Pearl’s pov~Something is off with Nico, what did he mean by he knows they are up to something?I thought he had believed them, but still, there was a familiar disdain when he saw August coming around or calling to familiarize last-minute details with me.I had created a beautiful wonderland on the D’angelo Estate. Beautiful floral arrangements adorned the tables, a magnificent carousel had been prepared for the kids, and sparkling fairy lights streamed down the marble archways. Only Sophie, Nico D'Angelo's daughter, could have such a spectacular birthday, a birthday fit for a princess of her status, no expense was spared.I watched as they mounted a wedding podium right after it.It sickened me to watch Tilly strut around making final adjustments for what seems to be her wedding day.I navigated the crowd, feeling alienated at a party put together. Sophie's day was supposed to be today, but now her aunt had put her selfish interest and had convinced her father to follow suit.Key
NICO’S POVAll I could see was Sophie's little hand holding mine as the celebration whirled around me, complete with music, laughter, and the soft murmur of conversation. She looked excited, as though she couldn't wait for her special day.Even at the age of seven, she possessed her mother's keen gaze and quiet resolve. Her mother was Pearl, in this case, the confusion lingered.Who exactly is my daughter’s mother?"Are you certain of this? There’s no going back now Sophie, are you sure you want it" I crouched to her level and whispered. She smiled toothily at me, her loose tooth smiling at me."Don't you trust me?" she giggled.I let out a sigh and shook my head. That problem I do, a grown man trusting a child, what has the world come to?” She fled with a loud giggle, squeezing past guests like a cunning sprite, waving at them and shouting “It's my birthday!” she let out a giggle. At that moment, my grandmother came over, her shrewd eyes piercing me, she tapped my shoulders ligh
Am I in a dream or is this real?I was drifting…. My body felt weightless, stuck in a dream that didn't feel like mine, it felt like I was watching another version of me getting her happy ending.A part of me that wanted Nico too, somewhere between truth and illusion. Like a scene from a movie I wasn't sure I had agreed to star in, the wedding played out in front of me, I saw myself shocked beyond reasonable doubt, my mind in endless fractions, imagining and reimagining scenarios.Nico was in front of me, something I couldn't quite put my finger on smouldering in his black eyes. What was it that covered his beautiful hazel eyes as he gazed upon me?Love? Want? Lies? As he spoke his vows, his smooth and deep voice enchanted me.And I still couldn't believe what was happening. "I knew” he started, touching my lips softly, “from that night I saved you from that car wreck I knew you were going to be my wife” he smiled.What were these words flowing out of his mouth?“ I recognized som
Pearl’s POVThe D'angelo Residence had turned into an endless battlefield fought with whispers, sidelong glances, and carefully sown seeds of doubt and confusion rather than the typical swords and bloodshed. Camille was an experienced warrior in matters of this nature.She was a natural-born Amazon displaced from her people. Although Sophie had always been a bright and self-reliant child, something felt strange tonight, it lingered in the air and I could taste it. I didn't come out from my new room until later that evening when I was in there thinking about the worst.If this is a fake like Camille said then have I just destroyed my chances with August forever?Sophie, sat across from me at the dinner table, frowning and picking at her mashed potatoes, stabbing them with her fork, as if she were punishing them for something. "Not hungry, sweetheart?" I asked, attempting to sound light, she’d noticed I'd been distant all dinner long.“I overheard Aunt Camille talking,” Sophie admit
Pearl’s pov~Something happened last night, something I had to remember.Nico averted my gaze now and again but there was this smile that lingered too often.I excused myself to go to my room when he cleared his throat, “I had them put your things in my room since we are now married….”“No!” I interjected, “I will not be staying in the same room as you, I w…”“Then you shouldn't have said I do” he interrupted.“We share a room now and that’s final” I looked back at him, unable to understand what he was thinking.I fumed and raced up the stairs to my room.I couldn't for the life of me understand what I'd put myself into.I'm married again!I sobbed, picking up the snow globe from the dresser, I stared hard at it.I shook it and The globe whirled. I couldn't tell if the sluggish, creeping haze clouded my mind or if the wind rushing past me was to blame. I was unable to release my fingers from the around the round object, I fixated on it like my life depended on it.My mind let loose
Nico’s POV ~Mr Winters is a charming man, isn't he? Suddenly logan was no longer my competition, it was a strange-looking man.Making Pearl my wife in the way I did, without raising suspicions or making Camille so on edge that she’d release my documents to my enemies was the perfect plot.It took the grace of God in me not to snap his neck in two the day I married her.He dared to kiss my wife!I've been surveilling him, scratch that've been surveilling everyone Pearl has been in contact with, forgive my obsession but I can't help it.Some have soon disappeared overnight and she would never know.Camille, I had plans for her, I just can't come through on them yet, I'll hurt anyone who hurts my wife a thousandfold and only I know that.As it prepared to take off, the private jet's engines hummed as it sat shining in the sun. August had pulled all the strings to ensure Pearl and Sophie enjoyed a sumptuous three-day getaway.Reasons I'd never know but I knew my obsession would soon urg
Camille’s POV – The air stuck in my chest and im unable to breathe. Staring at my reflection, my hands trembled aggressively as I held onto the edge of my vanity. I picked up my brush and struck it at the television.“Fuck I want her dead!”My chest is pumped faster and faster as my eyes bulge out with hate. My flawlessly painted lips are pushed into a narrow line. My mind keeps repeating the headlines. ‘A Love Like No Other: DM holding owner, Nico D’Angelo and his new wife, his appointed Ceo Pearl Cavil, Survive Another Attack!" I want to yell, scream the roof down!I should be Nico’s wife not that bitch who just strutted in like she owned the place. This was meant to be handled by Kenji, but he has done a pathetic job of killing her!Simple clear instructions!Kill her and let the child Go!Pearl should be dead and decaying in a ditch, out of sight and out of fucking mind. Rather, she is alive and absorbing all the pity while draped over Nico like a tragic heroine. Oh Go
Nico’s POV~With Camille strangely gone, It was quieter than usual in the house, my daughter Sophie spent the night with us and we had managed to take her back to her room without her knowing.And now it was just Pearl and I in the room, there was an awkward silence between us ladened with memories of the event preceding us.I looked up to see her beautiful face but all she did was look away.There were unspoken words that neither of us was prepared to confront. Pearl was wearing one of my dress shirts, her hair still wet from the shower, and she sat by the fireplace in our bedroom. I could see that she wasn't reading even though she was leafing through a book.She kept sighing so many times, and I thought to myself how can I unburden her?But my pride won't let me, the moment she sees my weakness she walks away.Lola did and I'll never forgive myself for giving her that chance.But Since the rescue, she has remained at my side.I watched her for a while as her body softened by the
PEARL’S POVI imagined Sophie in a box at Hope Memorial, isolated, lying on her bed unconscious as I put my signature on the document. Finally, it's done, there was no need to wait till the close of business. I've made the right choice.I'm going to save Sophia no matter what.I slid the papers back to Jenny.“You’ve got what you want, I don't have the whole day to think about making the same choice” I replied.She smiled and picked up the documents, “I like how you are thinking Pearl, she slid the document into the envelop and just as she was about to turn and leave Adam came in, his mood wasn't good.Once again something had happened or so I thought.. Why is Nico’s lawyer already here? My signature was like an unstoppable wound that flowed into the parchment and guilt washed through me as he looked around the room.“I heard what happened, this is taking it too far Jenny!” he snapped at her as she walked towards him.“Oh so its Jenny now, not officer beacon? Oh Adam you can pretend
Pearl’s pov~Jenny looked at me like she had slapped me with reality.“You know nothing huh” she said with a concurring shake of her head.I was silent, “and now you’ve been plunged deep into their shit and very quickly you've gained recognition by the FBI” she stated.I was trembling with fear even though I tried my best for Jenny not to see it but it was there for all To see.“That video of Nico and I that was over a decade ago and I never knew it existed, when I found out about their twisted games back then they killed my first husband to silence me if I didnt they would come after my son” she paused before turning to look at me.“I've been reassigned to desk duty pending the result of the investigation so im fucked, my last chance at getting my job back is bringing Nico in” she finished.I was still quiet, The whole room appeared to tilt as the glass shards on the floor glittered like tiny, mocking stars.Nico. Camille.They had planned everything down to the T. A man I hardly kn
PEARL’S POVI sat in my chair looking out through the glass window, wondering where the father of my children was.I asked myself, ‘do I want Nico to be a part of my child’s life?’ Still, a part of me lingered to tell him this exciting news: 1 month of marital bliss, and now once again I have an estranged spouse. How fast the tables turned.I missed him so much even though I couldn't bring myself to say it, but today is not the day I show my weakness.I have a visitor who will decide my little daughter’s fate.The conference hall at DM Holdings felt colder today, or perhaps it was just me, heavy, sweaty, and anxious in my seat while acting like I had everything together.August had been amazing at helping me at the office. Rumours were flying that I was proving to be like Logan after all, and I didn't care about the company. Now that Nico’s on the run, no one knows the fate of the company.The sun shone outside the glass windows, but inside, it felt like a glacier had moved in. I lo
PEARL’S POV~“Im sorry im what!” What am I hearing? Is this a prank? Perhaps a dream.But how? It's just been a month since I married Nico and honestly, I thought i could never get pregnant not after the last time.My heart pounded against my ribs as I gazed at the physician."Congratulations," he repeated. I looked at his identity card. “Dr Gibson, you are mistaken; I'm not pregnant.” He chuckled, his voice softer this time, as if he were worried I would lose it totally from confusion. "Yes, you are. You're pregnant."The impact of the words was far greater than that of any bullet, betrayal, or fall that had become a part of my identity for so long.I'm expecting a child…. This was the last thing I ever thought could possibleI felt my gut turn around and my knees sway. The whole room swayed, but the door slammed open with a crash before I could comprehend it."Pearl!" The hospital wing was filled with August's voice.I turned just in time to see him lunging through the doorway, ga
Lorenzo’s pov~I followed the van closely, and soon we headed for the Bronx. I sent a message to Adam, and he wasted no time arranging enforcers.I got out of my car and slid into the shadows. I watched them hurl both women out of the car and into a house that looked like it had not been lived in years.I quietly snuck in just as the door was about to close.I walked over to a dark corner just as one of the guards moved to shut the door.“Well, lucky me killing two birds with one stone, bring them over here.” I heard Camille's voice next.I hid and peered through the darkness to see what would happen next, I couldn't take on the guards in here without help, all I could do was hope Adam came just in time to save them.She injected both women with something and soon I could see them groaning as they came to.“Hello, Pearl,” she started with a smile. Pearl turned around just in time to catch her disdain, “what the hell! Where is Sophie?” she yelled not caring about herself.She was a sel
PEARL’S POV~Devina finally left.And this time, no drama at least Not in a big way. No flipping hair in my face, No last dig on my personality.She just looked in both directions, hung her belly in the air and left.I guess that's the last I'll see of her, I take it means she’s not going to attend the pageant. Leaving the disposable phone like a corpse. I sat still. Listening. Reflecting. Making a plan. Camille had always been the one. Behind the glass at all times. behind the mask In the back of this twisted, decaying labyrinth. Used people conveniently like Nora, Langdon’s daughter.But wait, the story is getting me more and more confused.Think Pearl what are the facts,he made Nico who he is, meaning my bastard of a husband owes him fuck all, but what happened between them that has led them down the rabbit hole.First, he was black and now white?Who is Langdon Mosely What have I really found, everything always led to Camille and Nico.Who sent the bomb and why was Camille
PEARL’S POV~For a heart as loud as mine the city was too silent. I should have let it go and gone home. Devina said something that didn't sit well with me.Her anxiety had been too convenient, and her eyes had darted too quickly from Me Lorenzo.She claimed that Camille was "crazy," but Devina and her fiance feared being controlled more than anything. She was terrified of Camille My mind still wasn't at ease, if she's communicating with her, I also wanted to hear Camille's lies. So, I told Lorenzo and Adam that I needed air and slid into the closest taxi, guiding it to the small private airport, rather than returning to the apartment.According to Devina's itinerary, her flight was departing from New York to Paris tonight. A vacation. A clean break. Not at all. This late, the terminal was silent. A couple of pilots milled about, and an attendant who looked drowsy waved me through after thinking I was a Davis-Malone. I didn't try to correct her, I smiled and walked right in. If
PEARL’S POV~It was hard convincing August to go along with my plan seeing how worried he was about me.“This isn't right Pearl, you almost died in that station and now you are off again to find Camile, are you sure this is not about Nico?” he asked, stopping me just as I was about to grab the door knob.“Everything I've been through has been all about Nico, don't you get it?” I scoffed, “Everything!” I exclaimed.“But I can't leave Sophie to pay for his misgivings, she’s a harmless angel August, im not letting her die” I continued as the thoughts of Sophie entered my mind.“Fine but I'm coming with you Pearl and I mean it” I sighed and turned to him, I took his hand and pulled him close to me.“I need you back at the office August, everyone is counting on us to make this pageant a reality, this is my legacy im not letting Nico steal this from me, I'm respected enough to be included in the inner circles, I'm not letting that go for a bastard who took great pride in ruining my life”
Pearl’s POV~When I awoke, the harsh smell of hospital antiseptic and the soft buzz of machines greeted meThe ceiling was excessively white and it burned my eyes. I felt a wave of nausea wash through me and the urgent need to throw up stung my gut. My chest hurt the most, but my entire body felt as if I had been struck by a train. My hands were chilly and rigid beneath the blankets, and my fingernails were still dry from the blood. I was definitely in the hospital, the smell was too distinct to ignore.Once more I'm in the hospital because of Nico, my life keeps getting worse with each passing day. I kept thinking about Nico's blood, Camille's sneer, the station, oh my God the explosion. The monitor next to me beeped more quickly, and my breath caught the attention of the nurse outside the door. A nurse entered, the same one Nico fucked right in front of me, smiling politely. "Now that you're safe and awake, Miss Pearl, you need to relax, okay?”I felt a dull agony clamp acros