"Finally, we've met again, my cousin.""Congrats in advance on your wedding tomorrow, Juliette," Yohan said with a smile to his cousin.After waking up and getting ready, Yohan and I left our room and headed downstairs. His relatives greeted us immediately, including his cousin Juliette, who was getting married the next day."Thank you, Yohan. I'm so glad to meet your beautiful esposa! It's nice to meet you, Cosette," Juliette said warmly, embracing me.I learned that she was Aunt Elise's daughter, and her brothers, Dante and Charles, were also there, along with their cousin Max. Despite his busy schedule and the distance, Yohan had made the trip for his cousin's wedding. Juliette was the only girl among the five, and they treated her like a princess, so they all had to be present for her special day.Wanting to give Yohan time with his cousins, I chose to join Aunt Elise in their grand kitchen to help with preparations for the evening meal. Even though they were distant relatives of
"You may now kiss your bride!"The church erupted into applause as the newlyweds, Juliette and her husband, Colton, shared their first kiss. Yohan and I sat side by side, me in a pink gown and Yohan in a tuxedo. After the initial kiss, the couple had a photo session inside the church. Many guests attended the wedding, as Lachlan was also a businessman, and Juliette had a large extended family.After the church photoshoot, we headed to their wedding reception at a private resort. I was surprised to see some famous local celebrities—faces I usually only saw on TV. Yohan explained that Juliette had many friends in the entertainment industry because she was a fashion designer.At our table, Yohan was deeply engaged in a serious conversation with his cousin Max, who was also his business partner. Not wanting to interrupt them, I simply smiled and stood up when I saw Juliette and Colton approaching.As soon as Juliette and I got close, I hugged her, and she hugged me back."Congratulations,
Yohan is genuinely in love with me. He loves me! Am I dreaming?Yohan was about to kiss me again when I pushed him away. It all happened so fast—I needed assurance.I wouldn't allow this to be just a prank or a dream. I'd throw a fit!"What?!" he asked irritably, as if annoyed that I had pushed him away.See? He's scowling at me again! I thought he said he loves me. Shouldn't he be sweet to the person he loves? But Yohan hasn't changed."You love me? I don't believe you. You're just pranking me!" I said with a frown, looking at him."Prank? What kind of word is that?" Yohan asked in confusion, furrowing his brows."You don't know what 'prank' means?" I asked, unable to believe it."No, but I do know the words 'I love you,' so shut the fuck up and let me kiss you again."Yohan kissed me again, his lips capturing mine as he grabbed my waist. His kisses felt different this time—tender, as if he was afraid of hurting me. I immediately wrapped my arms around his neck, deepening the kiss.A
Last night was amazing. Yohan and I couldn't get enough of each other, and we ended up staying awake until the early hours of the morning. We might have even outdone the newlyweds, Juliette and Colton, on their honeymoon. But honestly, I didn’t mind—I enjoyed every moment with Yohan, even if I can’t walk properly now."Yohan?" I called out, and he looked up at me.I leaned against his chest while he played with my hair. His eyes were closed, his face relaxed, and I couldn't help but smile. My husband looked so handsome and peaceful in this moment."Yes, baby?"There it was again—that ‘baby.’ He’s been calling me that since last night. He always comes up with different nicknames for me. First, I was a weirdo, then a little kitten, then mi esposa, and now baby. Yohan must really enjoy giving me nicknames, and honestly, I find it adorable and endearing."Aren’t we going home tomorrow?" I asked, pouting slightly.Yohan had mentioned before we left for Spain that we wouldn’t be staying lon
We returned to Los Angeles, and after coming back home, Yohan and I grew even closer. We talked more, shared more moments together, and constantly held each other. I never imagined we would reach this point—where I could truly feel Yohan’s love for me. Although I still had some doubts, the happiness of being with him and my love for him outweighed them."This is your second time getting a birth control shot, Cosette. Do you and your husband have no plans of having a child?" my doctor asked.I took a deep breath as we finished the procedure. I had come in for my routine checkup and another shot since the three-month period was up. I didn’t want to skip it—I was committed to this decision. Even though Yohan loved me, I wasn’t ready for pregnancy. Not yet. I knew that if he found out, he would understand.I needed to work on myself before I could even think about becoming a mother. There was still so much I had to learn. When I did have a child, I wanted to give them everything—without a
"You went to your sister?"I paused while getting dressed when I heard Yohan’s voice behind me. I had just returned from Franklyn’s company, and our conversation had taken longer than expected. I hadn’t told Yohan the truth about meeting Franklyn because I didn’t want him to get jealous or angry. I’d find the right time to tell him that Franklyn was my best friend and that I couldn’t distance myself from him—he was the only friend I had.I turned to Yohan, gave him a small smile, and nodded."Yeah. I just checked on Geneva because she’s leaving for Paris next week to continue her studies," I replied.Geneva had received an invitation to study at a prestigious fashion school in France. It was a huge opportunity for her, and she had eagerly accepted it. She would be leaving next week. In truth, I hadn’t gone to see her today since I had already visited her yesterday. But I told Yohan I had, just to avoid further questioning."Good for her. I’ll shower now. Want to join me?"I blinked, j
Since I had only hitched a ride in Yohan's car earlier, Alice and I took the company van to the hotel. While inside the vehicle, I called Franklyn to inform him about my visit to see Annaliese. I had already texted him last night about what I found on Yohan’s phone, and, as expected, he scolded me again—his advice only making me more confused."Are you losing your mind, Setta? What are you even planning to do there, huh? Confront Annaliese Mitchell?!" Franklyn snapped on the other end of the line.Luckily, I was wearing AirPods, so Alice and the driver couldn’t hear him practically yelling at me."I'm not going to confront her, idiot! I'm just going there for work—to check on the shoot," I replied."Oh, really," he said, clearly not believing me.I rolled my eyes and took a deep breath before responding. "I'm not going to confront her! I’m not that kind of person, Frank. You know me." I lowered my voice, worried Alice might overhear.Franklyn sighed. "Just don't stir up trouble, Setta
"Ma'am Cosette, Miss Annaliese Mitchell's contract with Warren Empire as the Model of Warren Hotel and Casinos still has three years remaining," Alice said as she handed me the requested contract.I quickly took it and read through it. I couldn't help but feel irritated upon seeing that Annaliese's contract here in Warren Empire indeed spanned three years. That meant I would have to endure three more years of her presence, and even though she's just a model here, there was still a possibility of us crossing paths and her meeting Yohan."Why do you want to know, Ma'am? And why are you asking for a copy of Miss Annaliese's contract?" Alice asked, looking sharp as she inquired about the contract and Annaliese.I gave Alice a sharp look when she questioned me about the contract and Annaliese. "I've given you your orders, Alice. Go back to your work and don't give me a headache."She quickly nodded and hastily left my office. Once Alice was out of my office, I leaned against my chair, mass
Yohan's POV"Aunt Lenore, where are you? I'm already here inside the mall, and I can't find you. I still have a meeting to attend.""Son, didn't I tell you I'm in the salon area? Near the food court. I'm still relaxing here and chatting with my friend. I just have something to give you, and you can go to your meeting. You'll see me right away because there are only two customers in the salon since I rented it for me and my friend."I sighed and ended the call between Aunt Lenore and me. I started walking towards the food court area she mentioned. It took me a while to walk because there were too many people in the mall today, and an old person was walking in front of me. I couldn't overtake them because the people were packed tightly on the first floor of the mall. Why are there so many people here? Is this how it is inside a mall? I never go to these kinds of places because I don't need anything here.Why did Aunt Lenore choose to have her hair done at the mall? We have salons in our
Cosette’s POV"We need to go shopping, Setta! Right, Johiel?" Franklyn said with a smile as he also asked my son."Yes, Papa Franklyn!" Johiel replied enthusiastically, jumping up and down.I sighed and looked at Iris, silently asking for her help. She sniffed and spoke to her husband."Love, you don't need to take Johiel with you. He can stay here with me at home," Iris said softly to Franklyn as she sat on the couch, gently caressing her big belly.Franklyn grinned sheepishly and couldn't utter a word."Mama Iris! I want to go to the mall!" Johiel said tearfully as he approached his Mama Iris and held her hand.Iris glanced at me, as if asking me what she should say or do. I rubbed my forehead and took a deep breath while looking at Johiel, who was now approaching me and hugging my waist, looking up at me. "Mommy, can we go to the mall, please?" Johiel said, trying to be cute."Just let him go, Setta!" I heard Franklyn say, so I glanced at him and gave him a stern look. He just gri
Cosette’s POVMama was very happy when I told her that Johiel and I are going home to Los Angeles. She mentioned again about our old house, which is now under Yohan's name. I didn't have any plans to visit Yohan and negotiate to have our house back and rename it to Allen again. But just to calm my mother down, I told her that I would try, though I wasn't sure, she's just so persistent."Mommy Cosette, when we're in Los Angeles, are we going to visit Otto?" Johiel asked me.We're on the plane now, and on the other side of our seats are the couple Iris and Franklyn. They're both asleep, so Johiel and I are talking quietly to avoid waking them up.I ran my fingers through Johiel's hair and smiled at him before answering his question."Let's rest first, Pretty boy, then tomorrow we'll visit your cousins and Aunt Geneva, okay?"He nodded and leaned on me. "Mommy, I'll sleep," he said softly, closing his eyes. I let him sleep while he leaned against my chest. I also closed my eyes as I gent
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"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
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 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
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,"
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