Bryan's POVThe car comes to a halt in front of the small house that can pass for my gateman's quarters. I tilt my head aside to look into the house, with my anger at its peak for being cheated. The light from the house illuminates the window making me see a shadow of a woman who I presume to be her, the woman who ran away with something that belongs to me.She seems to be doing some chores as she moves about the room and turns to look at someone before she continues her work.I keep looking, remembering what happened between us three years ago and how she disappeared into thin air. At first, I was worried about her but she was too dumb to leave traces of where she was going and within two weeks, my men found her staying with her old aunt in Los Angeles. I told them to let her be.Now that I know she has something that belongs to me, I can't just overlook it and I am here to take it back. I don't care what she thinks or what she says, I am getting it back and I will punish her for den
Celine's POVThe moment I realize he is gone and not coming back to hear my pleas, I slump to the floor and burst into fresh tears."Please, Bryan", I beg, burying my head in between my legs, wishing he can hear me or feel my pain. The pain of being separated from my child. Jason is my life, he is all I got and he is the reason why I left Bryan's mansion, without letting him know. I didn't want Bryan to take custody of my child, denying me the right to know and cater for my son. I didn't tell him I was pregnant before running away. Now I regret it. What is the essence of running away when the past has now come to haunt me? How can I survive without my boy? He is the only one I have and my source of strength and motivation.The burnt smell of what I am cooking hits my nostril but I am too weak to stand up and turn the stove off. I feel like dying. I thought Bryan has forgotten all about my existence but I know I am wrong now. I shouldn't have come back here, I should have stayed in L
Bryan's POVI didn't make plans for Jason to have a nanny before he was brought into my house. I stared at him in amazement, finding it very hard to believe that the boy in my arms is my flesh and blood. He looks handsome just like me and when I noticed the rashes on his skin, I cursed beneath my breath, blaming Celine for making my son look and feel like a pauper that he isn't.I have never thought of having a child again which is what led me to offer Celine a contract. My mother wanted me to be married and have a child but I was less interested in being a committed family man.I didn't want any more commitments because of my past and my realization that women are all the same, except of course my mother who has a golden heart.I wanted to make her happy so I told Celine about my offer and she agreed immediately to my relief. I had been nursing the thoughts for a while even though it sounded ridiculous and I thought it will look stupid if I tell anyone abo
Celine's POVI snuggle closer into the bed, raising my comforter to my chin with my eyes wide open when I hear the slight knock on the door. I have been awake since last night and Paxton offered to stay up with me but I refused.I don't want to inconvenience him and I am sure he is the one at the door. He has been a good friend since he moved into the apartment next to mine. I don't know much about him because I am always scared to ask questions about him so he won't do the same.My past with Bryan isn't something I regret because of the beautiful thing that came out of our relationship but I was ashamed to tell anyone how all of this came to be. I don't want people to judge me or call me a manipulator. Sometimes, I feel like one.The knock persists and I force myself to get down from the bed, ignoring my weak body and heavy eyes as I stroll to the door with the comforter wrapped around my head. I turn the doorknob and the door opens."Hey", Paxton gri
Bryan's POVThe first sound that hit my ears is the crying sound of Jason disturbing the peace of the house. I furrow my brows in confusion, wondering if he has been crying since I left for work in the morning.When I said I was going to bring his mother, I didn't mean to do that. I just said that to him to make him stop crying.Why the hell is he still crying?I hiss at intervals as I walk into my room and peel off my clothes before going into the bathroom to take a shower. I am damn tired and I want to eat and go to bed early so I can prepare for tomorrow's convention. I finish taking a shower and come out. I look up to see the wall clock and the time says it is 10 pm.I walk furiously to my briefcase and pull out the chocolate box I got for him before strolling out. The thought of him wanting Celine is annoying me. I am his father and I am supposed to be the most precious thing to him. I can give him what Celine can't.I ignore the maid that gr
Celine's POVI drop the phone and puff out air, refusing to turn my head to look at Paxton and see the look of disappointment he will give me.I expected this. I know Bryan so well and I know how hard, difficult and stubborn he can be. I just thought I should give it a try and here I am, sitting still and ignoring Paxton.He has no idea why I am stopping him from helping me. If he gets involved, his life will be at stake and I can't risk it. I will rather let Jason leave there than lose Paxton, he is another important person in my life.He is the only friend I have in this vicinity, ever since Brianna left for Cape Verde. I don't know what happened and why people treat me like an outcast since I came back here with Jason.Sometimes, when I think about it, I conclude that it is because I left this apartment empty for almost 4 years and I came back with a baby."Is this how you want to get your son back?" He queries me.I brea
Bryan's POVI slam my fist on the large desk in front of me as anger courses through me. It jerks the files up, making my pen fall off the desk. I am not really concerned about the pen or the file that is half-open because of the effect of my slamming, my attention is on the man in front of me."What the hell!" I grit in anger."I'm sorry, sir", he apologizes firmly, bending his head down."Sorry?" I scoff. "How is your sorry going to solve this shit? If you don't look for a solution to this problem, I will have no choice but to invite the external auditors to come and check the accounts of your department as well as the Sales and Finance Department. I am no longer taking this shit!" I hit the desk again, the file falls flat on the floor.He keeps quiet. I exhale deeply, trying to control my anger. I really don't know why I made this mistake in the first place. Eric is my cousin and he is in charge of the Accounting Department. He has been heading the Depart
Celine's POVComing here instead of going to work for my morning shift is a big mistake. I thought Bryan and I could talk like adults. I came here purposely so that he can give me a chance to see my son and I can beg him till he gives in to my demand but Bryan won't cease to amaze me.I have never met any man as stubborn, cruel, and dangerrous as him. His aura emits wickedness and his unsmiling face adds to it.The fear of falling for a wicked man like him made me lose interest in getting the contract done before leaving, even before I figured out I was pregnant.Sometimes, I feel stupid for being this way. I feel like an idiot for agreeing to all of this shit but as much as I try to blame myself for being in this position, anytime I think of my son, I feel happy.Jason is a precious gift that I got from the contract as a replacement for my loss. But I can't help but feel stupid for the tingling feeling I feel whenever I think of him.
EIGHT MONTHS LATERCeline's POVA hand touches my protruding belly as I sit in front of the dresser, trying to get my makeup done before we leave for the party. Today is the company's anniversary and also Bryan's birthday. I have planned a surprise birthday party for him and I hope it goes well.Just like he accused me the other day, I have never seen him celebrate his birthday either. Mine was better. I only stopped celebrating my birthday after that night and the absence of my best friend was also a factor.Before the year when I got married to him, I used to celebrate my birthday, no matter how little it was. When I was in preschool, my father would buy me a lot of things to take to school and share with my classmates for my birthday, and at night, we usually ate out whenever anyone was celebrating his or her birthday.While growing up, things changed and when I became an adult and an orphan, I celebrated my birthday on my own, as a reminder of how life used to be and as a remembr
Bryan's POVCeline has been indoors for three days now and I have no idea what this is all about. I don't know if this is from the shock of hearing about her pregnancy or because she is still mad at me.She didn't even let me help her into my room as we planned. She has been in her room since she arrived from the hospital and her actions aren't straightforward.Today, I am going to go ahead with my plans. The news of her unconsciousness that night made me let go of the plan to take her on a trip but now is the right time.We need to talk. She is expecting my child. We are going to have a second child soon and these behaviors aren't the best for us as couples.I move into the kitchen and Camilla almost bumps into me."Sorry, sir", she says quickly and bows her head slightly. The other maids in the kitchen also do the same.I can't remember the last time I came towards this side of the house. And this is because I want to see Camilla about Celine."Can I see you?" I ask her. She looks s
Celine's POVMy eyes flutter open sharply and I shut them back as fast as I opened them because of how it hurts.I must have slept for so long, I say to myself before opening my eyes again, adjusting to the bright light of the room.I am staring at the white ceiling for a while before I turn to realize this isn't my room. It isn't Bryan's room either and fear grips me.Where am I? Has Paxton gotten a hold of me again?I look down to see that I am dressed in white cloth. Wait, am I in a hospital? What happened?Just before I can find answers to the questions in my head, the door opens and Bryan comes in with his mother.When he notices I am awake, he rushes to me."Celine?" The look of concern on his face is something I will love to always see. I don't want to be the only one concerned about him. I don't want this to be one-sided. I want every feeling I feel for him to be mutual. That way, my anger will dissipate easily and I can finally give this a chance. This is when I remember how
Bryan's POVFather and I walk out into the courtyard as we speak. I already spoke to my mother about my feelings for Celine and there is really no need to hide it from my father.I have always been more closer to him than my mother but Helena's death and my refusal to keep up with the family business almost drifted us apart Since my father has been gone for a long time, I never knew the bond would still be there. It is as strong as ever even though there are a lot of things we aren't talking about.I have noticed a lot of changes too and I am suspecting that he will soon quit the business too."Your mother loves shopping and that is the only weapon to get her to forgive me whenever I do something wrong. I doubt if there is any girl on earth who doesn't like shopping", he says and I shake my head.Celine is different. She isn't materialistic like the rest of the girls. I know how materialistic my mother can be but Celine isn't that way and I doubt if shopping will do the trick.Apart
Celine's POVI pack my hair hurriedly into a loose low bun so I can go out and meet with Bryan's mother who said she wanted us to meet.I have something to tell her too but I am damn curious to know what she has to say to me. I also wonder why she didn't tell me she wanted to see me when I refused to let her into the room.It's been hours since she arrived and I am surprised to know that she is still around. Camilla told me because I had gone into the kitchen to take lunch and to see Jason who was playing around.After making sure that I look presentable, I move out of the room, closing the door behind me before heading out.On my way out, my eyes dart upwards towards the staircase leading to Bryan's room and I begin to wonder if he is still around or if he has gone to work.It is late evening already and if he has gone to work, he should be back any moment from now. More reason why I need to see his mother as quickly as possible and rush back into the room so we won't meet.I haven't
Bryan's POVDejectedly, I take the staircase to my room. I am debating within me on what to do to win her over and stop her from leaving.I have done the worst things to Celine and she forgave me, why isn't she forgiving me for something as trivial as the outcome of my nightmare?I didn't do it on purpose. It isn't my fault. Why is she finding it hard to forgive me now?All this while, I never asked for forgiveness yet she forgave me and now that I am genuinely asking for it, she isn't willing to give it to me.I am trying my best to be a better person. I can't believe I also skipped work because of the fear of coming back to see her gone.Celine is good at running away and I don't know how long it will take me to find her now if she runs off like she once did.I halt in my tracks when someone approaches and I look up to see my mother.She smirks proudly and I raise a brow, wondering why she is looking amused."Are you coming from Celine's room?" She asks me. This is when it dawns on
Celine's POVI wake up to see myself in Bryan's arms and I move away slowly, making an effort not to wake him up from his deep slumber.Today is Thursday and Bryan is here sleeping in my room instead of going to work. I don't know how I feel about what has happened between Bryan and me when I am supposed to be making plans on how to leave.I have given myself to him again after everything and I begin to wonder why this has to continue happening.All I have ever shown Bryan was love but he gave me pain instead. Is it so easy to let go of everything?I thought I have forgiven him for everything he has done to me but what broke the camel's back was what he did the last time. How he sent me out like a prostitute and how he made me cry.As much as I want to pretend as if all is well, I can't let go of everything. I am confused about what to do. Remembering that Bryan talked about how we signed the original certificate instead of the fake one, I sigh loudly as I sit on the edge of the bed
Celine's POV "What the hell do you mean by that?" A deep frown descends on my face and I shoot to my feet immediately. I can't hide my displeasure. "How is that even possible? How can I be your wife? Is this your trick to let me stay back or what sort of rubbish is this, Bryan?!" He isn't responding. He is just watching me and I am beginning to think this is a joke. It has to be a joke. How is this even possible? We had a wedding in the church but the certificate was a fake one. What is he talking about then? Antonio's face holds pain and sorrow and I wonder why he isn't looking happy like I expect him to. Aside from the fact that he doesn't want Jason to be out of his reach, he should be happy he will be free from my troubles. He has taken care of Paxton and his family members, what then is going to stop him from letting us go? He told me he would let us go when this has been sorted out. I won't let him convince me with a silly talk like this. I was there. I was right there in t
Celine's POV I walk slowly into my room with Camilla trudging quietly behind me and Jason in her arms. My heart is heavy for no reason even though I know I really want to be free from all of these. Going back to Los Angeles seems like the best solution right now to heal; physically and emotionally. I am going back to my old aunt and I will start a new life over there. I am done with all of this. I am done playing the fool and the victim. I am done with Bryan. I sit on the bed, my face in a frown. I insisted on getting discharged today, even though the doctor wanted me to be in the hospital till next tomorrow. I don't want to keep seeing Bryan's face. He won't stop coming. I want to be far away from him just like the last time. Even though my mind and heart were here when I ran away from here, I was at peace with myself for the no-trouble that comes with having Bryan in my life. "You should rest today, at least", Camilla pleads with me once more, in an attempt to convince me and