I had to put up this chapter to clear up something that is meant to be revealed later in the book. It is a spoiler before I lose all my readers. There are a lot of secrets to be unravelled please don't give up on the book. Everything will make sense in the end
(Karis's pov) The baby store was a bit busier by the time Kyle suddenly showed up so it was easy for me to leave without him finding me. Fortunately, it was a large shop. By the time I made my way out of the store, it felt like a weight was lifted from my shoulders. A scarf was wrapped around my head and my face was covered by deep dark shades. I was making my way towards the elevator when the doors to a nearby store opened, and a large entourage came out. It was a bunch of paparazzi flashing cameras at someone in the middle of the chaos. The floor was rowdy and I could get snippets of what they were talking about. Since the exit was blocked, I had no way of leaving thanks to the large crowd. "What is going on here?" I wondered, I glanced backwards at the baby store and the doors opened. My head whipped away immediately. I noticed it was Kyle. He was already out of the shop. What was going on? Since leaving had become a bit difficult, I opted to hide among
(Karis's pov) Someone was crying but I didn't know who it was. The halls were dark and eerie; I knew immediately this was not the mansion in Germany I was residing in but the Reynolds family House. How did I get here? I wondered as my legs walked down the silent hallway towards the source of the cries. My eyes darted around, and I could spot some old pictures of Mum and me, exactly how I remembered it to be before Miranda moved in with Emma. My legs stopped at the door the cries were coming from. It was my parent's room; I slowly pushed the door and let out a loud creaking sound that made the person crying to stop. My head peeked in and I caught sight of the Auburn head woman. "Mummy," I called out, my voice sounding like a little girl's own.Mum's auburn hair was very beautiful, and when I was little, I wished that my hair was her colour instead of Dad's chestnut hair. Her hair was reddish brown with a gold undertone. She had fragile beautiful features with a
(Karis's pov) My water just broke and my stomach felt like a war was about to break out. I was leaning against the kitchen counter, one hand pressed against my lower back, the other gripping the edge of the sink. The ache in my belly was sudden and I really could not believe my water just broke. Valeria was not meant to come until 2 weeks later. Was I stressed out by seeing Xander that my water broke earlier than expected? It's been 3 days since I accidentally ran into him but it bothered me greatly. The fear of him bursting into my life and why I was unprepared was always on my mind. I was scared he would snatch away the little happiness life has given me. The clock on the wall reads 2:12 a.m., and the house is eerily quiet. I came down for a glass of water to distract myself, to move around and shake off the restlessness, but the tension in my body didn't go away. Another wave of pain grips me, stealing my breath. I double over slightly, one hand instinctively cradling my bell
(Karis's pov) The medical professionals were trained in their job and got straight to everything. My pulse, heart rate and I was administered the right anesthesia for delivery. "The baby might be early but I think you can deliver her safely." He informed me after all birth conditions were met. "Tell me if you feel anything out of the ordinary." "Doctor, can Skyler get in here?" I asked the doctor because I needed someone to hold my hand. He was the only one I trusted right now to be here with me. "Is he the baby's father or your boyfriend?" The doctor asked, I guessed there were restrictions to be met before someone could come inside the delivery theatre. "Yes, he has the baby daddy and also accompanied me during my antenatal." I lied. All I needed was for him to be here; I needed someone to be by my side and assure me all the way. "Alright," the doctor nodded, then turned to one of the nurses, "Get the father in her; he has to witness the baby's birth." He instructed the n
(Karis's pov) Skyler fell asleep by my side before he realized everything might have taken a toll on him. I was unable to sleep because my mind was busy thinking about what was next now that Valeria was here. My gaze stuck on the white ceiling. Skyler mentioned before that we were going to France for a short vacation immediately after I was cleared to be able to travel. I was wondering if maybe I would just stay in France and attend a fashion school to improve my skills. Although Sapphire praised my skills, I knew there was still something missing. It didn't give me that feeling my mother's designs gave me. The door creaked open drawing my attention from my thoughts. Skyler was not a deep sleeper so he was woken up from his short slumber. "I hope I am not interrupting anything." A man dressed in corporate wear, and a white lab coat came in. He was accompanied by a nurse in pink scrubs. I could immediately recognize he was the doctor who helped me deliver Valer
(Karis's pov) After relaxing a bit, Skyler left the hospital to get things prepared for Valeria's return, although he felt a guard to make sure we were safe. My hospital room was filled with chatter and a peaceful atmosphere. Esther had come to visit me after delivery. She was the only friend I made here. After surviving the accident and she became my attendant nurse we kind of clicked as friends. Inaudible blabbering came from Valeria's mouth in a cot beside me. After studying her condition for 24 hours, she was finally moved to my side. "She will be very beautiful," Esther said with sparkling eyes looking at Valeria's directions. "She has no choice, her mother is beautiful. "I said with a proud grin. It made me sound like a narcissist, somebody I knew at the back of my mind. "I am sure she will, to have you and Skyler as her parents, she will be blessed with unparalleled beauty." Esther chimed and a forced smile graced my lips. That was right; everyone thought her dad was
(Xander's pov) Time is very fleeting. You just wouldn't know how fast it ran by until you took a moment to stare back at how much time had gone by. 9 months, that was how long had gone by. "You should take some time to check how she is doing." Mum's sharp voice cautioned me; she had taken the liberty to come to the office to give me an ear full about treating Emma better because she was carrying my child. So she claimed but I doubt it. "She is doing fine and doesn't need to see my face," I stated, not bothering to take my attention from my laptop. I didn't have the time to entertain Emma, even though she was a bit repentant now but it was also her fault Karis was dead now. Most importantly, her pregnancy has not been confirmed to be mine; while she was pregnant, everyone went against the idea of having DNA until the baby was born, not to take any risks, so until the bastard in her stomach as been confirmed to be mine, I cared less if she was breathing or not. The onl
(Xander's pov) I heard the baby's cry from a distance. It had been a week since Emma gave birth, and after being slapped by reality so hard, there was no way of escaping. He was my son. 4 DNA tests and not even one came out negative. I begged secretly and wished for it so badly as a means of validation that I didn't cheat on Karis but 4 DNA tests can't be lying. Kyle even ran one, and I didn't want to believe it. The last time I was here was because of Karis. Now, I was family home to see her sister's son. ' Xander you are a scumbag.' I scoffed at myself. That day after Emma gave birth I didn't go to see her. She begged and cried over the phone and even went as far as going to the estate, but the gate was closed for her. My instructions were simple: I wouldn't see her until the baby's test results were out. The rain was pouring heavily, and I didn't bat an eye to see her and had to call Mum to drag her away. Everyone started calling me heartless, then after, which was funny
CHAPTER FOUR - THE ROMANOV BROTHERSADELINA'S POV I was completely blown out of my mind when I heard him. Mikhail Romanov was a mystery to me. A seasoned businessman who suddenly popped out of nowhere and stormed the entire business world. There was very little about him online but there were rumours of how ruthless he was when taking out his competition and how much underground connection he has. When I said I was ready to do anything in my mind, the most degrading thing that crossed my mind was to be his servant at his mercy, but it never crossed my mind he would tell me to strip in a public event. I bit my lower lip in between my teeth, not only because of how nervous I felt in his presence but also thanks to the Bullet wound in my arm. "You must be joking, that can't be a request." I blurted. Thinking he would laugh out, saying it was a joke, but he didn't budge one bit. He stood tall with his hand in his pocket and his eyes keenly observing me. His lips p
CHAPTER THREE - TYRANT OF THE BUSINESS WORLD MIKHAIL'S POV I hated crowded places, especially ones filled with humans, but this was what I could not escape if I wanted to make sure I stood at the Pinnacle of the business world. Twirling the wine glass in between my fingers, my eyes glanced around the hall, looking for anything that could pique my interest. "What do you think about the corporation? Mr Romanov." An annoying voice chattered in my ears. I glanced at the middle-aged man who had been trying his best to strike a deal with me, but it was not a profitable venture. "I will think about it." I politely declined, even though we both knew I was not going to give him a second thought. How boring? A sigh left my lips for the hundredth time today. I was bored out of my mind. Maybe I should have attended the wedding even though my beloved brother didn't invite me. It would be fun to see the unfortunate human he tricked into marrying him. The unfortunate soul I would have t
CHAPTER TWO - THE BLOODY BRIDE ADELINA'S POV The best day of my life slowly turned into a scene from a nightmare I could not wake up from. Sitting in a white pool lace of my long princess wedding dress, my face was pale, and I froze. "Papa," I said again but it came out like a whimper this time around. The flower bouquet in my hand was on the floor. I grabbed my face with both hands, shaking my head over and over again, thinking it was a nightmare, but it was real. All that was on my mind was to reach my father's side, but Viktor had other plans. He firmly held my arm. "Where are you going, Mrs Romanov ?" He asked me. I did not care about that title. All I wanted was to run to my father's side. Why did Viktor shoot Dad? We were his allies. No matter how I think of it, my head could not think of a reason why. "This is a wedding present from me to you." He grinned at me. Everyone was in shock because of the sudden gunfire. Soon, it sank into my father's men's heads that thei
COMING SOON CHAPTER ONE - A BLOODY WEDDING ADELINA'S POV The happiest day of a woman's life was meant to be the day she gets married to the love of her life and I thought it was true. I had never felt this genuinely happy in my life before, despite all the resistance of us being from rival mobs. Finally, I was getting married to Viktor, the Mafia boss of a rival Russian mob today. Although my marriage was not purely based on love, the main goal was to join two of the biggest Mafia underground associations. My fiance, Viktor, owned one of the richest and most dangerous Russian mobs; my father agreed to this marriage to seek his protection as our group, despite its large size, is nothing compared to Viktor's association. The soft organ melody echoed through the large sculptured walls of the old cathedral to the outside, it was loud enough to reach the environs. Stepping down from the car I made my way towards the large doors of the ancient cathedral. The doors swung open
(Xander's pov) The soft sound of running water echoed from the bathroom; I pushed the door open entering the bathroom filled with steam with a thick scent of Lavender oils. It smelled like heaven, my little heaven. I got rid of the towel wrapped around my waist and then brushed my hand through my hair before my eyes drew to the glass walls of the shower. A silly grin graced my lips as I made my way towards the shower, where I could see Karis's figure from the glass taking a shower. I couldn't help but smile wider; I slowly walked towards the shower, the only place where I was sure the children wouldn't disturb us because Xavier sometimes cries to sleep with his mother. My life was pitiful, fighting with my children over my wife's time and attention; maybe we should have stopped with the twins. I stopped in the shower; Karis's back relaxed, sensing my presence. "I thought you weren't coming," she said, rubbing her hair with her back against me. "So you were expecting me." I c
(Xander's pov) SIX YEARS LATER The cool spring breeze blew, carrying a little scent on wet soil. It was another spring again and 15 years after Alessia left this world. I placed a bouquet of flowers on her tombstone, along with several others, which have been kept here. A lot has happened these past years, and I have been so busy I barely had time to visit Alessia aside from her death anniversary. Karis and I are hosting a small get-together to celebrate. Mum and Dad loved the idea of getting old friends and family together. "Alessia, it's been a while, and we all miss you, but you are in a better place now..." I started my one-sided dialogue with my sister. I had a feeling she was listening. Honestly, everyone was fine these past years, at least from what they told me. Skyler was getting better. At least he wasn't hallucinating again, but his condition was permanent. Either way, he was doomed; he deserved it. It was crazy, but I think I am ready to forgive
(Karis's pov) " So he planned everything before you even knew you were pregnant. He knew and understood the danger it would put you in. There was no way he could hurt the child you have been looking forward to, a baby he secretly wished for, so he planned everything..." " Have you ever wondered why he hid the affair until that day? His plan was to make you divorce him and heartlessly take the child away from his messed up life. You deserved better and still do. But I can't imagine living a life without you. That's why I am sorry for his insensitive actions." So that was the truth, it was crazy but I chose to believe him more like I didn't care anymore. I got a redo, and this time, none of those things happened. Xander never cheated even when he was hypnotized. "It is fine, Xander; I really don't care. It never happened to us, but to them, and if you could never bring yourself to have sex with Emma when she was carrying the illusion of being me, I can't possibly se
(Karis's pov) The heartbeat slowed down and dropped to my stomach. I felt emotions and I didn't understand happiness and dread. I was happy that the man I loved was back but dreaded it because it felt like the old Xander. "You remember everything," I muttered, and I felt Xander stiffen his hold. "I am sorry that Xander was a jerk, but he did not mean to break you that way," Xander muttered his words, swallowing. My jaw clenched, "Xander, let go," I stated, but he only held on tightly. "If you don't let go it will only make things worse. I promise I am not running unless it's to you." Those words seemed to have worked because his hold relaxed. I took a step back to look clearly at him; he truly looked sorry. This was the Xander I had known for four years and not the jerk who cheated with Emma, yet there was this fury that bloomed in my heart. Next, the sound of skin striking against each other echoed in the room; Xander was stunned as he gazed back at me; conf
(Karis's pov) Time seemed to have ticked by slowly every minute took forever. I was sitting in the waiting area with my hands still covered in Xander's blood. I was too anxious to even get cleaned. Xander was in surgery already, and Ivan kept on assuring me that everything would be fine. I also hoped the same thing, but I would have felt more assured if Kyle was here. Although he was an annoying prick, Kyle was, without a doubt, a genius doctor. "Mummy," I heard childish voices call out, slicing through the tension. I glanced at the direction of the voice and a soft smile crossed my lips when I saw Val and Vance running towards my direction with Camilla following behind. They ran into my open arms, and I embraced them, feeling at home. "Where is Kyle?" Ivan asked instead. "I ran into him and the twins while heading for the emergency ward. He had to leave to prepare for the surgery. It seems things are a bit complicated." Camilla said, sounding exhausted; I