AUTHOR’S POV"What's this I hear about the truth of Dad's death?" Axel asked, stepping into the dining room. Blaze grunted over the phone. He sounded tired."Have they found the person who sent the message?" He asked "I knew it was you who put up this search. Everyone here is talking about the murder case bigger than they thought. Even the house is speaking."In every corridor where he found servants, they talked in hushed tones about how Katie was supposedly framed. It was annoying that Blaze believed that, all because of a message sent to him from an anonymous number. "Well, that's because this is bigger than any of us thought," Blaze countered."How?" Axel asked. It was pretty simple to him, even with how complex it was when the police were still investigating. He thought they had left that case behind them, and here Blaze was bringing it up again."It's not something I can explain over the phone," Blaze said. "Are you in the house?""Yes," Axel replied.Blaze was there earlier,
AUTHOR’S POV"I can't find him," the young servant said with his head slightly bowed.All three brothers raised their eyebrows. What was that supposed to mean? Had the butler just disappeared into thin air?"Well, did you look for him?" Axel asked, speaking slowly."We have searched the whole house. He's not here."Blaze gave Axel a knowing look. "Looks like someone tipped him off, and he made the run for it."If he was doubtful that he knew something, now he was sure. Blaze considered what Hunter said about him being the killer. That, too, was highly possible.It was amusing, though, that Sebastian thought he could run away that easily. "He wants to play a Katie on us now, does he?" Blaze muttered. Katie had gotten away, but Sebastian was going nowhere. Hunter let out a surprised laugh. Surprises sprung on every side these days. "How could he know we want to question him?"At that, Axel turned to Blaze. "well, thanks to your brother who let the news of Katie's supposed innocence get
AUTHOR’S POVBlaze set his phone on the table and squeezed his eyes shut. This was the second time he was called this week, and as usual, there was no reply. What would it take Katie to be there when he called?Over the last three months, since he knew that Katie was innocent, he had been trying to reach her. He figured that she used a phone booth to call him that one time, and he kept on pushing the line, hoping that she would be the one to pick up at least once.But it had always been strangers who happened to be using the phone at that time, or worse, no answer at all.All he wanted was to get a chance to speak to her to tell her that he knew she wasn't Maverick's killer, to apologise for not believing her when she so vehemently denied it. And then maybe he could get her side of the story and know why the murder was pinned on her. His hands moved absently over the smooth phone screen. He still hadn't found out the truth. After Sebastian died, it was like the whole case died with h
AUTHOR’S POVAxel's car was in the driveway. If Blaze didn't know better, he would have thought Axel had someone tell him he was around so that he would drive up, too. He watched from the glass wall as Axel alighted and shut his car doors. He wondered how the company was faring in his hands. Well, it must be going well for Axel to buy a new Ferrari so soon."Sir, the inventory you asked for", the young agent he had come to see said behind him. Blaze took the notepad from him and glanced through it. There was always something new for him to add to the apartments to make them more appealing to home seekers. Well, at least he was seeing the profit in it, and honestly, he believed that this was better than taking over Mavericks company.Perhaps Axel knew that, too. That would explain why he had been more distant since he set his plan to work. "Forward this to my email," he said to the man, intending to look better at it later.His phone vibrated, and he picked it up, eyes glazing over the
AUTHOR’S POV"the boy you spoke to, call him here," Blaze told Tobias. He folded his hands and rested his chin on them, watching the doors. She boarded a cab immediately after she got out, like she was eager to get away.Did she know him from somewhere? He certainly knew he did. He just wasn't sure of what he thought, and he hated making assumptions like that."I presume these are your orders?" Jonah asked, putting down the notepad for him to see.That was the least of Blaze's problems now. He didn't even feel like eating anything. "That woman, what's her name?"Jonah tilted his head to one side. He assumed that this man was referring to Tessa. "She's Tessa," he replied. He glanced at Tobias, asking 'what's going on' with his eyes.Tobias shrugged, looking at his boss. Blaze was the image of confusion, with his eyes closed and a frown on his face.The name didn't ring a bell at all. Blaze pictured her eyes in his mind, replaying her soft voice laced with worry in the few words she spo
AUTHOR’S POVBlaze walked into the eatery relatively early in the morning. He didn't want to take any chances of missing Katie when she got to work. He intended to confront her the minute she walked into the building, so he sat at a table facing the roadside and waited.He waited for a long time. Blaze frowned, checking his watch. It was past ten, way past the time for her to show up. What was taking her so long? Other workers had arrived long before, and work was in full swing. He took one of the wireless earphones off his ear and adjusted his shades. Other people had already started shooting him suspicious glances, and he would admit he didn't look inconspicuous sitting there for hours. He caught the eye of the boy Tobias had spoken to. His name was Jonah, if he could remember correctly, Tobias' nephew. Jonah significantly had been glancing at him more often than others.He wondered if the boy had gone and told Katie some mysterious stranger was searching for her. Now, wouldn't th
KATIE’S POVHe was gone. I saw his car drive away a few minutes ago and waited a bit in the shop I took refuge in till I was sure he wasn't coming back.I sighed in relief and placed my hand over my racing heart. Why did he have to show up in the most unexpected places? When I decided to get some supplies and something nice for Olivia, he sprung upon me. If I weren’t running from him, I would have given him a good scolding for scaring me that way. Was he stalking me? How else would he know I was going to this very supermarket?I adjusted my shawl and stepped out, calling thanks to the shopkeeper. I half expected him to reappear before me as I hurried into the building, but nothing happened.Well, I wouldn't stick around and let him come back for me. His plans to hand me over to the police would not work. All I had in mind was to take my cart and check out immediately. Whatever I hadn't put in it already would wait till another day."Excuse me, madam", the cashier called as I walked p
AUTHOR’S POV"Welcome, hun"Lily exclaimed, wrapping her arms around Blaze. She had come with the car that was to take them back, and she was glad to see him after the few days that he was gone.Blaze furrowed his eyebrows. Lily was excited to see him, which made him wonder what was up. He patted her back briefly and stepped away. "How did the trip go?" Lily asked, leading him into the car."I'll tell you when we get home", Blaze muttered. He felt slightly uncomfortable by her sudden attention, but she had always been the clingy type, so he shrugged it off.The trip? It had gone well, but because he didn't see Katie again for the next two days, he stayed there. He was at the restaurant early on both days, but he didn't even catch a glimpse of her. Not even a turn-up to say thank you. It was with a heavy heart that he got into the plane that took them back to Florence. The one person in his mind was Bill. Katie thought she could stay hidden. Well, he would show that she was not as goo
Axel followed the man who came to take him out of the cell. He wasn't sure how long he spent here, but long enough to be really glad to be out. The smell of soap lingered on his skin, a bit too strong, but he welcomed it. It had been a long time since he used soap."There's your ride," the man said, pointing at the sleek red Camry parked in the parking lot of the station. In front of it stood Katie, arms crossed around her protruding middle.Axel felt a sad smile tug at the corners of his lips. Even in jail, he heard of the marriage between Katie and Blaze when Cicely came to visit.His smile disappeared as he remembered her expression when she spoke. The wistfulness in her eyes... It was obvious that she wished for her wedding, and she couldn't even have it soon.He had long made up his mind to marry her immediately after he got out of jail. He was able to beg her forgiveness, and she must really love him for actually letting all he did go. She assured him she'd wait; that was the onl
Author's pov Axel sat on Cicely's bed after several minutes of pacing the area and waiting for her to show up. Where the hell has she gone? He was considering going out to search for her when the door opened.But it was not Cicely who stepped through; and it was Lily with a painted expression on her face. "Axel," she began.He already knew what she wanted. Now that their plans had flopped, she probably wanted them to come up with a bigger plan."Save it, Lily, we're through." He shook his head in regret. "I was so foolish ever to think that this would actually work.""What do you mean by we're through?" Lily asked. "We're in this together, right?"Axel sighed. "Let it go, Lily. Find a way to get a new life...""A new life?" She looked devastated. "But I'm pregnant... I have nowhere to go, and you can't just leave me alone.""I have to," Axel replied. "I have to make things up with Blaze, and I know I'll be able to do that if I try.""And what about me, Axel?" Lily said, raising her v
Author's pov Blaze grinned as Tristan made his way to the dining room, where he and Katie were seated. It was a miracle how he could track his location with his phone number and then check all the buildings around for them. He never would have asked for a better friend; Tristan had already proven himself in more ways than he could count.Katie looked up from her phone. "Is that the man going to give us updates?" she asked.Blaze nodded. He was surprised Katie wasn't running from him by now. She even let him stay in her house without him asking. It made him wonder if the past few days' events had softened her towards him instead of making her hate him. He tried not to get his hopes up, though; her niceness didn't mean she'd like to end up with him, as he started to hope for. He couldn't help hoping, no matter how ridiculous it sounded.He wanted Katie back in his life despite all that had happened. As far as he was concerned, he was done with Lily. Katie should have been the one fro
KATIE’S POVNo way, I thought, staring at him and searching for any resemblance to Maverick. I could see none, but then again, I could barely see Maverick's face clearly in my mind. It had been so long ago, like another lifetime."You're lying," Blaze accused. With how he looked at Dylan, I was almost glad he was restricted from doing anything to him. Almost, though, in truth, I wished Blaze was free."Am I now?" Dylan said quietly, coming closer to Blaze. "When my mother got pregnant for your father, he left her, all because he saw a richer woman. You see, Maverick was a coward. His only way to survive was to milk off others' profits, and that's really who you're defending," he asked, turning to me.I stared at him, taking each word with a pinch of salt. I didn't want to believe him since he was the reason I was trapped here, and he even tried to kill me at the end of all this.But then, there was no other explanation for the absolute hate in his eyes as he spoke of Maverick. And why
Katie's povI gasped, staring at the limp bodies of Lily and Axel. "Oh my gosh, are they dead?" I exclaimed."Not dead, darling," the woman said. "These are stun guns," she waved the gun in her hand for emphasis."What kind of stun gun allows the victims to talk to?" Lily muttered against the floor. It was a comical sight seeing her lying there helpless when a moment ago she was gloating over us."The type we use, obviously," the woman replied. I squinted at her, unable to bear my curiosity anymore."Who are you?" I was trying to decide if she was a hero or a villain. She teetered on the edge of both, and I wouldn't say I liked that.She turned to me with a sigh and took off her mask. I gasped, eyes widening as I stared into the face of my former savior. The one person who believed me when I said I didn't kill Maverick and who helped me escape.Right on time again to get me out of this situation. "Doris?" I asked."Not just her." The man beside her said, taking off his mask too. I gas
Chapter 133Author's pov Blaze raised an eyebrow. "I'm surprised." The answer was clear: if their places were switched, he would eliminate Axel before he could ruin the big plan."Surprised?" Axel asked. "You didn't think I'd be able to kill you if necessary?""No, I'm surprised we might think the same way," Blaze clarified. He saw the twitch in Axel's jaw, showing that he was irritated by that statement, which made him smile."Not the same way, brother. I'm way ahead of you.""Correct me if I'm wrong, but are both of you arguing about who thinks better right now?" Katie asked, turning to Blaze.Blaze nodded. "I'm trying to make sure there isn't a bigger brain behind this plot of his. Hard to believe it's just you, Axel."And not only that, he was stalling for time. Anything to keep Axel from rounding off his plan soon because if that happened, he would kill both of them so quickly.He wasn't afraid for himself, but Katie concerned him. She was already broken, and having no hope of s
Author's pov Katie gasped, staring at Axel. Of all the people she would have suspected, he wasn't even near her suspect list. Tears blurred her vision as she remembered what he said about her daughter."You beast!" she screamed, lunging forward. Curse these ropes; she would have been able to do something terrible to him. She wanted to hurt him just as he hurt her."How could you? All this while, after how close I was to your family, this is how you treat me? Why?" It was pointless straining to reach him; she slumped against the wall in defeat."I'm sorry about the child. That was not my intention. But it is what it is," Axel began, shrugging as he spoke. He had been shocked to hear."Fuck you, Axel!" Blaze thundered. How could he say he was sorry now? For killing his child, someone he hadn't even met in person.Blaze took a deep breath to calm himself down. The level of anger he was feeling was overwhelming, and the fact that he had no means to channel it out was the worst thing abou
Author's pov No, Katie gasped as Blaze fell to the ground. All that came out, though, was a frantic intake of breath, as she could not speak through the gag she hated so much. After all she had tried to tell Blaze, this stupid piece of cloth prevented her from saying anything.She wished she could rip it off, but her hands were bound, too. They had been since the first day. She glared at the man who knocked Blaze out, wishing she could wipe that smug grin off his face.He turned to her. "Don't look at me that way; he was foolish to come alone."He crouched to her level. "And if he did alert the police, then I'm afraid we'll have to kill you immediately. Either way, our mission will be accomplished."If looks could kill, he would be burned to smithereens by now. First, he wouldn't tell her anything about her child, and now he was threatening to kill her. After keeping her here for days, he did not even have a clue what to do to get him to free her."Just tell me what you want. Why do
Katie's povI blinked, confused. I could have sworn that my eyes were open, but surely, if they were, I would be able to see something. As it was, there was just nothing—pitch-black darkness, the oppressive kind that seemed to close in on you.I shut my eyes again and opened the—same thing. Now I was getting worried. In a rush, it all came back. I was in the car, just discharged from the hospital. There was music, and there was my baby in my arms.A baby that was no longer there since my hands were bound in front of me. I could barely feel my hands, and they were bound so tightly. I shifted, noting that there was a wall behind me, which I was leaning on.My feet were bound, too, most likely with the same material. I hated being tied up. It reminded me of the time when I was sold to the Griffins, a time I never wish to remember anymore.But at the moment, that was the least of my problems. Where was my child? Whoever had taken me couldn't have taken her away, too.It only became hard t