MasukNichole’s POVI had barely slept that night.Every sound made me scared. I could only stay up and think about the message on my phone..“Stay safe. They’re watching you.”I sat on the bed, as I held the coffee mug, staring at the floor.Claire was awake, but still under the blanket.The apartment felt… wrong.I just felt like something bad had happened.I tried to forget it, but deep down, I knew better.Something had changed.The morning was quiet until I heard the sound of my front door.My heart dropped.That sound shouldn’t be there.I froze, listening.Another click, it was the doorknobMy heart was pounding.I put the mug down, and walked slowly toward the door.My fingers were on the lock.No… no, it can’t be.I pushed the door open slowly.The apartment was empty.Not a trace of anyone was inside, not even footprints.But the door itself had been broken, small scratches."Claire!!" I screamed."What is it?" Claire responded softly."We've been robbed...someone broke into the
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,
Nichole’s POVThe rain continued that night.Claire went to bed early, so it was just me and my thoughts in the living room that night.The test results were still on the table.Positive.I took the paper and read it again, and again and again.And it was still the same thing.There was no denying it.I was carrying life inside me, though all I felt inside was confusion and fear."Who are you?" I whispered, touching my stomach. "And who is your father?"But of course there was no answer.I stood up and went to the window.I could almost not recognise myself.I had dry skin, my eyes were tired.And even now I still had no idea what I was doing.“Just give me time,” I whispered. “Please, just a little more time.”***********The next morning, Claire woke up before me and made coffee.She was singing when I walked into the kitchen.“You didn’t sleep much, did you?” she asked, before she handed me the cup of coffee.“Couldn’t.” I said as I took it from her.“Nichole." She paused. "You d
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
The rain had continued to fall.It should have made me calm, but the only thing it did was scare me even more.I sat on the coach, holding the test result like a secret.Claire walked in, with two cups of tea in her hands, as she studied me. "Nichole just tell what you're staring at, you've been looking at that paper for a while now."I stared at the floor.I couldn't look her in the eye.My hands were shaking as I finally managed to speak. “I’m pregnant.”Her eyes widened.The mug almost fell from her hand. “Wait...what?”I nodded.I could hardly see as tears filled my eyesClaire put the mugs down and sat beside me. “Nichole… how long have you known?”“I found out yesterday. At my grandfather’s party.” I sighed. "It’s like life is just out to get me, isn't it? One disaster after another.”She reached for my hand. “Does Daniel know?”I froze.Hearing his name brought back memories I didn't want to remember. “No,” I whispered. “And I don’t know if he ever should.”Claire frowned. “Y
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







