All Chapters of The CEO's Stepdaughter: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Niccola FairchildToday is the day I have been dreading for weeks now. Today is the day I am going to watch my mother marry the man I have fallen for. As I look in the mirror, I feel my stomach turn, and I shake my head lightly, trying to stop the tears from rolling down my cheeks. Cole stopped all contact a while ago, and I lost all hope as no one stopped the wedding arrangements. He lied to me. He told me he would end this. He said he would make it stop, he would end the wedding, he would be with me.“Hey,” Steph says, appearing behind me and wrapping her arms over my shoulders, hugging me tightly. “It’s going to be okay, you don’t have to be there, you know, you’re a grown ass woman, you’re independent, and I can deal with this,” she adds, and I shake my head. “I am not allowing my mother to belittle me anymore. I am done. She always wins; she takes everything she wants without worrying about anyone else. So I will be there and I will have a smile on my face and I will do my job,”

Niccola Fairchild“I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride,” I hear, and I keep my eyes on the floor. I can’t watch Cole kiss my mother. Everyone starts cheering, and I close my eyes slightly. My heart is broken, and I feel like my head is spinning out of control. I realise people are moving, but I stand still. I stay where I am, unable to move. Slowly, I bend and keep my head between my hands as my elbows rest on my knees. I try to control my breathing, but I fail miserably. Getting myself together, I walk into the ballroom where my mother and Cole are dancing some soppy slow song, and I watch as she moves her hand up and down his back while he keeps his hands on her waist. I feel like my stomach has just dropped as I walk around the room, watching everyone watching the couple.“They look so good together,” I hear a woman say, and I can’t help but scoff, and when her eyes meet mine, I offer her a fake smile and walk away towards the bar. I know drinking might no

Niccola FairchildThe way his voice affects my entire body is something that should be studied. Without another word, I nod and sit next to Cole. I placed both my hands on my legs, trying to keep them steady as my heart jumped in my chest, almost giving me a heart attack. As soon as everyone is seated, the food is served, and I keep my head down and my eyes on my plate. Opposite what I thought, I am not hungry, and the fact that food is being put in front of me is making me feel nauseous. Between courses, I feel Cole’s hand on my knees, and I shake my head, trying to move his hand, but his grip tightens, and I notice my mother is in the middle of the room talking to someone, and I dare look at Cole, who is staring at me. “Who the fuck is that guy?” Cole finally asks. His voice is low to avoid people hearing, and I frown and shake my head slightly. “Were you sleeping with him while we…” he says, but stops talking, and I can’t help but laugh lightly. “Asks the guy that has been screw

Cole Sutcliffe“I’m fine,” I let out through gritted teeth as the paramedic kept checking me.“My wife,” I let out. It’s the first time I have called Monica my wife, but the guilt is eating me inside right now. Monica got into the car with me as we were mid-argument. She was supposed to go home in a different car, and because of me… she is here… on the cold floor, looking lifeless. “I can’t believe you are still sleeping with Niccola,” Monica shouted at me, just as I heard tires squealing, and everything went dark before I had a chance to tell her I am not. I haven’t seen Niccola or touched her in days. Days that feel more like years. Not being allowed to touch her is the hardest thing I have ever endured. “The other team is seeing her,” the paramedic replies as he puts pressure on my head, and I flinch in pain. “You need to have your head checked,” he tells me, but I ignore his words as the stretcher with Monica passes next to me. A paramedic is straddling her as they perform CPR.

Niccola FairchildAs the elevator's door opens, I see Cole standing in front of me. His hands are in his pants pockets, his hair is longer and messy, falling in front of his eyes. He immediately moves my way, and I take a step back, and he stops. I have never seen him looking so casual, and then I notice the sweat dripping down his face, down his neck, and I inhale sharply. His eyes meet mine, and I can see nothing in them, no emotions, nothing. He is like a blank canvas. I tighten my grip on my suitcase and pull it out of the elevator, standing in front of a heavily breathing Cole. His nostrils flare for a split second, but then he goes back to being his old self. “This way,” he says, turning his back and walking deeper into the penthouse. I follow him, glancing around. The floor is dark wood, and then I notice his bare feet as he walks in front of me. His muscles are all tense as he walks. Cole stops walking and looks at my suitcase and then back at me. “May I?” he asks, and I nod