(Aya’s POV)“Red, let’s stop all this before we start hurting the kids,” I muttered after brushing my teeth.With the toothbrush still in my hand, I grabbed his hands and escaped from his embrace, almost dashing to the bedroom to get my bag.“Aya, you can’t do this,” he groaned as he followed me.“But you can?” I breathed out and gave him a sullen look. I smirked, shaking my head as I took off my wedding ring, placing it on the bed. “You... you... you’re suffering because I said yes to you. I should not have complicated your life and stopped you from proposing to Deidre.”I swallowed hard, hating that my tummy was bothering me and my head was throbbing in pain. I took my phone, the cards and cash from my wallet, placing them beside the ring.“You’re the one suffering because I begged you to marry me. You did not complicate my life, Aya. You made me feel alive again,” he clenched his teeth, suppressing a cry. “It’s my fau -”I raised my hand, stopping him from talking and closing my ey
(Aya’s POV)The entire drive going back to my apartment was tormenting. Only one car followed us, just Vin’s. It was like I was being stripped from my privileges, losing the man who would follow me discreetly, although I could still see him around. Or maybe he lost his job because of me.I was expecting Red to say something… anything... but when he parked the car in front of Addie’s apartment, he kept his lips pressed together. I tilted my head and looked at my apartment’s porch. Without my father at home, it was quiet and dark. I unfastened my seatbelt and got off the car without saying goodbye to him. Dante usually waited for my father or me to enter the door before driving away, but Red left as soon as I got out of the car. I waited until they were out of my sight and walked toward my apartment with my palm rubbing my growling tummy. I knew Addie and Leslie were still awake, but knocking on their door would mean explaining to my cousin what had happened today.I walked past thei
(Red’s POV)“You’re not just my happy meal, Red. You are my life. You are my happiness.” Her lips curved into a sad smile as she sighed. “This is nuts! I’m not asking you to feel the same, but I think it’s unfair.”She raised her hand, and her index finger poked my chest.“I don’t want to be selfish, but that heart... and you...” she chuckled bitterly, shaking her head. “You’re always entangled with someone. I’m not sure why I had to compete with the dead and one living, but completely insane about you.”“There’s no competition here.” I pulled Aya and wrapped my arms around her body. “You and the kids are my everything, Aya. I love you,” I whispered, kissing her head. “If you did not come into my life, I would not have moved on. But I hope you understand... You just can’t ask me to forget Scarlett.”“I’m not asking you to do that, Red,” she whispered. “Besides, there are five beautiful children that looked like you and her, and don’t get offended, but I’m happy they inherited their mo
(Red’s POV)“Why do you want to find Myra and Katie’s father?” Aya whispered.Her eyes were filled with worries, blinking this time but still staring at me. She put the tub on the center table like she had lost her appetite in eating and turned to face me, waiting for my answer.Amusingly, it was the same question Mike uttered. “Why do you want to find Myra and Katie’s father?”“Because Katie is our daughter, Mike,” I answered my cousin but smiled at Aya, hoping to erase her worries away. “We knew Aya and Addie helped each other to provide for Katie, and my wife stood as her legal guardian since Myra left her in the hospital. I don’t have to tell you every bit of it, but Aya has been Katie’s mother ever since, and as her husband, I want a legal adoption of our daughter.”The tears shimmering in Aya’s eyes rolled down her cheeks.“Mike, let’s talk tomorrow morning, okay? You know that I have to be in different places abroad after tomorrow night.” I sighed, reaching for Aya’s hand and h
(Aya’s POV)Who doesn’t want a happy ending?I gazed at the most beautiful man I had ever met in my life, the one that completed me and my better half that I could not live without. Maybe we were impatient to get pregnant, or perhaps we just missed each other because as soon as we reached the hallway going to our bedroom last night, we were already kissing and touching.We made love, whispered promises, and got crazy, claiming each other in his office and then to his art room. I was glad we ended up in bed before running out of energy.Slowly, I moved toward the edge of the bed, not wanting to disturb Red in his sleep, but he startled me when he grabbed my wrist and pulled me closer to his naked body.“Let’s sleep more, Aya,” he whispered, wrapping his arms around my body to imprison me.“I’d love to do that, Red, but it’s seven already.” I craned my neck and puckered my lips, kissing his jaw. “The kids -”“It’s the kids’ break, remember?” He said, pressing his lips to mine, his hand
(Red’s POV)“Oh, God...” I swallowed hard, trying to process everything while I cried and wrapped my arms around Scarlett. “You’re... H-How? W-What happened to you?” I moved back, studying her face. “We... We looked for you and did not stop searching.”Scarlett lost weight, was pale, and looked sick. I did not even know where to begin, but she seemed to have lost her life and lived poorly. I lifted my hand, trailing the scar she had on her left cheek and arm. My heart cried for my wife, and I could not help hating myself for not being there for her. Her tears rolled down her cheeks as she cocked her head, her lips trembling, glancing at the children standing behind Violet.“I...” She shook her head and sobbed. “It’s a nightmare, sweetheart. Even now, I still vaguely remember ... I was on a plane, and...it was crashing.” Her shoulders trembled, and her hands were cold as she held my arms. “When I woke up, I could not remember anything, not even my name.” Her lips quivered as she sniffl
(Aya’s POV)“Go...”My lips quivered as I forced a smile on Dante and Vin, who did not leave my side when I told them I was going back to my apartment. When they saw me retreating from the garden, they knew I had to go somewhere away from Rose Hills. Dante offered to drive me anywhere, and Vin decided to stick on my side.“I’m okay,” I lied as I sat on the bus stop seat.The two older men shook their heads as this was our deal. I must let them stay with me until my cousin arrives. After this, as they had promised, they didn’t need to follow me anymore as long as Addie came. I didn’t need to ask, but like Red... and me, we were all shocked to see Scarlett again, and as we waited for my cousin, no one wanted to break the silence except me, assuring them I was okay. Because they knew... I was not okay.Addie stopped the car and worriedly ran to us.“Are you okay? What happened?” she asked, holding my hands. She gasped. “God, you’re cold.” She took her sweater and put it on me. “Vin? Da
(Aya’s POV)I chose to sleep. Hoping not to wake up anymore.I pretended to be asleep on the couch, listening to Katie’s nonstop humming of the ‘Mary had a little lamb’ nursery rhyme song as she played with her toys. She only stopped when the door creaked open.“Daddy?” She excitedly uttered, standing up.Daddy? My forehead creased, and my heartbeat raced, but her joyous giggle forced me to open my eyes.“Katie!” cried Onyx and Sapphire, dashing to her.“We missed you,” Sapphire’s mouth downturned as she held Katie’s hands.Daddy… My heart cried as I waited to see Red, but I only saw the children dashing at me while their nannies remained in the doorway. I got up and looked at Ana.“Just us," she mouthed, her lips curving a sad smile.I nodded, opening my arms to the six children who went in my direction. Even Katie joined them in hugging me.“What are you doing here?” I asked worriedly, kissing their heads as they all snuggled toward me. “You shouldn’t be here,” I sniffled, trying my