This was the second time Cassandra woke to the sound of people speaking. Expecting the doctor or Daniel, she was surprised to see a couple in, what looks to be, their late fifties or early sixties. The man looked amazingly like Daniel except his hair was totally white and there were thick, white scars up his arms. Like they were cut marks, deep ones.

Kendall was with them, sitting on the woman's lap. Cass envied her. Not because Kendall showed obvious affection for her. But because she was one of those women who aged gracefully. One could tell she did not have any work done but her beauty was ageless. There were wrinkles but they gathered at the corners of her eyes and around her lips, showing she smiled and laughed a lot. Her hair, like her husband, was full and white.

Watching Kendall interact with them, obviously basking under their attention, her heart ached and grew at the same time. It hurt that her parents hadn't wanted anything to do with her baby even though they'd expressed delight at Jocelyn's pregnancy until she'd miscarried. And her baby, the most big-hearted and warm individual she'd ever met, had been devastated by his grandparent's indifference. But now, he had a set of grandparents who accepted him. And he, like a dying plant, was blossoming under their attention.

Suddenly, the door opened and a pretty young woman entered. She was obviously a family member. Her features were reminiscent of her mother, wide forehead, thin, upturned nose and lovely thin lips. But her hair was a light, almost platinum blonde. And her eyes were her father's: dark stormy gray. Like Daniel's. And Kendall's.

Kendall ran to her, hugging her legs tightly. The woman laughed and patted his head. Then she looked up and locked eyes with Cass.

"Oh, hi. I didn't know you were awake,"the woman said, pushing Cass into the spotlight. Everyone turned to her. Kendall ran to her bed and struggled to pull himself up. His grandfather helped.

"Thanks, Grandpa,"he said before gingerly seating himself beside her. "Is this OK, Mommy? Does it hurt?"

"No, baby,"she replied with a soft smile. "Why don't you introduce me to everyone here? I don't think I've met them before."

Kendall agreed to the task with a wide smile. Asking his grandfather for help in getting down, he told her everyone's name. And even though she was aware of who everyone was, she had to laugh at his childish remarks.

"This is Grandpa. Daddy says his name is James. And he's the bestest grandpa in the world. And this is Grandma. His-"

"Her,"Cass corrected absently. So focused on Kendall, she missed the fond look James sent her.

"Her name is Gwy-Gwy-Gwy-"

"Gwyneth, sweet one,"Gwyneth said, helping him pronounce her name, stroking his curls away from his face. He nodded vigorously.

"Gwynith, "he pronounced before moving on to the woman. Everyone smiled but Kendall was focused. Much like his father. It marvelled Cass that despite not meeting Daniel until recently, Kendall was very much like him. Loyal, laser-like focus, protective.

It warmed her heart that he would be able to grow up with the same people who helped his father grow into the man that he was. She was entirely aware that his need for vengeance was all Daniel. But that had stemmed from all the qualities she saw in Kendall. So she understood. But she would never understand her being embroiled in his plans.

"Mommy, you're not listening,"Kendall cried, exasperation in his voice. Apologising for her lapse in attention, he narrowed his eyes and nodded when he saw he had her full attention. "Alright. This is Aunty Carmen. She's not the bestest but she's nice." And with that repartee, he scrambled into a chair beside her bed and managed to bring himself up onto her bed.

"You little squirt,"Carmen sputtered while her parents tried to hide their smile. And failing. Realising who was there, Carmen flushed and apologised to Cass.

"Don't worry,"Cass said with a laugh. "I know how mischievous this little squirt is." Although it pained her arm to lift it, she did and took her baby's hand. He flashed her a smile, holes galore since he'd just lost his baby teeth, and hugged her hand to his chest.

Tears suddenly filled her eyes. She didn't think she would ever see him again, much less touch him. Despite her resolution that night, her heart had broken when her mind had even veered to her baby. Feeling his warmth, she made a personal vow.

"So,"Carmen said, intruding into her thoughts and dragging out the word. Cass turned to her. "How did you meet Dan and make this squirt?" ignoring her parents' warning look, she walked to the bed and ruffled Kendall's hair.

"We met at a party. He walked into the room and singled me out. Made me feel like the most beautiful woman in the room. How could I not fall into his arms?"she said, unable to prevent the trace of bitterness from escaping. Hoping no one noticed, she turned the attention on Carmen. "So, Carmen, why does my baby think you're not the bestest?"

"I lectured him once,"Carmen admitted, looking extremely guilty and uncomfortable. Cass had to smile.

"He was trying to get more sweets, huh?"she asked even though she knew the answer. Kendall squirmed but didn't let her go. "You know you're not supposed to eat too much sweets. We agreed on this."

"But Mommy,"he started to whine but the entrance of Daniel forestalled him.

"Who's hungry?"

---------@@@@@----------

Observing everyone from just inside the door, Daniel was relieved that the visit had gone well. Everyone had enjoyed the food, even Cassandra. Even though she wasn't able to feed herself, with her arms too sore to bend, his mother and Carmen had taken turns feeding her. Kendall tried but his attempts ended up splattered on her clinic gown. Much to his chagrin and everyone's amusement.

Daniel couldn't help but notice how close his son and Cassandra were. No matter what they were doing, they'd kept tabs on each other. Although Cassandra's efforts were more subtle, he could see her awareness of Kendall.

He didn't know how to feel about it. On one hand, he wanted that bond, that closeness. A well of resentment still existed within him. Resentment that he was trying to squelch. But on the other hand, the bond between them was so strong and wonderful. Sometimes, he just wanted to stand near them and bask in the warmth.

"We have to talk,"his father said, having stopped right in front of him before heading out. Puzzled, with a sense of doom in his stomach, Daniel followed only to see James pacing.

"Dad?"Daniel called and stepped back when James turned furious eyes on him.

"Did you sleep with that girl because of revenge?"James asked softly, his eyes practically asking him to deny it. Daniel knew he couldn't.

A minute passed. Then another. They didn't speak. Daniel found it hard to look James in the eyes. And when he did, he felt like he was struck by a two-by-four. Only worse. He'd never felt pain as he was feeling now. The disappointment in James eyes was a blow he hadn't seen coming. Never seen coming. Not even when he'd crashed his brand new car.

"Dad-"he began but James shook his head.

"No, Dan. No. I allowed you to seek this revenge. I didn't stop you. Despite my reservations, I let you find ways to destroy that bastard. I believed no one else would be involved. Would be hurt. But that woman inside, she's the one who's truly been affected. Not me.

"I had to let go of my anger when your mother threatened to cut her arms to get matching scars. I had to let go. The anger was eating everything up in me. I didn't have time for anything but him. I neglected you, your brother, your sister, your mother."

Daniel remembered that time. After losing an important client and, eventually, the company, James had been driven by revenge. He would not eat or sleep, focused entirely on toppling Bryan.

------@@@@------

20 years ago......

Their new apartment, a clean apartment and in a respectable neighbourhood, was a huge change from their mansion. The one that had been in their family for decades. Having lost his position as CEO, another family member had taken over and kicked them out. All doors were closed to them, no connection willing to help.

Disillusioned, James sought to topple the person responsible for starting the whole chain of event. Who had arranged the outcome for every step of the process. He was obsessed. To the point that he neglected his family.

Gwyneth had a hard time juggling a new job, new apartment, confused children and a husband that just didn't care. They fought often. Something the children had never seen in their lives. Daniel tried to protect them as much as possible by keeping them in the room but the walls were thin. They heard everything.

Then tension in the house simply exploded on Christmas. James had been drinking heavily. More than Daniel had ever seen him drink before or since. He'd thrown down glass after glass of wine.

Gwyneth tried to make the day as festive and cheerful as possible. Cooking dinner, decorating the house, buying the presents. But James kept finding fault. The turkey was dry, the decorations were tacky. The tipping point had been when he'd attacked the gifts. Pointing out how cheap everything was and how they were a let down from the extravagant gifts they received just the year before.

Gwyneth lost it and shouted at him. She didn't even check if the children were in another room. It was too much for her. Buckling under the stress and the lack of support from her spouse, she unloaded all of her misgivings and anger towards him.

But instead of battling fire with water, something James had always told Daniel, James erupted in violence. Throwing the bottle of wine on the wall, he roared at Gwyneth, accusing her of not being supportive and always being a nag. Hurt and slightly afraid, Gwyneth hung her head and croaked out an apology.

Seeing the defeat in her eyes and posture, James stopped, his eyes truly seeing everything. The strength and love from his wife. The tenacity of his children. The wonder that was family. And he felt lacking. Very much so. In his alcohol-soaked mind, he decided it was best if he didn't burden them any longer.

Spying a shard of broken glass, he made his way there and before his family knew what he was going to do, he slashed his forearm. Blood had spurted everywhere. Seeing all the blood, he didn't feel any pain. Just a sense of satisfaction and peace. This is the best gift I can give my family, he'd thought.

Only they didn't agree. A cloth appeared in his line of sight and was pressed into his wound, staunching the bleeding. Ignoring the shouting and crying around him, James slashed his arm again. And again. Some tried to take the shard from him. Angered, he threw the arm off.

Suddenly, an arm with a similar injury appeared. His eyes widening, he grabbed the arm, knowing it was Gwyneth. Dropping the shard, he lightly stroked her arm, disliking the harshness of the the blood. Looking up at her, wanting to demand why she did such a thing, he was destroyed by the hollowness in her eyes. She looked as empty as he felt. Something she should never feel.

He vowed to never allow that look to enter her eyes ever again.

------@@@------

Present day......

That had been the one moment Daniel had felt so useless. He couldn't help his father then. But he could, and definitely would, help him now.

But, looking in James' eyes, Daniel questioned whether he should have taken up the reins in the first place.

"This quest for vengeance has hurt more people than I ever wanted. It's like a beast, thriving on pain,"James said huskily. Daniel found his throat was dry, very dry. He couldn't stand the thought that he'd let his father down but it's like he couldn't let go of the anger. It had bred in too deeply in him. A part of him suddenly drew back, away from the well of poison in him.

"We have to go back,"Gwyneth suddenly said, looping her arm around James'. "What are you boys looking so serious about?"

"Nothing much. Just some issues with the company,"Daniel said quickly, not wanting to remind his mother of their dark past. "Where's Kendall?"

"He's with Carmen. Cassandra told him he had to rest or else she won't allow him to visit her,"Gwyneth said, smiling widely. The men stared at her in disbelief.

"And he agreed?"James asked.

"Of course. His mother told him to,"she responded with an offended sniff. That made them confused. Rolling her eyes, she continued, turning to Daniel. "When you were his age, could you deny me anything?"

"But she's Cassandra. She's not as scary as you,"he blurted out and wished he didn't. Every mother was scary to their children. Even if they weren't scary to others.

"You don't know mothers then,"was all she said before pulling James away.

Following them, he waved to Kendall, who's pouting in the car. But he stayed put. Unlike the other times when they'd tried to get him home and rest.

Bewildered, Daniel just watched them drive off.

AN: Hey guys. Hope you like this chapter. What do you think about the back story? Is it believable? Do you think it fits the storyline? Not that I will change it. But it will be food for thought when I decide to edit.

But anyway, please VOTE & COMMENT to show your support!!!

Thanks in advance!!!