Nicole’s POVBut it didn’t change the fact that this is who I am.Helpless against oppressors.It’s so unfair. It feels like there’s some sort of suppressor keeping me from lashing out.I blame the darn accident I had in college.But then I think about how I could have lost my mom, and I become overwhelmed with gratitude.She was sick, but she was alive. And I would do everything in my power to take care of her.The love of my mother is what calmed me down every time, and this wasn’t an exception.“Please excuse me, I need to get to work.”I didn’t bother with my bags. It was a mistake coming here.I could have just stayed back and worn the clothes I had at the office.My priority had shifted. I needed fresh air slapping my face more than anything. I closed my eyes and calmly imagined myself by the side of the beach.Their shouts and condemnation turned into the strong waves of the sea, and suddenly, I no longer felt threatened by them anymore.“Because you work at a big corporation,
Chapter 6. Nicole’s POVI meant nothing to him.He came out with a full smile, and I forced myself to return it.I was thrilled, but that didn’t cover the jealousy I felt. Would he react this way if it was me in the hospital as well?“Nicole,” he waddled towards me, his arms spread.I didn’t want to overthink it until his hands wrapped around me and he squeezed me in a hug.I did the same, resting my head on his chest to scratch the yearning in mine.“I’m so happy for you.”I finally felt some warmth as a genuine smile spread on my face.“If we are doing this, I have one rule as well.”The seriousness in his tone made me jerk my head.“Please speak.”He avoided my gaze before speaking. “I am a man with needs,” he said, and I nodded.Where was he going with this?“If I am going to cut off all my other links, to reduce toxicity as a parent, I would need someone to meet them,” he said.“Oh,” I nodded, stressing the ‘O’ longer than necessary.He was quick to jump around.“Of course, althou
Chapter 5 - Nicole's POVThe drive back to the hospital after our nap, cuddled in each other’s embrace was painfully awkward. And it was my fault.The sweetness of the night, everything that had happened earlier that morning, all felt like a dream. The only thing giving me a reality check was the ache in my body, my inability to walk properly. That, and the fact that I could still feel him inside me.Xavier was driving, stealing occasional glances at me, probably wondering why I had gone silent. I deflected every conversation he tried to start, pretending to be distracted by the passing city lights.When we passed the hospital gate, he finally broke the quiet.“Okay, you need to tell me what’s wrong before we go upstairs,” he said, his voice low but firm.I sucked in a deep breath and turned to him. "I want us to act like this morning never happened."He slammed the brakes so hard that we jerked forward, the car knocking into an already parked vehicle. The thud was sharp, but not ne
Chapter 4 Xavier's POVThe last time I was in this state was when my daughter was delivered to me by her nurse with the news that shattered me into pieces forever.She was then named after her mother, but I never knew how to love her properly.However, after getting this far and almost losing her, I would try. Plus, I had Nicole."You can use the bathroom here. There should be a change of clothes inside the closet," I pointed at one of the guest rooms on the first floor.It had been almost a month since I'd visited this house under the guise of keeping my private life separate, but in truth, I was just too scared to face my daughter. It was easier that way."Thanks," Nicole said with a scowl, closing the door on my face right before I could ask any question.I breathed a heavy sigh as I made my way up to my room. The toys strewn around were obvious signs that Loise had spent most of her nights here. I put them away, then took a hot, steamy shower.As soon as I stepped out, my phone s
Chapter 3Nicole's POVI had barely packed the car before he jumped out, racing his way through the Emergency entrance. I needed to ask around before I was directed to the children’s VIP ward, where I found him talking to a doctor loudly.And that would be putting it lightly because it was a commotion in front of the rooms.Xavier had the doctor in a chokehold, gripping the collar of the middle-aged man and spitting threats in his face.Threats that he would carry out, and the doctor was aware of them too. That was the only way to explain his ashen white face.The nurse behind him, who was carrying a chart, was helpless and could only plead and make promises on the side.“We are doing our best, but she was brought in delirious and unconscious. We are currently running tests while keeping her under strict observation. Our first guess is that she had an untreated cold that escalated after she fell into the cold water of the swimming pool because she was brought in drenched.“You'd bett
Chapter 2Nicole's POVMy hands flew to the collar of his shirt, unbuttoning it with a pressing need as I ground on his knee that was bent in between my legs.Our bodies heated up, entwined with each other as his hands started to roam my body, flicking my shirt off and unclasping my bra with a fluency only an expert like him could achieve.“Oh, your skin is so smooth. Why have you been hiding this D cup underneath those ugly outfits all this while?” he stepped back to admire my chest as my bra fell to the floor, the same movement with which his shirt fell to the ground and I finally saw him in his full beauty.Chest chiselled like a Greek god, and a tattooed paragraph on his upper left chest.“Wow,” I drooled before leaning in and grabbing his nipple in my mouth, it hardened as my tongue rolled around it.“You are one wild card, Nicole,” he let out a breath of alcoholic air.“This has always been a fantasy of mine,” I confessed as I dared to look in his eyes.The emerald of his eyes c