Chapter 121 Thud
Verena
Was it just my imagination, or were Kian and his girlfriend deliberately showing up everywhere I turned?
I hoped not but with the look of things—
The rest of the family had occupied the villas sprawled across the estate. Same as Kian even though he threw a small tantrum at Riley, arguing that someone outside the family had no right to stay at the mansion.
And that someone he was referring to was me.
He had said it loud enough for me to hear, like he was trying so hard to get under my skin and trigger a reaction from me. Riley had fired back at him.
‘The last time I checked this is my estate and I decide who stays in this mansion. If you are not comfortable, you can leave the estate, take your girlfriend with you. While I would absolutely love to see you and Daxton clash for my own entertainment, I don’t have the time to indulge your nonsense theatrics. Read the damn room, Kian,”
One would think that was enough to make Kian cower his head in shame, live in silence until the wedding was over but he had instructed the maids to retrieve the gift from the villa and bring it into the mansion.
He could have unwrapped it downstairs but he brought it to the third floor—deliberately singled out the lounge area that I was in.
He planned to get on my nerves and he had failed woefully at that because I honestly didn’t give a hoot about him.
“Did you bring a swimsuit?” I smiled at Daxton’s text, about to type my response when Stacey’s voice stopped me.
“Babe, I’ve counted the gifts but there isn’t one for her. I don’t think it is complete,”
I lifted my head, only to see her pointing at me with genuine concern in her eyes. Aside from the unnecessary kiss with Kian, she seemed pretty nice. No bad energy from her.
I was almost tempted to tell her that she deserved better than Kian who seemed like he was putting on a show.
I wouldn’t be shocked to find out that he hired her just for the sake of it.
“Oh…” Kian said before he darted his eyes to me.
“Her? She is my ex-wife and the gifts were prepared for those who belong to the family, not strangers,”
Words of rebuttal clawed up my throat and as much as I wanted to fire back at him, I knew he was looking for an opportunity to talk to me.
It almost looked as if he could lose his mind if I didn’t utter a word to him.
I didn’t even roll my eyes at him. As I stated earlier, he wouldn’t be getting a single reaction from me.
I pushed to my feet, sending a voice recording. “No, I didn’t come with a swimsuit. I came with a Bikini instead. The one you love on me,” Kian’s gaze darkened on me as I walked out of the lounge area.
I went to the kitchen, scooping ice cream cake in my mouth while on a video call with Atlas. “—Really? You two have started talking about marriage? Wait, you are about to beat me to the altar again?”
Laughter sputtered from my mouth and as I threw my head back, I plugged my AirPods back in. “Please. You’re the one who refuses to move past being Lisa’s forever-fiancé,”
Atlas’s face scrunched. “Oh shut up, Verena. We are only waiting for Lisa’s mum to recover fully…sort out things and stop wriggling your fingers at me. It is not like I am enjoying this limbo stage either,”
I stuck my tongue out at him. “Sure. Sure,”
“I hate this. Now I want to get married to Lisa this Sunday…” A ruffling sound followed as he stood up, shouting. “Love, we should get married next week,”
I heard Lisa yell back. “Are you drinking again, Atlas,”
I burst out laughing, Atlas showing me his middle finger.
“Anyways, I think it will happen soon. Before we arrived in Spain, I overheard Daxton asking his secretary to send him the list of stores that sell the best engagement diamond rings. Atlas, I am about to have a real proposal and—”
My heart nearly jumped into my throat as the sound of something crashing against the floor startled the life out of me.
I whipped my head back and my breath locked. Kian stood frozen behind me, color draining from his face as the wine pooled from his feet to my own stool, shards scattered before him.
He followed me all the way to the kitchen? No. The question should be how long he’s been standing behind me.
Frustrated, I ran my fingers through my hair, but before I could snap at him, he was already bolting for the door.
Daxton’s P.O.V
“Luck and wishes were words that I have always despised. I have never believed in them but Jana managed to make me whisper one at the start of the new year,”
Despite the lack of interest in this conversation or where it was leading, I asked. “What did you wish for?”
Neil smiled, the wind blowing his hair back as we walked down the winding path. “This moment. To be reunited with my siblings,”
I shook my head, impatience tugging at me. “You said you wanted to talk and go for a walk,”
“Damn Daxton, you wouldn’t even let me have a moment,”
In my head, all I could picture was Verena in that red bikini and this conversation was starting to fray on my nerves.
“About the investment you pulled out, if you would reconsider the—”
I cut in immediately. “No, Neil. No. It is a no. You can’t keep disrespecting Verena and expect to enjoy the proceeds from my investment,”
Neil inhaled deeply, chest rising. “I was wrong. I spoke in the heat of the moment only to turn out that Kian…” he hung his head low as he clicked his tongue against his teeth.
“Daxton, if reinvesting back in the company, seems too hard. Can you please grant this request of mine?”
I cocked a brow. “What request?”
“Kian. I know he has his flaws. Immature, disrespectful, and a spoiled brat sometimes. But after I am gone, can you please remain by his side and support him?”
“What do you mean by gone?”
Neil pressed his eyes shut, his breathing uneven. “The doctor discovered traces of poison in my system. He said it was slow… slow-acting that has been building up over time. It has caused significant damage to my organs and I might have just a year left—if I’m lucky,” a dry broken laugh escaped him.
I halted in my step, heart squeezing with a strange feeling that shouldn't be there.
Neil glanced at me. “Sad for me?”
I tilted my head. “Sad? Me? I don’t feel a single ounce of pity for you Neil…this is Karma coming for you for all the wrong you've done. Frankly, I am shocked it didn't come sooner,”
A wistful smile slipped through his face. “Ouch…perhaps you’re right. Just keep this away from Jana, I can’t stand her hysterical crying,” he forced out a laugh that met my silence.
“Uncle Daxton!”
Someone shouted, dissolving the tension between us. Kian. He was sprinting to me, panting as he skidded to a stop just a few feet away from me, sweat trailing down his face.
His face was pale as he straightened to his form. “You are getting married to Verena? Is it true or did she say that to mess with me…” his voice trembled at the end.
While Neil palmed his face, I stared into Kian’s eyes, watching the fear that flickered in them. Satisfaction. That was all I felt.
Kian’s bottom lip shook, a silent warning that he was seconds away from exploding and demanding an answer.
My lips curled into a smirk. “Yes,”
Kian stumbled back, his breath shaky as he said. “Marriage with my…no…my ex-wife?”
“Do you want to be part of the groomsmen? Could that be why you are so interested?”
The vein in his jaw pulsed, sweat-matted dark hair clinging to his forehead. “No…I just wanted to congratulate you both,” his smile was queasy.
The tendons in his forearms tensed as he turned, and barely two steps carried him before he collapsed to the ground with a loud thud.