Nicole's POV"What do you want to talk about?"I looked at the man in front of me coldly, and he returned my gaze. We were now in a park not far from the building where the meeting was being held. It was not too far away, so I could find Richard and Key, who were waiting for me.I asked for a separate place because I didn't want Chris to be close to Richard and vice versa. That man had startled me by appearing when I least expected it, so I could be sure he probably had someone follow me everywhere.There was no way that man would quickly find me right after I finished the meeting and when Key wasn't by my son's side. From the conversation between the two earlier, I could tell that the conversation had lasted long enough that Richard didn't leave the man right away, either.The man didn't mince words and asked back. "Do you know a woman named Nicole Martinez?"I paused, snorted softly, and stared in the other direction momentarily. "You want to talk shit about us again?" I rolled my e
Nicole's POV"I know all about it." He shook his head, denying my words without hesitation. "You have a star birthmark on your neck, Nicole. Did you forget that I know your body like my own?"I paused, trying to remain calm as he discussed my birthmark. I didn't think about the mark for everything I had to do, from work to personal problems.Jayden had taken up most of my mind because of his unpredictable actions, but then I forgot that Chris was not that different from the man who was my ex-boyfriend. They were both stubborn, and I felt like I was being played by their attitudes.I didn't have time to do anything when, all of a sudden, the man moved closer to me. One hand was on the table that had been between us, and the other was on the back of my neck, touching my birthmark with his finger.I shuddered, seeing our faces getting so close that I could feel his breath against mine and my chest pounding with our closeness. I felt like a fool, and so did I when his hand then moved to m
Nicole's POVAfter what happened yesterday, I finally found out everything that happened to me in the past to make me have to go through that horrible experience. Not only because Chris was cold and left me but also because of the cooperation between Jayden and Adeline, which destroyed our relationship in the first place.It wasn't enough to torment me while I was still in the Martinez Family home. They also caused the man I loved to doubt my feelings and made him choose to break off his relationship with me without any words. I blamed the man for being stupid, but I also couldn't let go of the fact of their involvement in the destruction of my life.They were all bad."Aaa...." I had mixed feelings.I was now in front of my computer, in my home office. I leaned back, staring intently at the information I was opening about Chris and the man who had ruined my life.I could find out so much about each of them with just a little effort. The safeguards around their information were easy t
Nicole's POV"Why are you here, Matthew?"I asked, looking at the man who was still smiling while leaning against the wall and at me, who was also leaning against him. We were now on the second floor, near an open window. There was no one around us, so I relaxed, and he followed suit.He murmured softly. "My father has business with your father, Nicole, so I was also invited here to accompany him.""Really?" I blinked slowly, having just learned this from the man before me.I had met my father before, but he had not said anything about the Thompson Family coming to our residence. He also didn't inform me of their arrival and left me in the study without doing anything. We probably wouldn't have met like this if I hadn't gone out.He nodded. "Right." The man smiled even wider, revealing his teeth and dimples. "I am so happy to have met you out of the blue, Nicole.""This is my home. Of course, we'll meet." I laughed at his words but realized something about our seemingly accidental mee
Nicole's POVAfter a few encounters with Matthew, my relationship with him became pretty close. Whether it was an accidental or deliberate encounter, we could interact as usual, especially with the man's contribution of still trying hard to engage me in conversation.Just like now. We were walking together to watch a movie at the theatre, although I didn't know about it when he called."You said we're walking around the mall today," I said, looking at her as she just handed over the tickets for each of us to the staff.He smiled, carrying both the drinks in his hands and my hand, which was dangling on his arm since she was the one who put it down, while I held the large popcorn that would accompany us watching.It was all so fast, I couldn't even protest and could only follow him willingly and sit in our spot. "You're getting better at setting me up, Matthew."I could see his smiling. "I'll take it as a compliment. I'm glad I could take you out to watch like this."I returned his smil
Nicole's POV"Nicole, who are you with?" Chris asked, looking at Matthew briefly with a look of dislike before looking back at me.I looked back at him, still holding on to the man beside me. "It's none of your business. Go away, Mr. Chris."We stared at each other for a few moments. I had intended to take Matthew away, but the man apparently knew Chris and gave me a surprised look before returning his gaze to the man in front of us."Mr. Christian Grant?" The bespectacled man spoke, still looking incredulous at the figure before him. "Well, I didn't expect to meet you here by chance. I'm Matthew Thompson."The green-brown-eyed man looked at Matthew's outstretched hand, seemed uninterested in accepting it, and ignored it. He switched to folding his hands together, looking coldly at the man beside me."Oh, you're from the Thompson Family." The man did not sound interested at all.Matthew nodded, retracted his hand and kept smiling. "Right, Mr. Grant."I didn't look at the man next to m
Nicole's POVI still felt ashamed of Matthew's words discussing my unconscious words about him. Of course, I wasn't lying, but hearing him tease me with what I said earlier made me regret it.I'd forgotten that he had a habit of acting like that every time we met. Even though we'd only met a few times, he'd told me that he liked how easily I'd become embarrassed by his simple flirting so that he'd subconsciously get hooked. Even after that, he would change the subject so as not to do the same thing over and over again.We were in the car, already in front of my house, after driving from the mall. "Wait a minute." The bespectacled man blurted out just as I was about to open the door.He opened the door next to him and walked out until he came to my door and opened it. I saw him extend his hand to me, smiling. I felt awkward, especially when he finally grabbed my hand to hold it while helping me step out of the car.After we walked out, he did not immediately let go of my hand and kept
Nicole's POVI was surprised to see him here, in front of my house. I wanted to rush inside, but he quickly approached me and called my name."Nicole."I stood still for a moment, taking a deep breath before turning around and giving him a sharp glare. "Are you a stalker now, sir? You've followed me all the way home.""Sorry." The man didn't seem the least bit guilty and simply replied. "I couldn't help myself after being unable to see you these past few days. I looked everywhere for you."I frowned, not expecting the level of the man who had always been cold to everyone when it came to me. I had many problems on my mind, including that guy, but I didn't look into his whereabouts until I found out about his activities."What for? I don't remember doing business with you, and vice versa." I looked at him even colder. "I even repeatedly said not to approach me."He paused, not denying my words, and clenched his hands into fists. But then he looked back at me. "I feel uneasy after seeing
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