ã€ŠWhat Is Happy Ever After?ã€‹


 The Last of the Line

    Chapter 1

    The Last of the Line

    Once upon a time, in a land that seemed far away but was, in truth, right in front of you, the last king of The Earthen Throne gazed down into the silver eyes of his daughter, the last of his bloodline. Her mother, the queen, had perished in giving birth to the princess. Now, dark wizards, hungry for power, threatened to take her away.

    The stories about the fairy circles, which seemed like mere tales of wonder, were true. Martha, the princess''s caretaker and surrogate mother, stood trembling at the edge of a circle of shimmering light. Her heart ached as she let the tears fall, knowing she was about to face an impossible choice. Her fears were confirmed when a figure emerged from the circle¡ªan ancient king, draped in flowing robes of twilight blue, his silver hair braided with tiny stars. He approached with solemn grace, cradling a child in his arms.

    Martha stopped crying as the king gently placed the child into her hands. It was as if the world itself held its breath for a moment, the sky darkening above them. The king gave a sad smile, then stepped backward into the circle, vanishing into the air with a soft rustle of wind.

    For a long while, Martha stood motionless, her arms cradling the small bundle. The child¡¯s breath was warm against her chest, and the weight of her new responsibility pressed down upon her. With a deep, steadying breath, she turned and walked away from the clearing.

    Back at her cottage in the woods, her husband, Connor, awaited her on the porch, his face lined with both concern and knowing. No words were exchanged as Martha entered the door, the child¡¯s presence unspoken between them. This was no ordinary child¡ªConnor had expected this moment ever since the day they had walked into the woods. Being part of the fairy courts, a family of changelings, was something they had once feared, but now, with their own child lost, they saw it as a chance to be whole again.

    The cottage door creaked shut behind them, and Connor¡¯s eyes lingered on the small, mysterious child.

    ¡°I knew it was only a matter of time,¡± he muttered, ¡°but this¡­ this is far greater than I expected.¡±

    Martha set the child down in a cradle, smoothing the blankets around her tiny form. The child was beautiful¡ªher skin like porcelain and her hair like strands of midnight silk, but it was the royal mark on her arm that made Martha¡¯s heart skip a beat. A circle of runes, etched in gold, faint but unmistakable, glowed just beneath the infant¡¯s skin.

    ¡°Connor, what does this mean?¡± Martha whispered, her voice tinged with worry.

    He ran a hand through his hair. ¡°It means we¡¯re closer to a dangerous truth than I had hoped.¡± He lowered his voice, his expression grim. ¡°A dark wizard will stop at nothing to find her.¡±

    And so, the years passed in secrecy, the little girl¡ªwhom they named Lisa¡ªgrew with love in the quiet safety of their cottage. She was everything they had hoped for, a child who laughed and played in the meadows, her smile a bright sun after the long years of sorrow.

    But on her fifth birthday, as the royal mark on her arm burned brighter than ever, Connor pulled Martha aside, a deep fear in his eyes.

    ¡°I know we haven¡¯t spoken about how you brought Lisa home that day,¡± he began, his voice tense. ¡°But there¡¯s more at play here than you realize.¡±

    Martha¡¯s heart raced. ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    Connor hesitated, his gaze flickering to the window where Lisa played in the garden, her laugh echoing like music in the air. ¡°Who exactly gave you this child?¡±

    Martha¡¯s thoughts turned to the king, to the way his eyes had held sorrow when he handed her Lisa. ¡°I can only guess by the crown he wore¡­ He must have been someone important in the courts.¡±

    Connor swallowed hard. ¡°We should be fine for now, but¡­ all hell will break loose if a dark wizard finds her here. We must be ready for whatever comes.¡±

    Martha took a deep breath, watching Lisa from the window, her heart heavy with unspoken fears. ¡°Who would hurt such an innocent soul?¡±

    Connor placed a hand on her shoulder. ¡°You won¡¯t have to worry too much. They won¡¯t come for her until I¡¯ve left. We have time, plenty of time.¡±

    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Have you ever wondered why the world spins, or why the sky is blue, or why the grass is green? Have you ever wondered why the magic in the water fizzles when you touch the surface? Have you ever wondered why there are no more fairies?

    From what I remember, and from what people have told me, the world once thrived on the magic of the fairies. The sky blazed with brilliant oranges and reds, and the grass was soft beneath your feet, not brittle and dry. Those were simpler days, I suppose.

    Now, everything is different, more difficult somehow. The world is colder, and not just in the weather. The ice caps are melting, and the winters are no longer as biting as they used to be. But I swear, as thin as I¡¯ve gotten, the cold feels sharper every year.

    The path I¡¯ve taken is one I never could have predicted. If you¡¯d told me a year ago that I would be here, living in this city, cold and distant, I wouldn¡¯t have believed you. Since Kai dragged me away from Bluehaven¡ªthe lush forests, the ever-green trees, the whispers of magic¡ªI¡¯ve felt like something inside me has died. Mum always joked that I was allergic to the stone of the city buildings, but now, I think I must be. Something is wrong, and I don¡¯t know how to stop it.

    I feel numb. Tired. More tired than I¡¯ve ever felt. From the moment my eyes open, all I want to do is shut them again. It takes so much effort just to get out of bed. Sometimes, when I roll over in the morning, I pray the other side of the bed will be empty. I hate it when he¡¯s there, when Kai demands so much from me, always watching, always controlling.

    Today, however, is different. Kai must have left early for a case. The house is mine, or at least it¡¯s as much mine as it can be with ten guards stationed around the property. I pull on the thickest jumper I own, a beanie, and my worn gloves, and head out into the cold, hoping that maybe a cup of coffee will wake me up.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    The streets are quiet as I walk to my usual coffee shop, the air biting at my skin. I take a seat by the window, staring into the distance as the chill winds tug at my hair, the wound on my lip stinging every time I take a sip of my coffee. It¡¯s not the first wound I¡¯ve had, and it certainly won¡¯t be the last. The pain is nothing now¡ªnot even enough to make me flinch.

    ¡°Lisa.¡±

    The voice, soft and familiar, cuts through my thoughts. I break my gaze from the lamp post outside and turn to meet the eyes of a man standing in front of me. His face, gentle and warm, reminds me of something¡ªsomething I can¡¯t place. His smile is bright, but I quickly drop my own, afraid to show any sign of emotion.

    Someone will notice. Someone will tell Kai.

    ¡°Lisa,¡± the man says again, his smile faltering just slightly as if he can see through the mask I wear every day. His eyes¡­ There¡¯s something in them, something I haven¡¯t seen in so long.

    I turn away, swallowing the lump in my throat. As I stand, I hear the sound of a chair scraping against the floor. I spot a man in a suit at a nearby table, his eyes too sharp, too attentive. Another warning.

    ¡°Lisa, wait.¡±

    The man¡¯s hand brushes my arm, and for a moment, everything else fades. I feel the warmth of the touch, the heat of a hand I shouldn¡¯t know, and I know, deep down, that I shouldn¡¯t be feeling this. But I turn around anyway.

    ¡°Erin?¡± My voice is barely a whisper, barely more than a breath, but it''s enough.

    The world holds its breath.

    The moment my name fell from his lips, something inside me shattered. The sound of my own voice¡ªthe breathy whisper of Erin¡ªmade everything around me grow still, as if the world had paused its constant spinning. My heart beat a frantic rhythm, but my feet, heavy with uncertainty, remained planted in place.

    Erin. I hadn¡¯t heard that name in years. Not since the days when everything seemed clearer, when the world hadn¡¯t been so cold, so distant. He was that Erin, the one who had been a part of the pieces of me I thought I had lost forever.

    His eyes¡ªthose same gentle eyes¡ªsearched mine, as if trying to pull me back to something, some past I couldn¡¯t remember. Or maybe I didn''t want to.

    ¡°Lisa¡­¡± His voice was soft, but there was a weight to it, a pull that tugged at my insides. ¡°You¡¯ve changed.¡± He spoke as if he had known me once, as if there had been a time when I was whole, before I was broken.

    I felt the coldness of the world around me, the ice that had begun to form in my chest, wrapping its way around my heart. I wanted to run. I wanted to keep hiding, keep pretending that I didn¡¯t know who he was or what he meant to me. But something¡ªmaybe the way he said my name, or the way my blood seemed to heat with recognition¡ªkept me standing there.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know you,¡± I said, my voice sharp despite the way my insides quivered.

    A flicker of sadness passed over his face, so fleeting that I almost thought I had imagined it. His smile faded, but he didn¡¯t look away. ¡°You don¡¯t remember, do you?¡± he asked, more to himself than to me.

    I recoiled, instinctively stepping back, my hand brushing my lip where the scar burned as though it were a mark of my past that refused to fade. But the man¡ªErin¡ªwasn¡¯t looking at that. He was looking at me, as if he saw something more than what I had become.

    ¡°You were a child when we¡ªwhen we last saw each other,¡± Erin continued. ¡°Before everything changed. Before they took you away.¡±

    The words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I stumbled, grabbing the back of the chair for support. They took you away.

    The sentence unraveled something deep inside me. I wanted to scream. To deny it. To shout that he was wrong, that I didn¡¯t know him, that this was some trick, a cruel game. But as I looked into his eyes, I saw something that made the walls around me crack.

    Memories¡ªfragments¡ªflickered. A face, so familiar, yet so distant. The forest. A garden of light. You were safe here. We¡¯re not safe anymore.

    My mind reeled. I could barely make sense of it, but there was no denying the pull, the way every instinct screamed at me to listen.

    ¡°You¡¯re¡­ you¡¯re Erin.¡± I whispered the name, and it tasted strange, like a half-forgotten word. But I knew it was him.

    Erin gave a slow nod, a sad smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He took a step closer, but I stepped back. My mind was a storm, and the walls I had carefully built around myself began to crumble under the weight of his presence.

    ¡°What happened to you, Lisa?¡± His voice was barely audible now, strained with emotion. ¡°We were supposed to protect you. You were meant to be...¡±

    ¡°Meant to be what?¡± I interrupted, a mix of anger and confusion rising in my chest. ¡°What do you want from me now?¡±

    Erin¡¯s expression softened, his eyes full of something that looked like regret. ¡°It¡¯s not what I want, Lisa. It¡¯s what you need to remember. Who you are.¡±

    ¡°Who I am?¡± The words tasted bitter on my tongue. Who I am. The answer had been ripped from me, buried so deep that I wasn¡¯t sure if I even wanted to find it again. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡±

    He sighed, running a hand through his messy hair. ¡°I know you don¡¯t. Not yet. But you will. Soon.¡±

    I shook my head, unable to speak. I wanted to turn away, to walk out into the cold, to feel something that wasn¡¯t this crushing weight in my chest. But Erin reached out again, this time his hand resting on the table between us.

    ¡°Lisa¡­¡± He said my name again, the way no one ever did, as though it was a promise. ¡°There are things you don¡¯t understand. But they¡¯re coming for you. The dark wizards. And they¡¯re not just after you, Lisa. They¡¯re after everything.¡±

    ¡°Everything?¡± I echoed, my voice rising with panic. ¡°What are you talking about? I don¡¯t even know who I am!¡±

    Erin¡¯s face darkened, his eyes distant as if he were reliving a nightmare. ¡°You¡¯re the last of the line, Lisa. The bloodline of the Earthen Throne. You carry the mark. The magic.¡±

    I froze. The words hit me like a bolt of lightning, striking deep. The mark. The thing I¡¯d always felt, but never truly understood. It burned now, deep beneath my skin, a constant reminder of something I didn¡¯t remember¡ªsomething I never wanted to.

    ¡°The Earthen Throne,¡± I repeated, as the world around me seemed to tilt. ¡°You¡­ you¡¯re saying I¡¯m a princess?¡±

    Erin nodded slowly. ¡°The last princess of the Earthen Throne. The last heir to the kingdom. And the only one who can stop the darkness from rising.¡±

    I recoiled again, my pulse hammering in my ears. I wanted to scream, to deny him, to reject this truth that felt so out of place in the life I had created for myself.

    But I knew one thing.

    I couldn¡¯t run anymore.

    The door was opening, and I had no choice but to walk through it.

    ¡°I¡¯m not ready for this,¡± I whispered, my voice shaking.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to be,¡± Erin replied softly, ¡°but you don¡¯t have a choice.¡±

    I wanted to ask him what he meant, to demand answers to all the questions that flooded my mind, but when I went to pull my beanie down over my ears, the smiley man I had seen earlier was gone. I blinked, staring at the empty space where he had been standing. Had he been real? Or was this just another illusion, another trick the world was playing on me?

 A Cold Reality

    Chapter 2

    A Cold Reality

    Groaning in frustration, I left the coffee shop, my feet carrying me back home despite the storm of thoughts racing through my head. One of the guards had undoubtedly seen me talking to the strange man, and that would surely mean trouble.

    As I walked through the door of my apartment, my eyes were drawn to the answering machine. The blinking red light caught my attention, almost as if it was beckoning me to listen. But no one had ever called me here. Hesitantly, I pressed play.

    ¡°Lisa, honey, it¡¯s your mother calling. I know I never call, but this year marks five years since your father passed. I would like to see you at his gravestone this year. I know it¡¯s been tough with him gone, but I think your father would like to see you again. I know I would like to. There isn¡¯t much time left, you really should come home.¡±

    The words hit me like a physical blow, and I fumbled for a moment, trying to process what I had just heard. Come home? I didn¡¯t even know where home was anymore. The tower I had been locked in for so long had started to feel more like home than the farm cottage where I grew up.

    Tears pricked at my eyes, and before I knew it, I was pressing play on the machine again. Then again. And again. I couldn¡¯t stop myself, the desperate need to hear my mother¡¯s voice over and over, like a lifeline in the dark, pulling me back to a time I could barely remember. The voice that had once been a comfort now felt so distant, so unreachable.

    I sank to the floor, the coldness of the tiles beneath me grounding me, even as my world spun out of control. My hands trembled as I touched the cold ground, a faint echo of the earth beneath the farmhouse I had once called home. The memory of the trees, the soft rustle of the leaves, the smell of fresh earth¡ªit all came flooding back, and for the first time in years, I smiled a real smile.

    I slowly pushed myself off the floor, my hands still gripping the edge of the table for support. Standing, I walked to the window and stared out at the city that stretched endlessly beneath me. The apartment I lived in was miles high, with no trees or grass in sight, just the cold, gray buildings that seemed to trap me in their concrete embrace.

    It felt wrong. This place¡ªthe glass and concrete towers¡ªwere never meant to be my home. The city wasn¡¯t just cold and lifeless; it was wrong. The energy here was stifling, heavy. I could almost feel it in my bones, the magic struggling to breathe beneath the weight of human greed and technology.

    It was time now.

    I wiped the tears from my face, took a deep breath, and grabbed my car keys. Without another moment¡¯s hesitation, I left. The drive to the apartment felt like a blur, my thoughts consumed by the need to escape, to do something¡ªanything¡ªthat might bring me back to myself.

    When I arrived, I could barely stand. The doorman looked at me with a mix of concern and uncertainty.

    ¡°Are you alright, Mrs. Portsmith?¡± he asked, his voice tinged with worry.

    ¡°I¡¯m unsure how I managed to drive here without causing an accident,¡± I admitted, my voice hoarse. ¡°Can you store my car for me? I don¡¯t have the strength to drive anymore.¡±

    ¡°Of course. Is there anything else I can do for you?¡±

    ¡°My husband will call for me,¡± I muttered, trying to steady my shaking hands. ¡°But you mustn¡¯t let him into my apartment¡ªor let him into the building.¡±

    The doorman hesitated for only a moment before nodding, a small smile crossing his face. ¡°Of course. Keys?¡±

    I didn¡¯t miss the look he gave me when I handed over my keys. Something about it felt¡­ reassuring, as though he knew exactly what I was going through. Unsure on my feet, I waited for him to return so he could walk me to the elevator. Once he left, I slammed the door shut and latched the three locks I had prepared in advance. Closing the curtains on all the windows, I dimmed the lights and let out a breath I didn¡¯t even realize I had been holding. Finally, I collapsed into bed, my body exhausted from the emotional weight of it all.

    <hr>

    The sound of my alarm blared through my nightmare. The same nightmare I had been having for the past week¡ªthe feeling of being trapped, of being watched, of knowing that something was coming, but not knowing how to stop it. The fear was suffocating, and no matter how much I tried to wake myself, I always found myself trapped in the same loop.

    I blinked blearily at the clock. Ten-thirty. My body felt like lead, and I could hardly remember falling asleep. It was as if the night had simply passed by, taking me with it, leaving me drained.

    Rubbing my eyes, I zombie-walked to the bathroom, grimacing when I caught sight of myself in the mirror. My bloodshot eyes, the deep bags under my eyes¡ªthey told the story of sleepless nights, of long-term exhaustion. I didn¡¯t even look like myself anymore. I looked like I was thirty-five, when in reality, I was only twenty-four. The toll Kai had taken on me was evident in the silver threads creeping through my hairline, in the wrinkles that had appeared around my eyes. Maybe it was him. Or maybe it was the drugs. Either way, I had aged far too quickly.

    I dropped to the bathroom floor, pulling my knees to my chest as the tears came once again.

    ¡°You¡¯re safe now. You¡¯re safe now.¡±

    The words repeated in my mind, a mantra of reassurance that didn¡¯t quite sink in. I wiped the last of the tears from my face, washing them away with cool water, but the emptiness remained. I smiled at my pale reflection, but it was hollow, just like everything else in my life.

    Without bothering to change, I trudged to the kitchen, fully aware that there would be no food. The emptiness mirrored the hollow ache in my chest, the gnawing hunger for something I couldn¡¯t name. My thoughts were interrupted by the shrill ring of the landline.

    It felt like a cruel reminder that I had rid myself of my cell phone, hoping to avoid the constant reminders of the past, of the life I used to have. But now, the landline seemed just as threatening. I picked it up with shaking hands, hoping it wasn¡¯t another call from Kai.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

    ¡°Ma¡¯am, there¡¯s a lawyer here to see you,¡± the voice on the other end said.

    Fear froze my body. He¡¯s here. He¡¯s finally here. There¡¯s no way he¡¯ll let me go without a fight. This is where I die.

    ¡°It¡¯s not your husband, Lisa. It¡¯s another lawyer from his firm. She says he has papers you need to sign.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± I said, my voice a mere whisper, ¡°if you think she is safe, you can send her up.¡±

    I stood by the door, waiting, listening for the telltale sounds of expensive, steel-capped boots that had been burned into my memory. But when the sharp click of high heels echoed in the hall, I let out the breath I had been holding. I peered through the peephole and saw the red hair of a woman standing at my door.

    When I opened the door, she made an ever-so-subtle noise before walking into the apartment. I offered her a cup of coffee, my hands trembling as I watched her spread documents on the coffee table.

    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± I asked, my voice hoarse.

    ¡°Divorce papers,¡± she replied flatly. ¡°Mr. Portsmith has already signed them and agreed to the prenup you both signed on your wedding day.¡±

    I blinked. ¡°I wasn¡¯t aware we even had a prenup.¡±

    I couldn¡¯t remember much these days. My mind felt fractured, pieces of my past slipping away with each passing day. But something in me knew that Kai wouldn¡¯t have insisted on a prenup. It must have been my father. My father had always been the one to make those decisions.

    Gina handed me the prenup, and I read through the papers slowly, my fingers tracing my father¡¯s signature as if the touch could bring back the past. I motioned for a pen and signed the papers without hesitation. Gina gathered the documents and stood up to leave.

    ¡°Why is he giving in?¡± I asked, the question slipping from my lips before I could stop it.

    ¡°You¡¯ve been locked up in this apartment for nearly three months, Lisa,¡± she said, her tone soft but matter-of-fact. ¡°He thought this would make you happy.¡±

    Three months?

    ¡°Take a shower, Lisa. You stink. And smile. You¡¯re finally free.¡±

    The words hit me like a cold slap, and I froze. Three months? I hadn¡¯t even realized how much time had passed. It felt like a blur¡ªdays blending into each other, nothing but the heavy weight of the city and the constant watchful eyes of Kai¡¯s men surrounding me. I hadn¡¯t seen a way out. I hadn¡¯t thought there was a way out.

    Free. The word felt foreign, as if it didn¡¯t belong to me.

    But Gina¡¯s words echoed in my mind. You¡¯re finally free.

    Was I? Or was this just another cage, a different shape, but still a prison? Without Kai, I was supposed to be liberated, yet all I felt was¡­ lost. The emptiness had been my constant companion for so long that I wasn¡¯t sure how to function without it.

    Gina had already left, the door clicking shut behind her, but I stood there, staring at the papers she had left on the table. The divorce papers. The prenup. It all felt so clinical, so impersonal. As if everything that had once been mine¡ªthe life, the marriage, the memories¡ªwas now being boiled down to cold legalities.

    The sharp sting of my father¡¯s signature still lingered on my fingers. I had barely known him when he was alive, and now even his mark was just a ghost¡ªfading away, slipping through my grasp.

    Is this what freedom feels like? I thought, walking slowly to the window. Outside, the world continued on, indifferent to my existence. The city was as cold and imposing as ever, its steel and glass structures towering over me, offering no comfort. I pressed my palm against the cool glass, my reflection barely visible through the fogged surface.

    ¡°Lisa¡­¡±

    The soft voice that called my name sent a shiver down my spine. I didn¡¯t need to turn around to know who it was. The air around me seemed to thicken, as if the very space I occupied had become charged with some unseen presence.

    I spun around, and there he was¡ªErin. Standing just inside the doorway, his face bathed in a soft, almost ethereal light. His expression was pained, but determined.

    ¡°You¡­ you came?¡± I barely managed to whisper, my voice cracked with confusion and disbelief.

    Erin nodded, his eyes never leaving mine. ¡°I wasn¡¯t sure you would believe me, but I couldn¡¯t leave you like this. Not when it¡¯s getting worse.¡±

    I wanted to ask him what was getting worse. I wanted to demand answers¡ªabout the dark wizards, about my past, about the life I was supposed to have, about all of this. But the words felt trapped in my throat, tangled with the fear and uncertainty that clung to me like a second skin.

    ¡°You¡¯re not safe here, Lisa,¡± Erin said, his voice low, urgent. ¡°Not anymore. They know where you are. The dark wizards¡­ they¡¯ve been tracking you.¡±

    A cold chill crawled up my spine. ¡°Tracking me?¡± I whispered, stepping back toward the couch, trying to steady myself. ¡°Why? I don¡¯t even know who I am.¡±

    ¡°You are more than you realize.¡± His gaze softened, and for a moment, I saw the Erin I remembered¡ªa boy I used to trust, a person who had once meant everything to me. ¡°You¡¯ve always known. The mark on your arm¡­ it¡¯s not just a birthright, Lisa. It¡¯s power. And the dark wizards want it.¡±

    Power. That word again. It felt both heavy and strange. I glanced down at my left arm, where the royal mark still burned faintly beneath my skin. The mark that had always made me feel like an outsider, an imposter in my own life.

    ¡°I can¡¯t¡­¡± I began, my voice shaking. ¡°I can¡¯t be this person. I can¡¯t be the princess. I don¡¯t even know what that means.¡±

    Erin stepped forward, his eyes filled with something I couldn¡¯t quite name¡ªsympathy? Understanding? ¡°I know. But you don¡¯t have a choice anymore. They¡¯ll come for you, whether you¡¯re ready or not. And when they do, you need to be prepared.¡±

    I shook my head. ¡°I don¡¯t even know how to prepare for this. How am I supposed to fight dark wizards when I can¡¯t even remember my own life?¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to fight alone,¡± Erin said, his voice firm. ¡°I¡¯ll help you. We¡¯ll do this together.¡±

    The weight of his words settled on me like a heavy blanket. Together. It sounded so simple, so easy. But the fear gnawing at my gut told me it wasn¡¯t going to be easy. Nothing ever was.

    I didn¡¯t trust my own mind anymore, let alone trust him. But something inside me¡ªthe piece that was still me, no matter how fractured¡ªknew that I couldn¡¯t ignore this. I couldn¡¯t pretend I was just some ordinary woman living in an ordinary apartment, pretending to forget.

    This life, this nightmare, it wasn¡¯t something I could outrun anymore.

    ¡°Alright,¡± I said, my voice low, determined. ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll do it. But I need to know everything. Everything, Erin.¡±

    He nodded, stepping closer. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you what you need to know. But first, you need to come with me. We don¡¯t have much time.¡±

    I hesitated for a moment, looking around the apartment, feeling the weight of everything I had built, everything I had been running from, closing in on me. But the path ahead was clear. There was no more hiding. No more pretending.

    ¡°I¡¯m ready,¡± I whispered, the words finally slipping out.

    Erin smiled, a flicker of hope in his eyes. ¡°Then let¡¯s go. It¡¯s time to wake up.¡±

 Six Years Later

    Chapter 3

    Six Years Later

    Saxon watched his older brother pace in front of him, the usual calm demeanor of the elf gone, replaced with the unmistakable tension of someone struggling against something far beyond their control.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong this time?¡± Saxon asked, a mischievous glint in his eyes. Despite his youthful curiosity, there was an underlying worry¡ªsomething that wasn¡¯t lost on him.

    Erin stopped abruptly, his frustration evident. ¡°Why is it taking her this long?¡± he muttered under his breath. His hands clenched into fists, and his eyes seemed to burn with a quiet anger.

    Saxon raised an eyebrow. ¡°Who did you fight with this time?¡± His tone was playful, but he knew better than anyone that his older brother had a tendency to push people when it came to her¡ªLisa.

    Erin scowled at his younger brother, fully prepared to smack him over the head, but the mischievousness in Saxon¡¯s face made him pause. He sighed deeply, then slumped onto the couch beside him, rubbing his temples.

    ¡°You are dense, aren¡¯t you?¡± Erin muttered, his voice laden with frustration. ¡°Don¡¯t you have something else to do?¡±

    Saxon chuckled, flopping back on the couch beside Erin. ¡°Not really. What¡¯s wrong? Haven¡¯t seen you like this since we were kids, bro.¡±

    Erin¡¯s gaze darkened, his eyes filled with a distant pain. ¡°I saw Lisa.¡±

    Saxon¡¯s brows shot up in surprise. ¡°That¡¯s not surprising. If Kai hadn¡¯t caught you all those years ago, I¡¯m sure you would¡¯ve kept stalking her.¡±

    ¡°I told her to come home,¡± Erin replied, a hint of vulnerability in his voice.

    Saxon froze. His face reflected a mix of surprise and awe. ¡°You spoke to Lisa? And she spoke back?¡±

    Erin nodded, a soft smile breaking through the tension. It was a rare moment for the usually composed elf. The idea that Lisa had spoken to him after so long¡ªafter everything¡ªwas more than anyone had hoped for. For the elf brothers, it was a breakthrough of sorts, a tiny spark of hope.

    ¡°When was this?¡± Saxon pressed, leaning forward with sudden urgency.

    ¡°Six years ago,¡± Erin said, his eyes flickering with the memory. ¡°You saw the news article¡ªthey broke up. She should have come straight home.¡±

    Saxon¡¯s expression faltered. ¡°She doesn¡¯t even remember who we are. What made you think she would remember the way home?¡±

    Erin frowned, the frustration building again. ¡°Lisa¡¯s been through hell. But somehow¡ªno matter how hard she tries to bury it¡ªshe always sees me for who I am. Maybe it¡¯s a fairy thing. Maybe it¡¯s just fate.¡±

    Before Saxon could respond, Erin¡¯s phone beeped, interrupting their conversation. He stood, his demeanor shifting instantly. ¡°It¡¯s time to put my plan into play,¡± he muttered, excusing himself from the room.

    Saxon watched his brother go, a mixture of concern and admiration in his eyes. It was clear that Erin would stop at nothing to bring Lisa back, even if it meant facing the very dark forces that had torn them apart.

    <hr>

    Lisa

    I breathed in a deep breath of fresh air, savoring the sensation as the cool breeze hit my face. Stretching my stiff body, I gave James an evil eye. He grinned sheepishly, hopping off the plane.

    ¡°You¡¯ve really got a knack for making everything a pain, huh?¡± I muttered, shaking my head. Flying business class with my full team had been a mistake.

    James chuckled nervously. ¡°What¡¯s your problem? You¡¯ve got to admit, it¡¯s better than flying economy.¡±This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

    I gave him a pointed look. ¡°For you maybe. But not for me. This will be the last time I trade in my first-class ticket.¡±

    James laughed, but I could see the glint of nervousness in his eyes. They never understood why I did what I did, but I was used to it. The price of fame, or in my case, infamy.

    ¡°So, you joining us for drinks later?¡± James asked, a playful tone in his voice. ¡°Or are you going to keep being the buzzkill?¡±

    Rolling my eyes, I picked up my suitcase and checked my phone. No urgent messages, as usual. Despite being so well-known, it seemed like no one ever really reached out.

    ¡°After the flight I just had, James, my drinks better be on you,¡± I quipped.

    He chuckled. ¡°You got it! I¡¯ll even throw in a round of shots. We¡¯ll have some fun, yeah?¡±

    ¡°Sure,¡± I sighed. ¡°I¡¯ll come for the social interaction. But after one drink, I¡¯m out. I can¡¯t handle more than that anymore.¡±

    ¡°Fine, fine. But you''re coming out, right?¡± He was persistent.

    I waved my team off and headed back to my office. As I booted up my laptop, I checked my inbox, hoping¡ªpraying¡ªthat there might be something there for me. But as expected, nothing. I was used to it by now.

    Sighing, I left the office and made my way to the Fable. It was the only place I could find some semblance of peace amidst the chaos of my life.

    When I arrived, I spotted my team already deep into their third round. They seemed surprised when I tapped their table with my business card.

    ¡°Next round¡¯s on me,¡± I said, with a smirk. It earned me a loud cheer, and I went to the bar to grab their drinks. Sitting back down with my team, I watched them laugh, carefree and oblivious to the weight of the world that seemed to always be hanging over me.

    Humans. So simple, so unburdened.

    I observed them¡ªJames, Jess, Nick, Rico, and Juan. Each one so different, yet so alike in their ability to ignore the harshness of reality. They lived without fear, without hesitation. Sometimes I envied them for it.

    But not tonight. Tonight, I just wanted to go home.

    As I prepared to leave, I flagged down the bartender for a glass of water. I was almost done for the night when a familiar voice stopped me in my tracks.

    ¡°I know you. You¡¯re Lisa Paul, right?¡±

    I turned, and my heart skipped a beat. The man standing next to me had a grin that reminded me too much of someone I once knew. My mind raced, trying to place him, but I couldn''t.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve caught your name,¡± I said, forcing a polite smile. ¡°I only have you saved as Sandy¡¯s assistant.¡±

    His grin widened. ¡°That¡¯s fair. This might sound creepy, but Sandy¡¯s expecting you.¡±

    My stomach twisted. Sandy. The name hit me like a cold rush of wind, but I couldn¡¯t place why it made me feel so unsettled. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve been here all week, waiting for you. The information said you¡¯d be back.¡± He paused for a moment. ¡°You should come see him.¡±

    I felt an odd mixture of apprehension and curiosity, but something about the way he spoke¡ªsomething in his tone¡ªtold me I had no choice. He wasn¡¯t asking. He was giving an order.

    I followed him through a hidden passage in the bar to a quiet back room, one I didn¡¯t even know existed. The dim lighting made everything feel like a secret. As I stepped through the door, there was a faint hum in the air, almost like the vibrations of magic, the kind that lingered just beneath the surface.

    When Sandy saw me, he greeted me with a sad smile, and I sat across from him, the tension between us palpable. The faint scent of rain hung in the air, mingling with something deeper¡ªsomething ancient.

    ¡°Donald, get us a drink,¡± Sandy instructed.

    ¡°Nothing alcoholic,¡± I replied quickly. ¡°I can¡¯t drink anymore.¡±

    ¡°Of course,¡± he said, before turning to his assistant.

    As the assistant left, our eyes met, and for a moment, I thought I saw something sparkle in his gaze. I shook it off, but the feeling lingered.

    ¡°Your assistant said you¡¯ve been waiting for me all week. Why?¡± I asked, trying to stay calm.

    ¡°I have some information to pass on,¡± Sandy said. ¡°I¡¯ve been trying to contact you all week. But I thought since your team was regular here, I might have a better shot tonight.¡±

    I frowned, puzzled. ¡°Whoever gave you that info didn¡¯t know I was in France for the past three months.¡±

    Sandy sighed, shaking his head. ¡°That explains it.¡± He reached into his folder and pulled out a small, thin brochure. My fingers trembled as I traced the face on the cover.

    ¡°When is this happening?¡± I asked, my voice betraying my shock.

    ¡°In two weeks. By the look of the interview lineups, everyone will be home for this.¡± Sandy¡¯s voice softened. ¡°The trees have missed you, your majesty. Your father doesn¡¯t have much time left.¡±

    A chill ran down my spine as I gripped the flyer tightly in my hand. My father. The trees. It was all coming back¡ªthe memories, the pull, the magic.

    I felt a tingle at the base of my spine, the air in the room thickening with unspoken words. The magic had always been a part of me, but it had faded into the background for so long. Now, it was rising again, pushing to the surface as the ties of the past pulled me closer to my true home.

 Homebound

    Chapter 4

    Homebound

    ¡°Why are we doing such a low-profile case?¡±

    I couldn¡¯t help but sigh at the question. It wasn¡¯t that I didn¡¯t understand their curiosity¡ªBluehaven was a tiny speck compared to the global scale of stories we usually covered. But there was more to it than just the case. A lot more.

    ¡°I know we¡¯ve been together for a long time, and there are still things about me that remain a mystery to you,¡± I said, trying to explain without making it sound like a confession. ¡°But you¡¯re all aware that I¡¯m a recovering addict. Being in recovery came at a price, one that isn¡¯t always visible. Bluehaven... is my home. A place I haven¡¯t touched in over ten years. This case might be small, but it¡¯s a cover, a way for me to go back without too many questions.¡±

    The room grew silent as the weight of my words settled in. The team exchanged looks, a subtle exchange of concern and understanding passing between them.

    ¡°I get it,¡± James said after a pause, nodding slowly. ¡°You¡¯ve got unfinished business there. But we¡¯re with you, you know? You don¡¯t have to do this alone.¡±

    I met his gaze, my heart heavy. ¡°I appreciate that. But you don¡¯t have to come with me. I can handle this. If you¡¯d prefer to stay behind and tackle the big stories, I won¡¯t hold it against you.¡±

    A long silence followed. I could practically hear the wheels turning in their heads. Finally, Nick broke the tension.

    ¡°Alright, it¡¯s been decided. Nick and Jess will stay behind¡ªshe¡¯s already got a strict curfew with her folks anyway. Rico, Juan, and I are coming with you.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to,¡± I muttered, feeling like I should be putting my foot down, but I wasn¡¯t.

    ¡°Story or not, home or not,¡± Rico chimed in, ¡°you¡¯re going to need familiar faces around you, trust us. We¡¯ve spent three months with you overseas. What¡¯s two weeks?¡±

    I couldn¡¯t help but smile, grateful for their loyalty even if they didn¡¯t fully understand. With a deep breath, I nodded and ended the meeting, sending out the necessary details for the flight and our plans for the town.

    As the day of departure approached, time felt like an agonizing eternity. I kept myself busy, but when the quiet moments came, my mind wandered, anxiety creeping up on me. I tried to keep it at bay, but the closer we got to boarding the plane, the more my nerves fluttered. I hadn¡¯t slept at all, and when we arrived at the airport, I felt the weight of exhaustion crash down on me.

    James noticed my pale face and commented, "You look like you¡¯ve been drinking all night, not working all day."

    ¡°I haven¡¯t slept, that¡¯s all,¡± I muttered, rubbing my eyes. The last thing I wanted was to explain why I couldn¡¯t bring myself to sleep.

    The flight was a blur. James wouldn¡¯t stop talking¡ªhis endless chatter was both a blessing and a curse. I couldn¡¯t focus on anything but the tick of the clock, knowing we were cutting it close.

    As the plane finally landed, I scowled at my watch. We were already twenty minutes behind schedule. The rest of the team followed me through the airport, but I couldn¡¯t shake the strange sensation in the air. There were people everywhere today¡ªmore than usual.

    ¡°Why¡¯s there such a crowd?¡± I muttered under my breath. ¡°Did we miss a celebrity walk-through or something?¡±

    Just as I was about to turn the corner, I collided with someone. I caught a flash of his face before my heart stopped.

    I stared into his eyes¡ªhis unmistakable, familiar gaze. For a moment, he seemed to recognize me, and then it flickered, replaced by an intense look of rage.

    "Jesus Christ, can you watch where you''re going?" he snapped, his voice cutting through the hum of the crowd.

    I could feel my heart race in my chest, the old, familiar panic creeping in. My mind screamed at me to say something, anything. But I could barely form words.

    As I stood there, frozen, I noticed the inner turmoil in his eyes. Should he help me up? Should he walk away? The brief moment stretched into something far longer, and then, just as quickly, he stormed off, leaving a trail of angry murmurs behind him.

    My team rushed over. ¡°Boss, you alright?¡± Rico asked.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± I muttered, trying to shake off the wave of emotion. But I couldn¡¯t quite control the tightness in my chest.

    ¡°Sorry about him,¡± A new voice added, forcing a laugh. ¡°He¡¯s always grumpy after a long flight.¡±

    But when I looked up to face the voice, it wasn¡¯t a grown man or woman. It was a young girl¡ªa child, maybe ten or eleven years old. Her bright smile cut through the fog in my mind, and before I could even react, she bowed deeply before running off.

    I stared after her for a moment, my thoughts racing. It was her. It had to be. A part of me wanted to run after her, but I couldn¡¯t. I didn¡¯t even know why I was so shaken.

    Juan found me a few minutes later, sitting in the corner of the airport, my jacket pressed against my face as I tried to steady my breath.

    He sat down beside me, his voice low. ¡°This doesn¡¯t seem like a good idea, Lisa. I know addicts need to go through their steps, but haven¡¯t you skipped a few along the way?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± I replied softly, my voice breaking. ¡°I haven¡¯t. I¡¯ve been away for ten years, Juan. The forest calls me home.¡±

    <hr>

    Later that Evening

    The tension that had followed me through the airport didn''t let up as we prepared for the evening''s event. The dress I had packed, one I hadn''t worn in years, now seemed like a suffocating reminder of everything I was trying to escape.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    I sneaked a look at the boys before we left¡ªJames was in a tailored blazer, Rico and Juan already in their usual sharp attire. Seeing them reminded me of the work we had ahead. My stomach churned at the thought. This wasn¡¯t just a story to me.

    I grabbed the dress out of my garment bag with a sigh, wishing I could ignore the reality of what awaited me in Bluehaven. But there was no turning back now.

    When I joined the team in the main room, we headed straight for a taxi. I was thankful for the quiet. At least for a moment, I didn¡¯t have to think about the past catching up with me.

    The casino¡¯s exterior was as glamorous as I remembered, and the atmosphere was charged with excitement. Inside, the flickering lights, the clinking of chips, and the murmur of low conversation made my heart race.

    This was far from my comfort zone. In a war zone, I could always find my focus. But here? Surrounded by this fake, glittering world? It felt like I was in another life altogether.

    ¡°Mr. Yong is starting his speech,¡± James murmured, motioning toward the stage.

    I followed his lead, and my stomach dropped when I saw him. Erin. Of course he¡¯d be here, looking as poised and immaculate as always. He was the gatekeeper, the one who had kept me grounded when I needed it most. The man who held my heart¡ªbut a heart that felt too broken to be claimed.

    ¡°Alright, everyone, settle down!¡± Erin¡¯s voice rang out over the microphone. ¡°Welcome to the grand re-opening of the Bluehaven Casino. Please welcome our honored guest and father to our beautiful architect, Mr. Yong!¡±

    The crowd erupted into cheers as the elderly Mr. Yong shuffled onto the stage, his age evident in his every movement. I studied his face, noting how much he had aged. Wyatt, his son, was now taking charge¡ªtaking over. It didn¡¯t sit well with me.

    ¡°Good evening, everyone!¡± Mr. Yong¡¯s voice was shaky but warm. ¡°Welcome to the first casino designed and built by my son Wyatt Yong. A personal thanks to Erin Francis, who¡¯s made this night more enjoyable than I could have ever hoped. Enjoy yourselves¡ªdrinks, games, and the raffle in an hour. One lucky winner will receive the ultimate pass, access to our VIP rooms. So, enjoy the night!¡±

    Cheers filled the room again, and Erin guided Mr. Yong off the stage. I turned to my team, offering a weak smile. They didn¡¯t need to know how much this was tearing me apart.

    ¡°It¡¯s a casino, boys,¡± I said with a smirk, trying to keep it light. ¡°I didn¡¯t come here to work. Enjoy yourselves.¡±

    ¡°You sure?¡± Rico asked, raising an eyebrow.

    ¡°Of course. But buy a raffle ticket. Maybe I¡¯ll make you come back and do some actual work if you win.¡±

    They all laughed, but I could tell they weren¡¯t fooled. They could see right through me. But for now, it was time to keep moving forward, even if the past was waiting for me just around the corner.

    The tension inside me was palpable, thick enough to suffocate. The bright lights of the casino did little to quell the heaviness in my chest. Despite the laughter, the clinking of glasses, and the excitement of the re-opening, I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that I was trapped between two worlds¡ªthe one I had built for myself and the one that had never really let me go. The past was still a shadow at my heels, watching, waiting for me to face it.

    I couldn¡¯t stop thinking about Erin. Even after all this time, seeing him again stirred something deep within me, something I had worked so hard to bury. His presence was like an echo, reverberating through everything I had tried to outrun. I could still hear his voice, see his eyes, feel the weight of his disappointment when I left. He was everything I had wanted and everything I thought I couldn¡¯t have.

    But tonight wasn¡¯t about him. It couldn¡¯t be.

    As the team split off to wander the casino floor, I forced myself to focus on the here and now. I needed to do this, to keep moving. I couldn''t afford to get lost in memories. This was about the job¡ªabout the story¡ªand about Bluehaven. My home. The place that had shaped me in ways I still didn¡¯t fully understand.

    The raffle tickets were being handed out, and the air was thick with anticipation. I watched as the crowd milled around, the murmurs growing louder. And then I saw it¡ªthe VIP pass. I knew, deep down, I was being led to this moment for a reason. But what was it?

    ¡°Ready to make some bad decisions?¡± James whispered from beside me, his eyes glinting with amusement.

    ¡°I think I already made the worst one,¡± I said, my voice barely above a murmur.

    He didn¡¯t need an explanation. He just gave me a tight-lipped grin, the kind that said, I get it.

    The night wore on, and I found myself walking through the crowd, the casino¡¯s noise blending with the distant sound of my own heartbeat. Everything felt too loud, too bright. But then I saw it¡ªhim.

    Erin.

    He stood by the edge of the crowd, talking to someone, but the moment my eyes locked onto his, everything else faded away. His gaze softened, just for a fraction of a second. Then, as if he¡¯d realized he¡¯d been caught, his expression hardened.

    It was like time had stopped. My heart twisted in my chest. I didn¡¯t know what to say, what to feel. We hadn¡¯t spoken in so long, and yet, I felt as if he were still right there with me, watching, waiting, expecting something.

    For a second, I almost stepped forward. But then I remembered where I was, what I had come here for, and I forced my legs to move in the opposite direction.

    I couldn¡¯t do this now. Not tonight.

    I turned sharply, heading toward the back of the room. The VIP section was just out of sight, but I knew that was where I was supposed to be. The place where all the answers would be.

    As I made my way through the crowd, I felt a sudden hand on my arm. My first instinct was to pull away, but the firm grip stopped me.

    I turned to find him standing there¡ªErin.

    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± he asked, his voice low, a mixture of curiosity and something darker.

    I swallowed, my throat dry. ¡°I was just¡ª¡± I broke off, trying to gather my thoughts. ¡°I didn¡¯t come here for you.¡±

    His eyes flickered with something unreadable, but he didn¡¯t let go of my arm. ¡°You¡¯ve been avoiding me for years, Lisa. Why? What are you so afraid of?¡±

    It felt like a challenge. A dare to face the things I had hidden for so long. His grip loosened, but I couldn¡¯t bring myself to move away.

    ¡°I¡¯m not afraid,¡± I said, but my voice trembled despite my best efforts to sound steady.

    He didn¡¯t seem convinced, and for a moment, it was like we were standing in some limbo¡ªcaught between the past and the present, between everything we were and everything we had been.

    ¡°You¡¯re not the same person you were when you left,¡± he said, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°And neither am I.¡±

    I nodded, feeling the sting of those words. He was right, of course. But that didn¡¯t make it easier. How could I explain everything that had changed in those ten years? The things I had been running from, the choices I had made...

    I swallowed again, trying to push past the lump in my throat. ¡°I don¡¯t have time for this, Erin. I¡¯m here to work, not to¡ª¡±

    ¡°To what?¡± he interrupted, his voice sharp. ¡°Not to deal with me? Not to face what you left behind?¡±

    I flinched at the words, but there was something in his expression that made me pause. A softness buried beneath the anger, something that looked dangerously close to regret.

    ¡°I¡¯m not asking for anything,¡± he said, his voice quieter now, like he was trying to control his emotions. ¡°I just want to know why. Why you left without a word, without even looking back.¡±

    I didn¡¯t have an answer. How could I? I had left because I was broken¡ªbecause I didn¡¯t know how to stay when all I wanted was to escape.

    ¡°I... I can¡¯t do this,¡± I muttered, stepping back. ¡°Not now. Not here.¡±

    I turned away, but I could still feel his eyes on me, heavy and filled with unspoken words. As I walked away, I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something had shifted between us, something irrevocable.

    And I wasn¡¯t sure if I was ready for it.

    But I knew one thing for sure¡ªBluehaven was no longer just a place I was visiting. It was a place that was demanding I face everything I had left behind. And this time, I wasn¡¯t sure I could outrun it.

 The Winner

    Chapter 5

    The Winner

    I could feel the pressure building in my chest as I tried to steady my breath. The crowd inside the casino was suffocating, each passing moment heavier than the last. Grasping for air, I stumbled through an exit door and found myself on the outside patio. The cool evening air hit me like a wave, filling my lungs with the fresh scent of the forest¡ªof home. The earthy smell was like a balm for my soul, washing away the tension from the crowded room. Mixed in with the sweetness of pine was the sharp sting of cigarette smoke and the tar of freshly laid road. Nature and urban life collided in this town, and it felt like both a blessing and a curse.

    I leaned over the balcony edge, my fingers brushing against the orchids wrapped around the fence. The touch of the delicate petals reminded me of how much I had longed for nature while I had been away. Kali had always preferred the city. We never had any plants in the houses we lived in, and every time I looked at a concrete wall or a bustling street, it felt like my skin was crawling. But here? Here, amidst the trees and flowers of Bluehaven, I could almost breathe again.

    "Hello."

    I jumped, startled by the voice that sliced through the silence. As I spun around, I felt the sudden pull of a leaf from the orchid, which I accidentally tore off. I looked down at it in my hand, guilt swelling in my chest.

    Poppy¡¯s concerned eyes met mine, and I couldn¡¯t look away. Her gaze softened when she noticed the tear streaking down my cheek, but I quickly wiped it away, trying to mask my vulnerability.

    "Sorry," she said, her voice gentle. "I didn¡¯t mean to scare you. Are you alright? You seem to be crying."

    "Allergies," I muttered, hoping my excuse would cover it, but I wasn¡¯t fooling either of us. The tightness in my chest wasn¡¯t from any allergy.

    She handed me her handkerchief, and without looking her in the eye, I took it. I knew that if I let myself look at her too long, I would break down entirely.

    Poppy studied me for a moment, and I saw the recognition in her eyes as her gaze drifted to my reporter''s badge hanging around me neck. The weight of it hung between us, like an invisible barrier.

    "You¡¯re a reporter?" she asked, her voice quieter now.

    I nodded, feeling the sting of the truth. "Yes. This is my hometown. A small story I wanted to share with the world."

    She blinked, and then asked, her voice tinged with hesitation, "Hometown? Do you know Wyatt Yong then?"

    "Yes, of course. We went to college together. I believe we may have even shared a dorm," I replied, trying to keep things light.

    Poppy¡¯s smile faltered, and I could see the hurt in her eyes before she quickly masked it. My heart twisted in my chest. I had never intended to hurt her, but the timing always seemed wrong.

    "My apologies," I said, trying to break the awkward silence. "I don¡¯t believe I introduced myself properly. Lisa Paul."

    She nodded, her smile returning, but now there was something guarded about it. "Poppy Carter."

    I gave a small smile back. "I know who you are. I¡¯ve seen some of your films."

    She laughed softly, but it didn¡¯t reach her eyes. "Of course, you have."

    As the noise from inside the casino started to rise again, I could tell the raffle was about to take place. Poppy, without a word, reached into her shirt pocket and pulled out a raffle ticket, handing it to me with a soft smile.

    "May luck be in your favor tonight."

    I didn¡¯t have the words to thank her, so I just nodded and tucked the ticket into my jacket pocket. She gave me one last look before turning and slipping back inside, disappearing into the chaos.

    I stood there for a moment, staring at the ticket in my hand, trying to make sense of the strange pull in my chest. It felt like everything was shifting again¡ªlike fate was pushing me forward.

    When I rejoined the boys, I could see James enthusiastically explaining how the raffle worked. He tried to hand me a ticket, but I waved it away.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I seem to have one already.¡±

    I pulled out Poppy¡¯s ticket, giving it a small wave. James gave me a goofy grin, his eyes lighting up with mischief. I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at his enthusiasm.

    As the showgirl wheeled the spinning barrel onto the stage, I found Erin¡¯s eyes in the crowd. I flashed him a grin, and he stammered through the next part of the speech, clearly thrown off by my presence. Then, with a smooth motion, he reached into the barrel, pulling out a ticket.

    "And the lucky number is 17389!"

    The room fell into an uncanny silence, the kind of quiet you only get in moments of great anticipation. My heart skipped a beat, the weight of the moment sinking in.

    "Do we have a ticket holder of 17389 in the crowd?" Erin called out.

    I didn¡¯t think twice. I shoved my arm into the air, yelling, "I¡¯m here!"

    The crowd parted as I made my way to the stage. My pulse raced as Erin helped me up, his hand lingering on mine. The moment our skin touched, I felt a jolt¡ªa rush of electricity that felt like magic, like something ancient and powerful had awakened inside me. I couldn¡¯t explain it, but it was the same sensation I had felt as a child. Erin and I had always been connected in some way.

    I grinned at the clapping crowd, flashing a wink at Juan, who was standing at the edge of the crowd with a grin of his own.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    ¡°This beautiful winner is the luckiest lady of the night. Your name?¡± Erin asked, his voice louder now.

    "Lisa," I replied, my voice steady despite the racing thoughts in my head.

    Erin beamed at the crowd. "Lisa has won the deluxe VIP membership. One year free VIP with the Bluehaven casino. Let''s give her a round of applause!"

    The applause was deafening, but something in the crowd¡¯s murmur caught my attention. Was it the reporter badge? Or had they finally recognized me?

    "Now, don¡¯t throw out your cards," Erin continued, his smile wide. "There will be another draw later on tonight. A chance to win ten thousand dollars. Please, enjoy the night¡ªparty, gamble, drink, and have fun."

    The crowd erupted into cheers once more, and Erin gently guided me off the stage. My team was waiting at the bottom of the stairs, grinning from ear to ear.

    ¡°Well done, boss!¡± James cheered, clapping me on the back.

    ¡°We won¡¯t be in Bluehaven long,¡± I added, my voice light. ¡°Take the night off. Call home, let them take a break too.¡±

    He raised an eyebrow at him. ¡°For real?¡±

    ¡°Of course. Now go before I make you work the night away.¡±

    They all saluted me in unison before rushing off toward the tables. I couldn¡¯t help but smile, feeling lighter than I had in a long time.

    As I stepped away, Erin caught my eye from across the room, his gaze intense. I could feel the unspoken words hanging between us, the history we shared. But for now, there was something I needed to focus on.

    ¡°You look happier than the last time I saw you,¡± I said, breaking the silence as I walked over to him.

    Erin turned to me, his expression unreadable. "What took you so long to come home?"

    The question struck a chord deep inside me. I looked down at my hands, suddenly unsure how to answer.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. It took me longer than I thought it would have. Are they still angry with me?¡±

    Erin¡¯s gaze softened, but there was still something pained in his eyes. "Kira, yes. Everyone else... seems to have forgotten why you left."

    A tight knot formed in my stomach. I had left so much behind, but I didn¡¯t expect forgiveness to be easy.

    ¡°Do they know I¡¯m here?¡± I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

    ¡°No,¡± Erin said softly. "It was a struggle to get Kira here in the first place."

    My mind whirled as I processed his words. ¡°Kira¡­ my daughter?¡±

    The question I had been holding in since I saw her at the airport. I longed to reach out to her, to hold her again, but I didn¡¯t know if she even remembered me.

    Erin¡¯s eyes turned serious. ¡°We¡¯ll worry about that later. Right now, we need to focus on getting you back in with the rest of the court.¡±

    I froze. "Court? Excuse me?"

    Erin¡¯s words stung more than I expected. "I was hoping you¡¯d remember a little more before we went in. But just because you¡¯re the princess, doesn¡¯t mean they will take you back."

    The weight of his words hit me like a ton of bricks. Princess? What was he talking about? I had left everything behind¡ªmy title, my past, and my connection to this place.

    And now, it seemed, it was all coming back to claim me.

    The word princess hung in the air, a heavy cloud that refused to dissipate. I couldn¡¯t help but feel a chill run through me. My mind raced, trying to piece together the fragments of memories, the things I had left behind in Bluehaven¡ªthe things I had buried so deep. I had come here to escape, to start fresh, not to confront whatever part of me Erin was referring to.

    ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding,¡± I murmured, feeling a cold sweat start to form on the back of my neck. Princess?

    Erin''s gaze was steady, though his expression was clouded with something between pity and caution. "I never wanted you to leave, Lisa. Not like that. But now... you''re going to have to face everything you ran from."

    The weight of his words was suffocating, pressing in on me from all sides. My chest tightened again, the familiar panic threatening to rise up, but I forced myself to take a breath. I couldn¡¯t break down here, not in front of him, not in front of anyone. Not when I had barely even started to face my own demons.

    ¡°I don¡¯t even know what you¡¯re talking about, Erin,¡± I said, my voice trembling despite my efforts to sound steady. ¡°I left everything. My title, my past... I¡¯m just Lisa now.¡±

    He looked at me, his brow furrowing. ¡°You can call yourself whatever you want, but the truth is, Bluehaven never forgets. And neither do the people in it.¡± His eyes flickered toward the crowd, as though he was afraid someone might overhear us. ¡°The court... Kira... your place here¡ªnone of it just disappears, no matter how hard you try.¡±

    My heart raced. The court? The words hit me like a physical blow. I had always known there were things about my past that I would never be able to escape, but hearing them spoken aloud, feeling them hanging in the air like that... it made everything so much more real.

    ¡°Is Kira really... waiting for me?¡± I asked, almost afraid of the answer.

    Erin¡¯s eyes softened, and for a moment, I saw the old him¡ªcompassionate, understanding, the person I had relied on. ¡°Yes.Of course he¡¯s been waiting for you and you¡¯re not going to be able to hide from him forever, especially since he holds your daughter..¡±

    The enormity of his words hit me like a flood, drowning me in a tide of emotion. I had thought about her constantly, even when I was miles away, but to hear that she was still here, still waiting, still... mine? It felt like I had missed an entire lifetime. I had left so much behind. Could I even step back into this life? Was it even possible?

    But before I could say anything more, a familiar voice broke through the fog in my mind.

    ¡°Lisa!¡± James called, waving at me from the other side of the room. ¡°We¡¯re heading to the bar, you in?¡±

    I turned toward him, grateful for the distraction. But as my eyes flicked back to Erin, I could see the resolve in his. The court. Kira. Everything was already spiraling into something I wasn¡¯t ready for, and yet, I couldn¡¯t seem to stop it.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± I said, my voice rough. ¡°I¡¯ll be there in a second.¡±

    Erin gave me one last look, a mixture of concern and something else I couldn¡¯t name, before nodding. ¡°You know where to find me when you¡¯re ready, Lisa.¡±

    I didn¡¯t respond, only watched as he disappeared into the crowd. My mind was still reeling, my thoughts a blur of fragments I wasn¡¯t sure I could piece together. The pull of the past was stronger than ever, threatening to swallow me whole.

    James¡¯s voice cut through my thoughts again, and I forced myself to walk toward him, trying to push the weight of Erin¡¯s words aside, at least for the moment.

    I found myself at the bar, trying to focus on something¡ªanything other than what had just been revealed to me. The buzz of the casino, the laughter, the clink of glasses, all of it felt distant. Like I wasn¡¯t really a part of it.

    ¡°You alright, boss?¡± Juan asked, handing me a drink. ¡°You¡¯ve got that look on your face.¡±

    I managed a tight smile. ¡°Yeah, just... a lot going on.¡±

    He studied me for a moment, then shrugged. ¡°Well, you¡¯ve earned this night. Don¡¯t let the past weigh you down.¡±

    I nodded, though I wasn¡¯t sure I could follow his advice. The past wasn¡¯t something you could just shake off. And now, it seemed like it was demanding my attention, like it had always been waiting for me to come back and face it.

    ¡°Let¡¯s just enjoy tonight,¡± I said, my voice firmer now. ¡°We¡¯re only here for a little while longer. I¡¯ll handle the rest later.¡±

    But deep down, I knew that later was never coming. The past was already here, and sooner or later, I¡¯d have to deal with it. Whether I was ready or not, especially since later was coming sooner, as I watched Erin approach the group again, taking my hand in his.

    ¡°Excuse me gentlemen, our precious winner is needed upstairs.¡±

 The Fairy Courts

    Chapter 6

    The Fairy Courts

    The air grew heavier as Erin led me down the cold staircase, away from the golden doors I had been longing to approach. Every step seemed to carry me further away from the bright lights of the casino, and deeper into an unknown darkness that pressed in from all sides. My pulse quickened, and a feeling of dread wrapped itself around me, much like one of those old fairytales where the hero¡ªme in this case¡ªenters an enchanted forest, only to find himself lost forever.

    As we moved into the shadows, my breath caught in my throat. There was something wrong about this place, something unsettling. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. Was I about to walk into a trap? Would this be the moment in the story when the heroine is tricked, captured, or worse? Or maybe, this was the part where the old friend turned enemy.

    The door creaked open, and Erin ushered me inside with a soft, but firm hand. The room flickered to life with a sudden surge of light that felt almost magical¡ªsharp and bright, yet heavy, like the weight of ancient secrets hung in the air. The space was small, but grand in a way that made it feel timeless. The walls seemed to breathe with the whispers of past conversations, the echoes of long-forgotten power. And there he was, sitting at the head of the room¡ªa solitary figure, his frail body draped in regal attire, his eyes pale and unfocused. His smile, sad yet wise, told me all I needed to know: this man was a relic, a piece of something far older than I could comprehend.

    The weight of his gaze lingered as he spoke my name. "Louise."

    The room shifted with his words, like the air itself changed, tightening around me. Magic stirred in my veins, subtle and tingling like a breeze carrying the scent of something old and wild. It wasn¡¯t the comforting embrace I had expected. This wasn¡¯t the kind of magic that caressed you and made you feel at peace. This was raw, untamed¡ªlike the spark of a fire ready to consume everything in its path. I could feel it running through me, making my heart race, my skin electric. But there was no release. No comforting warmth. Only the weight of an ancient, unresolved past.

    "You¡¯re home. Why?" The old man¡¯s voice cut through the fog in my mind.

    I wanted to scream at him, to tell him that his words meant nothing, that they couldn¡¯t make up for what had been lost, for the years of distance I had put between myself and the forest, the people, the magic that called me. But the words caught in my throat. Something in the air¡ªthe magic, the spell, or maybe just the sheer power of the moment¡ªstopped me from speaking.

    "What do you mean why?" I found my voice, but it was weaker than I wanted it to be. "This is all anyone seems to be doing these days. Please, come home, Lisa. You must return. You people are the ones who brought me here in the first place."

    His eyes, old and deep, filled with something ancient¡ªconcern or perhaps fear. "It will only get worse if you stay here," he warned, his voice barely above a whisper. He will come back for you. He always does."

    The air crackled with a strange, electric energy, and I could feel the magic pressing in from every angle. "Worse?" I shot back, feeling a surge of anger bubble up. "You think my returning to the forest will only make it worse? How dare you? Have you any idea what kind of hell I¡¯ve lived outside these walls? How much I¡¯ve suffered being away from my forest?"

    There was no response. The magic thickened. It was like I had touched something sacred, and the very room seemed to breathe deeper, pulling me into something ancient and powerful. I felt like I was at the edge of a cliff, and if I stepped too far, I would fall into the abyss.

    Then, a voice echoed in the stillness, sharp and commanding. "Do not speak to your father like that."

    The room froze. The air stilled, thickening until it was suffocating. My heart skipped a beat, the blood draining from my face as the words reverberated in my chest. Father. That single word felt like a curse, a chains of obligation, the final weight to crush me under.

    But then, it all hit me¡ªthe cold reality that swept through me like a tidal wave. "My father died five years ago," I whispered, the words tasting like ash on my tongue. "You have no right to claim that title."

    The silence that followed was deafening. The room, now suffused with an eerie glow, seemed to pulse with the energy of a thousand secrets. There was something unnatural about this place, something that had its roots in the magic of old.

    <hr>

    Later That Night

    When I awoke, my body was heavy with a strange lethargy, the feeling of being pulled out of a dream, only to realize the dream wasn¡¯t done yet. The room was dim, and the sound of Erin¡¯s soft voice reached me through the fog. He was on the phone, but when he saw my eyes flutter open, he quickly ended the call and turned his attention to me.

    "How are you feeling?" His words were gentle, but I could sense the undercurrent of concern.

    I rubbed my temples, the familiar throb of pain reminding me that whatever had happened downstairs was far from normal. "What happened?"If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

    "You fainted," Erin said, his voice betraying a hint of regret. "You were overwhelmed by something. The event might have been too much for you."

    I blinked, trying to piece together the fragments of my memories. "Sorry¡­ must have been a hassle to carry a stranger."

    "Stranger?" Erin frowned. "Lisa, what exactly do you remember?"

    I hesitated, the fragments coming together slowly. "Someone gave me a raffle ticket. I won. You introduced yourself, we walked upstairs¡­ and then I guess I passed out. Why?"

    Erin¡¯s eyes narrowed, and he let out a quiet sigh. "Oh, Jesus."

    His whisper was almost drowned in the strange tension that filled the room. Something wasn¡¯t right. I wasn¡¯t just some reporter at a party¡ªI wasn¡¯t just here to win some silly prize. There was something more¡ªsomething magical¡ªand I could feel it in my bones.

    "Maybe we should do this another day, when you''re feeling better," Erin suggested, his voice strained with an emotion I couldn¡¯t quite place.

    I shook my head, brushing aside the remnants of dizziness that clung to me. "Honestly, I¡¯m fine. We can go up now, and after, we can grab some food. It¡¯s been too long since I had a proper meal."

    Erin didn¡¯t argue. He offered me a hand, and I took it, the electric charge between us making my heart skip. We climbed the stairs again in silence, the magic still humming in my veins, like a song I couldn¡¯t quite understand.

    When the VIP door swung open, the energy in the room shifted. The magic was undeniable now, thick and palpable, as if the room itself was holding its breath. The faces before me¡ªfamiliar and strange¡ªlooked back with a mix of surprise, apprehension, and something else I couldn¡¯t quite place.

    I saw Kira first¡ªstanding off to the side, his eyes cold, distant, but there was a flicker of recognition in his gaze. A moment of vulnerability that I knew he hadn¡¯t intended. My heart ached with the weight of everything unsaid between us. But in this room, with this strange magic hanging in the air, I couldn¡¯t fix it all at once. All I could do was breathe.

    My eyes found Poppy next, her gaze soft, her concern almost tangible. She was the one who had given me that raffle ticket, and now, in this moment, it felt as if fate had drawn us together. The energy between us was undeniable, like a secret we had both known for a long time.

    "Why are you crying?" Kira asked, his voice sharp, but underneath, a tremor of something softer.

    "I¡¯m just so happy," I whispered, my emotions too raw to hide.

    Kira frowned, and I could feel the magic thickening around us, swirling like a storm ready to break. "It¡¯s just a stupid prize. Why would that make you happy?"

    Erin, sensing the rising tension, stepped in. "Kira, don¡¯t be rude. We¡¯re all here to welcome Lisa. Let¡¯s introduce ourselves."

    "Fine," Kira muttered. "But I¡¯m not staying long."

    And then, like the gentle pull of gravity, I turned to Poppy. "Come give your big sister a hug."

    The room stood still, suspended in time. Poppy¡¯s eyes filled with tears as she crossed the room in an instant, throwing herself into my arms. Her sobs echoed through me, the raw emotion of it nearly cracking me open. As I held her close, I could feel the magic stir once again, but this time it was warm, like sunlight after a long storm.

    The others watched in stunned silence, the weight of the moment settling over us all. Saxon shifted nervously, his hair long and untamed¡ªan echo of the past we all shared. Kira fought the tears, is eyes burning with something too complicated for words. Wyatt, ever aloof, stood in the corner, the same distant figure he always had been.

    "Are you crying?"

    "What? No," I muttered, turning away. "I must apologize. My allergies just act up in Bluehaven. The air¡¯s too thick here."

    I smiled at my attempt to hide the truth, The weight of everything pressing in around me felt suffocating, like I was standing on the edge of a cliff, staring into an abyss I couldn¡¯t see, but I knew was there. Erin¡¯s touch lingered in my mind, his hand that had caught me when I fainted, the electric pulse that still ran through me. It felt like an unspoken promise¡ªlike there was a deeper connection between us, one we hadn¡¯t fully explored. But now, standing in the middle of this strange, magical world, I wasn¡¯t sure what was real anymore.

    The magic that filled the air, thick and intoxicating, wasn¡¯t just about the past¡ªit was about the future, too. Something was coming, something I wasn¡¯t prepared for.

    Kira¡¯s presence only added to the tension. His cold eyes, distant and guarded, sent a shiver down my spine. But that flicker of vulnerability I¡¯d caught earlier¡ªwhat was that about? His words were sharp, biting, but beneath the surface, I could feel the unspoken history between us, the things we couldn¡¯t say aloud, the weight of all we¡¯d lost.

    The others were here too, standing off to the side, watching me as though I were a ghost returning to haunt them. Saxon¡¯s nervous energy was palpable, his disheveled appearance a stark contrast to the polished, well-kept image of Wyatt, who stood in the corner, aloof as ever. They were all pieces of a past I had abandoned, a past that seemed to be pulling me back in with each passing moment.

    But even in this room, this strange blend of magic and tension, I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something was about to shift. Erin¡¯s attempt to lighten the mood with a smile, Kira¡¯s bitterness ¡ªit all felt like a storm waiting to break. And in the midst of it all, I was still trying to figure out where I belonged.

    It was Erin¡¯s voice that broke the silence. "Alright then," he said, his smile returning. "Lisa is our lottery winner. Let¡¯s make her stay as welcoming as possible," Erin¡¯s voice warm but with an undercurrent of something darker.

    I nodded, forcing a smile even though everything inside me was screaming to run. I had thought returning to Bluehaven was going to be a simple task¡ªjust a story to write, a place to visit. But now, in this room, I could feel the pull of magic, the weight of history, and the overwhelming presence of everyone I had left behind. It was clear that Bluehaven wasn¡¯t just a town. It was a living, breathing thing, and I had always been a part of it, whether I liked it or not.

    As I glanced around at the faces of the people who had once been my family¡ªmy past¡ªmy heart clenched. There was no going back. This wasn¡¯t a simple visit. It wasn¡¯t just about the prize or the story. This was something deeper. Something that had been waiting for me, whether I was ready for it or not.

    I had no idea what would happen next, but I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.

 Too Much To Drink

    Chapter 7

    Too Much to Drink

    I didn¡¯t know exactly what I was thinking when I agreed to head downstairs and have a drink with the group. I don¡¯t know why exactly I didn¡¯t tell them I had sworn off alcohol. One drink shouldn¡¯t hurt, right? I had a sip of wine at the Fable two weeks ago, and the taste lingered without the urge to drown myself in it again.

    ¡°Shall we start with shots? Lisa? Preference?¡±

    ¡°Oh, sorry. I¡¯m a recovering alcoholic. I really shouldn¡¯t¡­¡± I trailed off, the words feeling awkward in the air. My hands fidgeted nervously on the table, like they could escape the weight of the conversation.

    ¡°Right, right. No worries. We¡¯ll get you something else,¡± Wyatt said, ever the smooth talker. ¡°A rum and coke, hold the rum, then. But you¡¯ve got to try the gin we¡¯ve got here. It¡¯s Bluehaven¡¯s finest. I¡¯ll get us a bottle.¡±

    ¡°If you feel uncomfortable at all with the alcohol, you can leave at any time,¡± Kira added gently. His eyes softened for a moment, the usual hardness in them melting away just a little.

    ¡°Thank you.¡± I gave him a quick smile, one that I could feel was more for reassurance than anything genuine. I hadn¡¯t let myself really relax in front of these people in a long time.

    I found myself unconsciously placing a hand on Kira¡¯s lower back when I rose to join them. The touch, though casual, sent a spike of electricity through my veins¡ªmagic thrumming beneath my skin, a twinge of something ancient that I couldn''t quite place. He looked up at me, the corners of his lips pulling into a signature lopsided grin, before he sat down next to me.

    The room seemed to hum around us as I took my seat. It wasn¡¯t just the familiar faces and the chatter of old friends catching up. There was something else in the air, something tangibly different tonight. I didn¡¯t know if it was the magic of Bluehaven itself or something else entirely. But I felt it, deep in my chest, like a pulse beneath the skin.

    I looked around the room as the group began talking. With every passing second, they became more carefree, the alcohol loosening their tongues and the tension in their bodies melting away. But for me, the words seemed too sharp, too loud. The nerves lingered like a storm building in my chest.

    Kira left earlier than I expected, his goodbyes quick and curt, his eyes flickering to Saxon as he departed. He was trying to keep it together, but I could see the tightness in his jaw, the stiff set of his shoulders. It was as if he was ready to bolt the moment the door closed behind him.

    Wyatt eventually slid a glass of gin in front of me, refusing to take no for an answer. I eyed the drink with hesitation.

    ¡°Bluehaven gin,¡± Wyatt said with a grin, ¡°of course, you  know. It¡¯s practically a rite of passage here.¡±

    The words were playful, but there was something deep, almost ancient, in the way he said it. The gin was local, yes. But there was more to it than that. This wasn¡¯t just any alcohol. It was imbued with something that felt both comforting and dangerous. A signature of Bluehaven, as elusive as the forest that cradled the town itself.

    I hesitated for only a moment before I dunked back the drink. The burn of it wasn¡¯t entirely unpleasant, but it was more than just alcohol¡ªit was like a taste of Bluehaven''s magic itself, fiery and foreign, yet strangely familiar.

    The group cheered, but something in the air shifted. The magic flared again¡ªstronger, more insistent this time. The room seemed to slow, the space between us thickening. The music faded into a distant hum, and all I could focus on was the pull between us.

    "You know, you look familiar," Wyatt mused, breaking the silence.

    "I should. We shared a room in uni," I replied, my voice distant. "Though, you were never there fully. Spent most of your time with that green-haired boy."

    "Sean. We got married last year," Wyatt said, flashing a gold band on his finger.

    I nodded, smiling softly. It seemed like so long ago now. We were the closest during college, before everything unraveled. I wasn¡¯t entirely sure why we had drifted apart. It wasn¡¯t as if we had anything to fight about¡ªsometimes, it was just the way things were.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to head back upstairs. Will you be alright?¡± Saxon offered concern, clouding his gaze. ¡°There¡¯s a room here for you to stay in.¡±

    I nodded, waving to Erin and Wyatt as they made their way out. ¡°I¡¯ll head up as well,¡± I said, almost automatically.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take you to your room if you like,¡± Saxon suggested, his voice warm, like an old habit I had forgotten. His eyes lingered on me for a moment before he seemed to snap back into the present. ¡°Follow me.¡±

    The hallway seemed longer than I remembered, the walls almost breathing, whispering secrets I couldn¡¯t quite understand. The entire house, the entire casino, felt alive¡ªits magic swirled around us like a cloak, wrapping tighter with each step. I could hear my pulse in my ears, as if it was in rhythm with the house¡¯s heartbeat.

    Saxon opened the door to the VIP room, letting me in first. He stood in the doorway for a moment, as if catching his breath, the energy between us crackling with unspoken tension.

    ¡°Do you want to come in?¡± I asked, my voice softer than I intended.

    He hesitated. ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s a good idea.¡±

    I took a step closer, my pulse quickening, the space between us narrowing. Then his eyes met mine, and the magic that had been simmering suddenly burst to life. It rushed through my veins like wildfire, electric and raw, filling every inch of me until I couldn¡¯t breathe. His gaze was intense, locked onto mine, and I couldn¡¯t pull away.

    Before I even knew what was happening, Saxon¡¯s lips were on mine. His kiss was familiar, like a memory I¡¯d forgotten until now. My hands reached for him, pulling him closer, and for a moment, I thought I might drown in this rush of magic. It was like we had done this before, like our bodies knew the rhythm of each other.

    He pressed me back toward the bed, his lips never leaving mine, and when I hit the soft fabric, I gave in, letting the magic take over. His skin¡ªwarm, firm, alive¡ªslipped against mine, and I felt every inch of it like a spark lighting the darkest corners of my soul. The world outside the room faded completely. There was only him.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

    The tension in the room was palpable as Saxon and I stood there, our gazes locked, the magic swirling between us, thick and undeniable. It felt like something long overdue, like we were both tethered to a past neither of us had fully embraced. The kiss that followed was so familiar, so consuming, like the universe had folded itself around us and all that existed was the pull between us. I couldn¡¯t tell if it was the alcohol, the magic, or something deeper that had triggered it, but it didn¡¯t matter. For the first time in years, it felt right.

    But as the moment stretched, I began to feel a pull¡ªa subtle but sharp reminder of who we were, of what had happened. The magic, which had felt like an old friend, now felt more like a force too powerful to be controlled. It was wild, untamed, and it was seeping into every part of me. Saxon, too, seemed to sense the shift in the air. His hands faltered on my skin, and for a moment, his eyes lost their intensity, his expression unreadable.

    I pulled back just enough to catch my breath, my pulse still racing, but now there was a question in the air. Something unspoken, something I wasn¡¯t sure I wanted to know the answer to.

    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

    Saxon¡¯s eyes flickered, guilt and something else passing through them. ¡°I don¡¯t know, Louise. I really don¡¯t know anymore.¡± His words were strained, like he was fighting something, fighting me, or maybe himself. He stepped back, breaking the connection between us, and the air in the room seemed to shift¡ªless charged, more distant.

    My mind was spinning. The magic that had felt like a comfort now felt like a chain, pulling me deeper into something I wasn¡¯t prepared for. And Saxon¡ªhe was always a mystery, a person who had been there and then wasn¡¯t, a presence that seemed to fade in and out of my life like a dream I couldn¡¯t quite remember.

    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have kissed you,¡± he muttered, running a hand through his hair as if to shake off the moment. ¡°It was a mistake.¡±

    I felt a pang in my chest. ¡°Was it?¡± The question slipped out before I could stop it, and as soon as I said it, I regretted it. But there it was, hanging between us. Was it a mistake? Or was it something else? Something deeper that neither of us could put into words.

    Saxon didn¡¯t answer. Instead, he stepped toward the door, his back turned to me. ¡°I should go,¡± he said quietly, and I could hear the finality in his voice. The tension in the air was gone, replaced by an uncomfortable silence that felt like a wall between us.

    ¡°Okay,¡± I whispered, though I wasn¡¯t sure what I was agreeing to. I wasn¡¯t ready for him to leave. But I wasn¡¯t ready for any of this. Not the kiss, not the magic, not the past that was dragging me back into Bluehaven.

    When the door clicked shut behind him, I collapsed onto the bed, my mind racing. What had just happened? I could still feel the heat of his lips on mine, still taste the lingering remnants of the magic in the air. And yet, the question loomed larger than ever¡ªwas I really ready to return to this world, to face the people and the magic I had abandoned so long ago?

    I didn¡¯t have the answers. And for the first time in a long time, I wasn¡¯t sure if I wanted to know them.

    ____________________________________________________________________________________

    I lay there in the dim room, the weight of the silence pressing down on me. My heart was still racing, but now it was a confused mess of emotions. What had happened between Saxon and me? The kiss¡ªthe magic¡ªit had felt so familiar, yet so charged with an energy I couldn¡¯t understand. I buried my face in my hands, trying to make sense of it all.

    Minutes passed, stretching into eternity. The stillness was deafening, but my thoughts raced. My pulse was still heavy in my ears, the sensation of his touch lingering like an electric current under my skin. I couldn¡¯t shake it off. It was like a dream I couldn¡¯t wake up from, the kind where the lines between what was real and what wasn¡¯t blurred beyond recognition.

    Just as I was about to get up and pace the room, the door creaked open again. I froze, my breath catching in my throat. I didn¡¯t need to look to know it was him. Saxon. The air shifted with his presence, thick with an unspoken apology.

    ¡°I made a mistake,¡± his voice was low, heavy with regret, like he was fighting the words as he spoke them. He stood in the doorway, his eyes searching mine for some kind of confirmation, a sign that I hadn¡¯t completely closed off from him.

    I didn¡¯t say anything at first. Part of me wanted to be angry, to call him out for leaving, for making everything feel so complicated. But there was a part of me¡ªone I couldn¡¯t deny¡ªthat was relieved he¡¯d come back. The air between us felt charged again, like a spark on the verge of becoming a flame.

    Saxon stepped into the room, the door clicking softly behind him as he moved closer. He didn¡¯t seem to care about the distance between us now. He was back, and there was something in his gaze that told me this wasn¡¯t just about a kiss anymore.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he said again, the words sincere, but tinged with the same uncertainty that had filled the air when he first kissed me. He came to a stop in front of me, his hand hesitating by his side before he reached out to touch my arm. The contact was gentle, tentative, like he wasn¡¯t sure if I would pull away or if I¡¯d let him in again.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to make things¡­ complicated,¡± he continued, his voice rough, his usual confidence faltering in the quiet. ¡°But the moment I walked out, I knew it was wrong. I shouldn''t have left.¡±

    I stared at him, trying to make sense of everything. The magic, the kiss, the way he looked at me¡ªit was all too much to process in one breath. My chest tightened as I considered the choices we had, the paths laid out before us, neither of them easy.

    ¡°Why did you leave in the first place?¡± The question slipped out before I could stop it. I couldn¡¯t help myself. There was something I needed to know, something deeper than the magic or the kiss.

    Saxon¡¯s eyes dropped for a moment, and when they met mine again, there was a vulnerability in them I hadn¡¯t seen before. ¡°I thought I was doing the right thing. I thought it was better to leave it at that¡ªto leave you at that.¡± His voice cracked slightly, but he quickly regained composure, his hand still resting lightly on my arm. ¡°I didn¡¯t think I could give you what you needed. I didn¡¯t want to drag you back into all of this¡±¡ªhe gestured vaguely, as if to encompass the magic, the town, the people that had always been a part of our shared history. ¡°But walking away from you¡ªleaving you alone in this mess¡ªit doesn¡¯t feel like the right choice anymore.¡±

    I swallowed hard. His words, his honesty, seemed to unlock something in me. There was a part of me, deep down, that had been hoping for this moment¡ªfor him to come back and say exactly what he just had. That he hadn¡¯t just disappeared, like so many things in Bluehaven had. That he still cared, still remembered what we had.

    But I couldn¡¯t ignore the other side¡ªthe part of me that still felt the sting of being left behind, of the years that had passed since we had last been close.

    ¡°You don¡¯t get to just come back like nothing happened,¡± I said, my voice more steady than I felt. ¡°I need to know why I should believe you. Why should I let you back in?¡±

    Saxon¡¯s gaze softened, his hand gently squeezing my arm. ¡°I can¡¯t undo what¡¯s happened. But I can be here now. And if you¡¯ll have me, I¡¯ll be here when you need me. I¡¯m not walking away again.¡±

    The sincerity in his words caught me off guard, and for a moment, I could almost forget about everything else¡ªthe magic, the chaos, the unanswered questions that had been hanging between us for years.

    But then, as quickly as the warmth of his words wrapped around me, I felt that familiar weight of uncertainty. Could I trust him again? Was it even possible to return to what we had? Or were we both caught in some sort of magic we couldn¡¯t control, unable to escape the pull of a past neither of us was ready to let go of?

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to do anything right now,¡± Saxon continued, sensing my hesitation. ¡°We don¡¯t have to fix everything in one night. But I want to try, if you do.¡±

    I closed my eyes for a moment, letting his words sink in. The magic around us was still there, thrumming under my skin, and the pull between us was stronger than ever. The decision wasn¡¯t an easy one. It never was.

    But something inside me¡ªthe part of me that had been waiting for this moment¡ªwhispered that maybe, just maybe, I should take the leap.

 Why?

    Chapter 8

    Why?

    When I woke up, my head was hammering. The room was too bright, the light piercing through the curtains like the sting of a thousand tiny needles. Blinking through blurry eyes, I realized I had no idea where I was. This was definitely not my hotel room. I looked down and noticed I was wearing a man¡¯s shirt, a deep green fabric that smelled faintly of earth and something sweet. Who undressed me? Who had I let take me back to their room?

    The sheets rustled beside me, and the warm weight of someone beside me made my heart race. I stiffened, only to feel a wave of relief wash over me as I recognized the familiar face of Saxon. I exhaled shakily and allowed myself to sink back into the soft pillows. Thank the stars, I thought. I thought I had spent the night with Kira again.

    ¡°Morning,¡± Saxon¡¯s voice rumbled, warm and husky. ¡°How are you feeling?¡±

    ¡°Like I¡¯m sixteen again,¡± I muttered, rubbing my temples. ¡°Is this what a hangover at thirty is supposed to feel like? I only had one drink. Maybe the bluehaven gin isn¡¯t what I had been used to.¡±

    Saxon chuckled, and I felt something tighten in my chest¡ªa pang of comfort and familiarity. This is what it was supposed to be like. This is where I belonged.

    I had known Saxon since we were children. Mum had always wanted me to be some delicate fairy princess, but Dad had pushed for something grittier¡ªa mechanic, someone who could wield tools as deftly as magic itself. I had chosen the mechanic path, which led me straight to Saxon Whitney, the son of our local blacksmith. He had been my closest friend until the day Kira arrived in town. I don¡¯t know when it happened¡ªwhen I stopped loving Saxon and started loving Kira¡ªbut I could tell you it was the worst mistake of my life.

    ¡°Please tell me I didn¡¯t do anything embarrassing last night.¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t do anything embarrassing, you came straight up with me after your one drink,¡± Saxon said, a small smirk playing on his lips.

    Relief washed over me. But then the questions came rushing back. ¡°Oh, gods. One drink is all I need, did I say anything?¡±

    Saxon hesitated, running a hand through his hair. His messy, dark waves had grown longer¡ªmuch to my dismay. I had always liked them short, but right now, I couldn¡¯t deny that there was something¡­ irresistibly magnetic about him. My heart fluttered. Stop, I scolded myself. Stay focused.

    But I ignored the warning bells in my mind and threw the blanket aside. Without thinking, I climbed on top of him. His surprise was palpable, but as his hands instinctively slid to my hips, something within me¡ªsome long-buried part¡ªsurged to the surface.

    This was where I was meant to be.

    I kissed him with a ferocity I hadn¡¯t known I had left in me, a deep, desperate need. My hands tangled in his hair, tugging him closer, as if this moment would undo all the years of regret. Saxon¡¯s hands gripped my hips tighter, pulling me closer as the kiss deepened. The magic in his touch was undeniable, sparking something within me that made my toes tingle and my body hum with an energy I hadn¡¯t felt in years.

    But then, as if on cue, a loud knock on the door broke the trance.

    ¡°Saxon! You in there? Have you seen Lisa?¡± a voice called from outside.

    ¡°Hang on, I¡¯ll meet you downstairs,¡± Saxon muttered, voice low and thick with frustration.

    ¡°Sweet as.¡±

    ¡°Fuck,¡± Saxon cursed, pushing himself off me.

    I sat up, heart still racing, and walked into the adjoining bathroom, unable to face him. Not yet. I threw on the dress that had been hanging on the back of the door and quickly left, avoiding Saxon¡¯s gaze as I hurried out of the room.

    Damn it. I had messed up.

    I rushed back to my hotel room, hoping no one would notice my frazzled state. But when I walked through the door, I was met with knowing looks. The boys were already set up, laptops open, looking at me like I had committed some great offense.

    ¡°Well, well, well. Lisa Paul, doing the famous walk of shame,¡± Rico teased.

    ¡°Shut up,¡± I snapped, though my cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

    Laughter followed me as I rushed to shower and change. There wasn¡¯t time for this. My work wasn¡¯t going to do itself, and if I didn¡¯t focus, my cover¡ªmy entire reason for being here¡ªwould be blown.

    We worked for a few hours in tense silence. The air between me and the boys was thick with something unspoken, and the weight of what had happened loomed over me. Then, just as I was losing myself in my work, there was a heavy knock at the door.

    Rico glanced at me. ¡°Boss, he says he¡¯s here for you.¡±

    I looked up from my laptop, my heart sinking when I saw Saxon standing in the doorway. Shit.

    ¡°Saxon, hi. What can I do for you?¡± I asked, trying to keep my voice even.

    ¡°Are you busy?¡± His tone was cautious, almost too careful. ¡°I was hoping we could talk. Maybe over lunch?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, sure.¡± I hesitated for a moment, glancing at the others. But something about his presence felt urgent. I need to talk to him. Right now.

    ¡°Actually,¡± James interrupted, ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s a good idea. I just got off the phone with reception. There¡¯s a group of reporters downstairs, asking for you.¡±

    I froze. ¡°What? Why?¡±

    ¡°Maybe because of this.¡± James turned his phone toward me, showing a news article.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

    I scrolled through it quickly, my blood running cold as the title caught my attention.

    Portsmith To Forgive Ex-Wife

    Word has reached us, that the once magical couple gone bad, have finally rekindled their love and marriage. A source has told us that Kai Portsmith is willing to look past the accused allegation of Miss Paul''s cheating. Kai Portsmith himself has told us, they are now looking past their issues and are willing to work their marriage out.

    I couldn''t bear to read the rest of the article. Of course, he still wanted to control my life, even though it had been six years.

    "When was this dated?"

    "Two months ago"

    "But why are the press acting now"

    "Maybe because of this"

    There on the screen was a picture of last night. It was the start of the night after the raffle had been drawn. I had been dolled up and was walking through the casino with Saxon on my arm. I hadn''t realized someone had taken our picture. Fuck. I twirled around to face a bewildered Saxon. I guess while he has been famous, he has not once been in the whirlwind of bad press. My phone rang and I didn''t even bother seeing who it was, before picking it up and putting it on the loudspeaker. I threw it on the table before I threw it across the room.

    "What?"

    Now, is that any way to speak to your ex-husband?

    "What do you want Kai? You''ve lasted six years not talking to me, why do you think you have some say in it now?"

    I told you to stay away from Bluehaven and to stay away from those boys. I warned you about what would happen and look what you''ve done.

    "Now is not the time for your mind games Kai. You might have been able to control me the years ago, but you will not be able to control me now"

    Picking up my phone, I threw it as hard as I could across the room until it ended with a satisfying crash against the wall. I walked over the window, contemplating if it was high enough to kill me. Leaning my head against the window, I could see the reporters that were lingering around the back of the building. There was no way I was getting out of this building without someone knowing.

    "Boys, book your flights home. James, you''re in charge until I return. I think you''ve got enough to write a story. Contact Wyatt''s PA to organize an interview via phone"

    "What about you Lisa?"

    "Unfortunately, if I don''t finish what I came to do, I think I will end up jumping off the top of this tower. Come on Saxon, I believe I need a bloody drink"

    I grabbed my jacket and my work phone before heading towards the elevator. The ride in the elevator down to the lobby was awkward and quiet. I don''t know if it was from our heated make-out session this morning or because of the heated conversation I had with Kai. Once the elevator doors dinged open, I gripped onto Saxon''s hand to pull us through the throng of reports.

    "Lisa Paul, are you now dating Saxon Whitney?"

    "Is the article about Kai Portsmith true?"

    "Are you really getting back together with your ex-husband?"

    "What are you doing back in your hometown?"

    "What''s your relationship with Poppy Carter?"

    The last question caught my attention, but I didn''t have time to think about it. I spotted a parked cab and pulled us into it.

    "Gwen''s Cafe please"

    The ride to Gwen¡¯s Cafe was quiet, the kind of silence that settled like a thick fog between us. I couldn¡¯t bring myself to look at Saxon, not after everything. Not after what had happened this morning and the mess that I had created. My mind kept replaying that kiss, the way his hands felt against my skin, the way his touch had sparked something in me I thought I had long buried. But there was no room for that right now. Not when I had to focus on surviving the fallout of my life spiraling out of control.

    I kept my gaze fixed out the window, watching the blurry cityscape rush by. The sun had started to climb higher, casting a warm glow on the streets, but all I felt was cold. My fingers tightened around the cup of coffee I had ordered when we sat down at the cafe. The steam rose in soft tendrils, a stark contrast to the storm raging inside me.

    Saxon finally broke the silence, his voice low and steady. "Lisa, we need to talk about what happened. This¡ªthis thing between us this morning¡­ it wasn¡¯t nothing. I don¡¯t think it can be."

    I closed my eyes for a moment, bracing myself for the inevitable awkwardness, the ¡°what does this mean?¡± conversation that we both knew was coming. Part of me wanted to scream at him to forget it, to pretend it never happened. But another part¡ªthe part that was still aching, still craving something deeper¡ªwanted to hear him out, wanted to let the words spill out without filter.

    "Do we?" I asked softly, barely looking at him.

    Saxon¡¯s hand slid across the table, reaching for mine, and despite myself, I didn¡¯t pull away. "Yeah, we do. This is bigger than just last night, Lisa. You¡¯ve been avoiding me for years. But now... now it¡¯s different."

    I could feel the heat from his palm warming mine, and I hated how easily I wanted to lean into him. But I couldn¡¯t. Not now. Not like this. "I don¡¯t want to complicate things, Sax. I¡¯ve been through enough, and¡ª"

    "Don¡¯t you dare say it¡¯s too late," he interrupted, his tone rising just slightly, then falling back to that hushed rasp. "It¡¯s never too late, Lisa. And I¡¯m not going anywhere."

    I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat growing. I wasn¡¯t used to this from him¡ªthis vulnerable, earnest side of Saxon. It had always been so easy for me to brush him off when I needed to focus on Kira, or when my guilt over the mess with Kai kept me from seeing what was right in front of me. But now... now I didn¡¯t know how to walk away from the very thing I had run from for so long.

    "How do we even begin to fix this? Fix me?" I whispered, staring into my coffee, but my mind was on everything else¡ªKai¡¯s voice echoing in my head, the reporters outside, the shadow of my past that loomed too large. "I¡¯m a mess, Saxon. You don¡¯t need this in your life."

    Saxon squeezed my hand gently, and I finally looked up at him, meeting his steady gaze. "I¡¯ve known you long enough to know you''re not broken, Lisa. You''re just... lost. But I¡¯ll help you find your way back, if you¡¯ll let me."

    My chest tightened. I wanted to believe him. I wanted to let go of the fear and the self-doubt that had kept me locked in a cage for so long. But I didn¡¯t know how. How could I trust anything again, let alone someone who was as tangled up in my past as Saxon?

    "I don¡¯t deserve your help," I said quietly, my voice trembling. "I¡¯ve hurt too many people, including you."

    Saxon leaned forward, his voice a soft murmur, just for me. "You deserve happiness, Lisa. You deserve to stop carrying all that weight around. And if you need to do that with me, then I¡¯m not going anywhere."

    I took a deep breath, my fingers tightening around his. For a moment, everything felt still. It felt like a decision was hanging in the air, just waiting for me to make it.

    "Okay," I whispered, unsure of what it meant, but knowing it was a step I couldn¡¯t take back. "Let¡¯s figure this out. Together."

    Saxon¡¯s face softened, the weight of everything he had just said settling between us. "Together," he repeated, the word feeling like a promise.

    I laughed before I started to cry. I haven''t cried in front of Saxon since I was a little girl. Dad said something about crying, being too girly and that boys don''t like girls who cry. I also haven''t cried because of Kai in such a long time, it seemed silly to cry over him. He wasn''t going to break me this time. I will not succumb to his mind trick again.

    "Are you alright?"

    "Is it too early to start drinking?"

    "It''s never too early when you''re Saxon Whitney"

    I laughed at the silly grin on his face. He wiped my face with some tissues, pinching my cheek slightly, which only made me want to cry more. I got a text from the boys, saying they had booked a flight home for tonight. I texted back that I would not be there to say goodbye, and I also sent a boss text to let them know what would happen if the story wasn''t published before the deadline. Saxon gripped onto my hand, as he pulled me into another cab. God, I really did need another heavy drink. Bluehaven was starting to turn me into an alcoholic. Again.

 I Hate Myself

    Chapter 9

    I Hate Myself

    It was six o¡¯clock, and I was already on my third drink. I wasn¡¯t exactly trying to get plastered¡ªjust taking the edge off. The last thing I needed was to be face-down in a toilet tomorrow, battling a hangover for the ages. Saxon sat beside me, and the silence between us was thick and suffocating. Neither of us had dared address what had happened this morning, and I didn¡¯t know whether that was a sign that nothing would ever come of this¡ªor if, like me, he was still grappling with the awkwardness of it all. After all, it wasn¡¯t like we had just kissed once¡­ we had made out. And that had opened a door neither of us had been ready to walk through.

    It had been years ago, the night of my thirteenth birthday. A silly night, one that had seemed inconsequential at the time, but in hindsight, was anything but. A small group of friends, the kind you invite because you don¡¯t want to seem lonely, had gathered on the living room floor, playing Spin the Bottle like we were all ten again. When the bottle landed on Saxon, I didn¡¯t expect anything. We were both young, laughing, the game nothing more than innocent fun. But when our lips met, the world felt like it paused. The awkwardness that followed wasn¡¯t because I wasn¡¯t expecting it, but because it felt¡­ right in a way I wasn¡¯t prepared for.

    But it was fleeting. And shortly after that night, my attention turned elsewhere¡ªspecifically, to Kira. The new girl in town. She had a magnetic pull, something I couldn¡¯t ignore. Saxon faded into the background, and I thought I knew exactly what I wanted. That was, until now.

    I glanced sideways at Saxon. He was staring down at his drink, eyes focused intently as though he could will the glass to refill. I could tell he was struggling with something, unsure whether to bring it up or leave it buried where we¡¯d left it. Every time he opened his mouth, his words seemed to vanish like smoke, swallowed by the tension hanging between us. He didn¡¯t ask me about this morning. He didn¡¯t push, but I could see the questions in his eyes. The ones he was too afraid to voice.

    I should say something. I should clear the air, tell him that the kiss¡ªeverything¡ªwasn¡¯t just some momentary lapse. But part of me was terrified of what would happen if I did. What if he didn¡¯t feel the same way? What if I was just reading too much into it?

    Finally, Saxon broke the silence, his voice low, almost hesitant. ¡°You okay?¡±

    I blinked, the question catching me off guard. It wasn¡¯t about this morning, but somehow, it felt like it was. His eyes flicked to mine, concern shadowing his features.

    ¡°Yeah, just¡­ just thinking,¡± I said, swallowing the lump that had suddenly formed in my throat. ¡°You?¡±

    He shrugged, glancing down at his drink again, then back to me. ¡°You sure?¡±

    I nodded, but I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that both of us were lying.

    The night stretched on, and while I tried to pretend everything was normal, I knew better. I could feel the distance growing between us, and I hated it. Saxon wasn¡¯t the type to just move on from something, not after the way we¡¯d reacted the night of my thirteenth birthday. But maybe, just maybe, neither of us was ready for this.

    ¡°Well, aren¡¯t you two a miserable pair?¡± a voice called out from behind us. ¡°I swear, you¡¯re making the whole bar drown in your depression. Come on, lighten up a bit.¡±

    A growl rumbled in my chest before I could stop it. A hand landed on my shoulder, and I spun around, ready to snap at whoever it was. Instead, my gaze met Kira¡¯s¡ªa wide-eyed, nervous version of Kira, standing a little too close, his hands fidgeting at his sides.

    The last person I wanted to see right now.

    I forced a smile, though it felt more like a grimace. This is not the right moment, I thought, but I could explain later, when the tension wasn¡¯t this thick. Kira seemed to want to join us, maybe thinking he could somehow make things lighter. But he didn¡¯t know. He didn¡¯t understand the weight that pressed down on me, the way it crushed my chest and kept me from even breathing properly. His mood swings were the last thing I needed right now.

    I didn¡¯t even get a moment to breathe when the two seats next to me started to fill. I guess if I wanted peace I shouldn¡¯t have travelled back to the casino. However my anxious mood was eased when I saw who had sat down, James and Rico.

    ¡°What are you two doing here?¡±

    ¡°We know something is off and we know what you are like when things go like this.¡± James placed a soft hand on my shoulder and smiled. I wanted more than anything to smile back at him, and thank him for his support but I didn¡¯t want them to see me like this, to see their stone-faced boss breakdown at a casino bar.

    I turned back to Saxon, trying to push aside the growing irritation. ¡°Saxon, I want to apologize again for today. It was a mess, and I¡­ I think we should talk about it. Maybe over dinner tomorrow?¡±

    Saxon glanced up, meeting my gaze. He didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°Sure, I¡¯d like that.¡±

    My heart fluttered with something close to relief, and without thinking, I leaned into him, brushing my lips against his cheek in a soft, lingering kiss. A strange, almost electric warmth spread through me, and it seemed to take Kira by surprise too. He stiffened beside me, his expression flickering between something unreadable and a hint of irritation. I ignored it. I could see out of the corner of my eyes, as James and Rico turned at this moment, their frowns deeping on their faces.

    I pulled away, forcing a brief smile, but the moment was already shifting, slipping through my fingers. I stepped past Kira, trying to escape the tension, but his hand shot out, gripping my elbow.

    ¡°Please¡­ let go,¡± I said, my voice firmer than I felt.

    His fingers tightened for a second, but then he released me, his face clouded with confusion, and I kept walking¡ªstraight into the comforting presence of Saxon, trying to shake off the unease settling in my chest.

    I looked up and froze. My blood ran cold when I realized he wasn¡¯t looking at me¡ªhe was looking at him. Kai. The last person I wanted to see right now, standing across the room like he owned it.

    My heart skipped a beat, and a shiver ran down my spine. This was it¡ªthe moment I had been trying to avoid. I shook my elbow out of Kira¡¯s grip, stepping into Saxon¡¯s space. His presence wrapped around me like a shield, his steady energy grounding me when everything inside me screamed to run. I forced myself to stand tall, to feel confident. But then, a darker thought crept in. Maybe I should just go up to my room, lock the door, and drown myself in more alcohol. It wouldn¡¯t be the first time, and it would be easier than facing Kai again.

    But no. That wasn¡¯t me anymore. I had to keep fighting.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    No matter where I went, no matter how far I ran, it felt like Kai would always find me. It was the price of being his, once upon a time. But I was no longer that version of myself, and I refused to be.

    I squeezed Saxon¡¯s hand, the warmth of his touch giving me strength. The cold anger radiating from Kai only fueled my resolve. I had a plan. I could do this. I would do this.

    With a deep breath, I turned toward Kai, my lips curling into a smile I didn¡¯t feel. He flinched, and that was enough of a victory. I took slow, purposeful steps toward him, each one pulling me closer to a confrontation I knew had to happen.

    When I reached him, I didn¡¯t hesitate. I pulled him into a hug. His body stiffened, and for a moment, I thought he would shove me away. But then, to my surprise, his arms hesitantly wrapped around me, as if unsure whether to embrace me or tear me apart. I held him tightly, trying to ignore the way my skin crawled under his touch.

    "Kai, darling," I said, my voice sweet, but edged with steel. "If I had known you were coming down here, I would have had a guest room set up for you."

    His eyes widened, confused. ¡°You have a room here?¡±

    I flashed him a playful smile. ¡°Darling, I¡¯m a VIP here. Of course, I would have a room. Now, I can¡¯t stay long¡ªSaxon and I have to head back upstairs. But if you¡¯re still around in the morning, maybe we can have breakfast together. I¡¯m sure the two of us would be delighted to catch up.¡±

    I felt Saxon¡¯s warm hand rest on my lower back, his touch a steadying force, like a secret ally. His support made the words flow more easily, gave me the confidence to look Kai in the eye without flinching.

    But that was when I saw it¡ªthe flash of fury behind Kai¡¯s cool exterior. His lips barely moved, but I could hear the venom in his words, low enough only for me to hear.

    ¡°I warned you, Lisa. No one walks away from me. No one.¡±

    I didn¡¯t flinch. I wouldn¡¯t give him the satisfaction. I tilted my chin up, my smile unwavering. ¡°And I told you, Kai,¡± I replied sweetly, "I''m not yours anymore. You lost that right a long time ago."

    My smile wavered, just for a second, and I could feel the tremble creeping up my spine. No, I reminded myself. You escaped this monster. You''re free now, and you always will be. Just keep smiling.

    I raised my hand, a sharp gesture that summoned two security guards who quickly moved in and seized Kai, dragging him away. But even as they pulled him from the room, his voice sliced through the air, venomous and full of spite.

    "You think you''ve won, but you''re wrong, Lisa," he spat, the words like poison. "No one walks away from me. You¡¯ll regret this. I¡¯ll make sure of it."

    His final words, before he disappeared from my sight, hit me like a gut punch. It was as if everything I had worked so hard to escape¡ªthe manipulation, the control, the fear¡ªhad come rushing back in that one chilling statement. I felt a coldness creep through my chest, a tightness in my throat.

    But I didn¡¯t let it show. Not now.

    I forced my hand to steady as I signaled for another drink, trying to drown out the echoes of his words.

    You are free, I reminded myself again, but this time, I wasn¡¯t so sure.

    ¡°You better watch yourself, you whore. No one treats me this way. You will get what is coming your way you little bitch¡±

    The weight of Kai¡¯s words still hung heavy in the air, even as he was hauled away by security. But I forced myself to ignore the chill creeping along my spine and instead focused on the boys who stood behind me. Their faces, though often stoic, carried traces of concern.

    Saxon was the first to step forward, his brow furrowed in the way he always did when something didn¡¯t sit right with him. His hand hovered near my back, almost as if he was waiting for me to crumble. But I wouldn¡¯t. I couldn¡¯t. Not now. Not after everything, especially while everyone is watching..

    ¡°What the hell just happened?¡± James asked, his voice sharp, full of confusion and a touch of disbelief.

    ¡°Just a little family reunion,¡± I said, forcing a smile, though my heart wasn¡¯t in it. I took a deep breath, letting the familiar scent of the bar¡¯s rich wood and burning hearth ground me. The casino was supposed to be a safe haven. A place where the world outside didn¡¯t intrude. But now, all I could feel was the oppressive weight of Kai¡¯s shadow, looming even though he was gone.

    ¡°Lisa¡­¡± Saxon began softly, but I held up my hand, signaling him to stop.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± I lied, though my throat tightened with the words. ¡°But we need to talk. All of us.¡±

    The boys exchanged a look, the unspoken question hanging in the air: What¡¯s going on?

    I met their gazes with as much conviction as I could muster. ¡°Kai is still in the picture. And he¡¯s not going to let me go easily. Not after everything that happened between us.¡±

    Rico¡¯s eyes darkened, his usual cocky demeanor gone. ¡°You¡¯ve been dealing with him for years, haven¡¯t you?¡±

    I nodded, unable to stop the memories that started to flood in¡ªthe manipulation, the promises of power, and the ever-tightening grip he had on my life. It felt like a different lifetime, but it wasn¡¯t. It was now, and I had to face the fact that I couldn¡¯t run from him. Not for long.

    ¡°I thought I was done with him,¡± I said, the words coming out quieter now. ¡°But it¡¯s clear he¡¯s not finished with me.¡±

    Saxon¡¯s jaw clenched. ¡°Then we deal with him,¡± he said firmly, his voice carrying the weight of someone who¡¯d never back down. "Together."

    The offer hung in the air, a lifeline. But part of me hesitated. I knew how deep Kai¡¯s influence ran. And I wasn¡¯t sure if this was something any of us were ready to face.

    ¡°I won¡¯t drag you into this,¡± I said, shaking my head. ¡°You don¡¯t have to¡­¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not dragging us into anything, Lisa,¡± James interrupted, his voice unusually soft. ¡°We¡¯re in this because we¡¯re with you. You don¡¯t get to push us away now.¡±

    I felt a lump form in my throat. It was hard to explain the guilt that swirled inside me, the hesitation I felt even as they stood by me. I¡¯d been through enough to know that these kinds of situations didn¡¯t end well. People got hurt.

    Rico leaned in, his smirk still present but less taunting. ¡°We¡¯ve got your back. Besides, we¡¯re not about to let some asshat ruin your night. I don¡¯t care how many connections he¡¯s got.¡±

    Saxon¡¯s hand brushed mine, the subtle touch grounding me in the moment. ¡°We will fight this together. No more running.¡±

    I looked between the four of them¡ªmy team, my friends. It was hard to suppress the wave of gratitude that washed over me, but there was still that sliver of fear, that nagging voice telling me not to trust anyone. The fear of losing again.

    But I pushed it down, refusing to let Kai¡¯s control extend any further. ¡°Alright. But we need to move fast. We can¡¯t let him get a hold of any more information. We need to figure out his next move before he does.¡±

    They nodded, understanding the urgency. Saxon¡¯s face was all determination now, and James looked every bit the strategist I knew him to be. Rico, ever the wildcard, didn¡¯t even hesitate.

    ¡°We¡¯ll start tonight,¡± Rico said, slinging an arm over my shoulder as if this were just another mission. ¡°Let¡¯s get ahead of this bastard.¡±

    I let out a breath I didn¡¯t realize I¡¯d been holding. ¡°We¡¯ll need more than a plan,¡± I said, eyes scanning the group. ¡°We¡¯ll need allies. People who owe us favors, or better yet, those who aren¡¯t afraid to go up against him.¡±

    Saxon nodded. ¡°We¡¯ll find them.¡±

    ¡°And the press?¡± James asked, eyebrows raised. ¡°We¡¯ll need to handle the damage Kai¡¯s caused. He won¡¯t let this slide quietly.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the easy part,¡± I said, my lips curling into a grim smile. ¡°I¡¯ve dealt with the media before. We just need to control the narrative.¡±

    ¡°But you¡¯ve never faced them when they¡¯ve got a target on your back,¡± Rico said, his tone serious for once. ¡°Kai will make sure he¡¯s in every headline from here to the capital. You need to be ready for that.¡±

    ¡°I am,¡± I said, my resolve hardening. "I''ve been ready for this moment longer than I care to admit. I¡¯m not going down without a fight."

    As we finished our drinks, the weight of the decision settled on me. We had no idea what Kai would do next. But whatever it was, we would be ready. Together, we would face him down.

    And no matter what it cost, I wasn¡¯t going to let him win. Not again. I bid James and Rico a goodnight, and Kira, Saxon and I moved upstairs. This next part has nothing to do with the boys, they have only known me for my working career. This next part was not going to be easy.

 Answers

    Chapter 10

    Answers

    We made our way back up to the VIP area, where Poppy and Wyatt were already waiting for us. I had asked the boys to make sure they were there, and of course, they didn¡¯t ask any questions. I knew this moment would come eventually, but it didn¡¯t make it any easier. I was a grown woman, but all I could think about was seeing my daughter, making sure I had a place in her life, and then getting out of this godforsaken place. Being here¡ªbeing around all these memories¡ªmade my heart ache.

    ¡°So, first things first,¡± I said, trying to steady my nerves. ¡°I know this whole raffle was rigged to bring me up here.¡±

    Poppy looked at me, taken aback. ¡°How did you know?¡±

    ¡°Come on, Poppy. You may be an actor, but you can¡¯t fool your own sister.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°It was a good idea, obviously not yours. Erin must¡¯ve had something to do with this.¡±

    ¡°But how do you remember all of this? After everything he put you through, you shouldn¡¯t even remember anything.¡±

    I went pale at the mention of it. The memories rushed back like a flood¡ªones I never thought would surface. No one should¡¯ve known what happened behind closed doors. I kept it all hidden, kept my scars out of view. But it was impossible to forget, especially now.

    I sighed deeply, the weight of the past hanging heavily between us.

    ¡°I remember," I said softly, my voice shaking a little. "At first, everything felt like magic with him. I was still reeling from the breakup with Kira over the baby, trying to finish my degree while being a mom. Then Kai came into the picture. He seemed like the calm I needed, even though sometimes that calm felt a little too... overwhelming. It started off subtle¡ªhe¡¯d push me around during sex, call it kinky. But then it became more. Little things¡ªgetting angry if dinner was late or if I didn¡¯t do things exactly his way. The first time he threw me across the room, I thought I was going to die. After that, I stayed inside. I barely left the house.¡±

    I tried to steady my breath as my mind flashed back to the darkest parts of it all. The fear, the isolation, and the pain.

    ¡°And the drugs,¡± I continued, my voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Heroin. Meth. Speed. Crack. He fed it to me like it was nothing. I couldn¡¯t stop. I didn¡¯t want to stop. Then, one day, I woke up, and I realized I¡¯d been gone for months. Three months, to be exact. I hadn¡¯t even noticed the time pass.¡±

    There was a moment of silence as the room sunk all the information in. ¡°How did you know?¡± I asked, my voice softer now, breaking through the painful silence..

    ¡°We were all friends with him too. It started small, but we all noticed the bruises showing up on your body. We tried to stop him once, but it didn¡¯t end well.¡±

    Poppy paused, looking down. ¡°With the hospital visits, the doctors said your memory was starting to fade. I think I took the worst of it.¡±

    My heart broke for her, for the pain she had gone through. We all carried that guilt.

    ¡°Mom suggested I change my surname and make a name for myself in movies. I was trying to distract myself from the fact that I couldn¡¯t even take care of my own sister,¡± Poppy added, her voice thick with emotion.

    I motioned for her to come closer, and she sank into my arms. I ran a hand through her hair, her tears soaking through my shirt. My heart broke even more.

    ¡°So, you knew who we were when you walked into the room?¡± Poppy asked, her voice thick with disbelief.

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°Then why didn¡¯t you say anything? Why didn¡¯t you explain why we hadn¡¯t heard from you in six years?¡±

    ¡°Because I was scared,¡± I whispered, not meeting her eyes. ¡°I was scared of how you¡¯d react, scared of what I¡¯d become. No one could reach me. I thought if I worked hard enough, if I made a name for myself, maybe one of you would come looking for me. But six years passed, and no one did.¡±

    A heavy silence filled the room. I could feel Kira¡¯s gaze on me, but I refused to meet them. This wasn¡¯t about him. Not anymore. This was about my daughter, and I would not let him distract me from that. I might have missed him¡ªmissed the friendship we had before things went wrong¡ªbut there was no going back.

    ¡°How did you even know I was coming to this event?¡± I asked, trying to break the tension.

    ¡°We didn¡¯t,¡± Poppy admitted. ¡°We just hoped that you were famous enough to care about your hometown.¡±

    ¡°But I didn¡¯t even know about the casino reopening until the day before.¡±

    ¡°How?¡± Poppy asked, her brows furrowing.

    I looked over at Kira, who was now visibly upset, anger radiating off him. I understood why. He was probably starting to piece everything together.

    ¡°I ran into Sandy Yatuki, the magazine owner. He told me about the event.¡±

    ¡°The magazine owner?¡± Poppy asked, raising an eyebrow.

    ¡°Yeah. He seemed surprised I hadn¡¯t heard about the event. If I hadn¡¯t gone for drinks that night, I would¡¯ve never come back home.¡±

    ¡°Well, we didn¡¯t think about that,¡± Poppy muttered, rubbing her neck.

    ¡°I did,¡± Erin said, suddenly walking into the room with that confident swagger he always had. When we were younger, he was the mastermind behind all our plans. He was the one who always knew how to get us out of trouble.

    ¡°I told Sandy to go to that bar,¡± Erin said with a sly smile. ¡°He was a little confused by my request, but he confirmed what I already knew. It¡¯s good to have you back, Lisa.¡±

    I pushed Poppy off me and stood up, letting Erin pull me into one of his bear hugs.

    ¡°What convinced you?¡± I asked, still trying to make sense of everything.

    ¡°When our eyes met last night, just as you were about to draw the raffle, you smiled like you used to. When I met you that day at the cafe, you looked completely out of it.¡±

    ¡°Wait... the guy with the red hair? That was you?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, it was easy to get close to you, especially when I could fool Kira¡¯s people. You know you were being followed, right?¡±

    ¡°Well, that explains why he always knew what I was doing when he was gone,¡± I muttered, the pieces falling into place. ¡°Thank you, Erin. I left him that day. Mom helped. Reminded me of Dad¡¯s anniversary.¡±

    ¡°Have you seen him since?¡± Erin asked softly.

    ¡°I visit every year,¡± I replied, my voice thick with emotion. ¡°I leave flowers on his grave. I need to, for me, for him... for both of us.¡±

    ¡°Where¡¯s Mom moved to?¡± I asked, my voice small.

    ¡°I can take you,¡± Poppy offered. ¡°It¡¯ll be nice to be with you both again.¡±

    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.¡°Okay, little sister. Tomorrow though,¡± I said, a small laugh escaping my lips. ¡°I¡¯m slightly intoxicated and still recovering from last night. Being old isn¡¯t easy.¡±

    <hr>

    Later, at Mom¡¯s house...

    I gave Saxon my work number, since my old phone was still shattered from the night before. We texted a bit about last night, about our childhood memories. Talking to him reminded me of why I had loved him so much. We still needed to talk about what happened the other day, but right now, my life¡ªmy daughter¡ªhad to come first.

    Poppy came around around lunchtime, and I was already a wreck, overwhelmed with everything. She laughed when she saw me, and I knew I looked a mess. Mum¡¯s place was just a short drive away, but when we pulled up in front of the little cottage, I felt my stomach drop. There was no way I could do this.

    Poppy got out first, and I hid behind her, feeling like a little girl who was about to get scolded. Mom opened the door, and I saw her, looking like she had aged fifty years in the last ten. And I had done this to her. There was no escaping it now.

    "Poppy, darling, you know I hate it when you don''t tell me when you''re coming over," Mom said, looking up at her with a smile. "I don¡¯t have lunch prepared."

    ¡°It¡¯s alright, Mom. I brought someone with me. Someone who wants to meet you.¡±

    I stepped out from behind Poppy, feeling my chest tighten as I saw her. Her eyes widened when she saw me, and in slow motion, I watched the cup she was holding slip from her hands and shatter on the floor. But then, her eyes lit up. Her motherly grin stretched across her face, and it was like I was finally home.

    "Hi," I whispered, my voice shaky.

    Mom regained her composure and ran into me, nearly knocking me off the porch. She smelled like old tea and rosemary, the comforting scent of home. I wrapped my arms around her, letting myself breathe in the familiar scent as I let myself cry. Then, after a long moment, she pulled back and smiled.

    ¡°Oh honey, you have no idea how happy I am to see you and Poppy together again. It¡¯s been too long.¡±

    I could barely speak, but I nodded, following her inside. The familiar warmth of her home washed over me, the old photos on the walls reminding me of everything I had missed.

    ¡°So,¡± Mom said, placing a steaming cup of Earl Grey tea in front of me. ¡°Tell me, how is Kai? It¡¯s been so long since I¡¯ve heard anything about you two.¡±

    I lowered my voice, my throat tight. ¡°We got divorced... about six years ago.¡±

    Mom froze, her eyes widening. ¡°Oh honey, I¡¯m so sorry. But no one would tell me why you two split up.¡±

    I took a deep breath and whispered, ¡°Mum... he used to beat me.¡±

    Her face contorted with shock, and she gasped. ¡°What?¡±

    She placed her tea down slowly, her hands shaking. Her fists clenched, and I saw the anger rising in her.

    ¡°Mom, don¡¯t cry. It¡¯s over now,¡± I said gently, reaching out to stop her from getting too upset.

    She turned her face to the side, her tears silently falling. ¡°How did I not know? Why didn¡¯t you tell us? Your father would have¡ª¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t tell anyone because I didn¡¯t want anyone to see. It was after Dad died. After we got married...¡±

    ¡°I knew marrying that scum was a mistake. I should¡¯ve trusted my instincts. If I see him again...¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll do nothing, Mom. It¡¯s in the past now,¡± I said, my voice firm. ¡°Now, how about you bring out those photo albums? It¡¯s been a while since we looked at ¡®baby Lisa.¡¯¡±

    Mom nodded, and we were about to settle into familiar comfort when the doorbell rang again. I got up to answer it.

    ¡°Saxon¡¯s here,¡± I said, stepping aside to let him in.

    Mom¡¯s smile returned. ¡°Ah, good. I was just about to pull out a batch of my famous honey biscuits. I knew my gut was right.¡±

    ¡°Sure, sure, Mom. Come sit with us. We¡¯re going through the embarrassing photos of me.¡±

    ¡°This should be fun,¡± Saxon purred into my ear, as he sat down on the floor next to me.

    The room filled with the warm scent of honey biscuits, and Poppy came downstairs carrying a huge box of photos. I had seen these before, but today they felt different¡ªnostalgic and comforting.

    The first photo was of us as kids. A picture-perfect moment. Mom, Dad, Poppy, Saxon, and me. Holding hands, smiling in the sunlight. We looked so happy, so innocent. I laughed, remembering the purple pantsuit disaster from high school. Saxon¡¯s braces. The moments we had shared.

    And then, the last photo... me and Kai. The final photo. The one that ruined everything.

    The last photo sat heavily in my hands, its edges worn and faded with time. I hadn¡¯t expected to see it again¡ªcertainly not like this. It was taken during one of the last "happy" moments I¡¯d had with Kai. We were standing together in front of a fireplace, the glow of the fire casting soft shadows on our faces. We both looked content, as if the world hadn¡¯t yet shattered around us. His arm was draped around my shoulder, a half-smile on his face that didn¡¯t reach his eyes. And there I was, the girl who thought she was in love, standing there next to him, blissfully unaware of what was to come.

    I swallowed hard, my fingers trembling as I set the photo down. I couldn¡¯t look at it any longer.

    ¡°You okay?¡± Saxon¡¯s voice was low, concerned. His presence was like a quiet anchor beside me, offering comfort in a way that made it easier to breathe.

    I nodded, but the lump in my throat felt like it was going to choke me. I had already fought so hard to move forward, to forget, to rebuild the pieces of my life that had shattered so violently. But that photo... it was like a door I¡¯d closed long ago had been pried open, dragging all those old ghosts into the room with us.

    Poppy, who had been hovering nearby with a cup of tea, noticed my discomfort and silently slid the photo away from me, replacing it with something lighter¡ªa photo of me, her, and Saxon playing in the park when we were kids. It was a picture I¡¯d almost forgotten about. We were all laughing, our faces free from the weight of the years that would soon follow.

    ¡°Remember that day?¡± Poppy asked softly, her voice a lifeline pulling me back to the present.

    I forced a smile, one that was genuine, but still laced with a trace of sadness. ¡°How could I forget? You were all terrible at keeping your balance on the jungle gym.¡±

    ¡°Hey, you were the worst at climbing up it,¡± she teased, her smile a little brighter. ¡°You were too afraid of falling.¡±

    I laughed, the sound feeling foreign but right. The tension in the room lightened, if only for a moment, as I allowed myself to be in the now. I could feel the weight of everything I¡¯d carried over the years still heavy, but maybe... just maybe, I was starting to put it down.

    Mom returned with a tray of honey biscuits, the warmth and sweetness of them filling the room like a balm. ¡°I¡¯m so glad you¡¯re home, Lisa,¡± she said, her voice quieter now, but full of warmth and love. ¡°We¡¯ve missed you so much.¡±

    I met her gaze, and for the first time in years, I felt like I was truly seen. Not the broken version of me that Kai had left behind, but the girl who had once been part of this family¡ªwho still had a place here, despite everything.

    ¡°I¡¯ve missed you, too,¡± I whispered, choking back the words that had been so hard to say for so long. ¡°More than you¡¯ll ever know.¡±

    Saxon reached over and squeezed my hand, his presence comforting, a reminder that I wasn¡¯t alone. ¡°You¡¯re home now, Lisa,¡± he said softly, his eyes full of promise. ¡°And we¡¯re not going anywhere.¡±

    The doorbell rang again, pulling my attention away. I stood up, my body stiffening instinctively, though I quickly realized it wasn¡¯t Kai. The thought of him still lingered, dark and insistent, but it was different now. He didn¡¯t have control over me anymore.

    Saxon stood too, his protective instinct flaring. But when I opened the door, the sight that greeted me wasn¡¯t the man I feared¡ªit was Erin, wearing his usual sly smile.

    ¡°Hey, I thought I¡¯d drop by and see if you were still alive after last night,¡± Erin teased, his tone light but his eyes scanning the room like a hawk.

    ¡°Just barely,¡± I said with a laugh, the tension easing further as I motioned for him to come in. ¡°Come sit. You¡¯re just in time for tea and biscuits.¡±

    He grinned, clearly pleased to be included. ¡°You sure know how to make an entrance, Lisa. Glad to see you¡¯re doing better.¡±

    I smiled at him, the familiar warmth of our friendship settling in my chest. Despite everything, it was good to have him around. I didn¡¯t fully trust him¡ªthere was too much that still felt off about the way he operated¡ªbut right now, I needed his presence. We all did.

    Erin plopped down beside Saxon, who rolled his eyes but didn¡¯t say anything. Mom was already serving tea, and Poppy was still flipping through the photo album, narrating old stories of our childhood like they were yesterday.

    The laughter, the comfort, and the warmth of being surrounded by family made it feel like I wasn¡¯t so lost anymore. Maybe it would take time to heal¡ªmaybe I¡¯d never completely forget¡ªbut for the first time in years, I felt like I had a future worth fighting for.

    I glanced at the photo of me and Kai one last time. The anger, the fear, the heartbreak¡ªit all swirled inside me, but it no longer had a hold on me. I had my daughter to find, my family to rebuild, and my own life to reclaim.

    And no matter what, I wasn¡¯t going to let the past define me anymore.

 What Is This Feeling?

    Chapter 11

    What is this feeling?

    ¡°So I know how you managed to stay away from me, Poppy,¡± I said, my voice steady but carrying the weight of unsaid things. ¡°But how did you manage it, Saxon?¡±

    Saxon¡¯s eyes darkened for a moment, his silver pupils narrowing as he thought. He wasn¡¯t the type to talk about his past freely. In fact, I knew it haunted him. ¡°I released my grimoire, the one I spent years researching. Once it was bound in the Sapphire Vaults of Shellcove, I knew the tides of fate were shifting. It was only a matter of time before someone found it.¡± His tone was quiet, filled with a certain gravity. "I moved there afterward. I didn¡¯t want to be near Bluehaven. If I stayed, I might have crossed paths with you¡ªand I couldn¡¯t risk that."

    I swallowed, the memories of Bluehaven heavy in the air between us. The city we had once called home, now a place of shadowed ghosts and broken promises.

    ¡°We all tried so hard to stay away from you,¡± he continued, his voice thick with regret. ¡°I think it was hardest for Kira.¡±

    ¡°Mmmmm,¡± I muttered, not wanting to talk about him, but unable to fully push his name from my mind. The betrayal still lingered like a dark mark on my soul.

    Saxon looked down at his hands, the runes etched on his skin catching the light from the lanterns. ¡°I thought you¡¯d return to him.¡±

    I snorted bitterly. ¡°If Kira thinks I¡¯ll return to him, after everything he did to me, then he¡¯s sorely mistaken.¡± I shook my head, feeling a familiar, twisting ache in my chest. "Take me back to my hotel room, Saxon. Let¡¯s leave this mess behind." I hesitated. "See you later, little sister."

    I kissed Poppy¡¯s forehead, watching her drive away into the swirling mist, and then Saxon drove me back to the hotel in silence. The air around us crackled, charged with the weight of so many unsaid things. I could feel the pressure in his silence, the way he wanted to ask me questions but couldn¡¯t bring himself to.

    When we reached my room, Saxon followed me up the narrow stairs that led to the quiet, candlelit hallway. He seemed reluctant to enter, his posture tense as if uncertain of his place in my world anymore.

    I swiped the keycard through the enchanted lock, and the door opened with a soft, melodic chime. I stood in the doorway, watching Saxon¡¯s indecision. I could see him holding back, his usual confidence clouded by something else. Something more personal.

    ¡°Come on, Saxon,¡± I said, pushing the door fully open. ¡°Ask what you need to ask. You¡¯re making me mad with all this silence.¡±

    He blinked, stepping inside hesitantly, his boots clicking softly on the stone floor. He stood by the door, awkwardly shifting his weight from one foot to the other, like a stranger in his own home. The sight of him like this¡ªso unsure, so far from the warrior I remembered¡ªstirred something sharp inside me.

    ¡°What happened between you and Kira?¡± he finally asked, his voice low, almost tentative.

    I stiffened, the question like a brand across my chest. ¡°You know he betrayed me, Saxon. Just before we met Kai.¡± My eyes flickered to the window, the dark skyline of the city beyond now just a faint silhouette. "When I found out, I was already carrying his child." I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms.

    Saxon¡¯s expression twisted in disbelief. ¡°You were pregnant¡­ and you kept it all hidden?¡± His voice cracked, as if the weight of my confession was something he wasn¡¯t ready to carry.

    I bit my lip as Saxon ran a hand through his wild, silver-streaked hair, the faint hum of magic crackling in the air around him. His fingers tugged at his hair, like he was trying to ground himself in reality, as if something was holding him back. His gaze shifted to my lips, darkening, but still, he didn¡¯t move. Something was stopping him.

    It wasn¡¯t just distance. It was something older, something deeper, woven into the very threads of our bond.

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you come to me?¡± he asked, his voice a low, gravelly whisper, as if he¡¯d been carrying the question for far too long. "I was your best friend, Lira."

    I swallowed, the weight of his words pressing down on my chest like a spell I couldn¡¯t break. The silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating. Finally, I whispered, my voice trembling with the weight of all that had passed. ¡°I thought I had lost you... because I had chosen to love Kira instead of you.¡±

    The words were like daggers in the quiet, but I couldn¡¯t stop them. ¡°I¡¯ve done a lot of stupid things in my life, Saxon. But pushing you away? That¡¯s the one thing I regret the most.¡±

    Saxon didn¡¯t move. Not at first. His expression softened as his eyes met mine, filled with that familiar mixture of pain and longing. And then¡ªfinally¡ªhe stepped closer, closing the space that had always been between us.

    His hand reached up, his fingers brushing against my cheek, so light it felt like a whisper of wind. The spark that passed between us was immediate, like an old spell awakening, one we had forgotten but that still thrummed beneath the surface. My breath caught in my throat as warmth bloomed through my skin, and I closed my eyes, unable to resist the pull of his touch.

    His fingers slid down, trailing over my skin with a softness that made my heart race. It was a touch that felt like magic, ancient and potent, as if we had always been meant to be like this. His thumb brushed over my lips, and I felt my body react to him¡ªevery part of me aching to be closer, to be engulfed in him.

    I stared into his eyes, trying to get a sense of what he was thinking. His lips finally touched mine and my body blew up into pieces. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled his body close to mine. Saxon moaned into my mouth as he pushed us towards the bed. Finally.

    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Saxon¡¯s POV

    I slipped out of her bed, the heat of her still lingering in the air around me. Every step I took felt surreal, like I was walking through a dream I was afraid would vanish if I didn¡¯t keep moving. My clothes felt heavier than usual as I pulled them on quickly, every motion sharp with the tension I had tried to ignore for so long. The night had been... indescribable, but I knew I couldn¡¯t stay. Not now.

    She would hate me in the morning. I was sure of it. We¡¯d crossed a line¡ªone that could never be uncrossed¡ªand I wasn¡¯t sure how to face her when the sun rose. But for now, I needed air. Space to breathe. To let the elation sink in and not let the regret consume me.

    My heart was still racing, though, and I couldn¡¯t help the smile that tugged at my lips. Happiness. It felt foreign, almost impossible after all that had happened. But now, it was there, tugging at me like a warm glow. I didn¡¯t want to let go of it.

    As I made my way back toward the casino, I tried to steady myself, to clear my head. I couldn¡¯t let anyone see the way I felt¡ªtoo vulnerable, too open. I needed to hide this newfound joy.

    By the time I reached the stairs, the last thing I expected was to run into someone. But of course, the moment I stepped upstairs, I found Crystal sitting in the main room, reading to Kira, her voice lilting in the silence. She looked up as I approached, the soft glow of the hearth reflecting in her eyes. For a second, I wished I could stay hidden, wish I could slip past them unnoticed. But Kira had already spotted me, and I saw the flicker of curiosity in his gaze.

    ¡°Crystal, honey, why don¡¯t you go finish this in your room?¡± Kira¡¯s voice was gentle, but the undertone was clear¡ªhe had something to say to me. ¡°I need to talk to your uncle.¡±

    Crystal, ever the cheerful spirit, didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°Alright. Night, Uncle Sax, night Dad.¡± She flashed me a bright smile as she skipped off down the hall, her little footsteps light against the stone floors. The sound of her joy reminded me of Lisa¡ªwhen she used to run through the halls like that, her laughter filling every corner.

    I swallowed hard, my chest tightening at the memory.

    Once the door clicked closed behind her, Kira¡¯s gaze shifted, sharp and probing. "Where have you been?" His voice was calm, but I could hear the underlying tension in it, the way he was trying to keep his emotions in check.

    I shrugged, trying to keep my own face neutral. ¡°With Mrs. Paul, Poppy, and Lisa. Just checking in.¡±

    Kira¡¯s eyes narrowed, and I could see the question before it left his mouth. ¡°Did she talk about me?¡±This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

    I hesitated, fighting the urge to avoid the subject. I could tell he was eager to know, but I wasn¡¯t sure how to answer without feeling like I was betraying something. ¡°No,¡± I replied, the word leaving my mouth sharper than I intended.

    ¡°Damn.¡± Kira ran a hand through his hair, his frustration palpable. ¡°Why won¡¯t she talk to me?¡±

    I exhaled slowly, stepping closer to him. "Relax, man. She¡¯s just gotten here. Give her time. She¡¯ll talk to you when she¡¯s ready."

    His eyes flicked to mine, suspicion lingering in them, but he didn¡¯t push further. Instead, he leaned back against the wall, staring into the fire. The silence that followed was thick, but there was something unspoken between us¡ªsomething about the weight of the past and the way it hung over us both.

    I couldn¡¯t help but think about how things had changed. How much had shifted between all of us¡ªespecially with her. The night we had shared felt like the beginning of something... different. Something that could either break us all apart or bind us together.

    The problem was, I wasn¡¯t sure which it was yet. And that uncertainty gnawed at me, gnawed at the edges of the happiness I was trying to hold onto.

    Kira¡¯s voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me back into the present. "But when will that be? Crystal knows she¡¯s here, and she¡¯s always asking when she¡¯ll meet her mother. I can¡¯t hold her back forever."

    His words hung in the air, thick with urgency. But the way he said mother made my blood run cold. I rolled my eyes, the irritation bubbling up before I could stop it. He had Crystal, had raised her for ten years, and yet he still couldn¡¯t see the truth.

    She wasn¡¯t his. Not in the way he thought.

    Lisa had managed to keep the secret from him¡ªbarely¡ªbut she never hid it from me. I¡¯d known from the beginning. Lisa and Kira were always so careful, but even in the silence between them, I could see the gaps, the fractures that never healed. Crystal¡¯s magic, her lineage¡ªit was there for anyone paying attention. For someone like me who had seen Lisa¡¯s secrets before they ever had a chance to take root, it was easy to see.

    But Kira? He still couldn¡¯t see it.

    The way his face twisted into a frown made me suppress a smirk. It was like he was blind to everything right in front of him. I wasn¡¯t going to make it easier for him either.

    He crossed his arms, watching me closely. ¡°What are you hiding?¡± His voice dropped, a sharp edge now slicing through his words.

    ¡°Nothing,¡± I replied, but the word felt hollow as it left my mouth. I couldn¡¯t stop the sly grin that tugged at the corner of my lips, though. There was something almost satisfying about watching Kira struggle with the truth, even if it wasn¡¯t the one he was expecting. I wasn¡¯t going to make it easy for him.

    His eyes narrowed, and I could feel the tension rising between us like an invisible barrier, thick with unsaid things. But I wasn¡¯t ready to break yet, not for him. Not now.

    "Come on, Sax," Kira muttered, stepping closer, his frustration growing. "You¡¯ve always known more than you let on. Tell me. What¡¯s going on with her? Why won¡¯t she talk to me? Why does she avoid me like the plague?¡±

    I leaned back, letting the quiet fill the space between us. I had to tread carefully. Pushing Kira too far could unravel something far bigger than just a misunderstanding about Crystal.

    But the thing was, I didn¡¯t owe him any explanations, not after everything. Not after how many times he¡¯d ignored what was right in front of him, how many times he¡¯d walked away when I needed him most.

    I let the silence linger a little longer before I finally said, ¡°Relax, man. She¡¯ll talk to you when she¡¯s ready. You can¡¯t rush her. You never could.¡±

    Kira¡¯s frown deepened, but he didn¡¯t argue. Instead, he turned back to the fire, the flames flickering in his eyes like a reflection of the storm brewing in his mind.

    I stood there, watching Kira¡¯s frustrated expression, the tension between us crackling like a live wire. He was so close to figuring it out, to realizing what I already knew. But for now, I needed to hold the line. He wouldn¡¯t get the truth from me¡ªnot yet.

    Kira was stubborn, always had been, and he wasn¡¯t one to easily let things go. I could see it in his eyes¡ªthe edge of desperation, the flicker of magic that seemed to rise in him as the night grew older. It was like the room itself responded to the unresolved emotions between us, faint pulses of arcane energy pushing against the walls, testing the limits of the space.

    "Don''t play games with me, Saxon," Kira muttered, his voice low, like he knew something was amiss. "This isn''t just about Crystal. This is about Lisa. About everything that¡¯s been hidden.¡±

    The faint hum of power in the room made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. He didn¡¯t realize it, but his magic was stirring, intertwining with the invisible threads of the world around us. Kira had always been drawn to the dark side of things, and that was his downfall. Magic was never just a tool; it was a living, breathing thing, and it always had a cost.

    I shook my head slowly, stepping back. ¡°You don¡¯t understand, Kira. There¡¯s a lot more at play here than you realize. But it¡¯s not time to talk about it. Not yet.¡±

    Kira didn¡¯t back down. He was stubborn¡ªtoo stubborn.

    ¡°You¡¯ve always hidden things from me. First Lisa, then your damn book, and now... this?¡± Kira¡¯s eyes glinted with something dangerous, his magic seeping into the air around us, thick and heavy. It felt like he was testing my limits, trying to see if he could break through whatever I was holding back.

    The flicker of power in the room grew more intense, and the temperature dropped a few degrees. It was like the atmosphere itself was reacting to our conflict.

    I took a deep breath, letting the magic settle around me. I was well aware of the shifting currents, but I had something else to focus on tonight¡ªsomething more important than Kira¡¯s demands. I didn¡¯t want him to see me like this, exposed and vulnerable, but I couldn¡¯t hide it anymore. The world was shifting, and I was right in the middle of it.

    Suddenly, the door opened again, and the soft chime of the bells above it rang out, breaking the tension. I turned to see Lisa standing there, her eyes wide and glowing with an inner light. The moment she stepped into the room, the air seemed to shimmer, like the very atmosphere around her recognized who she was¡ªwhat she was.

    Kira¡¯s gaze snapped to her, and I saw the recognition in his eyes. He didn¡¯t say anything, but I could feel the waves of magic that radiated from him. His power was raw, untamed, like a storm building just below the surface.

    Lisa was the only one who could calm it.

    I stepped aside as she moved toward the center of the room. There was something about the way she walked¡ªlike she was tethered to the world, yet somehow beyond it at the same time. She was the storm and the calm, the spark and the control.

    "Lisa," Kira said, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°You¡¯re back. But why... why didn¡¯t you come to me sooner? Why didn¡¯t you come home?¡±

    Lisa¡¯s eyes flicked over to him, her face unreadable. She took a slow, deliberate step forward, and as she did, the room seemed to shimmer once again, the very air bending around her. Her magic was alive now, radiating from her in soft waves, pulling at the threads of reality itself.

    ¡°I was never meant to be home, Kira,¡± she said, her voice calm, but edged with power. ¡°My home is not what you think it is anymore.¡±

    Kira¡¯s face paled, confusion and fear flashing in his eyes for the briefest moment. But his magic didn¡¯t waver. He was a stubborn one, just like always.

    ¡°You¡¯re not the person you were when you left,¡± Kira said, the words full of accusation, tinged with an anger that seemed to deepen the magic surrounding him. ¡°You left me behind, Lisa. You left all of us behind.¡±

    Lisa didn¡¯t flinch. Her gaze never wavered as she looked at him. ¡°And you, Kira, you never understood what was at stake. Not then, not now. I had no choice. I had to do what I did.¡±

    A silence fell over the room, but the tension only grew heavier. I could feel it, the raw magic in the air, thrumming and pulsing like a heartbeat, filling the space with its weight. Lisa¡¯s presence was a powerful thing¡ªstrong enough to make even Kira hesitate.

    ¡°Your choices led to this,¡± Kira said, his tone sharp now. ¡°You think you¡¯re above it all? That you can walk away and leave everyone else in the dark? We¡¯re family, Lisa!¡±

    Lisa''s gaze softened for a split second, but only a split second. She took another step toward him, her magic lashing out like tendrils of shadow and light. ¡°I don¡¯t belong to the family you think I do, Kira. My bloodline isn¡¯t just yours. It¡¯s older. And it¡¯s more dangerous than you could ever imagine.¡±

    The air seemed to crackle at the words, like the world itself was holding its breath. I could see Kira¡¯s mind racing as he processed the information. His hands trembled slightly, and for the first time in years, I saw doubt in his eyes.

    ¡°What are you saying?¡± Kira whispered, his voice barely audible now.

    Lisa didn¡¯t answer immediately. Instead, she raised her hand, and the room seemed to shift again. The lights flickered, casting shadows that danced across the walls like living things. The space around us moved, twisted by her power. And for the first time in years, I felt the ancient magic that had once been a part of her. The magic that had been locked away for so long, now rushing back to the surface like a flood.

    ¡°I¡¯m saying,¡± she said, her voice low and steady, ¡°that I am no longer the girl who left. I¡¯m something else now. Something... older.¡±

    Kira¡¯s eyes widened, but he said nothing. He just stared at her, his heart racing as his own magic pulsed through him in uneven waves.

    ¡°Get out,¡± Lisa said softly, her voice carrying an edge of finality. "I have things to do. You don¡¯t belong here, Kira.¡±

    For a moment, there was silence¡ªthen Kira¡¯s magic flared, a flare of dark power that nearly knocked me off my feet. But Lisa didn¡¯t flinch. She just stood there, the room pulsing with her energy, keeping him in place.

    Kira¡¯s face twisted in frustration. "You¡¯re making a mistake, Lisa. This isn¡¯t over. None of this is over."

    And with that, he turned and stormed out, his footsteps echoing in the hallway.

    I exhaled, feeling the magic settle around us once again. The room was still, but the echoes of the magic Kira had stirred remained, buzzing in the air like a low hum. Lisa¡¯s eyes met mine, her expression softening.

    ¡°You should¡¯ve told him the truth,¡± I said quietly, my voice breaking the silence.

    ¡°I couldn¡¯t,¡± she replied, her voice tinged with regret. ¡°Not yet. It¡¯s not time.¡±

    And as she spoke, I realized that time was something she had in abundance. And Kira? He didn¡¯t have nearly enough.

 What Now?

    Chapter 12

    What Now?

    I was sitting alone at a bar, my head in my hands, the weight of my thoughts pressing down like a physical force. My mind was a storm, swirling with every fear and doubt I had about the future. I wanted to go home, but that idea was quickly dismissed. No, I couldn¡¯t go back to the isolation. I had just gotten Saxon back in my life, after all these years of distance, and now... now all I needed was my daughter.

    Kira was going to be pissed when I told him I was taking her home with me, but it had to be done. My daughter deserved to know who she truly was¡ªwho we really were. Kira couldn¡¯t stand in the way of that anymore.

    ¡°Lisa, are you alright?¡±

    I turned to see Sandy standing behind me, his brow furrowed with concern. I looked at the time on my watch¡ªit was only one-thirty in the afternoon. Maybe it was a little too early for drinks, but I didn¡¯t care anymore.

    "Yeah, I¡¯m fine. It¡¯s five o¡¯clock somewhere, right?"

    Sandy offered me a smile, but it was laced with a hint of worry as he took a seat next to me, ordering something of his own. I downed the rest of my drink, summoning the bartender for another. The warm burn of alcohol was the only thing keeping my nerves in check at this point.

    "Is everything alright? Your mum and brother are fine?"

    "They''re fine," I muttered, shaking my head. "I just don¡¯t want to be in Bluehaven anymore. Why I even came back is still a mystery to me. I wish there was another way."

    "You¡¯re here for your daughter, right?"

    I nodded, the weight of that truth settling on my shoulders like an anchor. "Yeah. Taking her from Kira is going to be harder than I thought, especially considering our history... and my history."

    Sandy leaned back, his expression softening. "I know it¡¯s not my place, but Kira knows."

    "Knows what?"

    "That your daughter isn¡¯t his."

    My breath caught in my throat. "What did you say?"

    "She¡¯s not his, Lisa. Kira knows."

    I felt the blood drain from my face. "Fuck. Thank you, Sandy. I¡ª I need to go." I stood abruptly, leaving a few bills on the bar before quickly heading for the door. My mind was racing, spinning with all the pieces of this tangled web.

    I needed to talk to Kira. I had to do this now.

    <hr>

    I raced back to the casino, heart pounding in my chest, my thoughts a storm of chaos. As I made my way upstairs, nearly running into Kira on the staircase, I could feel a pulse of magic at the back of my mind¡ªlike something trying to reach out to me, some force beyond my control, but I shoved it down. It wasn¡¯t the time for that. I had enough to deal with.

    "Kira," I said, trying to steady my breath.

    "Lisa, what¡¯s the hurry?" His voice was laced with concern, but I could hear the undercurrent of something darker in it¡ªsomething that didn¡¯t sit right.

    "Can we talk? Or are you headed somewhere?" I asked, voice tight.

    "No, just downstairs. I have time to talk."

    I let out a breath, relieved, but the tension in my chest only grew as we walked into a small room off the main lobby and sat down. I twiddled my thumbs for a bit, unable to meet his gaze. The silence between us was thick, suffocating, until Kira started tapping his shoes in agitation.

    ¡°Why are you here, Lisa?¡±

    I looked up at him, frustration bubbling. "Are you thick? Why do you think I¡¯m here?"

    His face darkened, his expression shifting into something unreadable. "You can¡¯t take her. Crystal¡¯s mine."

    ¡°Crystal?¡± I echoed, my voice barely above a whisper. My heart skipped a beat, and I suddenly felt the world tilt on its axis. "Is that what you named her?"

    The anger vanished from his face as confusion set in, but I didn¡¯t care about that now. "You named her Crystal. I thought you remembered everything."

    I exhaled slowly, running a hand through my hair, trying to collect myself. This was the part I had been dreading¡ªrevealing everything. But I had to do it. The truth had to come out, no matter how ugly.

    I pulled out my phone and texted Saxon. It only took a few minutes before he walked into the room, his presence like a grounding force in the storm of my thoughts. I patted the space next to me on the couch, and he sat down, his gaze flickering between Kira and me.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    "What¡¯s up?" Saxon¡¯s voice was calm, but I could feel the tension in the air, like static before a storm.

    Kira¡¯s eyes darted between us, his confusion deepening. "Why is he here?"

    I hesitated for a moment, then answered. "I don¡¯t remember everything, Kira. I was diagnosed with memory loss about three years ago."

    "What exactly do you remember?" Saxon asked, his tone gentle but probing.

    "I remember why you and I broke up," I said, voice breaking slightly, "I remember giving birth, and I remember everything while I was with Kai, but only those events. I don¡¯t remember naming my daughter. I don¡¯t remember if I graduated from uni. But I do remember that Wyatt and I were roommates."

    Saxon¡¯s hand found mine, squeezing it. The simple touch was a lifeline, a spark of warmth that cut through the coldness of my own mind. But it didn¡¯t stop the storm of guilt and anger building inside me. Kira was seething, but it wasn¡¯t clear if his fury was for me or for the fact that Saxon was holding my hand.

    "You don¡¯t remember everything?" Kira growled, standing up abruptly, causing the chair to crash to the floor. "So now you¡¯re just going to waltz back into our lives and take my daughter from me?"

    "She¡¯s not even yours, Kira," I snapped. "Do you not remember why we broke up in the first place?"

    The silence that followed was suffocating. It was like everything in the room was suspended, waiting for the inevitable explosion. Kira¡¯s face twisted in frustration, but I wasn¡¯t going to back down. Not anymore.

    "Ten years ago," I said, my voice low and filled with bitter memory, "I found you in bed with someone else. And don¡¯t act like you don¡¯t remember. I called you so many times that night, and you ignored me. Then you had the nerve to tell me I wasn¡¯t giving you what you wanted anymore, that I was too busy working and studying. That¡¯s why we broke up. Don¡¯t you dare try to claim that you have any right to be her father when you never gave a damn about me or our future."

    I felt Saxon¡¯s hand on my back, rubbing slow circles, grounding me as I fought to keep my emotions in check. His presence was a quiet storm of its own. Kira didn¡¯t know what to do with that.

    ¡°You never cared about her, Kira. You can¡¯t even take care of your son. What makes you think you can be a father to my daughter?¡± The words stung, and I could feel the magic rippling in the air around us¡ªa faint hum that I could barely control, but I didn¡¯t care anymore. Let it burn through everything.

    Kira recoiled at my words, his anger giving way to something darker, something I couldn¡¯t quite place.

    "Lisa..." Kira¡¯s voice was rough, his gaze flickering with something like regret, but it was too late for that.

    I stood up, my magic crackling in the air, swirling like an invisible storm around us. "I don¡¯t remember everything, Kira. But I remember enough to know I¡¯m taking her from you. Crystal deserves more than this."

    Saxon squeezed my hand, his voice calm as he leaned in closer, "We¡¯ll figure this out. Together."

    And for the first time in a long time, I believed him.

    <hr>

    I left the room, Kira¡¯s angry words still echoing in my ears. I couldn¡¯t even look at him anymore¡ªevery word he said only pushed me further away from him. I could feel the magic swirling beneath my skin, as if my emotions were being amplified by some unseen force. It wasn¡¯t something I could control, but it was there, hanging in the air like static before a thunderstorm.

    I needed space. I needed to think.

    Saxon followed me out into the hallway, his presence a quiet reassurance in the chaos. His hand brushed against mine, grounding me in a way that felt almost... magical in itself. It wasn¡¯t just his physical touch¡ªit was the calm he exuded, like a steady anchor in the middle of a storm.

    "Hey," he said softly, turning me toward him when we reached a small balcony overlooking the city. The faint hum of the casino below us felt distant now. "We¡¯ll get through this. I know it feels like the world¡¯s collapsing around you, but you¡¯ve got me. You always have."

    I nodded, the words stuck in my throat. What could I say? I need you? It felt so selfish, but in that moment, it was true. I needed him more than ever. The magic that had always thrummed just beneath the surface of my life seemed to grow stronger when he was near me¡ªlike some invisible bond was tethering us together.

    "I don¡¯t know if I can win this, Saxon," I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don¡¯t know if I¡¯m strong enough."

    "You¡¯re stronger than you think, Lisa. You¡¯ve survived more than anyone I know. And this time, I¡¯ll be right there with you. Every step of the way." His hand came up, gently brushing the hair from my face, his touch soft but insistent.

    The pull between us was undeniable. The connection we shared felt deeper now, almost ancient, as though we had always been meant to find each other again. But I couldn¡¯t get lost in that right now. There were more important things to deal with¡ªthings that felt like they were spiraling out of control.

    I looked down at my phone, the screen lighting up with a new message. It was from James, one of the reporters from the office.

    "Lisa, we have a situation. Your ex-husband¡¯s people are trying to get information on us¡ªsaying we¡¯ve been leaking stories for bribes. They¡¯re putting pressure on the whole team."

    I cursed under my breath, shoving the phone back into my pocket. "Of course he is. Of course he¡¯s trying to ruin everything. This is what he does."

    Saxon raised an eyebrow, his gaze sharpening. "What do you want to do about it?"

    I hesitated. "I have to go back. I can¡¯t leave them to deal with this alone. Kira might be causing chaos, but I can¡¯t let him win. Not now."

    Saxon nodded, his expression unreadable. "Then we deal with that first. We¡¯ll figure out everything else later. But right now, you need to focus. I¡¯ll stay with you."

    I shook my head, grateful for the offer, but I couldn¡¯t bring myself to drag him into this mess. I needed to stand on my own two feet, even though every instinct in me screamed to let him take control, to let him fix everything. But this wasn¡¯t just about me anymore. It was about Crystal. It was about my future with her.

    "I¡¯ll go alone," I said firmly. "You¡¯ve already done enough. I need to show up for this."

    Saxon stepped closer, his eyes softening. "You¡¯re not alone, Lisa. You never have been."

    The sincerity in his voice stirred something deep inside me. And for a moment, I could almost believe that everything might be okay¡ªthat somehow, through all the chaos and uncertainty, we would find a way to make this work. But there were still so many obstacles ahead, and one of them was waiting for me back in the office.

    "I¡¯ll be back soon," I told him, trying to sound confident, though my heart was pounding.

 Why Does It Have To Be Me?

    Chapter 13

    Three Months Later...

    I stared at my laptop screen, completely baffled by what I was reading. What the hell was my team doing? My eyes burned with frustration, a storm of emotions clouding my mind. Groaning, I printed the document and stormed downstairs. My body felt like it was dragging through quicksand¡ªtired, sick, and mentally worn down. The custody battle with Kira had just ended, but I couldn¡¯t shake the bitter taste of it. It frustrated me beyond belief that he fought so hard for Crystal. Even after she told the judge she wanted to be with her biological parents, they still had to run all the damn checks. Kira dragged it out as long as possible, and I had to return to work sooner than expected.

    Slamming the printout onto the desk in front of me, I watched my team flinch. I could practically hear their heartbeats racing in the silence that followed. My mood swings were doing their job¡ªputting everyone on edge.

    ¡°Who printed this?¡±

    The room went unnervingly still. I held up the article, the words stabbing into my chest. Someone had the audacity to print something from my private life¡ªsomething I had explicitly declared off-limits. This was beyond a breach of trust.

    ¡°I believe I asked you a question. Who printed this?¡±

    Jess was the first to raise her hand, her face pale as she hesitated. I sighed, rubbing my forehead. A migraine was already creeping in. Maybe I should just go home, book a doctor¡¯s appointment, and take a few days off. Yelling at my team wasn¡¯t helping anything.

    ¡°You¡¯re not going to fire me, are you?¡±

    ¡°No, I¡¯m not. If it were anyone else, I would have. I¡¯m going home,¡± I muttered, already feeling my patience unravel.

    ¡°But it¡¯s still early. Are you alright, boss?¡± James asked, concern lacing his voice.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be fine. Just hold down the fort, James. I need a day¡ªor two.¡±

    Shaking my head, I sent Saxon a quick text saying I was heading home. Grabbing my jacket, I tried to shake the weight of the day off my shoulders. Saxon and I had agreed that we¡¯d go back to my place. It was easier for me to work from here, and it wasn¡¯t a huge deal to transfer Crystal to a school nearby. Saxon, well, he could work from anywhere, no matter what the world threw at us. Even with the custody drama hanging over us, I felt like life was still on track. Tonight was about celebrating. The party was tonight, and despite everything that had happened, Kira was still invited. He hated us, but eventually, he¡¯d get over it.

    I called for my car, but as soon as I slid into the backseat, I was met with an unexpected presence.

    ¡°What the hell are you doing here?¡± I snapped, my heart sinking as I stared at the man who should have been a ghost from my past.

    ¡°No ¡®hello¡¯? Have you forgotten your manners, sweetheart? Bitch, that¡¯s no way to talk to your husband,¡± Kai sneered, his voice dripping with malice.

    ¡°You are my ex-husband, Kai, and have been for nearly seven years. What makes you think you still have any control over my life?¡±

    The slap came out of nowhere. My cheek burned with the sting, and I didn¡¯t even register it fully until the pain spread through me. I reached for the door, but Kai yanked me back, locking the car doors with a click that echoed in my bones.

    ¡°You think you can just come back and waltz back into your life, taking her with you? You thought wrong. I took you away from her once, and I will gladly do it again. No one touches what¡¯s mine.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere with you,¡± I said, my voice shaky but defiant. ¡°I have a life now, and you are no longer a part of it. Get out of my car.¡±

    ¡°As long as you live, I will always be a part of your life. You think this is the first time you¡¯ve run away from me. You have always belonged to me¡±

    Before I could scream out for help, the fist came hurtling towards my face and everything went black. When I opened my eyes next, I was in a soft bed. My face and jaw hurt, I was sure the bruise was already forming across it. I tried to move my hands but they had been tied above my head. I tried moving my feet and saw they were tied down as well. He was furious, he was only ever like this when nothing went his way. I groaned when I saw the devil himself poke his head into the rather large room. He smiled when he noticed I was awake. This cannot end well.

    ¡°Good morning, sweetheart.¡± His voice was too smooth, like honey mixed with venom. ¡°I trust you slept well? Of course you did. A single knock to the head and you¡¯re out for hours.¡±

    My mind spun as I slowly regained consciousness. The throbbing in my skull made me nauseous, and my body felt heavy, as though my limbs were weighed down by lead. I tried to move, but the tight ropes binding my wrists and ankles reminded me that escape wasn¡¯t an option.

    ¡°What time is it?¡± I rasped, my throat dry and cracked.

    ¡°Well into the night by now,¡± Kai replied, his grin wicked as he stepped closer. ¡°But you won¡¯t need to know the time here, sweetheart. We¡¯ll always have each other. No matter how many times you try to run away, I¡¯ll always bring you back to me.¡±

    A shiver of dread ran down my spine as the implications of his words sank in. I fought to keep my voice steady. ¡°Why are you doing this to me?¡±

    He leaned in closer, his breath cold against my skin, a sickening whisper in my ear. ¡°I told you, darling. I own you. I¡¯ve owned you for years. I¡¯m just completing the picture now. All I need is our beautiful daughter, and the family will finally be whole again.¡±

    The rage that surged within me was enough to make my pulse pound in my temples. I twisted against the ropes, my heart hammering in my chest. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare touch her.¡±

    Kai¡¯s smile widened, and for a brief moment, I thought I saw something darker flicker in his eyes¡ªsomething cold, something predatory. ¡°You¡¯ll learn to accept this, sweetheart. I¡¯ll take care of her, just like I¡¯ll take care of you. We¡¯re a family, whether you want it or not.¡±

    Every word felt like a blow, the reality of what he intended to do settling over me like a suffocating weight. I could feel my breath catching in my throat. I refused to let him see my fear, but I was terrified. For Crystal. For myself.

    But I wasn¡¯t going to let him win. Not this time. Smirking, he sat down on the bed, running a cold hand up my naked thigh. I tried to wiggle around him but all he did was dig his fingernails into my skin, making me cry out. Never once has he ever drawn blood but I felt the skin break. This was serious. If I don''t conform to him soon, I know for a fact that he will kill me. I will not die like this, not after I finally got my happy ending. I will not die like this.

    ¡°Just let me go Kai, I swear I won¡¯t tell anyone. Just let me go¡±

    The slap across my face indicated that I should not beg again. I could taste the blood in my mouth again. I could feel the tears starting to run down my face, but that only caused another slap to the face, making my head hurt from before throb in pain.

    ¡°Stop crying you bitch, you know I hate it when you cry. You will learn to fall in place again. No one is coming for you, because despite what you think, no one cares for you like I will''''

    Kai stormed out of the room, the door slamming shut with a resounding bang that rattled through the silence. My heart hammered in my chest, a mix of fear and defiance churning within me. Saxon will look for me. He will look for me. He has to.

    I clenched my fists, the ropes biting into my wrists as I fought against them. The thought of Saxon was the only thing keeping me from completely unraveling. We had been through so much together, survived so much. He knows how much tonight meant to me. He won¡¯t just let me disappear.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

    The darkness pressed in around me, the weight of the room suffocating, but I refused to give in to the panic clawing at the edges of my mind. I kept repeating it, like a mantra, willing it to be true: Saxon will find me.

    I could almost hear his voice in my head, that reassuring tone that always calmed my nerves, the way he looked at me as if I mattered¡ªno matter what. He knew me. He understood me. I wasn¡¯t going to lose him now, not after everything. I couldn''t.

    Tears blurred my vision, but I wiped them away quickly, the sting on my swollen face a reminder of the horror I was trapped in. But that didn¡¯t matter. What mattered was that I wasn¡¯t alone. I wasn¡¯t forgotten.

    The darkness crept closer, and my body trembled, exhaustion overwhelming me. I fought to stay awake, to keep the light of hope burning in the pit of my stomach. But soon, the pull of sleep took over, dragging me under like a tide.

    I whispered his name into the stillness, knowing that even if I couldn¡¯t see him, Saxon would come for me. He will find me.

    ____________________________________________________________________________

    I woke to the soft, light touch of fingertips grazing across my skin¡ªso gentle, it almost felt like a dream. For a brief, fleeting moment, I allowed myself to smile, thinking I was somewhere safe, somewhere I could escape. But the moment my hands moved, reaching out instinctively to capture those stray touches, reality crashed back in. The rough tug of the ropes around my wrists yanked me from my dreamlike haze. My gaze shot upward, and I saw the tight knots securing me above my head. No. Not again.

    My body tensed, my pulse quickening as I twisted my arms, trying to free myself. But I knew it was useless. Kai was ex-forces. He knew knots like the back of his hand. These were the same kind he had used to restrain me before. I wasn¡¯t getting out of them without help¡ªand help was nowhere to be found.

    His voice, low and ominous, broke the silence. ¡°It¡¯s better if you don¡¯t try to break free. You¡¯ll be treated so much nicer when you just comply with my every demand.¡±

    The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end, a chill spreading through my body at the cold finality in his words. I strained my neck, looking over at him. He was lying beside me, his body casually sprawled across the bed like he owned it¡ªlike he owned me. His fingers were tracing idle patterns on my bare side, cold and unfeeling, as if I were nothing more than a piece of property to him.

    I closed my eyes, a wave of nausea and dread washing over me. I know what he wants. I always know.

    The memories of what came next slammed into me, uninvited and sharp. The roughness, the violence of it all. Every time he tied me up like this, I knew the routine. The more I resisted, the worse it would get. The longer I fought, the more pain he would inflict. I could already feel the fear creeping into my bones, the helplessness curling around my heart. There was no escape. Not this time. Not ever.

    I could feel the oppressive weight of his eyes on me, watching, waiting. There was no bargaining with him. No reasoning.

    "Please," I whispered, though I knew it wouldn¡¯t matter. The word felt weak in my mouth, powerless. It was always weak. And it would always fall on deaf ears.

    Kai smirked, his fingers moving with a possessive slowness up my side, leaving a trail of cold fire in their wake. "You¡¯ve always belonged to me. You just need to accept that."

    And so, I did. The words hung in the air like a suffocating fog. There was no escape from this nightmare. Not now. Not when he had me exactly where he wanted me.

    He would use everything as leverage¡ªa twisted kind of bargaining chip. If I was just nicer to him, if I did what he demanded, then the moments of intimacy would be gentler, softer, maybe even bearable. He promised that the sex would be better, as if that would make up for everything else. But even when I complied, even when I tried to make it easier for him, nothing changed. The cycle would repeat. His sweetness was fleeting, his cruelty all-consuming.

    Yet, somehow, I kept believing him. I kept believing the lies he whispered in the dead of night, after he¡¯d hurt me, after I¡¯d begged him to stop. In those moments, he¡¯d pull me close, like I was the most precious thing in his world. The tenderness would sweep over me like a wave, drowning out the cold, calculating side of him, and for a moment, I would let myself hope. Hope that he could be different. That I could be different. That we could be happy. But that hope was short-lived. The illusion shattered within hours, leaving me alone in the aftermath, wondering how I¡¯d fallen for it again.

    I tried to make sense of the words he¡¯d said about me running away. ¡°You always belong to me. You¡¯ve run before, and I¡¯ll always bring you back.¡± What did he mean by that? How many times had I actually managed to escape him?

    I was afraid to ask. The answer might be worse than I could imagine. The truth might break me in a way I couldn¡¯t fix.

    In the back of my mind, a nagging question lingered¡ªHad I ever really been free from him? It was hard to tell. Maybe every time I left, my brain somehow buried those memories deep down, protecting me from the reality of just how far gone I was. How I had always been caught in his web, always trapped, even when I thought I had broken free.

    Six years. Six years of my life, lost. It felt like a lifetime, but how much of it had been real? How much of it had been me, and how much had been him, pulling the strings?

    I looked down at his disgusting smile and wondered why the hell I even fell in love with him in the first place. I felt his hands run up my naked thigh and I tried not to whimper in disgust. Then he forced his lips onto mine and I screwed my face up in disgust. I needed to get out, I needed to get back to Crystal and Saxon. I needed to breathe fresh air again. So without thinking about the consequences, I bit down onto Kai¡¯s bottom lip, hard enough to draw blood.

    ¡°You bitch¡±. He slapped me hard enough for the recent cut on my lip to reopen. But as soon as I saw the blood running down his lips, the pain was forgotten and I triumphantly smiled.

    ¡°You¡¯ll pay for that. You will never leave this place. You try to escape and I will slit your throat this time¡±. He slapped me across the face again but it didn¡¯t wipe the silly smile across my face. He stormed out like a child, slamming the door again. This time, I wasn¡¯t going to go down without a fight. If he was willing to kill me, I will make sure I will take him down with me.

    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Saxon¡¯s POV

    The party was finally starting to come together, but something gnawed at the back of my mind, refusing to let go. The lights were set up, the food arranged on the table, the music playing softly in the background¡ªit should have been a time of celebration. But as I checked my phone, a sinking feeling in my stomach only deepened. Lisa had texted earlier, saying she¡¯d be home soon.

    But now, hours had passed. The house was almost ready, the guests had started to trickle in, and yet she was still nowhere to be found. I could sense the tension mounting in my chest. Lisa had been under so much pressure since she returned to work, struggling to get her footing in a new environment, facing rejection after rejection. It had taken a toll on her, and I hated seeing her like this, but I also couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something wasn¡¯t right.

    Crystal¡¯s laughter echoed from the hallway as she bounced into the living room. Her energy was contagious, and I couldn¡¯t help but smile as she practically skipped across the room. Her mood had lifted since being transferred to the school near our house; she was making new friends, adjusting well to the change. It made my heart swell to see her happy again.

    ¡°Afternoon, Dad! Have you seen Mum?¡±

    I forced a smile as I tucked my phone into my pocket. ¡°She said she would be home soon, but I don¡¯t know if she¡¯s back yet.¡±

    Crystal¡¯s face lit up with that innocent excitement that only a child could have, but I noticed the quick flicker of concern in her eyes, too. She knew how much this dinner meant to us.

    ¡°Okay. I¡¯m going to finish off my schoolwork before I get ready,¡± she said, turning back toward the staircase.

    ¡°Alright,¡± I replied absently, though my thoughts were already elsewhere.

    I glanced back at my phone, frowning at the message Lisa had sent earlier. She¡¯d said she¡¯d be home around noon. Now, it was nearly five in the afternoon. I dialed her number again, my finger shaking slightly as it hit the screen. Voicemail. Not again, I thought, frustration beginning to bubble. I tried again, and then once more, but the same result: nothing.

    Panic was setting in, quick and brutal. The party needed to go off without a hitch, but this¡­ Where the hell was she?

    Guests had begun arriving, and though I knew I had to put on a brave face, my mind was racing. I tried to push the worry aside as I greeted the first few, plastering a smile on my face even as my heart hammered in my chest. The food looked amazing, the atmosphere should have felt festive, but the weight of uncertainty was dragging me under.

    ¡°Hey man, this looks great. Where¡¯s Lisa? I thought she would be here early to take credit for everything.¡±

    I turned to see my brother walk into the room, his voice lighthearted, but I could hear the edge of concern underneath it.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know where she is,¡± I said, my voice quieter than I intended. ¡°She should have been here hours ago.¡±

    My friend raised an eyebrow. ¡°Just give her a ring. I¡¯m pretty sure she¡¯s probably stuck at her desk, like she always is.¡±

    I nodded, but something didn¡¯t sit right. Her phone is off¡­ why won¡¯t she pick up? It wasn¡¯t like her to just disappear without letting me know.

    ¡°I¡¯ve tried¡­ her phone¡¯s off,¡± I said, my words barely more than a whisper, frustration rising in my chest.

    ¡°Hey, is everything alright?¡± he asked, his tone shifting from casual to concerned.

    I shook my head, forcing a strained smile. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I¡¯m starting to worry.¡±

    I looked at the front door as more guests arrived, their laughter and chatter only intensifying the emptiness I felt inside. Where was Lisa? And why hadn¡¯t she answered? Something wasn¡¯t right¡ªI knew it.

    But no matter how much I tried to push the feeling aside, I couldn¡¯t shake the dread that was creeping in.

 Dreams

    Chapter 14

    Dreams

    I couldn¡¯t tell if I had truly woken or if I was still adrift in a dream. The world around me pulsed with an ethereal light, soft and golden, like a place untouched by time. The trees whispered songs of ancient magic, their leaves shimmering with colors that didn¡¯t belong to any earthly spectrum. The grass beneath my feet was impossibly soft, almost as though it were alive, welcoming me with every step I took. The wind, light and fragrant, carried a sweetness that felt like the very essence of peace, as if it had never known the harsh sting of pollution or the weariness of the world.

    The air itself seemed to hum with possibilities, like the fabric of reality here was woven from dreams, and nothing¡ªnothing¡ªcould touch me. I could breathe freely, feel untethered, as though I were part of the very magic that flowed through this place. No shadows, no fears, no regrets could follow me here. I was weightless, free, suspended in a world that was mine to explore¡ªuntouched, pure, and perfect in its dreamlike serenity.

    I took a deep breath, allowing the cold, fresh air to fill my lungs, and in that moment, I felt¡­ home. The world around me seemed to pulse with warmth, as though the earth itself was welcoming me back. My gaze shifted from the vibrant, lush forest before me to the towering castle that loomed just at the edge of my vision. A strange feeling stirred within me¡ªan odd, heavy sensation of doom, of death and destruction. Yet, I couldn¡¯t look away. It was as if the castle was calling to me, pulling me in with an undeniable force.

    Instinctively, my feet began to move toward it, but as I stepped forward, the dreamscape around me began to unravel. The lush beauty I had reveled in vanished like a fading memory, replaced by something far darker and more ominous. The grass beneath my feet had lost its softness; it was dry, brittle, and cracked, crunching beneath each step as though it hadn¡¯t felt the touch of rain in decades. The trees¡ªonce vibrant with shimmering hues and bathed in light¡ªnow stood like hollow husks, their branches reaching toward the sky in a desperate, barren grasp, stripped of both leaves and magic. It was as though the very life of this place had been sucked away, leaving only a haunting emptiness in its wake.

    The air grew cold, biting at my skin, and the wind howled with a harshness that seemed to carry a warning, as if it were telling me that I wasn¡¯t welcome here. My breath crystallized in the chill, and the very atmosphere felt hostile, as though the land itself rejected my presence.

    ¡°You should not be here.¡±

    The voice echoed in the wind, its tone sharp, yet there was an undercurrent of something softer¡ªa warning wrapped in a kind of reluctant care. I wanted to turn, to see the source of the voice, to meet it head-on, but my gaze remained fixed on the castle, that looming structure that pulled at me with an unexplainable force.

    ¡°Why have you come, Princess? There is nothing you can do here.¡±

    The words were heavy with a sorrow I couldn¡¯t place, but my mind remained locked in a single direction, unwilling to look away from the silhouette of the castle.

    ¡°And exactly where is here?¡± I asked, my voice strained, as if the question itself held more weight than I was ready to bear.

    The wind seemed to still for a moment before the voice answered, its tone thick with centuries of hidden truths.

    ¡°No matter how many times you come here, you still don¡¯t remember. This is your prison.¡±You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

    The words hung in the air like an oppressive fog, suffocating me, each syllable a weight pressing down on my chest. I closed my eyes, fighting the surge of panic rising within me, trying desperately to shake off the sensation that the voice was right. I wanted to deny it, to believe that this place wasn¡¯t the one I feared, the place that had haunted both my waking hours and my dreams. But even here, in the twisted calm of this dreamscape, I couldn¡¯t escape it. The castle... my prison. A place where I had been shackled for years, no matter how far I ran, no matter how deeply I hid within the sanctuary of my mind.

    With every ounce of willpower, I forced myself to step forward again, towards the castle. My feet felt heavy, as though the ground itself was reluctant to let me go. I could hear the voice take in a sharp breath behind me, its footsteps following me like a shadow, always just there. But I couldn¡¯t stop. I had to confront it, confront the place that had stolen my freedom.

    When I reached the castle¡¯s walls, I ran my fingertips along the cold, jagged bricks. The touch sent a shiver through me, not from the chill, but from the anger embedded deep within the stone, an anger that mirrored my own. I wanted to turn toward the voice, ask it why, demand answers, but something in the very fabric of my mind screamed at me not to.

    His magic. His land. His tricks.

    A bitter sigh escaped me as I pushed the heavy door open, bracing myself for what I¡¯d find inside. I expected emptiness, silence¡ªthe kind of hollow stillness that only a forgotten place could hold. But when I entered, I was met with something unexpected. Life.

    The instant the people inside sensed my presence, they stopped what they were doing. The room fell into a strange kind of stillness, the quiet hum of their work interrupted. Without a word, they dropped to one knee, bowing deeply in respect. And then, just as silently, they returned to their tasks, as though nothing had changed.

    I stood there, frozen for a moment, the full weight of their actions pressing down on me. There was no hiding the frown that twisted my face. This place¡ªthis kingdom¡ªwas mine, but it was also not mine.

    ¡°Your Majesty.¡±

    I turned at the sound of the voice, finding a small blonde boy, no older than ten, dressed in fine clothes. He bowed deeply, a look of reverence in his eyes.

    ¡°Welcome back, Your Majesty. The King is waiting for you in the main chamber.¡±

    ¡°The King?¡± My voice felt foreign in this place, unsure and unsettled.

    The boy nodded eagerly and tugged at the gown I found myself wearing, pulling me forward. With a slight dip of my head, I adjusted the fabric of my gown, its weight unfamiliar, and followed him through the castle¡¯s grand halls. As we moved, my mind raced, sifting through memories of men who could possibly occupy the throne. None of them matched the figure I was about to meet.

    We arrived at the main chamber, the doors swinging open to reveal a throne room bathed in shadows. I bowed instinctively, my body moving before my mind could process it, and in doing so, I took the king by surprise. His eyes flashed with something unreadable, then he smiled, a smile that felt both welcoming and cold.

    With a subtle wave of his hand, the courtiers who had been watching us slowly filtered out, leaving the two of us alone in the heavy silence.

    ¡°I see you¡¯ve come to your senses and returned home,¡± he said, his voice smooth, almost too calm, as though he were simply stating a fact.

    I straightened, my heart pounding in my chest. ¡°This is not my home. And you are not my husband, Kai. You took me from everything I loved.¡±

    He stepped forward, the distance between us closing like a cage being slowly shut. ¡°I¡¯ve done it time and time again, haven¡¯t I? And yet, you always return, almost as though your mind is driving you here, pulling you back to where you belong.¡±

    I wanted to lash out, to fight him, to scream, but my throat constricted. The words wouldn¡¯t come. Something inside me¡ªa force I couldn¡¯t fight¡ªheld me back. It was as if my body refused to act on its own will, trapped in a cycle I couldn¡¯t escape.

    And then, in a flash, a sharp pain jolted through my chest, pulling me from the dream with such force that I gasped for breath. The soft sheets beneath me turned hard, the distant sound of Kai¡¯s voice fading into the background. I shot upright, my heart racing. The familiar walls of the bed I had been tied to loomed around me¡ªcold, suffocating, and real.

    The dream, like all the others, slipped away into the darkness, leaving only the remnants of its torment behind.

 Oh No!

    Chapter 15

    Oh No!

    Kai¡¯s face haunted my dreams, his sneer twisting in the dark corners of my mind every time I closed my eyes. The castle loomed in the background of my nightmares¡ªits cold stone walls both a prison and a sanctuary. Sometimes Kai was there, his presence suffocating and vile. Other times, I wandered the endless halls alone, each step echoing like a warning. My face and lips ached from the earlier blows, but I knew this was only the beginning. His cruelty was methodical, and the pain was only a small price to pay.

    The worst part? I knew Kai wouldn¡¯t hesitate to end my life if I ever found the courage to escape. He thrived on my suffering. It was the only thing that gave him power.

    When I finally woke, the sun had long disappeared, and the world outside had fallen into shadow. A chilling breeze filtered through the cracked window, making my skin crawl as it swept across my half-naked body. The thin sheet covering me did little to ward off the cold, and the familiar disgust twisted in my stomach at the thought of Kai undressing me while I was unconscious¡ªdressing and undressing me like some helpless doll. I swallowed hard, trying to push the thought away.

    My wrists burned where the ropes had once been. The flesh was raw, now marked with angry rings of red that seemed to throb in rhythm with my pulse. Tentatively, I raised my hands, but as soon as my fingers brushed against the sensitive skin, a sharp sting of pain sent waves of discomfort through my arms. I clenched my teeth, refusing to let out a sound.

    I had to get out of here. But where could I go?

    Wrapping the sheet tightly around my trembling body, I crawled to the barred window. This was just one of the many houses Kai owned. We used this one when Kai had no choice but to drag me along on one of his business trips. At first, he hadn¡¯t trusted me. When we first got married, I spent more time locked in this house than I care to remember. The violence back then was nothing compared to what I faced now, but the isolation¡­ that was the hardest part.

    I tiptoed to the door, my heart pounding as I tested the handle. To my surprise, it wasn¡¯t locked. My breath caught in my throat as I slowly inched it open, careful not to make a sound. I crept downstairs, my bare feet brushing against the cool floorboards. But as I moved, the reality of my situation hit me. Guards were scattered throughout the house¡ªone at every window, one by every door. Their presence felt suffocating, as though they were watching my every move, even when their eyes were elsewhere. There was no way I could slip past them without being caught.

    A sense of helplessness gnawed at me. Maybe I shouldn¡¯t have come back here at all. Maybe I should¡¯ve run farther, left everything behind¡ªmoved overseas, to a place where Kai had no power. But even then, I knew it wouldn¡¯t matter. No matter where I went, no matter how far I ran, he would follow me. Because to him, I wasn¡¯t a person. I was a possession, a thing he could control, and he would stop at nothing to keep me in his grasp.

    But still, something didn¡¯t sit right with me. Why had it taken him six years to find me? I had worked so hard to disappear. For a while, I thought I had actually escaped him, but now it was clear that I had been foolish to think I could ever truly be free. Kai had been keeping an eye on me all along. Everything I¡¯d built, everything I¡¯d fought for¡ªit could all be torn down in a matter of days if Kai got his hands on it.

    I had to keep reminding myself: think positive. I couldn¡¯t let him win. Saxon would come for me. He would. I had to believe that. Saxon would never stop searching until he found me, and when he did, everything would change.

    He knew I would never leave him or Crystal¡ªnot when I had finally started to find my happy ending. Saxon would come for me, I told myself, over and over again. If I just kept repeating that, I could endure whatever punishment Kai had in store.

    Then, a voice broke the silence.

    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be down here.¡±

    I jumped, my heart leaping into my throat as I instinctively clutched the sheet tighter around my body. My eyes locked on the towering figure behind me¡ªone of Kai¡¯s bodyguards. His bulk seemed to fill the narrow space, and a wave of terror washed over me. The thought of the punishment I¡¯d face for daring to leave my room made my breath catch.

    I shrank back, every muscle tense, expecting him to grab me and drag me back up the stairs.

    ¡°The door was unlocked,¡± I whispered, my voice trembling with the sudden rush of fear.

    The bodyguard tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable. ¡°Oh, well then. I¡¯ll make sure Mr. Portsmith doesn¡¯t know about this little trip of yours,¡± he said, his tone cold but not unkind.

    I swallowed hard, my pulse pounding in my ears. ¡°Why help me?¡± I asked, unable to keep the desperation from creeping into my voice.

    His eyes softened for just a moment, a flicker of something I couldn¡¯t quite place. ¡°You don¡¯t remember me, do you?¡±

    I furrowed my brow, trying to recall if I had seen him before, but nothing came to mind. ¡°Should I?¡±

    He sighed, his lips curling into something that could almost be mistaken for a smile. ¡°I guess what they say about you is true, then. Don¡¯t worry, miss. I¡¯ll make sure he won¡¯t slit your throat if you do manage to escape.¡±

    My stomach twisted with dread. ¡°Do you know what he wants with me?¡±

    The bodyguard¡¯s gaze darkened, his grip on my shoulder tightening just enough to make me flinch. ¡°He wants you to submit. And you do, every time. It makes your life a lot easier, you know. Before you manage to escape, that is.¡±

    Before I could ask him what he meant, the bodyguard¡¯s large hands landed on my shoulders, gripping them with an iron-like force. He pushed me gently but firmly back up the stairs, his touch like a cold reminder of my place in this house. His departure was almost casual¡ªhe left with a small, knowing smile and locked the door behind him.

    I paused, staring at the door. The unlocked handle felt wrong. Kai never left things unlocked when I was around. Not a single door, not a single window, unless he wanted me to try and escape. He was sick¡ªhe enjoyed my attempts, relishing the punishment that would follow. He was a sadist, through and through.

    At least, for now, I was safe. I hoped that my little adventure downstairs wouldn¡¯t be reported. Well, I hope it won¡¯t be, I corrected myself. Hope... that¡¯s all I had left. But was that even enough?

    Would this always be my life? Always hoping I wouldn¡¯t run into Kai? Always hoping he would never find me again? I thought I¡¯d put all of this behind me. I had dreamed of a future, a chance to finally escape¡ªto start fresh with Saxon and Crystal. I was ready to be the mother Crystal needed, to love her the way she deserved. I missed her so much that it physically hurt.

    The hours passed slowly as I stared at the door, imagining the worst. My mind wandered, each thought of a new version of my nightmare. Eventually, the waiting grew too much, and I drifted back into sleep¡ªexhausted, broken, still hoping.

    When I woke up a few hours later, my heart skipped in my chest. Kai was sitting on the edge of the bed, his dark eyes gleaming as he smiled down at me.

    ¡°Ah, she finally awakens. It¡¯s time to fun some fun¡±

    Kai flicked the sheet off me and started to run his up my naked thigh. I tried not to spit in disgust as his hand moved closer and closer to my inner thigh. I shivered when his other hand closed around my breast. Kai laughed, as he moved his hand from my breast to my neck, squeezing slightly. I gasped for air, which made him laugh even more. Kai straddled me, keeping his hand tightly around my neck. This is how I die for sure. Fight it, Lisa, fight him. I was starting to lose air, making my face turn a noticeable purple. Kai seemed to notice, loosening his grip on my neck. I breathed in a deep breath and without warning Kai slapped me again. I could feel the tears run down my cheek, as he pushed his lips against mine. I tried to keep my mouth shut, as Kai pushed his tongue against my lips.

    Almost like a god heard my silent cries for help, Kai¡¯s phone rang and he pushed himself off me. Sighing I watched him leave the room,  leaving the door wide open. Now was my chance. I had to risk the off chance that Kai would actually slit my throat and I made a dash for the bedroom door. The hallway was empty as I crept along, heading for the stairs. When I silently reached the bottom, the guard from before narrowed his eyes at me. I made a dash for the door but my efforts were effortless, as I was yanked back. I screamed out as I hit the floor.

    ¡°You were warned about escaping Miss Paul¡±

    The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    He tossed me over his shoulder with effortless ease, his grip like iron, unyielding and relentless as he began to ascend the stairs. My body felt weightless in his arms, but the sharp, heavy pulse of panic echoed through me with every step he took. The cold, sterile air of the hallway seemed to grow thicker, suffocating, as the reality of what was happening sank in. A sick, bitter feeling coiled in my stomach, twisting tighter with every inch we moved.

    I had known this would happen. Deep down, I had always known. I should have known better than to think I could escape, that one desperate, half-hearted attempt would be enough to break free. It wasn¡¯t a game anymore. It never had been. I could feel the finality of it in the way he moved, the cold determination in his grip. My failed escape had sealed my fate.

    The stairs creaked beneath us, and my pulse quickened in rhythm with the sound, each step a reminder of how little control I had left. The world outside, the one I thought I might still belong to, felt like it was slipping further and further away with every upward motion. And with each step, a crushing realization settled over me¡ªthere was no going back now.

    The first attempt had been so innocent¡ªso naive. I¡¯d truly believed there was hope, that maybe, just maybe, I could find a way out. I thought I had a chance. But now? Now, I had risked everything for nothing. My throat burned with the bitter taste of defeat, and I realized with a cold, hollow clarity that my very life was forfeit. Kai would know¡ªhe always knew. The bodyguard would make sure of that.

    I didn¡¯t resist when he lowered me back onto the bed, my limbs heavy and unresponsive, as if the weight of this moment had sucked the very life out of me. My body, drained of both energy and will, felt like a foreign thing. It was as though I had no fight left to give, no strength to stand up again. What was the point? The truth was undeniable now, inescapable. Every small hope I had once clung to¡ªevery fleeting moment of defiance, every tiny spark of resistance¡ªhad been crushed beneath the cold, suffocating weight of this new reality.

    I lay there, motionless, staring at the ceiling with unseeing eyes, the room around me spinning in a blur. The soft rustle of the sheets against my skin was the only sound, a cruel reminder of my captivity. It felt as though the walls were closing in, the air growing thick and suffocating. I was trapped, and the worst part was that I knew it.

    I closed my eyes, pretending for a moment that I was anywhere but here, but the air felt thick with the weight of what was to come. There was no escape anymore. No way out. For a moment, I felt the cool, damp air of the castle brush against my skin, faint and fleeting, like a whisper of freedom just out of reach. But I didn¡¯t dare open my eyes. To do so would be to face the truth I wasn¡¯t ready to confront. The bodyguard¡¯s presence loomed over me, a shadow that seemed to fill the entire room. I could feel him standing there, motionless, his eyes no doubt fixed on me, weighing every breath I took, every shift of my body. The silence between us was suffocating, a heavy, oppressive thing that seemed to press in from all sides.

    Even without seeing him, I knew he was there, a constant reminder that I was no longer in control, that I never truly had been. His presence was a cruel, silent sentinel, guarding me not just with his body, but with the unspoken promise of what would happen if I dared to resist again. When I finally opened my eyes, he gave me a small smile, not a nice smile, almost like the smile was a threat.

    ¡°Just submit Lisa. You¡¯ll be safer if you just submit¡±

    I didn¡¯t acknowledge him as he left, my eyes fixed on the floor, too drained to even process his words. When the door clicked shut behind him, I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that this would be my life from now on. This is it. The end of any hope I had left.

    I had let it slip through my fingers¡ªmy one chance at freedom. Why didn¡¯t I confront Saxon and Kira when I had the chance? Why didn¡¯t I take Crystal and run, before it all got this far? The weight of those lost moments pressed down on me, suffocating. I had thought there would be more time, more chances. But I¡¯d wasted it all.

    The sound of the door creaking open again jolted me back to the present. I didn¡¯t need to look up to know he was there. The smugness in his step, the arrogance in his every movement¡ªit was all too familiar. He was waiting for this. Waiting for the moment when he could remind me how powerless I was, how easily he could crush whatever was left of my dignity.

    I refused to look at him, my eyes staying fixed on the floor, my hands trembling at my sides. The sharp sting of tears at the back of my eyes only made it worse. I wasn¡¯t allowed to feel¡ªhe wouldn¡¯t let me. I slid off the bed, the cold floor against my knees, my posture bent in defeat.

    ¡°I heard you tried to escape. Begging for your pathetic life won¡¯t help you now, slut¡±

    ¡°I submit master¡±

    For the first time, I managed to make him speechless. He placed a hand under my chin, making me look at him. He was smirking at me. He raised his other hand, slapping me across the face. My body moved a little, but I let out no noise. Making him angrier won¡¯t help me. If this is how I was going to live then I should at least try to make it less painful.

    ¡°This is a first. I have been trying to make you submit to me for ten years. I guess I should be a good master and leave you alone for now. I will be going away for a week and you will not leave this room. Robert will bring you food, once in the morning and once at night. If I hear of any escape attempts, you being on your knees won¡¯t save you¡±

    He slapped me again, reopening the cut on my lip. I made noise as I watched him walk out of the room. The door slammed behind him and I heard the sound of a key locking the door, placing me back in my prison cell. I sucked on my lip and wiped the running tears off my face. The next few days passed with routine. The door would unlock and Robert would place a tray of breakfast on my bed, an hour later he returned to collect the still full tray. The same thing happened for dinner. I didn¡¯t eat for four days but it wasn¡¯t anything new for my body. The day before Kai returned, Robert came in with my tray of breakfast but didn¡¯t move from the side of the bed. When I finally looked at him, his eyes were filled with sorrow. He probably hates seeing me like this but no one would dare threaten Kai.

    Silently, he handed me the burner phone, his eyes searching mine for some sign of compliance. But I didn¡¯t take it from him immediately. I knew better than to trust anything he offered. This was a trap. This has to be a trap. The sharp twist in my gut warned me not to anger Kai any more than I already had. As much as I hated this, I couldn¡¯t afford to push him any further. My life had been reduced to a cruel game, and I wasn¡¯t ready to die¡ªnot yet.

    ¡°Lisa, please take it,¡± he insisted, his tone softer now, but laced with an almost imperceptible edge. ¡°Call for help, without calling for help. I¡¯ll be outside.¡±

    I stared at the burner phone beside me, the weight of the decision pressing down on me. With a slow breath, I reached out and gingerly picked it up. This could be the one chance I had. One small thread of hope. But it could also be the very thing that would seal my fate. I hesitated, fingers trembling against the plastic as I typed in the only number that seemed to matter at that moment.

    My heart pounded in my chest as the call connected. My breath caught in my throat. The phone rang only twice before a voice came through, a familiar, reassuring sound in the chaos.

    ¡°Hello? Who¡¯s this?¡±

    "Sax," I croaked, my voice raw, barely audible.

    ¡°Lisa, is that you?¡± His voice sounded distant, but it was unmistakably him. Saxon.

    I could feel the tears stinging at the back of my eyes, but I couldn¡¯t break down now. Not now. Not when I needed him so desperately. "Sax, you have to help me," I whispered, the words barely escaping my lips.

    ¡°What happened to you? You just vanished¡ª¡± His voice faltered for a moment, a mixture of shock and concern cutting through the static.

    "Kai took me. I don''t know where we are. Please, Sax, you have to help me." My voice cracked on the last word, fear and desperation clawing at me.

    The silence on the other end of the line stretched, then a string of curses erupted from Saxon¡¯s mouth. "Shit. Hold on, Lisa. I''m gonna try and trace this call."

    I shook my head, the reality of it all setting in. "You can¡¯t. I¡¯m on a burner. I think we¡¯re in one of his houses west of Byveiw. Please, Sax," I urged, my heart racing, every word laced with the fear of time slipping away. "I can¡¯t... I can''t do this anymore."

    I ended the call when I saw Robert before me again. He took the tray and the phone and left quietly. Hopefully Saxon was smart enough to figure out which one of the many houses Kai bought, that I was stuck in. Moments after Robert left, Kai returned, a smirk on his face. Did he find out about the call? Did Robert make things worse? I knew I shouldn¡¯t have trusted him with that phone call.

    ¡°We are leaving tomorrow night. I would say pack but you don¡¯t own anything here. Robert will give you a bag full of clothes and make up. You need to make yourself look presentable. Just like you used to¡±

    He smirked at me again, that cold, infuriating smirk, before leaving in such a rush I barely had time to process it. What was going on? Why were we being moved to another location? Was it further away? More remote, more isolated? The questions spiraled in my mind, each one more urgent than the last. I had just given a word to Sax¡ªhow was I supposed to tell him where we were going now? How would anyone find me if they didn¡¯t know where to look?

    I crept cautiously to the door, my heart hammering in my chest. To my surprise, it was unlocked. A flicker of hope surged within me, but I quickly squashed it. There was no room for hope now¡ªjust survival. I opened the door just a crack, peering through the gap. Robert was standing guard, but his attention was elsewhere for the moment. I poked my head through the tiny opening and caught his eye. He gave me a curious look, but I simply nodded tightly, keeping my movements as subtle as possible.

    ¡°Do you know where we¡¯re going?¡± I asked, keeping my voice low and steady, despite the rush of adrenaline in my veins.

    He raised an eyebrow, clearly weighing his response. ¡°Should I tell you this information?¡± His tone was guarded, a little wary.

    ¡°I called for help,¡± I said, my words coming faster now. ¡°But it¡¯s no use if they don¡¯t know where I am.¡±

    There was a long, silent pause. Robert stood there, his gaze flicking between the hallway and me, clearly thinking it over. Finally, he moved closer, casting one last glance around to make sure no one would overhear us. His voice dropped to a near whisper, a rare crack in his usual stoic demeanor.

    ¡°We¡¯re going to South Beach.¡±

    ¡°Thank you,¡± I murmured, barely able to keep the relief from my voice.

    He nodded curtly, his expression unreadable, then returned to his original position without another word. I quietly closed the door, ensuring no sound betrayed my movements. I couldn¡¯t afford to give away my position¡ªnot yet.

    The room felt colder now, the walls closing in a little more as I scanned it for anything useful. My eyes landed on a small scrap of paper and a pen that was barely working, but I made it work. My hand trembled as I scribbled down the new location, my mind racing to figure out how to keep this information hidden. My memories were fragmented, slipping through my fingers like water, and all I had left were the disjointed images and feelings that belonged to someone else.

    Without thinking, I shoved the paper under the bed. It wasn¡¯t much, but it was all I had. Now, all that remained was staying alive¡ªlong enough for someone to find me, long enough to make it out of this place before it was too late.

 Saxon

    Chapter 16

    Saxon

    The house was quiet now, but the silence wasn¡¯t peaceful. The party had been a disaster, postponed under the guise of Lisa being stuck at work. The truth was far darker. The boys hung around, lingering in the shadows, but Kira¡ªunexpectedly¡ªstayed. Despite everything, despite the years of animosity, he stayed. He hadn¡¯t gone yet, and I couldn¡¯t decide if that was a good thing or not.

    Crystal was beside herself, her worry a constant cloud in the room. No matter how many times we told her that Lisa was working late, she wouldn¡¯t believe it. She kept asking questions, her eyes wide with frantic disbelief, until the air between us felt thick and suffocating.

    ¡°Have you rung her coworkers yet?¡± Crystal¡¯s voice trembled, a crack in her usually unshakeable demeanor.

    I let out a long, frustrated sigh. ¡°Yeah, I did. They said she was in a foul mood, that¡¯s why she left early. Fuck.¡±

    ¡°Maybe she¡¯s just taking a breather?¡± Crystal suggested, her tone hopeful, but I could tell she was already losing faith in that explanation.

    ¡°No,¡± I said, my voice sharp. ¡°You don¡¯t understand. Tonight... this night was supposed to be special for the three of us.¡±

    Crystal¡¯s eyes flickered with uncertainty, but she tried again. ¡°I mean, you guys got engaged. Of course it¡¯s special.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s more than that,¡± I muttered, looking away, trying to keep my voice steady. ¡°She¡¯s pregnant.¡±

    The words hung in the air like an incantation, heavy and unrelenting. The room fell silent, the weight of the revelation pressing down on us. I could almost feel the magic of the situation, the invisible strings pulling us into something larger than ourselves. The pregnancy was a bond, an anchor between us that Kai didn¡¯t care about¡ªhe¡¯d treat her like nothing more than a pawn, just like he always had.

    ¡°Well... fuck,¡± Kira muttered under his breath from the corner of the room. The bluntness of his words didn¡¯t surprise me. What did surprise me was the weight behind them¡ªthe understanding, the empathy in his eyes. This wasn¡¯t just about us anymore.

    I shot Kira a hard look, not needing his input right now. But then he spoke again, his tone low, almost like a vow.

    ¡°Leave it to me. I¡¯ll find her.¡±

    I blinked, stunned. Kira? After everything? After all the damage between him and Lisa, he was willing to help me? The disbelief washed over me, mixing with the sharp edge of desperation that had already settled into my chest.

    ¡°What?¡± I asked, my voice betraying my surprise. ¡°Why would you do that?¡±

    Kira looked at me squarely, his gaze steady. ¡°I¡¯ve made amends with Lisa,¡± he said, and for the first time in a long time, his words didn¡¯t feel like a lie. ¡°We don¡¯t talk because you¡¯ve never wanted me to. But I know people¡ªpeople who can help. All you have to do is hold the fort here for a couple of days. I¡¯ll handle the rest.¡±

    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

    I stared at him for a long moment, weighing his words. This was a man I never thought would offer to help me, much less go after Lisa, but something in his tone, something in his eyes made me realize he meant it.

    ¡°Fine,¡± I said, pulling Crystal away to her room, needing a moment to collect my thoughts. ¡°But don¡¯t screw this up.¡±

    Kira just nodded, his expression unreadable as he turned away.

    <hr>

    Two Days Later

    <hr>

    The next couple of days were like wading through molasses. Time dragged on, every hour feeling longer than the last. Lisa¡¯s phone remained off, or maybe it had been permanently disabled. I kept up the lie¡ªtelling everyone she was caught up in a massive case, that she had taken a personal day¡ªbut deep down, I knew the truth. She was out there, somewhere, and Kai had her. Every minute felt like we were losing her more and more.

    But Kira? He was working, quietly and methodically, pulling every string he had to trace her. He¡¯d been distant, secretive, but there was something different about the way he moved now¡ªlike a man on a mission. Every night, he¡¯d come back to the house with new information, slipping it under the radar, feeding me tiny scraps of knowledge.

    ¡°We¡¯ve traced her movements,¡± he told me late one night, his voice low, almost hesitant. ¡°She¡¯s been moved twice. But it looks like she¡¯s still in one of his properties, west of Byveiw.¡±

    I nodded, absorbing the information as quickly as I could. ¡°How do we get to her?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve got contacts,¡± Kira said, his eyes scanning the room, almost as though he was afraid someone might be listening. ¡°I¡¯ll need a couple more days. This isn¡¯t something I can do alone.¡±

    I didn¡¯t have the luxury of time, but I nodded. He was doing what I couldn¡¯t¡ªusing every resource he had, even if it meant tapping into the same network that had once betrayed Lisa.

    <hr>

    It was the night after Kira had gotten the last lead, and my patience was wearing thin. The house felt too quiet, too empty. I knew what was coming, but I didn¡¯t want to face it.

    Then, just after eight, my phone rang. The screen lit up with an unknown number, and my pulse leaped in my chest. I almost didn¡¯t answer, almost let it go to voicemail. But something inside me urged me to pick up.

    ¡°Hello?¡± I said, my voice trembling.

    The voice on the other end was weak, cracking under strain. It barely reached me, but I knew instantly who it was.

    ¡°Sax... it¡¯s Lisa,¡± she whispered.

    I almost couldn¡¯t breathe, my heart slamming in my chest. ¡°Lisa? Is that really you?¡±

    ¡°Yes...¡± Her voice was so small, so fragile, it made me want to break something. ¡°Please, Sax... you have to help me.¡±

    I clenched my fist around the phone, desperate to stay calm. ¡°What happened? Where are you? Why did you vanish?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± she whispered, her breath short and jagged. ¡°Kai took me. I don¡¯t know where I am... please... Sax... I can¡¯t do this anymore.¡±

    I felt the walls close in, the magic stirring within me, an ancient force I could never escape. This was it. This was the moment.

    The call cut off abruptly, and I stared at the screen, my mind reeling. My hands shook with rage and fear, and in a split second, I threw my phone across the room. The sound of it smashing against the wall did nothing to quell the storm inside me.

    Poppy rushed in, her face pale when she saw the fury on mine. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    ¡°That was Lisa,¡± I growled, my voice low and dangerous. ¡°Ring the guys. We¡¯re going for a drive.¡±

    Poppy¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°But... he¡¯s going to have it heavily guarded.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t care,¡± I snapped, my blood boiling. ¡°All those years of training with her? They¡¯re finally going to be put to use. Ring them now. We¡¯re going to bring her home.¡±

 The Attempted Rescue

    Chapter 17

    The Attempted Rescue

    Saxon¡¯s POV

    Rubbing my eyes, I focused on the street names, trying to steady my nerves. Once I¡¯d told Kira the location, he found one of the many houses Kai owns. But as we got closer, my gut twisted. I knew she wouldn¡¯t be there anymore. Kai wouldn¡¯t let her go again, not after all these years.

    From the gaps in her memories, it was clear she didn¡¯t remember the times Kai had pulled her from her life. We hadn¡¯t spoken in years, but I¡¯d always kept an eye on her. I knew she¡¯d come to us when she was ready. What I didn¡¯t expect was that it would take her ten years to come to her senses.

    But I wasn¡¯t angry at her. Not anymore. There were times I¡¯d been furious¡ªangry when she ran back to Kira despite me being the father of her child, angry when she always seemed to choose someone else over me. But that¡¯s all in the past now. What mattered was that I had a chance to be part of her life again, and I wasn¡¯t going to let Kai keep her from me again.

    Kira nodded toward the dark house ahead. I woke the boys in the backseat, my gut confirming what I already knew. Kira pulled into the driveway, and we all got out.

    ¡°Maybe you got your information wrong,¡± Kira said.

    ¡°No. She was here. Let¡¯s split up and search the house. I know she¡¯d leave something behind for us.¡±

    ¡°And if there¡¯s nothing?¡±

    ¡°Then we go home and search again. I won¡¯t let that bastard keep her from me.¡±

    The boys nodded, and we split up to search the wreckage of the house. It was trashed, as if they¡¯d left in a hurry¡ªor maybe to make it look like they had. I could never figure out what went through Kai¡¯s mind.

    I went upstairs to the first bedroom I found. It was empty, except for a large bed and a few women¡¯s clothes scattered on the floor. I had to breathe deeply to stop myself from losing control. I couldn¡¯t imagine what she¡¯d gone through in this room.

    I started tearing the place apart. But I came up empty. Lisa¡¯s memory was a mess. She probably wouldn¡¯t even know where to hide something for me. It felt hopeless, but I couldn¡¯t give up.

    I finally collapsed on the bed, my head in my hands. Think, Saxon. Even if she did remember something, what could she possibly leave behind? But nothing came to mind. I needed to search somewhere else before my brain exploded.

    Then, like an instinct, I dropped to the floor and reached under the bed. My pulse quickened as my fingers brushed against a crumpled piece of paper. Yes.

    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

    I pulled it out and unfolded it. The words were barely legible. Fuck.

    I hurried downstairs and handed it to Eric.

    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡±

    ¡°Lisa left it under the bed.¡±

    ¡°Is it something she would do?¡±

    ¡°We haven¡¯t done that since we were kids. I can¡¯t read it.¡±

    Eric held it up to the light, squinting. ¡°South Beach. Do you know where they¡¯ll be?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s their old vacation home. They used to go there when they were married. But it¡¯s a nine-hour drive, and it¡¯ll be way more guarded than this place.¡±

    ¡°Wait.¡±

    I held up my hand to Eric, who took it softly, though I could feel the disgust in his expression. But as soon as our skin touched, the look faded.

    ¡°What is it?¡± he asked.

    ¡°She didn¡¯t need to remember how to hide a note under the bed. She remembered her¡­¡±

    I stopped, glancing over at the humans in the room. I wasn¡¯t sure this was something they should see, not without revealing too much.

    ¡°Poppy, use your connections and get Kai and Lisa to the hospital. Call her mom¡ªshe¡¯ll want to help where she can. Kira¡­¡±

    ¡°I know.¡±

    Without another word, Kira slipped from the room, following Poppy, who was already yelling into her phone.

    ¡°She shouldn¡¯t be able to do this. This house¡ªevery house Kai owns¡ªhas magic dampeners in place. How is this possible?¡± Eric''s voice was tight with disbelief.

    ¡°Let¡¯s see where she was trying to escape to.¡±

    I grabbed Eric¡¯s hand again, and as Lisa¡¯s magic opened to us, we stepped through the portal to the world she¡¯d visited. The sight of her father¡¯s castle hit me like a punch to the gut¡ªruin and despair hung in the air. The king had passed away only a few weeks after Lisa was summoned by the courts. We suspected he¡¯d been holding on, hoping to see his daughter return to his lands at least once before he died. Naturally, his passing had caused turmoil in the courts.

    Lisa, by birthright, was the heir to his throne. Not that there was much of a throne left.

    ¡°Why here?¡± Eric asked.

    ¡°No matter what, her magic always pulls her home. Even if it¡¯s almost gone,¡± I replied, my voice tight with unease.

    ¡°I spoke to her here.¡±

    We spun around, startled at the sound of her voice.

    ¡°How are you here?¡± I asked, confused.

    ¡°Did you honestly think His Majesty would only send one to look after his only daughter?¡±

    Kira smirked, kicking at the dried grass beneath our feet.

    ¡°What are you?¡± I asked, still trying to process what was happening.

    ¡°Well, in the Earthen lands, you elves liked to call us trolls.¡±

    ¡°Eh,¡± Eric and I both said, disgust clear on our faces.

    ¡°Yes, the slimy, short, vile creatures the humans planted in their storybooks. I am slimy, yes, but not in the obscene sense.¡±

    ¡°Why would the king trust someone like you? Especially after everything you did to her?¡± I asked, my voice laced with anger.

    ¡°The king knew what he was getting into when he made a deal with me. I keep an eye on his little girl, and in return, my head doesn¡¯t end up on the block. It was a simple trade. Of course, I never thought we¡¯d encounter a dark wizard, though.¡±

 The Real Rescue

    Chapter 18

    The Real Rescue

    Kai left me alone in the house as soon as we arrived. He¡¯d been acting strange the past few days, and the sudden move was suspicious, to say the least. All I could do was hope that Sax had found my poorly written note. We¡¯d driven all day, and while I¡¯d been allowed to sleep in the car, I couldn¡¯t. My mind was racing through endless scenarios, none of which ended well. I knew Kai would try something while I slept. Even when I did manage to close my eyes, my sleep was restless. Kai¡¯s face haunted me, appearing even in the darkness of my closed eyelids. It was always there, reminding me how badly I¡¯d messed up by submitting to him. Sometimes, I wondered if death would have been a better option.

    Robert fed me dinner, and I slept through the night. The next morning, Kai left me alone again. Robert said he had to go back to work¡ªto keep up appearances. It felt like nothing had changed. It was just like when we were married: I was confined to the house while Kai went out, making sure his reputation stayed intact.

    I leaned against the cool window, letting the morning sun warm the room. It was a welcome change. Normally, I¡¯d be in a room with no windows or maybe a single tiny one, so it felt nice to see something other than the poor choice of wallpaper. Of course, the window I was leaning on had bars on the outside, but it still felt like a small victory to see daylight.

    Robert came by with lunch, saying that Kai would be home for dinner and that I was expected to dress up and come downstairs. When Robert returned with dinner, I knew Kai was still stuck at work, but it didn¡¯t bother me the way it used to. In fact, I was glad to be left alone. But I knew it wouldn¡¯t last long. Kai would eventually come home¡ªperhaps after dealing with an angry client¡ªand take it out on me. It was the way things always were.

    I tried to imagine the castle again¡ªthe brown grass, the mossy walls¡ªthinking it would offer some comfort. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn¡¯t move from the house. It was as if something was keeping me here. Whatever it was that held me in place wasn¡¯t keeping anything else out, or anyone else.

    That night, I couldn¡¯t stop staring at the man standing before me. Gone were his jeans and leather jacket, replaced with tight, royal-like clothing. His hair was slicked back, and his grin had only widened. I knew he meant to frighten me, but I wasn¡¯t afraid of him.

    ¡°How did you get in here?¡± I asked, my voice steady, despite the unease creeping in.

    ¡°Kai is powerful, that¡¯s for sure,¡± he replied, his tone almost admiring. ¡°He guards his palace with magic, like he always has. But even an all-powerful magician has his limits. Why he thinks it¡¯s still protected when he leaves is beyond me.¡±

    ¡°Then why can¡¯t I leave?¡± I shot back, frustration mixing with the confusion in my chest.

    Kira¡ªor whatever name he was using now¡ªsmiled again, running a hand through his hair.

    ¡°Kai¡¯s magic is different when it comes to you. It¡¯s specifically designed to keep you here. He¡¯s gotten sloppy in his older years. I¡¯ve never been able to come here before.¡±

    I blinked, only to find Kira standing by the bedroom door, as if he had transported himself across the room in the blink of an eye.

    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

    ¡°Kira,¡± I started, instinctively calling him by the name I have always called him.

    He raised an eyebrow and shook his head, a mocking smile tugging at the corners of his lips. ¡°Don¡¯t call me by my human name. I¡¯d like to properly introduce myself.¡±

    In an instant, he was standing before me, bowing deeply. He took my hand in his, placing a small kiss on my knuckle. ¡°My name is Vakkan. It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty.¡±

    Vakkan. The name echoed in my mind. ¡°I know that name. You were with me at the castle.¡±

    His eyes gleamed with something almost... sadistic. ¡°Your power is amazing. I could feel it¡ªevery time you wanted to turn and look at me, every time you felt the pull of my voice, but you dared not. Why?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± I could sense that he wanted to leave, or perhaps needed to leave. But I was desperate. ¡°Can you get me out of here?¡±

    Vakkan¡¯s laughter filled the room, sharp and cold. The room seemed to spin as he spoke. ¡°No.¡±

    Before I could respond, the world around me began to blur, and I felt myself being pulled back into the darkness of sleep.

    ____________________________________________________________________________________

    The next morning, Kai brought me breakfast. He left with a smile and a kiss on my forehead, which nearly shocked me into silence. I couldn¡¯t quite bring myself to eat, fearing he¡¯d poisoned me. But I pushed the thought aside, forcing myself to scarf down the lunch Robert brought, the same message from before repeating itself.

    When Robert brought dinner, I was relieved to find that Kai was still stuck at the office. My body was slowly healing; the cut on my lip was finally closing, and the bruises on my arms had turned yellow. I¡¯d managed to hold down food for the past couple of days without getting sick, and for that, I was grateful.

    Then, in the middle of the night, the phone call came. Kai burst into my room, waking me from the sleep I had just managed to fall into. His frantic energy hit me like a wave¡ªsomething was wrong. But that didn¡¯t make sense. Kai had no family. No one he actually cared about.

    ¡°Get up. Get dressed. We have to leave,¡± he ordered, voice tight.

    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± I asked, still groggy, my mind struggling to catch up.

    ¡°It¡¯s Crystal. She¡¯s in the hospital.¡±

    I froze in place. My heart sank, but then I quickly turned back toward the bed. This had to be another one of his games. My daughter was fine. This was just another scheme to mess with my mind.

    ¡°This isn¡¯t funny, Kai,¡± I said, trying to keep my voice steady, though panic crept up in my chest.

    ¡°I¡¯m not playing any games, Lisa. Why would I joke about our daughter¡¯s life?¡± His eyes were wild, desperate.

    I stared at him, still processing what he was saying. ¡°Your daughter?¡±

    ¡°You can stop lying to me now. I got the paternity test back. I know Crystal¡¯s mine. Now let¡¯s go.¡±

    His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I blinked, my head spinning. How could that be? There was no way Crystal was his. I didn¡¯t even know him like that back then. What the hell was going on? Had his games really gotten this twisted now that I had submitted to him?

    He dragged me into the closet, shoved clothes at me, and hauled me out to the car. I still didn¡¯t understand what was happening, but the nagging fear that something was terribly wrong wouldn¡¯t let me rest. We drove quickly to Byview, my exhaustion making everything feel like a blur. But the thought of Crystal being in danger kept me awake, and Kai¡¯s frantic driving only made me wonder if we were going to make it to the hospital in one piece.

    At the hospital, Kai pulled me aside, quickly throwing a jumper over my head to cover the bruises on my arms. His grip on my hand was painfully tight as we rushed inside. We hurried to the front desk, my heart pounding in my chest, only to freeze when I saw the woman behind the counter.

    It was my mother.

 The Escape

    Chapter 19

    The Escape

    I blinked several times, trying to process what I was seeing. The woman in heavy makeup and a wig¡ªno, it couldn¡¯t be. But as my vision cleared, I realized with a jolt of disbelief that it was my mother.

    I opened my mouth to speak, my brain still in shock, but before any words could escape, she raised her hand, a sharp, quick gesture that made my stomach tighten. It was a clear signal to keep quiet, to stay silent, as if saying anything would ruin everything. I must have looked like a fish, my mouth opening and closing in disbelief. But then, a sense of urgency filled the air. Her eyes, despite the strange mask of makeup, held a sharp, focused look. I realized in that instant that there was no accident.

    A sharp pinch from Kai jolted me out of my stupor, the sudden pain making me wince. My hand instinctively went to the spot, but it was too late. I was already wide-eyed, my mind still struggling to process everything. My gaze flicked back to my mother, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of concern in her eyes, as if she sensed the pain that was coursing through me.

    Her glare turned to Kai¡ªcold, cutting, as if she could slice through him with nothing more than her stare. The air around us seemed to thicken with the unspoken tension between them.

    ¡°How can I help you?¡± she asked, her voice calm but edged with wariness, like a fragile mask over something much darker.

    Kai didn¡¯t hesitate. His voice, harsh and commanding, filled the space between us. ¡°We¡¯re here to see our daughter, Crystal Thompson.¡±

    His words hung in the air, heavy with authority.

    My mother¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change, but I noticed her eyes flicked quickly to me before returning to Kai, as if making some unspoken decision. Then, with a barely perceptible sigh, she spoke. ¡°Go down the corridor, take the elevator up to level three. Her room is the first on the right.¡±

    Her voice was steady, but her gaze betrayed her¡ªnervous, almost too quick. I couldn¡¯t tell if she was afraid or simply trying to hide something, but I was sure of one thing: something wasn¡¯t right.

    Kai wasted no time, grabbing my wrist with a tight grip and dragging me down the corridor, his movements urgent and unyielding. Each step felt like a weight on my chest, and I couldn¡¯t shake the hollow feeling in my stomach as I was pulled along. My body felt limp, like I was just going through the motions, caught somewhere between fear and disbelief.

    When we reached the elevator, I instinctively shrank into the corner, trying to put as much space as possible between us. The tension between Kai and me had grown thick, almost suffocating, as though the air around us was charged with unspoken resentment. I kept my gaze away from him, eyes focused on the flickering lights above.

    The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, and before I could even prepare myself, Kai grabbed my arm again, pulling me into the hallway. I stumbled slightly, my feet not quite keeping up with his pace, but he didn¡¯t slow down.

    We reached the first room just as my mother had said. Kai swung the door open with a force that made it slam against the wall, and we stepped inside.

    But¡­ nothing.

    The room was empty.

    Cold, sterile walls stared back at us, untouched and void of anything resembling life. The bed was made perfectly, the curtains drawn tight. No sign of Crystal. No sign of anyone at all.

    I felt my chest tighten as panic began to claw at my throat. ¡°Where is she?¡± I whispered, more to myself than to Kai. But my voice was too small, too weak to be heard over the growing panic inside me.

    Kai¡¯s grip on me tightened as he scanned the room with cold, calculating eyes. The silence pressed in on us, the weight of the unanswered question hanging heavily in the air. Had we been led here for nothing?

    Kai¡¯s face twisted into an angry grimace, his jaw clenched with fury, and just as he opened his mouth to explode, the door slammed open. Two officers stormed in, their heavy boots pounding against the floor. In a blur of motion, Kai was shoved hard against the wall, his arms twisted behind him as handcuffs clicked into place.

    My heart raced in my chest, my breath catching as the whole scene unfolded before me in a surreal daze. It felt like I was watching someone else¡¯s life¡ªsomeone who wasn¡¯t me. Was this really happening? Was this some kind of nightmare?

    Without thinking, I pinched my arm hard, the sharp sting of pain grounding me. This is real, I realized, my breath coming in shallow gasps. I wasn¡¯t dreaming.

    I watched in stunned silence as the officers dragged Kai out of the room, his protests echoing through the hallway, his body kicking and jerking with resistance. But I couldn¡¯t move. I couldn¡¯t speak. The entire room felt suffocating, the air thick with the remnants of chaos. I slowly sank onto the edge of the empty bed, numb to everything around me.

    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    Minutes seemed to stretch into eternity before a female officer and a nurse entered. The officer¡¯s expression softened when she saw me, her voice gentle as she approached.

    ¡°Are you alright, honey?¡± she asked, her tone comforting.

    I nodded weakly, too exhausted, too emotionally drained to speak. The nurse, kind but efficient, began tending to my almost non-existent wounds. Her hands were soft, steady as she worked, but I couldn¡¯t focus on the physical pain. My mind was elsewhere, racing through questions that made no sense, trying to piece together the fractured reality around me.

    The officer continued to ask questions, but they were distant¡ªjust noises in the background of my fragmented thoughts. I couldn¡¯t grasp anything, couldn¡¯t make sense of anything. I was lost in the confusion.

    Finally, after what felt like a lifetime, I was escorted down to the ground level. My eyes immediately locked onto my mother. Without thinking, without a second of hesitation, I rushed into her arms. The floodgates opened, and the tears I¡¯d been holding in for so long spilled freely, soaking her shirt as I clung to her.

    ¡°It¡¯s alright, sweetie,¡± my mother murmured, her voice warm, soothing, and yet full of something I couldn¡¯t quite place. ¡°It¡¯s going to end this time. It¡¯s over.¡±

    I choked on my sobs, trying to catch my breath. ¡°Is Crystal alright?¡± I asked through my tears, desperate for some assurance, some sense of calm amidst the storm.

    My mother¡¯s expression softened, her hands gently brushing through my hair. ¡°Yes, she¡¯s fine. She¡¯s with Saxon.¡±

    The weight that had been crushing my chest finally began to lift, just a little, and a shaky breath escaped me. ¡°Thank God. I thought something had happened to her.¡±

    ¡°We didn¡¯t mean to scare you, sweetie,¡± she said, her voice low, almost apologetic. ¡°But it was the only way we could get you back. It¡¯s all over now. It¡¯s finally over.¡±

    I pulled back slightly, my gaze shifting, and I saw her¡ªCrystal. She was standing behind my mother, looking like a dream I didn¡¯t want to wake from. Without another thought, I bolted toward her, pulling her into a tight hug.

    ¡°Mum, you¡¯re squishing me!¡± Crystal laughed, her voice light and teasing, like nothing had ever happened.

    ¡°Oh, sorry, honey,¡± I muttered, pulling away slightly, but not enough to let go. ¡°I¡¯m just so glad you¡¯re alright.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she reassured me, though there was a hint of exhaustion in her eyes.

    ¡°Where¡¯s your father¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s talking to the officers,¡± she replied quickly. ¡°He said he¡¯ll be in soon. Also, he told me to make sure you get checked in.¡±

    I shook my head slightly, a small smile playing on my lips. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±

    ¡°No, Mum. You need to get checked in,¡± she insisted, her voice firm.

    Her small hand landed on my stomach, and I froze, her touch sending a wave of realization crashing through me.

    For a moment, I couldn¡¯t breathe. It hit me all at once¡ªthe little gift we¡¯d almost forgotten. The truth I had been running from suddenly became real in a way I hadn¡¯t expected. I swallowed hard, trying to steady my racing heart.

    I looked at my mother, trying to ignore the panic rising within me. ¡°Mum, I need a nurse.¡± My voice was trembling, but I had to say it.

    We went to get checked in, and I had just changed into a fresh gown when Saxon came in. Crystal had fallen asleep on my lap, her weight warm and comforting, and I didn¡¯t have the heart to move her.

    ¡°How are you feeling?¡± Saxon asked quietly, his voice a soothing contrast to the chaos I¡¯d just experienced.

    ¡°Sore,¡± I murmured. ¡°The nurse booked me in for a scan tomorrow morning. She said I needed sleep first.¡±

    I paused, the exhaustion finally catching up to me. ¡°I didn¡¯t think you were going to find me.¡±

    Before I even realized it, tears started running down my face again. Everything that I¡¯d been holding inside broke free, and I hugged Crystal¡¯s sleeping form closer, as if I could shield myself from the storm inside me.

    Saxon¡¯s arms wrapped around my shoulders, his presence solid and grounding. His warmth seeped through me, offering the comfort I didn¡¯t even know I needed. I let out a shaky breath, allowing myself to relax, finally able to let go, just a little. It was over.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t think you remembered to hide things under the bed,¡± Saxon said softly, his voice light, trying to break the tension.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t,¡± I replied with a half-smile, my voice a little more steady now. ¡°It was a conscious thing to do.¡±

    ¡°What about the castle?¡± Saxon asked, his voice low, as if the words themselves carried weight.

    I swallowed, feeling a chill crawl down my spine. ¡°You saw it?¡± I whispered, my voice barely more than a breath. ¡°I had convinced myself that it was only a figment of my imagination, that something was playing with me.¡±

    Saxon¡¯s expression shifted, a frown etching itself into his features as he turned to face me fully. His eyes were narrowed, studying me like he was trying to read the truth between my words. The silence between us stretched longer than it should have, and for a moment, I felt like I might suffocate under the weight of it.

    ¡°I thought... I thought I was losing it,¡± I confessed, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s just my mind playing tricks on me. Maybe the hormones are messing with the loops in my head, making me see things that aren¡¯t really there.¡±

    Saxon didn¡¯t respond immediately. He just watched me, his brow furrowed in thought. The way his gaze lingered, though, made me feel like he was trying to puzzle out something I hadn¡¯t said, something deeper than just a simple hallucination.

    ¡°Or maybe,¡± he said slowly, his voice steady despite the tension in the air, ¡°maybe you¡¯re seeing something that¡¯s real.¡±

    I shook my head quickly, trying to dismiss the thought. "Real? But¡ª"

    ¡°It¡¯s possible,¡± he interrupted, his eyes softening a bit, though there was still a spark of something serious in them. ¡°You¡¯ve been through a lot lately. And if there¡¯s one thing I know about this world, it¡¯s that things aren¡¯t always as they seem. I know this isn¡¯t the time for this kind of conversation, but just think about it. There has to be a moment in time when you have felt the magic that surrounds you.¡±

    ¡°Dad, don¡¯t, you know she isn¡¯t ready for this kind of conversation.¡±

    ¡°I guess you''re right.¡± Saxon¡¯s smile softened, and he kissed the top of my head gently. ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re safe.¡±

    I closed my eyes, leaning into him, and for the first time in a long while, I felt like I could breathe again. It was over.

 The Wedding of the Century

    Chapter 20

    The Wedding of the Century

    Three Years Later¡­

    I watched my two kids bicker over the ends of my wedding dress. Jasper, who was turning three this year, tugged at the lace like it was a game, while Crystal, already thirteen, tried to steady the fabric with a protective hand. I placed one hand over my stomach, willing my nerves to settle. I hoped the bump wasn¡¯t showing too much¡ªthough it was getting harder to hide, especially with the way my body had shifted in the past few weeks.

    Saxon and I had decided it was finally time to get married when I gave him the news we were expecting another baby. I hadn''t told anyone yet¡ªnot a soul. I wanted it to be my gift to everyone when we arrived at the reception. I suspected my mum might have figured it out already, though. I could never keep a secret from her. She was sitting behind me, gently tugging at the ends of my hair, trying not to cry for what must have been the third or fourth time today.

    I could see the effort in her eyes, the way she fought back the tears as if they were old friends visiting again. I knew she had her reasons, but sometimes I wished she''d just let the tears fall. That way, she wouldn''t have to pretend so much.

    ¡°Mum, you have to stop. I think Jessica is getting annoyed,¡± I said with a small laugh, glancing at my makeup artist who had given my mother more than one pointed look.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, sweetie. I just wish your father could be here to see you so happy.¡±

    ¡°Oh, he is, Mum. I might be walking down the aisle by myself, but I know Dad will be with me every step of the way.¡± I smiled softly, trying to reassure her. ¡°He¡¯s here in my heart. Always.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m just so happy for you, darling. You finally found your Prince Charming and your happy ending.¡± Her voice broke at the end, thick with emotion.

    My smile faltered for a brief moment, but I quickly masked it with a bright grin, hoping my mother wouldn¡¯t notice. But in reality, I wasn¡¯t walking toward a "happy ending"¡ªnot yet. Not by a long shot. The courts had still failed to lock Kai away for what he had done. Three years had passed since the ordeal began, and his wealth, his influence, had kept him out of jail. Despite everything he had done to me, Kai still had his connections, and the legal system was a tangle that wouldn¡¯t budge. I knew Saxon didn¡¯t want me to worry, but I had overheard his quiet conversation this morning. He was concerned¡ªhe didn¡¯t know whether Kai would be granted parole today.

    Sighing, I turned my attention back to Jasper, brushing his unruly hair into some semblance of order. He grumbled, clearly unimpressed, but I kissed him on the cheek and sent him off with Crystal and my mum. I watched them leave and felt a pang of anxiety in my chest.

    Wyatt had been kind enough to secure us two spaces at his casino in Bluehaven for both the wedding and the reception. It felt surreal being here. Saxon and I had debated whether we should return to this place before our third child was born, but we had never quite made up our minds. It was strange being back, a mix of nostalgia and lingering unease. Wyatt had helped me plan the wedding, his role solidified as my man of honor¡ªa choice that hadn¡¯t sat well with Saxon. He was still sorting through his own tensions, particularly when it came to who would stand by his side. In the end, Saxon had chosen Eric¡ªwho, as it turned out, had no intention of saying yes. So, Kira had stepped in, much to Saxon¡¯s chagrin. But I couldn¡¯t help but laugh. Despite everything, some things never changed.

    I checked the time and realized with a jolt that we were running behind. Can¡¯t have my future husband worrying too much, I thought with a smile.

    ¡°Mum, take the kids. It¡¯s time,¡± I said, my voice steady even though my pulse was racing.

    ¡°I love you, baby. I¡¯m so happy for you,¡± she whispered, kissing my cheek before leading the kids out.

    Wyatt handed me my bouquet, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. ¡°You¡¯re going to be perfect,¡± he said softly before disappearing into the crowd.

    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

    I took a deep breath, waiting for the music to start. When it did, my heart raced in time with the first notes. Everything around me seemed to blur as I walked, the world narrowing to just the aisle, the soft fabric of my dress brushing the floor with every step, and the figure waiting at the end.

    I spotted Saxon immediately. He was fumbling with his tie, his usual confidence faltering under the weight of the moment. A small part of me wanted to scowl, but when our eyes met, he grinned. That smile¡ªhis smile¡ªwas something I still couldn¡¯t quite get used to. It was mine now, and mine alone. In spite of all the chaos that loomed beyond this moment, I knew one thing for certain: we had this.

    I reached him, and he took my hand, his grip strong and warm, as we turned toward the priest.

    ¡°Dearly beloved,¡± the priest began, his voice deep and steady, ¡°we are gathered here today to witness the joining of Lisa Paul and Saxon Whitney. If anyone objects to this holy matrimony, speak now, or forever hold your peace.¡±

    The room fell silent, and I think I heard an old man cough in the back. The brief sound was like a pin dropping in the stillness, a small distraction before the next moment unfolded. The priest smiled, nodding politely, ready to continue the ceremony, when suddenly, the doors at the back of the room slammed open with a force that sent a chill through the air.

    And then, the very person I didn¡¯t want to see stepped through.

    ¡°I object to the wedding of my bitch¡±

    The room collectively gasped. Time seemed to stretch, the words hanging in the air like a bomb waiting to go off. I couldn¡¯t move, couldn¡¯t breathe, as the man who had haunted my past for far too long strode confidently into the room.

    Kai.

    His voice cut through the stunned silence like a jagged knife. The smile on his face¡ªone that I knew too well¡ªwas full of arrogance, as if this was all some game to him. I felt my pulse race, my heart pounding so loudly that I was sure everyone could hear it. My stomach dropped, and I instinctively reached for Saxon¡¯s hand, but even his comforting grip couldn''t steady my nerves.

    Saxon stiffened beside me, his entire body tense, as if he was ready to leap into action. I could feel the anger radiating from him, the deep growl building in his chest. But I couldn¡¯t focus on him. Not right now.

    I forced myself to look at Kai. His eyes locked with mine, and I saw the same smugness I¡¯d come to despise. He was here. At my wedding. And he wasn¡¯t just trying to make his presence known¡ªhe was trying to ruin everything. Again.

    "You''re not welcome here," I said, my voice trembling despite my best efforts to sound firm.

    ¡°Oh, I think I am,¡± Kai replied, his gaze flicking toward Saxon with a sneer. ¡°Did you honestly think I was just going to let you marry my wife?¡±

    ¡°What are you doing out of prison Kai?¡±

    ¡°You underestimated the power of my connections, Saxon. Besides I wanted to make sure Lisa didn¡¯t get her happy ending. You made this whole situation a whole lot worse than it was. You should have let me have the bitch and then I wouldn¡¯t be standing here, threatening you to give her back. Must we keep repeating this? You know I would have just given her back after a few years, when I got bored of her again¡±

    His words struck like a slap. The room held its breath, the tension palpable. I could see the confused and worried expressions on the faces of the guests, but I couldn¡¯t focus on them. I could only focus on him, on the way his presence seemed to fill the room, demanding attention.

    ¡°Get out of here, Kai,¡± Saxon said, his voice low but menacing. ¡°This is over. You¡¯re not welcome. You have no say anymore.¡±

    But Kai wasn¡¯t done. Not by a long shot.

    Saxon stepped in front of me, blocking my view of Kai. His body was a wall of protection, a silent promise that he would do whatever it took to keep me safe. ¡°You don¡¯t get to decide what¡¯s right for us, Kai. You¡¯re done here. Leave. Now.¡±

    But Kai wasn¡¯t backing down. His smile remained, as sharp as ever. "We''ll see about that."

    That''s when we noticed the gun swaying beside Kai. Slowly he raised the gun, pointing it at us.

    He pushed a brown paper bag to his lips, tipping it towards the ceiling. After he finished its contents, he threw it behind him, making it crash into the door. It made me jump, making Saxon grip onto my hand. The gesture would have made me smile, if it wasn¡¯t for the fact that there was a gun facing towards us.

    ¡°You know what happened last time you took her away from me? Someone ended up getting hurt. Just hand her over again and I will decided whether or not I shoot¡±

    What was he talking about? I had escaped from him. Saxon stiffened and it seemed there were secrets he was keeping from me.

    ¡°Got nothing to say to defend her. Well that¡¯s a pity¡±

    Something in me must have sensed what Kai was going to do. Using all my strength, I pushed Saxon out of the way as soon as the trigger was pulled. A loud bang filled the room and the last thing I heard was the screams of my children.