(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
(Red’s POV)“Are you sure about this?” Liam whispered, peering into the ajar door, seeing Scarlett in bed instead of Aya.I opened my mouth, hoping to utter my answer in words, but instead, a sigh came out. When I found out that the nanny supervisor I hired, who claimed herself as a lesbian, had a relationship with Gino Cortez, I got furious and turned back to the place where I dropped her by.'So, you think you’re an exemption? Like you never cheated on a woman in your life?' I recalled Aya asking me, finding her adorable as she rolled her eyes at me.I remembered telling her that I was an exemption. I had never cheated on Scarlett, my first and last love. Heaven was my witness that moving on and falling in love again after my wife died was the most challenging step for me, but Aya came into our life. She had become our compass and beacon of light.“Red, back to earth, please...” Liam said after closing the door.“Easy for you to say,” Mike muttered, looking annoyed. “You were not he
(Red’s POV)“Give Katie to me,” Aya murmured, taking our sleeping daughter from my arms.She turned her head to the front desk, sensing problems because it was taking time for Addie, Leslie, and Mike to book hotel rooms. Dante seriously tipped us that it was a five-hour trip going to St. Agatha, and he knew I could not bear wasting long hours on the road without Aya and me talking about us. After two hours on the road, I called Leslie and Mike, telling them to stop at the first hotel they would see to spend the night there so we could rest, have dinner, and plan to leave early the next day.“Don’t go anywhere,” I muttered seriously, not taking my eyes off her. “Don’t try escaping, Aya,” I joked.She scoffed. “I’m carrying a 19-kilos child, Red.” She turned her head to the main entrance of the two-star hotel. “Vin will surely catch me before I get to the door. What’s taking them long? I’m hungry and sleepy already.” Her forehead furrowed as she glanced at Leslie and Mike, whispering at
(Red’s POV)Mike said I should consider hiring Aya as my secretary as she was like Cora; she was very persistent in following our schedule. We hit the road again at four in the morning, telling us that Dean was expecting us all at breakfast.With fewer cars on the road, we arrived an hour earlier at the High Valley in St. Agatha just before the sun started peeking over the horizon. When Dante stopped the car, Katie squealed in excitement and got out of the car as soon as she saw Dean waiting on the side of the road. I knew Dean wanted to talk to me, but his granddaughter tugged him inside their old house.“You grew up here?” I asked her, looking heavenward, seeing a clear blue sky and the beautiful green colors of plants and trees.“Yep!” She turned to the old barn next to their house. “Addie and I used to play there when we were young.”I could imagine them playing and running around the barn and thought of it as bright red, although now its color had already faded, and parts of its
Chapter 126 – Hello, Baby Sister(Aya’s POV)Red was crouched on his knees as he talked heart-to-heart with Katie, explaining why he had to leave quickly. After breakfast, he received a call from Liam, telling him to catch his flight as Roman was unhappy with Deidre’s father pulling out their investment. I knew Katie finally let him go after giving him quick kisses on his cheeks and hugging him before running toward the house.I walked toward him and slid my arms around his neck. “Be safe, okay?”“I will.” He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer to him. “Let’s not wait for a week, Aya. I want to know if you’re pregnant. I’m excited already.”“Wait this weekend, Red,” I brushed my lips to his. “If you see me wherever you are... then that’s my answer.”“Whew,” Red puffed out air. “That’s exciting... and if you don’t show up?” He asked worriedly.I moved my head closer to his ear. “How about I still show up, and let's try again?” I lied as I imagined myself placing my he