Nicole's POVI came to my senses. My eyes felt blurry for a few moments, adjusting to the light of the lamp shining above me. When I turned my head, I saw the man I didn't want to see was there, looking at me with a relieved look."Why are you... here?" I asked, but the man just rubbed my hand between his two hands, whichever than mine, and rubbed it lightly.I looked at the man and then at our hands, realizing that I felt too weak to even attempt to remove my hands from him at this point. I should have pushed him away earlier but was too tired to fight with him.He looked at me, obviously knowing me too well to speak. "Nicole, rest."I closed my eyes, feeling the man lower our hands back onto the bed, right on the side of my body, still wrapped in the blanket. I must have been registered as a patient immediately after I fainted suddenly, in front of my father and the old man who kept blaming me when I was also involved in the accident that happened in an instant."Mr. Edwin Duncan is
Nicole's POVMy mouth immediately felt like it was quivering. "You mean, with that old man, is.... Benny Thompson?"The man nodded, seeing what was happening to me as if he had expected it. I had a panic attack. The man held my hand tightly, helping me to calm down what was happening to my body.After the past events, there were many things I had to go through, and this panic attack was one of them. Aside from being traumatized by loud noises and car crashes, it was very difficult for me to deal with this kind of shock that was also almost similar to the things I had gone through in the past.I wasn't badly hurt, but the scars from that incident still remained."Calm down, Nicole. You're still here, as are Richard and me." he took my hand and rubbed it gently. "Your father is fine, too. You just have to face this reality so you don't falter. You need to breathe."I breathed in with difficulty, feeling claustrophobic with the pressure my body was making due to the panic I was feeling.
Nicole's POVA week had passed. My father moved to arrest Benny, and the old man, who still had a thick face, was finally detained by the authorities and had to go through all the processes necessary to sentence him.During the interrogation, he admitted that it was his wish to make me injured, or at least end up disabled, so that I would have no choice but to live as his son's wife. He would fulfill his wish to lock me up.The man still assumed that neither my helplessness nor my father's would lead us to him.My father was furious, his gaze fiery, and his hands clenched tightly on the table. "That man's mind is turning more and more extreme. He has become so obsessed with Catherine that he has turned on you, Nicole, and involved his own son in his selfishness.""Father had no idea that he would come to this. Intending to disfigure you and then marry you off to his son? Hah! He doesn't even care about his son, who is in a coma because of his own actions." She shook her head.We were
Nicole's POVI was currently looking into the glass that mediated between me and the bespectacled man who was lying on his intensive care unit bed. He was still unconscious but was still being helped with some support equipment so that his health would not decline.I exhaled at the sight of his condition, as well as the figure who had been following me since we met in the basement of the hospital and was now standing next to me."You followed me."I didn't ask, but the man nodded. "I originally wanted to go to your house, but then I thought that you would definitely visit it, so I switched to here."That man was Chris. He was still acting on his own, doing whatever he wanted, even though nothing was forcing him to get involved in this situation. He could have stayed home to see my son, like their usual routine meeting, but he preferred to meddle in my affairs.I couldn't hate her for what she did this time. With all the things that had happened lately and the grudge I had been holding
Nicole's POVI exhaled, looking at the phone screen that showed a search for my name. In the end, the reporters finally heard what happened to us.It started with the marriage between Matthew and me failing to take place, causing a lot of questions about why, and now, they found out that Benny Thompson intended to kill me.The case about the bespectacled man's father should have only reached the police. Still, somehow, the reporters were able to get their hands on the information and release it to the media immediately. I had already seen a few articles, and my father, who was next to my hospital bed, was shaking with annoyance.He glared at the screen of his own phone. "I told them to shut up! Why? Huh...." The man tried to catch his breath to feel calmer.I understand my father's desire not to have such an internal and long-standing problem spread, but of course, some irresponsible people feel they can take advantage of our bad situation, especially since the two conglomerate famili
Nicole's POVBefore heading out, I changed my clothes and put on my glasses and hat. I wanted to avoid attracting any attention, especially with my name still on the top of the search list and me only going alone to blend in more with others.My purpose in going out was to refresh my brain, which has been having to think about many things lately.Starting from Matthew, who had yet to wake up from his coma to his father, who was still in the process of being transferred to the prison that would be his final destination. My father was taking care of that, so only one of the servants from my house, in the hospitalization room, knew of my departure.I'm sure she had already conveyed that to Key so she could pass it on to my father. I was okay with it as long as I had time to be alone and enjoy it."Here." I checked the maps I'd used to take me to a nearby café that served delicious chocolate drinks, then to the small building in front of me.The place looked cosy, but I just bought the ch
Chris' POVI looked at the woman, who seemed stunned to see me, coupled with the blush on her cheeks, which seemed a little pale. I swallowed unconsciously, trying not to get my hopes up with what I was seeing at the moment, feeling that Nicole was being mesmerized by the simple things I was doing for her.I had already delivered her to the Duncan Family residence by this time. The woman exited the car and lowered her head slightly to speak to me, who was still inside. "Thank you for driving me."There was no smile on her lips, but I could hear her words were sincere and did not sound rude like usual. I was silent momentarily, feeling that what happened today shouldn't stop there, so I stepped out of the car.The woman had already reached the gates of her residence, strolling as if I was no longer the man who made her feel threatened. I smiled slightly, Nicole had probably accepted me by now without realizing it, and we were getting closer even though the man with the glasses was stil
Chris' POV"Is everything okay?"I looked at my secretary, who spoke before returning to my work. "Yes.""Do you still want to provide assistance to Mr. Edwin Duncan? It seems like you've done enough favors already." He spoke again.I gave him a quick glance and then exhaled. "Of course, that's not a problem.""Are you hoping that what you're doing now will make Mr. Duncan voluntarily become your father-in-law?" The man spoke again, testing the limits of my already thin patience.I gave Evan a sharp look, no longer able to be mediocre when he crossed the line. "Shut your mouth.""Yes." He nodded a few times as if he understood the meaning of his words to me, who was his superior. "I know that you wish it that way, right?"I looked at her coldly. My desire to fire the secretary standing before me still hadn't completely disappeared every time he acted like this. Still, I also couldn't let go of the man who did every job perfectly every time.The man finally closed his mouth, allowing m
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