CHARLOTTE'S POVI sat in front of my parents’ grave and stared at the stones blankly. My face was stained with dried tears as the wind blew against me violently. I didn't think I could cry anymore.“Mom, Dad, I always believed that you both got into an accident to avoid paying the debt that you took. I'm sorry for being so stupid. How do I even explain this?”I let out a sad laugh as I looked up at the sky. I didn't want to believe it. I kept pinching myself to wake up from this nightmare, but all I felt was immense pain.“What do I do? How can I-”“Charlotte!!” I heard someone call out my name from afar and I rose to my feet.“Cupcake, are you here?” I heard him say as his voice drew closer and my heart skipped.Owen is here. My first instinct was to run to him and bury my face in my chest. But how could I look at him the same way after knowing that he was the one who killed my parents?I stood rooted to the ground as I finally saw him approach me and a look of relief washed over his
CHARLOTTE'S POVThe look on Rose's face told me that she was thinking just what I was thinking. I didn't care how Caleb got the video, or why he decided to sell Owen out like this.All I cared about was why he did it.“It looked like he was drunk here… see? He's staggering.” Rose observed and she was right.“If he was drunk, then it really wasn't his fault-”“Are you taking his side now? Why would he drink and drive in the first place? Even if he was drunk, he could have helped them out! But no, he left them and drove away. Can't you see?” I almost yelled at her and she let out a sigh.“I don't know, Char. I think there's more to this than we see. Owen is not that reckless.” She was clearly defending him and it totally pissed me off.“You know what, keep defending him. It's not your parents he killed but mine. That's why you can talk like this.”I knew what I said wasn't right, and the hurt expression on her face confirmed it but I was too angry to think.“Charlotte, your parents were
OWEN'S POVI tossed and turned in unease as I pondered on Charlotte's behavior earlier today. She was obviously very mad at me but I can't seem to think of what I did wrong. It felt extremely lonely without her.I considered going to Ethan's place to bring her back home but the way she looked at me, like she never wanted to see me again, made my heart sink in fear.We were supposed to go on a romantic date tonight. I sighed as I stared at the clock that read: 12:34 AM. I wonder how she is right now. I should probably give her a call.I picked up my phone on the table stand and just before I tapped the dial button, I realized that she might be asleep. I let out a frustrated groan as I placed the phone back on the table.I can't even last a night without her, I have to go get her once it gets bright. I don't care how mad she is at me, we'll talk it out. I took my phone and stared at her smiling face on the screen of my phone.I didn't realize when my eyes drifted close and I fell asleep
CHARLOTTE'S POVThe look of shock on his face and the way color drained from his face made me realize that I was right. He was the one that killed my parents. My husband was a murderer.“Cupcake, I-”“Don't call me that! You murdered my parents! You made my life miserable! It's all your fault!” I screamed at him and he shook his head as he approached me.“You're getting it all wrong, it wasn't-”“What, you're gonna deny it now? You're gonna say it was edited, that you were framed? That was you, Owen! You can't fool me!” I yelled louder and he held my hand as he pulled me to him.“Don't touch me, you murderer! Let me go!” I struggled to get out of his grip but he wouldn't let me go.I started to pound on his chest as tears fell like torrents from my eyes but he still wouldn't let me go. What if he hurts me too?“Let me go! Are you gonna kill me too?” I yelled, and he stiffened before his arms loosened around me, and he stepped back.“You really see me as a murderer?” He asked, hurt evi
CHARLOTTE'S POVMy body felt heavy as I slowly gained consciousness and I opened my eyes. Darkness filled my vision and I realized that I was blindfolded. Not just blindfolded but also gagged.I let out a soft groan as I tried to move my arms and legs but I couldn't. I was tied tightly to a chair and I couldn't move a single muscle. It felt like blood wasn't flowing as it should inside me.“Boss, she's finally awake.” I heard someone say and I held my breath when I heard footsteps approach me.“You're awake, cupcake.” I heard the person say and I frowned as I recognized the voice. Could it be…The blindfold was ripped off my face and I blinked rapidly to adjust to the light in the room. My heart dropped when I realized that I was right. It was him.“Surprised to see me again, Cupcake?” He asked with a smug smirk and I mumbled against the piece of the clothing wrapped around my mouth.He pulled off the clothing from my mouth and I let out a sigh of relief as I widened my mouth to relie
CHARLOTTE'S POVI was losing blood rapidly and I knew it. My vision started getting hazy but I tried my best to stay awake. I didn’t know what this psycho would do to me the moment I got unconscious.“Should I give you a cut on your face too? No, that'd damage your beauty.” He said to himself as he paced in front of me, a calculative and thoughtful expression on his face.I immediately shook my head in response. Please, don't use that thing on me again, especially not on my face, I pleaded inside of me.“But then… If I applied a few scars on your face, Owen would no longer find you attractive and he'd abandon you because you'd be ugly. That way, I'll have you all to myself. Isn't that a great idea?” He turned to look at me as he pointed the knife to my face.“Michael, please, you can't do this!” I yelled and he laughed out loud.“Yes, I can!” He shouted at the top of his voice as he moved the knife to my face and I flinched in horror. Just as the knife touched my face, a figure walked
OWEN'S POVI watched as Charlotte played with her hands while she waited for my response. What was I supposed to tell her?No, I don't resent you because I'm stupidly in love.Or yes, I resent you because you couldn't trust me.I let out a sigh as I rubbed my hand over my face and focused on the road.“If I say yes, will you stop asking questions?” I asked and she hesitated for a while before shaking her head.“And, if I say no, will you stop?” I asked again and she paused for a while before nodding slowly.“Then, no. I don't resent you.” I replied, my gaze fixed on the road and I could see from the corner of my eye that her face fell.“Did you say that so that I could stop asking questions?” She asked softly as she gazed at me and I sighed, not bothering to give her an answer.Was I mad at her? Yes. But I wasn't mad because she called me a murderer. Anyone in her shoes would have done the same thing. Maybe even worse.“I don't resent you, Charlotte. I'm not saying to make you stop ta
CHARLOTTE'S POVThe pain was horrifying.The knife tore through my skin, and I shut my eyes tight in pain, but I refused to let out a sound. I couldn't give him the pleasure of seeing me in pain. The only person I ever want to show my weak side is Owen.“Stop trying to hold those cries in, sugar. No one's coming to save you. You're mine now.” He purred as he brought the knife closer to my face and just before it made contact with my face, my eyes flew open.It was a freaking nightmare.I looked around and saw Owen standing in front of my bed. My eyes lit up at the sight of him but when I heard his words, my heart broke.“…I will kill him, Ethan. I promise I will destroy that man. I would make him pay for every bit of pain he made my wife go through.”I knew he was serious about his words. Owen never makes a promise that he would never fulfill.I once called him a murderer and now he wants to become a murderer because of me.When he saw that I was awake, the joy on his face couldn't be
OWEN'S POVMonths had passed since my parents’ death and Caleb's cruel execution. One that he deserved. I couldn't help but remember him every now and then. The happy times we shared, the bliss and excitement that we experienced together… How could it all be a lie?“Snap out of it, Mister. The brides will be here any minute.” Ethan said as he helped me straighten my bow and suit and I rubbed my hands nervously.“Tell me the truth, Ethan, do I look good enough?” I whispered and he hit my shoulder as he fixed his bow too and stood beside me.“Don't you know that you have the limelight on you? I'm in the shadows here, Sir.” He said with a chuckle and I chuckled too as the priest walked up to the altar.“Can you believe it? We're both getting married on the same day to inseparable friends. This is called what, fate?” I mumbled and he shook his head in amusement as we turned to look at the entrance.“Damn it! The rings!” I exclaimed in horror and he slapped the back of my head as he took i
CHARLOTTE'S POVI took deep breaths as I stood in front of the beautiful gates and Owen took my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. I lifted my head to look at me and he had a small smile on his face as he rang the doorbell twice.We waited in silence, my breath held in nervousness and after a while, someone pulled the door open. I plastered a smile on my face and when the man looked at me then at Owen, a warm smile formed on his face as he opened the gate wide open for us to come in.I was surprised at how he treated us but then, who wouldn't treat Owen right, knowing who is? We walked inside hand in hand and the man guided us inside the house and told us to wait while he called his bosses.I glanced around and the beauty of the house took my breath away. It was magnificent and luxurious. It reminded me of how I felt when I first stepped into the Walkers’ house.“Are you okay?” Owen asked as he rubbed my hands gently and I nodded.“Just a bit nervous. That's all.” I said with a ner
CHARLOTTE'S POVI wasn't just nervous, I was panicking. The anxiety threatened to swallow me whole and sweat kept running down my face, ruining my makeup for the fifth time.“Char, come on! It's not even hot yet you're sweating so much. You know what, you don't need makeup. You're already so pretty on your own. Just stop being so nervous and scared. They're your parents, not God.” Rose said as she took out another wiper and started to wipe my face clean.I knew she was right but I couldn't help the fear that clawed at my throat, threatening to end me.“You don't get it, Rose. This isn't just anybody. These people are almost on par with Owen! How am I supposed to feel knowing that my biological parents are important figures in the country and I lived my whole life running from debt? Make it make sense, Rose!” I exclaimed in frustration as I collapsed into the chair.“We should have gotten this over with a month ago but they just had to leave the country at that time. Now they're back a
OWEN'S POVThe day was finally here. The day of judgment for Caleb.Charlotte and I stood hand in hand in the crowded courtroom, the tension in the air thick enough to slice through with a knife. My grip on her hand tightened and she looked at me with a reassuring smile.I turned and my eyes met Caleb's, who stood at the defendant's table with his expression showing that he was unbothered. He looked like he was ready to face whatever came his way, like he didn't care and none of this mattered to him.For a man who had caused me so much pain, he was very calm, which disturbed me greatly.I clenched my fist as the weight of everything he had done began to press down on me so much that it almost suffocated me.My parents... Charlotte’s parents... Beatrice… those innocent lives that he took. How could he stand there without a sign of remorse?The judge finally entered, and the room went silent. Everyone stood as we waited for him to take his seat. My heart pounded harshly in my chest as I
CHARLOTTE'S POVI stared at Owen in confusion and he ran a hand through his hair as he took a seat beside me and held my hands.“I'm serious. Caleb found out first, then Ethan found out and he told me. That's what we were discussing that day. I know it's hard to believe but I have evidence and proof. You are the legitimate and missing daughter of the Davies.” Owen explained and I just stared at him like he was cracking a joke.“Don't you think this is a very expensive joke? What do you mean by I'm the daughter of the Davies? Like ‘The Davies’. Are you trying to mess with me right now?” I asked in annoyance as I got off the bed and Owen sighed as he stood up with me.“He's right, Charlotte.” Ethan butted in and I glanced at him in confusion.“Hold on…this isn't a prank. You're actually serious about this.” I clarified and my heart sank when they nodded in affirmation.“How is this possible? I grew up with my parents. All my childhood memories that I can recall were with them. They neve
OWEN'S POV“What was it?” I asked in confusion and he sat up as he leaned towards me.“A bulletproof.” He replied and my brows creased in confusion. What did he mean by that?“What do you mean bulletproof? How would that have saved my life?” I asked and he let out a chuckle.“Well, it saved mine. Without a second thought, I went to the store room and grabbed the only one that was available there. I remember when you told your father that it wasn't needed and that he shouldn't get it. It eventually came in handy.”“I was supposed to take it to you so that you could escape unscathed but I was too late. He already held you at gunpoint so I had no choice but to wear it under my clothes and act as your bulletproof. The first shot actually hit me. Right here.” He pointed at his lower abdomen and my eyes widened in realization.“That's why there was blood everywhere and it made my fake death even more believable. The rest of the bullets bounced off and didn't touch me. I had no idea that Bea
OWEN'S POVI stood there in shock and confusion as I looked around for Ethan's dead body. Could Caleb have taken his body with him? But there was no sign of a bloody body being dragged on the floor.“Papa!” I heard Charlotte cry out as she saw my parents lying in each other's cold arms and I pulled her to me to stop her from moving forward.“Stop looking. They're probably happy where they are now. They died in each other's arms, that's probably what they wanted.” I said softly as I wiped the lone tear that trailed down my cheeks.“I need to find Ethan's body. He was just here when I left…” My voice trailed off when Roselia burst into a loud cry and crouched on the floor.“Where is he? At least let me tell him goodbye! What did you do to his body?” She yelled at no one in particular and my heart clenched in pain as I walked up to her side.I crouched down and hugged her to comfort her and I relaxed a bit when she wrapped her arms around me and wept like a child.I looked up at Charlott
OWEN'S POV“Ethan!”My eyes flung open in an instant and I groaned when I felt pain in my lower abdomen. I was alive. I made it out alive. But they didn't…“Owen! You're awake.” I heard Charlotte's voice call out to me and I turned my head to see her pretty face show up beside me and she held my hand tightly.“I told you I'll be fine. I always keep my promises, princess.” I said weakly with a faint smile and she helped me sit up, worry evident on her face as my face twisted in pain.“I have to go check on them… I need to see if they're really dead… I-”“No, Owen. You'll stay here and heal. I'll go and check up on them. I haven't told Rose anything about it yet. You have to rest.” She pleaded but I shook my head strongly.“We can't hide it from her forever. We have to tell her now.” I said.“Tell me what?” I heard Roselia say as she walked in with a basket of fruits and Charlotte had a look of panic on her face.“There's something I have to tell you,” I said as I struggled to stand up
CHARLOTTE'S POVI couldn't stop the tears from falling down my face as I watched my husband get wheeled into the operating room. He had held my hand firmly even though he was unconscious before the nurses detached our hands and took him in.I pulled my hair in despair as I sat down and stared at the floor. If what Caleb said was true, then that means… Ethan and Beatrice were dead. How would I tell this to Roselia?They were supposed to get married soon-I burst into tears as the thought of everything made my heart clench in pain. Caleb had been arrested by the police but it wasn't enough. He has to die too.My phone was shattered in Caleb's house and I had no way of reaching out to anyone. I couldn't leave the hospital since I had to be by Owen's side whenever he woke up.I knew Roselia's digits by heart but could I actually bring myself to call her? What would I tell her? How would I break the news to her?Would I tell her: “Oh, hey, your husband-to-be died while trying to save my hu