Lilly's POVI thought that was it.No more lies. No more secrets. No more surprises.No more heartbreak.I thought I had it all figured out. I thought I connected the dots of my parent's complicated past, but no.No.This man, he is...he is not him. He can't be. It's not possible. I saw dad aim a gun and fire.I saw dad kill him.But, he is here.How?He is the same man I saw on the phone that made me discover his existence all those years ago. The existence my father didn't plan on ever telling us about.Those eyes, if I focus on them only, it's like I am looking at Max...at my little brother, the one who is fighting for his life inside. The one in danger. The one who can be finally saved, by...this exact man.His biological father.My uncle.The man who ruined everything.The man who hurt my mom.Oh my god..."We still have just a couple of more tests to run and then we can prep him for the surgery," The nurse carried on, explaining the whole transplant procedure, but I wasn't liste
Nikolas's POVMy chest tightened with every word the doctor muttered, about the surgery, and about the risks it still imposes on Max and his health. His words drove me insane, multiplying all the worry and the fear I have been feeling since Alex called me and told me Max was hurt.I came here as fast as I could. I waited behind the scenes for his health to get better, but it was only deteriorating over the past few days. Then, the doctor suggested the kidney transplant and here we are. Even with this solution, the procedure is still risky and there are some possible side negative effects we have to prepared for.The doctor left the decision to us, then he walked away, leaving us in the waiting room alone to discuss it."What do you think?" Alex asked, his eyes drifting between Cara and up to me as I came to a stop beside them.I shook my head, "I don't know, from my part in this, I would do anything," Fuck, I will give him both of my kidneys if I have to, "But, it's not my decision to
Alex's POV"Roman, you need to catch him fast," I said with a loud sigh, placing the phone over the table, hating Roman for arguing with me over every damn thing."Alex, the moment Max got hurt, I checked, Christian was here, so it's not him, that's for sure," He said through the speaker, pulling on me the good guy act, "So, do you really want me to risk hurting someone innocent, that doesn't seem like you."Nikolas walked into the room, his eyes flickered from me to the phone, where Roman's voice is coming from."For god's sake, just get Christian," I ordered with an annoyed sigh, "I am willing to take the risk with him, he is anything but innocent," Even if he isn't the one behind this. He had hurt Lilly, one way or another, I saw it in her eyes when I decided to trigger her, I am more sure of it now.Maybe he didn't hurt Max, but he has a relationship with everything unfolding. I should've trusted my instincts when I met him. Something about him was just off."Who's Christian again
Lilly's POV"What do you mean you didn't find him?"The words and the furiousness that followed them had me snapping my head toward dad's direction as he talked through the phone. My heart seized and panic rushed through my chest as I understood who he must be talking about."Roman, don't make me lose my mind now," He snapped and got to his feet, he rushed a hand over his face, "I don't care...I told you...Roman, I am so gonna kill you," He threatened frustrated as he listened to whatever uncle Roman must've said. He cursed something under his breath, "He is just a fucking professor, where would he hide, huh?"Oh my god...what did I do again?He listened to whatever Roman was saying and his gaze drifted and fell on me, his gaze cautious and calculating, and I couldn't miss the flicker of blame in them, like he knows it's all my fault. I did this again. I gave him the chance to escape; I could swear dad felt it.He rubbed a hand over the back of his neck, and his gaze flickered away fr
There is something seriously wrong with my health. So very wrong. Especially in the last two days. It's no longer just signs of being pregnant. I have a feeling it's more.The cramps tightening my stomach can't be normal. They're so painful, ever so slowly ripping at my insides. I couldn't sleep all night, not just worried about Max, like every day, but this immense pain couldn't let me close my eyes for even a mere second.This morning, I found a few blood droplets, and the sight of them had my panic rising to a whole new level. I was so scared, terrified even of what I read when I searched the internet for the signs, so the first thing I did when I got to the hospital was take a blood test and book an appointment with a gynecologist, just right before dad talked to me and got to know almost everything about Christian.Almost everything...He doesn't know about this child that's probably inside of me. I can only imagine his reaction. If he wanted to kill Christian with such a passion
Next day...I promised myself that yesterday was the last day I will ever shed a tear. Last day to be weak and vulnerable. Exposed and bare.Last day to let it all out.But as I laid down now, after the operation, waiting for my recovery, with my cheek pressed up against the pillow, my eyes looking through the window, at the blue sky, at the free birds, and at what's alive.I couldn't hold back the one lone tear the silently escaped my eye.That's all. One single tear.I felt a tender hand reach for mine, I turned around, my eyes falling on the nurse, who smiled at me so warmly, "You can leave now, if you want."I nodded, and pulled myself up."Do you feel any pain?" She asked, concerned.I do. But, it's all on the inside.She helped me get up, she even helped me change the gown and wear my clothes. She took pity on me the moment I said I came alone. No one waiting me outside that door, just me, facing and correcting my mistakes on my own.And I took her help, seeking comfort from a s
Alex's POVRelief mellowed part of the concern that had clouded my senses all over the past week.I was suffocating under the waves of everything that happened since Lilly stepped into the house and called me a killer; since Max looked at me and told me I am not his dad; since that dreadful incident that almost took him away from me. But now, as the doctor talked, explained how Max is finally okay, how the surgery was successful and the danger on his health is gone; I allowed myself to breathe.But, it didn't last for too long.The second I took the first breath in, one second only and urgent fingers grabbed into my arm, so very tight, as if clinging to life itself.The air I sucked caught into my throat and I whipped my head to the owner of those little soft fingers. My eyes widened when Lilly's balance faltered, her eyes rolled to the back of her head and my arms shot forward, "Lilly!" Her name flew out of my lips in pure terror, it scratched over my throat and fisted over my heart,
Lilly's POVI blinked my eyes open and winced, the bright white light from above hit my eyes and I pressed them shut again. I lifted my hand and rubbed over my temples; my head, and every nerve in my body aching with tiredness and exhaustion.I felt a hand tighten over mine and I snapped my eyes open again, my head turned to the side and my eyes fell on mom, sitting beside me, on the bed's edge.A small somber smile lifted her lips and her other hand came to my face and tucked my hair behind my ear, "Hey," She said, her voice low.Lines etched between my eyebrows and I looked around, where am I? What happe-Oh no.No.I pulled my upper body up and my gaze flickered back to her, "Mom," I mumbled, my voice breaking almost immediately.She brushed her fingers over my cheek, "How are you feeling?" She asked, looking at me with so much tenderness my heart broke. Her soft voice triggered the tears back, I tried to suppress them in, trying to grasp for control but my emotions betrayed me and
Alex's POVMax's shocked eyes stayed focused ahead, he didn't blink, he didn't move; a green storm raged in his gaze as he tried to think, to understand. He froze in the spot, and his chest heaved as he drank in the feedback of this new information.His fingers over my arm twitched, they shook under the impact of everything happening. My chest tightened and I could imagine how he must be feeling, so lost and uncertain. I hated this and everything about it. How wasn't I able to keep this part of our life tucked away from him?Nikolas left, he stayed far away, just so this won't happen. Just so no one would ever connect the dots and figure out which blood was surging through Max's veins. True, it wasn't my blood, but he was still mine. Mine to take care of, mine to protect, mine to help...help him get through this without it leaving a scar.I placed my other hand over his, it felt so cold now, shaking, and I squeezed, bringing him back to me as I called his name, "Max," I mumbled and his
Alex's POVI rubbed an anxious hand over my jaw as I watched him sleep. I know he is okay now, he is getting better but for some reason, I can't shake this worry still. I kept my eyes over his chest, watching it rise and fall, rhythmically.With every breath he took, I released one from my lungs.He went back to sleep right after, too exhausted to keep awake and I forced Cara to take Lilly and go home. I could stay with him tonight. I could watch over him as he sleeps, I can make sure he is fine.Also, I can't be the one left with Lilly all alone. I don't know what to say to her, how to react to all of this just yet. I need time to sort through that maze of thoughts.Max tossed around relentlessly, he moved his head from one side to another before I saw his eyes glide open. I straightened myself into my seat and when he tried to sit down, I got to my feet and immediately to his side, "Is there anything you need?" I asked, my tone urgent, scared he is in pain or something.His eyes fli
Next day...Cara's POVI tightened my hold over his hand, my eyes focused on his face, a small smile over my lips as I watched him sleep and waited for him to wake up. I could finally see him, I could feel him. He is finally okay.I brushed the few strands of his hair away from his forehead and inched closer, pressing a small kiss over his temple. I couldn't wait for him to wake up, for those beautiful eyes of his to look back at me. I couldn't wait for him to talk to me, tell me he is not mad at me anymore that I lied, that I hid the truth.I wanted my little boy back, the one they didn't hurt, the one not holding the weight of the truth over his shoulders. I didn't want that broken look clouding his eyes. I wanted to talk to him, to explain, to make him understand just what he meant to me.Lines creased his forehead and a low groan vibrated from his throat before his eyelids slowly glided open, he blinked tiredly before he closed them again. My heart knocked it up when he opened the
Chase's POVI slammed the door shut behind me with a loud thud, the type of anger surging through my veins felt so pointless and misplaced.Why would I be angry, anyway?I rushed a hand over my face and tried to get my rage back in check. God, I am such a fool, yesterday, just yesterday I told her, assured her that we don't stand any chance and I meant it. I think I did, but here I am, feeling the urgent need to break something, to break someone due to the news I just heard.Miscarriage.Pregnant, she was pregnant. With his child."Chase?" Aylin's voice had me looking up, her eyes clashed with mine and she smiled almost instantly, "Hey," She said, coming up to my side, before she tiptoed, her arms went around my neck and she sweetly pecked my lips, "God, I missed you so much," She said with a pout.Pregnant.She was pregnant."How is Max?" She asked, fidgeting with the collar of my shirt."He is fine," I mumbled.Was she that serious with him?Was it a mistake?What the hell was it?I
Lilly's POVI blinked my eyes open and winced, the bright white light from above hit my eyes and I pressed them shut again. I lifted my hand and rubbed over my temples; my head, and every nerve in my body aching with tiredness and exhaustion.I felt a hand tighten over mine and I snapped my eyes open again, my head turned to the side and my eyes fell on mom, sitting beside me, on the bed's edge.A small somber smile lifted her lips and her other hand came to my face and tucked my hair behind my ear, "Hey," She said, her voice low.Lines etched between my eyebrows and I looked around, where am I? What happe-Oh no.No.I pulled my upper body up and my gaze flickered back to her, "Mom," I mumbled, my voice breaking almost immediately.She brushed her fingers over my cheek, "How are you feeling?" She asked, looking at me with so much tenderness my heart broke. Her soft voice triggered the tears back, I tried to suppress them in, trying to grasp for control but my emotions betrayed me and
Alex's POVRelief mellowed part of the concern that had clouded my senses all over the past week.I was suffocating under the waves of everything that happened since Lilly stepped into the house and called me a killer; since Max looked at me and told me I am not his dad; since that dreadful incident that almost took him away from me. But now, as the doctor talked, explained how Max is finally okay, how the surgery was successful and the danger on his health is gone; I allowed myself to breathe.But, it didn't last for too long.The second I took the first breath in, one second only and urgent fingers grabbed into my arm, so very tight, as if clinging to life itself.The air I sucked caught into my throat and I whipped my head to the owner of those little soft fingers. My eyes widened when Lilly's balance faltered, her eyes rolled to the back of her head and my arms shot forward, "Lilly!" Her name flew out of my lips in pure terror, it scratched over my throat and fisted over my heart,
Next day...I promised myself that yesterday was the last day I will ever shed a tear. Last day to be weak and vulnerable. Exposed and bare.Last day to let it all out.But as I laid down now, after the operation, waiting for my recovery, with my cheek pressed up against the pillow, my eyes looking through the window, at the blue sky, at the free birds, and at what's alive.I couldn't hold back the one lone tear the silently escaped my eye.That's all. One single tear.I felt a tender hand reach for mine, I turned around, my eyes falling on the nurse, who smiled at me so warmly, "You can leave now, if you want."I nodded, and pulled myself up."Do you feel any pain?" She asked, concerned.I do. But, it's all on the inside.She helped me get up, she even helped me change the gown and wear my clothes. She took pity on me the moment I said I came alone. No one waiting me outside that door, just me, facing and correcting my mistakes on my own.And I took her help, seeking comfort from a s
There is something seriously wrong with my health. So very wrong. Especially in the last two days. It's no longer just signs of being pregnant. I have a feeling it's more.The cramps tightening my stomach can't be normal. They're so painful, ever so slowly ripping at my insides. I couldn't sleep all night, not just worried about Max, like every day, but this immense pain couldn't let me close my eyes for even a mere second.This morning, I found a few blood droplets, and the sight of them had my panic rising to a whole new level. I was so scared, terrified even of what I read when I searched the internet for the signs, so the first thing I did when I got to the hospital was take a blood test and book an appointment with a gynecologist, just right before dad talked to me and got to know almost everything about Christian.Almost everything...He doesn't know about this child that's probably inside of me. I can only imagine his reaction. If he wanted to kill Christian with such a passion
Lilly's POV"What do you mean you didn't find him?"The words and the furiousness that followed them had me snapping my head toward dad's direction as he talked through the phone. My heart seized and panic rushed through my chest as I understood who he must be talking about."Roman, don't make me lose my mind now," He snapped and got to his feet, he rushed a hand over his face, "I don't care...I told you...Roman, I am so gonna kill you," He threatened frustrated as he listened to whatever uncle Roman must've said. He cursed something under his breath, "He is just a fucking professor, where would he hide, huh?"Oh my god...what did I do again?He listened to whatever Roman was saying and his gaze drifted and fell on me, his gaze cautious and calculating, and I couldn't miss the flicker of blame in them, like he knows it's all my fault. I did this again. I gave him the chance to escape; I could swear dad felt it.He rubbed a hand over the back of his neck, and his gaze flickered away fr