(Xander's pov) Her hands were wrapped around my shoulders as she straddled my back; at times, I wished I knew what was going through her head. Karis went silent; deep down, I had a feeling that she was probably thinking about running off again. She loved to run, and I do love to chase, but at times, I wished she would stop running from me. I know what happened between Emma and me really fucked up things between us but there was something more than always stood as a barrier between us. I only hope with time I can melt the ice that surrounded her heart. This morning, I was woken up by the twins, Val and Vance, demanding an explanation about everything that happened. Of course, there was only so little I could say to 4 years old, but it seemed my words worked because they were playing little matchmakers. I was glad I got to be close to Val before knowing she was mine it made things easier. The only one I had to win over was Karis for her to open up her heart for the h
(Xander's pov) It was surprising that Benji was able to get information on the hospital in less than 24 hours. It was pretty assuring how reliable he was. "That's not news; the issue was how they were able to steal the baby," I asked Benji, although I had a good idea. The most possible situation was that Karis was drugged and her memories are hazy about what happened in the labour room. She gave birth to twins but couldn't remember. "The doctor that helped her deliver was found dead this morning. He was assassinated, but from his personal files, I was able to dig up information about how he swapped her medication records during the scan, and originally, they didn't know it was twins because Val was blocking Vance. So the plan then was to give Karis a dead child but it turned out to be twins." The more Benji explained the angrier I got. My fist clenched until my knuckles were white. Emma was rescued yesterday, and a few minutes later, the doctor was found dead.
(Karis's pov) This wasn't how I planned Christmas to be; walking through the door, I immediately spotted Vance and Val playing around. It was a beautiful sight but not as stunning as the full windows display. The part of the roof to the walls was made of glass, and it felt like I was under the sky. It was way different from the last time I was here with Xander. "It's beautiful," I muttered impressed by the stylish decor. I didn't even want to leave here anymore. "I know, it was meant to be your birthday present before things went south. It's four years overdue now." I heard Xander's voice from behind me as he moved to stand by my side. He just kept on trying to infiltrate my boundaries but it would take more than sweet words to mend a broken heart. First I wanted to find the truth about everything. "A fancy pretty cage. Stop talking, sweet words. It feels weird coming from a devil like you." I retorted my gaze going back to Val and Vance. I wondered which other mat
(Karis's pov) Last night was etched in my memories. When I tucked Val in bed she asked me if we could truly stay together. I didn't give her an answer knowing it would break her heart. When did Xander get so close to her that he held such a spot? My brows furrowed, and my eyes opened as I glanced to the side drawer where my phone was ringing from. The first thing that caught my attention was the bouquet of fresh roses kept there. It was a different bouquet from yesterday with a small note. I sluggishly sat up to pick up my phone, and the note that read. ' even under the stars, your glow isn't overshadowed. The moon was beautiful. Isn't it?' Oh my God, Xander should give me a break. The moon is beautiful. Isn't it? Was the same as I love you in a Japanese poetic way. Staying close to him is a big risk. The ringing sound of my phone finally drew back my attention. My brows furrowed to see it was Lavender. "Good morning ma'am ..." she greeted me. "Good morni
(Karis's pov) Never go for a battle unprepared, that was something everyone knew and I definitely didn't come unprepared. I had more than enough evidence to blackmail Christian. When Lavender informed me this morning about the meeting, I knew he had finally decided to sell the company, so I diligently prepared. It was comical how his beloved daughter was missing, and all he thought about at the moment was how to make a profit. His jaw clenched and he seemed to have grown a few more grey hair. I signalled Lavender, and they brought out some interesting pictures that made his blood pressure spike. Father started coughing seriously and accidentally knocked off a glass cup to the floor. "I don't have all day, so please tell me if you are taking the offer or not. I know you don't want to liquidate." I pushed his buttons further not really bothered by the fact he was coughing his heart out. Dad is meant to be in perfect health so I was sure this was a play to get my pit
(Karis's pov) Going out with Skyler and Bertha was the best decision I made. Unlike what I had expected, Skyler didn't question me much about the reason I moved to the De Marco estate, nor did he mention it, which I appreciate because I don't want to imagine how Bertha would react if she found out. I had gotten a private room at a karaoke place where there was also BBQ and drinks. It was a fun combo. Loud music was playing in the background while Bertha was singing, and I would not lie. She wasn't exactly the best singer, but it was fun watching her. Skyler and I just laughed at her while enjoying our BBQ and some alcohol, and I think I might have drank a little too much, but I was still sober. "That was fun," Bertha chimed after finishing a song then quickly gulped down some of her beer. "So what did you think of my performance? The great Bertha Rivers." She excitedly said feeling a bit tipsy as she sluggishly sat by my side. "It was perfect," I lied, being a supp
(Karis's pov) I could hear my heart beating in my chest from my ears as Skyler inched closer. His breath was a mix of alcohol and mint. I was already tipsy so just imagine the kind of situation I was in. The cold winter breeze blew across us. My hands clenched and before I could evade him in my drunk state. "I want to kiss your lips so badly, Sunny. Would it be a sin if I listened to my inner thoughts this once?" My breath hitched, "Skyler, I can't," even if I was tipsy, I could not kiss him. "Shush, that's enough. It won't be nice to just stop thinking about anything and focus on me." His thumb was rubbing my lips as his dark obsidian eyes drew me in. "Red," I heard someone call from behind and I froze. Skyler's jaw clenched as I shoved him off to look behind. I was nervous like I was just caught cheating by my husband, only that it wasn't my husband but my ex-husband. Xander stood a few steps away from us in a long jacket under the light snow as the breeze blew r
(Xander's pov) She was ignoring calls, I scoffed at the thought. After Karis left the estate in the afternoon I was working in my study until I got a text from the single guard she took out. He informed me she had a meeting earlier with her father to buy off his shares at the Reynolds company then took a detour to celebrate her success. I was happy for her that she finally achieved her goal but not so happy about the second half of the information. She invited Skyler too. Little Red was out drinking with Skyler knowing fully well her alcohol tolerance was that of a baby. I didn't want to think much about it, but the thought that she might get drunk by Skyler's side was bugging me then again, they have known each other for those 4 years. What if she had gotten drunk with Skyler before? That thought left a bitter taste in my mouth. Eventually, I was unable to stay put and left the estate after having dinner with the twins, only to be welcomed by the sight of Skyler almost kissi
(Karis's pov) This has been one hell of a crazy week, from Xander finding out Valeria is his then forcing me to move in with him because of Emma, buying the company, Dad's unexpected swift death and now this. ' What did Dad's lawyer mean by Emma isn't a party of the will? ' my thoughts screamed for crying. This was too much. I groaned, exhausted, as I covered my face in my hands, bowing my head. I was both mentally and physically drained at once. Xander held my shoulder and then slowly squatted before me, making me look back at him. "Don't think about it, everything will be fine," Xander said as if he could read my mind. "I am a bit nervous; it feels like my revenge was ruined," I murmured, bowing my head. Xander smiled; he pinched my face and then raised it to gaze back at him. My hazel eyes met those grey eyes that weirdly gave me a sense of comfort, one I could never feel around Skyler, and I knew the reason why. It was because, unfortunately, this annoying
(Karis's pov) Whether it was just my gut feeling I could not accept Father died a natural death. Xander was reliable he got into action immediately. He got the police involved restricting Miranda from accessing Dad's body until the autopsy was done. While I got the court to freeze Dad's account until his will was read. Luckily the De Marco name made things fast. The court quickly gave his injunction and everything was freezed leaving only the Reynolds home Miranda was resident in. Miranda got mad claiming I was doing to to prevent her from accessing what was hers but I turned a blind ear to everything. I tried getting everything together while we waited for the autopsy. First I changed a lot of staff at the Reynolds group suspected of corruption then ran internal audits on every branch and business under the Reynolds company. It has been 2 days after father died and Miranda kept on sending threats and going to court to overturn my court injunction but the De Ma
(Karis's pov) This wasn't meant to happen; he couldn't be..... No, I had to be positive. My face was drained of every colour and I almost lost my footing; Xander rushed to catch me, but Skyler caught me before he could. Xander's sharp gaze was on him as he tried to stay calm while I organized my thoughts. My relationship with Christian was complex, I never expected news of his possible death to have such an impact on him. "Can you stop scaring her? The doctor hasn't said anything, and you are already trying to scare the shit out of her." Skyler snapped at Xander. He was seriously irritated by Xander. I shrugged off Skyler's hold to stand on my own. This should not be happening; in my past life, Dad was perfectly healthy until I died. Why was he ill now? "I need a moment, can you stop bickering for once." I snapped at them, and luckily, Xander decided to listen to me this time around. After drawing in a deep breath, I left Xander and Skyler outside to see Dad in the
(Karis's pov) There was a strong stench of antiseptic in the air, this is why I hate the hospital. Dad collapsed on the stage during the press conference throwing the hall into a frenzy. We were barely able to get him out of there, and now I have no idea what was happening. The doctor was yet to reply. He wasn't the best father, but he was still my dad, and we still did have some good memories, so I could not help but worry. "Don't worry too much; Christian will be fine. He is just stressed." Skyler's words reassure me. He had followed me to the hospital and had been with me since we arrived. "I can't help but worry. Even if Christian wasn't a saint he is still my father. Do you think I killed him?" I asked, my hand started to tremble. Skyler quickly pulled me into a hug rubbing my back. "Stop saying that; he isn't dead yet, and you did nothing wrong. Christian will be fine." His words were reassuring but a feeling in my heart kept on telling me otherwise.
(Karis's pov) I felt warm and fuzzy. I didn't know why but it made me happy. My body snuggled close to the warmth hugging it tightly. One of my hands moved downward, brushing against something that was poking out of the fabric. ' wait a freaking moment.' my thoughts screamed I was hugging someone. He was large as at that. What was a man doing in my bed?! I freaked out. My eyes popped open to find myself hugging Xander. While holding the thing from earlier. I quickly let go realizing what it was. He was asleep, but I didn't give a fuck. Xander was shirtless, and I was wearing his shirt, meaning this bastard saw me naked. I sat up, then kicked him, "What the hell are you doing in my bed!?" I barked at him feeling used and exposed. Xander groaned and turned to look at me. His hair was dishevelled, but this bastard was still good-looking with those grey eyes that had a misty look in them that made him look a bit mysterious. That was not the problem but the fact
(Xander's pov) She was ignoring calls, I scoffed at the thought. After Karis left the estate in the afternoon I was working in my study until I got a text from the single guard she took out. He informed me she had a meeting earlier with her father to buy off his shares at the Reynolds company then took a detour to celebrate her success. I was happy for her that she finally achieved her goal but not so happy about the second half of the information. She invited Skyler too. Little Red was out drinking with Skyler knowing fully well her alcohol tolerance was that of a baby. I didn't want to think much about it, but the thought that she might get drunk by Skyler's side was bugging me then again, they have known each other for those 4 years. What if she had gotten drunk with Skyler before? That thought left a bitter taste in my mouth. Eventually, I was unable to stay put and left the estate after having dinner with the twins, only to be welcomed by the sight of Skyler almost kissi
(Karis's pov) I could hear my heart beating in my chest from my ears as Skyler inched closer. His breath was a mix of alcohol and mint. I was already tipsy so just imagine the kind of situation I was in. The cold winter breeze blew across us. My hands clenched and before I could evade him in my drunk state. "I want to kiss your lips so badly, Sunny. Would it be a sin if I listened to my inner thoughts this once?" My breath hitched, "Skyler, I can't," even if I was tipsy, I could not kiss him. "Shush, that's enough. It won't be nice to just stop thinking about anything and focus on me." His thumb was rubbing my lips as his dark obsidian eyes drew me in. "Red," I heard someone call from behind and I froze. Skyler's jaw clenched as I shoved him off to look behind. I was nervous like I was just caught cheating by my husband, only that it wasn't my husband but my ex-husband. Xander stood a few steps away from us in a long jacket under the light snow as the breeze blew r
(Karis's pov) Going out with Skyler and Bertha was the best decision I made. Unlike what I had expected, Skyler didn't question me much about the reason I moved to the De Marco estate, nor did he mention it, which I appreciate because I don't want to imagine how Bertha would react if she found out. I had gotten a private room at a karaoke place where there was also BBQ and drinks. It was a fun combo. Loud music was playing in the background while Bertha was singing, and I would not lie. She wasn't exactly the best singer, but it was fun watching her. Skyler and I just laughed at her while enjoying our BBQ and some alcohol, and I think I might have drank a little too much, but I was still sober. "That was fun," Bertha chimed after finishing a song then quickly gulped down some of her beer. "So what did you think of my performance? The great Bertha Rivers." She excitedly said feeling a bit tipsy as she sluggishly sat by my side. "It was perfect," I lied, being a supp
(Karis's pov) Never go for a battle unprepared, that was something everyone knew and I definitely didn't come unprepared. I had more than enough evidence to blackmail Christian. When Lavender informed me this morning about the meeting, I knew he had finally decided to sell the company, so I diligently prepared. It was comical how his beloved daughter was missing, and all he thought about at the moment was how to make a profit. His jaw clenched and he seemed to have grown a few more grey hair. I signalled Lavender, and they brought out some interesting pictures that made his blood pressure spike. Father started coughing seriously and accidentally knocked off a glass cup to the floor. "I don't have all day, so please tell me if you are taking the offer or not. I know you don't want to liquidate." I pushed his buttons further not really bothered by the fact he was coughing his heart out. Dad is meant to be in perfect health so I was sure this was a play to get my pit