**Nicole's POV**
The drive to his house was taking too long, and it was becoming boring staying inside the car and doing nothing. I turned to look at Easton, but he had a straight expression as he looked ahead.
I sighed and tucked a strand of hair behind my ears. This wasn't how I pictured my life to be at all. I was supposed to be on my own, planning my revenge against those dimwits, but here I am, going to live in someone else's house as his wife. No one needs to tell me what can happen if this goes into the news.
They'd probably say I seduced him and wanted to use his money to make a comeback.
“Aren't we there yet?” I asked him.
All I wanted right now was a place to rest my head and get rid of all these thoughts twirling in my head.
Easton turned to look at me, his gaze softening. “What? Are you that excited to see where I live, wifey?” He asked and I became annoyed.
“Stop calling me your wife, Mr. Easton.” I replied formally, but he shrugged and looked away from me.
“You're my wife now, Nicole. Learn to live with it because we're going to be together for a very long time.” After saying that, his facial expression changed, showing he wasn't interested in having any conversation with me again.
I sighed and looked through the window. I hope I'm making the right decision. We soon arrived at a golden gate, and my mouth dropped open as the gate opened, and we were driven in.
“Shit!” It was a mansion and… damn, it was beautiful. It had a water fountain in the middle and the compound was expansive. The building was a huge one and the exterior decor was something to die for.
Everything screamed money, and I couldn't help but gush at it. The car parked, and we got down, as he led me into the mansion.
When I entered, I began to question myself if this was where I was actually going to be staying, or if he just wanted to show me and then take me to a more moderate one. It was like everything was made of glass.
I couldn't keep my eyes to myself and scanned everywhere with my curious gaze. I looked down at the floor below me and could even see my reflection on the tiles. I knew Easton was rich, but not this rich.
“Don't stare too much, you might make it look less beautiful.” His voice boomed behind me and I turned to look at him with a frown on my face.
“It's my eyes, and I am entitled to look at anything I feel like looking at, the same way I'm looking at you now.” I answered.
“Well, this is my house, and I'm entitled to stop you from looking at it. I know you can't afford something like this, so take it easy, so you wouldn't steal my house whenever you're leaving.” He smirked, and I felt like tearing him to shreds.
How can a human being be so arrogant? What the heck!
I was about to say something when he snapped his fingers and an elderly looking man, dressed in a suit with neatly styled hair, walked in. The man didn't look too old, but he wasn't young either. I already knew who he was; a butler. I've seen how they're dressed in movies and this man wasn't far from it.
He bowed to Easton as he came.
“Steve, meet Nicole Brennan, my wife.” He introduced me to the man.
“I'm not your—”
“Welcome, madam,” He bowed to me. “You're the famous model, Nicole Brennan. I'm so honored to meet you. I'm a big fan.” He bowed again, and I gave him a weak smile.
Famous Model? Not anymore. Yes, I'm famous, but not for something I expected, I'm well-known for the lies and betrayals people I trusted threw me into.
“It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Steve.” I smiled back at him and he chuckled.
“The pleasure is all mine.”
My eyes went to Easton, who looked a bit amused. There was no way he wouldn't know I was a model before marrying me, right? What if I use that against him, and he let me go?
“Why do you look so shocked, Mr. Easton, don't you know I'm a model? If you don't, then it's a shame because you should know the person you're about to get married to in and out. But since you don't me, I guess we can say our goodbyes from here because you can never tell how many secrets I have hidden, so you don't know a tiny bit about me.” I started heading to the door, but he snaked his hand around my waist and pulled me to himself.
“Miss. Nicole Brennan, I'm sure you know the kind of person I am. I'm the king of the entertainment industry and just by looking at it, I know you're a model. Why do you think I accepted your proposal—”
“Shhh!” I quickly shushed him, so he wouldn't blab it all out that I was the one who proposed to him. “I already understand where you're headed, so cut me some slack!” I rolled my eyes.
He chuckled and turned to Mr. Steve. “Take Wifey to her new room, please. It must be a room beside mine. Make sure she's comfortable before leaving, and oh by tomorrow I'll get her a maid and the room will be designed to her taste,” He ordered and I sighed. He turned to look at me, with that annoying smirk on his lips. “You can follow him to your room now, my lovely wife.”
“I am not your wife!” I snapped at him.
“Oh yes, you are. I didn't forcefully get married to you, right?” He smiled at me, but I knew it was a smile of mockery.
“I had no idea what I was doing. Besides, I didn't force you either. You took advantage of my helpless state.”
“That's where you're wrong, wifey. I accepted your pleas and made you a happily drunk woman.” He placed his hand on his forehead and winked at me, then gestured for his Butler to take me.
“Right this way, madam.” Mr. Steve held my hand as he took to the stairs and started leading me up it.
“Take it easy with her. My wife is very fragile.”
I sighed and looked back down at Easton, who winked before walking away. When we got to the room, I slumped on the bed and covered my face with the pillow.
“Do you want something?” Mr. Steve asked.
“I want to get out of here!” I screamed into the pillow.
“Don't worry, with time, you'll love it here. Mr. Easton is a nice person,” He tried to defend his boss, which was pretty much expected of him.
I scoffed and pressed the pillow tighter to my face.
“If you need anything, I'm only a call away.”
I nodded and could hear him walking out. When he closed the door, I screamed again.
“I want to get out of here!”
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