"Cosette, aren't you going home yet?"I blinked my eyes and turned when I heard Franklyn's voice. Mom had already gone home because she felt dizzy and needed some rest. We were at the cemetery, where we buried my child. The doctor showed us our baby, and I couldn't help but cry and feel the pain when I saw how tiny he was. If he were still alive and saved, he would have grown up, and I would have given him everything that would make him happy. But now, my child is gone, leaving me alone."I'll stay here for a while, Frank," I said softly while looking at my child's gravestone. We just labeled it as Baby Warren since we didn't know his gender yet."Are you going to sign the annulment papers with Zion?" he asked.I blinked my eyes and faced him.Right. I still needed to sign those.After Yohan and I talked at the hospital about our separation, I immediately called Alice, and she took care of the annulment papers for Yohan and me. Yohan didn't talk about the annulment, but he had no choi
Yohan's POVOct. 17, 2000.That's the date my parents were killed by the people they trusted their entire lives. I was there when my parents were killed. I saw how they mercilessly killed my dad and hurt my mom. That was the time that I will never forget in my whole life. I promised myself that the people who killed my parents would pay the price for whatever they did in the past."Zion?"I blinked my eyes and turned when I heard the voice of my Aunt Lenore, my father's sister. Aunt Lenore became my guardian when I lost my parents. I have no siblings, and only Aunt Lenore is the closest family I have here in LA. I have my family on my mother's side in Spain, but
Yohan’s POV"Sir, Mrs. Cosette has already left, and she's on the plane heading to Switzerland."I closed my eyes and sighed deeply as my secretary delivered the news. I gestured for her to leave my office, and as I heard the door shut, I opened my eyes again, staring blankly.Because of my eagerness to fulfill my revenge plan that I had been plotting for a long time, I lost the person who made me feel complete again. I lost my wife and our angel because of my stupidity. This is the first time I have felt this pain again in my whole life. The last time I felt this pain was when my parents died. I never thought I would fall for the daughter of my enemy, the daughter of the one who betrayed my parents.I took a
Cosette’s POVI'm outside my house right now, facing my laptop while I'm working. Our company allows us to work from home sometimes, and I'm working from home today. While I'm working here outside my house, I can't help but look at the scenery because I can see the mountain I used to hike with my Swiss friends. I haven't been able to hike recently because I'm busy with my job.I paused from my work when I heard my phone ring. I couldn't help but feel excited and eager when I saw who was calling. I quickly answered it and leaned back in my chair. Ah, my angel is calling me."Mommy Cosette!" he exclaimed from the other line as I answered his call.I chuckled softly and replied, "Yes, pretty boy? I missed you! When are you coming home?""I don't know, Mommy Cosette! But Papa Franklyn said we would visit you there on the weekend," he replied from the other line.I closed my eyes and hugged myself while talking to him on the other line. "I miss you so much, Baby. I wish you were with me,"
Cosette’s POVHerbert smiled and slightly bowed, greeting me, and I greeted him back."He's also from LA like you, so that's why I called you because I want you to assist him in his new workplace and be his tour guide for a while in the company," our Editor-in-chief, Mr. Nunes, said.I was slightly surprised and looked at Herbert again. He just smiled at me and waved slightly."Okay, Sir."Sir Nunes reminded Herbert of a few things before we left his office."Wow! I can't believe I have a fellow American colleague now, I'm happy," we both said as we left our editor-in-chief's office.Herbert smiled at me, scratching his head slightly. I could see he's shy and not much of a talker. It seems like I'll have a hard time talking to him even though we're both American. "Is that how you really are?" I asked him, raising my eyebrow.His eyes widened as if he had done something wrong to me. "H-Huh? What do you mean?" he asked, stuttering.I couldn't help but laugh. I shook my head and started
Yohan's POV"She has panic attacks again, Zion."I stiffened, glancing at Claudia who was currently asleep in her bed. She's being checked on by her private doctor and nurses. Claudia lost control of herself earlier and almost hurt herself again, but thankfully, Aunt Lenore caught her in time and stopped her from doing anything rash. Aunt Lenore called me quickly, so I hurried over to the house where Claudia is staying."You can't just leave her alone, Zion! Don't you have any pity for her? It's been five years since she woke up from seven years in a coma, but Claudia is still suffering. She's your fiancée!"I couldn't help but bristle at what Aunt Lenore said, but I restrained myself."She was my fiancée, Aunt, not anymore. Claudia and I are no longer together; I'm just doing this out of guilt for what happened to her...because it's my fault that she's like this," I said to her.Five years ago, Claudia finally woke up from the seven-year coma. I was ecstatic at the time because she w
Cosette’s POV"Setta, you know that the house isn't in our name anymore, right? Your ex-husband already acquired all our properties."I rubbed my temples as I spoke to Mama on the phone. When Johiel and I got home from work, I immediately called Mama because I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease about her visit, and upon learning her purpose, I couldn't help but feel troubled."Ma, you could buy new properties in Los Angeles if you really want to go back there. You could also ask for help from Gene, or maybe you could just stay with them for a while," I suggested to her.I heard her sigh on the other end of the line. "Setta, our house holds many memories of us. I can't just let that go again," Mom said on the other line.I closed my eyes."Ma! You know that it's not ours anymore, right? I thought you had moved on and wanted to stay in Finland?" I said to her."I have moved on from the pain, Cosette, but that doesn't mean I've forgotten our life together with your father. I want o
Cosette’s POV"You're telling me that you're going back to Los Angeles and you're taking Johiel with you? No!" Franklyn said, standing in front of me with a furrowed brow.I frowned at Franklyn's words. He and Iris came to my house for a visit and they're going to stay here overnight. Franklyn has a conference meeting nearby, so they decided to stay at my place instead of renting a hotel."Love, Cosette needs to go back to Los Angeles because that's where she's assigned for work," Iris said before I could speak.I glanced at her and she winked at me. Iris is six months pregnant with their first baby, and her belly is already quite large.Franklyn took a deep breath and calmed himself before speaking again, as Iris is sensitive right now and he didn't want to raise his voice in front of her."I understand that, Love, but what if Zion finds out the truth? He'll take Johiel from Cosette! We know what kind of man he is, he has no mercy," Franklyn said.Fortunately, Johiel is asleep now be
Cosette’s POV"Herbert, you don't need to do this always, okay?" I said to him as I got out of his car. He escorted me home because my car broke down, and it's difficult to find transportation.I'm embarrassed with Herbert because ever since he found out that my car broke down, he's been picking me up and dropping me off all the time, and it's embarrassing because he's the son of my boss. He's the one who helped me find where to fix my car, and until now it hasn't been returned. Since I found out that he's the son of Mr. Ronan Calloway, I've been formal with him, and he doesn't like it."Cosette, you're the only one I know in the company, and we're friends, right?" Herbert said with a smile.I smiled slightly
Cosette’s POV"Mommy, you didn't tell me that you and Mr. CEO are close friends," Johiel said with a frown.I'm currently feeding my son breakfast. After my conversation with Yohan last night, I also sent him away from our apartment because Johiel and his nanny needed to return. Yohan didn't want to leave yet, insisting that I tell him that Johiel is his son, but no matter what he does, he can't make me admit it."He's just an old friend, Pretty boy," I told him with a smile.Johiel frowned even more as he continued to look at me. "Your old friend, but you didn't tell me!"I paused in feeding him and narrowed my eyes at Johiel. "Why do you seem upset
Cosette’s POV"Juniper!" I called Johiel's nanny. She quickly approached us with a cloth in hand."Yes, Ma'am Cosette?"I handed her the food I brought for Johiel."Could you take Johiel out for a while? Take him to the park first. There are a lot of people there now, and there's some show happening. Take Johiel there and bring these snacks I bought for him," I instructed Johiel's nanny.She quickly nodded in agreement. "Yes, Ma'am."I walked over to Johiel and smiled at him."Pretty boy, go with Nanny Jun for now, okay? Take a walk outside, there's something important I need to discuss with Mr. CEO," I said affectionately.Johiel nodded, still looking serious as he gazed at me. "Okay, Mommy Cosette."Johiel went with his nanny. They left through the door, and I watched their departure before closing the door and facing Yohan. He looked at me seriously, and I could feel the anger in his reaction now. I felt extremely nervous again seeing his sharp gaze on me."He's your son?"I swallo
Cosette’s POV"Papa Franklyn, Mommy Cosette has been spacing out for a while now. Is she okay?""Oh! Just leave your Mommy Cosette alone for now, she's probably just daydreaming.""Is that what happens when someone's daydreaming, Papa Franklyn?""Yes, Pretty boy. Watch, later she'll have written a whole story and suddenly it'll be published as a book!"I took a deep breath and silently pulled at myself. It's Saturday today, so I don't have work, and it's been four days since I last talked to Yohan. Our house is back with us, and it's now under Mama's name. She was so happy when I told her we got the house back, and she said she'd book a flight to come
Cosette’s POVWhy did Yohan bring me here to the hotel? What are we going to do here, and we're even meeting in the royal suite. Couldn't we just meet in the lobby of the Warren Hotel, or maybe in the restaurant? I felt a bit nervous."Ma'am, this way please."A staff member escorted me to where Yohan was waiting for me. I called Franklyn and told him I would be late getting home, and I also spoke to Johiel. I didn't tell Franklyn that I was meeting Yohan now because I'm sure he'd tease me again when I get home.We stopped walking, and we were in front of a room, and on its door, there was a golden crown. This is how the royal suites at the Warren Hotel are; they really stand by the word ‘royal’ be
Cosette’s POV"WHAT THE—Cosette! Your phone's been ringing since earlier! Someone’s calling!"I blinked when I heard Franklyn's loud shout. My work starts soon, and for the meantime, we're still staying here at Franklyn and Iris' place. We're moving to our own place next week. I've already chosen an apartment near my workplace, and it's currently being painted, so Johiel can't move there yet."Who's been calling you? That's been happening since yesterday, huh! Do you have an admirer here in LA?" Franklyn asked me again.I quickly took out my cellphone from my pocket when it rang again. My eyebrows furrowed when I saw his name on the screen. I rolled my eyes and quickly turned off my phone, then gla
Cosette’s POV"It's nice to see you again, my little kitten." I couldn't help but roll my eyes when he called me 'little kitten' again. Was he ever going to stop giving me nicknames? He kept calling me all sorts of things, even if they made no sense. Next thing I know, he'll start calling me names of dogs or some other kind of animal out of nowhere.I just walked into his office and made my way to the chair near his table, sitting down facing him. My expression was serious as I looked at Yohan, who was still smiling at me."Okay, let's talk about the house, Yohan. I know you have an idea why I'm here today, that's why you called me yesterday, right? We want it back, my mom and I want it back," I said seriously, still looking at him.Yohan and I locked eyes for a few seconds, neither of us wanting to look away. After a minute, he broke the stare and chuckled softly. I couldn't help but furrow my brow as I looked at him. What was so funny? Has this guy gone crazy?"Straight to the poin
Cosette’s POV"MA! Why did you call Yohan? Can’t you wait for me to be the one to talk to Yohan, and now you’re taking the lead on what I’m supposed to do? My God, Ma! I'm sorry if I'll hurt you with what I'll say, but you're going too far! I'm getting annoyed! You always beat me to it! Don't you think?!" I angrily said while talking to Mama on the phone.I found out that my mother was the reason why Yohan called me earlier. After he called me, Mama immediately called me and happily told me that she had talked to Yohan and that I should just meet him tomorrow to discuss the property matters at the house.I couldn't help but get very angry with her because she was rushing things. She knew that I was hiding Johiel and protecting my child's identity, and then she suddenly contacts my ex-husband out of nowhere? It's infuriating!“S-Setta, I know what I did was wrong, so I'm asking for your forgiveness right away, okay?" she said tearfully on the other end.I sighed and cursed in my mind.
Cosette’s POVFuck! It's Yohan! What should I do? I can't just approach them with Johiel and tell them he's my son. I'm not ready to face Yohan!"C-Cosette, nobody has seen Johiel. What should we do? Should we call the police?" I felt Franklyn approaching me.I took a deep breath and faced him. The extreme worry was evident on his face because if Johiel were truly lost, he would be blamed since he was the last one with my son."Look behind me," I said seriously while looking at him.He furrowed his brow and followed my instruction. The twinkle in Franklyn's eyes gradually widened as he realized what he was seeing. I also noticed the slight paleness in his face. Franklyn turned to look at me in silence, his face still showing surprise."C-Cosette, wh-why... why is Zion with Johiel?" Franklyn asked, surprised and stuttering.I glanced back at Johiel and Yohan and saw Yohan talking to my son. Johiel was just staring at him while licking his ice cream. I took a deep breath and turned back