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
Adeline's POV"Shit." I cursed softly, looking down between my knees, which I hugged tightly.I felt so stressed by all the things that happened to me that I ended up in prison. I felt scared and very uncomfortable after facing the hazing among the prisoners, especially the ones my mom and I had to face as new people.They were kinder to my mom because she was older but harsher to me, who was accused of being the main culprit in Nicole's death. There was no quiet time for me while the sun was still up until the other prisoners fell asleep on the mats I had prepared.The head of the prison ordered me to do various things in our cramped cell, while my mother was only allowed to sit quietly and was not allowed to help me when I faced any difficulties. If I did something wrong, she would call me incompetent and slap me lightly a few times.I felt humiliated, but I couldn't help but want my body to be battered the next day. They said it was done on an invisible body part so that the warder
Adeline's POVJayden seemed to be grinning. "Partner from where? You're the one who committed the crime that landed you in jail, not me. I'm just interested in having that woman.""You!" I quickly stood up from my chair and pointed at his face.I was angry at his words that cornered me. In fact, he was also one of the causes of Nicole's death."How easy it is for you to abdicate your responsibility!" I was still pointing at the man's face, which still looked disinterested. "I've been giving you information about that woman and helping you get close to her all this time, but you don't want to return the favor?"Jayden's face hardened. He came back closer to the glass, towards me, and hit the table hard. The look in his eyes that looked angrier shocked me, and I did not expect this change in his attitude."Hey, you're the one who tried to kill that woman without my knowledge." He said, almost sounding like a growl. "You made me so angry that I'm going to make sure you rot in prison for
Catherine's POVWhen I woke up, my head hurt, as well as my eyes, which were quite difficult to open even though I was awake. I seemed to have cried too much and fallen asleep immediately afterwards to have this effect.I felt thirsty and looked for a drink on the small table not far from the bed and grabbed it. I drank the contents of the glass in four big gulps and put it back on the table. My gaze automatically went to the large mirror on the other side of the bed.There, the reflection of my face looked messy. I really looked like someone who had just woken up after crying for hours. My eyes were puffy with traces of tears that I could feel with my fingers, my nose was slightly reddened, and the area around my eyes was slightly reddened.I stared at my appearance with mixed feelings. It's really embarrassing even though I'm the only one who sees this right now, and maybe one of the waiters who refilled my water, but it doesn't really matter because I have to leave for college in a
Catherine's POVI was feeling tired.It's been one week since the end-of-semester exams, and I have to repeat the lessons of the whole semester on my own. I also have to read copies of the assignments I've done and notes from the lecturer on topics that might come up in the exam this time.I was so busy that I didn't have time to do anything other than study and get enough rest when night fell, that is, if I didn't have any assignments to complete for the practical exam.Arriving home, I already felt a piercing headache that made me want to lie down and sleep for a while. I still had to study for the theoretical exam and submit other practical assignments to the lecturer from other courses.I had envisioned a soft mattress on my bed, as well as blankets and pillows that would feel very soft on my body after I had exhausted my thoughts and abilities for today's exam, but it didn't work out.Someone knocked on my bedroom door and opened the door after I let myself in. It was one of the
Edwin's POGIn my father's study, I was reading a book he recommended. He was also reading for a while, but then he put the book on the desk and looked at me."What do you think about our new project?" he asked, slightly serious but also relaxed.I moved the book out of sight to look at him. "The things they're doing are right. I can't find any flaws."He nodded. The report he had shown me this morning followed the book he had put down. It was about the business collaboration between the Duncan Family and the Thompson Family, with Benny and I as the chief executives, while our father was the funder and in charge.Although the two of us had not completely taken over the family business, our fathers had agreed to involve their family successors in this newly started business. Aside from the family interest, both of them said it was important for our future.I had no problem with that. After all, my father had taught me everything about our family business since I was a child and other i
Catherine's POVAfter receiving the gift from Edwin, I was now only with Benny and his personal driver driving. The man sat down with me and then noticed something was different about my attitude.He rested his chin on one of my hands, which was still clasped tightly. "What are you holding on to? You didn't let go at all....""This." I showed him the bracelet.His eyes look wide. "Isn't that the jewelry you saw earlier? I thought you didn't buy it.""I didn't buy it."Considering Benny was also aware of what I was doing while looking at the jewelry, perhaps my liking for this bracelet was too obvious.My gaze was fixed on the bracelet, and I thought about how the man who had left the festival first had unhesitatingly bought me this jewelry and given it to me without anyone knowing. I don't know what that man was thinking when he bought me this, but the pounding of my heart was starting to feel too clear in my chest.The car stopped. I blinked, realizing that I had arrived in front of
Catherine's POV"Thank you for buying me a drink, Duncan." I smiled, accepting the glass with a lid made of solid cardboard from his hand, and I immediately held the glass with both hands.He just nodded and passed the other glass to Benny.I took a sip of the relatively warm drink. It turned out to be a delicious chocolate drink. I felt relieved and happy. My legs even wiggled without me fully realizing it.Night had almost fallen, so it was starting to get cold. I remembered the embarrassing incident a few days ago when my skirt got caught, but in the end, the man came back to help me by giving me a warm drink after we had walked quite a distance.A loud snort was heard from Benny. "Why are you buying me a fruity and cold drink? I also want a warm chocolate drink like you guys." He protested.I looked at the two men who stood facing each other with glasses in their hands. Still, a noticeable smoke could be seen from Benny's slightly open mouth, probably the effect of the drink he ha
Catherine's POVI was mesmerized by the festival atmosphere surrounding me. I've always liked things like this: simple and fun stuff without having to always care about manners or conversations that are always serious and filled with business or politics.Many booths were arranged according to their types, ranging from games, shops selling various things, and other equally entertaining booths. My gaze stopped at one of the nearby stands for jewelry of sale.My steps halted when I arrived in front of it. I looked at the various kinds of jewelry displayed and touched a few that I wanted to take a closer look at. They all looked pretty, but I didn't really want to buy them either; I just wanted to look around.I didn't have much jewelry, but my mother added to it according to my needs, so I didn't feel the need to do the same.A person who seemed to be the salesgirl watched me without saying much but then said to me after a while."Don't you intend to buy the jewelry, Miss? I think the b
Catherine's POVI was always with Benny and Edwin. I felt happy because I was finally able to make a new friend again, and it was a guy I initially thought was quiet and cold.At first, Benny and Edwin always argued for whatever reason, but in the end, they always accompanied me wherever I went. We were like a unique combination, from three different majors and different personalities.I heard rumors about us hanging out, going to our respective classes or the cafeteria."Look, she can get two handsome guys simultaneously," whispered one of the students.His friend replied. "She's so lucky. I never even managed to get close to Edwin Duncan....""She's luckier because she's close to Benny Thompson. That guy is really nice and friendly."They said that and then talked about one of the guys I was with, who was probably my boyfriend.One of them spoke up again. "Isn't that obvious? His girlfriend must be Benny. They've been in a relationship for a long time.""Hm, I agree."There were som
Catherine's POVI still felt uncomfortable walking on campus. Aside from my aching feet, my father's words before I was allowed to leave for the campus with our family's private driver also bothered me.I was happy with my friendship with Edwin and my friendship with Benny, which lasted longer than that. Both of them were friends to me, but my father always made our relationship seem like a transaction, trying to talk to them for the benefit of our family.He said that each of them would greatly help me prove myself in the Varma Family. Our relationship would make me valuable and not the only useless woman in our family, while all the things I had done before were meaningless in my father's eyes.I felt annoyed that my father shouldn't be behaving like that towards me, but also unable to do anything to stop it. As Edwin said, I was still not strong and had to extricate myself with the help of the allies that had just started from the man himself.My sigh escaped on its own, but after
Catherine's POVI had come out of the toilet and looked around the party room for Edwin and Benny, but they were nowhere to be seen.I could find my father easily, still chatting with some important people intimately, but the two men were nowhere to be seen. It was as if they had disappeared or were hiding very well so as not to be found by me.I recalled Benny's face, which didn't look too good before they left together, curling my lip and mumbling, "What is that guy going to do? That's not what I'm thinking about, is it?"Before going to the restroom, I heard the man wanted to talk to Edwin, but I wasn't sure. I'm currently feeling uncomfortable as I'm still searching for them among the crowd. That man might have misunderstood my relationship with Edwin.He was a very close friend, a really good friend who had been with me for so long that we were like brothers, but he didn't feel that way. He liked me, and I always pushed him away so our friendship wouldn't end.He always helped an