LOGINLYNETTE'S POVI lay on my side in the softly lit bedroom, staring at my phone on the nightstand, waiting for it to light up with a call from Bradford, or even just a text.Regardless of what I told myself earlier, a small part of me was still hoping I was wrong, and that I at least meant something to him.So each time my phone buzzed with a call or text notification, I thought it'd be from him. But it'd been hours now since he told me he'd call me later, yet nothing at all.I rolled onto my back and stared at the ceiling.My hand slowly moved up, tracing my lips as the kiss replayed in my head again.The way his warm hands cupped my face, his soft lips on mine, the way everything else seemed to disappear at that moment…it's just so fucking hard to forget about him.But who on earth was this woman that always had him running?I still had no answer to the question, and that made it all more frustrating.I closed my eyes and rubbed my temple, trying to suppress the throbbing pain in my
LYNETTE'S POVI sat at my desk, staring at my laptop screen, but I wasn't seeing anything anymore. The designs had blurred together.I tapped my face lightly with my palms, trying to get my mind to focus. I didn’t get easily distracted whenever I was working, but no matter how I tried to concentrate now, my mind kept drifting to the phone call Bradford received at lunch yesterday.And I couldn't stop asking myself the same question:“Who was she?”I tilted my head to one side. ‘Was she his mother? His sister? or his…girlfriend?’I'd told myself it didn't matter, that we didn't have anything serious, so I had no right to inquire about such.But that didn't stop the questions from circling in my head, cause the way his face changed, and the way he left so abruptly made me really curious.I let out a soft sigh. Then I minimised the window I was working on, and opened a new browser window.My fingers hesitated on the keyboard. “Can't believe I'm actually doing this?”“Well, it's all I c
NICHOLAS’S POVThe café I picked was the small, quiet one I used to go to have meals with Maya and…the few others before her.It's the kind of place where no one pays attention to who you're having a meal, or a private conversation with. That's why I always felt more comfortable there, rather than some sophisticated restaurant.When I arrived, I met Gabrielle already seated at a table in the far end, with a cup of coffee in front of her. She was facing the door, and instinctively looked up the moment I walked in."Nicholas,” she acknowledged me when I reached her, and I returned the gesture."Gabrielle.”I pulled out the chair across from her and lowered myself into it. I didn't order anything, I was just watching her, and I was more curious about what she had to say.She looked different from what I remembered. I thought she's always cheerful and confident, but this time, she seemed a little nervous."Thank you for coming," she said quietly, pushing hair behind her ear."Well, you s
NICHOLAS’S POV I stood there long after the doctor had left, staring at the hospital corridor that stretched out endlessly before me. Then I started to walk slowly to find out which room Maya was. I dragged my feet as they felt heavy underneath me. The fluorescent lights buzzed above me, casting everything in that sickly pale glow that made hospitals feel like a different world. I was directed to Maya's room at the nurses’ station. I hesitated outside the door when I got there, looking through the small window. She was awake, just lying in the bed and staring blankly at nothing in particular. Her face was pale, the kind that came from losing too much blood and too much hope all at once. I opened the door and walked in gently. She either didn't notice me walking in or just chose to ignore my presence cause she didn't turn her head to look at me. "Maya,” I said carefully, “are you okay?” She didn't respond. I sighed quietly, walked closer, and stopped just beside
LYNETTE'S POVI sat there moments after the door had closed behind Nicholas, staring at the space where he'd been standing near the counter, and the cup of coffee he couldn't finish.The whole house suddenly felt so quiet that it made every small sound feel louder than it should, including my own breathing.I sighed softly, rubbing the bridge of my nose with my finger.‘Why did Nicholas look like I told him something that was totally out of the ordinary?’I was expecting more of his usual nonchalant reaction, not…that.I'm pretty sure it wasn’t just about what I told him, cause he already seemed off the moment I walked into the kitchen.Something was definitely going on with him.I tilted my head slightly and murmured, “but what could that be?”I shrugged my shoulders. ‘Well, that's his business to deal with. At least now I can breathe normally since I've gotten it off my chest.’I stood up, walked to the sink, and poured the coffee down the drain. The dark liquid swirled and disappea
NICHOLAS’S POV “I'm pregnant,” Lynette whispered softly. Her voice was barely audible, yet it echoed in my head louder than anything. My heart literally stopped for a moment. I stared at her in shock and disbelief. And I saw the fear in her eyes, the way her fingers gripped the cup of coffee she hadn't taken any sip from, and my stomach sank. ‘Holy shit, she's not kidding.’ My mind began to spiral. ‘What the fuck is happening? Is the gods playing some kind of sick game with me? How on earth could she be pregnant at almost the same time as Maya?’ She chuckled nervously. "You're not…you're not saying anything.” I blinked repeatedly, just to be sure I wasn't having a terrible nightmare. My mouth opened in an attempt to say something, but I couldn’t get any words out. What the hell was I supposed to say? “Nicholas?” She tried again softly when I still remained quiet. "Sorry, I…" My throat felt tight. I paused and swallowed. “Are you…sure?” I asked, even though I knew she wou
BRADFORD'S POVThe shock on Lynette’s face was unmistakable. Her face turned pale and her warm brown eyes widened.She seemed to have recognised me even before I introduced myself. From magazines maybe, given that she's a fashion designer. She was staring at me like she saw something that wasn't r
LYNETTE'S POVI kissed him like I'd been hungry for it.And honestly, I have.He froze for a moment, probably shocked I moved so fast. Then he started to kiss me back slowly, as if he had all the time in the world. I wasn’t expecting his lips to be that soft. He pulled me closer with one hand and
LYNETTE'S POVI stood still, staring at the door Nicholas had just walked out through, tears streaming down my face.I cried for a few minutes.Then I suddenly wiped my face and walked out of the bedroom.‘He doesn't get to decide that.’“Nicholas?” I called out as I walked down the hallway.I sear
LYNETTE'S POV“Gabrielle, it's almost 5 pm,” I said, trying not to sound annoyed. “Why aren't you here yet?”“Sorry Lyn,” She said in a playful tone. “I'm almost at your studio.”“You said that twenty minutes ago,”I knew she was lying. She muttered something, and I could picture her biting her low







