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
136.**Author’s POV**Melissa walked to where Edwin stood with Nicole and scrutinized him with her gaze. “What are you doing here?” Edwin asked, earning a chuckle from her instead.“What am I doing here? What does it look like, Mr. goody two shoes?” She mocked and Edwin just scoffed.He has no idea what the hell she was doing in Easton’s house, but he knew that with her here, there was definitely going to be trouble between her and Nicole. He knew how possessive and overbearing Melissa can be, and it annoyed him. Her over possessiveness and arrogance was one of the reasons he wasn’t on good terms with her until now.Melissa on the other end didn’t like him because she felt he was always acting like a saint to mask his true colors. And she has used that against him severally.“It seems you two know each other.” Nicole smiled as she watched them glare at each other like they couldn’t wait to rip each other in shreds. “What's your business with whether we know each other or not? You’ve
137.**Melissa's POV**I smirked the minute her eyes darkened. Yes, get mad. I want her to get mad at me and do the worst, so I can use it against her afterward. I've seen and heard a lot about her, and people talked about how tough she was. This time around, I'm going to show her that I am not like those fools she dealt with. I am Melissa, and I am much more dangerous than a snake.“Why would you do such a thing? Why would you ask her to leave?” She asked, her eyes burning with fury. “Her services are no longer needed, Nicole. I had to ask her to leave.”“And who gave you that right? Did you hire her in the first place? That lady has been here before you came, and you just asked her to leave? Are you my manager or what? Are you me?” She asked and I rolled my eyes.“What do you see yourself as, Nicole Brennan? You already have a manager, and that manager can serve as your personal assistant. Why are you troubling the innocent girl?”“It's her job, and she's getting paid for it. Besid
138.**Nicole’s POV**I could feel Melissa’s rage, and it made me feel like I had been given a good present for a job well done. I might have self dignity, but I won’t sit and watch another woman take my man away from me. My husband, for that matter. If she wants to play games, I’ll show her that I can play better.I walked Easton to his room and hung his suit jacket on the cloth rack there. I turned and saw him staring at me, it was cute, but I found the way he stared at me these days suspicious. This is how he has been since he told the whole world of our relationship.I walked to where he stood with a smile. “Why are you staring at me like I’m going to disappear any minute from now?” I asked.He wrapped his hand around my waist and pulled me closer so that our body was touching. “Didn’t I tell you that I miss you even though you're right in front of me?” He asked, and I wrapped my hands around him as well.“That's an obsession.” I chuckled.“You're right, babe. I am totally obsesse
139.**Author’s POV**Nicole didn’t know what to say to Easton. She had no idea whether he was just messing with her or he meant every damn thing he just said.Easton loved the confused look on her face, plus she was already blushing hard. He laughed and pecked her cheeks.“I was just being silly.” He spoke up and she released a breath she didn’t realize she was holding.“Gosh!” She hit his shoulder. “Just go freshen up.” She moved away from him and quickly ran out of the room before he could get his hands on her. After she left, Easton smiled and closed the door, locking it as well.He placed his hand on his chest as his face scrunched up as a result of the sharp pain he felt. His thoughts drifted to what Nicole had told him when she felt his heart beat. He was glad he was able to convince her and hide the truth from her.With a sigh, he walked to his drawer and brought out the pills. He recalled the doctor saying the pills wouldn’t be effective anymore, but at least, it would help t
140.**Nicole's POV**As Easton helped to put the bandage on my hand, I couldn't help but worry about what Melissa was doing in the kitchen. Who knew whether she had made me get hurt on purpose to put something in the food? Judging from her current behavior, I was certain there was nothing she couldn't do to get Easton.Immediately Easton finished, I stood to my feet, but he held my hand.“Where do you think you're going?” He asked.“I need to go check on the food in the kitchen.” I answered and didn't wait for him to say anything else before turning to walk to the kitchen, but he grabbed my hand and pulled me to himself.“You do not need to worry about the food. Melissa is already taking care of it.” He answered and I sighed. She taking care of it is the reason I'm worried in the first place.“But I have to be there to help her out, don't you think?” I smiled at him, but he held my hand and took me to the dining room as well.“Let's set the table instead,” He said and spread the tabl
141.**Author's POV**Frederick sat with his legs crossed as he waited for Nicole to arrive. He was finally going to set things right with her. After his divorce with Kayla, he had been able to have some time to do sober reflection on his life, and he had come to realize how wrong he was to have treated Nicole the way he did. He wanted to apologize to her and also see if they can still be together. After losing everything, he had realized that the person he loved all this while was Nicole. He had always loved her but was blinded by lust and had abandoned her. He felt bad and wanted to set things straight once and for all.He adjusted the suit he was wearing and touched his hair to see that it was well permed and there wasn't anyone out of place.He had booked the whole restaurant for the two of them and hoped she would like it. The door to the restaurant opened and Nicole walked in. Immediately he saw her, he couldn't help but fall for her all over again. How didn't he even notice al
142.**Author's POV**“You've got to be kidding me right now.” Nicole spoke up after a while. After all these months, he treated her like trash, got married to Kayla, and now he had the guts to tell her he still loved her? Was he expecting her to scream for joy and jump into his arms?Frederick dabbed his fingers together. “I know it's hard to believe but it has always been you, Nicole. You have always been the woman I loved. I just didn't realize it until recently.” He confessed, hoping she would understand him.“You just realized it until recently? You made me go through hell, Frederick. I lost my job due to a scandal orchestrated by someone I called a best friend and needed a shoulder to cry on. I ran to you because you were the only person I could lean on and also because I loved you so much and felt you loved me as well, but what were you doing? You were cheating on me with the same best friend that put me into a lot of mess. Even at that, I pleaded with you; I still wanted to ov
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