LIAM’S POV In the twinkle of an eye, Christian’s fist connected with my jaw, the force of it shook me to my senses. The taste of copper filled my mouth as I staggered backward, I touched my lip and blood was seeping slowly from it. The sudden feeling of anger and adrenaline surged through me, he hit me. This son of a bitch hit me and he busted my lip. My eyes darted towards him, he was panting and glaring at me. In a swift response to his attack, with a swift instinctive movement, I rushed towards him in anger, and gave me a retaliatory blow. The atmosphere was filled with tension, onlookers gasped at the ongoing scenario before them. “You’ve been asking for a beat down with your bullshit actions, and I had been more than eager to give it to you. You bastard.” He cursed, “Bastard? You’re the only one adopted here.” I fired, and like I had struck a nerve, he charged towards me. We locked in a brutal brawl, he was mad with rage as he swung punches at me. I didn’t relent either, I w
RIELE’S POV I would never get used to the antiseptic smell of the hospital or the smell of haloperidol. My heart was beating fast in my chest, I was trying my best not to tense up. This was the first time I would meet my mom, but she wouldn’t even recognize me.My eyes drifted to a petite nurse, walking by with a small tray in her hand. The tray contained, antidepressants, antipsychotics, lithium, and minor tranquilizers. I swallowed down hard when I caught a patient just staring at me. “Hey! Stop him!” I heard a loud shout from behind me, and my eyes widened. A male patient was rushing frantically towards me. I froze, and then two securities brushed past me as they charged at him from the front and two others at the back. They pinned him down and managed to put a stray jacket on him, I still stood frozen, this was one of the reasons I never wanted to work in a psychiatric home. I just wanted to see my mom and get the hell out of there as soon as possible. I walked towards the nurs
HAYLEY’S POV It’s been three days since the event, and Caroline’s death. I hadn’t been sleeping well, I kept seeing flashes of Caroline’s body in my dreams and the sadness on Christian’s face when he gave me one last look before he left. I hated Caroline, but no matter how much I hated a person, I wouldn’t wish death on them or anyone. Caroline didn’t deserve to die, she was a bitch but then she still didn’t deserve it..I kept thinking of how much it would have shattered Christian, from her leaving him, and how she was shot in his presence, her blood splattered on his face. But it wasn’t the only thing I kept thinking about; Khalid’s words didn’t leave me that day even after he left. I was playing two Montgomerys against each other, something I swore that I didn’t even want to be affiliated with their family. But eventually, I ended up causing a feud between the two of them, why do I always make things worse? I stood outside the front porch of my mom’s house, my heart was beating
CHRISTIAN’S POV The sound of the gunshot echoed continuously in my head, for the past four days after the incident. Everything almost screamed trauma, from when her blood splattered on my face, to the look of death in her eyes and how she fell at my fell at my feet into her pool of blood.Just like that, she was dead. Caroline was dead, the woman I had ever really given a chance at love after my mom left me. was I supposed to be upset that she was dead? Or even mad? All the love Caroline reciprocated to me was fake, she never for once loved me. Even if she genuinely did, now I would never know, and even if she said it herself I still wouldn’t have believed her. The anger in me increased even more as I woke up daily, it felt like I was losing. The thought of Alexander trying to take everything from me triggers my resentment even more. I knew he was terrible, but I never knew he was worse. He had ruining my life slowly, since when he started sleeping with Caroline. Now that he was mo
HAYLEY’S POV I fell asleep the whole flight to Venice, right after Christian called. I was kind of shocked when I saw his call since he had been ignoring all of mine. The tone he used on the phone even sounded different, more subtle, like he had always been this calm person. I could almost see the expression on his face when he heard Liam’s voice in the background, knowing Christian, he would be mad right now. But I promised myself that I could tell Liam once we’re back in New York that nothing can happen between us. “Hayley, wake up. We’ve landed….” My eyes fluttered open to meet Liam’s blue ones. “We’re here? In Venice already?” My voice was subtle, a clear sign that I really needed that sleep. “Yeahh….” He mumbled….. The plane had touched down in Venice, it might take a while before my adrenaline kicked in and I wrapped my head around the fact that I wasn’t actually in New York anymore. I was in fucking Italy! As soon as the plane’s door opened, a dash of cool, salty air, wel
CHRISTIAN’S POV Before I landed in Venice, Khalid had given me what seemed to be a proper orientation on what to do, and what not to say to Hayley. He already said that if I couldn’t get Hayley back, even after all these then I should let her go and stop being a pain in the neck. She froze when she saw me yesterday; my eyes didn’t linger on her for too long because of Liam’s uncomfortable state. He didn’t utter a word to me, while Hayley still approached me, even if it wasn’t to exchange proper pleasantries, Liam just went to his room. I crossed my legs with my cup of coffee in hand, as I was seated by the open windows of the private Cafeteria I had told them to set up just for me. Earlier this morning, I had seen some students from New York University having breakfast. I was able to pick up quickly that Hayley was affiliated with them, and that indeed she got into university, which I was proud of. I had called her on the phone to have breakfast with me, I doubted if she would res
“What do the cards say about me?” I asked eagerly, for some reason I just got interested. Not that I was going to believe everything she said. “This card here, says that you have danger coming for you. A Death, a person with a motive, someone with past attachments with you, it also says that when you’re close to happiness, you would lose someone you cherish the most.” I swallowed down hard, I felt my stomach tie in knots. I was going to lose someone I cherish, Hayley? Or Riele? Or my best friend? This woman was talking crap, and there was only one way to find out. “The person that wants me dead, is it a man or a woman?” because the only person after my life right now, was Alexander. “The card says, it’s a woman…..” “There is a lot that I can see here, but in all. You have to be careful, the cards also reveal an impersonator. Someone you have been looking for, and the person is close by.” she added. I could almost roll my eyes to the back of my head, but I didn’t want to Kill Hay
HAYLEY’S POV As we came back after riding the gondola, I couldn’t help but think of how much I loved seeing this side of Christian. This loving, vulnerable, and romantic side of him, they were everything I didn’t get to experience in our fake marriage. I was dripping wet, and so was Christian. Someone accidentally broke the fire hydrant by the street side and water started spraying everywhere. It was fun because we had to start running while laughing like little kidsAfter our last fight, I thought he never liked me. By then, I had loved him even more but tried my best to hide it. Now he was here in Venice with me, trying to put in efforts to win me back. Each time I find myself slipping away into Liam’s innocence and gentleness, But then the thought of Christian, reminding me that he could never be enough for me crosses my mind each time. I didn’t want to hurt Liam, he was like a sweet bunny. I placed the key card on the door and it slid open, I tiredly dragged myself into my room
ONE WEEK LATERCHRISTIAN’S POV “Yes, Officer Gavin. I appreciate your efforts. Thank you.” I said, and the call dropped. I turned from the window and faced Hayley, who was lying down on the bed. We were both fully discharged from the hospital, and Khalid was still there. And I always made sure I checked on him every day. Hayley, on the other hand, still had to go to the hospital for her antenatal. Officer Gavin was telling me about Denver, and they caught him. He didn’t even hesitate to cooperate with the police; he sold Alexander out. The police were now looking for him, he and Alexander made the deal about putting the bomb under my car. And other news aside, the person who was trying to poison Bernard was a maid in the house. Her motives weren’t clear yet, but she was with the police now. I also heard that Cassidy fell to her death—not that I was being insensitive, but she deserved it. That would be the last time I would ever see Cassidy in my life, and I was thrilled, to be hon
CHRISTIAN’S POV My eyes fluttered open, and immediately I became conscious. Pain surged through my head. I raised my hand slowly to touch my head, and I realised there was a bandage on it. My body ached all through; it was like all the pain I hadn’t felt for the few moments I was asleep was all coming to me at once. The accident replayed vividly: Khalid, the screeching of metals, the flames licking at the car, and Khalid’s shriek of pain as the car engulfed in flames with his legs still trapped while his body was out of the car. Panic seized me as I scanned the unfamiliar surroundings I was in. I figured I was at the hospital; the curtains and the beeping sound of the heart monitor gave that away instantly. “Where’s Khalid, Khalid?" The words fell from my lips in a desperate plea, and my voice was hoarse from the terror that had gripped me in my sleep. The fear that my friend could be dead was the only true friend I ever had. And it would be my fault; I wouldn’t be able to forgive
HAYLEY’S POVIt’s been three days since Cassidy and Rebecca held me captive. I haven’t had food or water and am hungry and tired. My vision is starting to blur as I am slowly losing strength.I slowly closed my eyes. Maybe if I could get a little rest, it would take my mind off the hunger. But then Cassidy splashed me with another round of cold water. I opened my eyes and raised my head, gasping for breath.I shook my head to get the water out of my eye, and the sound of a stainless steel bucket falling on the floor drew my attention to Cassidy, who was standing right in front of me.“I told Christian, he has to meet me here by 1 p.m. Well, would you look at the time? And still no Christian.” She exhaled, almost disappointed.Christian was coming here? I almost felt a sense of relief, but then coming here was a trap. Cassidy was just going to kill us anyway.“Can you see that we can’t trust men and that they are all the same, but don’t worry, I’ll get revenge for us?” she teased, my
72 HOURS CHRISTIAN’S POV The sunlight penetrated the room as I stood by the crack in the window and sipped wine from a small glass. My phone was in my ear when Officer Gavin called. Different things were going through my mind; everything was my fault. From the start, I had always been the problem. Not once have any of Hayley’s mistakes occurred if she even had any. None of them had come back to either haunt me or get me kidnapped. But here I was, putting her in danger yet again because of my bad choices. I just kept proving her mother’s point that I was no good for her. And now that she was carrying my baby, what good could I possibly be to the innocent creature? “Officer Gavin, it’s been three days, and you still haven’t found her,” I complained as I turned away from the window. “What if something else happens to her? I don’t trust those two girls who have her. i…I already told you that I didn’t know where they were. Fuck! If I did, I would drive straight down and get my woman
HAYLEY’S POVI became conscious of the splash of cold water all over my face and tried to jerk up. But my eyes darted down to the rope tied around my legs to the chair, and my hands were tied to the chair behind my back.I struggled to see if I could loosen the rope on my hands, but all my efforts were useless. I exhaled heavily and raised my head to hear someone’s heels hurting the floor.I was sure that it was the person who abducted me. A petite lady with brown hair and blue eyes walked towards me with a bowl, and she smirked.“Re-Rebecca?” I mouthed as my eyes widened in disbelief. She used to be Christian’s secretary. Of course, she would want my head; Christian wasn’t paying her attention anymore. They weren’t having any of that good sex, and then he fired her.I could tell the minute I saw how he looked at her that day when I went to his office. They had something going on, but then I thought it would be Cassidy, but the turns of events were rather shocking.“I’m happy you rem
CHRISTIAN’S POV“Come on, Hayley. Pick up the phone."I mouthed as I paced around in the living room. I reacted stupidly yesterday; I shouldn’t have talked to her like that. I shouldn’t have told her to abort the baby; what stupid suggestion was that?And now that she had left home, I had no idea where she was. I couldn’t reach her; she was picking up my calls, and she still hadn’t come back home.Maybe she was right, and having a baby would change me. It would make my life in a different light. She wanted me to listen to her so badly. It wasn’t like she was forcing the baby on me; she understood even my own plight.She just wanted to talk, to figure out a solution, and I completely shut her down. It was like I was now making my own life more miserable than it already is.“She won’t pick up your calls, Christian." I turned to the sound of Riele’s voice; she was coming from the kitchen holding a glass of booze.“Thanks a lot for the help,” I replied sarcastically.She rolled her eyes.
His eyes widened, and then a storm of emotions brewed on his face. My hands started shaking nervously, and I could tell that he was pissed—like pissed as fuck.“Pregnant? Are you kidding me, Hayley? Is this some sick joke?”I shook my head. Tears threatened to spill from my eyes. I thought having a baby was a good thing. Whether planned or unplanned, we had the resources to take care of it. But then I understood that Christian wasn’t ready because of what he was going through at the moment.“No, Christian. It’s true. I know we didn’t plan it, and I swear I was scared to tell you." He cut me off“How long have you known?” He dropped the whisky bottle on the bedside drawer and faced me, his back resting comfortably on the bed's headboard.The scenario looked like a teenage girl opening up to her father about her unwanted pregnancy."Yesterday, the doctor said I’m three weeks pregnant. And that I was going through too much stress.”He scoffed, “Too much stress? I guess he’s a stupid doc
HAYLEY’S POVMy heart had been pounding in my chest like crazy since last night; I had blacked out suddenly. When I woke up, I was being treated by a doctor, and Riele was by my side.She had told me that Christian went to trash the wedding; to be honest, I wasn’t exactly expecting him to be calm about things. Ever since my dad almost overdosed and died, he just left again and never came back. So if I heard he was starting a new life after all the pain he had put us through, I would crash the wedding too.But that wasn’t my problem out of the many problems on the ground. Hermione had come to see Christian to clear things up, and coincidentally, she came with Liam.“It’s safe to say that we are both victims, Christian.” Hermione started, and the air in the living room was thick with tension as she and Liam faced Christian.I wasn’t sure what Hermione wanted—maybe reconciliation? But she was also a victim of Bernard’s lies and secrets. Liam, on the other hand, just wanted to be clear
CHRISTIAN’S POVIt felt like everything hidden was slowly unraveling itself for me, and each time I found out the truth, I couldn’t help but feel like I had been fooled my whole life. No one cared enough to tell me the truth about anything; I had been living in a lie.Looking for truths that were right under my nose the whole time, the feeling of betrayal suddenly turned into a fresh wound again. I couldn’t possibly trust anyone anymore—Hayley, maybe, or even Riele.My grip on my steering wheel tightened as my car was almost going full throttle. Hayley fainted out of nowhere, so I called the doctor to attend to her at home. I also made sure I called Riele before I left the house.I thought maybe I would be mature enough to deal with the new truth I found out about my mum, but I couldn’t sit back knowing I could see her again after so many years. And she was under a new identity and getting married too. I would lose my mind if I didn’t get closure.I parked like a crazy person in front