Kathryn’s POVI held my breath, but then I realized I don’t have any reason to feel this way. It’s not like I felt guilty about being caught here with William; I just think it’s fair for her to experience what I went through when I saw them together in William’s office.James’ head popped out of the door. He was carrying so many files that his hands were barely visible from beneath several files of folders. “Mr. Reinhardt, I have files that needed—oh,” James stopped short at the door. “I had no idea you were meeting with Mrs. Rein—sorry, I mean, Ms. Alvarez.” “It’s fine.” “No, it’s alright,” I said the same time William spoke, dropping my glare on him. “You can stay and report whatever it was you’re about to report to him,” I walked toward the door, straightening my back, and never looking back. “Kathryn, come back. We’re not done yet,” William called as grabbed hold of the door’s knob. “We’re still in the middle of discussing things.” I turned sharply toward him, my heart poun
Kathryn’s POVThe two days that I’ve mentioned a few nights ago have finally arrived. The air was filled with blasting music as the employees became the stars of this exciting event. They looked giddy and excited, and I’m very glad that the creative team we’ve hired was on spot on the arrangement they’ve proposed to us. Unfortunately, Roland went to Europe and, to my dismay, I couldn’t find a babysitter because Jess was also away. Exhausting all possibilities in tow of my current situation, I have decided to bring Charlize along with me to work today.I saw no harm in bringing her since everyone knows I’m a single mother and I have no one else to watch my daughter when I’m not at home. Furthermore, the event was scheduled on a Saturday, when most people are off and unavailable to babysit.Although when I first told Charlize about it, she wasn’t interested in coming. However, when I Googled a photo of the hotel and showed it to her, her eyes lit up like stars, and she immediately ran
Wilhelm’s POVThings weren’t going the way I wanted them to. Everything was a mess, especially after I learned what Rose had done to Kathryn during the important event at my hotel. Now, Kathryn thinks I tolerated Rose’s actions, but the truth is, I was just as furious. How could Rose do something like that? This wasn’t the reason I chose her to be my fiancée. My thoughts were interrupted when Grayson arrived from school and saw me sitting in the living room. “Dad!” Grayson called. “Grayson,” I greeted him with a hug, forcing a smile. “What are you doing here? School ended earlier than I expected.” “Yes, Dad! We finished early because we had a test, and guess what?” A faint smile tugged at my lips. “I don’t think I need to guess.” “I passed the exam!” Grayson grinned, and I immediately kissed him on the cheek. “Well then, we’d better celebrate tonight,” I said, still smiling. But I noticed a sudden shift in his expression. “Hey, why the sudden frown?” “Dad, don’t be m
Kathryn’s POVI sat on the sofa, grateful that it was finally the weekend. I could rest a little after that dreadful event. Now that I’d proven myself to Wilhelm, thoughts of leaving the company flooded my mind. But for some strange reason, I couldn’t bring myself to resign.“Why are you sighing, Mommy?” Charlize asked, looking up at me with her wide eyes as I lay back on the sofa.I forced a smile to ease her concern. “Nothing, sweetie. Mommy’s just happy she gets to sleep a little today.”Charlize grinned. “Then go ahead and sleep! I’ll wake you up if I need anything.”I couldn’t help but laugh as I pulled her in for a hug. “Oh honey, I don’t want to ruin your day by worrying about me!”“But you’re not ruining my day, Mommy! I’m so happy you’re here. I’m glad you can rest!” My heart swelled at my daughter’s words. She was such a sweet child, always thinking of me before herself. I was so grateful to have her.“You’re too sweet,” I said, smiling as I kissed her forehead. Just as I w
Wilhelm’s POVCharlize stared at me, her bright eyes shining with disappointment at my answer.I cleared my throat and placed my hand on top of her head. “I don’t care if it’s a boy or a girl,” I smiled. “As long as he or she is a good person, I’ll be more than happy to have either.”The moment Charlize heard my answer, her face lit up, and I could tell she was relieved.“I want to be a good girl for Mommy,” I heard her mutter, almost a whisper, as I looked down at the mug in her tiny hands.“You already are, Charlize,” I assured her. “You’re even helping her rest.”“Daddy’s right!” Grayson added cheerfully. “Kathryn’s resting well right now because of us!”A shadow moved in the corner of my eye, and it was then that I realized who was listening.Grayson noticed it as well and looked back at me as he spoke. “Kathryn? Are you up?” he asked cheerfully, hopping down from the platform chair. Charlize followed him, and the two of them found Kathryn smiling as she stretched her hand up in t
Kathryn’s POVThe unexpected family time Charlize had with her father ended up well. My daughter was visibly happy that until I tucked her to bed, she wouldn’t stop speaking about what happened and how it made her happy. Part of me is glad that she found this simple gathering enjoyable but another part of me is still worried that Wilhelm might have found out the secret or Charlize, for the matter.“I’m sure he won’t find out,” I muttered to myself as I ran the water on the faucet. This is just me trying to convince myself. He’s just too busy with work to notice. And besides, I was already out of his life for good. That’s for sure. It should be that way since Rose was already his fiancé. Once Charlize fell asleep, I turned off her room’s light and laid down on my own bed. I tossed and turned, unable to sleep as the image of us four a while ago, kept replying in my mind. I couldn’t help but to think that we could’ve been the happiest family had I stayed by his side…I sighed and clos
Kathryn’s POVI couldn’t speak, my heart the only sound that I could hear. “Where...? Why...?” I moved my lips, but it seemed as if I can’t say another word about the revelation. “Oh, Kath! We don’t know the whole story so we’re not in the position to judge you if it’s the truth,” she patted my back. “I just hope you’d find your way,” Vicky said as we arrived at our office floor.“Hold on,” I told them. “You honestly believed that I was that...! That asshole’s mistress, do you?” I looked to Clarence. “...did you?” “Oh, I’m so sorry, honey! We barely knew you,” Clarence gathered my hand. “We’ll listen, alright? If you want to talk about it right now, I’m all ears!”“It’s fine, I promise.” My fists curled to my sides as Wilhelm’s face came to mind. “I’ll get to the bottom of this myself.” “Are you sure about that?” Vicky looked unsure.“Yes. Thank you. Really. For telling me the truth and not believing in rumors.”Vicky and Clarence smiled as if to assure me. ”Don’t worry. We almost
Wilhelm’s POVI had no idea what I was doing. My first instinct was to protect Kathryn from the nasty rumors surrounding her. I didn’t want to add more fuel to the fire, so my body reacted on its own, pinning her beneath me in an instant. Just the two of us. In my car. A moment I never thought would happen again after our miserable divorce. Yet here I was, holding my breath, my hand firm beneath her head, our bodies pressed together as our breathing quickened. I took in every detail of her appearance, and no matter how many years had passed, her eyes were the same color as the last time I saw them. Right now, I couldn’t help but stare into them and lose myself again, just as I did when we first met. The voices of my employees echoed in the hallway, their laughter growing closer. I felt Kathryn stiffen beneath me. I laid her down gently and nodded reassuringly. “Don’t worry. The windows are tinted.” She blinked once, a baffled look on her face, as she opened her mouth to
Kathryn’s POVI sneezed in the waiting area at Charlize’s new school. It was beginning to get colder now that we’re getting into the middle of October. I checked my phone, wondering where Wilhelm might be since he promised he’d be picking up our daughter and his son after class ends, but he was nowhere to be found. I sighed as I remembered our encounter with the strange doctor last week. I still wonder why Dr. Parkins had looked like she had seen a ghost when she saw Wilhelm, but I figured it must’ve been because of her health issues. She did appear quite ill, so I couldn’t help but worry about her safety. Maybe she was sicker than I had imagined, or maybe it had to do something with her past experiences? I removed the thought away when I heard the school’s bell ring, indicating that it was time for them to go home. I immediately went toward the door. I kept an eye on each student that came out from the hallway, but there was still no sign of Charlize and Grayson nearby. They were
Rose’s POVI kept a watchful eye as the woman left the grocery store in a hurry. Wilhelm looked like he had seen a ghost while Kathryn shrugged her shoulders and continued walking with the children. My gaze went back to Wilhelm. He looked as if he was in deep thought. “Darling? Is something wrong?” I tried to ask. Wilhelm shook his head in slowly. “I’m...fine.” “You don’t look like it though.”He turned his head to me and sighed. “It’s nothing,” he said, taking my hand as he dragged me to the cashier. He handed me his card and I swiped it over the machine. I took one good look at the woman who nervously stood in line behind a few people, and she was still looking pale and shaken up. I hummed. Something must’ve been wrong about her. Or maybe she knew more about my fiancee than I know myself. Whatever it was, I didn’t have an inkling feeling that it was anything normal. I need to find out more. Once I was done paying for the groceries, I gave Wilhelm back his card. “You can go ahe
Kathryn’s POV“Why are you here, doctor? I thought you were still based in Paris,” I said, out of breath, finding the situation odd now that we’ve come face-to-face again after several years of not being able to see each other. Dr. Parkin stared at me for awhile. Her lower lip quivered as she went back and forth between me and Charlize. “Is—Is that your daughter now?” “Oh, yes. She’s quite big now. Already in her kindergarten,” I smiled. “How are you nowadays?” “Good, I’m good.” “Are you still based in France?” “I wouldn’t be here if I was,” she answered curtly. I awkwardly laugh. “Uhm, yes. That—That actually makes sense! I was thinking that you’re perhaps having a vacation or something.” “I could’ve picked a better place than New York, don’t you agree?” I nodded. “Greece sounds nice.” The doctor smiled. “I’d take it into consideration.” After awhile, Dr. Parkins swallowed hard as she frantically looked around, as if searching for something. “Are you…alone?” My eyebrows sc
Kathryn’s POVWhy was Roland acting this way? He’s usually patient, and he listens very carefully to what I have to say. Now, it felt like he was about to dismiss everything that I needed to say. “That’s not it, Roland! Mrs. Brown believed in my ability, and I just wanted to not disappoint her! I also love my job more than you think,” I frowned. “Not everything is about Wilhelm. I dislike the fact that you, of all people, are associating every decision I make to him.” Roland opened and closed his mouth. He doesn’t look convinced with what I was trying to explain to him. “I’m not too sure about that…” “Not too sure—? Roland, do you even hear yourself?” I moved toward him. “Are we really going to argue over my decision? There are still plenty of capable people that could take on the job that you’re offering to me.” “You don’t understand, Kath,” he sighed. “You’re one in a million. There’s not a single woman in this world that could copy or replace you for that matter.” My eyebrows
Rose’s POVI stared at the door in front of me. “That—That bitch!” I screamed, my nails hurting the skin on my palm as I clenched my fist so hard. “She’s purposefully doing this! She’s trying to steal Wilhelm from me!” Anger rose in my chest as I ran back to the parking lot, nagging at the driver to take me home. While on the road, my phone rang. Annoyed, I still picked it up and placed it over on my ear. “What do you want?” “Hi! I’m the investigator you’ve hired.” I narrowed my eyes. “I paid you like half a million already. You better bring me some good news!” I barked. “Wait for me at my office. I’ll be home in five minutes.” The investigator sighed. “I’ll wait in the villa.” After less than three minutes, my driver was already parking in front of the villa. I practically threw my bag to that scumbag maid named Annie. “Wipe that frown on your ugly face,” I told her. She surprisingly ignored me and walked away with my branded bag that’s worth ten times her salary! Arrogant
Kathryn’s POVThe drive home felt shorter than I had anticipated it to be. We arrived at my place and Wilhelm parked his car right outside our building. I stood up, and was about to open the door, but Wilhelm beat me to it. He stood next to the door, opening it slowly while he took Charlize from me. “Oh, uhm, you didn’t need to do that,” I smiled. “Thank you, Mr. Reinhardt.” I must admit, it was weird calling him with the last name I once possessed when we were still married. Wilhelm remained silent as he softly closed the door behind me. Charlize, on the other hand, was incessant with bringing Grayson over. I was amazed how my daughter managed to speak continuously to Wilhelm until we reached the door to our apartment. It looked as if she wasn’t bored speaking to him at all!“Oh, no! We’re here already,” Charlize pouted. “I still haven’t heard you guys agree to transferring schools and playing with Grayson.” Wilhelm raised an eyebrow as he handed Charlize over. “Kathryn?” Two p
Kathryn’s POVWilhelm’s suggestion left me speechless for several reasons. Why was he doing this? “Mr. Reinhardt, I don’t think this is the place and time to talk about Charlize’s—” “REALLY?” Charlize grinned at him with renewed enthusiasm. “Do you really mean what you said, Mr. Iceberg?!”I gasped. “Charlize!” “Oh, I mean, Mr. Reinhardt! Are you enrolling me in the same school as Grayson?” My daughter giggled. “Sorry about calling you your nickname,” she covered her mouth. “I’m not supposed to say it out loud because it’s my and Grayson’s secret, so please don’t tell him!” Wilhelm, looking taken aback by Charlize’s reaction, scooped her in his arms. “Mr. Iceberg, huh?” My heart stopped beating as I gaped the scene before me. The image of them together had blown me away; it was only now that I have realized that they had a lot of similar features I can no longer deny. They shared the same nose and eye shape, and their smile resembled too much you’d mistake them for twins.I can’
Wilhelm’s POVA few nights ago... “Close the door, James.” “Wil! What are you doing?” Rose called as she hurried to the door, panic stuck in her eyes “Can’t I come in, too? I’m your fiancé, after all.” I clenched my jaw and turned away from her pleading eyes. “Please wait outside, Rose.” She was about to protest when James gently closed the door behind us, giving her no choice.“Tell me all about it,” I said, my voice firm and cold, as I walked to stand in front of him.James took a deep breath before speaking, his gaze shifting to the floor. “I’ve dug enough about the girl.” My heart skipped a beat at the mention of Kathryn’s daughter, Charlize, but I quickly composed. “Go ahead,” I encouraged him to continue, despite having a hint of what he was about to say. “I’m all ears.” James settled in the seat in front of my desk as I poured myself another glass of whiskey and drank it whole in one gulp. I sat behind my desk and waited patiently for him to speak, knowing that whatever it
Kathryn’s POV Vicky’s eyes went wide as I told her everything that happened over the weekend. “You mean to say that you were almost sent away?!”“Not so loud,” I whispered, glancing at Clarence, who was typing on his computer across from us. “Yes, I was.”“How come I never heard of it?” she whispered, her eyes going round. Clarence paused what he was doing and grinned from behind his monitor.“If this is some juicy gossip, you two better share it with me.” He wiggled his eyebrows.I sighed. “This isn’t something to talk about at work.”He chuckled. “Come on, Katy! In just a few days, you’ve managed to catch everyone’s attention.”“That doesn’t seem like a good thing.” Vicky frowned and shook her head disapprovingly. “It’s not like we’re going to make money by gossiping.”Clarence shrugged. “I guess you’re right. I mean, there are more important things to worry about than your love life, right, Katy girl?”Vicky’s cheeks turned pink as she tried to hide her smile from Clarence by let