Nicole's POVI sighed, looking at the two men standing before my bed and staring intently at each other. They hadn't been at my place long, but already looked like they would make a scene in my room.There would be no stopping them with my room not being in a public ward and only us being here. My father had difficulty going to work, while Key had to take my place with Richard.I already knew that it would be like this when they met, but I couldn't do anything to stop them other than sighing again."You'd better get out of here, Mr. Grant. You're interrupting my time and my fiancée's." Matthew said first.The green-brown-eyed man didn't look affected and gave the man who was my fiancé a flat look. "No, I'm not. Don't you already know what happened between us? You are the one who should leave here.""I am Nicole's fiancé. Are you not listening to what I am saying?" My fiancé asked in a tone that sounded emotional. "You shouldn't kick me out with your nobody status."Chris shrugged his
Nicole's POVAfter they left, another person came to my hospital room. Looking at the figure I missed, I could feel my smile slowly brighten, and my mood brightened.My son walked in with Key, walking after him and holding a small robot in his palm. The robot was quite eye-catching as it looked similar to a miniature human.He smiled as he showed me the robot closer. "Look, Mom. Doesn't this robot look so cute?""Yes." I nodded as I watched the robot more closely, feeling curious. "How did you make it?"I deliberately asked that because I was genuinely interested, and after seeing my son's expression, who seemed to have refrained from saying anything right away, I realized that if I didn't look interested, I didn't look interested. He was adorable, but I refrained from ruffling his hair.The boy's eyes seemed to sparkle, though his voice still sounded quieter as he began to explain. "It's easy, ma'am. I just need to do it like I made the insect robot, but a little more complicated."H
Nicole's POVI took my mother's hand, entering the biggest house I saw besides ours. Many people were there, dressed in the same fancy clothes my mom and I wore. Many friends my age gathered first in one of the open sections of the party room, which was also filled with several other adults."Do you want to play with them?" my mom asked, to which I immediately replied with a nod. "Alright, don't play too far. You remember where you're going.""Okay, Mom!"I quickly joined the other children. A girl took my hand, and we walked together, following the other children who were planning to play hide-and-seek. One of us stood guard when we arrived at a less crowded part of the house while the rest, including me, scattered to find the best hiding place.I didn't look where I was going and thought I couldn't lose. My footsteps led to a place filled with paintings no longer on display and other dull-looking items. I stifled a cough as I entered the room but used my handkerchief to breathe bett
Nicole's POVChris left. I should feel happy or at least relieved about it, but for some reason, I feel guilty.Maybe it was because he and I both knew that I wasn't being sincere. I didn't want to admit it, but we'd been on several dates, and I'd ordered spaghetti bolognese on three of our five dates, so he knew it all too well.I sighed, trying to control myself from this useless feeling that would only harm me. Suddenly, someone stroked my hair gently, snapping me out of my daydream about a man who could usually only think about himself. I turned my head, looking at Matthew, who was smiling gently."Take it easy. Everything will be fine, Nicole."I nodded, agreeing with his words and wishing for the same. I just wanted to get well soon so I could get back to work, see Richard, and spend time with my son in places far better than the hospital garden or this already dull hospital room.The bespectacled man stared at the closed door with a sharp gaze. "That man really doesn't know him
Nicole's POVI didn't know what was happening until my father suddenly came over and hugged me tightly. I felt my stiff hands on both sides of his body, not knowing what to do for a few moments before finally patting his back a few times."Nicole...." he called my name for the umpteenth time even though he had been hugging me since before. "Nicole, Nicole. Oh my... Nicole..."The man's shoulders, which usually looked well-built, trembled on top of mine, as did the moisture I could suddenly feel there. I realized he was also crying, although I still didn't know why.I became a little worried, trying to calm this father, who was still in my arms. "Dad, what's wrong? Why are you suddenly crying? Calm down, Father. I don't know anything if you don't say anything.""How can I calm down, Nicole, my child?" He was trying to get the words out in his trembling voice. "God, I still can't believe this."I still didn't understand what the man before me was saying, which was more like mumbling to
Nicole's POVAfter a while, my father said goodbye to take care of a few things while finding out about the information he had told me. He ignored the other figure who had been with us since earlier, but I couldn't do the same.When the door to the room closed, I looked at Chris, who was still silent, and finally said to him. "Why are you still there? Don't you realize that your presence here is completely unwanted?""I know, but I can't leave you."He looked at me intently, then walked over to me. I stared back at him, trying to keep myself brave and not back down in front of him, ignoring the fact that we almost did something I didn't want to happen before my father entered this room.The man stopped walking and paused right next to my bed, between which was the IV pole I was using.He seemed to smile slightly as he looked at me more closely. "I am glad that you have found your real father, Nicole. Mr. Edwin will be a good father to you.""What are you saying?" I frowned, staring at
Nicole's POVFor the past two days, I have not wanted to see Chris at all. My father had prepared several bodyguards to guard me while I was alone, standing guard at the door of my hospital room so that the man I didn't want to see wouldn't have a chance to break in.That had already happened this morning, where a bodyguard did his best to hold back the breakthrough of the man who was also very stubborn. It took some time for the man to be wholly driven away and not make any more noise in front of my room, but I also knew that it hadn't made him give up just yet.I clenched my fists tightly, remembering what he said the last time we met. His gaze was fixed on me then, and his furrowed brow told me that his words needed to be considered."I care about the little boy, Nicole. He is my son, and I know that he is not someone who should be involved in this revenge business that you want to take on me. The child is still small."I fell silent, feeling the man's words as if he was both stabb
Nicole's POVMy bed was pushed quite slowly and cautiously, following the bed occupied by my father, who had driven off first. The ceiling of the hospital hallway was the center of my gaze as my bed moved, accompanied by several nurses who were on duty to assist me.As I was about to enter the operating room, I saw Matthew waiting at the entrance. I involuntarily smiled when I met his gaze, feeling that he was giving me the strength I sought when some worries overwhelmed me.Be it the surgery, my father, and Richard. I missed my son a little after the video call we had before I was about to undergo surgery. He was still small. Hence, it wasn't easy to accompany me, but his presence would give me more peace of mind.My fiancé greeted me warmly while holding my bedrails, unable to touch me directly as my entire body needed to be sterile before the surgery. "Everything will be fine, Nicole. Your father came in a few minutes ago.""Thank you, Matthew." I just looked at him intently, which
Nicole's POVI have received the gift given by the man's secretary. Evan. I wanted to refuse, but the man, whose age was not far from Key's, looked really pitiable and almost pleading as he spoke to me."Miss Nicole, I'm sorry, but if you don't accept this gift then I will get in trouble from Mr. Chris," he said.I stared at the man without saying much. I obviously had my reservations, staring at the two gifts that seemed unremarkable at first glance. Still, considering Chris's proposal and the answer I gave him temporarily, the situation was clearly different.He told me to take as much time as possible to come up with a final answer to his proposal. Still, in the end, he acted arbitrarily, like he was pressuring me to give him the answer immediately by giving me something like this.The secretary seemed to see my intentions and quickly returned to pleading before me. "Miss Nicole, please do me a favor just this once. Mr. Chris has already sought several opportunities to remove me fr
Chris' POVArriving in the car, I sighed.All my strength seemed to be drained, and I allowed myself to just lean back on the seat, loosening the tie that suddenly felt like it was strangling my neck. My gaze was only fixed in front of me, on the road that began to pass by faster after the car sped up.My secretary finally spoke. "Were you rejected?"I looked at the man. He had helped me prepare for today's proposal, including decorations, rings, and various other things that were supposed to be done after the proposal, but that didn't happen with me leaving first.She was crying, and I didn't really have the guts to look at Mr. Duncan and my son. Aside from my mixed feelings, I just followed in my footsteps, which led me out of the place and away from the miserable feeling."You seem to really like the fact that Nicole rejected me," I finally said, sounding as cold as I felt toward the man who was still driving.She didn't say anything.I exhaled, feeling a tightness in my chest that
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,