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
Nicole's POVI didn't know what the hell was going on. For the second time, I was meeting someone I didn't want to meet in such proximity. First, it was Chris, while this time, it was his wife and the step-sister I never wanted to acknowledge in my family history, Adeline.I tried to keep my composure that was about to slip away, but I exhaled softly and spoke back to the woman who was staring at me with an incredulous look. "Miss, you're being insolent. How can you behave like this to my child?""Nicole, are you really alive?" Adeline asked another question, completely unconcerned about my previous words or her actions towards Richard, who was now near me.I gave her a cold stare. "What do you mean by that?”"Gosh, the fashion of the clothes you're wearing now is really modern." She still seemed uninterested in my words but instead took in my appearance from top to bottom with a condescending look, raising one eyebrow while chuckling. "Still, you look as boring as ever."I frowned, k
Adeline's POVI was still looking at the woman who bore a striking resemblance to my dead stepsister, taking in her face that was undoubtedly a perfect copy of Nicole, the damn woman I had hated for so long.She stood confidently, looking neither weak nor frightened like when I stood before her years ago when she was still alive with the Martinez Family. And her eyes, I didn't like seeing how that woman looked at me with an unwavering gaze.I hated her even more than Nicole. Memories of my inferiority complex when I first came to her house and saw every single one of her luxurious collection of items when we were teenagers, and her mother was still alive. I still remember her happy life and feel envious.I had finally managed to snatch everything I wanted from her eight years ago, and she had also been declared dead, but how could she still be alive and appear before me? Especially now that she was with the boy in her arms."How can she live like this?" I whispered so softly that they
Adeline's POVI received help from the staff of one of the shops, who happened to be walking out to stand up normally, balancing my fine leg with the sprained one for a few moments before asking her to leave so I could continue my way.I still felt annoyed by the actions of that woman who looked so much like Nicole. He paid absolutely no attention to me falling down and in pain and left me among the many people walking around.This was the first time I felt this kind of humiliation from another person, especially since that person was someone I had already tortured and should have ended up dead due to the pursuit of the payment killer that my mother and I had hired.We had already spent a lot of money, but it turned out that the woman returned a few years later in front of me, although I was not entirely sure of her identity."How can a dead person come back to life, right?" I muttered under my breath, still feeling the pain in my legs and arms.I shuffled to one of the available chai
Adeline's POVI bit my fingernails and exhaled, still thinking about that woman who looked like Nicole. I did say that I would find out about her, but I simply don't have the money to hire a private investigator and enough information other than the woman's name and appearance.There are so many people with the name Nicole, and I'm sure that she has a fairly market face that I'm not sure I can find her easily. The photo with her face was no longer in my possession because my mother and I had quickly removed all traces of her from our old house.I felt somewhat regretful, but it also felt strange not to have done so since the news of Nicole's death had been such happy news for my family. My stepfather even went straight to having fun, just as my mother and I went shopping to our heart's content.I was still deep in thought for a while until I heard Chris' voice, which surprised me. "What are you doing?" He said, making me turn my head to look at him.I had returned from my home to this
Nicole's POVA day had passed since I met Adeline. Seeing that woman's face in person after so long had passed made me upset, especially when I remembered her expression that always looked down on me and when she had fun torturing me.There were too many things that made me hold a grudge against her, but I knew that it was so long ago that I didn't need to think about it too much. Anyway, I had already begun to carry out my plan to erase that woman's dream of being surrounded by luxury for the rest of her life.I stood by my desk, leaning against it as I stared at the clock that seemed to be ticking above the door to my study. I had finished working at home with great difficulty, spending the morning reading some documents in the company of tea and light snacks.I sighed, gulping down my tea before putting it back down. "I hope to no longer meet that woman as long as my plan is still going."With that woman's presence alone, she actually wouldn't interfere with my plan since Adeline d
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