Eden's POV

Why was I even doing this? She is just someone I want to use because she caught Niklaus's interest, so why was I suddenly protective of her?

Oh I know why, I was feeling sympathy for her because I could relate to her experience too.

I also grew up in the countryside but not as long as she did and not because I was an illegitimate child.

My parents were divorced because dad found out mom was cheating on him, not to forget the fact she married him for his money.

Thankfully I turned out to be his, but my father had me sent to the countryside because he didn't want me to be a hindrance to Niklaus's future or so I thought.

Truthfully speaking, my father Eric was supposed to be the family head instead of Adam, but an unfortunate accident made him unsuitable for the position.

On a day out with his elder brother Adam, there was an accident and he used his own body to shield Niklaus's father, getting injured in his stead.

As a result of that, he was paralyzed from the waist down and in the later years suffered from extreme thrombocytosis.

Because it was located on the side of his brain that was considered dominant, there weren't enough veins to circumvent blood flow, causing the clot to expand, block critical veins and build up venous pressure.

My father Eric must have been really destined to die cause no amount of treatment revived him, instead his condition deteriorated. It led to Ischemic strokes and he eventually died of a heart attack.

During those years of his suffering, I was being nurtured in the countryside and hated him, thinking he abandoned me because of my mother without knowing it was for my own safety.

It was no coincidence that such an incident happened in the period when the selection for the new family head was around the corner.

All hands pointed at Adam, but there was no concrete evidence to point him out as the culprit moreover, he was in the same car with Eric when everything happened.

Afterall which bastard would be willing to throw away his life, just to gain a position?

After my father's dad, I was taken back to the city and Adam trained me up for the rest of the years .

" I was now his responsibility " as he claims.

Initially, Nik and I weren't always enemies though the guy had always been a cold asshole, we got along fine unlike now.

At first, our relationship was just so-so until Kay came along and strengthened it.

Yes, she had always been Niklaus's pal from childhood but she never neglected me for once nor made me feel left out, she made sure to give me enough attention, as I believed.

Kay hung out with us both and we became the best of buddies for years ... until Niklaus betrayed me.

He always knew I liked Kay and even gave me tips on how to get her - all this time, he must have snickered behind my back for being such a fool - unfortunately for me, I was the kind of guy who couldn't muster enough courage to talk to a girl.

But one day I decided to do it, made up my mind to tell Kay how much she meant to me but instead, got the greatest shock of my life, both were getting married.

Though it was an underage marriage, they had the consent of both families and Kay was under the age of eighteen, so they were given authorization. But because of public opinion, they had to hide the news for quite a while.

I felt deceived and humiliated, was never embarrassed in my entire life until that very moment. I could still remember the look of disbelief on my face and the bouquet of flowers slipping down from my grip as the couples received congratulations from family members.

Growing up in the Spencer's household, I never asked for much nor desired anyone other than Kay. I had always been a geek, cool, and collected boy; but that boy was lost forever.

My personality changed, everything about me changed from that night. I learned about life the hard way and it was time to make a change.

I began to go to parties, lived my life to the fullest, and in my drunken state, got a girl pregnant.

We were just teenagers and still in high school, but the Spencer's were loaded, so it was no problem taking care of her and the baby.

Coincidently, Kay got pregnant in the same month with my baby mama Audrey and I thought, "Fate must be f*cking with the Spencers "

Anabelle was never abandoned when she was born, but Audrey claimed she was too young to become a mother. So I settled her off and she left while I took up the responsibilities of both parents.

At first, it was hard, and I actually thought of giving up but my grandfather was surprisingly there for me and provided help. Also, the smile on my daughter's face every morning as I cradled her in my arms kept me going.

Anabelle gave me hope, I could reclaim everything that was taken from me.

"Don't bother yourself, I can treat myself " Maya refused when I tried to help her with the wound on her face.

I wanted to insist but remembered she had gone through a lot today, I didn't want to stress her further. Maya needed rest.

I took a deep breath "Be careful of the channel you watch, the scandal might pop up on one of the programs you tune on, alright? "

I watched her eyes move to the television with a tired smile, she probably wasn't going to watch any at all.

"Alright," She answered.

I rose to his feet.

"Are you going somewhere? "

"Yeah, I need to get Annabelle. She's almost here " I told her and slid my hands into the pocket of my pants.

"Oh "

"Take a shower and look around the house if you want to, contact the housekeeper or the maids if you need anything "

"Alright "

My gaze lingered on her more than intended, I wanted to ask if I could get her anything on my way back but I decided against it. What am I? Her boyfriend? Nanny? - oh right, she's the nanny - ex-nanny.

I shut my mouth and left right away. Sometimes, some things were better left unsaid; just like Niklaus doesn't want to expose the fact that I was the one who leaked the deal.

The bad blood between Niklaus and Sakuzi had started that day. Hardly known to the public, Spencer Group has a subsidiary that manufactures ammunition for the military but that kind of business comes with its downside and lots of skeletons in the wardrobe.

Niklaus had a deal with Sakuzi and I leaked it, but unfortunately, Kay was the casualty loss instead of Niklaus as planned.

Nobody knows that truth except the both of us which is why I can't strike yet; the iron was still hot, it had to cool.

The wilson family were still angry over Kay's death, one wrong move could turn my plans to smithereens and get me toasted in the process.

Niklaus knows I can't shake him off that position at the moment, but I was gathering enough dirt on him just as he was doing on me, but we will see who the Spencer elders chooses in the end.

I checked my Patek Philippe watch, it was over seven o'clock pm and Annabelle wasn't here yet. I began to get worried, just when I thought of calling them up, their car arrived at the bus station.

I opened my door and climbed out of the car with a delightful smile on my face and outstretched hands

"Annabelle, my sweet…. "

The smile on my face froze the moment I saw Isabella came into view instead.

I frowned, what the f*ck was going on? Why was Isabella here? Where was my daughter?

The other backseat door opened, instead of seeing my daughter, a pretty blond-haired boy stepped out. Where is this organism from? What the hell is going on?

Just when I was about to explode, a high-pitched shout halted me.

" Dad! " She screamed.

I let out a sigh of relief unknowingly.

" My lovely daughter "

She ran into my embrace and I hugged her so tight, I thought something happened to them.

"Dad, I'm sorry for bringing Izzy and brother Pedro without your permission " She apologized the moment she pulled away.

My brows furrowed in confusion and glanced at the boy "Brother Pedro? "

" He's my friend "

"Anabelle, this is not a school excursion " I chided her, causing her to lower her head dejectedly. Suddenly, she lifted up her head and displayed quivering lips and teary irresistible eyes.

God, Annabelle. How can I say no to you with that look?

"Fine, they can come along " I gave in finally and she began to leap up and down in celebration.

It's hard to believe but Niklaus's brat Isabella behaved herself and didn't cause any trouble till we got home.

I handed the children over to the housekeeper to take care of and went to check up on Maya since I couldn't find downstairs.

I knocked on her door but no reply came. I tried again and again but no answer, so I thought she was asleep and turned to climb down the stairs when I heard the sound of glass breaking.

This time, I didn't hesitate to open the door since my print was already installed on all the doors in the house.

I couldn't find Maya in her room nor balcony, but not the bathroom. I rushed into the bathroom and my first sight landed on the broken glass and the spilled red liquid and then…...

Maya submerged in the bathtub just as the last bubble escaped her mouth.

Did she just commit suicide?