Jessica's POV

“She's right where she deserves to be,” I said, reminiscing the pale look on Reyna's face.

I'd waited so long to get back at her for stealing Jeremy from me.

Jeremy was my groom from the very beginning, I never liked him but my mother convinced me into the arranged marriage because of his status.

I was in love with someone else, but I wanted to keep Jeremy too, cause he had the power and luxury that my lover didn't have.

But Reyna, out of nowhere told Jeremy about my plans. She ruined my chances with Jeremy and also made Daniel break up with me.

The embarrassment I faced from both men stuck with me for so long, that I found it difficult to show my face in public places, afraid that I'd be recognized by someone who had witnessed the drama that day.

After playing the innocent girl, she snatched Jeremy away from me. And I couldn't do anything about it.

I watched both of them play the perfect couple, leaving me to pretend like I was happy with their alliance.

To think my mother even forced me to help Reyna get dressed for her wedding now made my blood boil.

I wouldn't blame her, she wanted the best for me but I couldn't let Daniel go. I loved him yet I lost him eventually.

I was basking in heartbreak and rejection until Jeremy's sudden death. And I seized the opportunity to punish Reyna for the humiliation she caused me.

What better way than get her arrested for his death? Even though I was aware of how everything played out.

Growing up, she claimed to be so smart. So it made me feel giddy seeing that she can't get herself out of this, I was one step ahead for once!

I tied my hair into a ponytail, adjusting my blue top as I stared at myself in the mirror. I applied some light make-up as I prepared myself to go out.

Just then, my phone rang.

I picked it up, my lips turning up as I stared at the caller's ID.

“Hi boss, funny how I was getting dressed to come see you,” I said.

“That’s cute, I can't wait to have you bent over. Anyways, I called to commend your efforts on the job,” a baritone voice came from the other end.

“I couldn't have done without you, you know,” I smiled at myself while staring at my reflection. 

Accusing Reyna of such a crime wouldn't have been possible without the edited evidence and it was all thanks to my accomplice.

“Right. But there's a problem,” My pulse quickened upon hearing that.

I lifted a brow, curios to know what the problem was.

“What's the issue boss?”

“I think she's been released on bail,” He said.

My fingers curled into fists, “What?! How?!”

“Nicholas Hall. She was with him.”

I turned away from the mirror, my body facing the window.

“Has he lost his mind? She's literally been accused of his brother's death and he released her?” I thundered, not knowing how to express the disappointment I was feeling.

“Calm down Jess. I think he's plotting something, we have to act fast.” His voice dripping with urgency.

A slow hum came out of my lips as my jaws clenched, “You're closer to him than I am, you can figure out what he's plotting. In the mean time, I'd find something to do about Reyna.”

“Great. I'll get back to you soon.” And with that, the call got disconnected.

My heart raced as my mind replayed the news I just received.

Why did he release her? He was supposed to be against her like the rest of the family?

Does this mean he doesn't think she did it? Or he has a love interest for her?

“Ugh, this wretched Reyna just knows how to capture the heart of the rich!” I hissed, throwing my fist in the air.

My body trembled, as my intrusive thoughts kicked in.

‘What if he found out about the conspiracy?’

‘Worse, what if he discovered someone in the family was working with me to ruin Reyna?’

I shook my head in a fit to clear the thoughts, there's no way that could have happened. The boss is too smart to be caught this soon.

But now that it has gotten to this, I might as well play another disturbing card.

My lips curled up into a smirk, “So what if she's now with Nicholas? I'll make sure to ruin whatever is going on between the two.”

I wasn't going to stop.

I didn't plan to stop.

Not until I witness Reyna's downfall.

Reyna's POV.

“I will kill you and your child as well!”

My heart pounded heavily in my chest, I struggled to get out of the wooden chair, but I was tied to it.

Heat crawled up my neck as my face broke into a small frown, accompanied by short breaths.

The figure came closer, the silhouette of the figure displaying a knife in hand.

“Please, don't…don't hurt me,” I pleaded, my voice cracking from the endless screaming.

The next thing I heard was a loud cackle, “Your pleas are of no use, I'll make sure you both die!”

As the figure stepped closer, my nose picked on a familiar pumpkin scent.

I couldn't see the figure's face but I recognized that smell.

Beads of sweat rolled down my back as I tried to move back whilst sitting on the chair.

How did she find out about my baby? I never told her anything.

I couldn't let her kill my child, no matter what.

The closer she got, the nervous I became.

My eyes moistened with tears, and they flowed freely as fear gripped my insides.

“Please..Jessica…please, leave my baby out of this feud, I beg of you!” I implored amidst sobs.

She scoffed, “Oh? But isn't your baby the reason Nicholas married you? I want to end your marriage with him. Just like you made me live without love, you'll also live like that!” She spat, her voice dripping with the desire to devour me.

She lifted the knife above her head, her eyes focused on my belly.

My heart pounded heavily against my chest, I wanted to escape but I couldn't.

With a soft growl, she dragged the knife down in direction of my belly.

I screamed my lungs out, hoping it would stop the terror.

My eyes flew open, my chest rising up and down as I breathed heavily.

“It..it was a dream?” I said softly, my eyes scanning my surroundings.

I wasn't in the dark room anymore, I was in my bedroom.

Still overwhelmed by the nightmare, I tried to sit up but my eyes met the gaze of a man by my bed.

“Don't get up,” he ordered, his voice etched with concern.

I laid back down, and he extended a glass of water towards me.

“Here, you will need this.” He said.

I took the glass from him, and he wrapped a hand around me, setting pillows behind my back to help me sit up properly.

“Are you okay?” He asked, his face only an inch away from mine.

I didn't know if it was the way he asked or the way he cared for me, but my heart felt warm by the gesture. I couldn't explain the feeling but it made me feel at peace.

Which was strange.

“Um.. I'm fine,” I said, gulping down the glass of water in a fit to avoid his gaze.

Nicholas released me from his grip, returning back to his sitting position by my bed.

“For how long have you been here?” I asked, handing him the glass.

“Long enough to see you were having a nightmare,” he replied.

“So you watched me while I was asleep?” I asked, unable to suppress the feeling of being cared for.

He fixed his eyes on me, staring sternly.

“This happened by coincidence, I came to get some files from my table. I didn't come to watch you,” he stated, his voice now sounding cold.

I pressed my lips together, wiping away my sweat with my hands.

Nicholas suddenly grabbed my hand, pulling it down.

I lifted a brow, “what are you-”

He wiped my face with a handkerchief, shutting me up with his actions before I could question him.

His hazel eyes looked dreamy up close, it felt like the more I stared, the more I lost myself.

They reminded me of how Jeremy's crystal eyes.

As soon as he was done, he rose up from the bed.

“I dropped you a dress, I'm attending an event and you're coming with me.” He declared while pacing towards the door.

My lips parted but no words came out. I watched him leave while I wondered how he could be so distant yet act so caring.

****************

“I wonder how you manage to capture my sons!” My mother in law hissed as I walked down the stairs with Nicholas.

“Mother please, she hasn't captured anyone,” Nicholas replied, tightening his hands around me.

His touch felt safe, I couldn't tell why. He was my husband's brother so I shouldn't feel this way yet I felt it.

“She hasn't captured you yet you have your arms wrapped around her? You're even planning to go out without her! Don't you know this will taint the family's image? The people can't accept this kind of relationship!” My mother in law cried out, her voice thickening with disgust.

“Well, she's mine now so the people would have to come to terms with it.” Nicholas replied.

Hearing him say that made me feel good, I wish he meant what he said but I knew this was nothing more than a charade, like he had said.

Following his reply, my mother-in-law kept complaining but her words fell on deaf ears as Nicholas walked out of the mansion with me.

We uttered nothing to each other throughout the drive, and he kept his distance from me in the vehicle.

I occasionally stared at him, but he never spared a glance in my direction.

We soon arrived at a large hall, with golden lights flickering around the exterior.

“Don't say too much. Just follow my lead,” Nicholas said, before plopping out of the car.

My eyes trailed his figure as he turned around the car, opening the door for me.

I stepped out of the car, nervous and anxious, I could barely keep a smile on my face seeing the eyes of the media boring into me.

Nicholas wrapped his arms around me, whispering into my ears.

“I'm here for you. Stay calm,” his words eased out my anxiety and I sighed deeply.

As we walked down the red carpets, flickers of light from the cameras almost took my eyes out.

I had expected to be surrounded by a mob of paparazzi but I soon realized that Nicholas had his bodyguards keep us away from such drama.

The interior of the hall was beautiful, a crystal chandelier hung at the center of the room. The atmosphere screamed luxury and elegance.

A man clad in a green suit soon spotted Nicholas and I, he approached with a small smile.

“So glad you made it!” The man said, shaking hands with Nicholas.

His gaze darted towards me, “Isn't she your brother's wife?”

His question ignited the anxiety inside me, I lowered my head in a fit to avoid the gaze of the people around.

In that moment, I felt my stomach twisting into hard knots.

I couldn't explain if it was the anxiety or this was something more serious.

“How's the project?” Nicholas asked, ignoring the man's question.

“Oh it's great. I've been expecting your part of the project but it seems you've been having fun..” I heard the man say, and I felt embarrassed.

My shoulders slumped in Nicholas’ arms as I bit my lips nervously, the knotty feeling increasing.

“Be careful, Mr Brown.” Nicholas warned, releasing me from his grip as he stepped closer to the man.

My arms wrapped around my stomach as I crouched in pain.

I couldn't explain what I was feeling, it felt like I was being drained from the inside.

“Nicholas,” I managed to breathe, as I held my stomach tighter.

My head started feeling heavy, my heart beat slowing down.

I found myself falling to the floor, but Nicholas grabbed me just in time.

He picked me up, his gaze glistening with affection as he stared.

Before my eyes snapped shut, I saw him press his lips against my forehead as he whispered for me to be calm.

Why was he this affectionate if he claimed this was only a charade?

Nicholas POV

The news of our marriage spread like wild fire in the city, and it made me worried about Reyna.

She was the one who got fingers pointed at her the most, but I did my best to curb the situation.

However, as absurd as it sounded, I found myself struggling between the lines of protection and attraction.

On the one hand, I didn't believe she was the murderer but I couldn't trust her either, hence the reason to protect her so I could find out the truth.

On the other hand, her softness drew me in like a spell, causing me to be affectionate even when I didn't want to.

But in as much as I expressed more protection than I should, I reminded myself that she was my brother's wife.

My duty was to protect the child in her womb, nothing more, nothing less.

I returned my gaze to my laptop, realizing I had zoned out while at work again.

“Damnit,” I grumbled as I resumed typing for my presentation.

This was the third zone out since I started this project. I kept thinking about ways to make Reyna feel safe, even when there was no need to worry.

This wasn't good.

It was getting more risky for me by the day.

As my fingers moved swiftly over the keyboard, I heard a knock on the door.

“Come in,” I said,my gaze remaining on the laptop.

“Sir, you got a package.” I heard my personal assistant say.

My brows twitched, I wasn't expecting any package from anyone.

“Who's it from?” I inquired, leaning back on my executive chair.

Jake lifted the brown package closer to his eye, “There's no name on it sir. I think the gifter is anonymous.”

“Hmm, let me see it.” I stretched my hand over my table, collecting the package from him.

Jake exited the office immediately after delivering the package.

I tore the small box open, and the first thing I found was a note.

It read;

“You shouldn't have saved her. She's a worthless woman who's pinning her child on your dead brother.”

My brows furrowed, what the hell was this?

I dropped the note on the table, my fingers running through the inside of the box.

My breath caught at my throat as my eyes landed on pictures of Reyna in bed with another man.

As much as I hated to accept it, I couldn't argue with the photos in my hand.

So Reyna was truly a gold digger who wanted to take advantage of the family's wealth?

I hated that I had to accept that she was never good enough for the family.

The pictures in my hands, raised so many questions about her, especially about the child in her womb.

If this was real, it meant she was carrying someone else's child.

I needed answers to the questions running through my mind, answers that only Reyna could provide.

Fueled by the rage flowing through my veins, I rose up, charging for the door.

All through the drive, I couldn't stop thinking about how I had protected her, how I cared for her while thinking she had been wronged and needed to prove her innocence.

The thought of going against my mother for Reyna now made my blood boil.

I arrived home ten minutes earlier than the usual twenty minutes, due to the speed I used to drive.

I dashed up the stairs, headed for my bedroom.

My lips curled downwards as I stared at Reyna who was drying her hair in front of the mirror. Her big blue eyes glistened with peace but all I saw was a disgusting woman!

“Whose child are you carrying?” I asked immediately, unable to contain my curiosity any longer.

She spun around with a puzzled look, “I'm sorry what?”

Irritated by her reaction, I threw the pictures at her.

“Look at those! Answer me, whose child is this?!” I thundered.

I watched her expression go from confused to shocked. She found it difficult to raise her head and that act alone, made me feel so betrayed.

As much as I wanted to think of this as a lie, her actions gave me more reasons to believe. She stared at the pictures with dropped jaws, like she hadn't expected it to get to me.

“You were cheating on Jeremy while he was alive?” I asked, not wanting to believe she'd do something like that.

Believing she didn't kill Jeremy was now strange as it all started making sense. She was probably having an affair with Jeremy and when he found out, she murdered him, hence her arrest.

But I was so deluded with the idea that she was madly in love with my brother. Pathetic.

“No, I didn't cheat.” Her voice came, soft and trembling.

“Then tell me whose child this is!” I demanded, slamming the flower vase by the door on the ground.

The next words that came out of her mouth, shook me to my spine.