(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
(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
(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
(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.
(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
(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) 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) "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
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