I know not a lot is happening in these recent chapters. These filler ones may be a bit boring but hang on, the final battle is so close *winks winks*

********

Nikolas's POV

I've never been afraid of 'monsters' per-say. I do believe they exist, I just don't think they are furry and live under the bed and in the closet.

You see, I knew a monster once.

I knew him so well that eventually, I turned into him.

My monster didn't hide under the bed, no, he was everywhere. He was there when I woke up and there when I went to sleep. He took over my reality and if that wasn't enough, he also took over my dreams.

I thought it was all gonna come rushing back like it always did when I get a mere glimpse of him. I even waited for it to happen, but it didn't. I waited for the fear to take over my senses and tighten my gut into knots, but it never did.

I wasn't scared of him and that placed me beyond confusion.

I mean, what changed since the last time I saw him?

Is it the realization that I am just like him? I mean, let's face it, how can you be scared of something that's just a copy of you?

The truth unraveled beneath my eyes as I realized that there stood the future version of me. The end of the path I started. My legacy.

I lived with the man, I am more him than his own son would ever be. I've mastered his ways and adopted them as my own. And even after all these years, deep down, I want the same thing he wants.

That child dead. My child..dead.

But for two different reasons.

I held him with a smoldering stare, searching in those eyes for an answer to my questions. I could feel my thoughts all gnarl together as the temptation to hurt him poisoned my bloodstream. An immaculate hunger twisting at my inside hyping me to lurch forward and rip him apart with my bare hands but... I couldn't.

Exhaustion weighted my body down. Every muscle in it ached and pulsed with a throbbing pain, it took over my senses and traveled all the way to the marrow of my bones. My hand shook at the side and dizziness took over my sight. I couldn't stay still on my feet due to lack of food and water but I tried with everything in me to not let him see through my act.

This won't be a fair fight...it'll only end up with me dead — that would be a nice change, but I'd rather not die by him. And I can't die yet, not when he is still out there willing to hurt her.

So instead of starting something I couldn't finish, I went on with it.

"There are men just outside, how were you able to get through them?" I asked, testing a theory.

He chuckled, "Alex's men right? The ones I asked to help him?"

Just as I expected. Alex was so stupid to trust a man like him. He really is stupid.

My jaw tightened, "Why you are here again?"

"As I said, I am here to make a deal."

I laughed. I mean, could you blame me, "A deal you say." My eyebrows pulled together, "What kind of a deal exactly?"

"A one that can get you something you want by the end."

So, he's actually serious.

This makes me wanna laugh even more.

"And since when you care about what I want?"

He shrugged, "I don't. But if I get something out of it, then why not?"

"What would it get me exactly?" I couldn't help but ask. I wonder what sick games he's cooking in that fucked-up mind of his.

"Your child." Two words only. Two words were enough to knock out all the air from my lungs.

I swallowed hard, "Okay.. but weren't you the same man who said.." My eyebrow raised and I mimicked his words, "That this child won't make it out into this world even if it was the last thing you'd do."

"So tell me now, what changed?" I added.

The corner of his lips curled up in annoyance, "Believe me, I'd rather him dead than alive, that's for sure. I wouldn't want another you in this world, but..." he pulled in a deep breath and stopped himself from continuing that sentence, "Look, don't you want her? Don't you want that kid? With my help, you can have her, the baby along with her and then you can get the hell away from here.

I can give you this, all on one condition-"

I interrupted him, "Oh wait, let me guess, you don't want Alex to know that you had anything to do with this." I couldn't help the smile that came to my lips as I figured out his actual real plan behind this, "You want him to believe that she left him on her own and went with me."

He nodded, "Exactly. He thinks she's good for him, he's wrong, he thinks he can take care of your kid.." He shook his head, "He can't, it'll ruin him. I want them out of his life and if I killed them, he'll hate me."

"But if I took them, he'll hate her, he'll hate me more and then you'll swoop in, pretend to be the hero and he'll think he only got you left."

He nodded, "Well, little nephew, don't we have the same mind."

He's bluffing.

He's pretending that I need his help to get this. It's the exact opposite, he is the one who needs my help. I've seen the hospital records, he's dying. The big guys no longer need him, he doesn't have the same power he used to have. He's losing everything, his power, his health, his money, his men and most importantly, his son.

He's scared.

What a beautiful turn of events.

He needs me to get them and I am sure the moment I have them, he'll kill the child, he wouldn't let him live. Alex wouldn't know about that and to him, he'll pull the hero act, just like he did the last time. All this will lead to one thing, Alex accepting what my uncle always wanted, to run the business after him.

He thinks that I am stupid, that I wouldn't understand his motives. You see, that's what's wrong with these people, they always think they can outsmart me, and they always miserably fail.

"You're one sick bastard, aren't you?"

"No need for compliments." Annoyance flared in his tone, "Now tell me, do we have a deal?"

I laughed again and shook my head, "No we don't. You must be really delusional to ever think I'd work with you. You are getting older uncle, maybe it's age messing with your brains." I said the last sentence with fake pity.

His jaw tightened and the flames of anger lit up in his eyes, "At least, it'll give you a ticket out of this place." His eyes wandered around before they settled back on me, "Working together would get you everything you want." He said, still trying to reason with me. Such a fool.

I shook my head, "That's not what I want." I forced my legs to take me a few steps forward, "If I want to leave here, I can. If I want her and the baby, I can get them within a blink of an eye, and without anyone's help.

What I want is something else, something you can't give to me, it's the opposite actually, by this, you'll be taking it away from me."

Every word I said fed the flames in his eyes, the muscles of his jaw worked as he processed each and every word. He took a step closer and his eyes narrowed, "What is this something that you want?"

My lips lifted up in a sneer and I shook my head, "Something you wouldn't understand."

Something flashed beneath the surface of his hardened expression and I could swear it was fear. He always understood me, always read the thoughts running through my mind because they were so much similar to his but now, he couldn't, and that scared him.

Emotions disappeared from his face before I can read more into them, "I gave you a chance to be free, but looks like you got used to being trapped between four walls." He threw his comment in my face, "See, after all these years, you're back to where it all started." Mockery flared between his words and he scoffed, "Is that why you don't want to leave? Or is it because you got nowhere else to go now that your whole revenge plan failed?"

I shrugged in return, "As I said, you wouldn't understand."

Me pulling the cool act only infuriated him more. He lurched forward, his hand fisted around the fabric of my shirt and slammed me against the wall. I don't know how he pulled the gun out, but I felt the barrel press against my skin, under my chin and forced my head up, "Give me one reason not to kill you right now." He grated the words out through clenched teeth.

My eyebrows pulled together, "To be honest, I can't think of any."

His jaw tightened and he lightly shook his head, "I just don't understand." He said as he pressed it further, "Why hasn't he killed you already?"

I looked him in the eye, "Believe me, I ask myself that question every day."

Something about all this didn't quite make sense to him, his eyebrows furrowed together, "Why you are so damn calm?"

I chuckled, "Why? Am I supposed to be scared?" My hand went up and wrapped around the gun he is holding against me and pressed it harder, "You want to kill me? Go ahead, do it, you think I am scared of death, it's the opposite actually, you'll be doing me a favor.

As you said, my whole revenge plan failed, so now... I got no reason to live for anymore."

His head tilted and his hand loosened a bit as he muttered, "Now what's the fun in that."

He pulled it away, "You are going to regret not working with me on this. You could've at least given that baby a chance to live, but now I'll gotta go back to plan A and kill him, probably your girl too on the way." The mischievous look in his eyes played on my nerves, "Or maybe I got better plans for her."

Now that made me snap. I didn't think, I just felt myself lurching forward, my fingers grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him closer, "If you dare come near her, I swear to god I will rip your heart out with my own hands, you understand that!"

He broke into the brightest smile, "No reason to live for anymore, huh?" He mockingly said before he removed my hands away and took a couple of steps backward, "But let's face it, what more can I do to her that you haven't done already."

His words pulsed in my ears and I felt a bitter taste in my mouth, like acid, it burned down my throat as I managed to let the words out, "Leave her out of this! Your fight is with me, keep her out of it."

"Oh... Is that love I see in your eyes?" He said with fake amusement, "You gotta be careful little nephew, I think that heart of yours is doing more than just pumping blood these days."

He tucked the gun back into its place and casually said, "I gotta admit, today, for a moment there, I almost saw a bit of a human in you. You have to watch out. It doesn't suit you."

I ignored his words, "So what now, you are not going to kill me?"

Something flashed in his eyes and that smile only grew wider, "That was never the plan."

"Let's wait and see what Alex will do with you." He said. "He probably just needs a.." He paused, a frown creased his forehead as he thought of the suitable word to fill in that blank, "A reminder."

My eyebrows pulled together at his words. What else is he planning?

With that said and with one last look I couldn't comprehend, he went out of the door and left me trying to process his words. His footsteps faded and a few minutes passed until I heard the car's engine roar to life before that too faded away.

When I was sure he's no longer here, I walked toward one of the pillars that held this place together and crouched down by its side. I removed the pile of rocks away and took the phone I hid under them. I kept it for emergencies... these types of emergencies.

I turned it on and dialed the first number I had in mind. I placed it to my ears and waited for her to answer.

"Hello."

"Emma -" I couldn't complete my sentence when she interrupted me.

"Nik? Is that you? Where the hell have you been?" She asked, but that was not worry in her voice, "I thought you died. That was such a relief to be honest."

I ignored her words, "Look, get the guys ready. Let them keep an eye on Frank. I want to know everything he does, every person he talks to, every phone-call he makes, okay?" I ordered rather than asked, "And let the others keep a close distance to Cara, he's planning something and I need to be ready for it."

"Well well well-" She sounded annoyed, "And when I finally thought I was free from you and ready to get on with my life, you swoop in with your drama and ruin it all again. Jeez bro, you really do know when to pick your moment."

A harsh breath wheezed its way out of my throat as she carried on, "But I don't get a say in it, do I? Because by the end of the day, you're our leader and we are only your slaves."

"I am not asking this as your leader." I said, I somehow meant it, "I am asking it as your brother."

Now, where did that come from?

What the hell is happening to me?

I shook my head. Let's not open that door.

"You do have a choice, Emma." I said, "So, do you want to help me or not?"

There was a short pause, I heard a low breath from her side before she said, "Consider it done."

***********

Alex's POV

Katherine definitely lost her mind.

The doctor says she is okay. Well, I am not so sure about that. The girl has become ten times crazier than ever.

This morning when I stepped into the hospital room, she was all alone, standing by the closet door and her head not visible to me as she searched for something inside it.

I leaned against the doorframe, "What are you doing?"

She jumped in her spot and gasped, then her head came into view, "Good god you scared the crap out of me!"

She was wearing the hospital gown, it barely reached above her ankles, it was accompanied by a crew length white socks. Her hair was done into two low ponytails. With her height and now slim figure, she looked like a little girl. A small smile touched my lips, she looked so cute.

"What were you doing?" I asked as I stepped inside the room.

She huffed, "I remember there was a chocolate bar in here, but I can't find it."

I chuckled and said, "I think I saw Chase eating it."

Her shoulders slumped down in defeat and air harshly pushed out of her nose, "Those kids, they take your time, they take your sleep, they take your health, and they also take your food." She walked closer to me and crossed her arms over her chest, "What more do they want?"

I shook my head with a low laugh at her very serious tone, "You sure you're okay in there?" I ask as I poked her head.

She still looked sad at the thought that her chocolate bar is gone, "If you want chocolate that bad, I'll go down the cafeteria and get you some."

At that, she broke into a very big smile, "Really?"

I chuckled, "And she's back!"

My eyes wandered around before I asked, "By the way, where is Ashton?" My eyebrows pulled together, "And where is Cara? I thought she was here."

"Yeah, they both went somewhere. I didn't listen to where." She said, totally not interested.

"Wait, since when these two hang out together?"

Katherine looked confused like me, "I know right!" She shook her head, "I don't like it."

She rolled her eyes, "They're just trying to be like us."

I threw my arm around her shoulder and pulled her to the bed, "Well, they can never be like us."

A smile touched her lips as she sat down on the bed's edge, "Yup!"

Gathering some courage, I sat by her side and pulled a deep breath before I said, "Okay, now since we're finally alone, can we talk about what happened before... you know."

That was enough to wipe the smile off her face, the light in her eyes dimmed before they dropped down, not meeting mine on purpose.

"You know that I just said those things to get you to leave, I didn't mean a thing I said that day."

She lifted her eyes up and the hurt in them slapped me in the heart, "I know." She lowly muttered, "It's not what you said, it's the way you said it."

I noticed the bob in her throat, the hard swallow before she shook her head, "You said, the child that I...I killed...and we both know that this is only partially true."

"Katherine, I didn't mean it that way-" I was about to apologize and justify my wrong choice of that word, but our conversation got cut by a light knock on the door. I cursed under my breath at the inconvenient interruption as I turned my head and saw one of the nurses step inside. She greeted us with a smile before she focused her attention on Katherine and kindly said, "Hey, how you're feeling today?"

Katherine forced a smile, shaking off the few words that we exchanged seconds ago, "I am feeling better actually, thank you."

"That's great." The nurse said as she made her way toward the bed, "The test results came out, the doctor saw them and thankfully, everything is okay. I just gotta change your bandage and check the wound now." I took that as my cue to get off the bed and give her space to get her job done. She gave me a thank you nod and took my place, "Also, if it's healing better than before then probably you'll be discharged tomorrow."

I sat on the little couch at the side and watched as she did her work. She sounded really positive when she checked the wound and assured us that it's all much better now and by tomorrow Katherine can leave the hospital and later she'll just need to come back for a usual checkup.

Before she left, she asked Katherine, "Do you need anything now? Are you comfortable and all?"

Kathrine was about to answer but I took the chance, "I am not comfortable, can you help me-" I started to say, grabbing her attention to me.

"Wait, that didn't sound right." My eyebrows pulled together, "You know what, repeat that again, I can come with a better line."

She shook her head with a small smile, "Come on come on." I said.

Her eyebrow raised and she addressed the question to me this time, "Are you comfortable?"

A smirk lifted up the side of my lips, "I can be if you..." I started, but no more words were able to come out after. I leaned forward in my seat and my eyebrows pulled together, "Why can't I come up with a good line? What the hell is happening to me?" I asked in a panic and turned to Katherine, "Why can't I flirt?" My eyes widened, "Holy shit, did I lose my talents?"

I sank into the couch and tried to breathe again, in and out. In and out.

I clutched my arm, "My left arm feels numb, is that normal?" I swallowed hard and rubbed on my chest. I winced, "So that's how it feels to have a heart attack." I said before I laid the back of my head on the cushion. I felt like crying. I've literally hit rock bottom. My reputation is being dragged in the mud over here.

A low chuckle made me lift my head up and face that nurse again, "You're adorable." She said.

I straightened my back as I thought it through, "I mean adorable isn't the word I was going for." I shrugged, "But it's better than nothing." My lips curled up into a smile, "Would you go out to dinner with this adorable person?"

She gave me a smile that I recognized very well, "Yeah. Why not?" With that said, she walked out of the room. My eyes followed her till she was outside, "Man, I love hot slutty nurses."

I suddenly felt something hit the side of my head, making me turn around. I caught the pillow that was thrown at me and gave Katherine a weirded-out look, "What!"

She shot me a glare, "What the hell was that?"

"That was a single man trying to flirt. Trying being the key word." I placed trying between quotations.

She crossed her arms over her chest, "You are not single!"

I threw the pillow back on the bed, "Last time I checked, yes, I was." I said in a matter of fact tone.

She took it and again, threw it at me, "No you are not!"

"Will you stop with this already!" I said as I held the pillow. I kept it with me this time so she wouldn't throw it again.

"Do you want me to kick your ass? Because I can. I swear I can. Don't make me come there and show you that I can!" She threatened, ever so seriously.

"Oh, believe me, I know you can."

The door was still open from when the nurse left so when steps got closer, I turned my head to see Cara get in. Her eyes fell on Katherine first and she smiled, "Hey." She greeted.

She stepped inside and when her eyes flickered to me, that smile slowly faded away. Told ya. Single as hell.

"Cara, Alex was flirting with the nurse!" Katherine immediately said.

"Hey hey!" I said as I edged forward in my seat.

Cara's face remained impassive, her eyes left me and settled on Katherine, "Yeah, seems about right." She said, totally unfazed as she placed her purse on the counter and sat by Katherine's side, "He always does that."

Katherine stared back at her with a frown, "What the-" She said, "He freaking asked her out!"

My eyes widened and Cara's head snapped to mine, shock and confusion masked her face, "What?"

My jaw tightened and I shot Katherine a very hard glare promising her that I am the one who is going to kick her ass later for this, "No, I didn't." I stressed on each word, "That was only a hypothetical question."

Katherine shook her head and narrowed her eyes at me, "Not from where I was standing." She turned to Cara, "You're not my friend if you don't go and kick his ass right now."

Cara regained her composure, her eyes gave nothing in. Almost like she didn't care. She tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, her eyes on Katherine as she casually said, "Well, he's free to do whatever he wants."

I clenched my jaw to stop myself from saying something. My fist clenched over my knee trying to trap all the anger inside. You see, seconds ago, I was alright, but then she came in and all this anger brimmed through my chest and sought a release.

I just wanted to go and shout at her, to shake her back into reality, to tell her to do something before this thing that we call a relationship crumbles to the ground and reach the point where it can't be solved any more.

When she gave up, I fought for her. But now that I am the one who is giving up, she's just sitting there and watching.

"What the hell do you mean he's free to do what he wants? What the hell is the matter with you two?!" Katherine said, her voice raised out of frustration and anger.

"Well, she is not wrong." I grated the words out, "Maybe I'll ask the nurse out for real this time."

She turned her head to me, keeping the blank expression on. I wonder how can she pull such a good act, or maybe, maybe it's no longer an act, "Yeah, do it. Any girl would be lucky to have you." I totally sensed the sarcasm in her voice. God, how much I want to slam her against that wall and kiss the hell out of her and teach her not to use that tone with me again.

Not the right time Alex. Not the right time.

When she looked back at Katherine, "And maybe I should accept the doctor's offer to have lunch with him, what do you think?"

"What doctor?" Both Katherine and I asked at the same time.

"Your doctor." She said to Katherine.

What the-

"Oh my god!" Katherine gasped, "He is so hot, yes, I totally ship it!" She said making my eyes widen. That little traitor sold me out. I immediately took the pillow from my side and threw it at her head. She winced as it hit her. I didn't feel bad, she totally deserved that.

She rubbed at her forehead and shot me a glare before she focused her attention on Cara, "I swear to god he is so hot, I almost knocked myself back to sleep so he can come and see me."

"Katherine!"

She turned to me, "What?" She innocently said, "I still love Ashton." She mumbled, "I am just admiring God's creation that's all."

Told you she became ten times crazier.

"You know what-" I said to Cara, grabbing her attention to me, "I think you should." My eyebrows pulled together and I edged forward, "Oh but wait, you are married, how could I forget that!"

She totally got the mockery in my tone. Her jaw tightened, but still said nothing. I am trying to trigger a reaction from her, I want her to shout at me, to say something... anything but this.

"Maybe you need to take his permission first." I couldn't help but add. At that, something flashed across her eyes and the blank mask she's trying to pull, now broke down.

But she still said nothing.

She angrily stood up, her fist clenched at her side. Facing Katherine, she quietly said, "I'll come back later when he's gone." With that, she stormed out only adding fire to my rage. My leg bounced with the nerves prodding my anxious feet. God, I just wanted to follow her and It took everything in me to stay still in my place.

"So, apparently, I am out for a month and a half and you have transferred into a total jerk!" Katherine's comment snapped me out of my haze, "Do you want some of the ass-kicking that we talked about before?"

Air harshly pushed its way out my lungs, but Katherine wasn't yet finished, "Why did you have to say that? What's the matter with you? Weren't you two okay, didn't you guys make up?"

I scoffed and pulled myself out of the couch. I stood up, the need of going after her growing with each passing second, "Katherine, there are things that you don't know."

She raised an eyebrow, "Oh really? What things? I am pretty sure it's something so stupid, but you are making a big deal out of it!"

Anger clouded my vision, still seeking a release, but I contained it. I wasn't ready to lose it at her again, "You don't know what happened so don't talk like you do."

"I don't care what happened!" She snapped as she shot up from her seated position.

"Of course you don't." I said, "You're gonna take your friend's side anyway."

"Yes, yes I will." She said, "Don't think I am gonna take your side on this one." She got closer, "Excuse me Alex, but you're not the one who got raped!"

Her words left an echo in my head, a one that kept on repeating over and over, feeding the rage bristling across my chest, tightening more the knots in my stomach. There was a thin thread holding me together and her words were loosening its grip.

It's only a matter of time before these things happening in my life, let loose of that thread and break me down.

"You should be by her side now, you should take her pain away not cause it." Disbelief clouded her eyes, "What happened to you Alex? You love her!"

"Yes, yes I do!" I snapped, my voice filled the room, "I fucking do and that's what's gonna destroy me. I wish I can just stop loving her because it have caused me nothing but pain! I have to be by her side, I know, but who's gonna be on mine? Why does it always have to be me?

It takes two people to work on a relationship, Katherine, two."

She shook her head and her eyes glazed, her voice lowered, "But she's not okay. She may not show it to you, but she's not."

I know, and I wish I can take her pain, I tried and I failed. How can I take hers when mine is slowly eating me up from the inside?

"Please just do something." She pleaded.

I shook my head, "I am not gonna do anything." I really meant it. "If she's not gonna at least try to fix this, then maybe this whole thing was a mistake from the very beginning."

The muscles of her jaw worked, she blinked and the softness her eyes held seconds ago, now faded away, "And if you are not going to come back to your senses and realize what a stupid mistake your making then I don't want to see you anymore."

She shook her head disapprovengly, "When my friend is back, tell him that I miss him and I want to see him...not this person that I don't recognize anymore."

"So what?" I scoffed, "Am I supposed to keep smiling and laughing and letting everyone play me the way they want for you guys to stick around?"

I was ready to turn around and get the hell out of here but I needed to say one more thing, "I was waiting for you to wake up so I can tell you about the things that happened, because you always understood me better than anyone." Emotions tightened my throat and the weight over my limbs felt like it would drag me down. Katherine has been always there for me, both good and bad, "But it seems that's not the case anymore."

For a moment, I saw the regret flash through her eyes. But before she had the chance to say anything, I stormed out and latched the door shut behind me.

First birthday gift to receive today.

Things could not get any worse, could they?

Oh wait, they can.

I stopped dead in my tracks when my eyes spotted Cara at the far end of the hallway, standing with none but the doctor she was talking about minutes ago.

My fist clenched as a tremor of unease bristled under my skin, the fury that churned within me was unbearable. Warmth spread over my neck, a proof of the blood rushing so fast through my veins.

What would happen if I passed by them, and accidentally my hand slipped and hit his handsome face? Nothing, right?

"Hey there adorable guy." The soft voice took my attention off those two as the nurse showed up in front of me.

I wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone at the moment, but I forced myself to stay calm as I said, "Hey."

"I got a break, wanna grab a cup of coffee with me down the cafeteria?" She asked kindly.

I was about to refuse, "No, actually, I can't-" but my eyes went behind her and saw as Cara and doctor handsome walked away. Together.

I looked back at the girl and forced a smile, "You know, why not?"

*******

Even sitting with this very hot girl, whose name is Amber by the way, I couldn't get my mind off Cara and her doctor handsome.

Where the hell did they go? What the hell are they doing? Would it be so bad if I punched him in his perfect teeth?

I zoomed in when I noticed Amber standing up, "I need to get back to work." She said as she pulled her wavy blonde hair into a ponytail. Her eyes wandered around and noticed how crowded it was around us so she inched closer to me, her hand rested over my shoulder, her mouth beside my ear as she said, "My shift ends at eight, if you still wanna go to that dinner of yours."

When she pulled away, she gave me a smile and muttered a low see you before she walked away.

My head dropped down to Alex junior and I scolded that thing, "How could that not turn you on?" I shook my head, "Come on dude, you're embarrassing me in front of the nurse."

I rolled my eyes, "Yeah stay like this, no action or whatsoever." I am literally going crazy. "Look what batshit you've become."

I lifted my head up and my heart did a little jump - that little traitor - when I saw Cara making her way inside the cafeteria. Good thing doctor handsome wasn't with her or someone was going to get hurt. Really hurt.

My eyes stayed focused on her as she walked to the cashier and asked for something. I followed every move she took. Even my eyes followed the movement of her lips as she talked. God, I hated her. I hated how beautiful she is. I hated how flawless she is. I hated her face. I hated her body. I hated her ass. Okay, I confess, I can never hate her ass.

Okay, that's escalating quickly. Ease it down Alex, ease it down.

My eyes widened a little and they dropped down to Alex junior, "Oh no, no, you're not going to do that now! Go back to sleep you traitor."

"I know she is beautiful and you like her." I said as I looked at her again, being perfect just the way she is, "But we can't have her."

"Because she broke our heart. Well, my heart, you don't have a heart."

I sucked in a deep breath and ran my hand over my face. I felt someone's eyes bore into my side so I turned my head and saw an old man on the table just next to me giving me weirded-out looks.

I gulped. Holy shit, he probably heard me talking to myself. Yup, he probably thinks I am crazy.

Well, do you blame him?

********

Cara's POV

Everything went really well down the lawyer's office today. He said he'll get me the papers ready in no time and I couldn't be happier about that.

I can't wait to finally free myself from the shackles that I wrapped around my hand by my own. I can't wait to undo this mistake, once and for all.

The lawyer seemed really good at what he does, just like Ashton mentioned. But that also meant, his bill was as high as it can get.

Money was never a problem to me since I always had a job, but lately I've been spending from the savings I had and what's left from them is not enough for this.

The secretary was going to include this in the company's account, but I didn't accept. No way I am going to use Alex's money to get my divorce done.

I pulled my phone out of my pocket and dialed Roman's number. He is the only I can ask help from.

"Hey Roman." I said once he answered.

"Hey sis, what are you doing?"

"I am at the hospital with Katherine. If you're... If you're not busy can you pass by? I need to ask you something." God, I hated this. Even if he's my brother, but I never asked for money in my whole life so this feels so weird.

"Yeah, sure, I am actually close to you. I'll be there in a few minutes." He said before we hung up.

He really was close because it took him only ten minutes to arrive. I was waiting for him outside so he spotted me right away. He inched closer, a small smile on his lips and gave me a hug, "Hey, how are you?" He asked.

I nodded my head as I pulled away, "I am good."

His eyes searched mine and a frown etched his forehead, "What's up?"

"Uh-" I folded my arms over my chest, "I went to a lawyer today, you know to start working on the divorce and all."

"Oh yeah, that's great. I was actually going to tell you to do that soon." He said, sounding a bit relieved.

"So, uh - I kind of need, I mean-" I let out a low breath and shook my head, "Oh god, I am so bad at this."

"What what? Tell me."

"Can I borrow money from you for the lawyer, I will give it back, I promise, it's just what I have left of my savings is not enough, and he's also working on getting me full custody of the child, so it kind of costs more and--"

"Hold on, hold on." He stopped my rambling, "What do you mean by borrowing and giving it back? Are you crazy? Cara, what's mine is yours." He shook his head, he seemed offended by my choice of words, "It's not even my money, it's Dad's so it's yours before it's even mine, don't forget that."

I shrugged and nervously rubbed on my arm, "It's just, I am not used to... You know."

He nodded, "Still, we're family. You don't even need to ask for it, just take it. And look at you all nervous, you should just call me and be like get me a million bucks and come here." I chuckled and shook my head, "Not that much."

He chuckled and pulled me in a hug, "Come here."

"Thank you." I mumbled lowly, "You always make me feel that you're the older sibling when it's actually the other way around."

He shrugged, "Yeah, I am just too mature for my age." He proudly said making me laugh at his tone. He rested his hand over my shoulder, his eyes softened as he said, "And you're all I have left, you're the only family I got."

A smile touched my lips, "I always regret leaving here, but when I think about it, I realize that if I didn't, I would've never met you and I can't imagine not having you in my life." I lightly shrugged, "You're the best thing that came out of that place."

"Okay, you're making me emotional, shut up!" He said with a roll of his eye, making me playfully slap the back of his head.

"Oh, uh, can I ask for another thing?" He immediately nodded his head, gesturing me to carry on, "Can I stay with you for a couple of days?"

A frown creased his forehead, "Of course you can, but first answer this, What did Alex do? And do I need my gun for it?" He ever so seriously said.

I shook my head, "It's not him, it's us." Ignoring the weird twisting in my gut, I added, "I think we just need a break from each other."

"Okay." He chose to not ask further and I appreciated that, "If you want to leave now, I can take you with me."

I nodded, " Actually, yeah, I am a little tired." I said, "Just let me go and tell them that I am leaving. I'll meet you in the car."

With that, I went back into the hospital and made my way up to Katherine's room. I first saw Alex and Ashton sitting outside, talking about something and laughing.

Pulling a much needed courage, I walked to them. Keeping my expression impassive, I said, "Alex, can I talk with you for a minute?"

That grabbed his attention to me and he nodded his head, "Yeah sure."

I gave Ashton a small smile before we both walked a bit away and stopped in the waiting area. He faced me, his hands shoved down his front pocket. He nodded his head gesturing me to start talking.

His face was relaxed now, the opposite of before, a hint of smile on his lips from his earlier conversation with Ashton. His eyes held a softness that made my heart melt and almost stole my words away.

I licked my dry lips and focused on the task at hand, "I am gonna go and stay with Roman for a couple of days."

And like that, the light in his eyes dimmed. I recognized the look in them as disappointment. It's like he was expecting me to say something else, I only wondered what.

The muscles of his jaw tightened so I added, "Don't worry about Lilly, we can manage it. I mean you're out all day, so you can have her at night if you want. Or one day with me, one with you...whatever suits you."

He blinked and his eyes drifted to the ground for a mere second. When they settled back on mine, they no longer gave anything in, "Okay."

He scratched the back of neck, "Can I have her for tonight?" He ever so calmly asked.

I nodded, "Of course."

**********

Alex's POV

And when I thought this day couldn't get any worse, life laughed at my face and threw another surprise my way.

Second birthday gift to receive today.

I tried to put that all behind as I made my way into the house. I pushed it all to the back of my head when I heard Lilly's voice. I didn't need this whole stupid world when I get this little girl.

She came running to me right away and squealed as she wrapped her little arms around my neck ridding me of today's events and taking my mind off everything that didn't include her.

When she pulled away, her eyes went behind me to the door then back at me, her eyebrows pulled together as she asked, "Mommy?"

I shook my head and tucked her hair away, "She is not coming today."

Her smile fell off and tears gathered in her eyes, threatening to escape. I immediately pulled the bag from my side, "But look what I got you."

Her eyes widened in happiness and her mouth fell open as she snatched the bucket from my hand, "Ice cweam!" She jumped up and down, her mother long forgotten.

I chuckled as she kissed me on the cheek and then ran off to the kitchen, ready to dive into her ice cream. No one else mattered to her at the moment.

I saw her sitting with Linda, so I took that chance to go get a shower and change.

When I finished, exhaustion weighted my body down so I laid on the bed for a while. I closed my eyes as pain throbbed deep in my head. These headaches are killing me. I rubbed at my forehead wishing it should just leave me be.

My eyelids glided open when I heard light footsteps nearing me. Lilly pressed her palms over the bed and climbed up. Her smile so big as she inched closer and sat down beside me, crossing her legs in front of her.

I mirrored her smile and pulled her closer, "Come here."

She obliged and rested her head over my arm, her big pretty brown eyes looking at me. She eyed me silently, looking at me intently making me wonder what thoughts are going through that sweet little head of hers.

I brushed her soft cheek with the back of my finger as I whispered to her, "Will you at least be the only one to wish daddy a happy birthday?"

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

How could they forget my baby's birthday? Ugh, I am mad!

Anyways, like I said, drama will be back soon, don't worry, next chapter will be a bit interesting and probably the one after it will be even better.

Also, you guys keep saying that I cannot kill Alex because he's in the teaser for the next book *shrugs* I mean the next book is not yet written so you never know...you never know...

Anyways, Ciao.
Love ya♥️