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
Chris's POVI worked as usual the next day, but my mind was still on the woman who resembled Nicole whom I had met at the café yesterday. I still couldn't agree with my thoughts about that woman being someone who only bore a passing resemblance to Nicole.They really looked alike and I still wondered if the woman from yesterday was just a form of my hallucination that suddenly missed Nicole. Yesterday I even went to an area that I had never been to after that woman's death, but then I ran into a look-alike right away."What a funny coincidence." I snorted with laughter, unable to stop myself from saying it when I recalled yesterday's events.I'm sure I'm not crazy, but I also still have doubts about the identity of the woman that still intrigue me. I've never known someone who could have such an accurate resemblance to another person and I've also never met that woman before among businessmen.This is just speculation, but with the presence of the secretary by her side, I'm sure that
Chris's POVI hung up the phone, already understanding who had made a scene downstairs and headed here without an appointment. That woman is so fast in such an insignificant matter. I sighed, looking at the woman who still seemed to be gasping for breath.Her eyes looked teary, soon whining in a voice I didn't want to hear. "Chris, I'm tired! I'm tired of us being like this because you always ignore me whenever and wherever, like just now."She told me how she'd decided to come here from home, paid for the taxi with what little money the woman had left and had to wait patiently when the receptionist in the lobby didn't immediately contact me about her arrival."I was very patient, I waited for five minutes, but then I threatened that if he didn't contact you soon, I would make a mess." Adeline rolled her eyeballs, then looked back at me with a sad look.She sighed. "After seeing that woman's glance at me, I knew that you definitely didn't want to see me. So I rushed here before the me
Nicole's POVI took a deep breath before walking into the large building in front of me. Inside, I met the man who had greeted me, the leader of the company that would be a potential partner in the partnership between my adoptive father's company and mine.Edwin had told the man that I would be arriving as his daughter and representative in the formation of the deal between the two companies. I felt a little nervous when I saw the man's appearance who still looked dashing, even though he was almost as old as my adoptive father."Thank you for coming all the way here, Miss Nicole." He smiled broadly, extending his hand to me first which I immediately accepted. "I didn't know that Edwin Duncan had such a beautiful daughter like you. You must look a lot like your mother."I returned the man's smile. "Thank you for the compliment, Mr. James Hopes. I still need a lot of guidance as I'm still young and learning to this day."James chuckled. "Hm, it doesn't seem like it. Miss Nicole is so mu
Nicole's POVJames looked surprised by my words and then looked at Richard who had now switched to holding my hand. "This little boy is your son, Miss Nicole?""Yes, Mr. James." I nodded, tightening my grip on Richard for a moment before loosening it again, but he maintained our hold. "He is the child I gave birth to."The man still seemed to be digesting my words, watching Richard and I's faces in turn before he accepted my son's smile who was well aware of James' gaze on him.My son greeted him politely, acting like a child in front of the man. "Good afternoon, Mr. James. My name is Richard, my mother's only child.""Oh. You know my name?" Mr. James looked surprised.Richard smiled a little, looked at me then back at the man as we shook our hands lightly. "I heard my mother mention your name, Mr. James.""Gosh, that's right." The man laughed then ruffled Richard's hair lightly. "Good boy, I was too distracted by your handsome face to notice.""Thank you, Mr. James." Richard bowed po
Nicole's POVI saw that the inside of the hall was spacious and airy, with a fairly high ceiling and several windows that were almost as high and located at certain points. I can imagine that a lot of people could gather here for a corporate event.There will be a few other things I can prepare for the upcoming event and so far, I don't see any major flaws in the hall that I have been looking at for quite some time.From the inside, to the outside which was connected to a nice garden. There were a few minor things that needed to be fixed, but it didn't matter since there was already a special budget for situations like this.Richard moved our joined hands until I turned to look at him. "This hall is quite nice, ma'am."I nodded, agreeing with my son's words while smiling slightly. She had been with me all this time and had been looking at the hall with me quietly. He looked serious, pointing out a few things that he thought I should double check and I told Key to take note of them.Ri
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