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Chapter 29

Rebecca returned to Nicholas‘ apartment, drenched from head to toe. Pecking into Nicholas‘ room, she found him still sound asleep. She took a deep breath, her steps heavy and slow as she made her way to the bathroom. Without bothering to remove her soaked clothes, she stepped into the bathtub, hoping the water would help clear her mind.

‘What’s going on in Harvey’s head? Why is he looking for me if he can’t choose between me and Alicia?‘

Scenes from the car replayed in her mind, causing her stomach to churn with uninvited desire. She could still feel the touch of Harvey’s hand, the kiss of his lips, the warmth of his breath…

‘Stop, Becky! He doesn’t even believe you! He has more faith in that cunning bitch!” a Voice inside her head screamed. Reflexively, Rebecca slapped her cheek hard, desperate to push Harvey out of her thoughts.

After soaking and cleaning herself for almost thirty minutes, Rebecca went to the kitchen and poured herself a glass of wine. Scrolling through her phone, she reopened Lucy’s email and replied:

‘Can we meet? I need your help.’

Her focus would now be on taking down Alicia. She would set aside her feelings for Harvey.

Just as she was about to enter the guest room, she heard a noise from Nicholas‘ bedroom. Frowning, she rushed over and found Nicholas bending down, picking something up from the floor.

“Are you awake?” Rebecca asked, surprised. She thought the sleeping pills would keep Nicholas out for hours.

Nicholas nodded, “Yeah, I need the toilet,” he said, clutching his chest. Rebecca quickly went to his side and held his arm. “Let me help you,” she said, stifling a yawn.

“You just finished showering?” Nicholas asked his eyes so flat and emotionless that it made Rebecca shiver.

“Yeah,” Rebecca nodded, wondering what had caused this sudden change in Nicholas‘

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Chapter 29

demeanor.

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“You gonna be alright?” she asked before leaving him in the bathroom. Nicholas nodded, then closed the door without another word.

Rebecca frowned in confusion. Suddenly, an epiphany crossed her mind.

‘What if Nicholas saw what Harvey and I did in the car earlier?‘ she muttered, covering her mouth in shock.

‘No, it’s impossible! He clearly fell asleep after taking the sleeping pills!‘ Rebecca waved her hand, dismissing the thought.

‘With the dose he took, he should have slept for at least six hours, but he was awake in less than two. What if…?‘ Rebecca’s eyes widened, her body stiffening.

‘What if he didn’t take sleeping pills at all? Did he trick me on purpose? But why?

Not long after, the bathroom door opened, and Nicholas appeared, walking unsteadily. “Is everything okay?” he asked flatly.

Rebecca glared in surprise, feeling as if Nicholas had just read her mind. “Yeah, want to go back to your room? You need more sleep,” she said, forcing a small smile despite feeling all over the place.

“I’m hungry, but you can go to bed. I’ll make my own food,” he said, walking into the kitchen, ignoring Rebecca’s offer to help.

Rebecca knew she should be relieved that Nicholas was ignoring her, but half her heart

Oh come on, I won’t let you worried because he looked very unwell. cook for yourself. What do you want to eat? Let me make it for you,” she said patiently.

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“Anything except the ex,” Nicholas replied, opening the refrigerator.

Rebecca was stunned. She looked at Nicholas, arms folded across her chest. “Nic? Is there something you want to talk to me about?” She was sure her guess was correct.

Nicholas grabbed a can of beer and drank it quickly, emptying it in one go. “The question is for you. Is there something you want to tell me?”

Rebecca rubbed her face tiredly.

“Nic, I know this sounds mean, but can you not speak with that intonation, as if you are

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Chapter 29

my boyfriend or something?” she said irritably.

Nichol

crushed the beer can until it was dented, then threw it into the trash so hard that Rebecca jumped in shock.

“I witnessed how you were bleeding and injured inside and out because of your ex husband. How could you stupidly want to go back to him? Even crawling into his car like a cheap whore,” Nicholas hissed, his eyes flashing with anger.

Rebecca immediately became angry. “Firstly, it was Alicia who caused all my injuries, not Harvey. Second, even though I crawled into his car, it was none of your business. You have no right to judge me!”

Nicholas snorted, “I have every right to judge you! Have you forgotten who was by your side when you were down?”

“No one–forced you to do that, Nic. Wait, you saw me meeting Harvey downstairs earlier? So those sleeping pills, are they fake?” Rebecca asked, massaging her forehead.

Nicholas looked away, “That’s not the point. The point is…”

“You lied to me, that’s the whole point! I don’t understand why you pretended to be asleep. Was it so you could keep an eye on me? You know what, Nic? You scared the hell out of me,” Rebecca said, shaking her head in disbelief.

Nicholas rubbed his face, feeling cornered.

“You look fine, so I’ll go,” said Rebecca, walking quickly to the guest room where she kept her bag.

Nicholas stared at Rebecca’s back for a long time, then said a quiet “Okay,” which made Rebecca stop in her tracks in surprise.

“Just enjoy your life and don’t bother coming to my funeral. Good night.”

Nicholas went back into his bedroom and closed the door slowly, leaving Rebecca faced with a dilemma. She sat on the guest room bed, clutching her bag tightly, afraid that she would end up making the wrong decision. She couldn’t shake the image of Nicholas‘ haunted eyes. She had to confront him and get to the bottom of his sudden hostility.

“There must be an answer to his action but what if he did that because he cared too much about me?” she muttered, unsure.

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Suddenly, she heard a loud thud from Nicholas‘ room. Panic surged through her as she rushed to the door.

“Nicholas?” she called, knocking frantically. No response. She twisted the knob and pushed the door open, her heart pounding. She found Nicholas lying on the floor, unconscious.

“Shit! Nic? Nic?”

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