FOUR — Four Years Later

RUBY

"Shane! Sean! Get your asses down from the table!" I yelled for the billionth time. But all I got in return was the snickering of these little rascals. 

With an exasperated sigh, I went to the couch and slumped on it. I was exhausted. It was one of the frequent things to feel as a mother, especially one to three vibrant and mischievous boys. 

"Uncle Killian is gonna spank you guys when he catches you messing his table up," Sage said, laughing and looking up from the iPad he was playing a game with. 

He was on a different couch, and thankfully not part of the chaos those two were creating. He was the oldest and very much less chaotic. He was literally my right-hand man, in a very sweet and protective way. 

"No, he won't. Uncle Killian loves us too much. He won't ever spank us." Sean, the second son, replied with a smug grin. 

"That's right." Shane seconded him and they had a high-five. He was the last. 

They seemed too smug and vain about the love Killian had for them. In all honesty, they had every reason to be that way. 

Killian had turned out way better than I bargained for. He has shown intense love for my boys right from the minute I gave birth to them. 

He played the father role so well and showed utmost dedication to my boys. He was giddy when he saw they got the Playboy looks of the Reinhart family. 

But again, it was astonishing that they had more of Killian's looks than Colt's. I had to blame it on some psychic belief of your kids having resemblances with the person you spend much time with while pregnant. It was the only explanation I could come up with. 

Killian completely quit his reckless, Casanova lifestyle and started a clothing/modeling company. He went global in months, and he became the richest and the most sought-after bachelor in the region.

It brought more ladies on his tail but so far, he hasn't picked interest in any. Sometimes, it makes me happy that he had his dedication to just me and my boys. Other times, I feel guilty and I wanna hook him up with someone. 

 I own a fashion brand now and have a lot of partnerships with other major fashion industries and companies, including Killian's.

Simply put, I was living my best life, without Colt, which was unbelievable. I never thought I could even breathe properly without him by my side. Yet here I was, glowing and happy. Totally forgot all about him.

Or not totally, but at least I don't sulk and cry over him anymore. 

"OMG!" The shriek and the crashing sound almost gave me a cardiac arrest. Glass shards were scattered all over the floor. 

Sean and Shane were gawking at it, in sheer shock. They just broke Killian's favorite flower vase. And the most expensive.

"Do you two, knuckleheads, know how much that costs?!" 

Sean tiptoed around it, with his face swollen in panic. "A thousand dollars?"

"Yeah. Multiplied by a thousand more."

"Plus it's Uncle Killian's favorite vase. He's really gonna spank you two for this." Sage backed me up. 

"We didn't mean to break it. It just slipped." Shane explained, almost on the verge of tears. 

"And we just wanted to see what it looks like." Sean chipped in. 

"Tell that to your Uncle Killian when he comes in. I warned you both but you didn't listen —"

The door opened. Both of them gasped as Killian walked inside. This was his office. And we've been waiting for him almost an hour to round up his meeting. 

The boys would have been super thrilled to see him if they weren't so frozen in guilt right now. Seeing him got them more teary-eyed and their shoulders sagged. 

Killian chuckled. "Why are my favorite duo looking so sad?"

"They broke your vase, Uncle Killian," Sage replied, gesturing at the mess on the floor. 

"Ouch…" Killian gasped, rubbing his chest in fake pain. It led the two boys to heavily sob. 

"We didn't mean to break it, Uncle Killian. It just slipped." Sean said amidst sobs. 

"Well, I should be mad," Killian began, crouching in front of them. "But you know what? I've always wanted to get rid of that vase."

I rolled my eyes. Typical Killian. Doing anything to make them feel better. Including lying. 

Their eyes shone. "Really?" They questioned simultaneously. 

"Yup. So thank you boys for helping me get rid of it. Here, let's bump our fists to that."

Shane and Sean bumped his fists. Sage giggled. "Uncle Killian only said that to make you two feel better. He didn't mean it."

"Thanks for the explanation, Sage. But it wasn't needed." Killian chuckled. His gaze shifted to me and he smiled. "I'm sorry I kept you waiting."

"I should be the one apologizing for bringing their chaotic asses here. They insisted on coming to see you on our way back from picking them up from school."

"Really?" Killian grinned, turning his gaze back to them. "Is there something you rascals wanna tell me?"

"Yes!" Sage ran over to them. And the three rambled on about a million things. Killian picked up Shane into his arms. Sage and Sean walked at his sides as we headed out of his office. 

He paused at his secretary's desk and said with a serious tone. "Have someone go clean my office. And have my meetings rescheduled to tomorrow."

"Yes, Sir."

Shane got down from his arms and the three of them ran ahead. Probably going to wait in his car. 

"Are you leaving with us?" I asked, a bit unsure and surprised too. 

"Yeah…"

"What about your meetings?"

"It's just like you heard, they are gonna be rescheduled. Hanging out with you and the boys is more important than any meeting."

I smiled gratefully as we headed out of the building. We got to his car and the boys were already waiting around it. 

Killian opened the door and they struggled on who was gonna get inside the back seat first. 

I got into the passenger seat and Killian sat in the driver's seat. 

He drove out and I was casually looking out the window. But then a striking face made me gasp. He was in a car, looking exactly like the last time I saw him. 

I was dumbfounded. Blood dried up from my face. That – that wasn't Colt, was it?