(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
(Karis's pov) Four years later I was surprised at how fast time had already passed by; I could remember my welding night like it was yesterday, but so much had changed since that day. I sat back in the back seat of the Royce Roy as it drove into the Louvre Museum, where today's event would be held. So much had happened during these past years that Karis Reynolds, who fled from her husband, was no longer the one the world knows today. "Ma'am we have arrived," the driver informed me. I subtly nodded then he drove in line to the beginning of the red carpet. The car doors opened and I emerged wearing an iconic green dress everyone knows as my signature attire. "Madam Esmeralda has arrived," one of the paparazzi screamed and so many cameras started to flash before me. My chestnut was styled and held up while I had a black shade on my face that I always wore to public events and my iconic red lipstick. That was how the world knew Madam Esmeralda, the owner of Sky
(Emma's pov) It was annoying I had to stay under the same roof as Karis but avoid her the best I could. This was the safest place I could stay now away from Xander's hound dogs. I was a bit devastated when I was informed Mum had attempted to escape the country without me but ended up being caught by Xander. That aside, today was the day. Skyler agreed as soon as he got his hands on Xander's shares, I would get a settlement and be able to leave this country. Honestly, I could not wait. It was a new year, and instead of having a grand party or celebrating like I normally do, I was penniless, watching TV, bored as fuck. Nothing was out of place until I started hearing numerous footsteps coming from the hallways. Curious, I stood up from my bed and walked up to the door. My brows pulled together when I saw the security rushing out. "What is going on?" I nervously asked one that walked past me but the guy didn't seem to hear me. The walls were vibrating, and the
(Karis's pov) "Checkmate." Skyler was initially confused but soon it dawned on him that it was truly over for him. I truly had no idea that Xander and I were never divorced; it explained why he was relatively calm because he knew Skyler never had the company he was playing Along with Skyler's music. The weather was a bit cold being on a lake during the winter despite it being in the afternoon. The afternoon sun hung high in the sky, and I could barely feel the heat on the glass gazebo due to the weather. Skyler was devastated like he had lost all strength. He had nothing to say because he was sure this was his end. Xander was never going to let him go this time. "Karis, are you truly going to choose him over me?" He asked barely a whisper, his face distorted. "Stop calling her name, Skyler. It is over. You went too far. The reason I let you be in the past was because I also felt guilty but not this time around." Xander said while Skyler looked back at him in disbe
(Xander's pov) New Year's Eve a few hours after Miranda was captured and the failed raid.***** It felt like everything was crumbling down after Bertha told me that Karis was gone. Skyler had taken her out of the mall after he started a distraction in the mall by turning on the sprinklers and fire alarm. From the camera feed, we saw him take Karis from the table as she followed him willingly, but the camera didn't capture when they left, thanks to the chaos and all. He had successfully disappeared. I didn't know where to start from and was honestly considering handing over the company. I did have some hidden cards, but he has my entire family, putting me in a tight spot. I should have stopped her this morning when she left. My head was filled with thoughts of getting the children back. I didn't think of the possibility of her leaving. The door to my study was pushed open, Ethan was waiting in the living room for me while I came to the study to get some docu
(Karis's pov) I could not sleep the entire night; it was the 31st of December, and even the children were confused as to why I sent them to bed so early. Ever since I got here, Val had been coping a bit more; at least she was eating now. "Mummy, why are we not celebrating the new year eve?" Val asked curiously truly naive as a child. Vance was also lying on the bed, I sat in the middle while they were lying by my side. This was the only way I felt comfortable here, close to them. It gave me a bit sense of comfort in this cage. "Because I am tired this year and just want to sleep till tomorrow." I lied to Val who was by my right. "I thought we would celebrate our daddy," her voice trailed the entire time Vance was quietly listening. "I know but he isn't your daddy anymore. Let's just go to bed tomorrow will be a long day." Saying those words broke me when I saw the hurt on Val's face. She bent her head hugging my waist. She didn't cry, but I knew I wanted to. My p
(Xander's pov) The new year was meant to be something special which people look forward to, but for the past 4 years, I always dreaded this day. It reminded me that another year had gone by, and I was alone. That was how it felt to me. "You can do this," I said those words hoping it would help me get my nerves together. I closed the door and then proceeded to the luxurious Crest Lake restaurant in front of me. The place was filled with customers since it was the new year. Skyler chose a safe location; he knew that I would likely not do something Crazy with this many people around. I was put in a difficult situation. From the entrance, I was immediately recognized by the manager, who seemed to have recognized me. "Happy New Year, Mr De Marco. Mr Crest has been expecting you." He chimed. "Happy New Year," I said out of simple curtsey, my eyes darting around the restaurant. I was the least interested in the fancy interior that screamed money. The beauty didn't matter to me. "Ple
(Xander's pov) At this point, I think Skyler's true power is to make people disappear. It made me wonder when he got this tricky. In the end, he won; imagine how frustrating it was to know he was the one behind everything, but there was no evidence linking it to him. He had planned everything, making Emma the front to take the blame, not to forget the fact Emma was still missing, but I was certain that he had a hand in that too. This game had gone on for too long and I was genuinely tired. It was a few minutes to midnight; my eyes were focused on the road as I drove back to Ivan's place. The car slowed down at the red light. My eyes glanced away from the road for a while to the passenger seat where an envelope sat. It was the transfer document; desperate times require desperate measures. I scoffed, glancing back at the road; after finally inheriting the business and building it to an all-time high, the genius business tycoon was giving it out to save his family.
(Karis's pov) The table was silent as we ate. After finding out Val had refused to eat anything for over a day now, I had to force her to eat. So we had our meal together as what appeared like a family of four. The room had a very heavy tension and I wondered if the children knew that Skyler was a bad guy. This was totally unlike Val who was always chatty and cheerful with Skyler. "I am full," Val said. I glanced at her plate to see it was now clean. "That great dear." I chimed at her, and she nodded. "Can I leave now?" Her voice was very soft. "Sure, if you are full." Skyler was the one who responded this time around. Val nodded and then left the table. I watched her little feet run away. "Can I also leave?" Another small voice asked. My attention drew from Val to Vance who was super nervous. He was also done eating. "You can go ahead," I informed him and he didn't waste a second more to flee the room. It was left just me and Skyler. "They will und
(Karis's pov) I think I lost consciousness as soon as I sent the text to Bertha to leave, I had to send the text to Bertha for Skyler to believe. I had no idea where we were heading. My head was a bit dizzy and was laid on Skyler's thighs while gazing outside. "You are awake," he muttered, drawing his gaze from outside to me. I tried to sit up, holding my head that was aching. I glanced outside and the only thing I could see was an endless stretch of trees. We must be somewhere around the outskirts. "Where are we going?" I asked Skyler, sensing his gaze on me. I was trying my best to act natural so that he would not sense anything odd. The more I looked at him, the more my heart ached, realizing what he did. He was a freaking lunatic. "Somewhere safe to avoid Xander's eyes before we leave the country during the new year." My heart skipped a beat, my eyes drawing back outside. It was still day, hours away from midnight. I know we were miles away from civilizatio
(Xander's pov) I thought today was going to be my lucky day; by chance, we were able to comprehend Miranda. She didn't even give us any issues and relayed the information she had about the twin's location. It was an old manor on the outskirts of the city deep inside the forest. If I had not caught Miranda there was no way we would have found out. The car sped as fast as it could. I crossed my fingers, hoping they would be there and this would be the end of this madness. "We are getting close." The driver informed me. Ivan's men had already gone ahead to lay a siege on the property. After what felt like forever, I finally arrived from a distance. I could hear the baring sounds of gunshots. This time, we were prepared to go against the mercenaries as I had my hands on some military combatants, a favour from an old friend. I stepped out of the car, and one of the soldiers approached to give me cover along with other armed personnel, who were all covered with bulle