–Livana–
The household stirred awake, as though my presence had ignited a fla in the dark. They rushed toward Damon and , voices overlapping, questions spilling—Jane and Logan, they asked. I told them calmly that the two were upstairs in the main house, though my heart had already decided: tonight, I would remain here, among them. My mother-in-law, ever thoughtful, had prepared food, and I welcod it gratefully. Hunger gnawed at , and I ate alongside Laura and Deanne.
As for Caine—I hadn’t thought he followed us here. Yet the door opened, and he entered, fresh from the bath, his presence carrying a quiet strength. He went first to his wife, kissing her lips, holding her tightly. Deanne embraced him back, and I marveled at the sight. I had never expected her to be a wife, a mother. After all her scars, her hatred of n, I thought she would remain untouchable. But Caine—Caine had broken through, and together they looked whole, perfect, happy.
"Mama," my little Sky whispered, his tiny hands reaching for my cheeks. He was sprawled across my lap, clinging as though he feared I might vanish again.
"Yes, baby?" I asked softly.
"I wav you."
I pressed my lips together, fighting tears.
"I love you too," I whispered, kissing his forehead.
Laura sighed. "It’s hard to coax Sky. He misses you and Damon too much."
"Oh, he missed too?" Damon teased, laughing as he devoured rice with brisket.
"Do you miss Dada?" I asked, pointing at his father. Sky grinned, teeth flashing.
"Dada, wav you!" he giggled, then buried his face against my chest.
"Oh, he’s very, very shy," I chuckled, Damon’s laughter joining mine.
"Will we be staying here tonight?" Grandma Olivia asked.
"Yes, Grandma," I replied, caressing Sky’s hair. "We must conduct thorough checks to ensure there will be no attack."
"And Edward and Belinda?" she pressed.
"They are confined sowhere safe," I said with a quiet laugh. "Mother will handle them."
"I see," Olivia nodded, sighing. Her gaze fell on Andro, seated beside Damon, clutching his shirt.
"I’ll have Tyrona co tomorrow to pick him up," I assured her, feeding Sky bits of pastry.
Grandpa wrapped a cardigan around her shoulders.
"I know, it’s cold here, Grandma. Don’t worry—tomorrow we’ll return to the mansion."
"It’s fine, my dear," she murmured, kissing the crown of my head.
Slowly, they drifted back to their rooms. David lingered in the cramped living room, the dining room only steps away.
Later, Damon bathed , his touch gentle, reverent. He made love to with care, as though I were porcelain. I missed him too—the way he tended to , drying my hair, smoothing lotion across my skin.
When we returned to our bedroom, Sky and Andro were giggling over their tablets. I crawled onto the bed, and Sky lunged toward , snuggling close. Andro, laughing, clung to Damon. Strange, perhaps, but Andro was bound to him. Damon kissed his forehead.
"Good night, Andro."
"Good night, Dada."
I watched my husband, unbothered, his heart wide enough to embrace them both.
"Nighty, Dada," Sky whispered, snuggling against , seeking milk.
"Sky," Damon said gently, "no milk for you. It’s for your siblings."
Sky’s face fell, disappointnt shadowing his eyes. I kissed his forehead, holding him close. He showered my face with kisses, then nestled against my belly.
"I want to kiss you too, my love," Damon murmured, his voice deep, stirring desire.
"Later," I whispered, closing my eyes, exhaustion pulling under. I inhaled my son’s scent, kissed his head, and let peace settle.
"I love you," Damon whispered.
"I love you too," I murmured, smiling in the dark.
–David–
Yup. This is bullshit.
I went through the files, the so-called evidence, and it all points to one thing: Kelly is dead. My gorgeous, razor-sharp secretary—the one who keeps my empire running like clockwork. She’s the perfectionist who clears schedules, closes deals, and makes chaos look like art. And now I’m sitting here, waiting for her corpse to be delivered.
I dug into the system, combed through the Nest’s encrypted files. Every damn firewall slamd shut in my face. Lore’s handiwork. He’s too good. I couldn’t even pull records on Kelly—Reyes. If that’s even her real na. Whoever set this up, they’re professionals.
"What are you doing, man?" Lore’s voice was groggy, half-asleep.
I spun my chair to face him, arms crossed, CEO mode on.
"Give Kelly’s files. Her real na."
He scratched his ssy hair, still disoriented.
"What? Bro, did you even sleep?"
"I didn’t. I need her files."
"No." He shook his head, groaned, then pulled into a hug. "I’m sorry, bro." He kissed my head like I was fragile. I couldn’t even dodge him. "It’s alright."
"I’m not fine, Lore!" I shoved him off, my voice sharp. "Give her files. Now."
He shook his head again. "Stop. You can’t break into my program. I told you."
I rolled my eyes.
"Aly, baby! Your brother’s trying to kill himself."
"Oh, please." Alyssa grumbled from across the room. "Kuya, can you at least sleep? Or I’ll have soone sedate you."
"I won’t sleep until you tell everything about her."
Lore shook his head again. Fucker.
"Lorenzo!" My voice cracked like thunder.
"Yeah, right. We need a sedative," Lore muttered to Alyssa, who frowned in disapproval.
These two—my sister and her fiancé—were driving insane. I love Aly, but if Lore won’t give what I want, I’ll make his life hell every damn day.
I took a step forward—and suddenly, the world went dark.
"Bro!" Lore’s voice echoed, but everything collapsed into black.
Three Months Ago
After celebrating with one of our biggest partners, I’d had more than a few drinks. Lore and Alyssa greeted us at the hotel foyer. My sweet sister handed a bottle of water—always looking out for .
"I love you, sis." I kissed her head, and she shoved playfully. I pulled Lore into a hug too; he didn’t hesitate to kiss my head on her behalf. He’s smaller than —still young—but he’s filling out faster than I expected.
"Take care!" Lore patted my shoulder, then Kelly’s. The two headed out, probably to their car. I glanced at the bodyguards trailing them. Yeah, they needed it.
"To the penthouse," I murmured, while Kelly shot a glare.
"Oh, co on, Kels. Don’t look at like that. Let’s drink more." I grinned, charming as ever. She shook her head.
"You’re drunk."
"Uh-uh. I’m not."
I wasn’t. At least I thought I wasn’t. We headed to the car. I opened the backseat door for her—gentleman move. Won usually found it charming. Kelly didn’t.
I stumbled inside, dizzy. Kelly steadied .
"Okay, that’s it!" she snapped. "I hate when you drag into these events."
She helped in, the driver shut the door, and I leaned closer. Her scent—clean, natural—wrapped around .
"Kels," I mumbled.
She let rest against her, hand on my forehead.
"I don’t want my sister to get married so soon," I whispered. "But I want to get married."
"Well, that sucks," she said flatly.
"I know."
I hugged her, snuggled against her. She scolded often, but she always held when I needed it. She was different. Perfect. Untouchable.
"I’m not feeling well," I muttered.
"Yeah, probably your liver is dying."
I chuckled. She hauled to the elevator—stronger than she looked. She shoved inside, pressed the penthouse button. I grinned at her.
"Do you have a boyfriend?"
"I’m not interested in romance, boss."
I laughed, arms crossed.
"Why not?"
"Why did you ask?"
"Be mine," I said. Maybe it was the alcohol. "Marry ."
She stared at , her jet-black curls tied high, lips sharp like a weapon. I cornered her, hand above her head.
"One-ti proposal. You can’t fall in love with anyone else. And you get half my wealth."
I tipped her chin up, locked eyes with her, and crushed my lips against hers.
The elevator doors slid open and Kelly shoved forward, tugging at my shirt as she guided out. I chuckled, stumbling toward the penthouse door. My fingerprint and code unlocked it, and I gestured grandly.
"You’re drunk," she murmured, stepping inside.
I followed, shutting the door behind us. By the foyer, I kicked off my shoes and socks, watching her head toward the kitchen. I shrugged off my coat, fumbling with the buttons of my shirt as I trailed after her.
She froze when she turned back.
"What the hell? Did you leave your coat outside?"
"I guess," I muttered, rubbing my temple. "Damn, I’m wasted."
She handed a glass of cold water. I drained it, but the heat in my chest lingered. My hand caught her wrist, pulling her closer. I pressed my lips to hers—this ti, she didn’t push away. She kissed back.
The world blurred. I rember the softness of her hair brushing against my skin, the way her presence steadied even as my head spun. I looked around... now we are in my bedroom and I am on my bed with her straddling over , helping remove my pants.
"Kels," I whispered, voice slurred but earnest. "You’re beautiful... you deserve everything beautiful in this world."
She scoffed lightly.
"Ironic, isn’t it? Beauty is destruction."
"Maybe," I murmured, brushing a kiss against her eyelids. "But you’re different. Tonight, I want to erase those sad eyes."
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