If only he could turn back time a little so he could hear Hyacinth again.A part of that sounded wrong in his head. Was it Hyacinth speaking? Or was it Belle?He had to question everything that he just believed. He wouldn’t lie. Of course, a part of him thought that Hyacinth can be Belle, but she’s living a totally different life. With a husband that she seemed to love and her own son. The timeline wasn’t making sense.So, why? What is happening?“Hold on. Don’t move.” She said before going towards him. “Liam, can you do me a favor and stay in your bed, sweetie? Until all these glasses are thrown away.” She turned to him with those swollen, wide eyes. “Nikolai, get a hold of yourself and move away.”“What?”What happened just now? Nikolai wasn’t seeing her as Hyacinth anymore. The way she speaks and moves… It's like she’s Belle now.“For goodness’ sake.” She had to literally push him away.That’s when he noticed his own feet covered in blood. There was all this blood, but he couldn’t
There were cars, toy robots, stuffed toys. All these options and she does not know what Liam might like. How stupid she felt thinking that one memory of her holding her son was enough validation of her mother’s instinct.She couldn’t even ask Nikolai because she treated him like an asshole yesterday. That wasn’t part of the plan. Part of her goal was the vague idea that she shouldn’t be making any mistakes. Talking to him felt like a wrong move and in the end, she ended up ignoring him.The feeling of regret lingers whenever she closes her eyes and recalls how he was physically hurting. She should have at least offered to help.This is why she can't trust herself around Nikolai. She becomes unpredictable because of her own unpredictable feelings too. Now, she'll look at him with admiration even when tries not to. Next thing she knows, she's being a bitch and acts cold.“Hi. I’m sorry. Do you need help?” A man with bright blue eyes spoke to her. His eyes were really captivating. It rem
“Are you sure you're fine with me staying here longer?”Preston looked at her as if she said the most ridiculous thing in the world. “Are you kidding me? I’ve been holding my tongue all this time, trying to stop myself from saying maybe we should just get a house.”After Belle ended things with Jack and after borrowing her past workmate's house, as embarrassing as it sounded, she was slowly running out of funds. The only person she can trust and run to at the moment is her brother, who offered to pay for everything she needed and to let her crash in his two-bedroom apartment. “I’ll pay you, Prez. I promise. I’m keeping a list of every penny I borrowed.”“I don’t care. Burn that list. As far as I’m concerned, there’s no list, there’s no debt.”She pouted. He’s being too kind. Losing her memory doesn’t mean she’s dependent. She should get a job like any other adult. “Don’t treat me like that.”“Like what?”“Like I’m a little kid.”Preston lightly shook her head. “Are you sure you didn’
‘MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN OVER: Businessman Royalty Prince Gabriel Montague announces end of engagement with Billionaire Heiress and Socialite Claudia Yvette De Beaufort’Preston had to read the headline multiple times to make sure that it isn’t fiction. So, she wasn’t engaged to some businessman tycoon. He is also a prince. A freaking prince. They are only revealing his identity now that the engagement was over and people over the internet, according to the comments, are forming all theories why the engagement was revealed when it was over.Different people, different worded opinions, but all with the same foundation. That Claudia cheated with someone else. He didn’t want to be involved. The media is a dangerous territory he didn’t want to be part of. One wrong move and the brand that you built for yourself for over a number of years could be shattered.Yet, there he was, wondering if Claudia is fine. Of course, she’s fine. She’s freaking Claudia Yvette. Despite all the given facts, Pres
Time stopped and in Preston’s own little world, there was no one else but him. Nothing else, but this picture. He knew what it was and of course, it’s his. He wouldn’t dare question whose baby it was. “Now, I finally get the peace and quiet I’ve been dying to enjoy since last night.” Claudia fixed her hair and her bare face looked better than how she looked moments ago. Preston got the picture and showed it to her. “When did you know about this?” “Last, last week.” She answered. Claudia’s unbothered. There was no hint of surprise or worry on her face. There’s even more emotion showing on him than hers. “And you didn’t tell me?” “Why do you think I’ve been forcing myself around you? I don’t want to go around and hang-out with people when I know I’m uninvited, Preston. I don’t even know what to tell you.” “You could start with a simple ‘I’m pregnant.’” He said. Now he feels stupid. He knew there was something unusual about how Claudia was behaving. She doesn’t show up unannounced
“You didn’t have to contact my secretary or to make an appointment. You can talk directly to me. I'll let them know to let you in here in the building.”Nikolai was still the same person. Nothing has changed with the way he looks, or the way he dresses. But the intensity of his stare was leaving an invisible on her skin. It was so strong that Belle didn’t even want to get any closer.“I-I know you’re busy. I didn’t think you’d have spare time. There's no need for that.”“I’ll always have time for you, Isobelle.” ‘He’s saying my name. I’m hearing him call my name from those lips and yet, it still feels like the first time.’It’s an impossible task not to get distracted. Nikolai looked like he was ready to jump anytime to get a hold of her. Belle settled with not meeting his eyes and keeping her eyes locked on the floor, or on his desk, anywhere but his direction.She made a wrong move. On his desk, there was a picture of Nikolai
“Katherine Isobelle, please tell me you didn’t say yes.”“I didn’t.” She answered. Well, it’s the truth.Preston is awfully quiet and continues to observe her under his keen gaze. “Seems like you didn’t say no also.”“Am I really that easy to read? Why do I have to be surrounded by lawyers!”Answering no to Nikolai’s offer was easier said than done. He let her have at least a night to think. Belle spent a sleepless evening, tossing and turning, even writing to an actual paper the pro’s and con’s of living with a husband she has no memory of marrying.PRO’S She’s closer to her son. She’ll see Liam every day.She can easily ask Nikolai all the questions. He already said yes to this offer. She might as well take advantage of that card.That house is huge. It’s not a house. It’s a freaking mansion.CON’S She might see Nikolai every day.She might see his smile.She might see him
‘How in the world am I supposed to be focused on this house tour when all that was running in my mind is that line he said?’It was impossible to ignore, let alone forget.‘Allow me to spoil you a little, Isobelle.’“A little? A little?! How could this little kingdom be categorized as little?” Belle stared at the signed impressionist painting. That art alone looks like it should be in a museum. Wherever she looked, there’s at least one thing that would be considered a treasure. “I didn’t marry him for money, didn’t I? Gosh. What if I’m really one of those gold diggers? Oh, hell.”“You’re not.”“What the-!” Belle wanted badly to faint on the spot. But as of the moment, she’d rather have broken bones than break something in this house. “I thought you left!”“I talked to the head security staff. He’d register your thumb mark and for facial recognition before we leave.”“Head of security? So, there’s like a… a body?” She nev