Nicole's POV
I had never thought I would pack my things from Kingsley's mansion. I had already assured myself that this place would be home but not anymore. I didn't expect packing my stuff to be this hard.
Every item I shoved into my suitcase felt like tearing pieces of my life with Kingsley. The life I had imagined would last forever.
I bit back tears when I stared at the empty closet. I couldn’t believe this was happening. How had we come to this? We were supposed to be together for life. But instead, here I was, about to leave. I wiped my tears. Now was not the moment to be weak. I was worth more than this.
My phone vibrated, it was Liam. I had ignored his first call but he was still calling, I sighed finally deciding to answer.
“Nicole, please don’t make any rash decisions. I’m sure Kingsley would fix this. He is just a little busy. Give him time to make it up to you.” I scoffed and rolled my eyes.
"Fix this, how could he, where was he? He canceled without thinking twice. He didn't even think of me. But I have to be the one to understand him," I hissed and ignored Liam.
I shoved the last shirt into the suitcase, trying to forget about the supposed mating bethroted marriage. I had dreamt of walking down the aisle with both our families watching.
But today, when it was supposed to happen, Kingsley's eyes went to Claudia, who faked another injury. I couldn't count how many times she had done it and how blind Kingsley was about this.
"Damn them!" I cussed zipping the suitcase and grabbed the rest of my luggage, and went out. I never told anyone, not even auntie Layla or any of my family members still in the mansion who loved me a lot.
The Uber I booked was already outside waiting. I rushed to stuff my things inside the car's trunk and went inside, instructing the driver to leave. I stared out the window with a heavy heart as each passing street reminded me of the life I left behind. I had fought for so long, but now I was done. I was taking back control, even if it hurt.
Soon, I arrived at my old apartment, I couldn't go home now, they would just drag me to marry Kingsley. I stared at the building before going in. I had lived here less than a year, and it felt like home, comforting but painful. I wished to become the old me, full of hope and love for Kingsley.
I dragged my suitcase, the weight felt lighter compared to the heaviness in my chest. When I reached the bedroom, the small space felt foreign to me, but I welcomed the change. As I unpacked, I tried to push thoughts of Kingsley, but they kept creeping back in. It would be hard to erase five years together and I knew.
Just as I was setting up my bed, my phone vibrated again. I hesitated before picking it up, thinking it would probably be Liam again calling to convince me to be understanding. But when I saw the name on the screen, my heart began to race
It was Kingsley.
I held my breath as I answered the call.
"Nicole, please. Can we talk, I need to see you." Hearing his voice itself sounded nostalgic. I stayed silent, my heart pounding.
Did he really think he could just fix things with a call, after everything. The embarrassment was still fresh in my memory.
My voice came out small and shaky,
"I don’t think it’s a good idea right now." I sighed and hung up, but before I could even put the phone down, it rang, he was calling again. I hesitated, my finger hovering over the decline button, but something stopped me. I took a deep breath and answered.
“What do you want, Kingsley?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Nicole, it shouldn't go this far. Let's talk about this, please," he said his voice filled with desperation.
“Why, so you can cancel again. So you can tell me how much you care while still prioritizing Claudia?” My voice rose, anger flaring up again.
"No, damn it Nicole, I wanted to explain... I know that you are hurt. I understand it. This is not because of Claudia. I am her only family left. and I'm responsible for every member's safety. She is my responsibility."
I scoffed, shaking my head even though he couldn’t see me.
"Kingsley, she is always injured. Don't you find it a little odd?"
"Come on Nicole, anything can happen at any time. Claudia has always been fragile, you don't exactly plan accidents and get hurt any child could understand that," Kingsley said with irritation.
"Are you trying to say that I am childish, and Claudia getting injured all the time is not behaving like one?" I asked anger coursing through my veins.
"No, it's not like that. You have every right to be upset. We have been preparing for the Wedding ceremony for months. But you know we can never predict what will happen.He said. “Luckily, Claudia's injury was not that bad. She would heal in a day or two. We could schedule the wedding again, what is a day or two delay?”
“I can’t do this right now,” I finally said, my voice trembling.
“Nicole, please! I just need you to hear me out. Can we at least meet, just to talk?” Kingsley pleaded. But I knew there was no point. He wasn't even calling to apologise, only to make me understand his reason like what he didn't wasn't wrong.
“Talk?” I scoffed “About what, how you chose Claudia over me. You know what, I'm done hearing excuses."
“It's not an excuse, I just need a moment to explain everything. I thought you’d understand my position of being the house head. I'm a billionaire Nicole. People knew about Claudia and I in the past. If I ignore her, people will talk. This isn’t just about us.” He finally said the main reason. He always used the excuse about his public image getting ruined but I didn't think he would use it this time.
“So not taking care of your ex will make them talk more than leaving midway your wedding?” I asked.
“It's also my responsibility to take care of the family Nicole and you know Claudia is family”
“Right. Because your responsibilities are clearly more important than our relationship. I get it Kingsley, but that doesn’t change how I feel.”
He sighed, and I could hear the frustration in his breath.
“You’re right, it doesn’t. But I never wanted to hurt you. I just wanted to do what was best for the family. You know I care about you, don’t you?”
“Do I, because it sure doesn’t feel that way. You keep saying you care, but your actions tell a different story." Kingsley was about to argue about his responsibilities. He couldn't stop. I felt like a child he had to lecture because I couldn't understand what it was to be a billionaire and be the one controlling the family. I knew it was hard, having to please everyone and make sure they were all okay. I ended the call midway without replying. Kingsley called again, but this time I didn't pick up. Instead, I turned off my phone.
