"I always say I am done with you, but I never am."

*************

Lilly's POV

Something doesn't feel right.

Dad and Nikolas are being secretive about something; and I can't help but think; what is Louis's motive in all of this? We all know why Christian did what he did, but Louis...something just doesn't add up and I have a feeling they are both fully aware of the reason, but keeping it in.

Doing what I always do, which is pushing my nose into everything, I knocked on the room they went into and opened the door. My entrance silenced them for a second, my eyes drifted from dad, to Nikolas, to uncle Roman and lastly to Emma as I shut the door behind me.

I took a couple of steps forward and dad gave me a questioning look. I returned it with a knowing look, "Christian and Louis came after me," They both used me and my stupidity, "So, I need to know what's going on," I added; this was my business to take care of as well, one of the many mistakes that I might get the chance to correct.

Louis hurt my brother, he almost...I shook my head, no, Max is okay now but Louis will pay for it with his blood. In this part in exact, I agree with whatever they're willing to do to him.

"Show me his picture," Emma asked, stepping forward, her hand extended, asking for the phone.

My eyes flickered to Nikolas, checking with him and he just nodded his head, indirectly telling me it's okay. I pulled the phone from my pocket, opened the picture and placed it in Emma's palm. Her eyes focused on the screen, lines etched between her eyebrows the longer she gazed at it, assessing something before she turned to dad and Nikolas, "Can someone explain to me why does this Louis look like a younger version of Ronald?"

Nikolas's jaw ticked, "That's because his name is not really Louis," He said, his hand on the side curling into a fist, the anger vibrating off him since I exposed this is uncontainable. Something is seriously not right.

Emma seemed to get the underlying meaning behind his words, "How did-" She started to say but was interrupted with the ringing of her own phone. She huffed out and handed me mine before she answered hers. I took that as my chance to walk closer to Nikolas's side, "What do you mean his name isn't Louis?" I asked, my eyebrows pulling closer in utter confusion, "Who is he and what does he want?"

I felt dad's hand rest over my shoulder, interrupting my investigation, "Lilly why don't you leave this for us to take care of?"

I turned around to face him, "But dad..."

"The mansion was under attack," Emma's urgent tone interrupted everyone and uncle Roman's eyes grew wide at the sudden news, "It was probably this fucking Louis, they took Christian."

What?

"What?" Dad stepped forward, "How the hell did that happen?" His eyes drifted between Nikolas and Emma, "Whoever the fuck this Louis is, where did he get the enough power to do that?"

Emma's jaw ticked and she pulled her phone away, pure rage flickered in the green of her eyes, "I have no fucking idea!" She grated out, the fact that her house was attacked twisted her expression into a furious, very scary one.

Uncle Roman inched to her side, sensing her distress as he rested his hand over her lower back, and whispered some words to her, probably trying to calm her down. She shook her head in bewilderment, "What if we were there, huh," She shot out, enraged, "What if Wyatt was there?" The look in her eyes was pure deadly, "I thought we had top security, then how the fuck did this happen!"

"Probably someone helped him from the inside," Nikolas mumbled, analyzing the whole situation, "He must be gathering people, that's the only possible explanation," He looked at Emma, "There is always those who are against the system and the rules," He shook his head, "We changed a lot after Isaac's death, so, if he wants to make a move, he'll start from there."

"How do you know this?" Roman asked.

Nikolas's eyebrow raised, and venom dripped within his words, "His father raised him well, that's all."

What the hell does that mean?

"I am gonna need to take care of this," Emma said, her hand over Roman's arm, dragging him along, "Way for us to have a fucking vacation," She hissed in annoyance as she went through her phone, typing something.

Nikolas looked at dad, "The fact that we are here could be on our advantage," He said and dad nodded, agreeing, "If any of them leaves London, we'll know," He added.

"We still have to double security around here," Dad said and Nikolas nodded as he pulled his phone out. He headed off toward Emma, already working on it.

I looked at dad, "I don't understand anything," I mumbled with a sigh. He placed his arm around my shoulder as we followed them, "Welcome to my world," He said, ever so sarcastically.

Once we were back in the living room, everyone looked just as distressed at the news of who was behind Max's attacks. I really should've just told dad and Nikolas in secrecy about this, but the sudden realization had me tumbling inside and spitting it out. The shock didn't leave me yet; Christian himself gave me this clue. How is that possible?

He is free now. Louis is too. Fear twisted my gut into a hundred million knot, they must be planning something big, and someone might end up getting hurt again. Oh god, I hope not.

Emma kept silent about the attack, not to add to everyone's stress. Wyatt walked to her, "Mom, I am gonna go with Max to the party," He said, informing her, "It's right here on the beach, but I might come late."

She nodded and her hands rested over his shoulders, "Just be careful, okay," The amount of worry in her words had his eyebrows pulling closer, "Yeah, sure," He started but before he could finish his words, she pulled him to her embrace, hugging him out of the blue.

His eyes widened at her action and when he pulled away, his eyes narrowed at her in suspicion, "Did you do something or do you want something from me?" He asked, trying to figure out the reason behind her sudden warm gesture.

A small smile lifted her lips, the anger slowly fading away and the rage in her eyes got replaced with something warm and tender as she fixed his hair, "No, I just love you so much," She mumbled and he stared at her like she grew another head, "I mean I love you too mom, but," He removed her hand away and took a step backward, "Stop being so weird."

Uncle Roman chuckled and pulled him back, talking with him as well. I shook my head with a small smile, our family was weird indeed, and neither Christian nor Louis should be allowed to mess with any member of it. The thought had me walking toward Max, who was on his phone, standing by the door and waiting for Wyatt, "Are you okay?" I asked, checking on him after this.

He shoved his phone into his pocket and gave me a nod, "Yeah."

I rested my hand over his arm, "We'll fix this," I assured myself before I assured him, "He won't dare to come near you again."

His eyebrows pulled closer and he shook his head, "I am not scared of him," He said, "But Lilly, you will not go and try to fix anything, you will stay out of it this time," He added, in warning, "Don't you dare put yourself in danger's way again, you get that," And back with that overprotective tone.

I nodded. I knew that, but I am not letting anyone hurt him again, that much I promised myself to take care of. It was my responsibility after all. I was the elder sister, and the one who allowed them to get closer to us.

Well, not anymore.

"Okay, no more talking about that," Dad said to mom, his tone strict, "Nikolas, Roman, Ashton, and I will take care of it," He interjected, trying to clear her worry, "Didn't you have that girls night out," He added, looking between mom, auntie Katherine and Natalie, "Come on, go do your things, the kids will be at the party and we'll do our thing."

He turned to me, "Little bug, you'll go with your mother or to the party?" He asked, checking and I shook my head, "Neither, I have some work to do, I will just stay home and work on it."

"Also, I am not going anywhere," Natalie interjected, "Maria just fell asleep, I am not gonna wake her up now, I will just stay here with her."

I inched closer to her, "Uh, I can look after her," I shrugged, a bit nervous, "I mean if you want to only," I rubbed a hand over my throat, "You can go, I mean I am already here, so, it makes more sense."

Her lips lifted up into the sweetest smile, her head tilted to the side as she gazed at me, "If you think it's not any trouble to you, I would love that," She said and I nodded, "Yeah, yeah sure, she already warmed up to me today," I smiled, "I can take care of her."

She nodded, "That's great," She said with an appreciative smile, "When she wakes up, she might cry if she doesn't find us, so just call me right away if she doesn't calm down and I will come back, okay?"

I nodded, "Yeah, don't worry," For some reason, I was very excited for this, to have this responsibility and look after that cute little girl all by myself. I think I can survive one night with a small human, right?

My gaze went to dad as he inched closer to Nathan, who was sitting on one of the chairs. His hand rested over the boy's shoulder, "Hey, why you're not joining them for the party?"

He just gave him a small shrug, "I just don't feel like it."

"What, no, come on," Wyatt whined, trying to drag him.

Max stepped closer, "Yeah, it's gonna be fun," He added, grabbing Nathan's attention to him, "If you don't like it, we can just leave," He suggested and I smiled, admiring how he was taking the initiative.

"Yes, come on, don't be a baby," Wyatt urged and Nathan nodded, getting up and joining them.

The guys left for the party. After them, mom and the rest got ready and left as well to have their girls night out, which reminded me just how badly I needed that. I am so going to convince Sally to get on the next plane and get here. As I waited for the rest to leave, I made myself a cup of tea, took my laptop, and sat on the couch near the one where Maria is fast asleep on, ready to work for the rest of the night.

I still heard dad's voice from somewhere, as he and the rest of the men argued about something as alway. Footsteps neared and I turned around, my eyes fell on Nikolas as he checked on Maria one last time before leaving. He pulled the blanket over her small body, tucked it under her neck and pressed a small tender kiss to her head.

I placed my tea cup over the small table and got up to his side. His eyes drifted to me, "If anything happens, just call me, I will be here right away," He said, his voice lacing with concern and I nodded, my smile assuring, "I know I don't look like I can do it, but I can look after her, don't worry," My tone playful as I added, "She will still be in one piece when you get back."

My words had one side of his lips pull up in a small smile, "That's not what I meant," He said and I nodded, "I know," I turned to her, "She is in safe hands."

"That much I know," His words had me turning back to look at him, in his eyes that indescribable look as he added, "It feels like yesterday when you were just her age, and now-" He pulled into a deep breath, staring at me like he couldn't believe it still, that I was here, in front of him, standing and talking to him.

"Now I am old enough to look after her," I resumed his words and he nodded, "Yeah, exactly."

He looked away and his expression shifted for a second, "I don't want you to worry, okay," He said, his tone serious as he gazed at me, "Neither Christian or whoever Louis is, would get near you again, I promise."

His words brought back that weird twist in my stomach, "I just don't want anyone to get hurt by them, that's all." I spoke out my fears and Nikolas's jaw tightened, "No one will, that's what I am here for."

I swallowed hard and said my thoughts out loud, "Louis is after you, isn't he?" He said it's payback to your father to Max. I have a feeling he meant Nikolas by that more than he meant dad.

He nodded, "Yeah."

I rubbed a hand over my burning throat, "Why?"

"I will tell you all about it," He said, meaning it, "But later, okay?"

"Okay," I said, at least he is willing to, "Also, there is something...that I want to talk with you about," I shrugged, "More like ask for your help in something," I added because he looked like someone who's been battling with guilt for too long, maybe he can help me fight my own.

After my previous conversation with Chase, it's all I can think about.

"So, tomorrow if you want, we can sit and talk," I suggested and he nodded his head without any hesitation, "Yeah, of course," The green in his eyes lightened a bit, I could sense that he really liked it when I just talked with him, or just asked something from him. I can't help it, but this man was growing on me in ways that is scaring me.

I offered him a smile, "Great."

He returned my smile and before he could say anything more, dad called for him, whining some more. I chuckled and we both shared an understanding look before he walked away. Everyone left and it was just me in the house.

My eyes took one last glance at Maria before I sat down and started my work.

An hour or maybe more passed in silence before the music sounds coming from the beach became louder, loud enough to disturb anyone. My eyes fell on Maria as she stirred around, her eyes pressed shut in disturbance before they flickered open, the loud sounds stealing her away from her sleep.

She brought her fists to her eyes as she pulled her upper body up and sat down, she sniffled and her gaze drifted around the foreign house. I immediately left my things and sat down by her side, my hand on her arm, urging her to look at me, "Hey, hey, I am here."

Her teary eyes flickered to me and more tears scrolled down, "Mommy?" She asked and I tucked her hair behind her ear, trying to calm her down and make her feel safe, "She went outside, but she will be back soon."

My words only added more tears, oh shit, "Daddy?" She chocked out, "Uh, he also had something to do," And with that, she went on full sobbing, "No, no, they will be back soon, till then, you and I can do whatever you want," I tried to say but she just shook her head, her hands covering her face, "I want mommy and daddy," She cried out in her hands and I didn't know what the hell I am supposed to do.

"Yes sweetie, they will come really soon," I said, my hand gently resting over her hand, trying to pry it away from her face, "Till then we can play or watch cartoons, we can do anything you want, are you hungry, I can prepare you something-" All my words went unnoticed by her, she just kept crying, refusing anything I offered.

Maybe, I underestimated her, or just overestimated myself.

I looked around the house in pure loss before my gaze fell back on the crying mess of a girl in front of me, "Uh, please don't cry, we can do anything you want," I added again and she just shook her head, her hair flying all around her, "Please Maria, don't cry, I don't know what to do," I mumbled, feeling the need to break into tears as well because I felt so helpless.

"What do you love to play?" I asked, trying to drift her mind away, "We can download it on my phone and play it together," I suggested, offering her my phone and ready to give it up if she would just stop crying, "Or we can do anything else. Do you want to go outside to see the beach and the sea?" I suggested and she shook her head, nothing settling well with her.

I got up to my feet and paced around, clueless on what to do to in order to calm her down. I didn't want to call them right away. I should be able to handle this. What the hell does kids love? I thought food and games could fix this but apparently, she isn't an easy kid.

I stopped pacing around, my eyes focused on her teary ones and cute pouty lips. I sighed, apparently, I won't be able to do this on my own.

I leaned down, "Come here, sweetie," I urged, taking her small body into my embrace. At least, she didn't fight that, her little arms wrapped around my neck instinctively and she buried her face into my shoulder, resuming her crying. My heart broke and I stroked her back, soothingly, "Please don't cry, it's breaking my heart that I can't do anything," I mumbled into her hair.

Having no other choice at the moment, I walked outside the house and headed toward the one right by it's side. I stood by the door and rang the bell, desperately hoping he's here and not at the party. I stroked Maria's back as I waited, praying and praying that he's here.

Footsteps got closer and I let out a loud relieved sigh when the door opened and his blue eyes fell on mine. They drifted to the crying girl in my arms and his eyebrows pulled closer, he instinctively took a step backward, "What's that?"

I shot him a glare and barged into the house, "That is my cousin that I am babysitting, who also keeps crying and I don't know what to do," I said, my tone all whiny and helpless, "I need your help."

His eyebrow raised in utter shock and he took another step backward, "Help in what?" He stared at the girl's back as if she was some disease who's about to infect him, "Help me calm her down!" I stressed out.

He shot me a terrified look, "I...I don't know how," He mumbled, "I never had those little humans around me before."

I shot him a glare, "Well, guess what, neither did I," I added before I placed Maria down and held her hand, she used the other to wipe at her cheeks, her lost scared gaze drifting around the house before they fell onto Chase. At the foreign human, she inched closer to me, burying her face into my leg.

My lips formed a pout as I stared at her ever so helplessly. I stroked her hair, not wanting her to be scared or anything. I really suck at this. She is been awake for how many minutes now yet she kept crying all through them.

I turned to Chase, "Please, I don't know what to do," I mumbled, my voice sounded like it's on the edge of breaking down. I was more than ready to sit down by her side and cry my eyes out till her parents get back. I am really no where near equipped to take care of a kid. I knew that what happened before was for the best. Now, I am sure...

Chase's jaw clenched, annoyed by how I always barge into his life with my problems. He rubbed a hand over the back of his neck, very nervous before he crouched down by Maria's side, watching her before he looked at me, "Does she speak?" He asked, seriously clueless at that part.

I shot him a glare and crouched by his side, "Yes, of course she does, doesn't she look old enough for you?"

His eyebrow raised, "How am I supposed to know?" He whined before his gaze settled back at her, "She is a small little thing."

I took the napkin from my pocket and wiped at her cheek and nose, giving her a warm smile, "This is Chase," I introduced him to her because she was now silently gazing at us, still frowning but at least not sobbing, "He is my friend," I added, to help her to warm up to him.

"No, I am not," He mumbled lowly from my side and I whirled my head to him, glaring at him, "Can you be civil, just for tonight," I hissed at him, ignoring how his face was dangerously close to mine.

His jaw clenched before he turned to Maria, trying as he offered her a small smile. He extended his hand forward, "And what's your name?" He asked, but Maria only stared at his extended hand in silence.

"See, she doesn't speak," Chase hissed, retreating his hand back.

I shot him another glare, "You really are as bad at this as me," I commented and he didn't shy away from it, "Well, they taught me how to handle a plane in college, not a little human."

"Well, neither was I taught that!" Are there courses to take? I can't understand, how did my father ever handle two kids?

"Then, who in their right mind kept this little girl with you," He added, only speaking out his thoughts but I couldn't help the way my chest tightened, "Your words hurt, you know that," I mumbled lowly as I looked at him.

"I don't think I care about that anymore," He said, not hesitating for once to keep his hurtful words in.

My jaw tightened and I turned to Maria, "Let's go back," I mumbled, hating the fact that I ran to him at the first inconvenience I faced. I should learn to stop that. He clearly told me to stay away from him last night, yet here I am, doing the one thing I know how to do.

Before I got up to my feet, I felt Maria's hand on my cheek, her own tears has stopped, and lines etched between her eyebrows before she looked at Chase, "You made Lilly cry," She mumbled, not satisfied and her words only that snapped me back in. I immediately wiped at my cheek, kicking that one stupid overwhelmed tear away.

"I didn't mean to," He told her, his voice now softer as I felt his eyes on me.

Maria inched closer and wrapped her arms around my neck. My heart calmed down and I hugged her little body, smiling at the fact that she wasn't crying anymore. When she pulled away, her eyes went to Chase, "Say sorry," She ordered and I resisted the urge to smile.

Chase kept silent before he said, "Okay, okay, just don't look at me like that," He mumbled, addressing how she was glaring at him before I felt his hand rest over my back, "I am sorry," He added, urging me to look at him and I couldn't hide my smile any longer.

His gaze fell into my mouth and he couldn't hold his in either; one side lifted up halfway and the other followed, his smile relaxing his face, and made him look more approachable now, "At least she isn't crying anymore," I mumbled with a very low voice.

Chase's lips were beside my ear as he whispered, "But she's scaring me, look how she's looking at me."

I chuckled and focused my attention back on her, "Do you want to stay here with Chase or go back?" I asked and she stared at Chase for some time, as if to make up her mind about him.

"I would love it if you would stay," He suggested, smiling at her, "Do you like music?" He asked and she nodded her head, confused at his question. Chase pointed at the piano in the end of the room, "I can play some for you, if you want."

Her eyes went to the instrument and she turned to him, a little bit astonished at the idea, "Really?" She asked, the excitement evident in the green of her eyes.

He nodded his head and offered her his hand, "Let me show you."

She looked at me first, as if taking permission and I nodded my head, smiling at her cute thrilled face. She placed her hand in Chase's big one and he got up, taking her with him.

She pressed her palm over the piano stool, trying to climb up but failing. Chase chuckled and wrapped an arm around her waist, effortlessly pulling her up to settle down before he joined her as well.

I walked closer to them, my hand rested over her head, "Are you hungry?" I asked and she nodded, "A little," She said, "Okay, you can stay here with Chase and I will prepare you a sandwich, okay?"

She nodded, forgetting about everything else as she stared at the piano keys in pure curiosity, waiting for him to do his magic with them.

I left them alone and walked to the kitchen, checking the ingredients and decided to make her a cheese and ham sandwich with some veggies, you know for the healthy part. See, I don't totally suck at this.

As I prepared her the sandwich, I could clearly hear the soft kids music Chase was playing for her and Maria's low laugh at something. When I was done, I walked back to the living room. I placed the plate with the juice on the table before I inched closer to them, my heart had calmed down, knowing she was okay now and not crying or scared.

"I like it!" She said, raising her arms up in the air.

"You can do it if you want," Chase said and her eyes widened, "Really?"

He nodded, "Yes, hold on a second," He said as he carefully took her from beside him and placed her over his lap, as if scared she would break or something, "Let me show you how."

He took her small hand in his and gently pressed her little fingers over the piano keys. She gasped when the keys brought a swift melody all around the room.

Chase smiled warmly at her astonished expression and urged her to do it again, creating another small soft tone. Her eyes flickered up to him, smiling wildly, so happy with how he is teaching her, "I did it!" She shot out, excitedly, almost jumping off his lap.

He nodded, "Yes, you did," He said, softly as he brushed her hair away from her face. A low sigh parted my lips and I leaned against the wall, watching him be so natural, perfectly capable of watching over her. For god's sake, she went full on sobbing when she was alone with me.

Her eyes went to me and she extended her hand, her fingers curling into the inside of her palm, ushering me to walk closer, "Lilly, come," She said.

I stopped by their side, "I can do it too," She said, pressing her finger over the key, followed by another, making the small swift tone Chase just did, "See!"

Chase gazed at her with a big smile, happy at her happiness and my smile only widened as I sat by his side on the stool, my shoulder brushing his from the small space, my eyes on Maria and how excited she is, the total opposite from minutes ago...Chase's effect I guess.

"You still play?" I couldn't help but ask as my fingers lingered over the white and black keys, the feeling of them against my fingertips bringing back a very bittersweet moment. On his birthday. The piano, the song, his lips on mine, his words...the first time he told me he loved me.

"Yeah, from time to time," He answered, his words pulling me out of my deep thoughts.

I looked at him, my heart heavy as I watched him, sitting there, Maria over his lap, the back of her head pressed against his chest as her fingers wandered over the piano, figuring it out. You wanna make a man look even more attractive, throw a baby in his lap. Unbelievable.

He leaned forward, his chin pressing over her shoulder, "I can teach you more if you want," He suggested and she turned around with her big grin, she nodded her head multiple times, "Yes, please," She said, ever so politely, melting my heart.

"How about you eat your sandwich first, and then you can play as much as you want," I suggested and she nodded, agreeing. God, I sounded like my mother. Chase helped her get off his lap and she ran toward her plate. She took it and sat on the ground, legs crossed as she held the big sandwich and munched on it.

"Who knew those little things are so cute," Chase mumbled, gazing at her as she savored her food.

I nodded, my eyes on him, "Do you want one of them one day?" I asked, just curious.

He shrugged, "Never thought about it, but why not," He said, a light smile curving his lips.

He finally looked away from her, his warm ocean-deep eyes stared at me, "What about you?"

I nodded, "I might be the worst candidate for a mother now," I said, my voice low, "But I would love to, one day after I teach myself how to do it the right way."

Lines etched between his eyebrows, "What makes you say that?"

I gave him a knowing look, "It's like you don't know me," I said with a scoff, "I am impulsive, reckless, very immature, I fail to take care of myself even, so how could I ever take care of another human being, especially one that is small like that, and needs constant watch and care," I shook my head as I watched Maria, "It needs someone who isn't selfish," The rock lodging my throat expanded, digging into a wound I thought I was over, "I am not that," I shrugged, a bit helpless, "But, one day after I learn how to be a...good person, I think I would be able to do it."

I felt his eyes on me still, so I faced him. A hundred different emotions raged in his eyes, those that still wanted to push me away and those that didn't. I gulped down and tried to address it playfully to ease the tension, "You also just said it a couple of minutes ago," I smiled, faking that his small innocent words didn't scar me deep, "Who in their right mind would keep a kid with me," My eyebrow raised, "Right?"

Lines etched his forehead and he focused on one part only, reading my inner thoughts, "Is that why you think that...that incident happened?" He couldn't even get himself to say it.

I nodded, "God must've loved that little soul," I said, voicing my thoughts out, smiling even though it was ripping me apart from the inside, "So he spared her the torture of me being the mother from the very beginning."

As hard as I tried to make my voice sound strong and unaffected, I still failed, it shook a bit as the last word escaped my lips. I didn't want to make this moment any more awkward or emotional, so I got up to my feet, ready to go to Maria's side, in case she needs more food.

Chase's hand shot to my arm, curling around my wrist, stopping me as he got up to his feet as well, urging me to turn and face him, "Lilly, that's...that's not the right way to think about this," Concern laced in his words, concern toward me, because he still cared, of course he did, but he just didn't want to care anymore, "What happened between us, or all that had happened, it doesn't make you a bad person."

I nodded, "It does," I said, "I had hurt every single person that is close to me, I bet you can't find anyone who I didn't hurt," I shrugged, "How does that not make me a bad person, how does that make me any better than...let's say Nikolas, who had also hurt my family," It's part of why I am not pushing him away anymore, I came to the point where I understand guilt to the fullest, how you want to change things but simply...you can't.

"It's okay, Chase," I added, "You don't have to be the friend that I need now, you don't have to support me or tell me otherwise," I shook my head, "I know how you don't want that, and you're right, as much as I need you as just...my friend, it would selfish to ask it from you and I am trying to be less of that nowadays, so don't worry about me, I will be fine."

He shook his head, "How can I not worry, Lilly?" He questioned, "Putting everything between us aside, how can I not worry when you are having such thoughts, when you believe in them even?"

I nodded, "Because it's the truth," I shook my head, "I am working on it, on myself, and only time will help me be a better person, only time could prove to you that I am someone worthy of your trust again, and only then that we could be...friends again," I knew asking for more would be impossible and a small part of me is coming to terms to it, slowly accepting that he and I are not meant to be, we just don't fit anymore, I broke that, "For now, we can do it the way you want, be civil in front of everyone, but neither friends nor anything more."

With that, I left his side and sat down by Maria's, busying my mind with her, scared I would just break into tears, this helplessness is destroying me. I shook my head, smiling at Maria and focusing on her as she gushed about the piano and learning more, now is not the time for me.

**************

Chase's POV

Don't ask me how my plans to go out tonight were canceled and replaced with me playing hide and seek with a small little girl, because I, myself, don't know the answer to that. Somehow, she persuaded me and Lilly to play and we both couldn't say no to her. They both went into hiding and I am looking all over the house, trying to find them.

A low giggling sound came from the closet and I knew I found my first target. Slowly, I made my way there and when I opened it, Maria came tumbling out, trying to run away, but my arm circled around her little waist, pulling her up into my embrace. She chuckled, panting and I smiled, her laughter is like music to my ears, so soft and sweet, so innocent and pure. It's unbelievable how someone small as her could affect me this much and this fast.

She was so beautiful and cute, and she used both those traits to her advantage.

For god's sake, at such a young age, she got me thinking about kids and having them one day. Growing up without a sibling did leave that small feeling in my chest, like something is somehow missing, and the longer I am spending time with Maria, I am coming to understand that feeling better. I even felt it with Max too, the need to protect him, to take care of him...same goes for this little one as well.

So, maybe becoming a father one day in the very far future won't be a such a terrible idea. I never had it as an option in my head before, but now, thanks to two beautiful green eyes, I do.

Maria wrapped one arm around my neck and she pointed at the bathroom, "Lilly is there," She whispered in my ear, cheating and helping me.

I chuckled and left a kiss over her cheek, "Let's go and get her."

She nodded, excitedly as I took us forward, my fingers curled over the knob, twisting it and the second it got opened, before Lilly could escape, I used my free arm to catch her. Lilly gasped, not expecting me to get to her that fast. Maria laughed when my arm wrapped around Lilly's waist form the back, pulling her to me.

The back of her head pressed against my chest and she looked up, smiling at Maria's happiness. My own smile dropped down the longer I gazed at her. I wanted not to care, so badly, I craved for the day where her pain won't disturb my comfort, but it's almost impossible. My emotions and logic always clashed when it came to her, eluding me of any control.

Part of why I was somehow comfortable with my relationship with Aylin. Logic always overpowered there. It was both good and bad. Good, because it was safe. Bad, because...because she was still not Lilly.

But, I promised myself to stop this, stop clinging to false hope and for the very first time, I am actually committed to it.

I released Lilly, building distance between us, the way it should always be. I turned to the little girl, and she placed a hand to her mouth, covering her yawn, "Okay, enough playing for now, you should get to sleep, it's already late," Oh shit, why do I sound like my father now.

She nodded, the white in her eyes turning more reddish, signaling her tiredness. Lilly extended her arms forward, ready to take care of it, "Okay, let's go back home."

"Can we sleep here?" Maria asked, resting her head over my shoulder, "Please, Chase."

"Yeah, of course," I don't think it's possible to say no to her, "You can stay here till her parents come back," I suggested to Lilly and she nodded, also unable to refuse her any request.

"Come with me, let's tuck you in," I said, removing the hair that fell over her face away while she took comfort over my shoulder.

"I will go tidy up downstairs," She said, stroking the girls head, "Because we messed everything up while playing," She inched closer and left a kiss over her cheek, "Then I will come to your side, okay?"

Maria nodded, "Okay," She mumbled tiredly before I took her into my room.

I removed the blanket and placed her head over the pillow. She tapped her hand over the pillow by her side, ushering me to lay down as well. I climbed up right away, laying down by her side and she pulled her head up, placing it over my shoulder before her arm came around my neck, her baby hand resting over my cheek, "I like you, Chase," She said and I chuckled, "I like you too."

She smiled, satisfied, "I like Lilly too," She added, "You like Lilly, too?"

I nodded my head and her little eyebrows pulled closer, "Don't make her cry, okay?" She added, addressing the brief moment when she got here, proving she really forgets nothing.

I nodded, "Believe me, I don't like it when I do," I said, because despite all, seeing her hurt isn't something that will ever settle well with me.

I want her to be okay but far away from me, that's all.

She inched her face closer to my face, leaving a small kiss there, "Goodnight, Chase," I just love how she says my name.

"Goodnight, you pretty little thing," I said and she giggled before she pointed at her cheek, asking me to give her a goodnight kiss. I did so and she sighed in satisfaction before she let her eyelids drop down, slowly falling into her sleep.

A few minutes passed and I was sure she was fast asleep, but the longer I gazed at her, I felt like I am also falling asleep as well. A low knock on the door shook me back in and Lilly stepped inside on low silent footsteps, "She slept?" She whispered, her eyes assessing Maria's state and I nodded.

She inched closer, "Should we take her to their house?" She asked and I shook my head, "No, she would wake up, just let her sleep here," I said and Lilly's throat bobbed heavily.

I pointed at the empty space beside me, "You can sleep here too," I suggested, reading her hesitation, "When they get back, you can take her and go back."

She gulped down and nodded, nervous as she hesitantly climbed from the other side, settling down beside me. I pressed my eyes shut, fighting that stupid feeling, the one that had my pulse accelerating at her close proximity, the one that is fully aware I can't have her sleep beside me like that, that needs to have her up close, especially when she was just as vulnerable as she exposed herself to be.

I let my eyelids glide open before I turned to her, she had her cheek pressed against her palm, her gaze down at the sheet, scared to even look at my side, trying to do what I asked her to do, to steer away from me.

Her vulnerable state broke my heart beyond my control, her insecurities and doubts in herself pulled at my weak strings, and triggered the boy who would do anything to make it okay for her. I brought my free arm up, "Come here," I mumbled, two words enough to make her meet my eyes, enough to move her and have her inch closer.

My arm instinctively wrapped around her back, pulling her even closer till her head rested over my chest.

She fit in my embrace like it was meant only for her. Her home, the one she can run to and hide in no matter what was happening outside. My hand rested over hers and I squeezed the slightest, for a moment only assuring her what I didn't want. That I am here for her still, that she can lean on me whenever she can, that if given the chance, I would take all of that pain away.

But we both know, when the sun will rise again, I will go back to needing her to be as far as possible, but for now, she was here in my arms, needing me, and me desperately needing to blunt her ache away. That's how it's always been with us, temporary. Only brief moments we stole, here and there.

I blocked away every other thought and allowed my eyelids to glide down, falling asleep with the small little girl that managed to steal my heart in one night sleeping on one side and on the other, the one who broke it, and yet the only one who can ever fix it again.

****************

Christian's POV

"I will get you a doctor to look at it," Louis said, wincing as he wrapped the bandage over my messed up hand. His eyes lifted up, meeting mine, "I am sorry," He said, lines etching between his eyebrows in pure worry, "But you insisted to keep Lilly with you, or else they would've not caught you."

"You kidnapped her for god knows what reason," I stressed out, "I wasn't gonna let you do that," I added as I pulled my hand out of his grip, angry but also lost, because I didn't know what the fuck I am supposed to do now. Help my friend or stand against him. Both were terrible choices, because I still want Alex to pay, Nikolas too, but without anyone else getting hurt.

Louis on the other hand, he was unhinged when it came to this, he wants to hurt everyone around them first, and in the end, break them both.

Flashback

My eyes flickered to the door as the lock rattled and I got up to my feet immediately, my hand on the knife, ready to defend myself. No one knew where I was but Louis. Hiding away from the likes of Alex and Nikolas isn't a piece of cake and I keep imagining either of them breaking into that same door.

My eyes fell into Louis and I lowered the knife down, relieved but when they traveled to who he was dragging by his side, my eyes widened and I rushed forward. My arms going around her limp body, holding her, "What the hell, Louis?" I shot out, my enraged eyes meeting his, "What did you do to her?" I asked, my fingers pressing over her neck and checking her pulse.

"Just drugged her, don't worry," He said, addressing this way too casually.

My jaw ticked and I pushed his hands away from her, taking her away from him. I placed her over the mattress, resting her head over the pillow, my hand removed the hair that fell over her face away. She looked so pale, so different from the girl that was practically living in my house just a month ago.

I turned to Louis, having enough of his antics, first Max and now this. My fingers curled over his shirt, pushing him backward, "What are you planning to do?" I snapped, my voice bellowing into the small cabin.

"Well, Max didn't die," Louis said, freeing himself away from me, "Although, that worked to my advantage, it pulled Nikolas out of his hiding, finally," He smiled, "I was starting to believe he was a ghost, but there he was, all flesh and blood."

"Louis-" I warned.

"I seriously gambled with it, hoping his son's failing kidney would get him out and well, who knew, he came to the rescue," Louis added with a mocking chuckle.

"Why is Lilly here?" I stressed out, having enough of it.

He shrugged, "She was at motocross, also alone, I mean she was practically asking for it," He said, "Your part is done Christian, now my part starts."

He was about to walk toward her but my hand curled over his arm, stopping him, "You won't come near her, you get that," I grated out, my tone threatening because there was a limit to what I can tolerate.

Louis sighed, "I knew your soft heart was gonna fall in love in the end," He shook his head, "It can't, Chris, we have a mission to accomplish."

"I want to hurt Alex, you want to hurt Nikolas, that is the fucking mission," I shot out, "Lilly or Max, or anyone that is innocent stays out of it, that was my plan."

He shook his head, "It was never mine," he added, showing me parts of him I never thought existed.

"You won't be any better than them," I pointed out.

He shook his head, "I don't want to be better," He said, "Have you never heard the saying to beat a monster, you need to become one," He added, "To kill my... to kill him, Nikolas went to all the extremes," His jaw tightened, "And now for me to kill Nikolas, I need to do the same thing."

"Lilly stays out of it," I shot out again and he rolled his eyes, "Okay, whatever, you can have her now, I have a lot of things I need to take care of anyway."

"After all, we are just starting," He added before he left me alone with her.

End of Flashback

"Please tell me after what they did to you, now you are willing to bend your morals a little?" Louis questioned, still dissatisfied at where I stand with all of this.

I shook my head, "I meant it, Louis," I stressed out again, "No innocents get hurt and I am in."

"That's not for you to decide," He held me with a smoldering gaze, "I helped you, now you help me."

"Like hell I will," I grated out, turned around and ready to walk way but he stopped me, "You don't want me as your enemy, Christian," He hissed, his threat serious, "You are so scared for Lilly's life, believe me, I will start with her first if you don't do what I say," My hand curled into a fist, ready to plant it over his face but he carried on, "We saved your life, when you were on the streets and dying, we gave you a house, we gave you a purpose," He shook his head, "You can't just turn your back on me now."

With that, with the enough threat in his tone, he walked away.

I cursed under my breath, the need to break everything around me only intensified. I stared at my surroundings, still beyond lost, and unable to decide which was wrong and which was right.

I found myself pulling the phone out, I opened the messages and wrote her name; I didn't know if she even received my previous message but I felt the immense need to warn her. I still want her father dead, and I would still go to great length to see him suffer, but not like this, not through his kids or wife...those people were innocent. They're not the ones who killed my father.

In doing all of this, I can't turn into him, or else it will defy everything I stand for.

'If you don't know it yet, it's Louis, and he is not going to stop at anything to destroy your family. So, be careful, Lilly. Have security around you, don't ever stay alone. He is gathering people, he wants to build an army and he is willing to go into war,' I typed, 'I still stand by my point but that doesn't mean I will watch you or your brother or anyone innocent get hurt for mistakes done by your father and uncle.'

'So, warn them, and don't have them underestimate him, he learned from the best.' And with that, I pressed send, hoping I wasn't making a mistake.

***************************************

Now imagine Nik's shock when he gets back and sees one daughter on Chase's side and the other on his other side xD

So, what do you think about this chapter?
Lilly and Chase babysitting? They should do it more often xD

What about Christian? Would he ever make the right choice or not?

I guess we'll see that in the upcoming chapters.

BTW, I changed the chapters numbers after part two started, so don't get confused if you see this is chapter twenty something when it was fifty before. After part two, I started counting chapters from one till this one. I should've done that before, Idk why I didn't xD

Anyways, love y'all!