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
Chris' POV"This is weird," I mumbled, touching my lips unconsciously while thinking about the woman I had just met again but also had to leave with her father.Nicole, who previously looked breathless, scared, and trembling, made me very worried about her. Without thinking about that moment, I quickly carried her to the car and asked the driver to take us to the hospital.The woman could not speak at all, and her hands were limp when grasped. I couldn't take my eyes off Nicole, so I watched as she was examined and sedated to rest.Throughout the incident, I was afraid that something would happen to her, but I also felt strange about myself. I realized that I wasn't the kind of man who could easily open his heart to a woman to feel like this, affected by the condition of another person who didn't even have any relationship with me.Only one person could make me feel this way, the woman who was declared dead a few years ago due to a single accident. Nicole Martinez.".... Mr. Chris."
Nicole's POV"Ugh." I held my head, feeling a stab of pain that was quite severe and left a lingering dizzy sensation.I closed my eyes to help ease the pain I was experiencing, then heard someone stepping closer and asking about my condition. Key. "Miss Nicole, are you alright?" He asked, sounding worried.I was silent for a few moments before nodding, flashing a smile to appease him. "I'm fine, just dizzy."I stared at the computer screen blankly, thinking about the symptoms of my headache that were still returning even though I was feeling better. I had so many things to accomplish that there was no time to waste, which was probably why I was also experiencing stress that was affecting my health.I'm relieved that I didn't show this to my father or Richard. Both of them could suddenly become overprotective and force me to rest without taking into account the things I have to do from now on.A document was suddenly placed on my desk. I raised my gaze, seeing Key's genuinely worried
Nicole's POV"It's so nice to be together for dinner," Selena said, chuckling as she watched us in her dining room.Some of the servants had already served the meal for the evening, which was quite a variety, and white wine was used for the accompanying drinks. Selena and I sat next to each other while her husband and Chris sat across from us.I could only return her smile without saying anything, still not expecting to meet Chris at Selena's house. I didn't know that they had a relationship with him. Still, after thinking about it, maybe it was only natural that fellow businessmen in the same city would have a relationship with each other.I wanted to say goodbye as soon as I saw the man, but Selena was quick to tell us something, suggesting that she and I follow the dinner prepared by the cook the woman had hired especially for today.Selena was smiling. "Come on, eat up, Miss Nicole."I nodded and began to eat the food, which tasted quite delicious, but I still didn't get rid of th
Chris' POVI was still in the car, staring at my hands and pressing my fingers together with a frantic mind. There were several things I was thinking about after Evan told me the shocking rumour.Feelings of disbelief, confusion and trying to process the information in my head were mixed. In the end, I quickly chose the quickest and surest way out that I could do. Go to that person's house, who knew Nicole the best even though I didn't want to admit it.The car I was driving stopped at the same-looking housing complex. "Here you are, sir." The driver spoke.I looked out the window, noticing the small-sized house that was identical to the other houses that lined up around it. What differentiated the houses from each other were the numbers and the door decorations above the small windows.The house I saw now was obviously very different from the Martinez Family's previous residence. It couldn't be compared by too much class. I realised that the effects of their bankruptcy could have bro
Chris' POVI looked at Smith, who looked back at me, seeing his eyes that clearly showed the alcohol that had entered his body and affected his attitude. His life was ruined, but he was still looking for any way he could get a little money to buy his drinks.I didn't really care about her reasoning. My desire to get information about Nicole made me have to give in to him. I finally nodded, agreeing to his request even though I still had some reservations."Alright, I'll give you a few hundred dollars at your convenience if you tell me about her."He drank the remaining alcohol in his bottle before sighing and laughing. Smith was obviously laughing at me for so easily giving away money with so little information, but I didn't care. I was sure that he was just as in need of the money so he could quickly buy a drink and wouldn't waste my time any longer.The old man looked like a madman with his unkempt appearance and the bottle in his hand, but I still waited quietly for him to tell me
Chris' POVI was still completely shocked by what Smith had told me. Not only that man but even the mother Nicole had told me about wasn't her real mother. I furrowed my brow, feeling my own voice sound doubtful."So, Nicole is neither your daughter nor your late wife?" I asked again, confirming the old man's answer this time.Smith laughed. "No, she's not. She's a child we found by accident. What's the term? A foster child? Adopted? Well, whatever it is, we took her in when she had no one else."I was silent, listening to Smith tell me how it all happened. There was no sadness on his face, as he was still drunk, but he also didn't look as crazy as before and just told it like it was. He took a small sip of his drink."My wife miscarried. She was declared unable to conceive again with fatal damage to her uterus, so at the time, it was a heavy blow for her, as well as for me. But what happened to my wife became worse as her condition deteriorated over the days. She was not in good spir
Edwin's POVI didn't realize that loving someone would make me feel things I didn't know. Although my first encounter with Catherine was not good, it still left a deep impression on me.She was just an innocent woman who knew little about the world around her, even worse than me, who had always received a private education before deciding to attend a public university.However, the more I got to know her and talked to her, the more I found out that she wasn't just a spoiled child from a rich family. She had her own difficulties and realized that she couldn't just stand by and accept the injustices that were always said in favor of her family.We also became friends in the end, but something went wrong.I didn't have a problem with it at all. In fact, I liked it a lot. That woman had a lot of eyes around her, who noticed her and were obviously interested in her from a mild level to infatuation, just like her best friend.Although I didn't really understand the concept of love or anythi
Benny's POVI was very surprised to hear that Catherine would marry Edwin. Her father had rejected the proposal letter sent by my father a while ago, so I called her immediately."Yes, I'm going to marry Edwin, Benny." She answered without hiding anything else.I was silent for a long time, unable to believe what I was hearing even though Catherine had admitted it herself. She didn't seem to realize what I was feeling until she started telling me what had happened.My frown deepened as she told me, unable to contain my shock about what had happened to her. The fact that the woman I liked was pregnant with a man who had been hanging out with us for the past few days, making friends as usual.The man didn't show that their relationship had changed, but the truth was more than I could have imagined. The threat that I felt from Edwin finally came true. He usurped my position to be the only man who could be by her side.In the end, the relationship I tried so hard to build with Catherine m
Catherine's POV"Wow, you really made my parents speechless, Edwin."I praised him, feeling a little amazed by the man who could make me look at my father, who could only be silent without being able to do anything. My mother also looked very surprised and watched the man stunned, but still, my father's reaction was the best thing I had ever seen.No one had ever rivaled him, not even Daniel. My father only relented or made compromises regarding my brother, unlike when dealing with Edwin, who seemed to have slapped him to reality.We were already outside my house. I had deliberately escorted him to the residence fence because I didn't want to be with my parents and still wanted to chat with the man who had caused such a stir inside our house.The man snorted softly. "I know someone like your father. He wouldn't dare to contradict someone like me."I nodded, remembering my father's face, which could only harden, but I could not say anything. After all, Edwin's family was far more impor
Catherine's POV"I am happy for your relationship, Catherine and Young Master Duncan, " my father said with a disgusting smile. I had no idea that we would become a family so soon."He laughed to himself while I felt increasingly uncomfortable with the old man's increasingly blatant attitude. My father did not hide his pleasure at all with what Edwin and I had said today after my examination at the hospital.My gaze fell on the man sitting next to me. He still looked calm, giving me a quick glance as he reached out to take one of my hands. This made me feel less alone among my greedy family members.My father still maintained a smile, looking at Edwin and me in turn. "The relationship between you two should be kept a secret immediately so as not to cause any inconvenience to Young Master, don't you think?" He looked at the man and then at me with a faint smile."You are very clever, Catherine." His gaze pierced me. "You've managed to find a wonderful future husband for our family."I
Catherine's POVI was shocked by the man's words and looked at him. I liked him, but I wasn't sure about his feelings for me after finding out I was pregnant. After all, his sweet treatment back then and our current situation are different things.I swallowed my saliva and nodded. "Yes, Duncan. This baby is your son."I shifted my gaze in another direction. The man was probably angry. We had done it that time with the same desire, sharing the warmth of an intimate activity I had never experienced before. Still, it would be to my detriment if he was like any other man.He might turn out to be selfish and not care about me anymore after sleeping with me. I've heard several times from my friends that when a woman gets pregnant during a one-night stand, she has only two options. Keep the baby with no one or abort it and experience pain for who knows how long.Neither is good, and I don't want to go through it alone.One thing's for sure: in most of the stories I've heard, the man who spen
Catherine's POVWe arrived at a nice hospital, but I felt uneasy. I didn't feel dizzy anymore and was able to walk well, but Edwin was still holding me as if he was afraid I would falter again like before we arrived at this place.I looked at the man walking next to me. "I don't need treatment, Duncan. I'm already fine.""You can't." He shook his head without looking at me. "The doctor should at least check on your sudden limp while walking. He can prescribe medicine for you later."I exhaled, feeling his hand around my shoulder getting tighter, as well as his other hand clasping mine. I felt like I was getting too much attention to the point of feeling uncomfortable, but I was still grateful that he seemed genuinely worried about me."Alright.... I'll do it." I finally said.He nodded.This was my first time in a public hospital so being here felt quite strange. There were a lot of people and most of the people waiting around us were some women who looked pregnant or with their part
Catherine's POVMy life became more enjoyable after opening up to my two friends again. We often hung out together, spending time like the days before and sometimes joined Benny's friends who were quite friendly.After the closeness between the two men, people assumed that Edwin and Benny were inseparable friends. They often walked together, joined the same activities and organizations and were both in the spotlight among other students.It was a natural thing. Not only were their attitudes and personalities polar opposites, but the two men both came from prominent families and owned businesses that they would continue as the only sons of their respective families.They also had brilliant achievements in their respective majors, as well as good looks that were loved by many female students around campus, be it seniors or juniors."I like Edwin Duncan, he's very cold and handsome...." A woman said with a soft sigh.Her friend had a different response. "I prefer Benny Thompson. He's fri
Catherine's POVI entered the lecture again but avoided Edwin and Benny, who were trying hard to get close to me. Both men seemed equally stubborn in saying hello and being nice to me, even though I was always cold to them.They invite me to lunch, but I walk past them, accompanying them to read or study in the library. Then I moved further away and only had one seat, and then I just walked alone to my class.I actually don't mind being alone for now. There were too many thoughts swirling in my head, and my father warned me not to do anything wrong if I still wanted to go to college. A few days ago, my words made me a rebellious child, not something that did me justice.I regretted it a little, but I also couldn't deny that I had managed to say most of the things I had wanted to say a long time ago. Even if they didn't care at all, the important thing was that I didn't just keep those words bottled up inside me."This is tiring," I complained in a low voice.Sarah sighed next to me. "
Catherine's POVAfter hearing my words, I could see my father's gaze become sharper. I felt a little scared, but then I emboldened myself by returning his gaze more boldly.He frowned, still looking at me with his sharp gaze. "What do you mean?""I don't want to get married, Father," I said the meaning of my words more clearly, trying not to tremble in front of him. "Do you think I live only to get married for the sake of this family? If it's not with the man of Father's choice, I'll still be passed on to another man who doesn't fully match my wishes. I don't want to."There are still many things I can do even without getting married. I wanted to determine my life, like the women who weren't bound by the Varma family's nonsensical rules.They could do whatever they wanted, have fun, study, or whatever they wanted for their own future, without worrying about finding a husband who would be helpful to their family.Even if I don't get married, it doesn't mean I can't continue my life wel