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,
42.**Author's POV**Kayla smiled in satisfaction as Nicole's eyes widened. She loved the way tears gathered in her eyes and couldn't help but laugh out loud. This was something she wasn't going to forget in many years to come.Nicole looked at the letter closely, blinking severally. She couldn't believe what she was seeing, even though it was staring at her in the eyes. Frederick was getting married to Kayla? What about her? What about everything they shared? Will she be the one at the receiving end? Was this a dream? “You aren't dreaming baby girl, look at that invitation card very well, you'll see my name and that of my fiancé.” Kayla chuckled.Tears threatened to fall from her eyes, but she held them in. “So, you think you'll live happily for doing this?” She asked and Kayla chuckled.“Of course I'll live well. I'll get married to him, we'll make babies and grow old together. It's as easy as that,” Kayla answered and Nicole sniffed. “You see? Frederick loves me very much. He can d
43.**Author's POV**Frederick looked at her in shock. He wondered what she was doing in his place or was she here concerning what they talked about? If that was the reason, Kayla had already made them release his father. There was nothing he needed her help with now.“What are you doing here?” He asked anyway.Nicole stared at him for a while. She wanted to know whether Kayla was right about the wedding. She wanted to know if that invitation card was not forged. After what Kayla did to her, she knew the girl was capable of doing anything, so it was okay to suspect that she might have forged the wedding invitation card. She knew there was nothing Kayla wouldn't do as she was practically obsessed with making her life difficult.She sighed and composed herself. “I want to ask you a question and I need you to answer me sincerely.” She spoke, her voice barely audible but Frederick heard her.“Come in first.” He stepped out of the way but she shook her head.“I'm fine here,” She said and ex
44.**Author's POV**The hoodlums chuckled as they looked at Easton. They couldn't see his face clearly because it was late, but they assumed he was a wannabe superhero or prince in shining armor.“What are you gonna do if we don't let her go?” One of them asked.Easton wasn't in the mood to exchange words with them. The way they held Nicole already vexed him enough.“I'm going to count to three, if you don't take your hands off her, you'll regret being born into this world.” He folded his hands.They laughed at how authoritative he spoke. The one in the middle approached him and laughed in his face. “Who do you think you are? Why are you being so arrogant and rude?” He tried to poke Easton's forehead, but Easton slapped his hand away.“I'm giving you an opportunity to let her go, so you can go scot-free. Your stubbornness is making me change my mind. It seems your head needs to be set straight.” He removed his hands from his pockets.The men laughed again.“Boys, it seems Mr. Robinhoo
45.**Author's POV**The wedding preparations were in full swing and Kayla was more than excited. She was finally getting everything she wanted. When she saw the numerous attention Nicole got from everyone while she was still struggling to make ends meet.At first, she wasn't bothered and stuck to being friends with her, afterall, Nicole was understanding and always helped her in some ways, but suddenly, she became too busy and they were not able to spend time like they used to.She felt left out and like she was lazy. She wanted to be known in the entertainment industry as well, but she felt that wouldn't be possible as long as people still liked Nicole, and so she did what she had to do to get that position.(FLASHBACK)Kayla walked around the luxurious halls of the Aura entertainment company. She held her head up high as she walked among the flock of employees. She didn't want her coming here to be suspicious, so she went to Nicole's dressing room first.When she got there, she plac
46.**Nicole's POV**As I sat among the flock of crowds, I felt irritated with every little thing they were doing. I was so annoyed that I literally had to stop myself so many times from going to the aisle and ripping the wedding dress off Kayla's body. The smile she had plastered on her face was annoying as well.I just wanted to tear everything apart, and as if on cue, the priest asked if anyone objected to the wedding.That moment, I felt like the chance to publicly disgrace them had finally come. It was time to end things once and for all, and this time around, I was sure there was no way I would fail.And with every fiber of my being, I stood to my feet and yelled the words that I've wanted to yell since I stepped my feet here, “Stop the wedding!” All eyes turned in my direction immediately. “I object to this wedding!” I yelled again and I could see surprise flash in Kayla's eyes. It was replaced with anger in a nanosecond and she stepped down from the altar, looking like she was
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