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
Nicole's POVTwo days went by quickly. I was about to head to a meeting this morning, a shareholder meeting that I had avoided attending for quite some time. Richard was next to me. He touched my hand lightly, so I turned to him."Mom, are you okay now?" Richard asked curiously, looking closely at my face to see how I was doing.I smiled, rubbing his cheek lightly as I said. "Of course, Richard. Mom is fine. This kind of thing is not a big problem that should make you feel bad, but instead, it makes you stronger."I was worried that I would run into Chris again today. He's a troublesome person because he doesn't just let go of someone who has made him curious, so I'm sure that when we meet, he will come back to talk to me.But I don't want to make Richard worry. This is a problem that I have to handle alone as the boy's mother and only parent. He just needs to be by my side safely and comfortably all the time as my only child."Alright, Mom." Richard nodded, tightening our grip as we
Nicole's POVChris took me to a café still in the same place as the shareholders' meeting. The café wasn't too crowded, so it was just us sitting across from each other, one couple clinging to each other and one other person who was a visitor.I silently sighed, thinking about my decision to finally follow the man's wishes. He was too pushy, so I had no choice but to refuse if I still wanted him to stay away instead of clinging or tying me up in a suffocating manner."Are you sighing?" He asked out of the blue.I answered him casually, not wanting to admit what I had done that he somehow found out about. Usually, that guy was very tight-lipped and didn't care about anyone. "Just the wind."A waiter finally delivered our order. He put down the coffee that looked like it had been served nicely before leaving. I looked at the man who lifted the cup and blew into it slowly before drinking it.I followed Chris because I didn't want to hear any more words that I was the Nicole he used to kn
Nicole's POVI walked away from Chris without looking back, trying to keep my steps upright as long as I was within his line of sight. I turned into a blind spot where he wouldn't be able to see me and then leaned against the nearest wall.I exhaled, feeling still shaky from my encounter with Chris, which made me have to maintain a calm and firm demeanor when speaking to him, even though it was tough.My feelings were chaotic, mixed with lingering anger from memories.He had treated me coldly on the day of our wedding, leaving me at the altar alone with many eyes watching us. But how dare he show a different attitude when we met again as if he missed the old me.I touched my chest, which felt tight. "If he can be like this now, why did he do something like that before? Did he not love me enough to leave me alone back then?"I clenched my fists, turned my anger to the wall I was leaning against, and exhaled again. I thought about it several times, but I couldn't find the right reason t
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,
Nicole's POVI knew what he meant when he dropped me off after our accidental lunch. My gaze was drawn to the scene in front of me, inside my house, which should have consisted of my father, Richard, Key, and the servants, but this time it was different.The man and my two and only family were in the living room. My son looked relaxed while my father chatted smoothly with the man. The three seemed familiar, even to the point of not noticing my presence, and had already been welcomed by the servants in our house.Perhaps I stared too long. My father turned to me, as did the other two. They had quite similar happy expressions, which made me frown."Nicole, you just arrived?" My father asked by way of greeting. "I thought you'd be home a little later because of the work you've been piling up. Key told me."I ignored my father's words, paying more attention to the calm-looking man mingling among them. He noticed my gaze and smiled politely, but I could feel slightly annoyed by his natural
Nicole's POVI paused to look at the man's face, especially his smile, which made me feel like I was about to lose focus. I didn't let that go on for too long and pushed the bouquet of flowers at him, waking him up to something.His eyes widened slightly. He put a little distance between us, letting me stand evenly, though his hands were still on my waist, and said casually. "Oh yes, I wanted to give you this bouquet of flowers."I gazed at the bouquet of flowers she handed to me. The arrangement was pretty, consisting of only three flowers, but the colors of the flowers were well integrated and complemented each other. The skill of the bouquet arranger could be recognized. I could also smell the fragrance of the bouquet he gave me.At this point, my focus completely disappeared, especially as I tried to deal with the predicament right in front of me.It's been too long since I've experienced this, and it felt so different when I was with Matthew. After all, this man in front of me di
Nicole's POVI exhaled after they left, then turned my gaze to her. "Why are you talking like that? Do you wish for me to be your lover?""A lover is not a wish-"I cut him off. "Don't you know any shame? I've rejected you many times, but you keep acting like that."We stared at each other. I didn't know what she planned to do to take this path again. I felt quite relieved when he only focused on my son, familiarizing himself so that their relationship became much better than before.But that day, as well as her behavior today, was like a repeat of what he had done a few months ago, even worse with him latest act that I didn't expect her to do.He had gone so far that I could have sued him had Richard not liked him like he was. I clenched my fists, looking at the man's gaze, which seemed to soften but still spoke insolently."I am indeed shameless. No matter how much time passes, I will still want you, Nicole. Having you as my life companion has become my way of life." He said, making
Nicole's POVI didn't know we could end up like this. I was having lunch with Chris, just the two of us, without Richard, who would usually mediate between us and familiarize himself with each of us to fill the silence.A while ago, he called me while I was still in the office and working. He only spoke briefly, as if telling me, without waiting for my reply."Mom, let's have lunch together. I'll send you the restaurant's address; don't be late." My son hung up immediately.I stared at my phone for a while but immediately prepared to leave after receiving the message that the address was already from him. I sent a reply message to inquire about his whereabouts. Still, he has yet to read or reply immediately, as usual.I left it at that, feeling that Richard must also be on his way to the restaurant we were heading to for lunch.Within moments, I arrived at the restaurant, which was quite crowded. There were a few office workers and students who were also having lunch, but among them a