OWEN'S POVI gulped the glass of water in front of me in an instant as I sat at the table located at the end of the restaurant and waited for Caleb. Ethan was sitting in a hidden corner far away from us in case anything went wrong.The bells rang softly as the door pushed open and Caleb walked in. I waved at him and he smiled as he noticed me and walked up to my table.“It's been a long time since we last had food here.” He said as he took off his coat and I chuckled in response.“So, you said we need to talk. What's going on?”“Caleb,” I started, taking a deep breath. “We've lived together for so long, I lost count of the years. You know I trust you with everything I have, right?” I asked and he scoffed as he narrowed his eyes at me.“What's going on with you? Why are you sounding like you're dying?” He said with a chuckle as he picked up the glass in front of him and took it to his mouth.“You're right, I'm dying,” I said blankly and he choked as he looked at me in shock.“What?”“T
OWEN'S POVIt felt like a bucket of cold water had been doused on me. I felt a ringing in my ears and I shut my eyes tight as I tried to make it stop.“W-what… what did you say?” I stuttered as I glanced at him, my body feeling weak at his words and he chuckled lowly.“Your mother was the mastermind of everything that I've done to you.”“Just stop it, Caleb! That's enough. I've had enough of your lies and games-”“You know I wouldn't lie to you, not now that you know everything. What do I stand to gain? Your mother wants to make you pay for his sins.” He relaxed against the seat and I frowned deeper.“Sins? What sins?”I knew I wasn't supposed to be listening to all his nonsense but something in me felt that he was right. That he wasn't lying to me.“You know my parents died when I was four? And we all thought it was an accident. Well, it wasn't. Someone paid the truck driver to run over them. And guess who that someone was?”He leaned in closer to me as he placed his hand over his mo
CHARLOTTE'S POV“Get out. Get the fuck out and remember to behave if you don't want a bullet in your forehead.” I heard Catherine say as she pointed the gun at me and ordered me to get off.“You have a pretty nice house,” I said, trying to distract her from the fact that she was trying to kill me and she let out a cackle.“My house? This is Caleb's house, darling. He sent me to abduct you.” She slurred as she pushed me forward and I stumbled before regaining my balance.“You live in his house? I mean, that's not surprising, given that you're his girlfriend.” I mumbled as I continued walking and she froze.“How did you know that?” She asked in shock and I turned to look at her.“We know everything,” I whispered with a smile and her grip on the gun loosened. If I charge at her, there's a one out of a hundred chance that I might get the gun.But the odds are against me and I can't put me and my baby in danger. I'll be patient till Owen comes to get me.“You don't know everything. If you
OWEN'S POVBeatrice was beyond elated to see us when we entered the house. I was happy to see her, too, and her warm smile made my heart feel warm and content.“You know, Charlotte was just here. She was supposed to wait for your Father to return, but I guess she got impatient, so she left.” She said as she walked us in and I frowned slightly.“Did you see her when she left?” I asked and she shook her head.“I just came out of the kitchen and she was gone. Maybe she went for a stroll? She might be back soon.” She said with a smile, and I nodded, but I couldn't get rid of the looming feeling in my chest.I took out my phone and dialed her number while I waited for her to pick up but it got redirected to voicemail. I tried calling her again but it was the same thing.“What's wrong, Owen?” Ethan asked as we sat down and I rubbed my hands anxiously.“Charlotte was here but now she isn't. And she was supposed to see father before she left. I feel uneasy for some reason.” I explained and he
OWEN'S POV“Why would Dad stage uncle's death? That makes no sense! I grew up to see them love and look out for each other. So why in the world would Dad kill uncle?” I asked in confusion and a look of disgust formed on my mom's face as she sat down.“Your dad isn't a saint. He isn't as wonderful as he looks. He's nothing but a crook and dubious man. Your dad found out that your uncle was doing better than him and he got jealous so he paid a truck driver to run over their car.” She spat in disgust and I frowned in confusion.This was impossible.“That can't be true. I know dad to be a lot of things but not a jealous person and definitely not a murderer. Do you have evidence?” I asked and she rolled her eyes in annoyance.This was a whole new attitude from my Mom concerning my Dad.“What if I tell you that he confessed to his damn crimes?”“Mom, this is your husband we're talking about. Why are you sounding like he's your lifetime enemy?”“Because she knows what she did.” I heard a voi
CHARLOTTE'S POVI walked into the room and my eyes roamed around the now lit-up room. I stood in front of a large board that had different pictures pinned to it and scrambled writings on it.“That's my picture, Owen's…” I touched the pictures in shock and confusion. “My parents… Papa, Owen's Mom, and-” I frowned as I leaned closer. “Who are these?”I stared at the picture of a man and a woman holding a baby in their arms. They looked so happy as they stared at the child and I found myself smiling as well.“Why did I not realize earlier that Caleb was a psychopath? What is all this?” I mumbled to myself as I glanced at the table and grabbed the files on it.As expected, I saw my name written in bold in the very first file. I flipped it open and pictures of me were pinned to the first page. I flipped to the next page and I could've sworn that it felt like I was reading an autobiography about me.He sure had time to waste for him to do all this. I flipped to the next page and my heart dr
OWEN'S POVI stared at Caleb, my mind spinning like a washing machine. His words continued to echo in my head like a track on repeat. I'm not my father's son?My heart pounded harshly against my chest, with each heartbeat feeling like it would stop working any time soon. My ears started to ring loudly and I groaned as I tried to stay stable.I turned slowly to look at my mother while I searched her face, hoping to see any sign that all of this was a crazy prank. But the guilt embedded in her eyes told me everything I needed to know.“Mom?” I mumbled softly, so soft that I could barely hear myself. I stepped forward as I looked up at her and my voice came out again in a vulnerable form.“Is it true? Just… tell me he's lying. That this is all a sick prank and that everything is fine.”For a second, her eyes glimmered with something that looked like remorse and regret. But she quickly masked it as she pressed her lips into a thin line.“Answer me!” I shouted as my voice cracked and the a
OWEN'S POVI paced around the room as my hands gripped my hair harder than I wanted it to. But I wasn't thinking straight anymore. My brain wasn't functioning like it was supposed to.My whole life has been a lie. My Father wasn't my father but my father's brother. My mom wasn't my mother but someone who exchanged me for her stillbirth child.The inheritance I had been fighting for all my life was never mine. The company I built up all my life wasn't mine to claim. My biological parents were dead and their deaths were staged. I'm over.A scream erupted from my chest as I flung the chair beside me across the room. I placed my hands over my ears as the shrill piercing sound resonated painfully in my ears.“Make… it stop…” I grunted in pain as I fell to my knees and let out a painful sigh as the sound slowly stopped. I moved my hands away from my ears when I felt liquid run down my nose.Blood.Charlotte… I needed Charlotte right now. I felt like I was going crazy and she was the only on
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