Chapter 43

Vivian I glanced at my watch. It had been more than the time which was given by Kiara. She had informed Ava that she would be here in fifteen minutes. But I had been waiting for thirty minutes since she had not come yet. My best man was Max, who was standing right beside me and kept a smiling face as if he was going to marry instead of me. He was thirty-five but still unmarried. Who would marry a man like him who could not live without drugs? I looked down at Harley. She was also standing near me, wearing a white flowery gown.

Alice approached me. She was looking beautiful in her black dress. “God. You are looking damn gorgeous in white.” She murmured while hugging me.

I hugged her back. “Thanks.” I had worn a white suit with a steel grey vest and a black tie. My designer had done a great job in designing this elegant suit.

Henry came next. “Congratulations, man.”

“Congratulations to you on your next child,” I said and looked at Alice. She was four months pregnant.

She bent down, reaching for Harley and stroking her hair lovingly. “Congratulations to you, Harley, on your new mother.”

Harley looked up at me, and her eyes lit up with happiness. “Thank you, princess.”

Alice kissed her cheeks before straightening herself. Henry wrapped his arm around his wife’s waist, pulling her close. “Let’s go, baby.” They took a seat on the left side beside Kiara’s mother.

Even Kiara’s mother was looking happy for her daughter. But I still hated her.

“Hey, handsome.” Sarah’s voice interrupted me, and I found her with her husband, Jack. She hugged me despite her husband’s dark scowl. “I am so happy for you.” She murmured and pulled herself back, scanning me up and down. “We are the same.” She had worn a short-grey dress that was barely hiding her upper thighs. She was the same as Kiara. They had many similarities, one of them looking sexy all the time.

“Congratulations, Mr. Miller.” Her husband shook my hand firmly while giving me a tight smile.

“Thanks, Mr. Robbins,” I replied roughly and nodded to him. They took place on the right side of David.

I looked around for Ava, but she was nowhere to be seen. Probably because of Alice and Henry. I did not like her being cowered around them. I knew she did wrong in the past but eventually; she realized her mistake and had been regretting it.

“When will Kiara be here? I want to see her angelic look.” Harley said impatiently, and her lips stretched into a wide smile.

“She’ll be here at any moment.” I heard Ava’s soft voice.

Harley gasped at Ava’s look. “You are looking stunning.” Ava was in a white satin dress which had a thigh-high slit showing her maximum skin and I didn’t like the way David and Max were eyeing my little sister.

“Thank you, little queen. And you, too, are looking cute in your flowery gown.” Ava said and looked up at me, adjusting my tie. “Don’t look at them like that. You look dangerous with your scowl. Everyone is watching you.”

I turned my eyes at her, annoyingly. “Where is your fucking boyfriend? Everyone is here with their partner. And you are still alone. I don’t want to give Henry the fucking idea that you are still clinging to him!” I hissed under my breath and looked at Henry whose expression was darkened due to fury. He could not stand Ava’s presence near him and Alice. Her wife squeezed his shoulder, eyeing him and saying some pleasant words to him.

Ava let out a long sigh. “I don’t care about him, and I don’t give a damn what he thinks about me.” She snapped and walked away. She took a place beside Sarah. Sarah stood up and hugged her. They exchanged a few pleasantries before taking their place.

“Wow, she is here!” Suddenly, Harley blurted out, and everyone turned around to see Kiara. She was in a white, simple gown that had clutched every curve of her body perfectly. She was looking ten times more beautiful than the rest of the days. She was looking like an angel. Her dark brown hair curled softly that was falling over her shoulders.

It took all my self-control not to reach her and carry her in my arms. When she came close to me, I could see her red and tearful eyes. Her face glistered due to sweat forming on her forehead and a few strands of her hair plastered to her face. The sweat trickled down into her eyes and ran her mascara. Something sad flashed across her beautiful face. Maybe she had cried at her father’s grave and maybe she was overwhelmed with a lot of things.

When she finally reached me, I offered her my hand and pulled her closer to me. “You are looking damn gorgeous,” I whispered in her ear.

She winced in my clutch and gave me a sad smile. “Why do I feel you are sad?” I said, frowning.

She shook her head, and her body was trembling. “I’m so happy today.” She whispered, panting.

A cry echoed loudly in the silent hall as Ava staggered back. Her hand covered her mouth in shock and tears broke through her eyes. I could hear the shallow breathing of people. I looked at Sarah, her moist eyes kept staring at Kiara’s back with utter shock on her face and her husband’s expression hardened.

“Mrs. Seton,” Alice cried out while balancing Kiara’s mother, who fainted.

What the fuck was going on here?!

“Fuck! She is bleeding profusely!” Henry growled while watching Kiara’s back.

“Dad, what is that?” Harley whispered shakily while pointing her finger to the aisle. I looked in her finger’s direction and found the spots of blood following Kiara. I turned back to Kiara, who was breathing shallowly.

I carefully pressed her body against mine. And moved my hand behind her back. I shivered when my hand turned red. I was well familiar with that liquid. The liquid I had been living with. The liquid I had been loving most. It was a sign of my brutality. The blood was the only thing I yearned for. But today that blood paralyzed me.

“Vivian...” Kiara’s voice was barely audible. I carefully hugged her fragile body.

“David, take Harley out of here as soon as possible!” I ordered him and he quickly stood up and grabbed Harley by her arm and took her out of the hall immediately. I let out a shaky breath and turned to Max, who was staring at Kiara, horrified. “Max, get the car!”

He nodded and quickly jogged out.

“Kiara, everything is going to be alright. Don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen to you.” I said calmly and smiled at her assurance.

Her lips formed into a strange smile. I carefully carried her into my arms and rushed out. Henry would take care of her mother. Now I needed to focus on her. I sat her down first before adjusting myself in the car. I rested her head against my chest, listening to her heartbeat.

Who the fuck does this with her? I swear I’ll rip every inch of his skin off.

Kiara grabbed my hand, shaking. She was fucking cold. “V.Vivian. I..m.sorry..” She breathed hard. A few words were taking away all her energy.

“Shh..don’t talk, it will hurt you.” I massaged her hand gently.

She shook her head, swallowing hard. “I...want..to..spend..a few...moments of my life..talking..with..you..”

I froze at my place and watched her voiceless. I looked down at my white suit, which was turned red with her blood. Fuck! I was trembling. Blood had already soaked her white gown and now it was dripping down on my pants to the seat. So much fucking blood.

“Please..say..something..” Her eyelids were heavy.

My throat dried. “Max..drive fast,” I growled at him, even though he was driving at full speed. I looked back at her. I could not lose her. I could not lose my second love. It would kill me forever. “You are going to be alright! You are going to be my wife, Kiara! You are going to be Harley’s mother! I need you! My daughter needs you!”

She winced, swallowing her severe pain. “I don’t think I’ll....”

“Shh..shut your mouth, Kiara! Please shut your mouth!” I held her hand softly and continued to stare at her, overcome by grief. “You promised me that you’ll love me forever. You promised me you’ll marry me. You promised me that you’ll never leave me. Then what’s changed today? Just don’t give up easily, Kiara. I know you are tough, just be that one.”

She was struggling to maintain her eye contact with me. It seemed like she would pass out at any moment. Her body was motionless. “I don’t...have..enough..time.” She dragged my hand to her lips and pressed a soft kiss to my palm. “Promise..me..you’ll.. quit..this mafia world..” Every word was taking away her enormous amount of energy. “Promise... you’ll..live a.. simple life...I want...our daughter safe..., Vivian. I..want..her a...bright and secure future....” Tears fell from the corner of her eyes. “I’m. sorry. I could..not. able...to.. protect..myself.. but. I want..both of you safe.”

She rested her head against my chest." I..love.. you..and...I’ll..even..after...my..death.." The last words left out her mouth and shattered my heart into pieces. Seconds passed as Kiara still buried her face against my chest and didn’t say a word.

“Kiara, I love you so damn much. Do you hear me? I love you. You can’t lose this battle. You’ll win for us.” I stroked her hair lovingly. “Kiara. You are going to be okay, baby.” She stilled. “Kiara.” I shook her, but she didn’t respond.

“Boss, we are almost there,” Max informed.

I pulled her body back to see her face. “Kiara.” I swallowed as my chest tightened with fear. I dragged my trembling hand near her neck, checking her pulse rate. Fuck! I could not feel her pulse rate.

We arrived at the hospital. I carried her in my arms, her both hands and head hung limp. Whenever I used to carry her in my arms, she used to lock her both hands around my neck and rest her head against my chest, but that time was different. She was looking like a corpse. Slowly her olive skin turned white, the same as her white gown. Fuck, she scared me. The doctors rushed toward the car. They watched me nervously before shifting their gaze to Kiara.

**********

Hours passed, but I didn’t get her news.

I could feel my pulse pounding in my temple and my chest was aching with every breath. I sat down, grabbing my head between my hands. The doctors and nurses were hurrying through the emergency room. Even they did not know what the result would be. They were too scared to refuse me. I want her alive at any fucking cost. If she didn’t make it, I wasn’t sure what I would do with myself. The old memories rushing through my brain history were repeating. First Bella and now Kiara.

I stared back at the red color of my suit. Fuck! Today I should not have chosen white. My suit had soaked her blood. I didn’t know who did all this with her. But if I come to know about him, I would give him the cruelest death.

My phone rang out, but I ignored it. It kept ringing. I almost threw my phone away, but my eyes caught the familiar number. It was Eric Wilson. I received his call.

“Have you got my surprise, Mr. Vivian Miller? I assume she must be dead till now.”

“What did you say?” I couldn’t recognize my voice. It was on the verge of breaking.

“Now I’ve got my revenge. Do you know who took away her virginity?” He sneered. “She had surrendered herself to me four years ago. I remembered how innocent she was, so fragile and helpless. But pity to say her brother’s wrongdoing was borne by her. Torturing your girlfriend and shattering your heart killing two birds with one stone.”

I gripped the phone as if it was his neck. “Just wait and watch how I’ll torture you, fucker!”

He laughed as if I was joking. “You won’t. You promised Bella that you would never kill me.”

“Bella is dead” I winced at those words. “Kiara is my present and my future. You touched her. Eric, I will make you regret it! You will beg for death, I swear! I’ll slaughter you!” I could hear his shallow breath.

The moment the doctor came out, I threw my phone with full force, jolting him due to fear. I closed my eyes for a moment before staring back at him. “How’s she?”

He bowed his head down, swallowing hard. “Critical. She lost a lot of blood and had a lot of internal injuries.” He swallowed again. “It is difficult to say she’ll pull through this.”

“Take me to her.”

His eyes widened before he shook his head. “Visitors are not all...”

I was on the verge of grabbing his throat, but I fisted my hands and narrowed my eyes at him. “Take me to her!”

He hesitated before nodding me to the emergency room. I followed him inside. The moment I entered the room, my heart squeezed tightly at the sight of her. She was fighting for life. The various devices were gripping her body to track her body function. She was almost white because of the loss of a lot of blood. Her body seemed lifeless. I reached her and took hold of her hand, ignoring the doctors and nurses’ inappropriate scrutiny. I just wanted to be with her. “I know you are strong, you’ll pull through this, Kiara...” We are supposed to get married today. She was supposed to be my wife. We are supposed to be spending time somewhere romantic. And I had spent my entire night thinking of what her reaction was when I spoke those three words to her. She had been waiting for me to confess my feelings to her, but I was too stubborn to accept that I was already hers. She had already replaced Bella in my heart a long time ago.

Suddenly, an emergency alarm entered my ears and made me look at the doctors and nurses who were running and yelling something. I quickly stood up and watched the doctor, who was checking the monitor. But he was already late because the monitor produced a flat line, which means she had no heartbeat.

And she is dead.

********

Epilogue Six months later Vivian I knelt in front of her grave and took a deep breath to calm down my overwhelmed brain. “How are you?” I whispered, smiling to myself. The memories of her awakened in my mind. Those beautiful memories I had spent with her. Her sophisticated smile, her soothing voice, and those stunning eyes.

I looked down at the white tulips in my hands. “You always loved tulips.” I placed tulips on her grave before sitting in the same place. “Our daughter is doing great. She is beautiful and intelligent like you as always.” I shook my head and ran a hand through my hair. “Will you forgive me? I couldn’t fulfil what I promised you. I failed you. I am..” I bit my lower lip, feeling guilt weighed in my heart even though I did not need to. “I am sorry. I just didn’t want to do that, but I was helpless.” My hands clenched into fists. “I was fucking helpless. You know me very well.”

I sighed and stood up, shoving my hands into my pockets. My heart was heavy because of guilt and despair. I glanced down at her grave one last time before making my way to the car. “How long will you keep doing this?” Harley asked, looking at me.

I opened the door for her, and she jumped on before I slid into the car. “Until I get her forgiveness.” I smiled sadly and started the engine.

She glanced at her grave. “How do you know if she has forgiven you?”

I kept my eyes on the street. “When she forgives me, I will feel her, and my heart will be lighter than before.” I gave her a small smile and in response, she frowned and didn’t understand my statement.

After a few minutes of driving, I pressed the security code before pulling the car through the giant gate. As usual, Harley didn’t wait for me. and got out and ran into the mansion. I went out next, handing the keys to my man before stepping in. When I crossed the threshold, the aroma of delicious food reached my nose.

“How was your journey with your father?” I heard her alluring voice.

“It was okay. Nothing fun.” Harley said, looking down at delicious muffins. “Did you bake my favorite muffin?”

“My daughter wanted me to bake her favorite muffins for her, so how could I refuse her?” She said, “Oh, thanks, mum.” She said joyfully and jumped at the trayful muffins. “I have to change first before I decorate. I’m very excited about decorating our Christmas tree.” Grabbing the muffins in both hands, Harley rushed off to her room.

She nodded at Harley and looked at me. “She’ll forgive you one day.” She said when she studied my expression.

How could she know what I was thinking? There were a lot of things that had changed in these six months.

I went closer to her, staring her down. “Pink suits you.” She had worn a pink plain dress that had reached her knees and her long blonde hair was cascading against her shoulder in a straight fall. The perfect combination of an angel. Blonde and pink.

“I thought you would not like my blonde hair but thank God you are appreciating me. I just hate that people call me Harley’s stepmother. I’ve already slapped many people for this reason. And trust me, I’m gonna kill every single teacher in her school. If they still give me a curious stare. What does it mean I am too young to be a six-year-old mother? I turned my hair golden so that they would not question me.” She placed her hands on her hips. “I am her mother, not stepmother.” She shouted angrily and glared at me coldly.

I raised my brows together. “What? Why are you glaring at me as if I am one of those teachers?”

She snorted. “I just wanted to hit someone to let my anger out.” She looked around. “Where the hell is David?!”

“You have already swollen his one eye and spoiled his date.” I chuckled and went closer to her. “Why don’t you hit me instead?”

“You know I can’t.” She mumbled and pushed me back. “I had already scarred your skin with my knife. Remember.”

“Fuck Kiara! That was the sexiest thing I’ve ever experienced. If you could know how beautiful you were looking while slashing my skin. So fucking gorgeous. Your anger and feistiness are something that takes every man to the next level.”

She glared at me. “Just don’t defend me, Vivian. I know I was wrong, and I will regret it throughout my life.”

“What about you, Kiara?” I whispered. “What about you when I almost lost you?” I swallowed, closing my eyes.

The anxiety that was swallowing me every passing second had died, and it turned into an icy numbness. I was completely numb. Black filled my vision and the only thing I could hear was my heartbeat. Tears fell through my cold eyes as I watched her motionless body. “You can’t do this! You can’t do this! You can’t kill me, Kia. I have a daughter who needs me. She is innocent. Why should she be punished for someone else’s mistake? Why? I can’t take it. It’ll freeze me forever.” I squeezed my eyes shut, letting the tears fall through my cheeks. The doctors and nurses were watching me and my tears. I had never shed a single tear in the front of any fucking one. I grabbed her frozen hand and kissed it. “Please, Kia..” I kissed her palm and closed my eyes.

Beep..beep...beep...beep.

I froze.

My eyes automatically went to the monitor. The heartbeats that had died a second ago came back to life and waved again. Immediately, the doctors and nurses rushed to her.

“Mr. Miller, could you wait outside, please?” Doctor asked, and I gave him a nod before walking out.

“Vivian!” Kia shouted and pulled me into the present.

I ran a hand through my hair. “Yes.”

She cupped my face because she had caught despair in my eyes. “I am totally fine and standing right in front of you, Vivian.”

I wrapped my arm around her slender waist and pulled her into a fierce kiss, and she immediately responded to me. I slipped my tongue into her small mouth, tasting her sweetness. She moaned, fisting my hair. “I love you. More than I have ever imagined that I would be able to love someone after Bella.” I rasped between our kisses.

“I love you more and more with every passing second, Vivian.” She breathed hard in my mouth but didn’t break out the kiss. “Oh God, you are the best kisser.”

“Please don’t drip your saliva in my muffins,” Harley shouted, and we tore apart, watching her, surprised. She stood on the other side of the table, crossing her arms over her chest and glaring at us.

Kia glanced at me, then at Harley. “Today is a lot of work to do. I don’t even have a few seconds to sit.” She said, flushed, and went into the kitchen.

I shrugged. “Your muffins are totally fine,” I said and walked away as if nothing had happened a minute ago.

**********

“Need help, baby?” I asked Kia while pressing her back against my chest and planting a soft kiss on her shoulder.

“Nah, everything is almost done.” She turned to me, smiling. “Don’t distract me. I need to check my special cake. Guests will be here.” She shoved me back, but I didn’t let her go. “What?”

“Come on, you have been in the kitchen since morning, and I have played enough with my fucking patience. Now” I kissed her lips. “I want you.”

She glanced across the kitchen. “You want me here?”

I raised my brows together. “So what? We have made out on the kitchen counter before.”

“Today is Christmas and Harley, David, and Caleb are here. Rose would come here anytime. What if someone sees us?” She traced her thumb on my lower lip. “I’d love to do this, but not now.” She pushed me again and this time I let her go. “Have you decorated the Christmas tree? I asked David for a few decorated things. I don’t know if he has brought it or not.”

“Everything is done, baby. Right now, you just need to please your husband through your beautiful body.” I smirked, and she looked back, glaring at me. “I brought a gown for you. At the party, I want you to wear that one.

“Give me a few minutes. Once everything is done, I’ll be there.” She said, and I gave her a nod before walking out.

*********

“I never thought that you would bring me a red gown. I was expecting you to be blue and black.” Kia said while checking her reflection in the mirror. “God. Vivian, it is so gorgeous. It must cost you a fortune.” She turned around, checking her back through the mirror. “It’s been a while since I wore red.”

Nothing was better than seeing her smiling face. It was rare she would ever smile, but when she did, it swelled my heart with joy. It had been six months since that incident, but still, those memories kept hunting her. We had lost our child, and it had broken Kiara completely. For the first two months, she wasn't able to move on, but eventually, our love made it possible. And she finally let go of her past. She had won her battle, and she had won my love.

“Mum.” Harley interrupted us. “I don’t like red, but I have worn it for you. How am I looking?” She showed up in her red dress, twirling around delightedly.

“You are looking incredibly beautiful,” Kiara said, and bent down and kissed her cheeks.

Harley smiled widely. “Dad, why don’t you also wear red?”

I frowned. “Red? I don’t think it would look good on me.” Wearing red was the last thing on my mind. I looked at Kiara. “This color only belongs to your mother.”

“And black is yours,” Harley stated, frowning. “What’s mine?”

“Pink.” I and Kiara said simultaneously, and we all burst out into a laugh.

“Let’s go down. Everyone is waiting,” Harley said and rushed off through the door.

“I can’t believe I have you and Harley. I can’t believe I am a mother and a wife. This is a dream.” She shook her head, and water gathered in her eyes.

I bridged the gap between us and kissed her forehead. “I can’t believe I’m a husband.” I smiled and wrapped my arm around her waist. “Shall we?” She gave me a nod, and we walked down.

Everyone was already waiting for us. Alice and Henry stood with their two kids. “Merry Christmas.” Alice reached us and hugged Kiara and then me.

“She is so adorable,” Kiara said when she spotted Anna, Alice, and Henry’s daughter. “Can I hold her?”

“Of course,” Alice smiled and handed the baby to her.

“I can’t take my eyes off. She is too adorable.” Kiara kept watching her. I could see the flicker of sadness in her eyes. If that fucker had not slashed Kiara’s back, then our daughter also was here with us.

“Merry Christmas to everyone.” Sarah’s voice rang out.

We all turned to her. “You are noisy.” Henry scowled at his cousin.

She threw her fake smile at Henry. “I’m not too loud, but your ears are too sharp, Henry baby.”

Before Henry could snap her. “Da..ddy..” Kelvin grabbed our attention. “Da..ddy..” He was throwing his little hands to his dad’s legs and clutching the knees to stand up.

“I think he has soaked his diaper,” Alice said after observing her baby boy. “Could you please change his diaper?”

Henry glanced at his surroundings to make sure no one had heard before shrugging his shoulders. “Of course, baby.”

Sarah laughed at his back. “I can't believe that ice-cold turned into a loving father!” She turned to me. “And here my Vivi found a new love.” She glanced at her husband, who was talking with a few men. “Ladies, can you advise me on how you turned these bulls into loving puppies?”

Kiara and Alice laughed together. “Seduce him,” Kiara said, and looked at me. “As far as I remember, I had made the first move on him. If I hadn’t seduced him, then he would never look at me.”

“Men are difficult to understand,” Alice said while sipping her wine. “And mine is impossible.”

Sarah laughed. “Let me grab another drink.” She said and went to the counter.

I looked at Kiara. She was enjoying the baby in her arms. Alice came to my side, nudging me. “I can’t believe you made it true.”

I smiled and looked back at Kiara. “She made it true.”

“Never let her go, Vivian.”

I frowned at her statement. “I won’t. She has given me a second life. She healed me. She is mine.”

Kiara looked at me as if she heard me. “What are you two whispering?”

“I was thanking him for inviting us to such an incredible evening. It would be a memorable moment for all of us.” Alice said.

“Next Christmas party will be at my place,” Sarah said and grinned, revealing her perfectly white teeth.

“Hey, Kia.” Lucian appeared out of nowhere and hugged her briefly, keeping in mind the small human in her arms. “How are you? How’s your back?”

“I’m okay! You? And where is Leo?” She glanced across the hall.

“I’m here.” Leo approached us, adjusting his yellow tie shyly and then smoothing his navy-blue suit. It was the first time he wore a suit.

“You look good,” I said and clapped appreciatively.

“It was his idea.” He flashed a dimpled grin.

“I’ve told you you’ll receive a lot of appreciation,” Lucian said, winking at him.

Leo blushed. “Thank you again.”

When Anna cried, Kia handed her back to Alice. “I think she is overwhelmed by many people.”

Alice nodded at her and took her away to somewhere quiet.

Leo reached me. “Boss. I need to talk to you.”

I frowned before giving him a terse nod and guided him into my study. “What did you want to talk about?”

He took a long sigh before meeting my gaze. “H-Harmony has called me.”

My hands clenched into fists as I glared at him coldly. “If you’re going to talk about her, then I won’t listen to your bullshit. I won’t forgive her, Leo, and you know it very well!” I said threateningly. Harmony was loyal to me for three years, but now she had lost my trust. I could not believe she had poisoned Kiara with me. She was the woman who had called Kiara that night and misled her about me. Fuck! That was the reason Kiara had run from me.

“S-She is sorry.” He said hesitatingly, lowering his eyes.

“I won’t forgive her, Leo!” I clipped and stalked out of the room without waiting for his reply.

I glanced at Kiara. She was busy talking with her mother and Lucian. Harley was playing with Ashton and Caleb’s twin boys who had arrived recently, and next to them was Kelvin, who was toddling into the hall, grinning at them. Alice kept watching her son and talking to Sarah at the same time. Henry was rocking his little daughter at the corner of the hall. I glanced at the watch. It was almost midnight and Ava was nowhere to be seen. I had talked to her. She had told me she would attend the party, but where the hell was she?

I pulled out my phone and dialed her number. In two rings, she picked up my phone. “Hey, bro.” Her voice came brittle as if she was about to cry.

“Why are you not here?” I asked.

She cleared her throat. “I don’t feel well. Sorry, I forgot to inform you.”

“But an hour ago, you have been good. Why do you suddenly feel sick?”

She said nothing.

“Ava?”

“B-Bro, I’ll call you later.” Her voice cracked in the end, and she quickly disconnected the call. I looked at my blank screen for a moment. Something had happened to her. For a moment, I considered calling her back and asking what happened to her, but I knew she would not receive my call.

A soft hand touched my shoulder. “What happened to you?” Kia asked, searching my face.

I smiled. “It’s about Ava. She feels sick. I am worried about her.”

She squeezed my shoulder lightly. “She will be okay. I’ll talk to her after the party.” She nodded, giving me an assuring smile. “Let’s dance.”

I nodded and guided her onto the floor, where a few couples had already been dancing. One of them was Sarah and Jack. I didn’t understand their relationship one time they were fighting and the next moment they were staring at each other as if there was not tomorrow.

Was it love?

***********

After taking a long warm shower, I dried out my body and stepped out of the bathroom after wrapping a towel around my waist. When I got out, I heard her son. Before she could hide her face and wipe away her tears, I had already caught her sight. “Don’t do this,” I said firmly and made my way to the bed.

She looked away and didn’t want to meet my gaze. I lowered myself down and took a place beside her. She was hugging her knees together and her eyes kept staring at night through the window. “You can cry if you want to. I’m right here.” I whispered, holding her hand gently.

Her lips trembled, but she bit into it, shaking her head. “I hate to cry. It makes me weak.”

I said nothing and waited for her to say more.

“You tortured him. You beat him to within an inch of his life, you slashed his skin, you broke his bones, but still....” She swallowed hard. “But still, he has some power over me even after his death. I can’t forget that day.” She shook her head, fighting back tears. “I’m sorry I can’t...I lost her.”

She referred to our unborn daughter.

I quickly pulled her into a hug, kissing her hairline. “Don’t feel sorry. It was not your fault.”

“Sorry, I messed up your mood. I know you still feel guilty because you killed Bella’s brother and broke her last promise for me...”

“I feel guilty because I broke her last wish, not because I killed that fucker. He got what he deserved from the beginning. He deserved death twice, thrice, and more. I would kill him again and again...” I breathed harshly. “I can’t forget every pain he has given to you.”

She peered at me through her lashes. “I want to get pregnant again.”

I smiled and moved my hand down her back and traced the spot where she had stabbed. “Not now. I can’t risk your life again. You’ll be pregnant once the doctor allows you.”

She snorted and looked down angrily. After a while, “Wait, what is it?” She grabbed my forearm and studied my new fancy written tattoo. “My blood queen.” She read it out and gasped. “You wrote my secret name?” She traced her fingers over it. “When did you do this?”

“Yesterday, your Christmas gift.” I smiled, stroking her hair. “I know you are not a jewelry and expensive gift type, so I wrote it on my body.”

“Oh, my God Vivian. It’s beautiful.” She kissed the spot where I tattooed her. “I could say it still hurts you.”

I raised a brow. “It’s nothing compared to what I have been through.”

“I know my husband has a bulletproof body.” She embraced me. “I never thought you would turn out to be a romantic man.”

I softly laid her down on the bed and adjusted my body above her. “Trust me, I’m a romantic man.”

She ran her hand over my abs and then lowered down my waistline. “Your abs make me horny.” She said seductively.

I kissed her sensitive spot behind her ear, gaining her soft moan. “And my dick?”

She gasped and watched me with wide eyes. “It is a monster.” She removed my towel.

I leaned down, pressing my lips against her feather-like lips. “Then take it. He loves you.”

She pressed herself to me, sucking my full mouth, and her legs moved around my hips. “And you?” She asked between our fierce kisses.

“I love you,” I said and moved down, kissing her throat.

“I love you, Vivian.”

THE END

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