehead, which was warmer than usual. My son was right. I closed my eyes for a moment while sighing, then opened my eyes
Nicole's POV"Am I still not getting better?" I muttered, complaining to myself as I felt my headache again.I had almost finished the medicine the doctor had prescribed and was resting more than usual. Only four more tablets until I was supposed to recover, but not much seemed to have changed other than my body was neither feverish nor weak like before.I had also been going to the office less and less and forced to work remotely, something I didn't like but had to do to improve my condition. In the end, some of my assistants, including Key, were the ones who traveled more to take care of projects that fell under my responsibility.I felt bad, but Edwin and Richard monitored me so that I couldn't go anywhere that they thought would make me sick again.I stayed like that for a few days and finally took a breath to work outside the house and buy some things that Richard had left for me. My two protective family members let me go after seeing my condition and hearing my words.I sighed
Nicole's POVI was surprised to hear his words, which mentioned me in the past. I couldn't avoid his gaze or the grip of his hand, which still felt tight, so I tried to calm myself by exhaling and smiling faintly."Really? I don't know if there's someone who looks like me." I said, looking at his probing gaze but simultaneously loosening our grip so that I could pull my hand away.I touched my hand lightly and clucked before looking at him again. “I hope you don't act like this to someone you just met, sir."The man stared at me without comment, no longer playing games and turning to see what signs of lying he could pick up from my behavior, but I maintained a calm demeanor so that I could stare back at him without giving him the reaction he wanted.I had practiced this before, repeatedly, though in reality, it didn't go that smoothly when I faced Chris or Adeline. Those two were too close to me, so it was harder to pretend, but my connection to Jayden ended after our relationship end