Nicole's POV
I stared at the sky from my porch, feeling the breeze with my eyes closed. It had been eight years since the most horrific event of my life, but I was still alive.
My life felt more peaceful, especially with the various good things that started coming my way after something else arrived at me and accompanied me all this time. All the hardships I had experienced before felt like a dream, but they never really went away in this life that I thought of as my second time around.
I still vividly remember the terrifying incident I experienced, just like yesterday. I felt goosebumps, not believing how I could get out of those times of suffering, but here I am now. Still breathing and looking at the sky above my head.
Suddenly, I could hear the voice of a boy whispering in my ear with his cute voice. "Mom, what are you thinking about?" I immediately held my chest as a reflex.
"Richard... you surprised mom." I turned my head, looking at the boy I gave birth to already standing next to me. He looked curious and sat down on the steps leading to the veranda. He held my hand, smiling sweetly in apology.
He played with my fingers lightly while looking at me. "Mom has been quiet since earlier. I called you, but mom didn't answer until I whispered in you ear."
"Really? I didn't hear you at all, Richard. I'm sorry...."
I touched my son's cheek, remembering the horrific incident that was still present in my nightmares.
Many people were chasing me, intending to kill me in those dark moments. I ran away and kept running away until I got into an accident with a tough collision. I was in pain and confusion, but somehow, I managed to survive the horrific incident and, a few months later, gave birth to my baby into the world.
Various hardships were ahead of me, but in the end, I got through them all with my son. So did the presence of other people who were exceptionally meritorious and volunteered to be our guardians. If I had been alone, I might not have survived this long.
"I can't wait to carry out our plan, Richard." I smiled, pinching his still, slightly chubby cheeks somewhat anxiously, but the boy's expression was not sullen like children teased by parents usually are.
Richard was a mature child despite being only seven years old. He's a genius and can calm me down just by his presence. I felt that he even had a higher maturity level than me.
"Everything will be fine, Mom. I'm sure." My son smiled confidently, giving me reassurance from his hand pressed against mine on his cheek.
"I know. I believe that we can also go through this plan together like we have been doing." I returned the boy's smile, holding both his hands, which felt soft and warm. "I will be the ghost that comes back from the dead to avenge them."
I was determined. I had already devised a plan to avenge the people who hurt me to be on this path. It took a lot of struggle for me to get here. There were countless misfortunes I had to go through, as well as the fear and despair I felt.
I suffered terror as long as they were after me and were able to get out safely, but I can't forgive the actions of those people who almost took my life and the boy who was still in my womb at the time. I will not forget it until our vengeance is finally avenged.
My son smiled, beaming at the plan I spoke of. I missed the gruesome details because he was still young, but in outline, he knew the plan that had been laid out long ago.
"That's a perfect plan, Mom. I will also come with you to inflict punishment on those who are mean to us."
He looked excited.
"Thank you for supporting me all these years, Richard." I swung his hand gently in my grasp, feeling grateful, but my son suddenly shook his head.
He had a severe frown that should have looked scary, but instead, it made me smile. His mouth drew closer to show the seriousness of his words. "You can't thank me now. Wait until our plan actually goes through and succeeds before you do, okay?"
My son held out his pinky, which I immediately greeted with my pinky. "All right, my son."
We sealed the pinky promise. After we finished, the door of the house suddenly opened, and an old man greeted us. His hair had turned white, and his face showed wrinkles on both sides of his eyes and mouth, but it didn't mask the good looks that remained in his prime, nor did his body still look sturdy.
"What are you guys doing chatting outside? It's getting cold." He said, watching me and my son, who had stood up and was about to approach him.
The boy had already arrived in front of the man and hugged him tightly. He seemed to cheer up whenever the man was around. "Grandpa! I just followed Mom out for a while. I was looking for Mom in the house, but I just found her now, hehe."
"That's right, Dad. I was looking for a breeze because I was bored in the house, but Richard came to keep me company." I explained, coming over to the man who held out two sweaters of different sizes.
He put one of them on my son after giving him a brief hug while I accepted my own thick-knitted sweater. The man gave me a glance and then spoke softly in front of my son and me, who were next to him.
"Still, you shouldn't forget to wear an extra layer of clothing in this weather. I don't want you to get sick." He smoothed Richard's sweater before standing straight again and smiling. The boy asked to be carried, and the man promptly obliged.
I smiled at his treatment of my son, hearing the tone of his words that also sounded stern but contained the care that I only found in him. This man, whom I had considered a father during my second life, was our saviour.
Eight years ago, he reached out to me, who had nothing but my body and a small bag containing a few personal belongings. I was in a hurry and was then involved in an accident. Richard was able to be born safely with his unexpected help.
Edwin Duncan, that man's name. A famous and wealthy businessman who came to me like a miracle. I dropped the Martinez surname from my life and changed it to Duncan, as did my son.
We are now Nicole Duncan and Richard Duncan. Edwin's adopted daughter and grandchildren gave us protection and care for life after the horrific events we experienced, and we were the biggest supporters of our plans.
Nicole's POVI was ready with my makeup and clothes. The reflection of my face in the mirror looked elegant, but I did not forget the stern impression that I also wanted to show myself that I was different from the old me.Back then, I was shy and lacked confidence, affecting my self-confidence. I didn't realize it then, but as time passed in this new life of mine, I changed it so as not to return to the unfortunate fate that I had felt before.After everything I've been through, the change in the way I carry myself now is nothing compared to the line of death I've crossed. I took a breath and let it out, then felt my hand grabbed by my son.My son smiled sweetly. He was also ready and looked handsome in his tailor-made suit. Richard seemed to be more impatient than I. "Come, let's go, Mother.""Yes, my son," I answered and led him into the living room.There, Edwin was already waiting and looking at us intently, making sure nothing was lacking in our appearance with just a glance of
Nicole's POVI held Richard's hand tightly, staring at the simple grave and my name on the tombstone. Key also accompanied us, silently staring at the supposedly empty grave with a cold gaze.I snorted softly, already expecting that they would easily carry out my funeral when my death was uncertain. Looking at the appearance of my grave, the people who took care of my death must have only given a simple order to the cemetery caretaker so that the resting place with my name was maintained.There were no decorations or wreaths, just the grass that naturally grew from the ground rather prominently to mark the existence of one's grave, in addition to the wooden headstone with my name."They must be very happy about my death," I said coldly, but I also felt a mixture of feelings that words could not express when looking at the grave in front of us.Richard sighed. "Mom's grave is too simple. The headstone is made of worn wood, not polished stone like other graves."I also noticed that diff
Nicole's POVWe finally arrived at our home in Mekana City, a place I had left long ago after my past life had been so threatened and unsafe. I left everything behind, but I didn't expect to end up back here in the house Edwin gave me.Richard looked excited next to me, staring at the house in front of us, looking so spacious and magnificent. The garden with the fountain between the entrance and the fence was well-maintained and lovely with its distinctive stone carvings.This place isn't as big as Edwin's house, which has a one-acre yard, but my son can still play freely in the yard just like there. Key explained to Richard and me that there was a small playground in the backyard with a sandbox, slides, and swings."Can I play after this, Mom?" Richard asked after hearing Key's explanation.I nodded, smiling at the look of joy on his face.I smiled as Richard ran in and jumped up and down when a maid greeted us. "Come on, come in, Mom!"There weren't many people around the house, jus
Chris's POV"Get out of my room!" I shooed away Adeline, who was trying to get closer and cling to me on the bed, not caring even though she staggered from my push and had to hold on to the dresser to keep from falling.Adeline was angry, giving me a look of annoyance at my treatment. "Why do you keep doing this to me, Chris? "We're married! Why do we sleep in separate rooms when we've been husband and wife for so long?""I'm not comfortable sleeping with someone else," I said, not looking at Adeline, who was still by the closet and staring at me sharply.That woman is very stubborn about the same issue, not giving up even though I've said this repeatedly. I couldn't understand what Adeline was thinking all this time that she kept insisting on sleeping with me even though I always refused."Oh my God, Chris. I'm your wife!" Adeline was getting desperate. "We've been married for eight years, but in all that time, you've only touched me with lip kisses, never more! And that just once. I
Chris' POVI had breakfast in the dining room, and so did Adeline. The woman sat beside me, eating her food noisily and occasionally glancing at my silence.I wanted to quickly finish my breakfast and return to my room, avoiding any interruptions the woman might have planned."Chris, do you want to be fed? It looks like you're having trouble cutting that steak." Adeline said, coming closer to me, who could easily cut the meat for one bite, unlike that woman's words.I ignored her, knowing she had already planned to bother me again. Usually, she would tease me in a petty way, but maybe she had a little thought to turn it into this.Still, I wanted to eat faster so I could get out of the dining room, but chewing the steak so that it was easier to swallow was a priority for me. I didn't want to digest food that wasn't appropriately consumed and then get sick. I finally tried to be patient.Adeline grabbed my hand that was still holding the dinner knife, pressing down on top of my hand ha
Chris's POVSomeone knocked on my office door before walking in. He seemed to walk hurriedly before approaching my desk and bowing. I didn't look at him but strained my ears to listen to the man's report."I'm sorry, sir. We were unable to reach an agreement with the Duncan family." Nathan said, catching the attention of me, who was working earlier.It's been a few days, and the deal we sent should have been approved soon, like our other business deals. Not only were they late, but they also gave a rejection that I did not expect at all."Proposal?" I asked, confirming the integrity of my secretary's report that I disliked."They've read the proposal and rejected it, sir."Nathan opened the tab and showed me the contents of the email, which was neatly written and structured. In one look, I could tell they were giving me an honest answer with an apparent reason. There was no gap in their rejection, which read subtle but firm."We tried to convince the Duncan Family again by discussing
Nicole's POV"Mommy!"I heard Richard's voice calling me and immediately hugged the boy tightly when he was in front of me.I loosened my hug and asked him. "Where have you been, Richard? I've been looking for you."I checked Richard's condition with my eyes. From head to toe to make sure my son was okay. How worried I was when he disappeared when I only averted my eyes for a moment.The boy held my face gently, looking at me with a stern look that was unlike the usual children. "Mom, don't worry. I was fine during the walk and returned to Mom's side."I looked at Richard's face, which didn't seem frightened but instead unremarkable after walking around alone. I did allow that boy to go wherever he wanted, but he left when Key wasn't with him.I closed my eyes for a moment before opening them again, controlling my feelings before saying something to my brave boy."Although you are able to act very mature, you are actually still a child, Richard. Please remember that for Mom's sake, ok
Nicole's POVInstead of the meeting we didn't get to attend, Richard and I were eating at a restaurant with a VIP room.The room was limited to customers who wanted a private area for their family or themselves, which was perfect for me, who didn't want to be known and felt much more comfortable compared to a public room."How was the upcoming stock meeting, Key?" I asked, looking at Key, sitting across from Richard while my son ate quietly.The man had just cut the meat and was about to feed it to his mouth, but stopped because of my question. He unlocked the cell phone on the table and moved the screen, looking at me as he said."We've prepared everything, Miss. This is the list of shareholders confirmed to be present at the meeting." He handed me the phone.I took it, skimming through each name on the screen, the company name, and the number of shares they held. There was one name that I didn't see even though I had searched all the way to the bottom.I frowned, handing Key's phone