Chris' POVI was surprised by what the bespectacled man said to Nicole about wanting to make her his wife. My heartbeat stopped for a moment, and my steps stopped not too far from them.I still loved that woman and had already decided to be with her again, as well as the little boy in my arms, but the man who had just appeared dared to get ahead of me."Nicole cannot be your wife," I was just about to say when a small hand covered my mouth, stopping the words I was about to say to the two people who were already staring at us. I averted my gaze.Richard was already looking at me first with a furrowed brow. "You don't deserve to say that, sir. You have repeatedly destroyed my mother, but you will do the same to her again if I don't stop you."I paused, looking at a child determined to protect his mother. Although I disagreed with his words about my actions, I appreciated his actions as a child cared for by his mother all this time, even when I had never done the same.I touched the boy
Chris' POVI watched as the man held Nicole in his arms, helping her to lie back down on the hospital bed that was slightly higher than the wheelchair."Take it easy, Nicole." The man spoke, slowly lowering the woman onto the bed.The woman lowered her hand onto the bed, trying to place herself carefully while her other hand was still hugging the neck of the man with glasses, making me feel jealous for not being able to do the same for her.I watched as the woman finally lay down, disentangling herself from the man with a relieved smile, as did the man. "Thank you." I could hear the woman speaking.The man's hand seemed to move closer to Nicole's face. He used the back of his hand to wipe away the flowing sweat and quickly switched to tucking the woman's hair behind her ear. He smiled happily."No problem."I clenched my fists, knowing she was comfortable with the seemingly natural touch, as they had probably done it several times before I saw her in person.The man ended his help by
Nicole's POVI had a relaxing time at the hospital. Richard would come to me during every visit, spending time with me and keeping me company while I was still undergoing treatment, just like today.We were playing chess together. He was already executing various tactics while I was painstakingly defending my King's position from being eaten for the umpteenth time, either by the Queen, the Minister, or even my son's Fortress.I exhaled, watching my son's Minister, who was already directing checkmate. My only chess pieces were a few pawns, and one horse almost threatened with death, so I was already completely cornered."How is this? Mom seems to be losing again against you." I said, advancing a pawn for what defence I could.My son smiled. "Mom, don't despair yet. I only have ministers, queens and kings...."I shook my head a few times, not knowing whether to feel sad or happy that my son was still trying to cheer me up. There were more chess pieces on my side, but my movement was sti
Nicole's POVSelena looked at me, unaware of what she had just heard from Chris. "Is that true, Miss Nicole?"I nodded. "It's true."I closed my eyes momentarily as she looked at me and the man in turn. I tried to avoid everything related to the man still standing without knowing what he had done, but with just what the man said just now, my wish could not happen.The middle-aged woman closed her mouth, admiring Chris. "Wow, you're perfect. If that is the case, then you are like a hero to Miss Nicole."I still didn't say anything after that, just listened to how the woman sitting next to me couldn't stop praising Chris's not-quite-righteous deeds, while the man seemed unremarkable.Although it was confirmed that he was the one who saved me, I also knew that his arrival at that time was utterly coincidental. He, who had no idea what his purpose was in coming to see me, ended up seeing me as an insane man who was kidnapped.I was grateful for what that man had done, overcoming the worst
Nicole's POVI brushed my hair back, trying to quell the feelings in my chest, but I couldn't hold it in anymore. He's the one who always acts as he pleases, but why do I feel like I have to give in every time? I don't want to have to act like that anymore.I looked at him sharply. "Stop it, Chris. I don't want to hear your nonsense anymore, and I don't want to see your annoying presence around me.""Annoying?" The man repeated my words as a question, making me stare at him even more sharply, but he just snorted softly and shook his head for a moment. "Alright, today I'll just get here. I originally came just to see how you were doing, Nicole...."He explained that his coming was never meant to be bad, but I always put him in the wrong position with my actions when it was just the two of us like this. The man quickly brought up my previous words and claimed that I was the one who made him become like this.I didn't take my eyes off him when I heard his twisted statement. Even now, he
Matthew's POVI remember the first time I met Nicole again. I was immediately attracted to her. She was beautiful in one look, and her aura did not seem weak. She was a strong existence that I immediately noticed among the many people I had met.The woman's eyes didn't seem to hesitate as she looked at me, whom she didn't seem to recognize right away. Although her voice sounded a bit cautious, she seemed to respond in the same way that I did: friendly but not immediately familiar and providing enough boundaries.Although I did cross the line a bit by giving her a hint about our next meeting and touching hands and cheeks with her a few times because I couldn't help myself."Richard...." I muttered the name of that beautiful woman's son I had recently learned.He's a boy who looks much like his mother but is also slightly different. I knew he had the distinction of having a calm demeanor like an adult, but he could also have fun or behave like a child with his mother.With just one look
Matthew's POVI was eating with my father at the dining table in our house. I glanced at my father several times while we were eating, waiting for him to say something until he finally looked at me."What's wrong, Matthew? You seem to have something to talk to me about." He said.I put down the cutlery I was using before looking at him again. "It's not me, it's Dad. That time, you said that there was something you wanted to talk to me about, but you had other things to do."I only remembered discussing Nicole when he suddenly excused himself, and I went somewhere else. I was pretty excited about the engagement being discussed between Nicole and me. Still, my father said that there were things that I should know before the engagement procession was fully executed.Of course, I wanted to know, but some things had happened, so the conversation could only continue now.My father looked at me with slightly widened eyes, realizing the conversation I was having. "Oh, you remember our convers
Matthew's POVToday was the day Nicole would be discharged from her hospitalization. I was on my way to the hospital feeling rather uncomfortable, remembering the time when I thought that Nicole was Natalie when talking to her about my childhood memories.I remembered how that woman's expression made me a little sad. I thought she was just unable to remember a memorable event for me, but it turned out that it could be her other past that she didn't want to talk about anymore.The only thing I can be sure of is that my feelings for her are true. Childhood was important, but our accidental meeting at the cafe and what followed made me fall for that woman even more."It's here," I muttered softly, exhaling after I had finished parking my car.I looked at the bouquet of flowers I had leaned against the passenger seat, noticing the soft-colored arrangement the florist had suggested before I came here. I had intended to give this bouquet to Nicole to congratulate her on her return, but then
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