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
Wilhelm’s POVThroughout the day, I was in an absolutely foul mood. My secretary even suggested that I stop being so cold to the employees, especially during the board meeting, but I didn’t care. I wasn’t up for anything. All I wanted was for the rumors to die down and for everyone to leave me the hell alone. “Do you understand every word I’ve said?” I asked in an icy tone, making everyone around the table tense. “We’re on it, sir.” “We’ll work on extinguishing the rumors as soon as we can.” I slammed the papers on the table. “What do you mean, ‘as soon as you can’? Do it. Now.” The man flinched, and I saw the others swallow nervously. I knew I was being too harsh, but they had no choice but to deal with it, knowing the consequences if they didn’t. They were probably thinking that I had deep feelings for Rose and didn’t want to be hurt by the rumors, but it was the exact opposite. Rose pretended to wipe away tears as if she were too emotional to speak. It disgusted me. I
Kathryn’s POV The inevitable had come. I walked away from that parking lot with a heavy feeling in my heart. I couldn’t stop it from beating the same way it did the first time I saw him. I really thought I was well past the butterflies I felt for Wilhelm ever since our divorce happened a few years ago. But time and time again, I seemed to be proven wrong everytime. He was a curse, but for some reason, he also felt like a blessing I never prayed for. Dismissing the thoughts out about Wilhelm and what had transpired in the parking lot out of my mind, I opened the door of my car as I waited for Charlize outside her school. While I remained idle near the school gate, I couldn’t help but worry about what would happen to my daughter after Wilhelm shipped me off to China. Would my little girl be alright? As I continued to dwell on my thoughts, my phone rang loudly inside the car. I frowned. Oh, shoot me. Things had been taking things off of my mind lately that I even forgot to take
Kathryn’s POVEverything had been in the past, but for some reason, I was still hesitant to tell Roland every last detail, just in case it did more harm than good. Well, initially, it had already scarred a bad reputation in my life.I sighed. What was the point of keeping it in when I could have someone listen to the problems I can’t just say to anyone? “Well?” Roland tilted his head to the side as he pressed gently about the hesitation in my mind, waiting for me to continue. I gulped and opened my mouth, searching for the right words that could begin this conversation. “It’s about Rose,” I finally began. “Rose?” “Wilhelm’s fiancé,” I frowned. “That Rose.” Roland made an “O” with his mouth and signaled me to continue. “We come a long way, you know?” His broad shoulders shrugged. “She’s a thorn. Kind of like a coarse grass that can never die.” I laughed. “Hey! That’s rude.” “She’s not here, and she won’t know either way. Unless you tell me.” I shook my head in disbelief at