Chase Axford felt the children fight to free themselves from his grip. His eyes opened, and he looked down at their heads, it was only then he realized he would crush their bones if he didn't let them be. He allowed them wriggle free, and Calista, his daughter, staggered backwards. Her gaze rested on his and Chase saw the fear in her eyes. She didn't know him, she didn't want him to hug her. Her brother grabbed his sister's hand and planted himself in front of her. He glared at Chase, sending him a warning; don't touch her, or us, or I'll scream. Chase could see it in his eyes. He was their father, but they didn't know him. They were…scared of him. Calista turned to look at Richard. She narrowed her eyes on the elderly man, before pointing at Chase. "Sir, why does this man look a lot like my brother?" Richard could not deny he was puzzled by the question. Even as little as she was, she was able to note the striking resemblance between them. He swallowed hard and looked up at
He tried to stop his fingers from trembling, tried to stop himself from tapping away on his legs, tried to hide the flames that spread from his mind and poisoned every part of him, but it was impossible to. His children had been asking of him for years, missed him for years, even after they had returned to Greenville. Yet she kept him away from them. How dare she? What could have possibly given her the audacity to do that to him?! After everything…everything?The more Chase thought about it, the less sense it made. And the less sense it made, the more his heart broke. He was stunned and irritated by her audacity. To think that she had somehow believed she could hide his children away from him forever, in his own city. Why? How did they get here? She cut of communication with everyone in Greenville after leaving for North Dakota, which he completely understood. But after she was back, they would have never met - she would have never come look for him - if he had not found her and l
Chase returned to the tree he had left his father and the children, but they were nowhere to be found. Heaving a sigh, he reached for his phone and dialed his father's number. Richard picked up at the first ring, and Chase found himself relaxing his shoulders. "Where are you, father?" "We had to get some ice cream, son. Where are you? You know we have to head to the hospital to prepare for the surgery." A small smile formed on Chase's face, it had to. He slid his phone back into his pocket and started to make his way to the ice cream truck, searching for his father. He was happy to see that his father who felt as though the world was going to crumble into shards light up with happiness all of a sudden. Chase tilted his neck to watch three children run around a ferrous wheel. He could feel the happiness that followed having kids around, now that he knew he had kids of his own. He could tell his father was feeling it too. His father was now willing to have the surgery, and would
Mackenzie tore her eyes away from Chase and Calista. She also found herself twirling her son's hair with her index finger. She stared outside the window, trying to keep all her thoughts in one place, but it was almost of no use. "Would the kids be going to school tomorrow?" It was Chase's voice that snapped her out of her reverie, the voice had always been strong enough to do many things to her. She sniffed in and shook her head. "No. They are…uhmm, actually on a break throughout this week." "I see. I have to be in the office tomorrow, and I will also need to go to the hospital for my father's surgery." Chase replied. He did not sound furious or ice cold anymore, but Mackenzie knew better than to make any assumptions. "Should I bring them to the hospital tomorrow?" Chase looked down at sleeping Calista. His heart danced to the rhythm of her slow breaths. "You don't need to do that. I would like for them to be away from the public eye for now. They might be in danger, with how
Mackenzie pulled the duvet over her daughter's body and leaned in to kiss her forehead. She found herself squeezing the part of the wooden bed her hands could touch. Chase was just behind her, and she could feel his stare burn through the skin of her neck. She had felt as though she had been walking on eggshells since he arrived, yet there was a part of her overjoyed to have him there, to have him with her kids, and with her. She turned to look at him and found him staring at her, his hands tucked into his pocket. He did not wear a smile on his face, but there was something relaxed about him, an air of joy she had not sensed before. "There, they are both asleep." She spoke, a nervous chuckle escaped her lips, and he smiled as he watched them. Heavens! He was so…charming. "Yeah, they both needed it. It's been a long day." Mackenzie nodded, saying nothing. The next thirty seconds was spent in silence. Mackenzie locked her fingers together behind her back. She was suddenly aware o
Chase Axford turned to look at the door behind him one last time, before he picked out his phone from his pocket. The cold night breeze swept past his face with force, causing him to sneeze. He dialed his father's number immediately. Chase tapped his right foot on the ground absentmindedly, until his father answered the call. "Chase my boy!" He sighed wigh relief once he heard his father's voice. "How are you doing dad?" "Nothing much, my boy. Just getting prepared for the big surgery." An easy laugh escaped his throat. "The doctor says I'll be able to do it at midnight. I can't exactly say I'm looking forward to it, but I just want this to be over."Chase clutched his phone in his right hand. "Midnight? I'll be on my way dad, I…" "No, no. Go home and rest, Chase. You really need the rest. Today has been way too much for anyone, I'll be fine." He narrowed his eyes on his vehicle. He wanted to believe all that his father had said, but he was too worried to do so. "Are you
Chase Axford made sure to drag himself to work the next morning, even though he had not initially planned to be there. He climbed down from his Tesla and strolled into the building with all the positive energy he could muster - every iota that flowed through his veins. There was a new and different glow about him, he could feel it, he could see it, and he sure as hell wasn't the only one. He noticed the stares from the doormen, and even the receptionist as they greeted him. He nodded in response, not with a smile, but he was certain they could tell he was more energetic than ever before. Chase smiled to himself and shook his head as the elevator doors opened up and he took the first step into his office corridor, tucking both hands into the pockets of his army green suit pants. He had barely gotten to his office door when his personal assistant, Nora, ran up to him. The sight of the young female running in stiletto heels while trying to keep her glasses on her nose bridge made him
Eleanor pushed her son's door open with one swift kick. The sound of glasswares crashing against the marble tiles was powerful enough to draw her attention. Once the door was open, she caught Jeffrey swinging a bat against the screen of his LED TV. Eleanor flinched once the glass screen shattered into pieces all over the floor. Jeffrey clenched the bat in his fists, shoulders trembling and sweat pouring from his head to his bare chest as he shivered. It wasn't from the cold temperature, but from the boiling anger that brewed within him. The muscles of his back threatened to tear his skin open. Eleanor's lips thinned in disgust. She held the door open and stepped into his room. Her right foot stepped on shard of glass and she groaned in frustration. His room was a total mess. He had thrown his books and shelves to the ground. His sheets and pillowcases were in shambles. His TV screen was shattered, all his favorite sculptures he collected to show off his father’s wealth were nothin