34.**Easton's POV**We entered her room and met Steve trying to get her to eat something.“Whatever is going on with you can be solved if you just tell us, but first, you have to eat. Joan said you haven't eaten anything since morning, and it's getting us worried about you.” He compelled her, but she was stubborn.I walked to where they sat, and stood, watching her a bit. She looked expressionless that it was difficult to guess what was going on in her mind right now. Her eyes were fixed in one direction, not moving, and I realized it was the same direction as it was the time I stood by the door watching her.“Steve, Joan,” I called, and they looked at me.Steve sighed in relief. “Thank God you're here, Easton. Please make her eat something. She's been like this for an hour now.” He looked worried.“Leave us,” I said.They bowed and walked out of the room, shutting the door behind them. My eyes went to the tray of food on the bedside table, and I walked to sit on a chair, facing her.
35.**Nicole's POV**After I was done eating, I stepped out of the room and left for Easton's room. I heaved a deep breath as I stood in front of his door. I wanted to thank him for the words he said to me, it actually made me feel better and realize what I should do instead of crying. I was about to place a knock on the door when I heard the doorbell.I alighted the stairs and saw butler Steve heading to the door. He opened it and two good-looking guys came in.I recognized one of them. I think Maven is his name. He was the one who came with Easton to my house for me to sign the contract. The second one… I haven't seen him before.“Easton!!!” The second guy called, and I guessed they must be close for him to have yelled Easton's name like that.“Shh, his wife is here.” Maven told the second guy, and his eyes went in my direction immediately.His smile widened immediately he saw me, and I couldn't help but gap at his dimples. As he approached me, I took in his features and couldn't he
36.**Author's POV**There was an awkward silence as everyone stared at Easton, not believing what he had just said. Nicole was the most shocked. She placed her hand on her chest, as she never imagined he would say something like this. She felt moved.Easton mentally facepalmed.“I didn't mean what I said. It just came out.” He tried to explain, but Edwin wasn't ready to have any of it. He intentionally annoyed Easton but wasn't expecting the dude to just blurt that out.He burst into laughter, pointing at Easton. “So, you do have the intention of marrying her for real?” He couldn't contain his laughter."No, I don't want to!“ Easton snapped, and Edwin stopped.“Are you being serious right now? I mean, dude, you just said it with your mouth. And thank goodness, I wasn't the only one that heard it.” Edwin sneered.“It was a slip of tongue,” He defended himself. He just got annoyed that Edwin kept flirting with Nicole, and she played along. She was his wife, and shouldn't be like that w
37.**Author's POV**2 DAYS LATER…Nicole stood in front of the building of Twilight Magazines with Emily, her heart beating rapidly in her chest. After getting accepted by them, she was asked to come for a talk with the manager today and boy was she nervous.Nervous because she didn't want what happened with Mr. Luther to repeat itself here. She didn't believe in giving her body out to them for them to promote or give her a job — she loved being fair and that's what contributed to her success, before Mr. Stark destroyed it, of course.When she entered, the employees murmured on seeing her. She told them nothing and left for the Manager's office immediately.“Are you nervous?” Emily asked as they took the elevator.“Yeah, but for a different reason.” She pulled a strand of hair behind her ears and sighed.Emily nodded. “I get you, but trust me, Mr. Leo is a nice man. He won't demand something like that from you.” Nicole forced a smile. “I hope so.”When they got to the office, the re
38.**Author's POV**Easton couldn't believe what he just heard. Nicole was leaving for Beverly Hills? As much as he's delighted that she finally found something to do, he still can't shake off that feeling of anxiety that crawled up his chest at the thought of her leaving.He sat back down and switched off the television, the mood dying.Butler Steve stood at a far end, watching his expression. He wondered why Easton was so bothered about her leaving.“Gosh! Why do I even care?” He facepalmed.As if on cue, the door opened and Nicole walked in. She had a smile on her face as she approached Easton.“Hey!” She beamed at him. Easton was shocked because this wasn't something she would do, or was she being happy?“I saw on the news that you'd be leaving for Beverly Hills?” He asked to confirm.Nicole's face lit up. “Yes!” She exclaimed. “Twilight Magazines want me to be the cover model for their high-end magazine, can you believe that?” She exclaimed again. Her excitement was boundless. A
39.**Nicole's POV**I was done packing and smiled confidently as I stared at my luggage. I didn't pack much, since the company would be responsible for the outfits I was going to wear for the photoshoot.I was happy that things were beginning to fall in place for me. I may have acted fine all the time and tried to be tough, but I was hurting deep inside. Imagine losing everything you worked hard for in just one day.I recalled all I had to go through as the memories flashed in my head once more.…flashback…It was a Monday afternoon. I had gotten rejected by the fashion magazine that I submitted an application to and had cried my eyes out before heading for training.“Why is your face all swollen?” Bella, one of the popular models at that time, asked me.“I didn't get any spot in the magazine. I thought I would, and I worked really hard for it, but I was rejected.” I replied in tears.She studied me from head to toes, scrutinizing me with her gaze and making me wonder why she was look
40.**Nicole's POV**My eyes went to Kayla, who looked at me with a mischievous grin on her face. My fists tightened as anger rose within me. Who the fuck do they think they are to utter such rubbish to me?“You must be insane, Mr. Stark!” I snapped and they gasped.“What did you just tell me?” He asked, his eyes literally drawing daggers at me.“I said you're insane!” I snapped again. “What the hell? I can't believe how shameless you two are. Don't you have any conscience?” I asked.“Oh, please, shut up!” Kayla snarled and I faced her.“No, you shut up! I can't believe you have the heart to sit here and watch him demand such a thing from me. You already took my fiancé and spot in this company, what else are you looking for? Why are you being selfish and mean?” I asked and she scoffed, chuckling a bit.“You're calling me selfish? Are you being for real right now, Nicole?” She sneered. “You're the selfish one. For years, I've only been living in your shadow. I was always behind you doi
41.**Nicole's POV**“I know you're shocked, and I'm shocked as well, but she just came out of nowhere a few minutes ago, and informed me. It has affected our plans as well, and we'd have to postpone it, but you need to bear with us as we'll be in touch.” He looked at me, a look of regret in his eyes. It made me feel he didn't want this as well. What was Kayla up to actually? Why is she bent on frustrating my life?I sighed and ruffled my hair. I was pissed — really pissed and angry at the whole situation, but it's not his fault, so I controlled myself from taking my anger out on him.“It will be postponed until when?” I asked the most important question right now.He sighed and shook his head. “I have no idea. It's up to Mrs. Sullivan to make that decision. I apologize for any inconvenience that might have caused you.” He apologized and I forced a smile.“It's no problem. Please be in touch. I'll take my leave now,” I stood up to walk out, but the door opened, revealing a slim woman,
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