85.**Author's POV**“Argh! That imbecile! That godforsaken Forsaken son of a bitch!!!” Ariana cursed as she walked into the house. She flung her bag on the couch and pulled her hair in frustration. She hated Easton's guts. She hated him so much! She wished she could just be given the privilege to end his miserable life! She would smile at the opportunity to make him suffer, make him feel pain and make him beg for her to have mercy on him!Carson sighed and just stood there as he watched his mother's rants. In all of her years of being mad, he hadn't seen her this furious before.“How dare Easton? Gosh, I want to hurt him so bad!” She yelled.“Mum, you have to calm down. Being mad isn't going to solve anything. We have to look for a way to bring him down once and for all.” Ariana went to the win stand and brought out a bottle of red wine. She poured it into a class and sipped from it. After sipping, she exhaled, trying to calm herself down. “He deserved us with a marriage contract! H
86.**Frederick's POV**“Nicole…“There's something different about her; something striking that I've been trying to place my fingers on ever since I saw her again but nothing. She looked more beautiful than the last time I saw her, and she exuded an air of confidence that seemed unmatched, but there was something else — it keeps pulling me to her, and I just can't help thinking about her.I ruffled my hair and sucked in a breath. I know I shouldn't be thinking about another woman when I'm already married, but Nicole isn't just an ordinary woman, she's my first love. I feel like the saying “It's pretty hard to get over first loves.” was true.I thought I had gotten over her, but seeing her in Aura Entertainment Building made me realize that I have been fooling myself all this while.I rested my back on the couch and licked my lower lip. Is it too late to want her back? Is she over me yet?I scoffed.No, there's no way Nicole is over me. She loved me so much, even more than she loved h
87.**Author's POV**“Ariana, you're being unreasonable.” Evan sighed. He has returned from work and settled down in his study to go through some books, but Ariana had to come and ruin his mood as a result of the documents he gave to Easton.“You're calling me unreasonable? For what exactly? For fighting for what rightfully belongs to my son?” She snapped, slamming her hands on the desk.“I didn't cut Carson out. I've told you times without numbers that Carson is immature. There's absolutely nothing he'd be able to do with those documents now.”“And you gave everything to Easton? Just hear yourself speak, Evan. Carson is a full-grown man, who can make any decision by himself. He is not immature. He has as many rights as Easton has. Likewise, he is your son!” She yelled.Evan was trying his best to control his anger so he wouldn't lash out at her. She was overreacting. When he wanted to provide Easton the documents, she was the same person who suggested he get married before it'd be ha
88.**Nicole's POV**It was already five days to when Easton would be returning to work, and my excitement was boundless. I used that opportunity to lay the foundations for my revenge and my comeback as well.“Nicole, did you see the news?” Joan asked as she approached me with my phone in her hand.I turned to face her, shaking my head. “No, I didn't see anything. What happened this time?” I asked, wondering if something had happened to taint my image again because I knew how far Kayla can go to bring me down.“No, Twilight just released their magazine with Demi on the cover page.” She announced and I smiled.“Oh really? Let me take a look,” I took the phone from her and viewed the magazine. Surprisingly, she did well. It looked beautiful and fit the theme that was given to her perfectly. I know I would have done better than her, but I at least commend her for doing a good job.“It's beautiful.” I complimented.“Beautiful? You would have done way better than this, Nick. Why are you hap
89.**Nicole's POV**She didn't answer me and just walked to where I stood, an annoying smile plastered on her face. I would give anything to teach her a valuable lesson right now. “Nicole Brennan, I bet you saw that my magazine was released today. What do you think?” She asked, and I couldn't help but sneer.“Is that why you came to my house to say gibberish?” I asked, giving her a glare to warn her, but she just chuckled.“Of course I can come to your house to do whatever I like. Besides, this house isn't even up to a quarter of my money. I can buy this house if it pleases me, and you would be able to do nothing about it.” She mocked.I wanted to give her a comeback, but I calmed myself down. She was trying to get to me, and I wasn't going to let her win that easily. “What do you want?” I asked, earning a chuckle from her.“I want nothing. Just wanted to let you know I can do better than you in all ramifications. Look at how beautiful my face made the magazine. Because of me, mone
90.**Author's POV**Kayla smiled the moment she saw the look on Nicole's face. She knew the only thing that would work on Nicole was the pregnancy. When she realized she was pregnant, she wasn't actually happy because it would disqualify her from taking the awards at the premium event, but using it against Nicole was the best thing she would ever do.Nicole was taken aback by what Kayla said. She actually couldn't believe Kayla was pregnant but then, she knew Kayla won't lie just to get her jealous.“You are joking, right?” She walked to where Kayla stood and faced her.Kayla smirked and closed the distance between them. “No, my dear. I am damn serious. I am pregnant.”Nicole smiled. “Congratulations. This proves Frederick is a man after all.”Her response shocked Kayla because she wasn't expecting that. She was expecting Nicole to make a fuss, insult her or call her names for getting pregnant for Frederick, her ex, but Nicole looked happy. “Why do you look happy? Shouldn't you be sa
91.**Easton's POV**“Are you sure she's going to love this?” I asked Edwin, who looked at me with a mischievous smirk on his lips. I had told them to plan a surprise dinner party in Nicole's name. I only know how to host and organize fashion events, but when it comes to Romance, I really lacked in it. I thought I was perfect at everything, but nah, I wasn't.All thanks to Edwin, Maven and Steve, I was able to plan the perfect party for her. We even went ahead to invite Emily as well.“Of course it'll go well. Nicole is my sister in law, so I would do anything to make this night go exactly the way you want it. Don't worry, bro. I gat your back.” Edwin patted my back and I rolled my eyes at him.“Since when did we turn brothers, Edwin? And when did Nicole become your sister in law?” I asked and he cleared his throat.“Don't hurt my feelings, Easton. We're literally brothers, so live with it, and stop being difficult. Learn how to show me unconditional love.”“Why would I show you uncond
92.**Kayla's POV**I walked into the house and sat down with my legs crossed. My thoughts drifted to the conversation I had with Nicole, and I couldn't understand why I felt bothered by her words. What did she mean by the one that fights in silence is more effective than the one that makes noise?Did I make a mistake by telling her about my pregnancy? “Gosh!” I groaned and ran my hands through my hair. I stood to my feet and walked to the refrigerator to get water. I brought it out and poured it into a glass before talking a sip, thinking it would help relieve me of the tension I was feeling but it wasn't working.And fuck! I got angry and blurted out everything to her. Why did I not take it all in the way I usually did, huh? Why!!!!I heard the door open and I dropped the glass of water before making my way to the living room where I saw Frederick walking in.“Hey.” I called with a smile.He looked up at me and my smile widened, thinking he would return the smile he usually gave me
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