FAZER LOGINSHIMMA’S POV.I sat on the couch, watching TV, although I wasn’t paying attention to the movie I was watching because my attention was focused on my phone as I scrolled through social media. The kids had just gotten back from school and were all playing in their playroom.“Ding! Ding!”I heard the bell ring, and I stood up, heading toward the door with a frown. I wasn’t expecting anyone; Mattias had just texted me that he wouldn’t be back until evening.I opened the door to see a young man standing in front of me. He wore a black shirt and pants, and he also held a black suitcase. “Good day,” he greeted warmly, his smile lighting up his face, revealing straight white teeth and fine smile line.“G... Good day. How can I help you?” I asked, my brow furrowed in concern.“I am the new teacher for your children. I was transferred from the academy, and I will be homeschooling your kids from now on,” he said, his voice smooth and confident.I couldn't help but notice how muscular and handso
SHIMMA’S POV.The next morning came too quickly. I could hear the kids giggling and playing in their rooms, and it made me anxious. Mattias had an urgent meeting he had to attend, which meant I was going to have to break the news alone.I took a deep breath, preparing for the conversation we needed to have.“Kids! Breakfast is ready!” I called out, hoping to get their attention. There was no response, just more laughter. A moment later, they burst into the kitchen, eyes bright and smiles wide. Noah's hair was messy, and Nora’s cheeks were flushed with excitement as she held her four year old sister, Elara and led her into the kitchen.“Yum! Pancakes!” Nora exclaimed.“Yes! I have served yours at the dining table; let’s go eat,” I said as they ran out of the kitchen, heading toward the dining area.“Did you make chocolate chip ones?” Noah asked, his eyes shining.“Of course! Your favorites,” I replied, setting the plates in front of them. But I felt a knot in my stomach as I thought
SHIMMA’S POV.I stood in the kitchen, preparing dinner when Mattias walked inside, his brows furrowed with a look of tension on his face.“When did you come back? I didn’t hear your car pull in,” I said, my gaze locking onto his.“My car broke down; it could not start, so I had to take a cab home,” he said, walking towards me. He leaned over and kissed my forehead softly, but I noticed the dullness in his eyes. Something was definitely wrong.“Baby, what’s wrong? You look tense,” I said, concern etching my face as I stared at him.“It’s…,” He sighed. “I went over to Noah and Nora’s school. I spoke to their headmistress about the bullying, but she told me a lot of things I wasn’t willing to hear,” Mattias said, his eyes filled with frustration, his jaw clenching slightly.“Things like?” I asked, turning to face him fully, crossing my arms as I braced for his response.“Shimma. I think it’s best we start homeschooling the kids. I’ll employ a good teacher, and pay whatever amount needed.
MATTIAS POV.I couldn’t believe what my daughter Nora had just told me. How on earth did the kids know about that?That was five whole years ago. And if it wasn’t for Noah, I would have been dead by now. Noah didn’t kill anyone; he saved his father’s life instead.My only worry was how the kids got to know about it.“How come you didn’t tell me this, Noah?” I asked, my brows furrowed in concern.Noah didn’t respond, his head bowed down. “Were you scared or what? Talk to me. Because the boy I trained would never take bullshit from anyone. Why didn’t you report it to anyone? If not me, then your mother or your headmistress? They would have put a stop to it,” I said, feeling so annoyed.“Answer me!” I yelled, causing Noah to jerk in fear, and he began to cry.“Stop it, Mattias! Stop it! None of this is his fault. You are supposed to give him your support, not yell at him,” Shimma said angrily, moving closer to me.I didn’t mean to yell at him. It’s just that I got so angry—not at him, bu
FIVE YEARS LATER.SHIMMA’S POV.It was a sunny Saturday afternoon, and there was nothing more relaxing than getting a good tan at the beach.I lay back, soaking in the sun and the soothing sound of the ocean, when a ball suddenly hit me from the side.“I’m so sorry, Mum! It was Dad this time,” my seven-year-old Noah exclaimed, dashing toward me with wide eyes. He knew I wouldn’t take it lightly with them. This was the third time the ball had hit me, and I was certain it was Mattias trying to get my attention. So obsessed.I turned to Mattias, who was struggling to suppress his laughter, his hand covering his mouth. The corners of his eyes crinkled with amusement, and I couldn't help but smile at his playful expression.“Mattias! This is the third time. I promise you, I’ll seize this ball if it hits me one more time!” I said, dusting the sand off my skin with mock outrage, a grin betraying my feigned annoyance.“Sorry, Mummy!” Noah giggled, taking the ball and running back to Mattias.
“Bang!” A loud bang erupted from Noah’s end. “Noah!” I yelled, turning to him. He fell to the floor, scared and crying from the sound of the gunfire. It took me a few seconds to realize what had happened. Lucas lay on the ground in a pool of his own blood, his eyes wide open as he stared into thin air. He had been shot—Noah had shot him through his back. I got up quickly, running toward Noah. I scooped him up, holding him tight and close to me. He had saved me. My little boy had saved us all from this monster—someone I thought I knew, but who had proven me so fucking wrong. For years, we had lived in fear, in pain and worry. But today, right now, it was all over. The distant wail of police sirens cut through the air. I opened the door to Lucas’s passenger seat, letting my baby girl out. “Daddy!” she screamed, and I carried her too, planting a kiss on her forehead. “My angel,” I said to her. She rested her head on my left shoulder, her arms wrapped around me. Noah al







