Chris's POVI changed back into my work clothes, preparing to leave. Although most of my schedule had already been completed, that didn't mean I had no things to do as the company's owner.I have to start now, starting by observing ongoing projects and planning other collaborations, so that everything can run smoothly.A servant was waiting for me in case I needed help getting ready, though that was rare. I needed his presence for other things, especially regarding that woman.I turned my head slightly, looking at the man, who was already alert and about to receive my words. "How is that woman? Did she leave?"I don't know what she's been doing all this time, but all I know for sure is that she's been traveling and shopping in several places these days. I'm not too curious, but I still need to monitor her so she doesn't make any unwanted messes.After all, she's still my wife and some media outlets are looking to make a profitable article out of whatever they can get out of our story,
Chris's POVMy head ached with all the work I had to do over the past few hours. I'd underestimated the work I had left to do to the point where I'd forgotten that this pile of work wasn't fun for me at all.I looked at my secretary, staring at her, who was standing up while doing something on the tab she was holding. "Is there still a lot of work?""Yes, sir." He touched the tab screen and pointed it at me, specifically at the two rows of the schedule he had created. "As you can see, we have a meeting with the company's business partner in an hour."I could see another lineup of schedules that I would be doing in a day. There was a lot, and I only had two chances to rest in between after this and three more meetings.I closed my eyes, massaging my forehead as I listened to the words of my secretary, who was explaining that the colleague we were meeting held an essential project for the company, so I couldn't throw this schedule to another day.I, of course, understood and clearly rem
Nicole's POVI got out of my car together with Key. We had just finished work and intended to have lunch at my longtime favorite café, a place associated with people I hated, but I loved one of the dishes that could only be made at this café too much."You should try my favorite dish here, Key," I said with a smile, already imagining the taste of that dish on the tip of my tongue.Key nodded. "Of course, Miss. I was quite curious about the taste after Miss had mentioned it a few times. It's a pity that Young Master can't come.""Richard can't eat my favorite dish. It's too spicy for him."I've brought my son here before. When it was first served, he wanted to try it right away because it smelled so good, but within the first bite, my son's eyes were already watering, and he finished his drink first."Is it very spicy?" Key asked, sounding worried after hearing what I said about Richard.I shook my head. "No, it's not. There's melted mozzarella cheese on top, so it shouldn't be a probl
Nicole's POV"I refuse." I answered the man with a cold stare, disliking the fact that he was getting in my way.We had never even met, let alone known each other, but he was too bold to familiarize himself with me whom he had just met. My mood that had initially improved after inhaling the floral scent for a while seemed to vanish, replaced by a sense of discomfort at the man's appearance before me.I stepped past him, intending to go to my car which was still near the restaurant, but my hand was suddenly held and pulled by someone closer. That man. He seemed to dislike my reaction, but still tried to smile, coaxing."Come on, Miss. I just wanted to get to know you, is that okay?" The man said in an artificially soft tone. "You won't regret it once you know who I am."I frowned, increasingly displeased by the words of the man who was still trying to tease me. No matter how many times he persuades, my answer will still be the same because I have absolutely no intention of making conne
Nicole's POV"You, do-" The man groaned in pain before he could continue.Maybe he forgot because he was annoyed by my actions, but I still had my foot on his chest so I only needed to press the sole of my foot so that he couldn't do anything. His grip on my ankle was also useless because I was wearing thick boots."Take off... you!" He glared, gritting his teeth as he failed to break free earlier. His entire face looked flushed. "Why are you so strong, damn it?"I didn't answer, still keeping my weight on his chest with my boots, while thinking of what kind of thing could deter him. Looking at his appearance and the amount of cash he was holding, maybe the man was quite wealthy, but when it came to the law and the Duncan Family, I wasn't sure he could pay.That man could end up on the streets if I mentioned all my charges, but I also thought that spending time in court would be quite troublesome. I didn't have time to deal with this guy any longer because I still had a lot of importa
Nicole's POV"Stop pretending."I frowned in confusion at his accusatory response. The man I knew before wouldn't act recklessly like this, but there seemed to be a problem with him as long as I didn't meet him in person.As long as I've been watching the man through my laptop screen, he's always been cold and logical, caring only about himself and not wasting time just because he sees a woman who looks like the one he dumped.For as long as I've known her, she wouldn't have gone to such lengths if she felt she would benefit from the other party. The way of a businessman who only prioritizes profit over everything else.I gave him a sharp look. "I'm not pretending. We just met today, sir.""No, I'm pretty sure that you know me. I wouldn't react like this to someone I didn't know before." He stared at me intently then turned to one of his hands that had been on my cheek.The man smiled so faintly that it was barely visible. "While I was talking to myself, you also made no effort to dis
Nicole's POVMy mood wasn't feeling good at the moment. I was still thinking about my encounter with the man I didn't want to think about anymore and couldn't control the other bad memories that surfaced because of our encounter.I was annoyed that I couldn't do anything to him like when I finished off the guy who teased me before. I still had to hide my identity until my plan was finalized so I couldn't act on my emotions alone.I felt torn between being relieved to be able to control myself when dealing with Chris, but also disappointed for letting him touch me so casually. I had showered and changed when I got home, but that man's touch was still felt in certain places.I clenched my fists, wanting more and more to finish that man off if only I had another chance and didn't have to be hindered by my own plans."Mom." Richard called out to me softly after touching my cheek with his hand, making me aware of our current situation in the laboratory.I came here with Richard because I w
Chris's POVI got into the car, not saying anything on the way to the meeting place with the partner company with my secretary. The place was quite far, but we still had plenty of time since we didn't go anywhere else besides the cafe we went to a while ago.I stared out the window, still remembering that the woman's face was very similar to Nicole's. They looked so much alike that I thought she was her twin, but I knew that she had no other siblings and was the only child of the Martinez family before Adeline and her mother arrived.I turned to stare at my hands, clenching and unclenching them several times as I recalled how soft and warm the woman's face was, as well as how similar her body size was to mine when comparing her to the long-dead woman in my memory.They were really too similar to be declared as different people.During this long thought, I could feel Evan's gaze on my face when we stopped at the red light. She seemed to have gotten up the courage to ask me after a few
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