Kathryn’s POV
Seven months later…
“Au revoir, and great work everyone,” my professor gathered all of his things as he looked at us with vigor. “I’ll see you tomorrow, same time,” his eyes lingered my way. Nodding, I flashed him a smile before I sank into my seat, my huge belly protruding from the table as my classmates dispersed outside of the classroom.
Life was never the same again, and I can say that I enjoyed the days that counted down to my twins’ upcoming birth, pulling all-nighters whenever exams came up, or just simply laying on the couch whenever I felt extremely sleepy throughout the day.
At times, my mind would drift back to the days of my marriage, but seeing the results of my studies and moving to Paris quickly pushed those thoughts aside.
My divorce with Wilhelm was going smoothly, and I never heard another word from him again.
I smirked. I mean, how could I? When I basically threw my old life away, and shielded my present from both his family and mine.
It was the best decision I made so far next to moving to Paris and pursuing a degree in Hotel Management at the prestigious Paris Institute of Commerce.
The only people I trusted, and knew my exact location were Emily and my old maid back in the Reinhardts’ villa, Anna.
My hand went up to my belly as I reminisced about my life at present. Every single night, I pray that no harm will come to my twins once they’re born. And that proved true to this day, as I’ve not encountered a single complication of my pregnancy up to this day.
Stretching my swollen feet, I was able to force myself to stand and walk several hallways to get to the university parking lot.
I huffed out a breath once I got inside my car successfully. To be honest, it’s getting a bit harder for me to walk long distances without catching my breath. My huge belly makes it hard to see where my feet are as I walk the hallways of our university. But I loved what I was doing, and it made my heart happy that my twins were growing steadily and ready to meet me and this world.
I was about to turn the doorknob of my room when Roland, my housemate, walked from the living room with a laptop in hand.
When he caught a glimpse of me in front of my door, he stopped in his tracks and hurriedly placed his laptop on top of the counter.
“Bonjour, Kathryn. You just came home?”
I turned and made my way to him. “Yes. It’s been a long day, actually, because finals are finally coming up.”
Roland has been a great help to everyone, especially to me, since I moved to this shared house a few months ago. I appreciate the simple things he did for me, from helping me carry heavy things, to helping me do laundry even though I insisted on doing it myself.
Every now and then, too, he would ask me out to dinner whenever he felt I was free to do so.
Truly, in the absence of people who would help me in this crucial time, Roland had been there all this time. I could even feel that he’s starting to care for my unborn twins as well, asking from time to time if I need assistance to be taken to the hospital during my prenatal check-ups.
“Ah, no wonder you have bags underneath your eyes,” he pointed out after getting a good look at me. “How about we get dinner after you take a rest? I’m sure you already have a lot on your mind, now that your twins’ due date is getting closer.”
I chuckled lightly. “I surely hope they won’t pop out during my final exams.”
“If that ever happens, I’m only one call away,” Roland patted my shoulder and made a gesture to his ears. “I’ll run to where you are.”
I couldn’t help but smile at him. “Thank you, Roland. I appreciate it.”
Just when I was about to enter my room, Roland caught my arm and gently pulled me close to him.
I gave him a puzzled look. “What’s wrong?”
“Kathryn, I know how you’ll have a tough time raising your twins alone…” he avoided my gaze for a second, but his fingers never let go of my arm. “...that’s why I was thinking, do you mind if we raise them together?”
I fully turned to him, eyes wide with shock. “Roland, I—I appreciate your offer, but I can’t accept it.” I stiffened at the way he touched me while Roland confirmed his assumption.
“I’m not like him, and I will never be.”
I knitted my brows. “I—I don’t understand…?”
“Kath, he’s a bastard whose only happiness is his money.”
I finally grasped who he was talking about. “I know that, Roland,” I managed a smile. “You can let go of me now.”
“Kathryn, the dinner,” he reminded me.
“I’ll have something made for myself later. For now, I’d like to rest.”
Roland nodded and let go slowly. “Just so you know, I couldn’t possibly be with anyone—not when the woman I like is next to me.”
“Roland, no—”
“Kath, I like you,” he continued, “I won’t beat behind the bush. You’re an incredible woman—”
“I’m pregnant with another man’s children,” I said, out of breath, “how could you say that you like the likes of me? That’s impossible!”
“I know my feelings,” he insisted, “and I want you to know about it. I don’t care if you have children. I could raise them as my own.”
I took a step backward, disbelief showing on my face. “You don’t know what you’re saying.”
“Kathryn—”
“No, you’re wrong, Roland. What you feel is merely infatuation, or adventure. I don’t know what that is.”
Roland never broke eye contact with me. “If you’re not up to this, just tell me. I’m willing to listen.”
“I’m sorry,” I blurted with zero hesitation, my heart pumping wildly in my chest as the words spilled out of my mouth. “I’m not ready for this. I don’t want you to wait—I don’t want you to hope that there will be a chance for us,” I suck in a breath. “Roland, I don’t want you growing cold, and end up leaving me in the long run. There are many women out there, and I guarantee you that you could find someone three times as good as you thought I could be.”
Roland’s eyes darkened as he took a step away from me. “But all of them are not you,” he said with an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry for blurting this out of the blue and causing you distress. Good night.”
Even though Roland had already walked away, it hurt to see him leave when all I ever did was compare him to the one man who made my life miserable, when in fact, he was the exact opposite of who he’ll ever be.
Roland’s POVI didn’t expect this to be the turn out of the whole situation. I thought we would just have fun and do some quick catch up with one another. I mean, it had been so long since I’ve hung out with Kathryn and little Charlize, right? But no! It turns out that Wilhelm—Kathryn’s ex-husband—is still a stuck-up prick who can’t even take a hint. He thinks that everything belongs to him, including Kathryn. It was so fucking obvious that he still has feelings for her, but his ego is too big to admit it. Well, screw him and his ego! I’m not going to let that man ruin my night. Whether it was a bad or good thing that Kathryn had no idea of why he was acting this way, I made sure to keep it that way. If she found out that he was still jealous because he thought we were together (when in fact, we’re just friends), then that would be catastrophic. Not that I cared what he would think of me or anything. I was more worried about her. She deserved to know the truth and if he didn’t tell
Kathryn’s POVI sneezed in the waiting area at Charlize’s new school. It was beginning to get colder now that we’re getting into the middle of October. I checked my phone, wondering where Wilhelm might be since he promised he’d be picking up our daughter and his son after class ends, but he was nowhere to be found. I sighed as I remembered our encounter with the strange doctor last week. I still wonder why Dr. Parkins had looked like she had seen a ghost when she saw Wilhelm, but I figured it must’ve been because of her health issues. She did appear quite ill, so I couldn’t help but worry about her safety. Maybe she was sicker than I had imagined, or maybe it had to do something with her past experiences? I removed the thought away when I heard the school’s bell ring, indicating that it was time for them to go home. I immediately went toward the door. I kept an eye on each student that came out from the hallway, but there was still no sign of Charlize and Grayson nearby. They were
Rose’s POVI kept a watchful eye as the woman left the grocery store in a hurry. Wilhelm looked like he had seen a ghost while Kathryn shrugged her shoulders and continued walking with the children. My gaze went back to Wilhelm. He looked as if he was in deep thought. “Darling? Is something wrong?” I tried to ask. Wilhelm shook his head in slowly. “I’m...fine.” “You don’t look like it though.”He turned his head to me and sighed. “It’s nothing,” he said, taking my hand as he dragged me to the cashier. He handed me his card and I swiped it over the machine. I took one good look at the woman who nervously stood in line behind a few people, and she was still looking pale and shaken up. I hummed. Something must’ve been wrong about her. Or maybe she knew more about my fiancee than I know myself. Whatever it was, I didn’t have an inkling feeling that it was anything normal. I need to find out more. Once I was done paying for the groceries, I gave Wilhelm back his card. “You can go ahe
Kathryn’s POV“Why are you here, doctor? I thought you were still based in Paris,” I said, out of breath, finding the situation odd now that we’ve come face-to-face again after several years of not being able to see each other. Dr. Parkin stared at me for awhile. Her lower lip quivered as she went back and forth between me and Charlize. “Is—Is that your daughter now?” “Oh, yes. She’s quite big now. Already in her kindergarten,” I smiled. “How are you nowadays?” “Good, I’m good.” “Are you still based in France?” “I wouldn’t be here if I was,” she answered curtly. I awkwardly laugh. “Uhm, yes. That—That actually makes sense! I was thinking that you’re perhaps having a vacation or something.” “I could’ve picked a better place than New York, don’t you agree?” I nodded. “Greece sounds nice.” The doctor smiled. “I’d take it into consideration.” After awhile, Dr. Parkins swallowed hard as she frantically looked around, as if searching for something. “Are you…alone?” My eyebrows sc
Kathryn’s POVWhy was Roland acting this way? He’s usually patient, and he listens very carefully to what I have to say. Now, it felt like he was about to dismiss everything that I needed to say. “That’s not it, Roland! Mrs. Brown believed in my ability, and I just wanted to not disappoint her! I also love my job more than you think,” I frowned. “Not everything is about Wilhelm. I dislike the fact that you, of all people, are associating every decision I make to him.” Roland opened and closed his mouth. He doesn’t look convinced with what I was trying to explain to him. “I’m not too sure about that…” “Not too sure—? Roland, do you even hear yourself?” I moved toward him. “Are we really going to argue over my decision? There are still plenty of capable people that could take on the job that you’re offering to me.” “You don’t understand, Kath,” he sighed. “You’re one in a million. There’s not a single woman in this world that could copy or replace you for that matter.” My eyebrows
Rose’s POVI stared at the door in front of me. “That—That bitch!” I screamed, my nails hurting the skin on my palm as I clenched my fist so hard. “She’s purposefully doing this! She’s trying to steal Wilhelm from me!” Anger rose in my chest as I ran back to the parking lot, nagging at the driver to take me home. While on the road, my phone rang. Annoyed, I still picked it up and placed it over on my ear. “What do you want?” “Hi! I’m the investigator you’ve hired.” I narrowed my eyes. “I paid you like half a million already. You better bring me some good news!” I barked. “Wait for me at my office. I’ll be home in five minutes.” The investigator sighed. “I’ll wait in the villa.” After less than three minutes, my driver was already parking in front of the villa. I practically threw my bag to that scumbag maid named Annie. “Wipe that frown on your ugly face,” I told her. She surprisingly ignored me and walked away with my branded bag that’s worth ten times her salary! Arrogant
Kathryn’s POVThe drive home felt shorter than I had anticipated it to be. We arrived at my place and Wilhelm parked his car right outside our building. I stood up, and was about to open the door, but Wilhelm beat me to it. He stood next to the door, opening it slowly while he took Charlize from me. “Oh, uhm, you didn’t need to do that,” I smiled. “Thank you, Mr. Reinhardt.” I must admit, it was weird calling him with the last name I once possessed when we were still married. Wilhelm remained silent as he softly closed the door behind me. Charlize, on the other hand, was incessant with bringing Grayson over. I was amazed how my daughter managed to speak continuously to Wilhelm until we reached the door to our apartment. It looked as if she wasn’t bored speaking to him at all!“Oh, no! We’re here already,” Charlize pouted. “I still haven’t heard you guys agree to transferring schools and playing with Grayson.” Wilhelm raised an eyebrow as he handed Charlize over. “Kathryn?” Two p
Kathryn’s POVWilhelm’s suggestion left me speechless for several reasons. Why was he doing this? “Mr. Reinhardt, I don’t think this is the place and time to talk about Charlize’s—” “REALLY?” Charlize grinned at him with renewed enthusiasm. “Do you really mean what you said, Mr. Iceberg?!”I gasped. “Charlize!” “Oh, I mean, Mr. Reinhardt! Are you enrolling me in the same school as Grayson?” My daughter giggled. “Sorry about calling you your nickname,” she covered her mouth. “I’m not supposed to say it out loud because it’s my and Grayson’s secret, so please don’t tell him!” Wilhelm, looking taken aback by Charlize’s reaction, scooped her in his arms. “Mr. Iceberg, huh?” My heart stopped beating as I gaped the scene before me. The image of them together had blown me away; it was only now that I have realized that they had a lot of similar features I can no longer deny. They shared the same nose and eye shape, and their smile resembled too much you’d mistake them for twins.I can’
Wilhelm’s POVA few nights ago... “Close the door, James.” “Wil! What are you doing?” Rose called as she hurried to the door, panic stuck in her eyes “Can’t I come in, too? I’m your fiancé, after all.” I clenched my jaw and turned away from her pleading eyes. “Please wait outside, Rose.” She was about to protest when James gently closed the door behind us, giving her no choice.“Tell me all about it,” I said, my voice firm and cold, as I walked to stand in front of him.James took a deep breath before speaking, his gaze shifting to the floor. “I’ve dug enough about the girl.” My heart skipped a beat at the mention of Kathryn’s daughter, Charlize, but I quickly composed. “Go ahead,” I encouraged him to continue, despite having a hint of what he was about to say. “I’m all ears.” James settled in the seat in front of my desk as I poured myself another glass of whiskey and drank it whole in one gulp. I sat behind my desk and waited patiently for him to speak, knowing that whatever it