Celine's POVAfter making sure that Jason is fast asleep, I sneak out of the room and tiptoe towards Bryan's bedroom. I am curious to know how he is doing and if he is now calm and asleep. I have been trying to put Jason to bed since but I guess his frequent naps make him sleep late these days.I had gone to Camilla's room too but it was locked. Lizzy was out with a puzzled look on her face and when she asked me what happened, I shrugged in ignorance. We stayed outside for a while with the hope that she would come out but she didn't. Out of worry, I went to the drawers where the spare keys are usually kept and I get the keys out with the help of Lizzy. We unlock the room and enter to see Camilla looking into space. She isn't crying, just staring blankly into space. We rushed to her and asked her what the problem was but she didn't answer. Lizzy left her room in anger that her grandmother wasn't saying anything but I stayed till she was able to confide in me. She told me what happene
Bryan's POVI groan in pain as I flutter my eyes open sharply. I look around, trying to recall what happened last night and how I got into bed. I shut my eyes and groan again before sitting up sharply and placing my feet down on the pompom rug beside my bed.I wonder why I feel pain all over me and why I feel feverish. I glance beside me and I see my bandaged hand then it clicks in my head and everything comes rushing. I remember everything; Camilla, the whole content of the alcoholic drink I gulp down my throat within five minutes, Celine and Camilla's presence, and Celine treating me before laying me on the bed to sleep after giving me a pill.I squeeze my eyes shut as I feel the agony again. My heart is contrasting in pain and betrayal. I feel lost and stupid for not confiding in Helena before she died. I should have told her the truth so she would forgive me. Now I don't know if she will ever forgive me for what I did. The guilt of what I did was what made me decide to be celib
Bryan's POVWork was more than I expected it to be today. The deal with the Chinese investors has been successfully signed and I feel proud of myself more than anything else. I am going to own a factory soon.But I couldn't let myself sink and bask in the overwhelming feeling of my achievement today because of my guilt. I left work with a mixed feeling; I want to be happy about today's achievement and at the same time, I want to wallow in self-pity for betraying Helena.I wish she was alive to hear me out and find out the truth by herself. I wish I told her this myself. I wish I can explain what happened and what led to my unfaithfulness but she is gone, I can't explain anything to her. She will neither hear nor see me suffering. No matter how hard I am on myself and others for betraying her, nothing can be done about it. The deed has been done.I exhale deeply as I take the staircase to my bedroom. I had refused Landon the opportunity to take my briefcase from me because I want to b
Celine's POVI thought I was dreaming when I heard Bryan's voice and it made me flicker my eyes open in shock. I was shocked by the fact that he has my number and he is also calling me. I sit upright with a pounding heart, realizing that my sleep has vanished into thin air. Jason spends more time with Lizzy these days, giving me more time to rest and sleep all I want. I hadn't had a good sleep since I woke up this morning to help Bryan get his dress ready when I realized I was late. I found out he was already gone so I went back to my room, hoping he won't fight me for that. I haven't slept since morning and I was sleeping before he called me.With haste, I climb down from the bed, wear my shoes and walk out of the room. Bryan barely comes into my room these days to check up on Jason, I guess it's because he is very busy and he sees Jason outside with Lizzy most of the time, thereby giving me enough freedom and assurance that I can't be caught sleeping on Jason's bed.I wonder why
Bryan's POV I flutter my eyes open with a groan. I look around trying to recall how I fell asleep last night. What happened last night? The memories come rushing. I had called Celine in to massage me because I wanted to punish her but it turned out that the punishment worked to my benefit. The benefit of making me relaxed from the stress of the day and sleeping off without knowing. I slept soundly like a baby. I sigh. Everything still hurts me. Camilla, Celine, Emily, and Eric. They all hurt me. I am still finding it very hard to forgive them all. I have learned not to trust anyone anymore and it is making it very difficult to forgive and forget every single person that offends me. Camilla and Celine accepted their mistakes and apologized but I still haven't found a place in my heart to forgive them. What Camilla did is nowhere compared to what Celine did. What Celine did is the worst and unforgivable. I feel Camilla didn't tell me because she cared about me, she didn't w
Paxton's POVI watch Bryan's car drive past mine from where my car is parked a few distances away from his mansion.I have sun shades on so he won't recognize me but the moment the car drives past me, I take them off, heave a deep sigh of relief and pick up my phone to call Celine.I need to see her. We need to talk and I need to confess my feelings to her once again. I haven't done so directly but I have been giving her the impression that I love and want her. She keeps ignoring but I know she is either playing hard to get or trying to be careful about men because of what Bryan is doing to her.But now that Bryan is in the picture again and from what Emily said the last time I saw her, I need to talk to Celine. We were unable to talk the last time I was here all because of Bryan.The more I think of that man, the more my hatred for him increases. I hate him with passion for what he has done and what he is still doing to Celine and Jason.Celine rushed out of my car in fear when he r
Celine's POVMy curiosity is at its peak. As I took care of Jason, I kept thinking about what Paxton said.He has something to tell me and it's important. It sounded really urgent and I don't want to ignore and regret it later on.I really can't figure out what it is he wants to talk to me about that he can't discuss with me over the phone.I miss him too as much as he misses me but I am making an effort not to let Bryan ever see us together again so I won't get punished.I am trying my best to be on his good side now, to help him through his inner crisis, and to gain favor from him.I want nothing from him but a part of my son's life. Being my son's nanny is giving me that chance but I want more.I want freedom. I want to go back to living my life the way I used to, even though I didn't have enough to cater for us both but I am going to be more hardworking.I don't want Bryan's money. He can keep it. All I want is my child to be with me in my own house, not this comfortable prison th
Paxton's POVMy lips move gently on hers before I begin to seek more opening and dominance when she pushes me away."What are you doing?" She shouts at me, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.Confusion skates my expression and I wonder what is wrong.I thought she loves me too and it was just a matter of time before we became boyfriend and girlfriend?Our neighbors think we are dating and I thought…"Paxton, what the hell was that for?" She yells, looking at me squarely in the face. I drop my head in shame as I feel my heart shredding into pieces and my heart sinking deep into the tip of my stomach.No!This can't be happening.Emily said it and it has been my greatest fear ever since. I tried to assure myself that Celine feels the same way and there is nothing to be scared about.I am wrong.Is she pretending? Abruptly, she rises and rushes to the door in anger and I follow her. Grabbing her to face me, her back hits the door.I want to shout at her. I want to ask her why th
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