CHAPTER 59After spending a week in the hospital, Lucifer was still feeling all sore, but he was more than happy to leave Hawaii as it had given him a feeling of bad omen. “Are you all set?” Lucifer asked turning around. “Just give me one second, I can't find my bikini bottoms!” Katherine responded, leaping from one spot in the room to another. She just didn't know where she placed her bottoms and those were her favourite pair. “Have you checked the couch cushions?” Lucifer rolled his eyes, watching as she scurried about. Katherine's head snapped up to meet his eyes, and her eyes sparkled with astonishment, “Oh my goodness. You're right, I totally forgot!” She yelled, dashing towards the two-seater.Lo and behold, there it was, wedged between two cushions. “I wonder how you made your way over here,” she murmured under her breath, picking it up and tossing it into her luggage bag, before zipping back up. Exasperated, she dragged her two, much heavier bags to the front of the room
CHAPTER 60"Riley is that really you?" Lucifer asked looking at the girl in front of him. The lights had suddenly turned back on, and there in the center of the room was a lady about Katherine’s age, standing there, hands looped behind her. There was a little gift bag on the table, filled to the brim and stuffed with wrapping paper, and beside it were helium balloons and a get well soon card propped up right beside it.Katherine's bag had slipped out of her grip; a result of her reeling shock. But no one seemed to notice the soft thump of the leather bag against the floor.“Yes, it's me, Lucifer!” Riley sighed, quickly running up towards him and pulling him in for a tight, warm embrace.“It's been so long, Where have you been?” Lucifer asked still dumb struck by the fact that Riley was actually here. The hug felt familiar, but odd since he hadnt received one in so long. Witnessing what was happening right in front of her eyes, Katherine blinked once, then twice, unable to believe h
Chapter 61“Riley, what are you talking about?” Lucifer sat up quickly, his heart rate skyrocketing all of a sudden. There was a part of him that oddly didn’t want Katherine to hear, but at the same time, he didn’t mind.“You know what I’m talking about, Lucifer,” She pushed him by the shoulder with her pointer finger, biting her bottom lip mischievously. “Or have you forgotten so quickly?” She said, her voice low and breathy as her doe eyes looked up at him. His blue orbs bore almost into her soul, yet she couldn’t seem to look away from those mesmerizing eyes.“Maybe I have…” He trailed off, breaking the eye contact finally. His breath hitched for a moment when he felt her hand on his shoulder, “You can’t do this though, Riley.” He cautioned, his breathy voice betraying him.It’d been a while since he was laid and it didn’t help him much in this situation. “What?” She whined, laughing it off. “So, you don’t remember running from Mrs. Verna’s class,” She trailed a finger down his c
Chapter 62“How do you feel now?” Riley asked, standing beside where Lucifer sat. He popped open the sachet of medicine, and spilled it into his outstretched palm, before downing it with some water. As she watched him gulp the prescribed medicine down, he nodded. He let out a deep sigh after taking the medicine, “Better than before. I can’t believe these pills work so fast.” He said, relaxing back into his seat. He had skipped his medication and the pain from the explosion had resumed, and this time, tremendously. It was late in the evening, and soon they’d all have dinner. The pain throughout the day was too much for Lucifer, and even though Riley asked if he needed anything, he ended up brushing it off with a shake of his head. But, she could easily see through him. Of course, she’d known him for years, so it was only normal. “My shoulder just feels a bit sore.” He said after a short while, scratching the back of his neck. Without saying a word, she moved behind the seat, and pl
Chapter 63Katherine tossed and turned in bed lousily. She could feel the sunrays hitting her exposed skin and when she tumbled over, she almost rolled and fell down from the bed. Her body jolted awake and her eyes fluttered open. Yesterday was completely hectic and her mind immediately circled back to the last conversation that she had with Lucifer before they went to bed. He seemed to be very nonchalant about the whole thing, but she didn’t know. How would she know anything at all? She was new—a stranger— to Lucifer Cain’s life, and although she wasn’t expecting much it hurt. The way he had replied left him feeling almost unsettled and she tried to brush it off, but she couldn’t seem to.She remembered exactly what happened as clear as day:Lucifer’s lips curled into a slow, predatory smirk, his sharp gaze pinning Katherine in place. He leaned back against the cushions, his uninjured arm draped lazily over the edge of the couch."I can see right through you, Katherine, and jealous
Chapter 64Katherine stood in the middle of the kitchen, surrounded by ingredients she had laid out in anxiousness while getting ready to make dinner. After watching Riley’s effortless breakfast feat earlier that morning, Katherine had made up her mind. She quickly dismissed the chef after thorough reasoning and now that she was right here, she couldn’t back out now. She wasn’t going to sit back while Riley played the perfect housekeeper for Lucifer. It didn’t matter how long they’d known each other. She would cook tonight—show Lucifer that she wasn’t just the helpless, needy woman Riley seemed to think she was.With a deep breath, Katherine turned her attention to the stovetop. The chicken was sizzling in the pan already, and the smell of garlic and onions filled the air. She couldn’t help but smile at the thought of Lucifer coming down the stairs, to a delicious meal.But unluckily for her, things weren’t going according to plan.As the time passed by, Katherine felt a growing sen
Chapter 65Lucifer’s voice cut through the quiet like a sternly, making Katherine whip her head around. “What’s that in your hands?”Startled, Katherine stumbled against the wall as he stormed past her, his piercing gaze locked onto Riley. His tone was sharp enough to slice through the tension, and Katherine could feel the tension radiating off him like a storm. She gasped, steadying herself with one hand rested against the wall, her pulse racing as she tried to make sense of his sudden outburst.Riley, standing by the door with the package still resting in her hands, raised an eyebrow at him, unfazed by his aggression. “It’s the package,” she said, holding it up very obviously, so he could see it much more clearly. Her brow furrowed slightly. “I picked it up like you asked me to. Is there a problem?”Lucifer’s jaw ticked as he closed the distance between them. “That doesn’t look right,” he muttered, snatching the box from her hands with so much force that Riley almost toppled over. H
CHAPTER 66The door to Lucifer’s study creaked open loudly, revealing Riley standing smack dab in the middle of the dimly lit hallway. She stepped inside, her combat boots clicking softly against the polished floor as she closed the door behind her. The air between them was different, unusual, but still, Riley reminded herself that she shouldn’t act stupid in front of him.Lucifer was seated at his desk, his posture relaxed but his gaze sharp as it followed her movements. The package from earlier was nowhere in sight, as it had been thrown out, but the unspoken tension of all the events that had unfolded earlier was still obvious, as clear as day.“So,” Riley began, crossing her arms as she leaned against the edge of the desk. “This is it.”Lucifer’s lips twitched into a wry smile. “It doesn’t have to be.”She rolled her eyes, though her bodily actions betrayed her emotions. “We both know it does. You’re sending me away for my safety, right? Or is it just because you don’t trust me an
CHAPTER 139Katherine’s head ached. She couldn’t tell how long she’d been down there. The days bled together, and she couldn't tell the night from the day and all through, food was passed to her in a tray, slid underneath the dungeon gates. But she couldn't bring herself to eat it even though it smelt good— looked good. It was left untouched and taken out the next day.Every night she cried herself to sleep, calling Noah’s name until her throat was raw. Her stomach ached, but she refused to eat. It wasn’t hunger that gnawed at her, it was the grief and fear of something happening to her son.Each time the door opened, she screamed for Noah, hoping it was him, but it was one of those cruel guards.And each time, she was beaten for it.A week went by, and she was on the same spot, bruised, and weak and also thin. But she never stopped. She was cold. Hungry. Tired. The only thing keeping her sane was the thought of Noah. Of holding him again.And Lucifer.God… she hated herself for it, b
CHAPTER 138Katherine stepped out of the Landan house looking weary. She had no idea how long she was going to walk before she could get into town. Asher had given her a small map but she had seemed to forget how to use those things. It was a bit tricky but she had thanked him for his kind gesture. And she had to be quick else this was the time that the Landans usually returned and if they saw her on the road that could lead to other complications.The goodbye with the girls, the way Asher pressed that card into her hand, she couldn't stop thinking of it all. she held Noah tightly to her chest. She had no idea how heavy he had become. He was a big baby, warm but really had enough healthy weight.She draped the blanket over her shoulders tightly. Her back ached and her shoulders but she needed to get away from there first.She hadn't even gone a distance until a black van pulled up behind her. She paused in her tracks looking around for where to dash into but it was too late.She drop
CHAPTER 137Katherine’s fingers trembled as she folded the last piece of clothing into the worn, faded bag. Her vision blurred, hot tears clouded the shapes of everything in the room.She sniffled, biting her lip hard enough to hurt. Why did he have to show up? He shouldn't have even tried to. She was fine without him, was figuring life out by herself.A soft knock came at the door, and before she could answer, tiny feet padded in. Adelaide and Madelaine with their eyes round and curious, stood in the doorway. When they saw the tears streaming down Katherine’s face, they didn’t ask what was wrong rather they simply moved to her. The two little girls wrapped their arms around her legs, holding her tight.Katherine dropped to her knees and gathered them into her arms, pressing their heads against her shoulders as the sobs came harder.“Will I ever see you again?” Madelaine asked, her voice shaky and her eyes glossy with tears.Adelaide clung to her tighter. “I don’t want you to go…”Ka
CHAPTER 136Asher sat with Noah resting quietly in his arms, the child’s tiny face pressed against his chest. His little hands clutched at Asher’s shirt without even knowing why. Asher glanced down at him and for the first time really looked. Although both parents Dna had contributed to the boy, his eyes… they were just like his father’s,Lucifer Cain.The ruthless, famous man whose reputation made even hardened men lower their heads. So this was the person Katherine had been running from all this time. The deadly Mafia.He wanted to know how she ended up with him. He had called her wife, asked for his son, showed possession and Katherine was vulnerbale. So vulnerbale and broken. Even after he left, she was still sitting in silence and trembling.Asher swallowed hard as he tried to put his messy thoughts together. The first time he heard of Lucifer, he had wanted to look for a way to harm Ethan. To set him up and fuck him up. But he couldn't stand it. He couldn't stand them. They wer
CHAPTER 135The house was quiet, except for the soft sound of the old ceiling fan and the gentle scratch of a cloth as Katherine wiped down the table. The scent of cleaning solution hung in the air. She hummed as she cleaned, trying to relish the moment and clear her head, before the doorbell rang.Her hand froze mid-wipe, cloth pressed against the wood. The sound came again, persistently, like it needed attention.It was just her and Asher home. And no one came here.No one should.Her chest tightened. She didn't want to do this. Not again.Day after day, boxes arrived. Packages filled with things she never asked for — diapers, clothes, money and various self care she could never afford. She wanted to throw them out, burn them, scream at the sky, but she didn’t.Instead, she let them pile up in Asher’s room, turning his space into a cramped storeroom of her trash. The Landans’ patience had run thin and she couldn't blame them. Kind people had their limits.The bell rang again, caus
CHAPTER 134“Where is she?” he demanded coldly as he burst into the house in rage. Katherine glued herself to the wall of her room as Ethan approached her like a mad dog. He had a scowl on his face. “What the fuck came for you today?”“I…I don't know ow what you're talking about,” she stuttered in fear. “Show me or you'll hate it if I have to force it from you, myself.”“What did I say about treating women, Erhan?” Asher said in anger as he strutted into the room. “show her what it is to force a woman and I'll show you what it is to train a man.”Ethan lunged for his son but he dodged. “Are you blind? Can't you see what she's doing? No one has ever tried to find us for years. But ever since she came things have been happening.”“And shouldn't that be a good thing? Or did you do something wrong? Something that you're scared of someone else discovering,” Asher taunted and smirked at them. Ethan stepped back panting heavily while Katherine leaned farther away with fear as he neared he
CHAPTER 133There was a gentle knock on the mahogany door. The deep voice from within called to enter, before the guards pushed the door apart.“You need to get those thugs you call securitymen arrested,” the dark man said in annoyance. “If they ever lay a hand on me again, I will ensure their body is laid in the ground.“Any news?” The second man said in boredom.“A never disappointing one,” the dark man said and dumped the carton of files on the table before taking his seat.“What did you find?” The second man asked before placing his cigar on the tray. “Hold on friend. I've got to step out of this or I swear my toes would get eaten by this monsters,” the man said as he quickly unfasten the laces of his boots. “These commanders got to tell me how they do it.”“Enough!” the other man said and slammed his hand on the table. “What did you fucking find?”“I found the house and exactly according to my tracking, it's situated at the end of nowhere. Belongs to some family. Who builds thei
CHAPTER 132When it's a coincidence, it doesn't repeat itself, does it?Amanda sat at the rocking chair, cooing at noah who was in her arms. The baby giggled and threw his little arms in the air playfully. The girls were at her feet playing dolls and fir the first time, she felt at peace.There was a relief. Maybe because her creep of a husband wasn't around. Noah let out a little but loud fact and the stench was abominable.“Mom!” Adelaide shrieked. “His poop is leaking out.”“Oh dear,” Amanda exclaimed in panic. “This dress costs two hundred dollars!”Katherine came rushing in at that moment from the laundry room. She picked up noah in fright. “Oh Amanda I'm so sorry…Maddy love, please fetch mom the wet tissues.”“You owe me,” Amanda said as she snatched the pack of wet wipes from her daughter.Katherine smiled painfully before hurrying away.“Let me deal with this diarrhea before it explodes everywhere….arghhh noah you stink of shit…I mean it's shit….but you stink for goodness sake!
CHAPTER 131The smell of sizzling bacon mixed with the earthy aroma of coffee filled the breakfast table as Katherine took a bite of her scrambled eggs.Ethan Landan wasn't helping either. He stirred the coffee pot beside her a little too loudly with the spoon clicking on every corner. It was so loud it drowned out the pounding in her head. She stole a glance at Asher who was sitting across from her. Nothing seemed out of place for him except the rage behind his eyes. He wasn’t meeting her gaze, rather his focus was firmly on the eggs on his plate. He knew. She knew. Amanda and Ethan were silent as well but their eyes flickered between Katherine and Asher from time to time as if they were trying to read minds or pick out anything odd.Katherine’s hand trembled slightly as she reached for her coffee mug. The sound of the cup clinking against the saucer was too loud. She quickly lowered the mug, staring down at her plate and trying to ignore the sick feeling churning in her stomach.“