Bryan's POVI stir in my sleep, feeling aches all over my body. When my eyes fly open, I am surprised to see that it is morning already. I didn't know when sleep eluded me because I kept tossing in bed last night after Celine left my room.I was turning in bed, thinking about all the revelations about the night we mistakenly had sex.First, I didn't know she was a virgin and I didn't know she tried to stop me from having sex with her.I had blamed her all these years when I am the one at fault. This is all so hard for me to believe.How can a woman I have always mistreated be enduring all of these when she isn't even responsible? Why didn't she tell me all of these before now?I sigh loudly, not feeling the urge to get up and go to work. I feel weak and I wish to stay in bed till later. I will probably go to work late today.My mind is fixed on the conversation Celine and I had last night that I don't even know when someone moves close to me until she calls out. "Bryan."I am startled
Celine's POVI stand in front of the mirror, admiring the dress glued to my body with a smile on my face.Camilla and I had gone shopping and we were about to buy the remaining things left to make Jason's day tomorrow memorable. I also got a suit for Bryan as an appreciation for trusting me once in his life. When he asked me that silly question, I was shocked and I ran away in fear. But I heard his laughter as my heart kept thumping wildly in my chest. He must have thought that I was gone already. I heard him laughing and I know he asked me that question on purpose.He had given Camilla his credit card to give to me and I was surprised. This is why I bought him something too even though the money is his but I went through the stress to find him something good.I was truly scared when he asked me to bathe him. How could an adult ask me such a thing when he isn't a baby like Jason?But after hearing him laugh, I knew that he was daring me and I wanted to take the challenge. But I could
Bryan's POVI don't know if it is the touch of the cold water on my body that makes me jerk my head up or the touch of Celine's hand on my shoulder.With the same usual innocent face, she rubs the soap on my body till my body is full of soapy bubbles, the water from the shower washing down her face and mine.When she told me she wanted to bathe me, I thought she was kidding until she moved closer to me and began to help me take my clothes off.Amazed is an understatement because it was hard to believe that Celine is the one doing this.The last time I asked her to take my clothes off for me, she was trembling and sweating all over. But right now, she is doing this as if she knows what exactly she wants to do.I ball my fist when her hands trail over my chest, making an effort not to do anything funny.I no longer want to do this. What was I even thinking? Why did I even allow her to push me into the bathroom when I could have stopped this from happening?I blurt that out just to know
Bryan's POVI could barely sleep a wink till it was morning. Celine's every move is screaming temptation at me and it is giving me ambivalent feelings.It doesn't feel surreal. What is happening doesn't look real. It feels as if I am dreaming because I know Celine. I know how shy and cowardly she can be and I really do not know the meaning of what is happening now.I couldn't believe it when she left last night. I wish I didn't stop her because I was hard as a rock, and the realization that I desired her hit me hard.I felt like I was punishing her by using this exact technique she is using but I doubt my emotions. I know I might no longer be able to control myself when it's overwhelming.After she left the bathroom last night with her body drenched in water, I jerked with her name on my lips and with my eyes closed, imagining what it would be like to gag her as a punishment.What baffles me most is how she switches her moods; she is shy this minute and confident about what she is doi
Celine's POVJason's birthday was memorable and I am extremely glad I made it happen. He was all smiles and couldn't stop thanking me for the birthday.When he asked where his dad was, I couldn't answer because Bryan had already gone to work before the end of the birthday.Jason got a lot of gifts from almost all the employees in the mansion and I was impressed. I almost cried. Lizzy was helpful and she gave him a car toy.A toy to keep him busy all the time. This is something I never thought of. When we were living together, I never bought him a toy because I couldn't afford it until Paxton got him one. But when we came here, I never thought of bringing any of his things, including the toy thinking Bryan would never allow it.Thinking about Bryan almost made me have a bad day. I was distracted. The looks he gave me before he left my room were disturbing. Bryan has never looked at me that way before and it got my insides stirring up with a horrible feeling I can't place.Is Bryan abo
Bryan's POVI can see her face. She is trying to take a hold of my hands but I am too far for her to take a grip of my outstretched arms.She is smiling down at me, assuring me that all will be well. This is different. She has never smiled this much before.She is back. Helena is back from the land of the dead. She has finally come back to me because she has forgiven me. She wanted me to learn my lessons the hard way and I have.Desperate to be in her arms, I find myself lunging forward with full force, and within minutes, I am in her arms, my body relaxed and my breathing heavy.I can smell my sweat.I feel happy too. Finally, she is back and I am in her arms. Finally, she has accepted to come back to me and forgive me for all that I have done to cause her pain.For cheating on her. For fighting her when she was trying to protect me. For not knowing her worth until I lost her."Bryan?" She calls softly, making my eyes open slowly, my breathing still heavy and my body weak from too mu
Celine's POVI take the staircase up, trying to be quick to meet up with Bryan before he leaves for work. I want to see how he is doing this morning and to know if he had a good night's rest.He looked really broken and restless last night but I had to respect myself by leaving before he asked me to. After leaving, it was harder for me to go to bed because his distorted face kept appearing in front of me, making me wish I had supernatural powers to wipe it off and turn it into happiness.Bryan might not be the kindest man on earth but he deserves to be happy. I wish he can be happy someday and be able to let go of his past so they won't hurt anymore.I do not know if I am feeling this way because I care or because I know what it feels like to be in such a situation. I was in this position and it was indeed hard for me to let go.When my parents died, I was broken. I never thought I was going to survive without them. I was left with no one but my grandma who also died before I was abl
Bryan's POVI twirl the swivel chair around idly, a pen in my hand and my lower lips in between my teeth.Coming to work today is a mistake. I haven't been able to do a single thing since I arrived here. This is because I have been distracted by one thing or the other.Celine's thought fills my mind and I am trying to comprehend just how and why the kiss happened this morning.I am still trying to figure out what the hell came over me that pushed me to kiss her that way. I haven't figured out why I have suddenly become attracted to her and now I am left with sorting this out again.What excuse do I have this time to give for kissing her? I have no excuse. The first time something like this happened, I was drunk. I wasn't in my right frame of mind but this morning, I wasn't drunk yet I kissed her.I felt a stab of anger in me when I wanted more of her. I wanted to kiss her more but I had to stop it. I do not know what is wrong with me but I need to get myself together and stop this s
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