Elise's POV. I was so stunned and shaken by her words. I knew that Nicola was cunning and wicked, but this was extreme. 'Nicola, don't do this to me,' I pleaded, my voice breaking in pain. 'I've done what you asked me to do and all that is left is for me to disappear with my daughter. I have fulfilled my part of the deal, now do yours,' I insisted, hoping that she would stop her craziness. 'Nicola, I beg you to not punish me this way.' I implored, tears streaming down my cheeks. 'It's so nice to hear you beg and not act all high and mighty. I wish I could see those tears flowing down your cheeks, it would have been the most delightful scene ever,' Nicola uttered, heartlessly. 'When you first got involved with Damien, I didn't see you as a threat. I thought that he wouldn't feel something for a naive girl like you, but then he started having an interest in you…' 'Then he began helping you and you both started a little romance. It was cute but not to me! I was angered by the thou

Damien's POV. "What have you been hiding?" I asked, staring intensely at her."Damien, I have a..."The doorbell suddenly rang, interrupting her words. The servant rushed to the door and when she opened it, a man slightly pushed her out of his way and entered."Annabel, what is he doing here?" the man asked, walking closer to us.He seemed to be in the same age group as me, his physique was average and with the tone of his voice, I already knew his identity."It's that Roman guy, right?" I asked Elise.Elise slowly nodded and faced him."What are you doing here?""What kind of a question is that? I'm here to support the woman I harbor feelings for and despite your constant rejections, I will always be here for you," Roman said, stepping closer to her."Hold it right there," I shunned him. "Can't you see that I'm already here with her? Does it look like she needs any more support?"Roman looked at me with pure disdain in his eyes."Aren't you the one who ruined her life? If you hadn't

Damien's POV. "Why do you look so surprised? Did you think that I would never find her?" My Dad asked, letting out another wicked laugh. "Your men might work for you but there's nothing they do that isn't reported to me," "Dad, tell your men to leave Elise alone!" I raised my voice, furiously. "Why should I do that? Why won't I punish her for her evil deeds?" My dad thundered. "But my name has been cleared and things are getting back to normal. I'm recovering all my losses and I think she's the one that sent that evidence of Nicola's treachery to me. She discovered her mistakes and she rectified them, doesn't that count as well," I reminded him. "No, it doesn't count. She would have done the right thing from the beginning, which was to stay away from you. She almost sent you to jail without any remorse, so I'm going to send her to a land of no return, without feeling an iota of remorse either," I had never seen my father looking this angry before and once he was hotheaded, it wa

Elise's POV. No one was going to come to my aid, especially not Damien. He hadn't answered any of my calls in days and it seemed like he had completely forsaken me.It was time for me to rise again like I was once I did. I went from rags to riches but now, I am going to survive.I gathered all the strength I could and stood to my feet. I resumed running and I got further away from the reporters.I finally reached my gate and I stormed into it. I locked the gate and had my guards looking at me like I had gone crazy."Miss Annabel, are you okay?" one of them asked.I sort of regretted going out without them but I simply wanted some time alone without anyone disturbing my peace or coercing me to do one lively activity or the other."I'm not okay," I responded, panting. "I want you to keep an eye on this gate. Don't let any of those insane reporters into my house. And if they try to do anything unreasonable, I want you to deal with them accordingly," I instructed and received nods from t

Elise's POV. "My parents?" I gasped in shock.I haven't seen my so-called parents since the day they threw me out of the house without thinking twice. Why would they suddenly appear out of nowhere? Were they here to ask for my forgiveness?"Ma'am, should I tell them to leave?" Adaline asked.I should have said yes because they had disowned me so heartlessly and didn't deserve to see me, but on second thought I wanted to see them as well."You can let them in, just tell them to wait in the sitting room. I will be down in a few minutes," I instructed and received a nod from her."Mommy," Natalie sniffed."Yes baby," I answered and looked down at her."Are my grandparents here?" Natalie asked, clearing her throat a little."Yes, they are here but they are not on good terms with me. I also don't want them to know about you, just stay here while I see them," I said and kissed her forehead."I love you," I whispered and laid her gently on the bed."I love you too, Mommy," Natalie muttered.