OWEN'S POVThe ding of my phone woke me up and I sat up immediately. Another message from the anonymous sender. My heart started beating fast as I opened it, feeling a strange mix of curiosity and dread. The message read: "Don't forget our meeting. Wait in a hidden corner. Don’t be seen."I wasted no time as I gently got out of bed and threw some clothes on, slipping out of the house without alerting Charlotte. She had been through enough already, and I didn’t want her to worry more. The early morning air bit at my skin as I got into my car, but the chill couldn’t compare to the tension crawling through my veins.The ride to the cafe wasn’t too far, but every second stretched out like an eternity. When I arrived, I parked a little away from the entrance, just in case someone was watching. I couldn’t afford to be reckless.I entered the cafe quietly and I scanned the area as I walked. It looked normal just like any other day. A few customers sat here and there as it was still early,
OWEN'S POVLife couldn't get any better. My wife was pregnant, my dad and I were on good terms and I finally healed completely. Charlotte laid on my lap and I braided her hair while she told me many stories of her parents. She had a huge smile as she explained how lovely they were and it left me wondering why they did something like that to her. Taking a loan they couldn't pay up and then using her as collateral? There's nothing lovely about that. I'm glad she doesn't know about it though, if Mr Sam hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known. “Are you even listening to me?” She asked with a pout and I realized I had zoned out for a while. “Of course, princess, I'm listening to you. I just got distracted for a minute.” I replied as I continued braiding her hair and then she continued talking. “They sound like good people.” I mumbled and she nodded, her expression suddenly turning sour. “I just wish they told me before they took that loan. I still miss them a lot.” She whispered with a
OWEN'S POV Everything stopped working, my senses went numb and my brain stopped reasoning. It made no sense. Nothing made sense anymore. “Owen? Owen, stay with me please.” I heard Charlotte call out to me but I was too numb to even move my lips. She shook me gently and I finally turned to look at her. Tears were forming in her eyes and I came back to my senses. I couldn't make her worry, not when she's with my unborn child. “I'm fine, cupcake. I was just lost for a minute. Can you do something for me? I'll be heading to the office anytime soon and I need you to be safe. So will you hang out with Roselia till I'm back?” I asked and she was silent for a while. I gently squeezed her hand and she looked up at me, worry etched into her features before she finally nodded. “Fine. But if anything happens, call me okay?” She said and I nodded as I plastered a smile on my face. She got off the bed and left the room and I sat up. I picked up my phone as I stared at the numbers on the
CHARLOTTE’S POVI sat in Rose’s living room, nervously tapping my fingers on the arm of the couch. I haven't heard from Owen in a while and I couldn’t help the growing anxiety eating away at me. Every minute that passed made me more restless.Rose sensed my tension and handed me a cup of tea as she sat beside me, a worried look on her face. "You’re worried about him, aren’t you?" She asked and I nodded as I bit my lip. "I don’t know what’s happening over there. Everything’s been falling apart, and now… I just don’t know if he’s okay. I don't know why all of this keeps happening to him. He deserves better.” I said sadly and she placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Owen’s strong, Charlotte. I'm sure he’ll get through this. And I know it’s hard to sit and wait when you feel so helpless.” She replied and I sighed as I stared into the steaming cup in my hands. "He’s always trying to protect me, and now, with all the problems at the office... I don’t even know how he’s holding up.
OWEN’S POVI sat at my desk, staring at my phone. My thumb hovered over Ethan’s number, the anger bubbling inside me. I needed to call him in and end this. Without a second thought, I dialed his phone. The phone rang twice before Ethan picked up."Hey, Boss. You need something?" he asked, his tone casual, definitely unaware of what was coming."Come to my office. Now." I said coldly, not bothering to hide my frustration. There was silence on the other end for a second before Ethan replied. “I'm outside but I'll be there in a few minutes.”I hung up without another word. I was frustrated and devastated. The fact that I hated myself for trusting him so much hurt me even more. I desperately wanted it to not be true so I went over it all again but it was the same thing. It all pointed to him.About ten minutes later, the door to my office opened, and Ethan walked in, a friendly smile on his face as always. But I wasn’t in the mood for pleasantries.“You wanted to see me?” he asked, loo
CHARLOTTE'S POVI paced around as I stared at the man in front of me. How could it be him? He was the anonymous mysterious stranger that knew everything? “This makes no sense. How was it you behind everything? Why?” I questioned and he let out a sigh as he ran a hand through his hair. “There are a lot of things going on that you don't know, Charlotte. Owen is also in the dark on so many things. I have to do this to show him something.” He replied and it only made me more confused. “Why not just tell him straight up? Why go around in corners and confuse him?” I asked and he just shrugged, a small smile on his face. “It's fun. And the fun is only just beginning.”“You seem to be the only one enjoying this. Owen is going through a lot right now!” I retorted as I placed my hands on my waist and he let out a chuckle. There's nothing funny about this! “I know, I know. But it's not my fault. I'm doing all this to help him. You as well. You won't understand now, Charlotte, but when it fi
OWEN'S POVI stood outside Roselia's house as I waited for Charlotte to come out. I just wanted to bury myself in her arms and take comfort there.The door swung open and she rushed outside, a smile on her face and I knew that she missed me just as much as I did.When she spotted me, she ran to me as she jumped on me, hugging me tightly and I held her tightly as well. Oh I missed her so much. I was away from her for hours and I felt her absence like a stab in my heart.We stood there like that for a while and it felt like we were having a silent conversation. It was beautiful how we both needed each other. It warmed my heart.After a while, she pulled away, a smile on her face as she placed a hand on my cheek and I leaned into her touch.“I was so worried. You didn't call or text, your line wasn't going through and I got scared. Are you okay?” She asked as she gently rubbed my face and I nodded as I looked at her lovingly.“I'm sorry, cupcake. I was too focused on work. A lot happened
CHARLOTTE'S POVI laid comfortably in Owen's arms as the warmth of Owen’s skin beneath my cheek felt ticklish. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat calmed the storm raging in mine and I felt at ease. We had just shared a passionate moment, and now everything felt peaceful and quiet. It felt almost as if nothing else mattered. But I knew better. I knew him too well. I could sense the tension in his muscles and the heavy weight of unspoken words resting on him like a burden. I lifted my head slightly as I gazed at him, my eyes tracing the perfection of his face and I noticed the faint creases that had formed between his brows. Owen was thinking. And he was thinking hard. About his office, his business and of course, Ethan. “Owen… Can we talk about what happened at the office?” I asked softly, my fingers tracing small circles on his chest and I felt him stiffen underneath me, his body tensing up immediately at my words as if I had just struck a nerve. He didn't say anything at first
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