Chapter 132 - A facade

He didn't want to accept that she didn't love him. He didn't want to believe that the only person he lived for, the only person who made him smile, made him want to change; made him want to be a better person was… just a facade.

His heart squeezed at the thought of it, pain emanating from his bones.

No, he couldn't bear it, he couldn't bear this pain. He would tell her to come back to him. He didn't care anymore, why she left without a second thought, why she took the money, it didn't matter anymore, as long as she would come back to him, if she wanted the world, he would give it to her as long as she would be by his side.

…

''You're awake. '' Gwen said, her eyes bright as she stepped into Tiana's room. Contrary to how she looked the previous night, Tiana looked more lively and energetic now.

''Thank you for coming by, I don't know what I would have done without you. ''

Tiana smiled as she walked towards her sister.

''Don't mention, what are sisters for? ''

Gwen's lips slanted as they hugged briefly,

Tiana knew that she had a lot of questions on her mind and even the way she stared at her, so she saved her the strength of asking.

''We broke up. ''

Gwen creased her brows; she wasn't very surprised, but then, she was a little taken aback.

''What... what happened? ''

Tiana gulped, fresh tears brewing in her eyes, but she forced it back down.

''It was just a fleeting affair which would have ended eventually anyway; it had to be now because… '' she swallowed; her heart pulsating with blood and pain.

''Because he needs to marry someone else to save the company, he did the right thing, anyone would do that in his shoes.''

Tiana didn't know if she was trying to make herself feel better by making his actions look right or if she was just relaying what happened.

She knew if his actions were justifiable, it wouldn't hurt so much anymore.

But no matter how much she tried, she couldn't make herself forget that he had used her all along and that he had agreed to marry another, without even saying goodbye.

Gwen watched her sister for a second, before closing the gap between them, hugging her close.

''I'm so sorry, it must hurt very much, you don't need to act very strong in front of me, we are sisters.''

Tiana took in a sharp breath, her throat tightening painfully.

Gwen was making it harder to contain. She had said she didn't want to cry again but right now, she was almost a wailing mess.

Gwen patted on her back slowly as she listened to Tiana's heart race erratically;

Why was she finding the whole thing amusing?

She thought as she forced her grin back down her throat.

Her sister thought she was smart by taking her place with Nicklaus; now it had backfired. He had thrown her away like a used tissue! So funny!

She couldn't forget the happiness in her smug voice whenever she called; like she had just caught a goldfish?

Haha!

How stupid of her to think she could seduce him with her beauty; she wanted to be with a handsome CEO, ha, not even in her wildest dreams!

Gwen laughed internally.

That served her right next time; she wouldn't dare dream of outsmarting her.

Now they were back to the same shithole.

A faint smile washed her cheeks, but it was replaced with a sad frown as she let go of Tiana.

Tiana hadn't cried, but her eyes were clouded and red; Gwen knew she was doing her best to hold it in. 

'' don't worry, everything would be fine, you would get over him soon, okay? You don't have to cry over him, he doesn't deserve your tears, alright? ''

Tiana forced a smile to her cheeks; she knew she couldn't pretend for long, it was Gwen after all, she saw through every façade.

She smiled slightly and took in a deep breath, calming her nerves.

She was right. In a few weeks; everything would be forgotten like it never happened. He would forget her as she had never existed… get married and… have kids.

She shouldn't think about him anymore. The earlier she began forgetting him, the better.

''By the way, who owns this place?'' Gwen asked, creasing her brows, did she take Nicklaus' pay off?''

''Mine '' Tiana said, showing her teeth with a weak smile;

''You are kidding me, right? ''

Gwen's eyes widened with surprise;

''The family paid me 5 million dollars to leave him and gave me this house too, so yeah, it's mine. ''

''5… 5 million?! Jeez! We're rich!!!''

Gwen exclaimed, looking very excited; she hugged Tiana briefly before her smile dwindled;

''Why did you take it,… '' She knew her sister well; she wouldn't have taken the money without a reason.

Tiana's gaze fell;

''I didn't want him to think I was in love with him if he could fling me aside like I was nothing to him, then why shouldn't I? ''

Gwen sighed;

''It is okay, you don't have to feel sad anymore. Forget about him now, we're rich! We won't need to work too hard anymore!''

At first, she was jealous that Tiana had all that money to herself, but remembering that Tiana loved her a little more than her self, she couldn't help smiling.

She knew she would get even more than half of the money.

''First, we need to go back home and pick some things, after which, we'll go shopping; we're not wearing those old worn-out clothes anymore, and we're living here! ''

Gwen exclaimed, not even bothered anymore about Tiana's mood;

''Brighten up now and don't think about him anymore, focus on the present, he's the past! Okay!! ''

She exclaimed, happier for the money that she was about to lavish.

She wasn't going back to that hut' of a house anymore, she was staying here!

��'I will get my phone so I can order an Uber, wash your face before stepping out, you look like you just walked out of a fridge. ''

…

''… the CULPRITS BEHIND THE CONTAMINATED DRINKS DISCOVERED! CEO COMFORTS AFFECTED PATIENTS~ ''

''… the culprits, behind the contaminated drinks, who have been identified to be dismissed employees of the corporation, have admitted to their crimes. They confessed that they had done the act because they were sacked unjustly by the company, they were pained and so wanted to get back at the company.

They would be tried accordingly and sentenced to a time stipulated by law. The society is pleased with how the management carried out the investigation and pinned the culprits down in no time. Surprisingly; the CEO, Nicklaus Howells, helps the affected patients and pays for their hospital bills and all accrued costs. Mr. Howells, what do you have to say about this? ''

The reporter turned to Nicklaus, who was sitting casually on the couch; his eyes looked like they were in deep thought, but as soon as the reporter asked, he blinked and his eyes turned to her;