Here's Chapter 64.
ANNIKA’S POVI started avoiding Aries, yet, he became more insistent. Even if I told him to stop pursuing me, he didn't budge. In fact, he became more adamant to have me that I sometimes feel so uncomfortable around him. It was like seeing a new side of him, a side that I was so afraid to name.He made me go with him in his every transaction, as if it was the only way that he could spend every second of the day with me. He often took me out on dinners, and I would always be left with no other choice but to go with him. I hate it whenever I see his sad face when I turn down his offer. It made me feel guilty and ungrateful.”I'll just go to the rest room,” I told him.We were in a Chinese restaurant for dinner, however, I froze when I saw Caspian, Timmy and Juliette emerging from the front door. I felt a shiver run down my spine when his gray eyes found mine, and our gazes locked for a few moments.I noticed Juliette looking distracted. As I followed her gaze, I realized she was looking
ANNIKA’S POVJuliette desperately shook her head.“No, Aries. Timmy is not your son! His father is Caspian, and that's the truth. You have to accept it!” Juliette insisted. She was stomping her feet out of sheer frustration. I watched her face all the time she said those words, and I knew she was telling the truth. I can feel that she's telling the truth.“But that's not true! You said it yourself, he passed out on you! He couldn't even touch you. . . Let alone kiss you!” Aries turned red. He sounded so confused and frustrated.I couldn't understand a thing, but it seems clear that they had a thing in the past. Something that I couldn't believe. Aries had never said anything about Juliette. He knew how Juliette ruined my life. . . And though I believed Caspian when he said that nothing happened between them, a part me of broke when I found out about Juliette’s pregnancy. It shattered my heart, ruined my dream of a happy family with the love of my life.I couldn't process everything tha
ANNIKA’S POV“So, you think Caspian did not really cheat on you?” Jade ask as soon as I told her about what I saw in the parking lot earlier.She was looking at me with curious eyes. I took a deep breath, and look away. Jade didn't say another word as she was waiting for me to answer her question. But the truth is. . . I'm not even sure. Maybe years ago, I firmly believed what I was told. But something about what Aries said earlier made me rethink.“I don't know. . . Well, at some point, I didn't think he did. But then. . . Juliette got pregnant. And the child was his. . . ” I replied, my voice beginning to fade.Memories of what happened years ago came rushing back into my mind. The pain. . . The sorrow. . . The betrayal. . . It was like reliving that moment again.“Honestly, I think I believed it too. There was an evidence. But now, I'm not sure either. If Aries says that he passed out on her, and that he couldn't even kiss her. . . Then, maybe. . . He didn't really cheat on you,” sh
ANNIKA’S POVJade and I stayed up really late last night. We didn't know who was responsible for the ads, and we figured out that we should just be thankful for whoever it was.The sun was already piercing from the window, but I couldn't bring myself to get up. I am still tired and sleepy from last night, and I can feel my head throbbing from the alcohol.However, I can hear Mom's loud knocking and her shrill voice as she yell.“Annika, come on! Get up now, you have a visitor!” came her voice.I squeezed my eyes shut and covered my ears with a pillow. However, before I could drift back to sleep, someone pulled the pillow away. It was Jade. She sat upright, her hair in a mess and her eyes still half-closed.“Girl, you might want to check it. You know your Mom won't stop knocking, do you?“ she asked in her sleepy voice.I heaved a deep sigh and decided to get up. I just wrapped myself in a robe and opened the door, walking straight into the living room to see who the unannounced visitor
ANNIKA’S POVCaspian has already left, yet his words continued to echo in my mind. . .like a broken record that kept on playing no matter how I try to forget about it. It was futile! I couldn't stop thinking about him. I was caught off guard when the door suddenly opened. Jade and Mom came in, their eyes roaming around as if they were looking for someone. “He's gone!” I yelled.Mom let out a sigh of relief, while Jade looked at me with curious eyes. She didn't have to say a word, I knew exactly what she wanted to know. She waited for me to say something, but I didn't. Instead, I rolled my eyes at her. They left me with him! How could they do that to me? “You're blushing!” she teased.I rolled my eyes at her, yet I can feel my cheeks heating up from her teasing. “I'm not!” I lied.“Come on, Annika! I'm your best friend, I know you're lying. So. . .what did you two talk about?” she asked, not even bothering to hide her curiosity.I sighed. Well, it's not like she's letting me off the
ANNIKA’S POVI heard a loud boom inside my chest. For a moment, it felt like the world has stopped turning, my heart ceasing to beat and my feet frozen to the ground. I was unable to move. Juliette’s words were like a bomb that unexpectedly exploded, leaving my thoughts in disarray. I saw how Jade's eyes widened, and her face was immediately filled with confusion. My mind began spinning, taking me back to that unfateful day in the hospital. Unconsciously, a question began to pop out of my mind. “If Juliette’s son died, then who is Timmy?”I stared at Jade, she looked at me with equal confusion as if she was thinking what I was thinking. She held my hand tightly.Juliette and Aries were quiet. It seems like Aries was trying to understand everything, but the way he shakes his head tells me that he doesn't want to accept it. He doesn't want to believe her. “That's not true, Juliette. I know you're only telling me this because you want me to stop. But I won't. . . Not until I get my son.
ANNIKA’S POVBy monday morning, I took a leave from work. I told Aries I was sick, but the was truth was Jade and I were going to the hospital. I'm not sure how it's going to turn, but there's a little ray of hope that ignites my fire to pursue this and find out the truth once and for all. I couldn't sleep, thinking of the possibility that my child was alive.When my son died five years ago, I vowed to never come to this place again. Yet, as Juliette’s lies started to unravel, I didn't know that I will find myself standing here again.I took a deep breath. As I take a step inside the hospital, my heart began racing. I held onto Jade for support.“Are you okay? Are you sure you want to do this?” she whispered, her voice was filled with concern.I slowly nodded my head. “Yes. I need to know the truth. And if it involves facing my dreaded past, then I'll compromise. Once and for all, I just want to know everything.”“Alright. You have me, okay? Whatever we will discover, you must be stron
ANNIKA’S POV After dropping Timmy off to his school, Caspian maneuvered the car to take me to work. Silence hung in the as we were left alone. I took a deep breath, I can feel my heart racing again. It wasn't the first time that I was left with him alone. . .but it has been five years. Our breakup was messy, and I harbored hate for him for years. Yet, as I sit next to him today, I'm beginning to wonder whether I really hated him. . . or was it only convenient to blame him for everything that happened? I shifted uncomfortably at the thought. I haven't given much time to these things before because I was so consumed by the pain. Caspian glanced at me with his brows furrowed. “Are you okay?” he asked with a hint of concern. I looked at him. I realized I never really gave him the chance to explain what happened before. “Caspian?” I asked. He glanced at me again, urging me to speak up before looking back at the road. “What really happened five years ago?” I whispered. It stunned him.
CASPIAN'S POV It was a fine summer day, the warm breeze of air kissed our skin as the birds sing along with the melodious song playing in the backgroun. Everybody was dressed accordingly. The guests were chattering, exchanging their curious glances with each other. The beautiful and colorful flowers made the surrounding so magical -- enchanting, just like how I felt with her. I smiled as I watched her walking down the improvised aisle, along with Pachelbel's Canon D filling the place. I still coulnd't believe I'm getting married to her. . .again. I could still remember the very first time I saw her in my office. She was dressed like an old maid. She was always quiet and nervous around me, and I barely even look at her. She seemed too ordinary for me. And yet, something about her eyes caught my attention. She was aloof. Unlike my previous secretaries, Annika never tried to make advances on me. In the last years that she worked for me, she never looked at me as if I was someone inter
CASPIAN’S POV When I was young, I used to believe that we had a perfect family. Many of our friends and relatives envied the kind of relationship my Mom shared with Dad. Yet, even as a child, I noticed the sadness hiding in Mom's eyes whenever she's alone. My mom was a beauty. Many tried to pursue her, but my Dad won her heart. Dad, was already a successful businessman, but my Mom came from a family of old riches. It was late for her to realize my father's true intentions. In front of everyone, my father painted a picture-perfect family, but no one knows the tears my mother cried when we're left alone at the house. I didn't understand it then. . .But when I saw a woman begging for my father's attention outside our mansion, my gut turned cold. Who was the woman? And most importantly, who was the child he was holding?The child looked a little older than me, but he was skinny. He was dressed poorly and he smelled like he hadn't taken a bath in a week. His eyes were almost deep with hu
ANNIKA'S POVI was up early this morning, watching the two handsome men in my life as they hugged each other tight. The warm golden rays of the sun are slowly creeping in, reminding me that it's a brand new day I should be thankful for. I stared at the boys, uttering a silent prayer to the one above for keeping us safe and bringing us back to each other again. I stared at them, unmoving, as I was afraid I'd lose them in the blink of an eye.Gently, I touched my son's cheek as if making sure he is really in front of me. And when I felt his soft skin on my fingers, a lump formed in my throat as the dreaded memories of the previous day haunted back my mand. I'd lose my sanity if anything happened to him. It will surely be the death of me. And again, I thanked the heavens for not allowing it to happen.Slowly, I got out of the bed, fixed myself and made my way into the kitchen to prepare our breakfast. I immersed myself into cooking while humming a happy tune. It's a day to celebrate. . .
ANNIKA'S POV "Annika!" "Baby!" Jade and Caspian shouted in unison as they rushed towards me, but I didn't falter. I remained kneeling in front of Aries, holding tight onto his pants as I begged for him to let go of my son. "Aries, please. . .don't hurt my son. He doesn't deserve all of this," I begged. I couldn't stop myself from crying. I felt so helpless. . .so useless! I can't save my own son. As Timmy looked down on me, my heart shattered, seeing the fear that's clearly written in his eyes. My heart broke as I watched him struggling to break free from Aries. The cops slowly backed down, repositioning themselves as they strategized on how to take down Aries. Juliette stood frozen to the ground as Aries began to walk backwards, still holding my son while pointing the gun on his head. "Everyone, don't move or I'll blow this child's head!" he warned. My eyes grew huge in fear! I cried so hard as I melted to the ground. Caspian reached out for me and pulled me back up.
ANNIKA'S POV I felt so anxious. It's been hours since Aries and Juliette took Timmy, yet we still haven't heard an update. Ms. Brown was sent home to rest. Her eyes were swollen from crying the whole afternoon. The management of the school also called to inform us about the repercussions of Ms. Brown's actions that put our son's life in danger. Caspian was pacing back and forth, his eyes couldn't hide the worry and anger that filled him. He was breathing harshly, and I can feel his growing impatience. It's already dark, we're tired, and yet, we couldn't afford to go home without any news about the whereabouts of our son. "I can't wait here anymore. I need to find my son!" he muttered angrily. "I'm coming with you," I stood up and ran to him. Just then, the police officers approached us. "We've already searched around the area, but there are no sightings of them. We've also put a lookout bulletin for them, and alerted the security of the nearby towns. They won't get far, we
ANNIKA'S POVThe moment we left the hospital room, Caspian fell down on his knees. He looked so weak and vulnerable, his tears kept flowing down his already wet cheeks. His eyes held guilt, regret and most of all. . .pain. If only there was a way I could take it from him.Slowly, I bent my knees down and sat down in front of him, holding his face with my hands. I gently wiped his tears, hoping that I could wipe away his pain. I touched his cheek, resting my forehead against his and whispered, "Don't blame yourself, Caspian. Your feelings are valid. You were angry and hurt.""Still. . .I could have been the bigger person. I should have forgiven him a long time ago. I should have talked to him a long time ago. . ." he whispered regretfully.He was vile man. He has done so many terrible things to both us. He has hurt us in many ways. And yet. . .I couldn't find any reason not to forgive him. Those things that he did in the past were bound to happen. I never understood it before, but look
ANNIKA'S POV"Be good, okay?" I instructed Timmy as we dropped him off to school."Yes, Mommy," he replied."We'll come back for you later," Caspian said.Timmy chirped happily as he went inside their classroom to play with his classmates. We stayed for a few moments, and I couldn't help but shed a tear seeing him enjoying his class. I couldn't actually believe that I'm here now. . .that I'm witnessing this moment that I once thought would never happen in my life."Are you okay?" Caspian asked."Yes, I am. I'm just a little overwhelmed. I honestly thought I'd never get to experience this," I said softly.Caspian pulled me to his side and kissed my temple. I closed my eyes in oblivion. I could feel the loud beating of his heart or the harsh breaths he take as he hugged me tight."And I never thought I could do this with you again. Let's go? We have an important appointment," he saidWe left the school to go to the police station to ask for an update. The cases have been filed by Caspia
ANNIKA'S POVI took a deep breath and stared into the wall. Caspian was hugging me from behind, our naked bodies covered under a warm blanket. I could feel his warm breath on my neck while his right hand was stroking my shoulders, trying to put me to sleep. But I couldn't.It dawned on me -- what happened at the restaurant. I couldn't forget how mad Juliette was and I got a feeling that something might happen. My heart raced at the thought, and soon, worry and fear crept into my heart."What's the matter, Annika?" Caspian asked softly.I turned around to face him. He was looking at me intently, his eyes were filled with genuine concern. I took another deep breath. I couldn't explain how I feel."I don't know, Caspian. I just feel like something's bound to happen--"Caspian tightened his embrace, pulling me closer to his body before planting a soft kiss on my head, making me stop talking."Nothing's going to happen, baby. I won't allow anything to happen. They will pay for everything,
ANNIKA’S POV I closed my eyes, wrapping my arms around his nape as he deepened the kiss. His right hand fell onto the small of my back, holding me closer to his body. He licked my lips and gently nibbled it, provoking an entrance. And when I parted my lips, he immediately slipped his tongue through my mouth. I gasped as he kissed me fervently, tasting every corner of my mouth while his hand began stroking my back in an erotic manner. A soft moan escaped my lips when I felt his hand gently squeezing my bottom. “C-Caspian. . .” I moaned his name. It's been a long time since I felt this kind of sensation. The way his hands expertly moved around my body, leaving each spot tingling with a delicate sensation and igniting a fire in me. I felt feverish, my mouth gaped open as I arched my neck to accommodate his sweet lips. “Ooohhh,” I moaned again when he sucked on my neck, gently nibbling on it. Caspian showered my neck with soft, feathery kisses. I felt myself melting under his tou