The billionaire’s obsession

Nichole’s POVThe hospital corridor smelled like antiseptic and sorrow. I adjusted the strap of my bag on my shoulder and my discharge papers creased in one hand and my dignity was barely clinging to the other.I didn't cry yet, maybe not because my heart was bleeding. I had laid in a cold white bed overnight, staring at the pale ceiling tiles, waiting for someone to walk through that door.Daniel didn’t come.My mom didn’t call.Neither did Dad.The silence was louder than any heart monitor.Claire had sent me a message around midnight, asking how I was. She would’ve been here in a heartbeat if I told her where I was, but I lied. Told her I was tired and would check in tomorrow. I didn’t want to seem pitiful. Not again.Now, as I stood in front of the apartment Daniel and I shared, I realized how foreign it suddenly felt. Like a place I no longer belonged.The moment I reached for the knob, my phone rang.Claire.I picked up quickly. “Claire?”“Nichole! Where are you?” Her voice was

Nichole’s POVAll eyes turned to me.Gasps, shifting chairs, awkward glances. It was as if I had slapped the entire table across the face just by showing up. Daniel's gaze landed on me with pure venom, his jaw tightening as he stood up."What is the meaning of this, Nichole? Are you stalking me now?" he barked, not caring about the hush that fell over the room. "Is it not enough that I have to deal with your clingy presence at home? Now I have to endure your insecurity following me in public too?"I felt the burn creep up my neck. My fists clenched at my sides. He was turning the whole thing around on me, again. Gaslighting me in front of a crowd.No.Not tonight.I marched up to the table, my heels clicking like gunshots. I didn’t hesitate. My palm connected with his cheek in a slap that rang through the air like a gavel.He stumbled back a step, eyes wide with disbelief."Nichole?! Are you crazy?!" he growled, his hand going to his stinging face."Do it again, and you’ll regret it,"

Nichole's Pov I took another taxi and went to the apartment I shared with Daniel.I did not want anything that would remind me of any of them so I first removed myself from the family group chat and any other group chat I was in together with them and Daniel.Then I arranged my things and walked out of the house. The house was my own because Daniel rarely spent time there because he was always going on business trips but now I know those business trips were Lila.I took one last look at the house, took a cab and went to Claire's place."I'm sorry I would have to inconvenience you for a while till I find my footing," I told Claire."What nonsense, you can never inconvenience me okay, so you can stay here for as long as you want," Claire said.I was grateful that I had a place to lay my head. Since I was still on sick leave at work, I was not going to the office for the next two weeks so I had time to recollect my thoughts.It was Saturday so I didn't have anything to do. I decided to

Nichole’s POVThat damn dream came again.I was standing in a white dress but when I looked down, it had red stains.Around me I could only hear whispers and laughter.And then, somewhere in all of this I heard Daniel’s voice.Calm. Cruel.“Did you really think you were enough?”I tried to run to him, but I couldn't.I couldn't move.My chest ached, and for a moment, I didn’t know where I was.Claire’s apartment.Safe.Maybe.I stood up and went to the bathroom..I didn't even recognize who I saw in the mirror.This wasn’t who I was.The woman in the mirror was someone else, someone trying to rebuild herself while pretending not to notice that it all just keeps falling back apart.I put some water in my mouth, and poured cold water on my face, and stood there until I stopped shaking.When I stepped back into the room, Claire was standing there.Somehow, she always knew.She leaned on the door, as she folded her arms. “Rough night?”I nodded.“The same dream. He’s always there.”She

Nichole’s POVAfter looking for jobs for a week, I finally started working at Claire’s office. Many people stated they couldn't employ me because of "personal reasons", but even I knew it was because I was Daniel Lancaster ex-fiancée.So this was the only thing left.I arrived at the office earlier than usual, hoping I would be able to focus.It didn’t.The moment I sat behind my desk, my thoughts went in all directions.I tried to bury myself in spreadsheets, emails, anything that didn’t involve Alexander Lancaster’s face.But it was useless.Every time I got lost in thought, I could only think of him again.The way he stood between me and Daniel at that party replayed in my mind like a scene I couldn’t stop watching.And the worst part?My heart still pounded when I thought of it.“Coffee?” Claire’s voice interrupted my thoughts.She stood by my desk, holding two cups.“Please.” I took one.She leaned closer. “You didn’t sleep again, did you?”“Barely,” I admitted.“You need rest,