@edwella_cullen sent me this cover that she made a while back, but I kept forgetting to post it and I finally remembered this time. Look how damn beautiful it is 😍😭😍😭😍 The crown over Mia is the cherry on top ❤️

Here is the cast of the kids. You may envision anyone you want as them according to their description.

(Young Levi Miller as Lucian. I posted different photos of this actor on Instagram but I found this one which was close to the age Lucian is so I'm gonna use this. I found pictures of Ana and Alon on Pinterest and I don't own them.)

AND PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL OF YOURSELF, ME, AND OTHER READERS. I always try to be kind because this world needs it and we don't know what others have been through or are going through, so please be nice in the comment section all around and share your opinions in a respectful manner where everyone can enjoy them.

Lastly, I love you guys very much. Thank you for being absolutely awesome with your encouraging comments in the chapters and through private messages on this app and also on Instagram. It truly makes me day when I'm stressed out and it encourages me to write for you guys. ❤️

Vote, comment, and share this story with your friends. ENJOY! ❤️

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(Leo's POV)

As soon as we landed in California, we were driven toward Arie's residence. My palms were sweating in anger, but mostly anticipation. I was a father to two children whom I didn't know of until today. What the fuck was I even going to say to them? How would I explain all this to them? How would Arie explain it?

          During the car ride, I was informed about the men who were chasing Arie on the road. Thankfully, she escaped, but when she called me and left the phone alone, I couldn't help but overhear the male voice that threatened her to give up the heir. It only fueled my fear and made the driver run over every red light to get there in time and make sure nothing happened to her or the kids.

          When we did arrive at her place, I witnessed her slitting a man's throat right in the middle of the road. It was a good thing her house was located alone on a hill, away from other neighbors who couldn't possibly hear the commotion that may have taken place here. My men immediately jumped out of the numerous vehicles and looked for any other attacker lingering around before I slid out of the car and slammed the door shut in vexation. Where the fuck were the people who were supposed to guard her?

          Arie's wild eyes locked with mine at once. Blood painted her face like a warrior from ancient wars. The crimson liquid also dripped down her feral strands, her fingertips, and the knife she held tightly in her palm. Her blood-stained shirt moved with her heaving chest. I couldn't divert my treacherous eyes away from her even if I wanted to. Dangerous, savage, vicious were a few words that could easily describe her at the moment.

          Dropping the blade from her grip, she jerked her gaze toward Vince who was grinning at the bloody sight. "You," she pointed at the man who straightened his posture at once. "Clean this shit up immediately."

          "With pleasure, ma'am." Vince whistled and got the boys to heed his orders while the people I had appointed on Arie finally arrived.

"¡Puta madre! (Motherfucker!)" Mike—who had been standing next to me—stepped forward and landed a thunderous punch on the man leading the group. "Where the fuck were you guys? Getting your dicks wet?"

"Sir, we were taking care of the people in the cars who were after her," the man tried to explain himself.

"I had strictly told you to be on her, not the men behind her." Mike landed another punch and spat. "Pendejos (Assholes). Get the fuck out of my face before I put a bullet in all of you."

The entire group of assassins scurried away behind the other men as I kept an eye on Arie who began walking toward her house. With Mike right behind me, I followed her. Dead bodies laid a bloody path before us, scattering across the large tiled driveway. Blood oozed out of their multiple bullet wounds and created miniature rivers that all aimed for the metal gates with the downward slope of the property.

It was good to see Arie still had the ferocity to fight running through her veins.

          She hurriedly skipped up the steps and went inside the house through the double doors, not bothering to acknowledge our presence. "Are you okay?" she asked Sophie who emerged down the double staircase with a small husky in her arms.

"Bitch, are you?" Sophie scrunched her brows at the state her best friend was in then finally turned her worried gaze to us, her mouth slightly parting.

"Hello, Sophie," Mike greeted the girl while I gave her a subtle nod of understanding.

"Hi," she mumbled then turned back to Arie who started walking down the hall through the side, completely ignoring my presence which irked me. I followed her once again while Mike stayed back and chatted with Sophie about her wellbeing.

Arie pulled off her blood-soaked shirt marching right through the kitchen without any regard to me. I turned my gaze away out of respect and heard her run the tap and splash the water, presumably to clean all the blood from her face, hands, and hair. Two more dead bodies laid flaccid on the hardwood floor, their blood painting the walls. The body count of the kills was well over fifteen including the ones on the road and hospital parking lot. The mess wasn't as difficult to clean up, but it involved citizens who witnessed the deadly car chase first-hand. The chief of police would have a hard time selling a convincing story to the media and public, but it wasn't an impossible task. Fiascos bigger than this had been covered up before, so this wouldn't be as tough.

          After a minute of vigorous washing, the sound of her footsteps became faint, forcing me to look back and watch her get into a small room to the side and come out wearing a different t-shirt. Her hair was damp, the apple of her left cheek showcasing a purple bruise, lip busted, and eyes unfocused and blaring with rage.

          I headed her way but she attempted to walk past me, striking another nerve in my body. Grabbing her wrist, I yanked her back to face me completely. "Where the fuck do you think you're going?"

          With a glare, she hissed through her teeth. "To get my kids, so let go of my fucking arm right now."

          Instead of releasing her, I proceeded to twist her arm behind her back and pinned her against the kitchen counter. "You lied to my fucking face." I squeezed her arm further and neared her face. "Give me a reason to spare your life."

          Her jaw clenched before her free hand reached to the side and grabbed a big kitchen knife from the knife holder, holding it against my neck. "Give me a reason to spare yours," she seethed, her breath cascading across my lips.

          With my tall stature, I towered over her completely, pressing my body to hers as the blade sat between us. "Be very, very careful. Now is not the time to try me, Noelle. I may do something you'll hate me for till the end of times."

          "Then let me go!" She pushed the weight of my body away from hers and tossed the knife into the sink with a loud clank. "Your incompetent men were supposed to watch me, right? What the fuck were those assholes doing when those people chased my ass on the road with my fucking kids in my backseat?" Her palms hit my chest violently, forcing me further back. "Where the fuck were they when these cunts broke into my home and threatened to kill Sophie and my fucking dog, huh? What the fuck were they doing?"

"I'll deal with them later."

"I have protected my kids from the very first moment I brought them home. I will continue doing so with my damn life however long I live, and I will kill anyone who threatens their safety. That includes you."

She pointed a finger at me that I grabbed and squeezed. "Don't throw baseless threats at me. I'm giving you a chance to explain yourself before I make my move." I pulled her closer to me by her finger and stared into her maddened eyes. "Lie to me again and you will see the absolute worst of me, Arie."

Her jaw twitched, her other fist clenching tight. "If you want an explanation, get your ass to the hospital and see for yourself." Retracting her finger from my grip, she stepped to the side and bent over to pick up her dropped phone. "Get Vince to pick the bodies up quickly and wash away the blood so I can get the kids to the hospital too where I will lay out everything for you. I'm sure they heard the gunshots and seeing strangers in our house will overwhelm them even more. If you're worried that I will make a run for it, trust me, I have a busted car and no means to travel."

I shook my head in sheer disappointment in her, but mostly myself. "You've lost my trust big time, Arie."

She stared at me stoically and nodded, not giving into her emotions. "I didn't expect any less."

***

(Arie's POV)

          Leo had left and waited in his car outside of the house while I watched his men quickly clean the blood from the driveway. The anguish in his oceanic pools wrung out what was left of my heart and did nothing to subside my own distress. I expected worse from him, but he was visibly holding back. All I could do was wait for him to completely explode.

          Through the back doors, I descended down the few steps and walked around the pool toward the patio swing that was situated on a grass landing to the side of the property. Shrubs and flowers were sectioned off by cobblestone bricks standing upright. I bent over and felt for the handle disguised as the soil in the section to lift it up and reveal the hatch to the underground bunker where the kids were hiding.

          People built bunkers to shield themselves from bomb attacks during the world wars, but I had it built to protect myself from the mafia in the case of an emergency. Oh, how the times had changed!

          Lucian and Ana crawled up the opening through the stairs easily, but for adults, it was a bit uncomfortable to get in and out.

          "Mamma, we heard something," Lucian confessed and then looked at my busted lip. "What happened?" With the help of foundation, I concealed the bruise on my left cheekbone, but I could only cover up so much with my lower lip that had swollen a bit.

          "Boom, boom, boom!" Ana jumped around me like a bunny, lost in her own little world. "Fireworks."

          "Boring fireworks. No colors," I chuckled, picking Ana up in my arms and grabbing Lucian's hand.

"Mamma, what happened?" The curious boy asked again, tugging on my hand with the same concern in his sweet eyes.

"Mamma was blind and bumped into an open cabinet," I pouted. "Just a little boo-boo."

As I walked up the steps and into the house, Ana smushed my face between her tiny hands and gave my bruised lip a little kiss. "Better?"

I couldn't help but be in awe of her sweet gesture. "Better than ever, baby." I gave her a peck on her cheek as I strolled out of the front doors and down the wet driveway toward one of Leo's cars that stood for us.

"New car?" Lucian asked.

"Sort of."

I put the kids in their car seats that I had already moved into the vehicle. I could feel Leo's heavy gaze stuck on me from the car he was sitting in at a distance, waiting to follow my lead. Goosebumps erupted but I took a breath and slid into the driver's seat with Soph in the passenger's with the puppy. We all had to act normal for the kids and slowly introduce them to the people who were here to see them.

"You didn't find us so you lose," Lucian grinned at his victory in the game of hide-and-seek.

"Auntie Sofa loses!" Ana boasted alongside her brother.

Soph snorted. "I think I'm getting used to being called Auntie Sofa, and that ain't good."

"What is my prize?" Ana looked at me with her hopeful eyes through the rear view mirror as I started the engine and began driving.

"Your prize... hmmm," I pretended to ponder deeply. "Do you wanna see your daddy today?"

The kids gasped in unison. "Really?"

"Yup." I chuckled nervously. "No stopping the inevitable now."

***

Sending the kids up with Soph, I waited for Leo by the elevator in the parking lot and sent the security guard on a little break after what he witnessed earlier with the men in the elevator. Presumably, Leo's men cleaned it all up. I didn't know how they convinced people, but I had to admit, they were good at it because the security guard seemed alright.

          Leo and Mike strode in my direction with Vince and a few other men behind them while a few stayed back and guarded the vehicle in the far corner of the big lot that Leo traveled in.

"You all can leave your weapons behind," I stated firmly and watched their faces morph into uncertainty. "What? Are you all incompetent without your little toys?" I cocked a brow and forced the proud men to hand over their guns to a single man who went to stash it away.

          "Now get going, Noelle," Leo commands agitatedly and follows me through the metal detector.

          Leo stood with me to the side and waited for the others to get through. "Talk to me like that again and I will have your ass dragged out by the security," I warned in a hushed tone. "Bet that has never happened to you before."

          Although my voice was a whisper, Mike heard and laughed, earning a glare from Leo.

          "Talk to me like that again and I will take all three kids away from you. Bet that has never happened to you before," Leo turned the tables on me with the threat that unsettled my wretched heart, but I kept my features hard.

          "The only way you get them is if you kill me."

          I peered up at him, my mind set in stone and ready to light people ablaze, but he returned the same look of determination with a hint of sadness like myself. I was sure this custody battle would ruin us, but the kids were my world and I wasn't going down without swinging even if it meant fighting the man I loved. I had reasons for what I did.

After another heartbreaking second of looking into his chaotic eyes, I finally heard the metal detector that had been going off on Vince.

          "What the fuck do you want from me?" Vince yelled at the machine. His ring, suit jacket, watch, belt, and chains were all on the tray to the side, but something was still setting the detector off. In sheer frustration, Vince kicked the machine like a child trying to get something out of a vending machine and broke the detector right before us.

          "Oh... my bad?" Vince looked at me with an uncertain smile then dropped it when his eyes landed on Leo. "I'll get a new one right away." He looked over his shoulder at one of the men standing behind him and ordered, "Get one of these as soon as possible."

"Yes, sir." The man gave Vince a nod before walking away to make a few calls.

"What the hell are you even carrying?" I questioned.

"He's carrying his fucking leg," Leo blurted harshly. "Grab your shit and get in the fucking elevator. I'm losing my patience."

"Sorry, boss!" Vince gathered his belongings and followed us into the elevator while some of the men stayed back to get into the second elevator.

The tension in the enclosed space was thick, brooding, and intensely palpable that it was almost suffocating. Once the doors slid open, I took a deep breath and lead the men through the halls of the pediatric floor whilst forcing a smile on my face and waving at the staff.

          Turning into the hallway where Alon's room was located, I spotted the kids playing with Zeus, facing away from me, with Harry and Soph conversing. The adult eyes landed on me, but the kids continued tossing Zeus' chew toy to one another.

          "What did I say about sitting on the floor?" I gathered the kids' attention at once who laughed as I continued walking in their direction.

          "No sitting on the floor?" Lucian wobbled up and helped Ana to her feet before he stared at Leo and muttered, "Big bad wolf."

          My widened eyes forced the little boy to hold his tongue. I had told the kids the stories of my life and about the big bad wolf I fell in love with minus the gory details. Thankfully, I had a photo of both Leo and Mike to show the kids what they looked like until the right moment arrived for me to finally reveal them, but unfortunately, the time I needed for things to fall into place was snatched from me.

          Ana's little eyes immediately fell on the men striding behind me. Instinctively, she hid behind Lucian, peeking just a little at her father. As soon as I reached the kids, Ana hugged my leg before I picked her up in my arms. She nuzzled her face in the nook of my neck like a little shy girl which was unlike her.

          "Escort Verona up here," I heard Leo order one of his men which gave me some hope. Maybe she could persuade him from doing what I feared.

          I turned and tried to loosen Ana's grip around my neck so she could face the men, but she didn't budge. "Well, she's being stubborn right now, but this is Ana. Ana, say hi." Ana groaned in defiance which made Mike and Vince chuckle while I pulled Lucian to my side. "And this is Lucian."

          "Hi," Lucian mumbled and hid behind me immediately, away from the eyes that watched him intently. Even the kids were intimidated by the men who oozed power and dominance. Mike and Leo exchanged a look of understanding then turned their gazes back to me.

          "Moving on. This is Dr. Harleen Kaur, Aunt Wendy's best friend from college."

          "Harry, right?" Mike stepped forward and extended his hand which Harry hesitantly grabbed and shook. "I'm Mike. Wendy told me about you. It's nice to meet you."

          "Likewise." Harry nodded with a meek smile on her face before she offered me an uneasy look.

          "And this is Leo and that's Vince," I introduced them all in a civil manner despite the gnawing feeling in the pit of my stomach.

          With his eyes entranced on Harry, Vince came forward and took the woman's hand in his to give it a little peck like a gentleman. "You're exotically beautiful, doctor."

          I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "She's engaged. Keep your dick in your pants."

          "Dick," Ana repeated the word after me and giggled, pulling back to look at me with a grin. "Dick, dick, di-"

          "No!" I yelped. "Bad word."

          "But mamma, you said it," Lucian interjected.

          "Ah, he's a smart one," Mike smirked at the little boy. "And very much right."

          Lucian smiled proudly. "I'm always right."

          I sighed in trepidation, growing anxious to see what Leo had planned to do, but he was eerily silent and just studied the kids. A minute later, he strolled over to the closed door and looked inside through the narrow rectangular window on it.

"That's Alon," I informed, walking over to him. "He's mostly the reason why I kept quiet."

Leo's gaze remained intact on Alon who was still binge watching Spongebob, completely oblivious to what was happening outside his room. Leo glanced at me, but before he could get a word in, Verona walked down the hall with her personal maid beside her who I recalled being named as Zee. Zaya was also behind them with a few other men.

Seeing the gang march down, Lucian immediately took cover behind me.

          "Tesoro." Leo stepped aside and outstretched his hand for Verona who grabbed it once she got closer. Her usual sweet smile was a bit wider as she rested her blue eyes on me.

          "Hello, Arie," Verona greeted. "It's really good to see you again."

          The sweetness in her voice subsided my fear a tad bit and allowed me to return the smile. "It's good to see you too."

          "Meet the kids." Leo pulled his wife closer and pointed at Ana who looked at the woman shyly. "This is Ana."

The brightest smile pulled on Verona's lips as her eyes softened for the child in my arms. "Hello, sweetheart. I'm Verona."

"Hi, Vona," Ana giggled, content with the attention she was receiving.

"And the boy hiding behind Arie is Lucian." Leo dipped his head to see the boy who held onto the hem of my t-shirt.

          Verona pivoted around to take a look at Lucian. "Are you shy or are you scared?" she posed the question and bent over to meet his eye.

          "I'm not scared of anything. I'm a big boy," Lucian retorted, stepping out from behind me. "See."

          Verona chuckled, running her eyes tentatively over his features. "Yes. A big boy." She cupped his face with one hand and moved the hair clouding his forehead, tracing the small scar on his temple. The color in her face disappeared, making her look paler than ever. Her brows stressed together, her smile dying and falling prey to whatever was going on. As if Lucian's skin burnt her, she retracted her hand instantly. "No," she whispered under her breath only to leave me in a complete state of puzzlement.

Suddenly struggling for air, she backed away and bumped into Leo who turned her around to face him. Anger and betrayal swirled heavily in his blue eyes, his jaw clenched tight as he forced words out through his teeth. "Got something to tell me, Verona?"

"What the hell is going on?" I grabbed Lucian's arm tightly and took a step away from the bunch.

"Arie." Mike's voice was daunting and almost pitiful. "Who does the boy remind you of?"

My heart hit the ground with a thud and shattered with the realization. This had to be some sick joke for not telling them sooner. "No, no, no, no, no!" I handed Ana over to Harry and stood in front of Lucian like a barrier. "That's impossible."

"Arie, we have DNA results that matched Lucian to Leo," Mike explained. "You've always been like my sister, but I saw the boy yesterday at Freddie's funeral and the similarity to Leo was unbelievable so I needed to make sure my instincts weren't right, but I was wrong and I had to tell Leo."

          "No!" I yelled, my blood bubbling with anger. "Lucian is my son and only mine! Legally and emotionally. Stop playing games with me."

          "We're not playing." Mike tried to comfort me, but I backed away from his touch. "Refusing to believe it won't change the fact, Arie."

          "I said no!" Tears stung my eyes as I turned my raging gaze toward Verona whose cheeks were streaked with the salty liquid pouring down in fear and utter shock while Leo watched me lose it slowly. "Lucian is all I have after Alon and Ana. He's supposed to be only mine."

          "He's my son," Leo stated firmly, his face burning red with fury for both me and Verona.

          "No, Alon is your son and Ana is Mike's. I'm Lucian's mother and father both."

          "Wait, what?" everyone asked in unison, unable to believe what I just blurted out.

          Mike brows were scrunched together in confusion before he looked at Leo who was on the verge of exploding. "Man, I swear I didn't sleep with Arie. She's like a sister."

          "What? No!" I shouted to quiet down the chaos in my head and around me as I braced the racing chunk of muscle behind my chest and finally revealed, "Aunt Wendy is alive."

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Yay or nay?

I know you guys have many questions as to how it's all possible, but don't worry. It'll all be explained in the next chapter.

In the previous book, the chapter where Aunt Wendy apparently died, I promised people that I'd make it better. This is what I meant. Aunt Wendy is very much alive. You love me now?😂

Some of you were spot-fucking-on with your theories regarding the kids like bruhhhhhhhhhh get tf outta my head 😂❤️. I wanted to delete your comments really bad cuz I didn't want the others getting ideas from you brilliant theories and expecting it, but MANY saw that theory in the comment section and probably saw this coming.

What does Leo plan to do regarding the kids?

What is Leo gonna do to Verona and Arie?

How will Arie handle the new information of Lucian being Leo and Verona's son?

What is Mike gonna do now that Wendy is alive?

Where has Wendy been?

What do you think will happen next?

Thoughts on Verona?

Leo?

Or Arie?

Further comments and questions are always welcome ❤️

HIT ME WITH THE THEORIES!

INSTAGRAM: reetilicious

Much love ❤️
~Reet