(Karis's pov) I stayed by Valeria's side until her breath was even and I was sure she was deep asleep. I still could not believe how fast she had grown just yesterday. I could remember how scared I was when she came into the world earlier than expected, and now she will be turning Five in a couple of months. Valeria was a perfect combination of me and Xander's features, she had my chestnut hair and his grey eyes. She was spontaneous and cheerful like me but secretly scheming like Xander. Despite the fact she reminded me of Xander and my past it didn't make me love her any less. She was my all, and I am ready to do whatever it takes to give her the future she deserves, my little angel. My lips placed a soft kiss on her forehead and I adjusted the bed covers to make sure she was properly covered. It was in the late autumn and winter might start any day from now. After making sure she was cozy enough, I walked to her room's window to shut it and cover the curtains bef
(Karis's pov) After laying in bed, I could not bring myself to sleep. There were so many things on my mind. I was thinking about Bertha and how she had been this past year. I had cut contact with everyone and even refused to ask Skyler how they were doing. I just wanted to focus on myself and Valeria. Nights like this I really could not help but wonder how Xander was doing. If he finally had the dream family he wanted with Emma, but I doubt they were married. There was no way Xander De Marco had gotten married after his first wife 'death', and it hadn't made headlines. The clock was ticking slowly as the night grew longer, it was always hard to sleep. I groaned and got on my feet to make my way to my dressing drawer. I searched inside for a pill bottle. After making sure it was the right bottle, I opened the container and then popped two pills into my mouth. There was a bottle of room-temperature water I always kept there. My insomnia was getting worse with each passing da
(Xander's pov) They say time is a measure of the passage of events, and a lot of events happened over the course of 4 years. I had successfully brought the De Marco family to the Pinnacle. I was great at my job and had a lot of accomplishments over the years but something was missing. I walked towards the tombstones that were next to each and my heart squeezed seeing the names etched on it. They were two girls who meant so much to me but were taken away by the cold hand of death. Looking at the tombstone bearing the name Alessia De Marco and the next one by its side, Karis De Marco Nee Reynolds. Despite how much time had passed, the feeling of guilt I felt never left me. They both died because of me. I was always the one who ruined whatever I valued dearly. "It's been four years already, Karis, and I wonder if you have forgiven me yet, but I guess you can never forgive a scum bag like me," I said bitterly. There was no way she could forgive me. Instead of helping get reven
(Xander's pov) The cold autumn breeze carrying the lavender scent left me puzzled. I didn't know if I would consider it to be a sign or not. It must be my brain playing games with me that's the only possible reason. She could never forgive me the same way I would never think of redemption. Our fate was unfortunate. A single event changed the course of our lives. Maybe she was right, we were never meant to be together. I always declared how I was ready to defy whatever fate had installed, but death was something I never imagined. I reached out for the hankie in my pocket and wiped off the dirt on my hands before putting on my gloves. The graveyard was quiet and private, located in the depths of the woods on the De Marco property. The walk back to the mansion was quiet with the only thing in my ears were my thoughts. Glancing around the trees, a faint distant memory resurfaced in my mind of the night I chased her through here. Those were good memories I
(Karis's pov) Talk about your old demons hunting you; plans to spend the day with Valeria were cancelled immediately after I discovered that Sky Link lost a major deal to Van Diaz. It was meant to be a big partnership. I had been working tooth and tooth for, and then Xander suddenly showed up one day and snatched it from my hands. It was not like he knew that I was the CEO of Sky Link, but it still felt like he was targeting me. Sky Link started as a jewellery brand, but due to my ambitions, I had been able to expand to different sectors by buying off several companies, and now it was big and, at least, strong enough to compete with Van Diaz. Unfortunately, Van Diaz was an old name that Xander was using to his advantage. He can smile now while he can, but soon, the smile on his face will disappear once I have Van Diaz under my feet, but that will come later. For now, I have to focus on the lunch appointment I would be having with the company that left us fo
(Karis's pov) My eyes twitched after hearing Mr Syed, I had no idea whatever Xander offered to effortlessly take away the deal at a lower profit margin. How was that possible? It made me mad. "It is sad because we have been looking forward to working with you," I said, trying to regain my composure; this was a deal I could not afford to lose as it was going to be my breakthrough into the Singaporean market. "In business, the goal is making gain. I know you are a very talented woman, and you have a better brand as Esmeralda, the jeweller." Mr Syed was using the method of giving me a few sweets after giving the sugar industry to someone else. "Just take it like this: why don't we work together on the shop expansion? Your work is global, and entering the Asian market will be beneficial for you." He went ahead to talk, Lavender glanced at me. It was a tempting offer, but why would I work for someone who doesn't keep their word? I brought the glass to my lips and to
(Karis's pov) Sometimes I just sit back and think about everything that was going on for me. Despite minor setbacks, Sky Link was doing and growing to be a major brand. That aside, I have been able to buy off some of Reynolds's shares. My life was perfect, I had a successful career and a loving home with Valeria. Whenever I remember how foolish I was in my past life never to have given myself a chance and how I almost lost the second chance I was given because of my dumb love for Xander. The best thing he ever did for me was show me his true colours, making me snap out of my delusion. Since there was not much to do and Valeria would be busy all afternoon with Skyler I decided to head to the office instead. The car drove in front of the headquarters building. I put on my iconic shades and then stepped out of the car. It was quite sunny today despite it being the middle of autumn. I could not wait for December because one of the biggest fashion shows would be he
(Karis's pov) It was almost 7 pm when I arrived home; Lavender had dropped off from the car at a bus stop close to her street. The sky was already dark with stars twinkling. The night was very cold a stark contrast from the afternoon. Despite the sky being clear from the cold wind that was blowing outside it was obvious a heavy storm was coming tonight. "Have a lovely night ma'am." The driver wishes me before driving out. I looked towards the building and could see light emanating from downstairs. A small smile graced my lips knowing Skyler and Valeria waited for me before having dinner. The door creaked open and my ears were immediately welcomed by the beautiful sound of instruments playing. "Welcome, ma'am; I hope you had a great day at work." The head maid welcomed me and then hurried to carry my coat and bag. "Is it Valeria and Skyler that is playing?" I asked the maid enjoying the sounds of the musical instruments. "Yes, the young lady asked Mr Cr
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