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Jared's POV After my breakup with Stacey, I stayed at home. I was feeling guilty towards her, and I was afraid I might go and see her if I didn't distance myself from her. I needed to calm myself and be rational about everything. I didn't want to have a fight with my mom and sister. They had relied on me ever since my dad passed away, and he asked me to take care of both my mom and sister, Ingrid. I didn't want to break my promise to him, as I knew he had done everything to protect us as well. Now that it was my turn, I had to hold myself back so I wouldn't hate them. I love Stacey, but maybe not as much as I love my family. It's not entirely about the company; that's why I decided to agree with them. It was for them as well. We are close to each other, and I didn't want matters like this to break our family apart. I went to our mini library and decided to calm myself there through reading. I really need it. I asked one of our maids to bring me a cup of coffee as well. I was in my r
Colleen's POV Reading helps me relax, and I make sure to do this from time to time. I didn't want any negativity in life because I don't have much of that. I wanted to spend the rest of my life in peace and harmony. I was now on my small sofa and reading when I heard the message alert tone on my phone. I took it and read the message I received. It was from an unknown number, but I still read it, thinking it was important. "Let's meet at Lin's Café; this is Jared's girlfriend." I thought for a moment. How did she know my number? The only contacts on my phone were Mommy Claire, Ingrid, and my doctor, and I'm sure that none of them would just give my number to anyone. "OK," I replied. I didn't think there was anything wrong with meeting her. Maybe she wanted me not to marry Jared. "3 pm later," she replied. I did not bother texting her back, as I had already confirmed that I would be going. Lin's Cafe was just beside the hospital where I was doing my check-up. I might as well visit m
Dr. Gerard's POV I called Colleen to make sure that she didn't forget her check-up for later. Although she was very punctual, I always made myself present in her daily life. I always feel like I want to protect her with everything. She was my patient, who was about to die in three years if she didn't manage to have her surgery on time. She was alone, and her parents lived separately with their new families, and none of them knew about her condition. I admire her for being strong and good-spirited. I never saw her lose hope when it came to her situation. She was always positive in her way of thinking, and even if she ended up thinking she would die, I never saw her eating sad. I remember when I offered her my help. "Why don't you accept my help?" I asked her. "You already waived your professional fee for me. I didn't want you to spend it on my surgery as well," she replied. "You will have your own family, and the amount of my surgery was enough for you to take care of them and give
Third Person's POV Colleen went home after her check-up. She was happy that nothing happened to her. She didn't know why Stacey acted that way when she thought Claire had canceled their arranged marriage already. She was at home and was done with her dinner when she decided to watch a movie. She likes sci-fi movies, so she didn't know why she decided to watch an old movie by Mandy Moore and Shane West. It was a happy story but had a sad ending. That's in the eyes of many because Mandy Moore ends up dying at the end of the story. But for Colleen, it was still a happy ending because they ended up being together despite Mandy Moore's illness. She then wonders if she will be able to find someone she will love and who will love her back despite her condition. She felt like it was wishful thinking because, unlike her, Mandy Moore had her father to support her while she had no one. It was getting late, and she remembered Dr. Gerard and what he would tell her if he found out that she was
Jared's POV Today, I am going to talk to mom about the wedding. Yesterday was a mess, and I didn't know what I would do if Stacey called again. I should refrain from coming to her every time she calls me. It's not good; even if I was just being forced into this marriage, I still need to respect Colleen. We were at the breakfast table, and mom was quiet. I was waiting for her to talk, but we were almost finished, and she wasn't even looking at me. “Mom,” I called her. “I am going to marry Colleen," I added, and she sighed. “You have to think about it. I didn't want Colleen to suffer,“ Mom said. I don't know how I should feel concerned; I was his son, but she was more concerned for Colleen than me. "Why would she suffer? Isn't it me who will suffer more?" I asked her. I was furious, but I held myself. I didn't want to argue with her anymore, especially when I found out that she had been sick. Mom looked at me and shook her head. Did I say something wrong? Am I really the one who is
Colleen's POV "Hi sister," Ingrid said as I answered her call. She sounded happy and excited, so I think she had good news. "You seemed happy," I told her. "Yes, because you're going to be my sister-in-law from now on," she replied. I was stunned for a moment. I never thought that this arranged marriage thing had not ended yet. "What do you mean?" I asked her. "Exactly what it means. Jared had agreed and already signed the papers. I am on my way to the civil registrar to register for your marriage," she replied excitedly. Well, I didn't think that Jared would actually agree to it, and last night, when he went to see me thinking I had hurt his girlfriend, I was 100% sure that he was not going to agree to this. "Hey, are you still there?" Ingrid asked. "Yes, I just didn't expect that he would actually agree," I replied. "Well, he did. I think he thought about it carefully and made this decision. You know that mom didn't want to force him either." She said, "So tell me when you're
Third Person's POV "I thought she was living there by herself," Lucy, Colleen's mom, said, talking to herself after she left Colleen's house. She was annoyed that she thought Diane, her new husband's daughter, would have a place to stay while studying for college in the city. Diane's tuition fee was beyond her budget, and renting her a house would be too much. She couldn't afford other expenses because Rick was not working anymore, and taking care of him and his kids wore her off. She remembered what Colleen looked like, and she felt a little worried about her. Hurting her was not her intention at all, but she was hurt after she heard what she said. "Yes, I left her. But I didn't know that her dad left her as well. If I found out about it, I would have taken her in, and Rick had no say about that." She told herself, looked back at Colleen's apartment, and started to think about how Colleen managed to survive all those years. She felt guilty when she remembered slapping her; she jus
Third Person's POV Colleen moved into Jared's house after two days. She thought it was just a simple house that would only fit her and Jared. But to her surprise, it was a mansion. "Do you like the house?" Ingrid asked. "Well, it's huge. Now I know why Jared agreed to live with me. She said it unconsciously. "What do you mean?" Claire, who was sitting on the couch, asked her questions. I don't think we will be able to see each other when we live here. I mean, it's really huge. " She replied, which made Ingrid and Claire laugh. "You are really funny. Of course you will be seeing him; you will be sleeping in the same room, you silly. " Colleen's smile faded when Claire told her. "Why, didn't you like it?" Claire asked after she noticed that Colleen suddenly froze. "Well, I don't think Jared will agree to that," she replied, smiling. She was just being realistic. She knew that Jared didn't like this arrangement at all, so it was natural for her not to expect something like that. Sh
Jared's POV "She's still not in good condition. I didn't want to give you false hope and I want you to be ready for anything, anytime." Dr. Gerard said," I was shocked when I saw Colleen looking at me. She wasn't sad or mad or angry. Even if she couldn't smile because of the tube that was in her mouth, I could still see that she was because of her eyes. She must have been listening to me and baby Corrine, that's why. "But, she's already awake, can't we do the surgery already?" I asked. "She's already weak and her body will not be able to make it." Dr. Gerard answered, "She wakes up, yes. But it doesn't necessarily mean that she's fine. The surgery will take a toll on her body and it may shorten her life. There's a possibility that she may, you know, be on the operating table," he added. I felt so helpless and looked at Colleen who was now sleeping. When I saw her eyes open, I called Dr. Gerard immediately and, thankfully, Mommy Lucy came back so I handed her over, our daughter. She
Jared's POV I know my wife's condition but my mind and heart didn't want to accept it. I still give myself hope and no matter how little it was, I will still hold on to it. I am never going to give up on my wife and let the best thing happen to me slip out of my hands. Yes, she's the best thing that ever happened to me. And every day that I see her lying on her hospital bed is killing me. All this time, she was all in my mind and I felt guilty when I saw our daughter. I have neglected her without knowing it and the pain that engulfed me after realizing that was unbearable. When she held my thumb, I felt something. That must be what Colleen felt when she found out that she was pregnant. That's why she didn't agree to an abortion. "My wife, are you not yet tired of sleeping for so long?" I asked her as I wiped her clean. Mommy Lucy wanted to do this for her but I didn't let her. I want to take care of my wife so she will love me even more when she finds out after she wakes up that I
Third Person's POV Jared was looking at his wife, who was still lying on the hospital bed unconscious. He had been doing that for three weeks after he woke up and more than a month since Colleen was in a coma. Every day his heart breaks as he sees him almost lifeless. He misses her smile, her voice, and her love. He tried to be stronger than the other day and give himself hope that she would wake up soon. After he woke up that day and had calmed himself, Ingrid told him about what had happened after he got shot. *** Flashback *** "Gen. Anderson's man called the ambulance and brought you here." Ingrid said, "You were out and getting colder and I thought we were going to lose you. It was a good thing that the bullet missed your heart." she added, "I bumped into a man before I got shot, maybe that's the reason," he said. "Yeah, the man was so frantic. He was shocked that he thought he had been shot as well." Ingrid replied, "As I brought you to the hospital, the man who was supposed
Third Person's POV "Colleeeeeenn..." Jared shouted, which made Ingrid and Claire rush to him, crying. "Jared... huhuhu...." Claire said, "You're finally awake," she added. He looked at them and said, "Colleen? Where's my wife?" he asked in a hurry and started to roam his eyes around and landed on the bed next to him. His eyes watered when he saw Colleen with a tube in her mouth. He tried to get up but Ingrid and Claire tried to stop him but he didn't. Instead, he went to Colleen's bed and looked at her, "What happened? Why is she like this?" he asked and his tears started to run down his face. "My wife," he called her in a hoarse voice. "My wife, I am here, come on, wake up now," he added. Ingrid couldn't help it anymore so she decided to call her doctor instead. She didn't want to see Jared in that state and she knew that he would be broke when he found out about his wife's condition. He tried to wake up Colleen repeatedly but she didn't make a move. Lucy and Betty came in and w
Jared's POV I'm so thankful that Colleen has been admitted to the hospital. In that way, I can act more relaxed so that I don't have to think that she might suspect the reason why I leave every day. I know these past few days she's been thinking about something and I don't want her to do that. I often find her deep in thought, which is why I can't help but worry about her. I need to leave the house every day regularly to let Derrick know that I am often away from home and go to the office so that his attention will be diverted to me in case he thinks of retaliating against me through Colleen. I don't want her to be hurt anymore because our time together was limited and I might not be able to stop myself from killing Derrick if he ever decided to hurt my wife and daughter. Stacey informed me about Derrick's plan. So even though I was angry at her, I set that aside because of the information she was giving me. But it doesn't mean that I have already forgiven her for what she did to my
Colleens POV I had to stay in the hospital since my scheduled CS is a week from now. The first time Jared told me about it, I was relieved. I knew my body well and I was already having difficulties. As much as possible, I didn't want to stay in the hospital. But, I am not going to risk my baby's health with my fear. Sometimes Jared left the house telling me that he would just check in the office or just buy something. Although I believe him, there's still doubt in me that he was doing something he didn't want to let me know. And that worries me. What if he was doing something dangerous? I don't think I will be able to take it if something happens to him. He and our baby are my source of strength now and knowing he was hurt will hurt me the most. Like now, he said Ingrid had asked him to check on the financial report from last month, so he left early that morning. It was almost noon and he had not called me yet. I wanted to do it but thinking he was busy, I was afraid that I might d
Jared's POV Colleen is getting weaker as the days go by, her pregnancy is taking a toll on her body and I am sure that she is having difficulty carrying our baby. Sometimes I wanted to yell or shout at her for being so stubborn and chose to have our baby in her condition. I love our baby so much. Even if she was not yet in this world, she already had a space in my heart. But she's hurting Colleen without her knowing and I can't do anything about it. Sometimes I regret the fact that I made love to her. If that never happened, she should have undergone her surgery already and would probably be recuperating by now. There's no point regretting it now, yes. But I couldn't help it when I saw her looking like how she was. I love her so much that I always think about how I am going to survive life without her. I started to feel scared, thinking she might not make it through her operation. It's normal for me to feel this way, right? But all I can do is keep it to myself so she won't worry
Colleen's POV I didn't notice that I had overslept and I looked for Jared the moment I woke up. I asked Mom where he was and he told me that he was still in his study room, so I went up. I didn't come up here because the stairs were high, but because I wanted to see my husband, I would do it. I knocked before I got in and found him in deep thought. I can tell because of the way he sighed, does he have a problem? I made him notice me and he looked at me. He smiled and, oh, he was so handsome. I don't think I am worthy of him if I am going to look at myself. I am so thin and pregnant, I'm sure you can't imagine how I look too. I asked him whether we had a problem while I got closer to him. He said it was just about his sister agreeing to manage the company even after I gave birth. He made sure that it was nothing after I asked her again and he had me sit on his lap. I love to be sitting on him, but the way I weigh now, makes me feel conscious. He hugged me and, of course, I did the sa
Jared's POV After I talked to Mom, I went home and found Colleen still sleeping. I was thankful because she wouldn't be asking me about the reason for my visit to Mom and I didn't have to lie to her. As much as possible, I want to say everything to her and I feel guilty when I am hiding something from her just like now. It was for her own good. Still, I am not comfortable. That's why I let everyone at home know so they could help me protect her. I went back to my study room and started to polish my plan. I knew that this was going to be very dangerous but it was the only thing I knew to trap Derrick. I didn't want anything to happen to anyone in my family, especially Colleen. And Derrick threatening me is making me feel paranoid all the time. I was already like that because of Colleen's condition. Her illness is like a ticking time bomb that could take her any time. Every day, I pray to God to give us more time to be together. Not for me but for the goodness of Colleen's heart, she