BETHROTED TO MR CEO

KINGSLEY'S POV

After Nicole hung up on me, the room felt like it was getting smaller.

She had never done this before, hang up on me. I dropped the phone onto my desk and sighed as I leaned on the chair. Her words had cut deeper than I wanted to admit. After all these years together, how had it come to this?

Why was she being so dramatic, I had explained myself to her.

But what else could I have done? Claudia got hurt on her way. I Couldn't just ignore it, she had no one and as her friend I had to take care of her. She was like family and family always came first. The pack always came first. I thought Nicole, of all people, understood this because she was betrothed to me and was still going to marry me.

I sighed and picked up my phone. An unknown number had sent me a message. I glanced through it and saw pictures of Claudia and I, of her being injured. My jaw tightened at the pictures sent because they focused on her and me. I almost hated the one where she was lying on a stretcher, and I stood there all concerned and worried.

I ran my hand through my hair. Everything seemed out of hand, but it wasn’t my fault. Claudia needed me, and I couldn’t just abandon her because of the wedding. We could always reschedule after all we've waited years so what's a few more days.

Still, the guilt gnawed at me. I canceled our wedding ceremony for Claudia and now Nicole was furious. I could’ve handled it better, I shouldn't have run out from the altar and left her there all by herself. I should have called her first and asked permission to cancel. Or maybe had explained better and not just messaged her as if the wedding ceremony meant nothing. But what was done was done, and I had to deal with the fallout.

A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts.

“Come in,” I called out and Liam stepped into the room with his usual calm expression. He closed the door, watched me before he sat across from me. If there was anyone I could count on to help me make sense of this mess, it was him.

“Kingsley I heard what happened,” he started and I already knew where he was going”

“Yeah. Nicole is pissed.”

Liam raised a brow while leaning back on the couch. “Pissed at you for doing your job, she should know by now that Gerald's put family first and frankly she isn't yet family”

His words made me run a hand down my face.

"I canceled the wedding Liam, she has every right to be upset.”

He shook his head, unbelieving of Nicole's reaction.

“She might be upset, but you did what you had to do. Claudia was hurt. You’re basically the breadwinner of the family. Your first responsibility is to make sure everyone is safe, especially when they’re injured.” Liam explained.

“I know that. But Nicole… she doesn’t see it that way. She thinks I’m choosing Claudia over her." Liam's expression softened as he heard my words.

“Kingsley you didn’t choose Claudia over Nicole. You chose the family over everything. That’s what being the head means, you have to make crucial decisions and sometimes forfeit your own happiness. Nicole knows that deep down, even if she’s angry right now.”

I clenched my fists as frustration bubbled inside me.

“I know she does, but it feels like I’m losing her. I’ve been so focused on getting everyone in the family to align, it was a hassle to even get them all in the same place for the wedding that I didn’t even have the time for her.”

“You’re not neglecting her, Kingsley You’ve got responsibilities that most people will never understand. Nicole is upset, but she’ll come around. You’ve always been there for her, and she knows that.”

I didn’t respond and just stared at the window. A part of me knew Liam was right. Nicole had always stood by me, but lately, things felt different. I felt like we had grown distant from each other.

Liam must have sensed my inner turmoil because he continued. "You’re doing the right thing, Kai. Claudia has always been part of the family, since she lost hers she has no-one except you,so you have to take care of her. Nicole would understand once she calms down.”

I looked at him, still doubting.

"You really think so?”

"I'm sure of it. Don't stress over it, it's nothing. Nevea’s hurt right now, but she’ll realize” Liam assured, calming the storm in my heart and I nodded.

I had been so caught up in my guilt and frustration that doubt started blinding me of what was going to happen with my relationship. I was doing the right thing and couldn't be in two places. What I did for Claudia is what anyone would do for family. I couldn't leave her injured and alone.

“I just, I don’t want to lose Nicole,” I whispered.

“You won’t. She loves you, that’s why this is hitting her so hard. But she’ll come around. You’ve been together so long to be ruined by just a simple injury."

I let out a long breath, feeling some of the tension in my chest loosen. Liam was right.

“Thanks Liam, I needed to hear that.” He smiled with eyes full of glint.

“Anytime, that’s what I’m here for.”

I stood up from my chair, feeling a little lighter than before. The conversation with Liam had helped, but I still had a lot of work to do to repair the damage between Nicole and I, but at least now, I didn’t feel like I was drowning in guilt.

“I’ll talk to her later. Maybe by that time, she would be calm"

“That's a good idea. Nicole has a soft spot for you, so use that to your advantage.” He assured me and we walked to the door together, and I felt more prepared to face whatever came next.

Liam clapped me on the shoulder. “You’ve got this, Kingsley, just don’t forget that you’re not alone in this.”

“Thanks, Liam.”

After Liam left, I hurried to the Guest house in the mansion. It was where Nicole stayed. We were going to move to one of my other mansions after the wedding. The wedding that I cancelled.

I had to make things right with her. I arrived at the house and let myself in. I called her name but there was no response. After searching the whole house, it felt empty for some reason and I noticed some of her things were missing. I opened the closet to find all her clothes were gone.

I felt a sharp pain in my chest and slowly sank to the floor.