Ahh, i don't know how you guys bear with me and wait all this long for an update, you are the best. I love you all, Alex loves you all. *hugs you all and sends each one of you a virtual IphoneX*

I tried to overcome this stupid writer's block. I should never ever take a break from writing, if I ever say I will, please kick my ass.

During the exams time, I couldn't quit thinking about writing and about where this story is going and other books as well; it was like this in my head, i swear:

Me : *studying for my exams*

Alex : *whispers in my head* think of me, think of me, I am way more fun than that thing *takes off his shirt*

Nikolas: *crawls his way into my head as well* I killed too many innocent people, I hurt your babies; think of killing me, world peace is more important than that exam.

Cara: *cries* My dad just died, come hug me, I need you more than that exam.

Katherine: leave that stupid exam and come wake me up, my two boys need me.

Roman: write my story so i can get my revenge against those Italians, especially that bitch Emma.

Chase: make me grow up so I can make out with Lilly.

Lilly: come get me ice cweam...

Okay that escalated quickly! I'll shut up now.

Back to the chapter, it's not that good, It's not edited, uneventful and short, but happy reading anyway !

**********

Cara's POV

My steps took a hard stop when I heard a gunshot coming from the same place Alex went to minutes ago.

Sickness coiled in my stomach and I immediately turned around; Roman stood in my way, his hand on the door holding it open for me, "Get in the car." He ordered.

I shook my head and tried to walk past him but his hand wrapped around my arm and stopped me from moving any further.

"Cara-"

"No, leave me!" I snapped as I tore his hand away.

Another gunshot sounded in the air, it also came from the same place.

What's happening?

My pulse sped, and I pulled in even breaths, trying to calm myself and the panic that had built up in my nerves. My heart dropped into my stomach as my eyes scanned through the trees trying to clear my vision and catch any glimpse of him.

I can't just stay here. I have to go. I have to see if he is alright.

He is all alone there.

And - Oh my god- Nikolas.. he is here too.

If it happened and these two were in the same place alone. I am pretty sure one of them will end up dead.

Roman blocked my way again, his voice hardened, "I said get in the car, you're not going anywhere."

My jaw tightened as I stared back at him; how can he be so calm and not caring?

"Didn't you hear the gunshots? Alex is there, I need to go, I need-"

He shook his head and pulled me from my arm into the car, "Get in, we're leaving, It's not safe for you to stay here."

My eyes widened and I again, pushed his hand away from me, "I don't care if it's safe or not! I am not leaving without Alex. Didn't you hear the shots? What if he got hurt?"

"I don't care." He said nonchalantly.

"I do!" I snapped.

"Get in the car." He stressed on each word. I want to hit him so bad right now.

I shot him a glare before I walked past him. He called my name, he followed me but all that didn't matter when I saw a figure walking out of the group of trees.

A rush of relief washed over me when I saw it was Alex. I accelerated my steps and scurried toward him. I came crashing against his chest as my arms found their way around his neck, "I heard the shots, I thought something happened.." I tried to say but my voice came all weak and trembling.

His arms came around me, he ran one of his hands in my hair, "Don't worry cupcakes, you're not getting rid of me that easily."

I pulled back a little, my eyes took him in before they noticed the cut on the side of his forehead. My eyebrows pulled together and my hand traveled to his face; I traced it with my finger before I whispered, "What happened?"

He gave me a smile and shook his head, "Nothing important."

A low sigh sneaked past my lips and I inched closer; With my arms still wrapped around his neck, I placed my head on his shoulder. The sour ache in my chest from before is still there but having him this close gets me relaxed in ways I can never explain.

I closed my eyes and breathed him in. I know that one day I will be okay again, like dad said, maybe not now, but at last, i will. And I know that this exact man holding me will be the reason pushing me toward it.

My eyes glided open and the first thing they caught was the other figure who walked out from where Alex just came from. His eyes met mine and my whole body froze, as a reflex my arms tightened around Alex.

Nikolas did nothing, he said nothing, he just stood there, miles away and just looked at me.

Few seconds and he broke his gaze, he shoved his hand in his front pocket, turned his head and walked away while my eyes still focused on his moves, till he went into his car and drove away.

I couldn't help but wonder, what happened between them in there? How come they were both alone and none of them ended up getting hurt?

Every other thought fled away when Alex spoke again, "Come on, let me take you home."

I pulled back and faced him, "Can you first take me to the-"

"Of course." He said before I even had the chance to finish my sentence. A small smile touched my lips; He understands me very well.

His gaze dropped to the jacket around me and that's when I came back to my senses. His eyebrows furrowed and he shook his head. Then he casually removed it from around my shoulders, he let it drop to the ground before he took off his and placed it around me.

He eyed me and then nodded his head, "Much better." He commented. I raised my eyebrow while he simply shrugged, "Well if you gonna wear a man's jacket, it better be your man's, am I right?"

My smile grew wider, I secretly love this side of him — when he gets all jealous and possessive.

He winked at me before he threw his arm around my shoulder and pulled me with him to the car.

He looked at Roman, "To the cemetery first." He said as his hand intertwined with mine.

I tightened my hold and took in a deep breath.

Time to say goodbye.

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

Alex's POV

"Mommy!" Lilly's voice was the first thing i heard when we stepped into the house.

Her little short legs took her so fast toward Cara. My chest tightened when I saw her eyes all swallowed and full with tears.

"Mommy." She cried again as her arms went around Cara's leg and she hugged it so tight.

Cara crouched down and pulled Lilly to her chest, "Shush sweetie, mommy is here." She said trying to calm down her cries, she kissed her head and hugged her even tighter, "I'll never leave you like this again, I promise."

Lilly sniffled and held into Cara with all she had in her. She refused to let go after. It's obvious, she's attached to her a lot.

Cara stood up with Lilly in her arms, i walked closer to them. I ran my hand in Lilly's hair, who had her cheek pressed against Cara's chest. I sighed. Lucky little bug.

"Okay now come here so mommy can rest." I said. Cara shook her head and a small smile touched her lips, "No, it's better like this." She lowly said before she kissed Lilly's head.

It takes my breath away when she smiles like that, even after the many times life has pushed her down, she is still persistent to smile and move on.

I know she is still not okay though. Not after everything that have happened lately.

She loved her father a lot and letting him go is going to be the hardest thing she'll ever has to do.

She still needs time to properly heal.

But i know that she can take it. She'll get out of it.

I know the strength my girl has.

Cara started to walk toward the bedroom, i was about to go as well when Linda called my name, I stopped and my gaze went to her.

"I need to tell you something." She said. I nodded my head and looked at Cara, "You go rest, i'll follow you."

She nodded and went away. When they disappeared into the bedroom, i turned my attention to Linda, "What's wrong?"

She sighed, "Your father keeps calling me, I don't know if i should answer, i think it has something to do with me staying here with you."

My jaw tightened at the mention of him, "If he calls again, give me the phone, I wanna talk with him."

She nodded her head, "Okay."

"Actually...If you got a minute, I wanna ask you about something." I started.

"Yeah of course, what is it?"

"Come, Let's sit first." I said as i ushered her to the living room.

When we both sat down, i started, "I know that you were born in that house, you grew up there and i guess that you know the answer to my question-"

She ushered me to carry on, "Why my father and my uncle are enemies?" I asked, "Why they hated each other that much? Why they always tried to get back on each other?"

She swallowed hard and her gaze dropped down into her lap as I continued, "What's the reason behind everything they've done? What started it all?"

Somewhere inside me i knew the answer, but i wanted to hear it out loud.

She sighed and looked up at me, "One person started it all-" she said, "Your mother."

"The main reason is that they both fell in love with the same girl."

I swallowed hard and focused on quieting the rush of feelings igniting this burn in my chest as i sarcastically said, "Let me guess, my uncle and my mother were happily married, then my father swooped right in, kidnapped her, tried to hurt her and well...that's how i came."

She shook her head, "That's not the actual story."

"You're right, i was born there and i was raised there and i saw everything, I heard everything." She started, "Frank and Isaac were really close, they were like two brothers against the whole world, they always wanted to follow their father's wish and make this family better, they wanted our family to be the top in the mafia and lead the others."

"And in that time, it was the Viarchi's who were leading, and...Leya-" she hesitantly said it, "Y-your mother, she was the boss's daughter."

"But she wasn't like any mafia princess, she was different, we all heard about her, how she held a gun and went into battles and fought like a worrier, she was her father's right hand in everything, she was really strong-"

But the women i saw was not strong at all. She was so broken. I remember her. I guess after all, my dear father broke her.

"And both your father and your uncle had a plan to get closer to the Viarchi's, to know their secrets so they can put them down and take their place.. it's known that when one family goes down, the other stands on its ashes and rules."

"But by getting close to the boss, they didn't know that they were getting close to his daughter as well."

Curiosity took the best of me, "So what happened?"

"At first, your father liked her a lot, and when Isaac noticed that Frank was falling for her, he told him to stay away because if he ever let his emotions get in between, they will lose and they can't let that happen."

"So your father agreed to step back, he did the things that didn't require him to be close to her and it went on like that for a time." She paused and rubbed her neck tiredly, "But even though Isaac knew your father's feelings and even thought he is the one who pushed him away, he too couldn't help but fall for her as well."

"And the thing that time was, that she loved him too."

"And It wasn't long before they both got married. And getting married to a Viarchi means becoming one of them."

I nodded, "That's why we have different last names." I finally made sense of it. Nikolas is a Vairchi because of his mother and I am a Dolan like my father.

She nodded her head, "Your uncle had to leave this family and join theirs, and him knowing everything about your father's plan was what started it all.

He became a part of the ruling family and he wanted to make sure it stays like that. He knew everything so he was able to put your father down and to make sure our family never got a chance."

"Your father felt betrayed, they were always side by side, and when Isaac left all that behind and stepped into the other line of the war even though he knew all about your father's feelings...they became enemies."

She looked down into her lap, she fidgeted with her fingers nervously as she continued, "It was simple at first, they hated each other but it never went too far.. not until one day when-" she lifted her eyes and settled them back on me, "When your mother came knocking on our door, I remember it clearly when i opened the door; she was a mess, she was crying, she was hurt, her clothes were soaked with blood and dirt- and when she saw your father, she ran toward him and she hugged him saying that she did a big mistake, that she chose wrong, that Isaac have hurt her a lot-"

I didn't understand.

She swallowed hard, "And your father was apparently still in love with her, he believed her, he took her in, he promised he'd protect her and he did. She stayed there for months, they were so close and for the very first time in my life, i saw your father..happy."

"But that didn't last for too long, because it wasn't real, it was a lie, it was all a plan of hers and Isaac. She was there as a spy to get whatever information she can and your father discovered that just before she was about to run away. He caught her and he locked her in one of the rooms and that's the day your father transformed into a total different man; he was always ruthless but when that happened, something in him snapped off, he changed so badly after."

That's why he always told me that she wasn't good, that i wouldn't be proud to have a mother like her.

For my whole life, I hated her. And if possible now, I hated her more. Yes, i still carry the guilt and burden of...killing her, yes i still blame myself for that, but it changes nothing.

The guilt is only there because i ended a life not because it was hers.

Maybe it's wrong, to hate your own mother, but let's face it, it was mutual, she hated me too.

Linda's words snapped me back in, "After he was done with her, he threw her at Isaac's door, bloodied, hurt, broken and what he didn't know, is that she was...pregnant."

With me.

Pain twisted me in its fingers, wringing me from the inside. I rubbed at my chest, something in there ached, i didn't know why but always the mention of her brings me such burn.

I didn't notice how Linda inched closer to me, her hand rubbed my arm soothingly, "I knew your mother Alex, I saw her, I talked to her; at first she was nice, very sweet, beautiful and affectionate. But also for her to pull such a good act and for months even; it showed how cold, ruthless and manipulative she could be."

I tried to swallow the lump wedged in my throat as i said, "I don't care about her."

"But you do." She softly said.

I shook my head, "No, it's just.. it's just i am just tired you know." I pressed my elbows against my knees and placed my head in my hands before i ran them in my hair. I sighed tiredly, "In a span of a month, i had a daughter, i had a brother, a father and.. a mother. It's just — too much." I just need a break, but i know i am not getting anyone anytime soon.

She wrapped her arm around my back and pulled me closer. I rested my head over her shoulder as she soothingly whispered, "I know my boy.. but it'll be okay, just believe in that."

"What if it didn't?"

"It will." She seemed sure, "You got her now and you got that little precious girl, of course It's gonna be okay."

My eyelids dropped close for a mere second and i took in a deep breath. Deep down, I wanted to close them forever but i knew that I had to get up, put on a smile and let it eat me from the inside because it's not the time. I have to suck it up and be strong, i have to be there for her now and that's more important.

I looked at Linda and gave her a smile, she mirrored it and placed her hand over mine, "If you ever needed to talk, i am here."

"I know." I said. "I got-"

My words got interrupted by the ringing of her phone. Her eyes snapped to it and she took in her hand, her eyes widened a bit as she looked at me, "It's your father."

All the thoughts fled out of my mind as I extended my hand and took the phone from her. I pressed answer and placed it to my ears;

"Hello father." I started. Linda gave me privacy and went out of the room.

"Alex-" I couldn't miss the shock in his tone.

"Don't hang up, i wanna have a little talk with you." I said, "You know i missed you and all." I added sarcastically.

"Alex look-"

"So you made your life mission now is to hurt Cara ha?" I started, "Having people follow her and all, you never miss a chance, do you?"

"Look Alex, I don't care about her, all i want is that child she's carrying, if he died, i'll leave her alone, i promise." He said, "You can help me in that-"

"You must be kidding me-"

"Come on, Let's face it, do you really want that child alive? Nikolas's child? You think you gonna be able to raise his kid, ha Alex? To have a reminder of him in your life forever, you sure about that?"

My hold tightened over the phone, "It's not the child's fault."

"It doesn't matter whose fault it is. You may now think you can do it, but think about it, do you really want that? To raise a kid that's not yours? A kid that's a result of your wife's betrayal?"

I clenched my jaw, "It's not betrayal."

Thinking of that again made me regret not killing Nikolas today. Why didn't I just do it? It doesn't matter who he was before, it doesn't matter because what he did to her can never be undone. I should've killed him right there and right then.

"It doesn't matter what it is. Cara will never forget Nikolas if she had a reminder of him in front of her all the time.

I am pretty sure deep down son, you know that It's for the best if that kid died before he even comes into this world, you know he will always be a reason for Cara and Nikolas to be together."

I scoffed at the meaning behind his words, "Don't worry father, Cara is nothing like my mother."

"I didn't think she was like that either, but you never know." He said, "Look, I know that you blame me for everything Alex, but i am sure if you were in my place you would've done the same thing."

"I am nothing like you." I stressed on each word.

"You are, because i was like you once." He said, "You once asked me that you don't know why you care too much, well believe it or not, you took that from me, I cared too much once."

"We Dolan's, when we love, we love hard." He said, "But imagine all that love changes into hate, what would happen then?"

"Don't tell me now that if Cara left you for Nikolas, that's if she's with you only for him, if all the love she's showing you is just a lie, if she takes your daughter and hides her away from you just like your mother hid you away from me, don't tell me that if all that happened you won't hate her, that you won't hurt her-"

I didn't have an answer.

I didn't know what the answer to that would be.

I can never imagine myself hurting her.

But true, what if all this love i have for her changes into hate? Wouldn't the result be disastrous?

"Don't lie to yourself Alex, I know you, because once, i was like you.

Today you stopped yourself and you didn't kill him, but one day you will, not because he have hurt her but because you'll be scared if he stayed alive she'll run back into his arms."

"I know that you want me to kill him so bad, and you know what, just because of that, i am not going to do it." I said ignoring the way his words made me feel. Ignoring how a part of me slightly believed in them.

"If you don't kill him Alex, I will." He said, "It's not that hard, actually it's pretty easy. I know where he is and I know exactly how to put him down, i'll do you a favor this time and i will kill him."

"But don't ignore what I said before, Because no matter how twisted it is, you know it's true. You know that if you hate in that same amount you love, you'll ruin yourself and everyone around you."

"I'll see you around son."

With that he hanged up and I threw the phone away angrily. My hand fisted in my hair and a scream locked in my throat.

Fuck.

Is he trying to drive me mad and insane? Trying to needle his way into my thoughts and mind, invading a place I never allowed myself to look into.

I shook my head shaking the rage the twisted my gut into knots.

I walked to the bedroom and stepped in. The lights were dim, Cara and Lilly were both laying over the bed. I inched closer trying to not make much sound. Lilly was cuddled in her mother's embrace and they were both fast asleep.

I pulled the blanket and covered them both before I sat at the bed's edge by Cara's side.

My eyes took her in and I refused to think that she would ever do something like that to me. I refused to think that I would ever reach a stage where I would hurt her. I refused to let my father's words mingle into my head and change what i believe in.

He just wants to mess with my thoughts, to make me do what he wants.

I leaned closer and left a feather like kiss over Cara's forehead. One thing for sure, I will never let the past repeat itself again.

My gaze went to her stomach and I hesitantly brought my hand, letting my palm lightly rest over it.

"I will make sure you'll never have to live the life I had to live." I whispered, "I promise."

I pulled back and I knew there is one thing yet to do. I pulled the phone from my pocket, I unlocked it and stared at its screen.

My fingers twitched as i held it in my hand. I didn't understand what the fuck i was about to do. I just felt like I had to do it.

In a weird fucked up way; it felt right.

I pressed his number and placed the phone to my ear; Two rings and he answered; "Well it must be the end of the world for you to call me."

I ignored his comment and blankly said, "He's coming for you, and he knows where you are-"

"What are-"

I interrupted him, "You may be strong, but he's stronger."

I drew in a deep breath; "So a brotherly advice-" I said, "Run."

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I know it's short, but that's the outcome of writer's block. If I didn't update in two days, please do kill me.

A question: Let's say Cara did the things Frank said she'd do, do you think Alex would go to the extant of actually hurting her? Physical hut let's say? Keeping in mind she'd be taking Lilly away from him; what do you think he may do?

Love ya all, and thanks again for bearing with me ♥️