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
Nicole's POVIt's been a few days since I've been able to sleep peacefully. There was a restless and uncomfortable feeling every time I closed my eyes, and then I would wake up suddenly, even before morning came or one of the servants came to help me get ready. Just like now.I opened my eyes in the still-dark room, looking at the window displaying raindrops heavy enough to almost form a light mist. "It's raining...." I muttered under my breath.I groaned softly, then tried to get up from my bed, approaching the window while hugging my body so I could stare at the raindrops more clearly. The sound of the rain made me feel more relaxed, although I wasn't sleepy after waking up suddenly either.I reached for my cell phone and contacted Key to make me some tea.A knock on the door sounded a moment later. "Come in," I spoke so the man could enter immediately without waiting anymore.I was already seated and was massaging my forehead a few times. I could see Key putting down the tea he had
Nicole's POV"Why is that man here, mom?" Richard spoke to me, who was still silent.I also didn't know why that man was around an area quite far from the office or the lunch place that was his usual destination. He couldn't be wasting his time traveling around the city, which was taking up much time unless he knew where Richard and I were.While I was thinking, Chris crossed over alone and walked towards us. He smiled at Richard, and I saw my son looking seriously and coldly at the man. There was no more pretense on his face like when he first met him."Hi, my little buddy. We finally meet again." Chris was friendly to my son, who was looking at him sharply.The two of them stared at each other while I watched. At that moment, I realized that Chris and Richard had something in common with each other, as their identities as father and son were unknown to many people.Chris was firm while running his company, as well as his courage to do whatever he wanted at any given time or circumst
Nicole's POV"Ah... ah, no...." I muttered in a trembling voice, feeling my vision start to blur.That accident a few years ago put me through a terrifying, traumatizing thing that still torments me to this day. The loud crashing sounds and accidents with any transportation, primarily cars I see in any media always negatively affect me.I got better while undergoing therapy from the Duncan Family's personal doctor in the first few years I met my father, and I even drove myself without the help of others more often in my third year, without the need to be supervised by others unless I was attending a significant event.Now, I saw for myself how the car accident happened near me. The two cars that collided were already emitting smoke and then exploded and spewed flames from the front engine, making me remember the thing I experienced a few years ago, almost taking my life and Richard's at the same time."Mom, Mom…." I could hear Richard's voice, but my memories of that time were still
Nicole's POVEdwin was next to me, watching me so intently that I couldn't ignore him. I exhaled, staring at the old man who had a similar expression to when I fell ill a few days ago."What's wrong, Father?" I asked.Edwin shook his head, letting out his breath before lowering his gaze from my face. "I was just thinking that your current condition reminds me of the past, but you're much better now."I tried to smile, but it was hard to do so when my mind automatically replayed the events almost completely buried in my memory. The sound of the explosion and the heat from the flames that nearly touched me, the car accident at that time, really affected me to the point that the effects caused me to have a panic attack and end up lying down like this.Richard and Chris saw that effect firsthand earlier, while Edwin had seen my reaction like this several times whenever there was an accident or news about the same thing.That was also influenced by the condition of my body, which was alrea
Nicole's POVChris was silent. I could see that he seemed to be processing my words, but I wasn't done talking. There was still something I wanted to tell him."Until now, I've been confused by the feelings I have for you, Mr. Grant."I clasped my hands together tightly. "If I were to accept your proposal without thinking, it would not only make me look like I'm playing you, but also betray my own uncertain feelings."As I said, I felt very mixed after hearing and seeing his attitude during his proposal.There were feelings of joy, sadness, hatred, and hope, all in equal measure, that confused me.On the one hand, I liked this proposal in the deepest part, which I buried deeply. Still, I also couldn't let go of the thing that had kept me alive all these years after his betrayal by leaving me and the evil deeds of my old family.I didn't want revenge, but the residual feelings were still there, as were my feelings for the man in front of me.Both had the same deep impression on me duri
Nicole's POVAs I walked in, I could see the restaurant's decor, which looked like a very romantic place. Like I saw outside, no one was inside except me and my assistant.We walked in together, he walking behind me, but I was busy with my thoughts. My brain seemed to be spinning rapidly, and I was thinking about this strange thing as best I could.My father had deliberately directed me to this restaurant for dinner. Still, that man was nowhere to be seen, nor was Richard and whoever was supposed to be in this restaurant to serve us. The deserted atmosphere added to the aggravation of my thoughts and the additional fear of the unusual situation.I swallowed, wondering, even as I followed the lit candles still guiding our path. Why is the restaurant in this state? Shouldn't we have gathered and enjoyed dinner by now?I already felt that my father, my son, and everything that happened today were acting strangely. I have absolutely no idea what's going on. It really felt like I was walki
Nicole's POVI looked at my father, who had been watching me since earlier. I ignored it at first, but after a while, I got curious and finally asked him. "Is there something you want to talk to me about, Father?"He shook his head, smiling slightly with eyes that seemed to sparkle. "No, no. I'm just happy to see that you've been in good spirits lately."I smiled back at him, although I also thought that my father's attitude was quite strange. I didn't feel as excited as he said, just as usual. The things my father said were even more applicable to him, who somehow looked radiant.Of course, I felt happy about whatever my father went through because I knew he could behave like that now. After the betrayal of his old friend, I felt that my father became much more reserved and only focused on his work, but now he's become better than that.I finally changed the subject. "Is Richard with that man, Father?"He nodded.Lately, my son has been spending a lot of time with Chris. It was usual
Nicole's POVI was already in my study, realizing that the thing that happened a moment ago was really happening.The things I felt and the attitude I showed the man... I touched my chest, feeling the pounding of my heart that always became unusual whenever I couldn't control myself, especially when it came to that man. Chris.I didn't know what was wrong with me anymore, feeling messed up and not knowing what to do to fix what had happened."No," I said, with a complementary slap to snap myself out of my current situation. "I need to focus."It wasn't time for me to dwell on whatever feelings were surrounding me and dwell on them. Work was waiting for me, and I couldn't put it off any longer for any reason.I slapped my cheeks repeatedly. Only then could I take my work seriously.I spent most of my days staying out of that man's reach. Sometimes, Chris was at my house for some business, but I still avoided him and didn't show myself to him as much as I could. When I came home, I aske
Chris' POV"Chris!"A shouting voice rang in my ears. I turned my head and saw a woman running towards me. She immediately hugged me tightly. Smelling the fragrance of her body so close to me and catching a glimpse of her face, I felt certain that the woman in this embrace was Nicole.I looked in the direction the woman had previously run and found several people scattered around the streets, shouting and moving away from each other. This was paving the way for a tree snake that seemed to have escaped from one of the shops in this row of streets.Not far from the snake, two staff members who seemed to be from the shop could be seen chasing the escaping animal with nets and ropes. They looked tense, following the slithering animal's movements on the hot street.The atmosphere was definitely noisy, but I could only feel the fear of the woman who was in my arms and was giving me a tight hug without any warning as if I was her life preserver and didn't want to be let go by her anytime soo
Chris' POVI felt that my relationship with Nicole was fine, even better than a few weeks ago, even though she sometimes tried to ignore my presence around her.She was becoming more talkative with me about some mundane things that I didn't know would happen so soon. She didn't kick me out anymore, even if I went over her limit, which would usually make her upset and follow her emotions.I still remember when she acted shy when receiving my cheek kiss and her anger at the charity event when I kissed her on the lips. My reactions to those two things were quite different. One was closer to negative because I was in a hurry, while the other was closer to positive, even though they were close in time.Perhaps my thoughts on our current situation were correct.She probably doesn't hate me as much as she used to, and I can also do things that I could never do even if I wanted to. For now, I won't do anything more than the usual touching of a young couple, but even that already makes me happ
Chris' POVI returned Nicole's widened gaze, feeling a little pleased and proud of myself. "I know, you must be admiring me, right, Nicole?""Are you showing yourself off?" She snorted, changing her previously unseen gaze to what it was now, slightly sharp. "Why would I admire you sitting down?"I noticed the woman who looked a little sullen. I still don't know the reason, but she seemed to be annoyed that I accidentally made her emotional with my out-of-context words.Anyway, I was happy with her attention and unconsciously said whatever came to my mind.I cleared my throat softly, returning the conversation. "If you try, you can do it too, Nicole. Cooperation with Mr. Divo." The woman was still looking sulky. "You might be able to get this deal done first.""I can't." The woman's father suddenly spoke up, looking serious. "If Nicole does that, it will be dangerous for her."The woman seemed to turn her attention to her father, frowning as she asked. "What makes it dangerous for me,
Nicole's POVI knew what he meant when he dropped me off after our accidental lunch. My gaze was drawn to the scene in front of me, inside my house, which should have consisted of my father, Richard, Key, and the servants, but this time it was different.The man and my two and only family were in the living room. My son looked relaxed while my father chatted smoothly with the man. The three seemed familiar, even to the point of not noticing my presence, and had already been welcomed by the servants in our house.Perhaps I stared too long. My father turned to me, as did the other two. They had quite similar happy expressions, which made me frown."Nicole, you just arrived?" My father asked by way of greeting. "I thought you'd be home a little later because of the work you've been piling up. Key told me."I ignored my father's words, paying more attention to the calm-looking man mingling among them. He noticed my gaze and smiled politely, but I could feel slightly annoyed by his natural
Nicole's POVI paused to look at the man's face, especially his smile, which made me feel like I was about to lose focus. I didn't let that go on for too long and pushed the bouquet of flowers at him, waking him up to something.His eyes widened slightly. He put a little distance between us, letting me stand evenly, though his hands were still on my waist, and said casually. "Oh yes, I wanted to give you this bouquet of flowers."I gazed at the bouquet of flowers she handed to me. The arrangement was pretty, consisting of only three flowers, but the colors of the flowers were well integrated and complemented each other. The skill of the bouquet arranger could be recognized. I could also smell the fragrance of the bouquet he gave me.At this point, my focus completely disappeared, especially as I tried to deal with the predicament right in front of me.It's been too long since I've experienced this, and it felt so different when I was with Matthew. After all, this man in front of me di