It was raining heavily and the thunder boomed along with the heavy sounds on the roofs of the houses. A young lady stood at the bus stop rubbing her arms gently to keep warm in the rain. “This is a very bad idea. I should have left home with a better dress.” Her soft and gentle voice came out as she looked at her watch. “I'll be late now.” She sighed and suddenly, a black Rolls Royce drove past her, splashing a huge amount of water on her. “Goodness me.” She forced out a Scream and the car came to an abrupt stop. The driver hurriedly got out of the car and rushed over to her to apologize. “I'm very sorry, miss. I was in a hurry.” He apologized and she looked up at him trying to show she was annoyed but only looked cute. “Drake, what's wrong?” The person in the passenger's seat asked, pushing the door open. “Your Highness, we splashed a lady.” He said and the man in the car stepped out. The instant he set eyes on her, it was like everything around started moving in a slow motion.
“Your Highness,” Drake called from the door. Adrian was sitting behind his desk, going through the file he had to go through since morning. Has been unable to work well because Claire has been on his mind all day. “What is it?” Adrian asked, looking up at Drake who walked over to him with a file. He handed it over to him and Adrian took it from him. “It is the report you asked me to gather on Claire. It's all in there.” Drake said and Adrian quickly went over it. There were a few pictures of Claire in the file and as he looked through everything, he handed it back to Adrian. “I'm going to be having dinner in the restaurant tonight,” Adrian said but looked up at Drake when he didn't say a word after that. “Is there a problem?” “King Trace and Princess Eliza will be arriving from the Seat of Trace to see your father and he had ordered that both you and Xander should be available for dinner tonight,” Drake informed and a frown appeared on his face as he heard that. “Make a reservati
“Yes, mother.” Claire smiled as she cleaned her hands with the napkin. “I got the job thankfully. I'm so glad. We can finally take care of father with adequate medications.” “Claire, we were summoned.” One of her colleagues called from outside the kitchen where she was and she nodded before excusing herself from the call she was on with her mother. The workers on the night shift gathered in the new Manager's office. Claire looked around, wondering what was wrong. Since she arrived, she never called anyone into her office for any reason. It must be a very important case for her to do so now. “You must be wondering why I called you here. The crown prince just made a reservation for dinner tonight. He canceled the reservation he made for this morning and just shifted it to this night. I want everything to be perfectly clean. I do not want to lose my job for any of your mistakes.” She warned harshly before she dismissed everyone. Everyone started whispering and talking to each other t
“What do you mean by his majesty is seeing another woman? I thought my father and his father already spoke about me getting married to him.” Eliza asked her messenger with a raised brow but he didn't say anything to her and just bowed his head. “Who is the woman?” Eliza asked him in an angry tone. “She works in one of the Rossi family restaurants, my lady…”“A lowly waitress wants to compete with me for Adrian's attention? Who does she think she is?” Eliza scoffed as she slammed her fist against the table angrily. “I have been waiting for years, now she's coming in to take him from me. I won't agree to that.” Eliza walked over to her balcony and saw Adrian's car driving out of the palace car park. “He is probably going to see her now, my lady.” The messenger said and she glared at him, which made him shiver. “Get out this instant.” She said and he walked out of the room. The look on her face had sadness written all over it. She was worried her father would blame her for what happe
“What do you mean by you have another woman you're in love with and she's not an influential person at all?” Rossi asked Adrian who wasn't even paying him any attention and just scrolled through Claire's pictures which she had sent to him. “Adrian, answer me.” “Do you have any issue with it Father?” He asked with a raised brow, making Rossi look at him with a look of disbelief evident on his face. Never in his life has he ever believed that Adrian would fall in love with someone and not end up marrying a woman just because Rossi chose her for him. “No I do not have an issue with it but how sure are you that this lady is worthy to be called a Rossi? How sure are you that she is worthy to be your queen after I pass away?” Rossi asked and his forda finally made Adrian pay attention to him. “Why are you bringing up your death more these days? You must be so excited to die.” Adrian said sarcastically which made Rossi chuckle as he patted his shoulder. “Walk with me, son.” He said, gest
Claire sat in the bathroom, looking down at the pregnancy test in her hands. Tears of joy welled up in her eyes as thoughts of her being Adrian's child's mother. It had been a rollercoaster of events for her now that she was the queen-to-be. Now she would be the mother of his child. She sat happily in the room as she waited for him to arrive from his daily activities with an excited look on her face. She dressed in one of her most beautiful night dresses and waited. She moved in with him after they got married six months after getting to know each other for a year and every day for her had been a dream even though he was busy, he found time to take her out and show her he loved her. She didn't know when she fell asleep on the bed and was woken up by his gentle kiss on her forehead. “I'm sorry, sweetheart, did I wake you up?” He asked with his husky voice. She just shook her head negatively before sitting up and pulling him into a hug. “No you didn't babe.” She said with a smile. “
“What do you mean by she's pregnant?” Eliza asked as she shut the door of her car. “His Majesty announced that he would be expecting a baby from his daughter-in-law soon. Isn't that great?” “No, it isn't great, Quinn. I should be the one to be in that position with Adrian.” Eliza protested as she hit her fist against the wheels. “Just give up on this guy already, Eliza. He is happily married to his wife and you coming between them will only make him hate you. He already doesn't even see you as someone he can associate with romantically so give up babe.” Quinn said on the other side of the phone. “You still don't get it, Quinn. Do you? I need to get married to him to get out of my father's grip. You know how much I have suffered in his hands and this is just getting out of hand and I'm hating it. I just want peace.” Eliza said with a slight groan. “You can just find true love and leave, Eliza. I think the truth is you just want to please him with everything you do and I do not enc
Claire was busy going through some kinds of stuff in their bedroom when she came across a confidential file she was sure she hadn't seen there before. “What's in here? I probably should ask Adrian when he arrives.” The file suddenly fell from her hands and everything in it fell to the ground. Her bump was already out but she was able to squat and pick it up when her eye fell on Eliza's name and Adrian's. “What's this?” She asked herself, her eyes raking through the entire paper. It was an abortion form of Eliza and Adrian just a few days ago. Claire was feeling like her entire head was spinning when she saw it. At first, she didn't want to believe what came to her mind but she had no choice but to believe it. “It could be fake.” She replied, tossing the folder towards her stuff and heading out of the room. “Where's Adrian?” She asked the guard stationed outside their quarters. “His highness is down in the garden, your highness.” The guard replied to her politely with a bow and she
Dear Beloved Readers,If you're reading this, it means you've stuck with me through every twist, turn and terribly crafted joke that I've dared to type and send your way. For that, I owe you a universe of thanks or at the very least, a coffee if we ever meet anywhere beyond our various screens.Saying goodbye is never easy, especially when you've spent so much time in a world that exists somewhere between reality and the imagination. We've been through a lot together, haven't we? We've faced through the plans of Eliza (metaphorically, more like we are watching it while we read 😂.), dived deep into the deep end of human emotions and emerged on the other side with our hearts strangely full, if not a bit bruised. 🙏.. 🥺
Claire was laying on the bed, in Adrina's arms after the whole day of going through everything Rossi had left for Isabella and the male child he wishes Claire to have, they decided to go to bed to avoid stressing her so much.As Claire laid there, she felt a sharp pain from her sleep and suddenly groaned out in pain. She quickly opened her eyes and she instantly knew it was time for her baby to come. “Adrian.” She called him, tapping him gently and he sprang up. “It's time.” She said and he immediately lifted her in his arms, calling out to the maids outside. “Get her bags and everything. Place it in the car and ask Quinn to drive it over to the hospital.” Adrian commanded and the maid nodded, hurriedly doing as she was asked. Adrian drove her to the hospital at full speed as she groaned in pain. He couldn't bear to see her in pain and he wondered if this was the same pain she went through when she was about to give birth to Isabella and he wasn't there from the start. “It's okay ba
“Finally, everything seems fresh and refreshing.” Claire stretched as she touched her already swollen belly, obvious she would be due anytime soon. Adrian came up behind her, handing her a plate of fruit which she had requested for. “Here you go babe.” He said, kissing her cheeks gently. “Thank you.” She replied, wrapping her arms around his neck even though her stomach tried to get in the way. “You look even more beautiful day after day. I'm envious.” He pouted and she laughed as he carried her in her arms. She was amazed by her strength to carry her even though she was nine months pregnant already and it was difficult for her to lift herself up.“The more beautiful I become, the more handsome and strong you become, I'm so jealous.” She pouted and he placed her on the chair, kissing her pouted lips. “No need to be envious. It's all yours, baby.” He said, flexing his muscles and she could help but giggle at him cuteness. “So do you think we'll be having a baby boy or another Isabe
"I think we are done here." I watched the man in suit seated at the other end of the table voiced out before he stood up.He stacked up a few papers on the table before placing them into a black briefcase.The meeting had been concluded finally and shortly after, Eliza was apprehended by the security men close by.Soon, we exited the meeting room, Claire and I standing close to each other as the weight of the recent events hung heavy in the air. Eliza's cries echoed down the corridor as the security men dragged her away while everyone watch with utmost disgust."Let me go!!" She protested, while struggling as hard as she could to break free from their hold. "This is not how you treat a pregnant lady, this is not how you should treat me."Her protests fell on deaf ears as she soon started claiming to be pregnant, but after all the deception and betrayal, it was hard to trust anything that came out of her mouth.I turned to my side, urging Claire to leave but it was then my attention w
The elders who were four most trusted people that Rossi had placed on that seat of power before dying sat there with the officials looking at them in shock. None of them has ever met them so it was a surprise to see them here. After waiting for almost thirty minutes, Adrian walked into the meeting hall with Claire and Isabella next to him. They all bowed and greeted him including the elders and he bowed back in respect. They all sat there and the officials whispered to each other wondering whatbwas going on and why the elders were there. Most of them feared for all they did wrong because Adrian was no longer predictable and he could get any of them out of their position with just a snap of his fingers while the elders were seated. “It is a great honor to have you back with us, Queen Claire. We didn't know you're the same as Camila. Our actions towards her was just to save your legacy and making sure not just anyone can sit on your throne.” The head of the officials laughed nervousl
My heart was beating very fast as I stood in the middle of the room, Eliza was standing at the entrance with a gun in her hand, she had it pointed in my face, any fucking move from me could end my life. "So you are alive, you just didn't know how to die" Eliza yelled at me, she still had the same look of anger and wore years back even now. She just hated me for no reason, from the first day she met me and even more that my face has changed, she still hates me "Eliza please drop the gun and let's talk" I pleaded and she threw her head back and laughed. "I should drop the gun and allow us have a conversation? it's not going to happen sunshine, not in a million years so just forget about it" She yelled I flinched and then tried to stop my legs from shaking, I didn't want to die yet, I had just found out that I am pregnant again, I now have the chance to love my daughter for who she is, and I have my rightful place in the kingdom as Adrian's queen. I don't want to die now, I have for
Claire's POVEveryone sat in front of us whispering and looking around like they didn't understand what was going on which they didn't. I couldn't believe Adrian called a huge amount of people just telling them to Camila turned out to be Claire. Who would even believe that story because I definitely would not believe it. I just watched as everyone looked at me in utter curiosity before the whole hall settled down in silence. “I want to thank everyone for taking their time to be here live to watch me make my announcement. I know you're all confused by who is this sitting on my queen's throne.” Adrian said and the whole hall became quiet. Everyone looked at me and I just stared into a distance waiting for Adrian to explain everything to them. As he did everyone gasped and oohed as they looked back at me. They couldn't believe their eyes. Most of them knew me from when I was queen and all I did for the seat and how much King Rossi loved me as his daughter-in-law and couldn't believe
Claire's POVAll Adrian told me about us meeting again was nothing I understood at all but I felt bad missing an important part for my daughter's life. I don't even remember how I got pregnant again for my husband. “Why did I forget memories of things that happened while I was Camila?” I asked Adrian, not knowing why everything in my life was becoming confusing for even me to understand. “The doctor doesn't understand either but you should be able to remember in a few weeks or days even,” Adrian said with a smile on his face, planting a kiss on my cheeks. A smile appeared on my lips as I felt butterflies fluttering in my tummy. I can't remember the last time I was kissed by him while I was being me. He led me down the stairs where Candice was standing with Drake next to her, a bright smile on her face. “You look so much like Claire with your black hair,” Candice said, stretching out her hands to touch my hair and I slapped it away with a joking frown. “Of course I'm Claire. I don
Tension filled the air as I stared straight at Claire, who in return, stared right back at me.My heart raced with so many mixed feelings as we both stood there, opposite each other."Adrian." Her words finally broke the silence, her voice still sounding like music to my ears. "Is that you, Adrian?""Claire!" I said silently, with a heavy heart. "It's me," I responded as I walked closer to her.I placed my hand on her face, feeling the warmth on my skin as I stared at her face."I've missed you." She responded, reciprocating by brushing her cheek over my palm."It's you, isn't it?" "Yeah, it is me." Though I could see her standing before me, I couldn't believe that it was the Claire I knew.Everything felt so unreal being close to her as her memories had returned.I watch as Claire fidgets with the hem of her shirt, her eyes searching mine for answers she can't quite articulate."I still can't believe it's you." I finally spoke up, my voice soft yet laced with a hint of disbelief. "