Chapter 1
Chiara Baker and Landon Baker submitted their divorce petition to the Bureau of Civil Affairs. When Chiara found out that Landon's affair was with Felicity Mitchell, the lady who had worked as a maid in their manor in the past, she became enraged. Chiara believed that Felicity was the one who caused Landon to divorce her.
"Your mistress was the woman who used to be our maid, Landon, and you even picked her above us—your family?" she asked. "Your mistress was the woman who used to be our maid!." Chiara yelled as the wrath that she felt began to boil over.
Chiara could not have foreseen the arrival of this day. Even though Landon had had extramarital affairs in the past, he has never considered divorcing his wife for their daughter, Addison. On the other hand, the sight of Felicity carrying on an affair with her ex-husband, which she had witnessed, infuriated her.
"I'm sorry, Madam." As Felicity knelt before Chiara, she learned the art of fake tears, pursed her lips, and behaved as if she were as gentle as a lamb. This attracted the attention of the throng within the building, which enabled her to win the sympathy of those present.
"You are in no way required to apologize for what happened. It was entirely up to me to decide." Landon Baker remarked in a monotone. He cradled Felicity in his arms while holding her porcelain hand, and he even helped the lady stand up as he was holding her.
"Mom!" After hastily rushing over to comfort Chiara, who was sobbing, Addison turned her attention to her father. When Addison discovered the woman's identity being held by her father, she was taken aback.
"F-Felicity? I'm confused; what exactly does this mean? You are the mistress of my father, right?" It was a blurt forth by Addison. She was able to sense the activity of the nerves in her system.
Addison looked startled toward her father, but Landon Baker quickly diverted his gaze. She fought back the want to chuckle at how ludicrous the circumstance was. Felicity had been their maid in the past, and after that, with Addison's assistance, Landon paid for Felicity's university degree until she became her father's secretary at their firm. Felicity was like a sister to her; they had a close relationship.
"Let's go." Landon Baker did not feel any remorse about turning their backs. He gave the impression that he was telling Addison and her mother that he did not feel guilty because he had destroyed their family.
Addison was utterly perplexed and at a loss for words. When she turned around to follow them, Chiara grabbed her hand. Even though Chiara's eyes were begging her daughter not to, Addison couldn't help but wonder why her father had done this to them. Is it possible that Landon Baker abandoned his family in favor of a lady and chose to ignore their needs? What about her mother, for that matter? She was pretty excited to hear the responses that he had to provide.
"Please... don't," Chiara begged him not to do. When it came to Addison, there was no mistaking how fragile her mother was. The strain in Chiara's eyes was obvious, and she was on the edge of having an eye injury. As Addison wrapped her arms around her mother, her throat began closing.
"Not at all, Mom; I was just curious about everything. He can't abandon us in this predicament! I ask that you kindly wait for me in the car. You know I won't cause any trouble, okay?" The confidence of Addison made Chiara nod softly. Addison kissed her mother on the forehead before leaving her and headed outside the Civil Affairs Bureau, where she spotted the two approaching Landon's car from a distance.
Felicity was about to hop inside the car when Addison called her. "Felicity!" Addison masked her face as she ran in her direction. "Can we talk?" Addison asked.
Felicity peeked at Landon inside the car. She gestured to Landon that she would talk with Addison and would just grab a cab on her way home.
The two had a conversation inside a café nearby. As Addison and Felicity sat down in their seats, Addison remarked without hesitation, "We have been sisters Felicity. My mom and I treated you like a family. So, why? Why did you let my parents divorce? And you? All of the people, why did you become my father's mistress?"
Felicity burst into tears with her refined scripts as she lowered her head. "I'm sorry, Addison, I-I just love your father… I attempted to persuade him not to divorce your mother, but his choice was final, and I couldn't intervene..."
"I'm not convinced, Felicity. Previously, you simply treated him as a father. Tell me the truth, and do the right thing, I beg you. You know how much my mother loves my father, don't you? We had seen it back then. So, please...leave my father." As she grasped Felicity's hand across the table, Addison implored, her voice tinted with desperation.
"I-I can't because I'm carrying his child," Felicity said feebly. "I am carrying your father's child, Addison."
Addison was in awe, as if cold water had been spilled on her. Upon hearing such words from the woman she treated like a sister, she had never expected that Landon Baker would reverse his promises that he would make them the happiest girls in his life with a finger crossed before. And now he abandoned them, chose his mistress, and impregnated her.
"I-I'm sorry." Felicity took her bag and put her payment on the table as she left Addison with her wicked smile.
On the other side, Chiara gripped the phone tighter as she heard the conversation between Felicity and Addison on the other line. Earlier, there was an unknown number that called her. She was hesitant at first, but later on, she accepted it. Her heart was ripped into shreds as she heard the conversation between the two.
Chiara endured all the years that Landon had different affairs because she loved him so much. She dedicated her soul, love, and body to him and gave him a daughter. They were a perfect picture of a family until everything changed. Knowing that Felicity was the sole reason he divorced her and was pregnant with his child, she couldn't bear the pain anymore.
When Chiara spotted Addison outside, the woman instantly brushed away her tears. "Mom, have you waited? I apologize. I had a conversation with a friend." Addison chirped merrily, trying to mask her voice's trembling pitch.
Chiara smiled. She knew that Addison was lying because Chiara had heard everything. "No, it's alright, Sweetie."
When they returned to their condo unit, Addison informed her mother that she was going out to purchase food for them. Before leaving, Addison threw their family photo in the trash bin without Chiara's awareness.
She used to love staring at the perfect photo of her family. But now, her heart sank every time she gazed at the picture. Her anger was fueled by thinking about how her mother suffered in her father's arms. She once had a copy of their image but ripped it, just like how her father destroyed their family.
As the door closed, Chiara's tears ran down her cheeks. She cried harder while trying to keep her voice quiet as if a sharp agony had pierced her heart. She stormed into the kitchen and looked for the medicine box.
With a trembling hand, She scooped sleeping pills into her palms and swallowed them all at once. Her eyes had gotten drowsy. Landon had assured her he would build the world with her and love her forever. After all, his white lie was a broken vow.
They used to be living in love and peace. Unfortunately, It all started when Landon began seeing another lady, and it grew worse when Felicity Mitchell entered their lives. Chiara walked outdoors, driven by anguish, till she found herself on the building's rooftop, her feet on the verge of death, but she didn't care. She wished the agony would go away.
Meanwhile, Addison ran through the long alley of the hospital. After buying food outside, she received a message from one of their neighbors that her mother was hospitalized, which made Addison breathless and worried. When Addison reached the hospital room, Chiara—Addison's mother, was lying on the hospital bed.
Then, Addison felt a lump in her throat as she dashed toward her mother. "Excuse me, are you a relative of the patient?" A doctor asked as he set foot inside and a nurse beside him.
Trying to calm her nerves, Addison held her mother's hand as she breathed and responded, "Yes, I am her daughter. How's my mother?"
"Your mother was found unconscious on the ground and was rushed here. Her left leg was fractured, so walking in the meantime would be hard for her. Furthermore, the test results showed that her suicide attempt was driven by too much intake of sleeping pills, which affected her emotion of jumping off the building. It's good that she was admitted right away because sleeping pills can't merely slow down the consumer's body functions and heart rate. It can potentially induce respiratory failure or death in the worst-case situation. Mrs. Davis, on the other hand, seemed to be aware of it." After explaining why Addison's mother was hospitalized, the doctor and the nurse excused themselves.
Addison finally understood why her mother was lying on the hospital bed. Her mother tried to kill herself by drinking a lot of sleeping pills, and her breakdown drove her to jump off the building. Addison smiled feebly while staring at her mother's frail state, thinking she would be left alone if her mother wasn't admitted to the hospital immediately.
While Addison was outside, she asked the nurse to look for her mother. Addison wanted time to unwind, thinking about how her life had turned upside down.
Minutes later, she found herself inside a local bar. She continued to bury herself in booze. She wanted to forget the pain, everything.
"Baby? Pregnant? So, what about us? You deserted us." She muttered as she drank another shot of Martini. She swallowed the booze straight, ignorant of its bitter taste.
Then, Addison pondered her mother's condition and how her family had been wrecked. After the divorce of her parents, Felicity was pregnant with her father's child, and her mother attempted suicide. Her life has fallen awry, and she doesn't know what to do anymore. Addison would no longer let her mother's misery in Landon Baker's arms. Her mother doesn't need anyone but her. She will restore the smile that her mother lost because of her blinded love.
She sat in the hidden part of the place and drank until she was tipsy. Someone sat beside her in the middle of her thoughts, but Addison didn't care. She just wanted to drink away the pain in her heart.
"The last time I saw you, you cried while asking me to cut our ties. And now, those beautiful eyes I once loved to gaze at swelled with tears again. Why are you drinking alone in the dark, my lady?"
Addison sighed as she turned to the right and saw the man she hadn't heard from or seen in years. He was looking at her with steel blue eyes that drowned the depth of her soul. She averted his stares when she realized they had met again during her messed-up dilemma, making her cheeks flush into the color of a rotten tomato.
A deafening silence reigned between them until he spoke again, which made her heart skip a beat for the second time. "It's nice seeing you again, Addison." As he looked at her, his eyes glistened.
Addison traces her chest to feel her heartbeat, how playful fate is for reviving the same
Chapter 2
They say that second chances at love are better in every way.
Two longtime friends who had feelings for each other in the past went their own ways to satisfy each other's needs, and now they find themselves back together.
In fact, the only thing that can satisfy a heart's desire is completing oneself.
As Gideon cast a peek in Addison's direction, he masked the feeling he had been suppressing.
He desired to wrap his arms around the woman and keep her to himself.
As Addison took a quick glimpse at the man and said, "Gideon?" her jaw fell in shock at the unexpected revelation.
She narrowed her eyes to ensure that her brain wasn't playing tricks on her because she hadn't heard anything about the man since they parted ways. She repeatedly blinked to ensure her eyes weren't playing tricks on her.
When Gideon laughed, Addison was startled and immediately returned to the present.
She reflected on how much she cared for the man sitting beside her.
Her heart continued to race at the same rate, and she knew that the only person who could make her feel this way was Gideon Harris, the boy she had loved initially as a teenager.
-FLASHBACK-
"Are you serious? Me? You wanted to go on a date with me?" Addison scowled and pointed at Gideon, who was grinning to himself.
"Come on, Addison, do I look like I'm going to spout some kind words in your direction? I really mean this. I will continue to pursue our relationship despite your refusal. Gideon whispered something under his breath as he moved closer to Addison. Each time Gideon took a step closer, Addison retreated until she was close enough to the library shelf to feel the texture of the thick books.
As Addison felt a flutter in her tummy, which caused her to become short of breath, she averted her sight.
Addison was the only close friend that Gideon Harris had in college, and up until this point, Addison had no idea how the two of them first became friends. Gideon Harris had a reputation on campus for being a playboy.
After getting to know Gideon, Addison realized he was good-natured. On the surface, he may appear cruel and naive, but deep down, he is caring, ambitious, and twisted. To earn the man's trust, all that was required was for another person to comprehend his emotions.
When Addison is around, Gideon can relax and enjoy the peace that comes with her presence. He fell even further in love with her as he learned more about her feminism and passion. In addition, he had a sense of liberation and transformed into his authentic self. The woman never gave any indication that she was repulsed. Consequently, she will laugh and talk about the things that have happened to her in her life.
It was clear to Addison that she felt the same way about Gideon. On the other hand, Landon Baker put a lot of faith in her. While still in school, she couldn't afford to put her feelings first. She had high aspirations of becoming a physician and didn't want her parents to be disappointed in her.
At first, Addison was hesitant to spend more time with Gideon; however, as they spent more time together, Addison realized that Gideon had changed; he was no longer a playboy, and he always put her ahead of anything else in his priorities. This made Addison realize that she should spend more time with Gideon. They would get together, hang out occasionally, and make trips together.
Addison was under the impression that nothing would change. Her academic performance suffered as a result, and she put the responsibility on herself for spending so much time with Gideon. Therefore, she made a choice even though it went against her instincts. Addison went looking for Gideon to talk to him about her predicament, and she requested him to allow her some space so that she could improve her failing grades.
When Addison finally caught a glimpse of the man she had been searching for, she was taken aback. When she saw Gideon smiling with another woman in the hallway as if they were the only people there, her heart broke into a thousand pieces.
"What exactly do you anticipate from him?" Men are nothing but filth, plain and simple. Addison thought Gideon was a playboy, exactly like her father, who had many different mistresses. She swore that her heart would never be in danger again. She let out a bitter laugh before turning and walking away with her heart broken.
Since then, Addison has been avoiding Gideon, which frustrates him. Gideon had no idea what could have caused Addison to behave antagonistically toward him.
"I don't understand. Why are you trying to get away from me in this way, Addison? Everything was normal between us the last time we chatted, but after that, you started avoiding me like the plague!" Each drop of rain causes Addison's body to become increasingly chilly.
Both of them were saturated thanks to the relentless rain that had been falling. Addison immediately drew attention to Gideon, and she clenched her palm. "Let's stop talking to each other," she said. She whispered the words while shaking. As he stood up, Gideon's eyes were extremely wide. "W-what? Why? Have I spoken or done something to make you angry?" Gideon asked. He endeavored to attract the attention of the woman.
"I was doing so poorly in school... that was it." She said something and then bowed her head. As tears began forming in Addison's eyes, the only thing she could see was the grass on the field.
"Hold on," Gideon inhaled deeply, "You can get up to speed. I'll give you time. While you are studying at the library, I shall maintain my composure. I promise—"
"That's not the point at all, Gideon! I really didn't want to continue having this kind of connection with you! You are causing me to become distracted. Gideon, I cannot rely on you in any way. I desired to devote my attention solely to myself while I pursued my goals." When Addison saw the agony in Gideon's eyes after she had said it, she immediately wished that she could take back what she had said as soon as it had left her mouth.
She wanted to shout that it was all a misunderstanding, that she was motivated by jealousy, and that her situation was complicated, but she knew that once she said it, she couldn't take it back.
He bowed his head and let out a booming breath in response. It seemed he was shaking when he asked, "Is that what you wanted?" "Addison, if this is the last time we will see each other, please come closer and hug me."
When Addison realized Gideon was crying, it triggered her emotional breakdown, and she sobbed uncontrollably. He smiled broadly as he spread his arms apart. She rushed into his arms and wrapped her arms around him one final time as the rain poured down heavily around them.
Gideon's hushed words, "Take care of yourself, Addison," gave Addison the impression that something terrible would happen. She was going to speak, but Gideon interrupted her as he kissed her forehead and turned his back on her. This prevented her from speaking.
A weak smile formed on Addison's face as she clutched her chest. Under the ominous clouds and gloomy weather, the two people went their separate ways without ever revealing how they felt about one another. Addison didn't find out that Gideon had already left the nation until the next day when she realized that he wasn't around anymore.
- END OF FLASHBACK -
The question was repeated by Addison, who blinked twice. "Gideon, could that really be you? What exactly are you up to at this place?"
She flushed in shame as Gideon snatched the glass of Martini she was holding and drank it without hesitation. "I was just in Los Angeles yesterday and just got back home. This bar used to be operated by a buddy of mine. After that, I was walking back home from the business when suddenly, I noticed you. Maybe it would be best to remain here for the rest of one's life."
The way that Addison supported her head on Gideon suggested that she had been accustomed to the position at the time. "Today is the filing day for my parent's divorce. And what could be more ludicrous than that? My mother and I were disowned by my father when he fathered a child by her mistress. I was at a loss for words when it came to telling my mum... The tragedy recently befell our family, and we lost everything at a moment's notice."
It appeared as though Gideon was stunned by his quivering lips and wrinkled face. "It makes me sad to hear that. It has to be challenging for you." As Gideon responded, he pulled her hair behind her ears and continued their conversation.
After a few minutes had passed, Addison's phone began to buzz. It was a note from the nurse in charge of her mother's ward, letting her know that her mother had regained consciousness and was awake. When Addison saw Gideon, she turned to him and said, "I have no choice but to return. It's been a while, but it's great to have you back, Gideon."
When Addison first put her foot on the ground, it appeared she was a little tipsy and fell onto Gideon's stern chest.
"I'll give you a ride. You don't need to worry about your car because I will tell my secretary to get it." Because she had no other option, Addison nodded and let Gideon support her. As soon as she got inside Gideon's car, he tightened her seatbelts, which caused her heart to accelerate as their eyes met in a level position. Gideon twitched her nose and laughed as he stepped away while maintaining eye contact.
As soon as they got to the hospital, Addison made a beeline for her mother's room. "M-Mom…" To become closer to Chiara, Addison traveled the distance that separated them. She encircled her mother in a loving embrace and held her captive there.
"Sweetie, I'm sorry..." Amid their embrace, Chiara, her mother, murmured something to her daughter.
"Mom, I don't understand why you did it. I'm still here…" Chiara averted her eyes and sighed.
The attention of Addison and Chiara was brought to the situation when Doctor Weiss cleared his throat. While the doctor was speaking, Addison sat there with her mother's hand in hers and listened intently.
"I would appreciate it if you could lend me your ears for a while. Please be aware that I have both good and bad news to share. Let's start with the strong option first. The fractured leg that your mother sustained can be repaired with the help of a variety of medications and treatments. Recent tests, however, revealed that she had a blockage in her heart, which is a very severe condition. Your mother's life could be in danger if there is a total obstruction of blood flow in her heart, which could bring on a heart attack. She required surgery right away, as soon as it could possibly be done. In addition, in the interest of full disclosure, I estimate it will cost three hundred sixty-six thousand dollars."
The look on Addison's face suggested that a bomb had just gone off in front of her. As she looked at her mother, tears began to form in the corners of her eyes. Chiara stated that she had been coping with it for a long time, but she had chosen to ignore it for so long because she didn't want Addison to be concerned about her condition.
After moments of stillness, Addison finally breaks the silence by telling Doctor Weiss, "Let's begin with the operation."
"But..." "Don't worry, Mom, I'll figure something out, alright?" The reassurance that Addison gave to her mother The look of disapproval in Chiara's eyes indicated that she disagreed with her decision. There was no way that Addison could have come up with such a significant quantity of money on her own, and she would never ask her father for money to pay for her mother's medication.
As soon as Addison had decided what she wanted to do, Doctor Weiss nodded and excused himself from the room. Addison gave her mother a friendly grin before planting a peck on her mother's head. "Don't worry, Mother," I assured her. She mumbled something. For her mother's sake, Haley would cling to the blade of a knife if that was what it took to keep her alive.
When Chiara fell asleep, Addison palmed her face and thought about how many jobs she would have to acquire to ensure she had enough money to pay for the procedure her mother needed. Then the thought of Gideon entered her thoughts, and she stopped thinking about how many jobs she would have to get. She failed to remember that Gideon was accompanying her.
After deciding to relax, Addison stepped outdoors, where she was taken away to see Gideon reclining against the wall. Addison had decided to spend some time for herself. In response to the movement of his stare toward her, Addison quickly averted her look. "I've heard everything," Gideon admitted, "and I don't care."
With a grin, Addison said, "Please accept my apologies for having brought you here. I'm convinced you're a b—huh?" The tears that had started to pour from Addison's eyes were wiped away by the palm of Addison's hand as she stroked her cheeks. As Gideon closed the distance between them and pulled her closer for an embrace, he released an expletive.
After a few distraught moments lasting only a few minutes, Addison and Gideon sat in the waiting area close to her mother's room. While talking to Addison, Gideon brushed her hair and said, "Addison, I can offer you my money."
"No, Gideon. Talking further is unnecessary because we just met today, and you drove me here." Addison murmured something as she smiled broadly, but Gideon could tell from her eyes that she was hiding something.
"Okay, if you change your mind, here," the waiter said. Gideon gave Addison his business card and told her, "Call me whenever you need anything." As Gideon brought her into his arms and ended Addison's concerns, Addison gave a satisfied nod. Now that he was safe again, he had no intention of letting go of the woman in his arms.
Chapter 3
Since then, Gideon and Addison's relationship has improved to the point where it was before that day. When Gideon could do so, he paid Chiara a visit to the hospital and spent the time there with Chiara's mother and daughter.
During this time, Felicity learned via the news that Gideon Harris had succeeded his father as CEO of the family business. He is one of the most eligible bachelors in Asia and the founder of N-Tech, the country's most successful artificial intelligence company. When she saw her ex-lover, she couldn't help but purse her lips in embarrassment because he had become more masculine in appearance and was more challenging to get back into her life.
In the past, Gideon was nothing more than a man with no aspirations other than to play about with a variety of various women. She left him because she was too ambitious to chase her aspirations and wanted a life of privilege more than anything else.
While Felicity's hand was resting on her womb, she smiled broadly. Everything was part of her plan, from how she conned the head of Davis into believing in her scheme that she was carrying his child to how she got pregnant by a random stranger and provided a piece of fraudulent evidence to wreck the family of Addison. Now Felicity wanted to have Gideon all to herself. Her plan included everything from how she conned the head of Davis into believing in her scheme that she was carrying his child to how she got pregnant by a random stranger.
She whispered those words as she stroked her fingers alluringly across the television screen. "It's time to have you back," she added. Felicity's devious plan was inspired by the thought of reuniting with Gideon Harris, who she had previously held in her arms.
Felicity lowered herself quietly down the staircase while concealing her identity with a mask. It just so happened that Landon Baker was sitting on the couch reading a newspaper when she stumbled and fell on the stairs, so her fall was perfectly timed to alert him to her presence.
"M-My b-baby!" She heaved a sigh when she remembered how uncomfortable her tummy was. The bleeding on her thighs was already extensive, and the intensity of the pain was increasing.
"Felicity!" When Landon Baker raced through her and carried her, she couldn't help but smile in private. She felt like she needed to give herself a good smack since the pain in her gut was so intense. Having said that, she couldn't help but feel elated at the prospect of having Gideon within her reach after tonight.
After the pregnancy ended in a miscarriage, Felicity was immediately given medicine. On the other hand, Landon was sad about losing the kid, while Felicity was content with her decision.
As Felicity went down the corridor after fully recovering, she overheard raucous squeals and applause from the other ward.
When Felicity looked up at the mass of people around Chiara's ward, she was shocked to see that Addison and Gideon were among them. Felicity was speechless for a few seconds after Gideon's eyes locked on the woman. Despite this, he turned his attention to Addison and smiled at the woman as if Felicity no longer held any significance for him.
"Are you willing to wed me?" While he was kneeling in front of Addison, Gideon posed the question.
When Addison responded yes, the audience cheered and congratulated the happy couple.
Felicity coveted everything that Addison Baker possessed, which made her green with envy. The good things that happened to Addison were not due to her deserving them. The admiration of gorgeous men and the abundance of care and attention that Addison received was not due to her.
Felicity leaned up close to Addison's ear and said, "My Dear Addison, enjoy those days that you still have your guy in your arms, for soon, he will fall for my wicked plots just like your father," referring to the fact that Addison's father had been duped by her. She is responsible for ensuring that all that Addison possesses belongs to her. She will take them individually until Addison is so overcome with despair that she falls to her knees.
Everything was white, including the flowers used to decorate the venue, the walls, chandeliers, chairs, tablecloths, and the bridal gown Addison wore. The wedding ceremony could not have been held on a more beautiful day. As she grabbed the bouquet of white roses, which is a flower that represents purity and forever, Addison flashed a bright smile.
When Addison looked back on her past, she realized that she had always had dreams in silver and gold. When Sarah and Gideon finally did make eye contact for the first time, it seemed as if it had been only yesterday. How fun it was for fate to shake things up for them by keeping them apart for several years and then bringing them back together again and again. She mumbled to herself as she delicately stroked the petals of it, "I could have never dreamt that today would come."
"I never even considered that possibility. Look at you, Sweetie. You will wear a stunning white gown that every other woman yearns for. And then, one hour later, you and your future husband will take that forever walk down the aisle." Chiara suddenly materialized out of nowhere and carefully positioned the Belo on top of Addison. She used to wear a wedding dress, but it seemed as though destiny was not on her and Landon's side when they got married.
"Mom! I thought you were going to take a nap?" Surprised, Addison expressed her thoughts. Chiara underwent a procedure that went quite well three months ago. She had to take different drugs and treatments for her leg before she could recuperate and resume her normal walking.
Chiara was moved to tears whenever she saw her daughter. The apprehension may prevent Addison from articulating what she is experiencing at the present time. On the other hand, Chiara was aware that Addison was ecstatic as a result of the fact that she would soon be marrying the man she adored.
"How was it ever possible for me to miss my daughter's wedding? In addition to that, it is the happiest day of your life, and I wouldn't want to just sit there and watch it pass by. "Addison's cheeks became flushed as a result of Chiara's snickering.
After some time had passed, Chiara watched as her daughter, with the assistance of the attendants, put on the dress. It appeared her son-in-law did not give much consideration to commissioning a well-known fashion designer to create a luxurious gown for her daughter's special occasion.
In addition, Chiara strolled around the event earlier and noticed that everything, including the designs, designs for the wedding cake, and the highest-paid catering service, shouted opulence. After a moment, Addison turned around. The light shone brightly off the glittering diamonds adorning her wedding gown. Everything about it was flawless, from the sweeping cape to the sweetheart neckline. A few seconds later, Addison moved on to the next step of her cosmetics application, which ultimately transformed her into the most gorgeous bride.
When the wedding automobile arrived, Chiara immediately offered her assistance to Addison so that she could sit in the wedding car. They also had three hands between them, which helped them avoid getting the cape caught on the car door as they drove. When Chiara realized her daughter's hand was sweating in the gunfire, she chuckled.
Addison said to her mother, "Mom, I'm nervous."
"Do not be concerned, my dear daughter. Your nervousness about the wedding will go away in a short time. I have no doubt that Gideon experienced the same thing then. Remember to be cheerful when you are around your future husband, all right?" Addison gave her mother a nod and rested her head on her mother's shoulder.
The fact that Addison's mother could finally crack a smile brought joy to Addison. Because of something that occurred many months ago, the blaze that had been dormant in her eyes was rekindled. She can grin once more, primarily due to her mother-in-law, Chiara, 's support.
The two people arrived at the entrance of St. Brendan's Catholic church in a short amount of time. The person in charge of organizing the wedding ensured that the bridesmaids, ring bearers, and other significant guests were in the correct positions. The professional wedding planner had previously taught them what to do before they began their trek down the aisle.
On the other hand, Addison increased her apprehension when Louis Smith, Gideon's father, gave his hand to grasp her hand and said, "There's no need to be so anxious about this. Following this, you should get used to calling me father." Louis glared at Chiara and flashed a grin at his mother-in-law to smooth over the awkwardness of the situation.
"The Bride has made her entrance!" As soon as the host announced, the audience fell into complete silence. The attention of the throng was riveted on the most beautiful woman there, even though it was daytime. Behind the veil, Addison's mouth moved slightly as she took in the opulent details of the inside decorations of the church.
Although she and Gideon had planned the wedding together, Addison had no idea that Gideon would put so much effort into it or spend so much money on their union.
As soon as Addison stepped inside with her mother and Father-in-law by her side, she felt it would be a journey into eternity. She could make out the many faces inside; several of their classmates from the same year in college were there to watch Addison and Gideon exchange their vows and become husband and wife.
After moments of confusion, Addison spotted her father standing beside her mother-in-law. Landon Baker offered her a smirk that was just perceptible. The focus then went to Addison's mother as she looked up at her. Chiara gave Landon a sincere smile as she told her former husband that she did not have any ill will toward him and that she had moved on from past events. Chiara knew the only way she could get her revenge on Landon was to forgive him.
The song "This I Promise You" by Anthem Lights started playing, and immediately the mood changed to become intense and dramatic. The wedding was almost like a scene from a fairy tale, in which two old friends reconnected and eventually fell in love.
Chiara saw the man her daughter would spend the rest of her life with as she stood at the end of the aisle. Throughout the entire process, Gideon was at their side at all times. He never missed an opportunity to see her and even helped her with her meds. Without a shadow of a doubt, the young billionaire was, in point of fact, an ideal prospect to be the future spouse of her daughter.
Chiara turned her gaze toward the altar, wishing that Addison might be spared the anguish that she had experienced. As Addison's mother, she wanted nothing more than for her daughter to find the one person in her life who would love her for all eternity.
"I will entrust you with the care of my daughter, son. Take good care of her, thank you," murmured Chiara as she slowly removed her grip from her daughter's hand and handed it over to Gideon.
As Gideon pledged his commitment to his mother while he held Addison's hand, he said, "I gave you my word." Before turning their backs on each other, Gideon gave a respectful nod to his father.
During the ceremony, Addison tried to suppress her emotions but was unsuccessful until Dylan gently gripped her hand and said, "I'm here." Before the event's most anticipated and revered part began, Addison could be heard quietly giggling.
Gideon took the blessed ring from the ring bearer, placed it on Addison's finger as if it had been crafted particularly for his bride, and uttered his vow to seal the unbroken circle of love. This occurred after the couple had recited their wedding vows to each other.
"I want to offer you this ring, Addison, as a symbol and a commitment of our undying love and unwavering faith in each other. I love you." The statement made by Gideon while he lovingly glanced at the woman caused the audience to break into tears.
Addison replicated the action with a hand that was shaking. She did so while saying, "Gideon, with this ring on your finger, I wed you and vow to you my love now and forever." She then slipped the band onto Gideon's finger.
"I now declare Addison and Gideon to be man and wife because they have fulfilled their obligations to each other as outlined in the pledges they have made to one another. You are free to kiss the bride at this time."
A burst of applause broke out in the room as the two individuals locked lips in a passionate kiss. Gideon leaned close to Mrs. Smith between each kiss and said, "I love you." When their lips met, Addison responded with a chuckle and declared, "I love you until the end of time, Mr. Smith."
After the ceremony was over, Addison and Gideon entered the reception area with a smile on their faces. When someone announced their arrival, everyone shouted enthusiastically.
After some time had passed, Gideon led Addison to the center of the stage. Suddenly, an image of her and Gideon from their younger years appeared on the massive screen. Some photos of Gideon, who was watching her sleep in the Library, and some secret pictures of her face were taken without her permission.
When morning arrived, many lights flooded the area, creating a sensual atmosphere for everyone. Everyone was having a good time until an unwelcome guest wearing a red dress appeared. After that, things got awkward. After ensuring that Landon Baker wasn't watching, Felicity sat beside him.
When Landon Baker observed Felicity while attending his daughter's wedding, he did not make a fuss when he saw the woman, even during the ceremony. He instead kept silent. He does not want Felicity to attend his daughter's wedding because he does not want it ruined.
After seeing Felicity, Addison, and Gideon were at a loss for words. While looking at his wife and reassuring her that everything would be okay, Gideon held her hand. The fact that no one in the reception area acknowledged Felicity's presence drove the woman, who was already irrational, completely over the edge.
She dressed up to grab the spotlight, but Addison—that bitch took everyone's attention that should have been hers in the first place.
Felicity winced in her seat when she noticed Gideon and Addison having their first dance as newlyweds. Their smiles showed how much they cared for each other.
As Chiara witnessed her daughter's happiness, she wiped her tears and smiled at Lisa Smith, who tapped her shoulder. "My son will take care of your daughter, I assure you. If he did something wrong to Addison, I would be the first in the family to strike him." The two laughed in unison because they believed Gideon couldn't hurt his wife.
When Gideon raised his glass and extended a toast to the two, everyone else at the table followed suit and raised their glasses. The expression on Felicity's face deepened as she tightened her grip on her fist. It is only fair that she takes Addison's spot. She would become Gideon's wife, and she would be the one to carry on the Smith family name after him.
Felicity stood up. She made a face before turning her back and walking away. "Remember about the time you have left. I am going to get what is rightfully mine, Addison. In a short time, I will be the one to take your position and the fate that befalls you will be identical to that which befell your mother three months ago."
Chapter 4
The sun had already set, yet its rays illuminated Addison and Gideon's room. When Addison felt her husband's fingertips lightly stroke her cheeks, she couldn't help but snort. "Hon... I'm still exhausted." Her response was a murmur. A crease appeared in her brow when she laughed, and Gideon pinched the bridge of her nose.
When Gideon finished making fun of her, Addison smiled although her eyes were still closed. Not until Addison felt Gideon's lips pressing on hers, which caused her to become short of breath, did she stand up, gasping for oxygen as she did so.
Gideon was the target of Addison's glare. The man did, in fact, have a good time as he taunted her daily.
She went through her closet, looking for a summer dress while holding the blanket wrapped around her naked body and walking through her wardrobe. On the other hand, as soon as Addison caught a peek of herself in the mirror, she grimaced when she noticed that Gideon's love bites were on her neck. She could not count the marks that appeared on her body as if she had been mauled by a beast every night.
When Gideon finished getting out of bed, he scowled at her and asked, "Where's my good morning kiss?"
Then, after wrapping her arms around her husband's neck, Addison gave her spouse a kiss on the cheek. Gideon greeted the morning with a grin as he went through the bathroom carrying her as if they were married all over again. "Good morning," he said. And there, Addison bemoaned the fact that her spouse never seemed to be satisfied.
A few hours later, Addison hummed to herself while wrapping their gift for her mother. Gideon was putting the finishing touches on their brunch. "Are you planning to go and get Mom?" From the kitchen, Gideon peered into the living room.
After pausing for a few periods, Addison vomited: "Mother-in-law stated they will be the ones who will get Mom, so after eating our breakfast, we will continue to the location and organize some things before she arrives."
After the wedding, Chiara approached Addison and Gideon several months ago and asked for their permission to move closer to the city of Long Beach, which is located in Southern California. She explained that she yearned for a new setting in which she could begin a new phase of her life and that she wanted their blessing before making a move. Aside from that, Chiara felt confident that Gideon would never mistreat Addison while she was gone, which is another reason she chose to relocate outside the city.
As both Addison and Gideon arrived at the location, they wasted no time resolving the issues that must be addressed from the pastries, sweets, and culinary delights. The pair decided to get married in the Carondelet House in Los Angeles, California, because Addison recalled that her mother cherished understated yet gorgeous settings.
After a few minutes, their visitors took up all the seats in the room. It appeared that Addison was donning a vintage outfit with a turtleneck. The possessiveness of her spouse made it difficult for her to wear the summer dress she had been looking forward to wearing.
"Are all of the items prepared?" When Addison felt Gideon's hand on her waist, she asked him a question.
"Hmm, all that remains is for the celebrant to arrive." He responded with a tone that had a hint of contentment.
Everyone converged on the center of the building as soon as one of the staff members announced that Chiara had arrived. While Gideon and two other staff members held a party popper, Addison stood in the center of the room with a birthday cake for her mother.
When the door opened, the celebrant, wearing the blindfold, was revealed, along with Lisa Smith and her husband. Chiara's expression changed due to something that Lisa said to her, and she asked, "What's with the co—" but the gaiety interrupted her before she could finish her sentence as she removed her blindfold.
"Congratulations on your half-century!" They all yelled at the same time, which was accompanied by the popping sound of party poppers.
Chiara's eyes moistened with tears as she palmed her mouth and looked bewildered. While approaching her mother while holding the lit birthday cake, Addison made her greeting.
"Best wishes on your birthday, Mom. Make a wish!" A chirp came from Addison. Chiara snorted with laughter as she shut her eyes. She hoped that nothing would change and that Addison and Austin's marriage would remain harmonious and tranquil.
However, as soon as she blew out the candle, the lights began to flicker out, and a rupture occurred in an electrical circuit, which caused everyone to run out of the room and into the street.
Addison hung her head in shame as she contemplated the events that had just transpired. Because Gideon recalled that everything was in order before the commencement of the celebration, he approached the crew and requested that they investigate what had happened. They were shown a faulty wiring plug by one of the employees, which was the cause of Addison losing her voice. She turned to gaze at her mother, who appeared concerned about what had happened.
Chiara comforted her daughter by holding her cheeks and grinning as she said, "It's okay, Mom was shocked, and I am thrilled that you all remember this elderly lady's birthday." Chiara reassured Addison that everything would be all right. Even though she intended for Addison's marriage to be happy and harmonious, she sensed that the event was a portent of ill fortune when it occurred shortly after her request.
The ringtone on Gideon's phone interrupted his confusion. When he discovered who had messaged him, he furrowed his forehead in concentration. It was his ex-girlfriend, Felicity, who did it. Because Felicity was simply someone from his past, Addison was completely unaware of it, and he had no intention of telling his wife about it.
[Felicity Mitchell: Gideon, Do you have any plans for tonight? I have some vital information that I need to share with you. You are the only person I can communicate with at this time. I am no longer capable of suppressing my feelings. If I couldn't find someone to talk to about this, I might attempt suicide soon. I would ask that you would meet me at XX coffee.]
When Gideon was on the verge of erasing Felicity's phone number, a voice within his head told him to type out his response instead.
[Felicity Mitchell: All right.]
"Who was that, your honor? You gave the impression of having some anxiety." When Addison approached him and grabbed his face, Gideon could feel the sweat pouring down his palms in bullets.
"Oh, sorry, I thought you were one of my coworkers. He suggested that some publications regarding the most recent data made public a few weeks ago should be updated."
Despite his best efforts, Gideon could not look his wife in the eye. He got a dreadful feeling as if he had done something wrong. The request for Addison's wife came from his mother, and he merely nodded his head.
Gideon made a fist and gripped it tightly. He had no way of deceiving his wife in any way. He may run across Felicity and advise her to avoid them and their life. He told Addison's parents and in-laws that he would never make her weep and did everything he could to win Addison's approval.
On the other hand, when Felicity received a message from the men she had bribed to ruin Chiara's birthday, she took a glass of champagne and reflected on the situation. It regarded the accomplishment of her strategy. After learning that Addison would throw a party in honor of Chiara on her birthday, Felicity hatched a plot to ruin the celebration.
Felicity commented to Addison, "That was just the beginning, my love," as the conversation continued. She smiled devilishly as she read the message that Gideon had sent her once she had received it. Gideon had consented to meet her later on tonight.
When evening arrived, Gideon informed Addison that he would be meeting one of the investors in his company, and he asked his wife what she enjoyed doing most so that he might purchase it on his way home from the meeting. The strawberry cake was what Addison wanted for her birthday. Gideon checked to make sure that Addison had already fallen asleep before he exited their home and went on his way.
Gideon experienced a twinge of guilt as a result of the lie that he said to his wife. He got in his car and drove to the restaurant where Felicity had texted him.
As soon as he arrived at the location, he went inside as quickly as possible and observed Felicity, who was dejected and nervous. Her lips were chapped, her eyes red, and she didn't appear like her typical self.
"How are things going for you?" Felicity questioned with a raspy voice. Gideon had feelings of pity and compassion for the woman who had been his former love. The Felicity he had previously known was nothing like the lady standing before him now.
"I am fine. Stop making excuses, Felicity; it's time to face the music. I have a husband." Gideon said, deadpan.
Felicity managed a feeble smile. "Good for you," she spoke again after a few seconds of stillness, "Would you mind if I borrowed your attention for a second?"
After a moment of confusion on Gideon's part, the situation became more evident as Felicity began to shake and cry.
"I had been keeping this information to myself up until now. I was sexually assaulted by Landon Baker. H-he coerced me to have sex with him, and he threatened to cut off his financial support for my research if I didn't allow him to take advantage of m-me."
"What?" Gideon was taken aback by the news. His throat became parched. Because Felicity was still shaking, Gideon had to comfort her by holding her tightly in his arms.
"Gideon believed me! I had no intention of becoming his mistress and bringing Addison's family into disrepute. I tried to prevent him from divorcing Addison's mother, but I was pregnant with his child then, and now... I've lost my child... I tried to prevent him from divorcing Addison's mother." Felicity was in such much pain that she even considered hurting herself.
"Felicity, calm down." While drying Felicity's tears, Gideon thought about how cruel Landon Baker was to frighten a helpless woman, so he kept his voice low.
When Gideon saw Felicity in such a helpless situation, it caused him great pain. The woman put some distance between them and gave him a friendly smile. "Considering that you are now married and have parted ways, I've meant to explain why I ended our relationship all those years ago..." When Felicity took hold of Gideon's hand, he became frightened.
"Back then, I wanted you to be successful, so I parted ways with you because I believed I was holding you back from reaching your goals. I am pleased with myself that I was able to accomplish this goal for you. Look at you now. You are a successful individual...and you have a happy marriage."
Before she went, Felicity left Gideon in stunned amazement as she bowed her head and smiled wickedly behind her hand. The sight of tears streaming down Addison's cheeks prevented Gideon from pursuing the woman despite his desire to do so. Even though he knew he loved his wife, he shouldn't have let Felicity's tears affect him.
"What could possibly be wrong with me? It's not right that I should feel this way..." Gideon made a low sound. He was aware that he shouldn't be feeling this way, but he couldn't deny that there was something in his heart telling him that Felicity had and would always have a unique position in his life.
Chapter 5
When Felicity arrived at the café where she and her long-time friend had agreed to meet, she sported a high ponytail, wore a maxi dress, and exuded an air of refined sophistication. The café wasn't bustling in the afternoon and had a relaxed atmosphere. As soon as her attention was brought to Mindy, she removed the one-of-a-kind Prada sunglasses she wore. Mindy had found a comfortable seat next to the window. The woman grinned and waved at Mindy when she first spotted her.
"It has been quite some time, Felicity. How are things going for you?" When Mindy was questioned, The woman went home from her trip to Paris, where she met her future French husband and now leads a lavish lifestyle.
"What do you think? I am now Gideon's future wife and Landon Baker's mistress." She scowled at him. Mindy's irises became even larger, and she laughed out loud.
"You are such a beautiful example of a white lotus! As a side note, I've heard that Gideon and Addison recently tied the knot. Would you mind explaining what brought up that result? Did the plan we had in the past not work?" Mindy inquired as she took a gulp of her latte simultaneously.
"I have no idea how that could have occurred on earth either. When planning my abortion, I envisioned that Gideon would propose to Addison, and then they would get married. How could they take something that rightfully ought to be mine!" To illustrate her point, Felicity clicked her tongue in displeasure as she spoke.
In the past, Felicity and Mindy hatched a plot to tear Gideon and Addison apart. The argument between Mindy and Gideon is a part of Felicity and Mindy's plan to get Mindy to flirt with Gideon. Who would have thought that your ex-lover would become a billionaire, not to mention that he is smoking hot! Mindy made an exclamation.
Felicity's irritation caused her to roll her eyes, and she spat, "Addison stole him again, and that bitch always loves to steal what should be mine."
"Oh, you're the one who needs to be the one to apologize, aren't you? You did a terrible thing to her family, girl. You are one nasty piece of work!" Mindy made a joke, but it seemed as though Felicity was hurt by it since she stared at Mindy.
Mindy experienced restlessness, and after seeing Felicity's response, she shifted the subject. "So, what are your plans as of right now?"
Felicity pressed her lips together and smiled seductively as she said, "Of course, I'll fetch Gideon Harris."
On the other hand, Mindy empathized with Addison because she deeply regretted the things she had done in the past that she knew would hurt both of them. However, considering that Felicity would be fixated on making Addison's life a living hell, Addison ought to keep her distance from Felicity as soon as it is physically possible to do so. She was planning to marry her boyfriend, and she felt a deep love for him. Mindy held out hope that Felicity would eventually come to regret what she was doing and decide to stop ruining people's lives for her own greed in the future.
Felicity received a text message from Landon Baker while returning to her house. The man advised the woman to leave early because he would make a square meal for them at home. Felicity made a frowning face since she had been looking forward to hearing from Gideon, but after that night, he never contacted her again.
"How kind of you, Landon, but your work will be for naught as soon as I finally get a hold of Gideon and take control of the situation. You have been reduced to nothing more than a disposable piece of chess." She spoke out loud. Now that she had Landon Baker at her side, she was possibly leading a sumptuous lifestyle. On the other hand, Felicity desired more. She longed to be in Addison's position—to marry Gideon and become Mrs. Smith—and to carry his kid.
Landon Baker is not sufficient to sate her ravenous appetite for wealth. In point of fact, he was significantly older than she. She yearned for a companion who possessed an elegant manner and a history that was respected to be by her side.
For the time being, Felicity was forced to rely on Landon's wealth to maintain her life and continue hatching her devious plans. Then, when she was finished with him, she would discard him as if he were an insignificant thing.
When the lights in the mansion were turned off, a furrow appeared on Felicity's forehead, indicating that she had been traveling for a few minutes.
I really felt like having a relaxing bubble bath with my champagne tonight. But at this point, I had no choice but to play along with this old man's performance. As Felicity followed the fairy lights strewn across the floor, she had this notion.
When Felicity finally became aware of what Landon Baker had in mind, she was initially taken aback briefly. A table with scrumptious food and a bucket of red wine was in the middle of the room, and the floor was covered with red roses. The sight of the fairy lights arranged in the shape of a heart, with Landon Baker at the center of the arrangement, drew Felicity's attention.
She did it subtly, but when Landon Baker took Felicity's right hand and guided her in the middle, she clenched her hand. "Felicity, will you marry me?" was posed after Landon Baker got down on one knee before her, removed a box from his pocket, and opened it.
Felicity was in a trance, as evidenced by her trembling lips and perspiring forehead. How frustrating the circumstance was for her to deal with. If she accepted his offer, she would no longer be able to hold Gideon in the palms of her hands. Felicity never, in her wildest dreams, anticipated that she would one day be married to her rotten Uncle.
Felicity mumbled, "I-I'm sorry, Landon," as her eyes were moistened with tears she had pretended to shed. Please give me some room; we recently experienced the loss of a child, and I am still grieving... As Felicity watched Landon's reply, she wiped her tears away and continued to protect him. A frown formed on Landon's face, and he enquired, "I take it I wasn't successful the second time around?"
His speech hinted at suffering, but Felicity did not notice it. Instead, she desired to sever ties with him since she felt he was too tenacious in their relationship. After Landon's divorce, he proposed to her, but she turned him down. Now, Landon is making another proposal to her.
"This elderly gentleman is far too tenacious. You would not be living alone in that lonely home if it weren't for the money. The inside of Addison's head filled with spittle.
In the meantime, when afternoon arrived, Chiara made her way to Davis Inc. to meet a friend there. Her close friend Brenda is in charge of marketing management at the company. Chiara shared the news with her friends Addison and Gideon. At first, Addison was adamant that she would follow her, but Chiara flatly refused and informed her daughter that she should instead focus on taking care of her husband.
She could still remember how the staff greeted her because she was the wife of the CEO, but when she came inside, she noticed that some of the employees recognized her and greeted her. Some were new and didn't recognize her when she entered the room.
In the past, she served as Landon's secretary, and the two of them eventually had a romantic relationship that lasted until after they married and had Addison. Chiara pushed those unwelcome recollections out of her mind and asked the receptionist if she was looking for Brenda Cogan. Soon after, one of the workers informed her about Brenda's location.
Chiara took an elevator to the third story and arrived at her destination, the location of the Chief Operating Officer's office. She recognized the sound of a familiar voice as she walked by the entrance.
[What is the current status of things? Was everything proceeding according to plan?]
[Yes, Madam. I've already researched the Smiths to get some background information.]
Chiara, motivated by her natural inquisitiveness, peeked through the window. A huge smile spread when she saw the woman whose face she would never forget. When she responded, Felicity Mitchell had a grin and crossed her legs.
[It's for the best if you keep watching Gideon Harris. Find a means to get rid of his wife because I should be Gideon's.] [I should find a way to get rid of his wife.]
Chiara's palm began to perspire as she became increasingly flustered. Felicity was a terrible woman. Previously, she had a destructive effect on her family; now, she desired to separate Gideon from his daughter.
"Addison ought to be aware of this!" Chiara was about to depart when the door suddenly swung open, which caused her to pause before continuing.
"Oh, it's been so long since we last saw each other, Madam. What exactly are you doing in this room?" When Chiara turned around and heard Felicity's voice coming from behind, she immediately stopped. Chiara gave Felicity a sidelong glance and pretended she hadn't heard anything, but the news of Felicity's intention sent a chill down her spine.
Chiara murmured to Felicity while giving her a hesitant smile, "It's been a long."
Felicity understood that Chiara had listened in on everything based on the actions that Chiara had taken. If Chiara were to tell Addison about her plans, those efforts would not be successful, and Chiara would find herself back on the carpets. Therefore, Felicity devised a nefarious plan to end Chiara's life and end her existence. If she were to let go of the woman, it would impede her ability to carry out her intentions. As a result, Chiara passes away.
After a brief pause, Felicity broke into a bright smile and added, "Do you fancy having a cup of coffee with me? I can still recall how much the Coffee Madam enjoys."
At first, Chiara was hesitant, but she knew that if she declined Felicity's invitation, Felicity would believe that she was the one who invited her. She had no other option but to comply to be able to escape and warn Addison about what Felicity had in store for her.
As soon as Chiara stormed into Felicity's office, Felicity instructed her to wait on the couch and then produced some coffee for the two of them to drink together. On the other hand, Felicity prepared a cup of coffee in complete silence while extracting a small tablet from her bag. After that, Felicity dissolved the little tablet in Chiara's cup of coffee while it maintained its original color by combining it with the beverage.
"By the way, What made you decide to come here?" While Felicity was stirring the coffee with the spoon, she asked the other person if she could entertain her.
Chiara, who was standing some distance away, cleared her throat before responding, "I'm meeting a friend from the Marketing Management department."
The frown lines appeared on Felicity's face. Fortunately, Landon was away on business then; otherwise, they would have encountered each other. When finished, she moved the object into a tray, stood in the gap between them, and handed the other person a cup of coffee.
Chiara appreciated your help by saying, "Thank you."
"You need to consume it quickly before it gets cold. You should realize that piping hot coffee has a flavor that is both sweet and salty," said Felicity as she took another drink of her coffee.
Chiara appeared to be staring at her beverage for no apparent reason. She took a moment to think about the coffee before returning it to its place on the table once she had finished drinking it. After a few seconds had passed, Chiara's eyes widened as her heart began to pound, which caused her to grip her chest and ask, "W-What did you do?!!" As she collapsed in front of Felicity, Chiara gulped for oxygen until her heart slowed and stopped pounding. Chiara clearly saw Felicity smiling as she passed away just before the light in her surroundings began to dim.
Felicity couldn't help but sneak a smug grin of satisfaction as she watched Chiara fail. She knocked over Chiara's cup of coffee in her workplace, where it landed on a plant, and then she added some hard water. After that, she quickly returned to the area where Chiara was waiting.
After some time had passed, Felicity got ready to act out her crying and shouting by preparing artificial tears and putting on her mask. "Anyone?! Please lend us a hand!"
After a few seconds, two security officials burst in and were taken aback when they found Felicity sobbing with another woman while holding her in her arms.
"What exactly took place, Miss?" As he carried Chiara's lifeless body, one of the security guards posed the question.
"I-I don't know, w-we are talking joyfully then, she just falls on the ground..." Felicity reacted with shaking lips, saying, "I-I don't know."
After Chiara had been placed on the stretcher, Felicity waited for the ambulance to arrive while seated nearby. Felicity glanced at the lifeless woman because she knew Chiara would not survive. The potassium content of the pills was dangerously high, and taking even one of them may result in a deadly heart attack.
'My darling Madam, you'll obstruct my goals. Consequently, I do not have any other option but to take your life. But there's no need to be concerned because you'll have discovered my little secret by the end. Because of this unfortunate circumstance, you could not tell your daughter; thus, be silent always and rest in peace.
Chapter 6
Before this, Addison had not been experiencing good health. Even though Gideon didn't let her participate in certain activities around the house, she occasionally experienced illness and exhaustion. Because of the unexpected shifts in her attitude, she and Gideon got into a brief altercation. Despite her husband wanting her attention, she was quickly irritated by insignificant matters and by Gideon's innocuous actions.
In any case, the thing that preoccupied her was that she had developed a preference for meals that Addison had in the past found repugnant. Yet, the foods she had previously appreciated now made her stomach queasy.
Without letting on to her mother or to Dylan, Addison made a secret appointment at the hospital for a checkup so that she could learn the cause of her illness. She did this behind their backs. When it was finally her time, Addison got to her feet and visited Doctor Reid in his office. When Addison went inside and closed the door, the other woman gave her a friendly grin.
"How are you today, Mrs. Smith?" The doctor made a remark about it.
Addison greeted Doctor Reid with a friendly smile, saying, "Good Day, Doctor."
"Are we going to?" The doctor's question was direct.
As she worked on composing herself, Addison gave a satisfied nod. The physician inquired about the symptoms she had been experiencing over the previous few days. She was displaying a blank sheet of paper attached to the clipboard in her hand. "I was wondering how things were going. Are you having trouble falling or staying asleep?"
Before continuing, Addison took a few deep breaths and paused briefly. "To tell you the truth, something really peculiar has been going on with my body as of late. I was quickly exhausted, even when I wasn't putting in a lot of effort physically, and there were times when I struggled to sleep since I had to get up in the middle of the night to use the restroom and throw up. "It was explained by Addison. After only a few minutes of eating a hot pot, I am hungry again.
After taking down Addison's worries, Doctor Reid asked, "Do you feel dizzy?"
After spending a passionate night with Gideon, Addison reflected on a scene when she woke up the following morning. She started to feel dizzy and came dangerously close to missing her step on the way to the bathroom. Because she had only slept for two hours after Gideon let go of her, she reasoned that she must simply be suffering from a lack of sleep.
"I can confirm that," said Addison.
"How about your menstrual cycle this month? Did you miss your period?" The doctor inquired yet another time.
The question posed by Doctor Reid caused Addison's mouth to drop open in shock. She didn't waste any time and immediately looked at the date on her phone. It was already the 22nd of August. She was afflicted with her menstruation on the first day of the previous month. On the other hand, Addison was two weeks behind schedule this month.
"D-Doc, I'm sorry I've been delayed for two weeks..." Doctor Reid greeted her with a grin, handed her a pregnancy test, and said, "Go on." Her eyes dilated, and her lips began to tremble as she took the test.
In agitation, Addison accepted it, marched into the bathroom, and used it. She sat and waited for the result for five minutes before looking at it. There were two different red lines; this is a positive result.
She could feel her hands shaking as she delivered the equipment to Dr. Reid. The physician welcomed her with a warm grin and congratulated her, saying, "Mrs. Smith, you are now two weeks pregnant."
Addison was still processing everything that she had just heard as she was on cloud nine. Tears began forming in her eyes as she placed her palm on her stomach and looked down. "M-my baby..." she mumbled weakly to herself. Life could exist inside her womb. The love that Addison and Gideon shared resulted in their kid's birth.
After that, Addison recalled how her mother tormented her by saying that Chiara longed for a grandchild. Therefore, Chiara would see the kid as it developed and was fed. Her baby's well-being was one of Dr. Reid's primary concerns, so besides prescribing her some vitamins, he offered sound advice. After learning that Addison was expecting a child, Addison was cheerful that her sister Chiara and her boyfriend Gideon would be overjoyed.
The ringtone on Addison's phone sounded. When she got a call from a number she couldn't recognize, she immediately turned her attention to her phone. When Addison answered the phone, she did so with her brows furrowed, and the next thing she knew, her heart was sinking, and her world was becoming increasingly burdened by anxiety.
[Addison, this is Felicity...] [Translation:
It's Your Mother... She was taken to the hospital in an ambulance!]
The call was going to transfer to Addison when it was disconnected. After hearing the news about her mother, Addison felt like all her strength had been sucked out of her. After that, Addison quickly glanced at Doctor Reid before saying her goodbyes. She sent a text message to Gideon informing him of what had occurred as soon as she stepped outside, and then she hurried to the nurse station.
While all was going on, Felicity covered her face with her mask and cried when she saw Addison rush into her room. Felicity believed that even though Addison had arrived, all she would see of her mother was her body when she visited the funeral home. After silence, Addison finally inquired, "Where is my mother?"
Felicity got to her feet, wiped her eyes, and then indicated they should go to the medical hospital. After some time, there was a dull sound, and the next thing that Addison knew, a physician and two nurses had entered the room. The doctor applied a charge to her mother's chest while holding the paddles of a defibrillator in her hands. When the physician attempted to revive Addison's mother's lifeless corpse, and nothing happened, Addison's eyes widened, and she felt a tremor. However, her mother's body did not regain consciousness.
"Please, Mom, don't treat me like this! Do I have it right, Mom? You Always Wanted a Grandchild! Because I am pregnant, I beg you to fight for your future grandchild," Addison yelled, even though her mother could not hear her. She desired to force her way inside, take the doctor's place, and bring her mother back to life alone.
The slits in Felicity's eyes became wider. She gave Addison an angry look while covertly clenching her fist, and then she turned her focus to look at Addison's toned tummy.
"This whore, she's carrying Gideon's child?! "She let out a low hiss in her head.
When the doctor went outside and began speaking, she was just about to approach Addison, "We were diligent in our efforts to bring the patient back to life. However, she passed away due to a deadly heart attack that she suffered. I am so sorry for your loss, Mrs. Smith. Please accept my condolences."
The news of her mother's passing caused Addison to shut off all communication, storm into the room, and weep openly at the loss of her mother. She sobbed her eyes out inconsolably. After Landon Baker abandoned the family, she was only left with her mother and has now lost her. There was no sign of Addison. She was at a loss for what action to take next. Without her mother, she had lost a significant portion of her soul.
Behind her, Addison was able to feel Felicity's hand. Felicity stroked her back until she started crying while holding her in her arms. She was under the impression that Felicity had developed. She did not desert her in any way. Instead, she remained by her side until the other person had regained her composure.
On the other hand, as soon as Gideon received a message from Addison, he made his way to the hospital as quickly as possible. He postponed everything, although he had a mountain of work to do because he was aware of the intense feelings that his wife was experiencing at the time. As soon as he arrived, he made a beeline for the emergency department. His anxiety caused his brow to sweat, his palm to become ice cold, and his entire body to shake. That is until Gideon noticed Felicity standing outside the room.
The woman started crying as she ran towards him. "...Chiara was nowhere to be found..." The change in Felicity's expression caused Gideon to look at her briefly. But as soon as Felicity opened her mouth, Gideon was taken aback and withdrew himself.
"Concerning Addison is high on my list...
She had been in a state of mourning for several hours. There is a risk that her emotional instability will have an effect on your child because —"
Gideon was so shocked that he felt as though a bomb had gone off right in front of him. "What? My wife may be expecting a child?" Gideon asked. Before Felicity could react, Gideon immediately turned around and went toward her.
Felicity's eyes grew wide as she peered through the window and watched as Gideon offered comfort to his wife. She said while balling her fist, "What a picture of a family could not be more wonderful."
"However, eventually, Addison... it will be you wrapped in a white sheet and sleeping next to your mother's grave."
She was counting down the minutes until Addison was no longer a part of their story so that she could begin a fresh chapter with Gideon. In her state of ambition, Felicity could picture herself sitting on Gideon's lap, the two of them living a contented married life, and everyone who tried to stand in her way would be put to death.
Later on, as the door opened, Felicity stopped moving when she saw Gideon, who appeared to be anxious. Gideon did not object when Felicity gave him a seat next to her, and he took it. Sitting next to her, he ran his fingers through his hair. When Felicity saw that he had several beads of perspiration on his forehead, she offered him a handkerchief and extended her hand to him.
Gideon muttered "thank you" as he reached for the handkerchief and wiped away the sweat on his forehead.
Felicity beamed joyfully and was about to say something when Gideon interrupted and silenced her. "We appreciate your choice to stay with Addison. I don't know what I'll do to myself if you're not there to console my wife when she has a breakdown, especially if her emotions affect her or our child. I don't know what to do if you're not there."
When Felicity took hold of Gideon's hand, it caused him to pause for a while. "It's nothing, Addison was like a sister to me, and I wanted to make up for all that I've done in the past," Felicity stated thoughtfully with a trace of concern in her eyes. "It's nothing, but I wanted to make up for everything I've done in the past."
Felicity gave Addison, still sobbing inside the room, a sidelong glance as she cocked her head and looked away. If showing compassion for Addison's suffering could bring her and Gideon together as a couple, then you should do it. Felicity would carry it through and be confident that Gideon would give in to her cruel designs again.
Nevertheless, she still has two tasks that she needs to perform. First, it is necessary to terminate the pregnancy of the unborn first kid by inducing a miscarriage in Addison, and then it is necessary to get rid of Addison.