Nicole's POVWe finally arrived at our home in Mekana City, a place I had left long ago after my past life had been so threatened and unsafe. I left everything behind, but I didn't expect to end up back here in the house Edwin gave me.Richard looked excited next to me, staring at the house in front of us, looking so spacious and magnificent. The garden with the fountain between the entrance and the fence was well-maintained and lovely with its distinctive stone carvings.This place isn't as big as Edwin's house, which has a one-acre yard, but my son can still play freely in the yard just like there. Key explained to Richard and me that there was a small playground in the backyard with a sandbox, slides, and swings."Can I play after this, Mom?" Richard asked after hearing Key's explanation.I nodded, smiling at the look of joy on his face.I smiled as Richard ran in and jumped up and down when a maid greeted us. "Come on, come in, Mom!"There weren't many people around the house, jus
Chris's POV"Get out of my room!" I shooed away Adeline, who was trying to get closer and cling to me on the bed, not caring even though she staggered from my push and had to hold on to the dresser to keep from falling.Adeline was angry, giving me a look of annoyance at my treatment. "Why do you keep doing this to me, Chris? "We're married! Why do we sleep in separate rooms when we've been husband and wife for so long?""I'm not comfortable sleeping with someone else," I said, not looking at Adeline, who was still by the closet and staring at me sharply.That woman is very stubborn about the same issue, not giving up even though I've said this repeatedly. I couldn't understand what Adeline was thinking all this time that she kept insisting on sleeping with me even though I always refused."Oh my God, Chris. I'm your wife!" Adeline was getting desperate. "We've been married for eight years, but in all that time, you've only touched me with lip kisses, never more! And that just once. I
Chris' POVI had breakfast in the dining room, and so did Adeline. The woman sat beside me, eating her food noisily and occasionally glancing at my silence.I wanted to quickly finish my breakfast and return to my room, avoiding any interruptions the woman might have planned."Chris, do you want to be fed? It looks like you're having trouble cutting that steak." Adeline said, coming closer to me, who could easily cut the meat for one bite, unlike that woman's words.I ignored her, knowing she had already planned to bother me again. Usually, she would tease me in a petty way, but maybe she had a little thought to turn it into this.Still, I wanted to eat faster so I could get out of the dining room, but chewing the steak so that it was easier to swallow was a priority for me. I didn't want to digest food that wasn't appropriately consumed and then get sick. I finally tried to be patient.Adeline grabbed my hand that was still holding the dinner knife, pressing down on top of my hand ha
Chris's POV Someone knocked on my office door before walking in. He seemed to walk hurriedly before approaching my desk and bowing. I didn't look at him but strained my ears to listen to the man's report. "I'm sorry, sir. We were unable to reach an agreement with the Duncan family." Nathan said, catching the attention of me, who was working earlier. It's been a few days, and the deal we sent should have been approved soon, like our other business deals. Not only were they late, but they also gave a rejection that I did not expect at all. "Proposal?" I asked, confirming the integrity of my secretary's report that I disliked. "They've read the proposal and rejected it, sir." Nathan opened the tab and showed me the contents of the email, which was neatly written and structured. In one look, I could tell they were giving me an honest answer with an apparent reason. There was no gap in their rejection, which read subtle but firm. "We tried to convince the Duncan Family again by discu
Nicole's POV"Mommy!"I heard Richard's voice calling me and immediately hugged the boy tightly when he was in front of me.I loosened my hug and asked him. "Where have you been, Richard? I've been looking for you."I checked Richard's condition with my eyes. From head to toe to make sure my son was okay. How worried I was when he disappeared when I only averted my eyes for a moment.The boy held my face gently, looking at me with a stern look that was unlike the usual children. "Mom, don't worry. I was fine during the walk and returned to Mom's side."I looked at Richard's face, which didn't seem frightened but instead unremarkable after walking around alone. I did allow that boy to go wherever he wanted, but he left when Key wasn't with him.I closed my eyes for a moment before opening them again, controlling my feelings before saying something to my brave boy."Although you are able to act very mature, you are actually still a child, Richard. Please remember that for Mom's sake, ok
Nicole's POVInstead of the meeting we didn't get to attend, Richard and I were eating at a restaurant with a VIP room.The room was limited to customers who wanted a private area for their family or themselves, which was perfect for me, who didn't want to be known and felt much more comfortable compared to a public room."How was the upcoming stock meeting, Key?" I asked, looking at Key, sitting across from Richard while my son ate quietly.The man had just cut the meat and was about to feed it to his mouth, but stopped because of my question. He unlocked the cell phone on the table and moved the screen, looking at me as he said."We've prepared everything, Miss. This is the list of shareholders confirmed to be present at the meeting." He handed me the phone.I took it, skimming through each name on the screen, the company name, and the number of shares they held. There was one name that I didn't see even though I had searched all the way to the bottom.I frowned, handing Key's phone
Nicole's POVI had just slept with Richard in his room, keeping him company until the boy fell asleep. I stroked his hair, then smiled a little when I saw his hand resting near mine on the bed."Sleep well, my son." I rubbed his cheek gently, ensuring his breathing was regular before leaving.I walked out as I closed the door to Richard's room slowly, not wanting to disturb him. There, I saw Key, who was walking towards my son's room."Is Young Master already asleep, Miss?" Key whispered, which I immediately nodded back.I placed my index finger on my lips and gestured for us to walk the other way. Key obeyed, following my steps as lightly as possible to not wake Richard, walking towards the hallway with many paintings.The house was very spacious. There were many long hallways on every floor except for the attic, which was left empty with only a few unused items. I hadn't been there yet, but Richard, who had been going around the house from the beginning, told me.I chatted while dis
Nicole's POV A few days passed, and the long-awaited shareholder meeting finally arrived. Richard and I were ready in the car, dressed appropriately for the driver to take us. I stared out the window as the car started to move, seeing the beautiful scenery around our spacious house slowly replaced by a cityscape filled with towering buildings. "Mom, are you feeling scared or anxious today?" Richard asked, grabbing both hands folded on my thighs while looking at me intently. I could see that my son was worried about me not speaking earlier, not because of the two feelings he had just expressed, but rather a sense of impatience to attend. I shook my head with a smile, patting Richard's hand lightly to calm him down. "This is easy for you, Richard. It's okay. You know that I often watched you work." Edwin was my primary teacher throughout my life as part of the Duncan Family. He taught me a way of behaving I had never received from my previous family, especially being calm in any si