128.**Author's POV**The show came to an end in a rather different way. Kayla was rushed to the hospital for the sake of her baby and Nicole received apology comments and letters from her fans and everyone at large. They had been fooled by Mr. Stark and the rest and couldn't believe they turned against Nicole and made her suffer for so many months for what she was innocent for.After the show and interview by the news reporters, Nicole sat in the limo as she stared at the award.“I had already perished the idea of exposing her in front of everyone. What I wanted was just a secret way if exposing her and making her pay for all she has done, but she decided to test my patience and do something else that would annoy me.”Easton held her hand. “All the same you did the right thing. People were going to find out anyway, so there's no difference. You finally cleared your name, made your comeback and regained your fans. They were the one who pushed you into the mud, but jokes on them, you c
129.**Author's POV**Kayla felt like a bomb just exploded in her head. “A divorce?” She asked Frederick, who folded his arms and watched her. “Why do you want to get a divorce?”“I'm certain the answer is pretty clear, Kayla. I want out of this marriage because I can't stay married to you after everything you've done and take care of another man's child. It's better we go out separate ways now.”Kayla burst into tears immediately. “Please, don't leave me, Frederick. You're the only one I have left. You can't live me all my myself,” She got down from the bed and held him, but he yanked her hands away. “I'm sorry. I know I haven't been a good person but I can change. Just don't leave me alone, Frederick. Please…” She begged but Frederick paid dear ears to her pleas.He had already endured this marriage enough. He couldn't live wit this anymore, not when his feelings for Nicole was returning either. He wanted nothing to be an hindrance when he goes back to claim Nicole. Kayla on the o
*Author's Pov*"Melissa?" Easton called in surprise, he was still so shocked to see her standing right in front of him.Melissa's smile only brightened even more."W...what are you doing here?" He stuttered.Nicole's eyes dart between Easton and Melissa. "Do you know her?'' She asked."Yeah I—""Of course he does." Melissa interrupted. "Do you think I would just call him the love of my life for nothing?" She chuckled, then she hurriedly went to hug Easton.Nicole's jaw dropped in shock when Melissa did this, first she doesn't even know who she really is and now she's hugging her own boyfriend! What kind of relationship do they even share for her to be this close to Easton and even refer to him as the love of her life!After a while, Melissa pulled away from the hug. "Why do you think I came back?" She asked. "It's because I miss you so much silly." She smacked his arm. "I've missed you so much Easton and that's the reason I had to return from Columbia, it's been a while and since I've
*Author's Pov*Nicole sat in her bed fuming, no matter how hard she tried to calm herself down, she just couldn't do it, she really can't get the picture of Easton being so sweet to Melissa out of her head, how could even agree to her staying with them, it doesn't make any sense and it's all in the name of her being his childhood friend! She even had the guts to call him the love of her life, right in her presence, how could she do that huh? She was in deep thoughts that she even failed to hear the knock on her door. Joan has been knocking on Nicole's door for quite a while now, but since she didn't get any permission to come in, she simply opened the door and went in, she was surprised to see Nicole sitting on her bed and looking like she wasn't even on this planet anymore."Nicole.'' She called, but got no response. She walked to Nicole and gently tapped her shoulder, jolting her out of her thoughts. "Hey, what's wrong? I knocked but you didn't answer and I came in here to see you
*Author's Pov*Kayla has finally been discharged from the hospital, she held the divorce papers tightly, she doesn't really think she has anything in this country anymore and all she could think of was leaving this place and all her pain behind, she just wants to leave here since it hurts too much to even stay. At this last moment she was filled with nothing but pain and regret, she regrets everything, she regrets ever meeting Nicole since she's the one responsible for all her misery! She regrets every single thing.She looked down at the divorce papers and hot tears streamed down her cheeks, but she immediately wiped them off and told herself to be strong.''I guess this is the end.'' She muttered.She got a cab that would take her straight home and when she arrived she paid the man and got out of the cab. She stared at the building for a while before going inside.When she got in she met Fredrick sitting in the living room and having a bottle of whiskey, she simply walked to him and
*Author's Pov*Two days later....Nicole was in her room pacing around, a very angry look was on her face, it's like all she's been doing these days is nothing but being angry all the time and it's all Melissa's fault!She hasn't gotten the chance to spend quality time with Easton because of Melissa, it's always Easton this and Easton that, each time she wants to spend time with him, Melissa always find one way or the other to take him away from her and it's starting to feel like she's sharing him with Melissa! She's the wife here and she's just his childhood friend so why are things the way they are? It's like everything's changed ever since Melissa walked into their home, she has talked to Easton about this and each time he repeats the same things, she's just his childhood friend and she means no harm, he also keeps telling her that she just needs time to warm up to Melissa, well she's had enough time with her and she's never going to warm up to her.Her mind suddenly went to Caston
*Author's Pov* "What did you just say?'' Nicole questioned."Don't be so surprised Nicole, I'm quite sure you've been getting the feeling that something isn't right somewhere.'' She smiled. "I'm not just here because I'm Easton's childhood friend, I'm actually his first love and I'm here to take my man back, Easton has always been mine and if you think I'm just going to let you have him and be happy with him then you're highly mistaken honey, I'm here to take Easton and I will get him back because he belongs to me and not you.'' Melissa stated. ''I'm still very much in love with Easton and I'm not going to let him go, I won't even let anyone else be with him, not even you.''''You seem to be forgetting that I'm his wife, we're married!!'' Nicole retorted, laying emphasis on the word we're married."Point of correction honey, Contract wife!'' Melissa stated. ''You're just in a contract marriage with him, your marriage isn't even real, he hasn't proposed to you officially so don't cal
135.**Author's POV**Ariana looked at Nicole, within for what Nicole was going to say. She knew that Nicole wouldn't just resist 15 million dollars. The girl needed the money and she was sure of that.Nicole looked at Ariana with a frown on her face. “What is the meaning of this?” She asked and Ariana chuckled.“What do you think? I'm paying you off.” She answered, a mischievous smirk tugging at the side of her lips. “I know you're paying me off but why would you do such a thing? Did I tell you I want to leave Easton?” Nicole asked her. She thought the woman called her for something meaningful, she had no idea that it was for something like this. Like why would she pay her to leave Easton alone? What the heck?Ariana folded her arms. “Why shouldn't I pay you off? Isn't Easton's money the reason you're with him in the first place?” She asked and Nicole scoffed.“You think I'm with him for his money? Why would you even think that way? The love I have for Easton is genuine and can't be
180.FINAL CHAPTER**Author's POV**The day for the wedding finally came and Nicole couldn't stop her tears. She had come so far with Easton, and she was proud to say he was the best thing that has ever happened to her.As she stood, facing the mirror in her wedding gown that sparkled like diamonds in the soft light, she couldn't help but think about how far they had come. From the first day they met until this day, she had no regrets.It had started with some sort of agreement, but today it was something real; something sacred and something that would usher them into a new phase of their journey in life.Her makeup artist had to retouch her face and begged her not to shed any more tear. Nicole nodded with a smile.“You look stunning. I'm sure Easton's jaw will drop once he sets his eyes on you.” Emily complimented as she walked into the room.“I know, right? I ain't a model for nothing.” Nicole smirked and Emily laughed.“I see your ego is still intact,” she said, causing Nicole to c
179.SEMI-FINAL CHAPTER**Author's POV**The files were collected and handed over to the judge, who looked through them while Easton explained everything. “It turns out that Ariana was pregnant for her boyfriend and when she saw that he wouldn't be able to take care of her, she pinned it on my father because they had a one-night stand before and made him marry her. When she came into the house, she refused to acknowledge my mother as her co-wife and did all manner of things to get rid of her. All didn't work, and she resorted to poisoning her,” he explained, and the people present gasped.“That's not all, she made sure it was done neatly and did all she could to bury the secret in the rug. She thought she had escaped, and now she's trying to claim properties for a son who isn't even my father's. The DNA test has been conducted, and the results are there. She is a deceitful woman and must be punished by the law!”Carson couldn't believe all these. He faced his mother. “So, he is not my
178.**Easton's POV**As we drove back to my house, Nicole held me tight as she rested her head on my shoulders. Whenever we passed by a speed bump, her grip on me would tighten like she still couldn't believe I was alive and felt like I would vanish if she let me go. I placed a soft kiss on her forehead to remind her that I was going nowhere.Now that I have been granted a second chance to love her again, I would make her the happiest woman on earth. She looked at me with a huge smile on her face and I couldn't help but smile back. It was good to be back. We drove into the compound and I released a long breath. It's been a while and I wondered how Dad and the rest are doing. Edwin told me everything that happened and how things took a turn for the worst, including Ariana and Carson's atrocities. The good thing is I am back, and I am going to return order to this family.We got down from the car and Nicole intertwined our fingers as we walked in together. “I can't wait to see the lo
177.Author's POVTHE HOSPITAL…Nicole's eyes fluttered open and she looked around. She sat up, realizing that she was in the hospital. She laughed out loud when she suddenly recalled what happened.“I must be delusional! No, I'm going crazy!” she exclaimed, placing her hand on her head. “How can I be so dumb, huh? I missed Easton so much that I now have hallucinations because of him.” she spoke to herself, tears rolling down her cheeks.“You were not hallucinating, Nicole, it's real. Easton is alive,” Maven walked in with Edwin and Mrs. Felicia.Nicole shook her head. “No, I'm going crazy. You all are lying. You're just saying this to make me feel better. Easton is dead,” she snapped, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I was at the hospital. Edwin, you were there too. He wasn't breathing. His body was cold and stiff and when I took his hand, it went limp! He got buried right before my eyes, so stop making it worse for me. Just take me to a mental asylum because it's obvious I've gone
176.NEXT DAY…**Nicole's POV**My eyes fluttered open to the ray of sunshine that filtered in through the windows and I couldn't help but smile sadly; it was my birthday.“Hurray,” I muttered lazily and sat up on the bed. I looked up at the ceiling and pictured Easton looking down on me. “Hey, handsome, today is my birthday. It was supposed to be my first birthday with you, and I had already thought of how today would have been, but everything got ruined. You died and left me all alone here to celebrate today on my own. You have plenty of explanations to give me when we see each other again, mister!” I snapped, hoping he would hear me wherever he was.I smiled as tears rolled down my cheeks. I quickly wiped them off as Mrs. Felicia's words rang in my ears. I stood to my feet; I should make this day worthwhile for myself and for him.I rushed into the bathroom and took my bath. When I was out, I walked straight to my wardrobe and scanned through the clothes I had. My eyes went to the
175.Nicole's POVDays passed after my encounter with Ariana and Carson and everything seemed to have calmed down after that. We agreed to go to court as planned, but the case was adjourned until next month due to reasons best known to the court.My birthday is tomorrow, and I had already intended to spend the day with Easton. If I can't spend it with him while he was alive, I can as well spend it beside his grave.This was supposed to be my first birthday with him and…I trailed off in my thoughts and wiped the tears that rolled down my cheeks. I heaved a deep breath and stared at my computer. I missed Easton so much. Every day, I keep seeing things that remind me of him, and it hurts whenever I go out for an evening walk and see couples being all lovey-dovey with each other. He was the best thing that has ever happened to me and I would forever be grateful to him for that.I checked my wristwatch and sucked in a deep breath. Why was Edwin not back yet? He told me he was going to the
174.**Nicole's POV**The next day, it was already sunset and I couldn't help the eerie feeling that crawled up my skin. Ariana's threat kept echoing inside my head. I had a feeling that something bad was going to happen and till now I have no idea why.I took my phone and called Edwin. “Edwin?” I called immediately he answered the phone, my voice shaking.“Nicole, are you okay?” He asked.“No, I'm not,” I answered and he hung up. Before I knew it, the door to the office opened and he rushed to me. “What is wrong with you? You can tell me anything.” He said and I sighed.“I'm scared, Edwin. Ariana came with Carson tested and threatened to do something drastic if I didn't release the company's documents to her by sunset today. It'd already sunset and I keep having this sick feeling in my stomach that something bad is about to happen.” I explained to him and he sighed.“You don't need to worry. I already reported to the police by showing them the email sent to you and they are trying t
173.**Author's POV**BACK IN AMERICA…“Have you been stressing lately, Ms. Brennan?” Doctor Faith asked and Edwin gave Nicole the look.She dabbed her index fingers together and stared at the doctor. “She's been burying her face in work lately without breaks. At this rate, she has turned into a machine.” Edwin answered with his arms folded.Doctor Faith smiled. “I thought as much,” She brought out a paper and wrote something in it. “Your body has been stressed lately and you need rest. I'd suggest you take a two weeks break, go out for exercise, do recreational activities and go out to have fun more often. Your body needs it.” She suggested and Nicole shook her head.“I don't need any of that. Just hand me some drugs and I will be fine.” She countered.“Of course I'll give you drugs that'll ease your fever and make you feel better, but I won't go back on my word, Ms. Brennan. I insist that you take a break to bring your body back together. If you keep stressing it, you'll have a men
172.**Author's POV**The next morning, Nicole woke up with a severe headache. Her head banged like it was being put inside a mortar and pounded. She held her head and came down from the bed as she head to the water dispenser in the room.She took a cup and drank from it. “Fuck, why did I drink too much?” She asked herself and sighed.A knock sounded on the door and she muttered a “come in”. Edwin walked in with a tray of food in his hand. “Good morning,” He flashed her a smile and she returned it. She rushed to him and took the tray from him. “Good morning. You shouldn't have stressed yourself like this.” She ruffled her hair.“You were drunk last night. It's necessary that you take some hangover soup to help.” He replied, causing her to smile.“I'm already being a nuisance,” She sighed and sat on the bed. “I feel like I'm making you do a lot of strenous things, you know? You've been acting like a father and I've been more like a troublesome baby.” She placed the food in her mouth