"Your name is humming inside my chest. I think that is what it means to love. I think this is what it means to be living."

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

Nikolas's POV

"You're sure you're okay?" I inquired once again, the concern evident in my voice.

Natalie, however, responded with a frustrated eye roll, "Yes, yes, I am," She retorted, gently pushing me away and getting up to her feet, "Stop pampering me, I'm fine," She insisted, gesturing at herself from head to toe, "See, I am all perfect and still in one piece."

Reluctantly, I rose to my feet, trailing after her as she made her way to the kitchen. She let out an exasperated sigh when she noticed my persistence to follow her every move, "Still, you need to rest," I reminded her, my tone tinged with worry still, "The doctor said you could have a concussion."

Ignoring my advice, she busied herself with the teapot, preparing some of the disgusting tea she loved, "I know," She conceded, "But I'm feeling great, so stop being so annoying." She shot me an irritated look, silently imploring me to give her some space.

Leaning against the door frame with crossed arms, I observed her every move. My concern lingered, unable to shake the fear that she might just collapse at any moment, a constant reminder of my failure to keep her safe.

She stood by the stove, anxiously tapping her fingers on the concrete surface as she waited for the tea to be ready. Eventually, she turned to face me, the worry in her voice and expression was evident as she asked with a soft tone, "How's Gregory?"

A heavy sigh escaped my lips,  "He is getting better," I said, uncrossing my arms and edging closer to her.

Her shoulders slumped as she exhaled, a mix of relief and guilt in her demeanor. "He's a nice guy," She murmured regretfully, her voice tight with sorrow, "I feel so bad, he was just trying to protect me."

I moved closer to her, my hands resting gently on her waist as I stood behind her. Lowering my head, I placed a soft kiss on the side of her neck. "You didn't do anything wrong, Nate," I whispered, my arms encircling her waist, pulling her into my chest. She leaned back into me, closing her eyes, and I continued, "It's his job."

We stood there for a moment, her body melded with mine, seeking comfort in my embrace. She finally spoke softly, her words heavy with sadness, "It's a sucky job, then."

I pressed my chin over the top of her head, my eyelids dropping down as I took into her delicate scent, "I know but if anything would've happened to you," I whispered, unable to imagine that scenario, unable to conjure up a parallel reality where she would be hurt, where I would lose her.

It feels almost impossible, for me to function without her anymore, for my lungs to breathe without having her sweet scent surrounding me, for my heart to beat if she wasn't pressed this close to it, for my mind to stay in control and for my monsters to be tucked away if I didn't hear her soft voice every day.

"I don't know what I would've done," I whispered, "I don't know if I would've been able to survive such a life." It feels impossible.

She brought her hand and rested it over mine, "Don't say that," She mumbled with an unknown shade of melancholy in her words. She moved around in my embrace in order to face me. She titled her head up, looking at me, almost in the same way I look at her; like I am carrying the whole world's weight over my shoulders, "I am not your whole world, Nikolas," She said, bringing her hand up and brushing my cheek, "You can't think like that."

"It's insane, Natalie, but it feels like you are," The words scratched at my throat as they made it out because I couldn't comprehend how and when that happened. How did she become the center of my everything? How was it not in my control anymore? Was this good or bad?

She shook her head, refusing that, "But, I shouldn't be," She said, insisting.

Lines etched my forehead and I asked, "Why not?"

She shook her head again, her throat moving, "Because-" She paused, unable to find the right words to explain her messy thoughts.

Before she could dwell more over it, a young voice interrupted our conversation and light footsteps echoed into the room, "Why does it smell so bad in here?" I turned around when I heard Nathan ask that, his nose scrunching as he searched for the smell's source.

Natalie slowly retreated away from me and I answered him, "It's your sister's disgusting tea."

His eyebrows pulled closer and he inched closer, looking at the teapot with utter distaste. Natalie playfully slapped my arm, "It's not disgusting," She said, turning to Nathan and smiling, "It's really good and healthy, do you want me to pour you some?"

With a horrified look, he shook his head and took a step backward, "Uh, no, thanks."

I gave him a wink when he faced me, his expression softened and he smiled back, "Can I have some chocolate milk?" He asked, taking my permission for some reason.

I nodded my head, "Yeah, sure," I said and he scurried to the fridge, pulling the bottle and pouring himself a cup.

"Just this one," Natalie said, being a cute strict big-sister, "You already drank a lot today," She added as she snatched the bottle from him and placed it back in the fridge. Nathan gave her a baffled look before he smoothly made his exit from the kitchen with his big cup of chocolate milk.

Natalie turned the stove off and poured two cups of the weird herbal tea, she pushed one cup to my side, "Take it," She said, narrowing her eyes at me when I was about to open my mouth and refuse. Deciding not to argue over it, with a low sigh, I picked up mine just as she picked up hers and we both headed toward the living room.

"Why do I have to drink this?" I asked, more like whining.

"Because I am your girlfriend and I said so," She answered, giving me the most absurd reason but winning the argument nevertheless.

Nathan had picked a movie and he started it when we joined him. Natalie sat by his side and I settled by her side, the three of us occupying the couch across the TV. After what happened to Natalie, it felt rather logical to stay here with Nathan and not in my house. True Joseph was caught now but still, this place was much safer, for them both. Also, I am still not comfortable with leaving Nathan alone after what had happened to him.

A small orangy furry thing rubbed against my leg before it climbed up on me and settled over my lap, making me almost spill my damn tea on him. I cursed under my breath and glared at the thing as it looked up at me with uttermost innocence. Staying in this house over the last couple of days meant Natalie would drag the damn cats here as well. She was scared for their well-being for some reason. I will never understand her attachment to these animal beings.

Her ugly white one was sleeping beside Nathan, all snuggled beside him. He would rub his hand over her little head every now and then. While, this crazy orange one climbed up my shoulder and curled itself into a small ball by the crook of my neck, settling there and falling asleep like it was the most comfortable bed ever.

I decided to ignore it and focused on the movie playing ahead. Every now and then, my gaze would wander over to Natalie, particularly when she snuggled closer, leaning into me. I instinctively wrapped my arm around her, keeping her near as she sipped on her tea. On her other side, Nathan sat with his legs crossed over the couch, clutching his chocolate milk cup, and his eyes locked on the unfolding scenes of the movie.

A wave of relief washed over me, causing my shoulders to slump in relaxation. There was a sense of tranquility that settled in my chest, and I melted into the welcoming embrace of the couch, contentedly watching the movie. At this moment; The chaos, the battles, the endless fights, they all faded into the warmth of this silent night.

The comfort of normality, it does astound. And I never realized how much I was desperate for this taste of normalcy up to this point. I always wondered what would I do after Isaac's demise, where would I go, and what my purpose could be, but now things are starting to make more sense. I want this. I want normal. I want her. I want to build a simple normal life with her, one that includes Nathan too.

As the movie credits rolled, Nathan said that he was hungry and asked for pizza. I called for Jeremy to pick up and get us whatever Nathan ordered. When the door knocked, Nathan was the first to rush and open it. Jermey handed him the boxes, "Thank you, Jeremy," He said with a boyish smile. Jeremy ruffled the boy's hair with a smile of his own, "It's nothing."

Nathan went inside, heading for the kitchen and talking with Natalie. I turned my attention to Jeremy and he was smiling like the idiot he is. My eyebrow raised, "What?" I shot out, questioning his giddy state.

His smile widened, "It's just good to see you like this," He said, and my eyebrows pulled closer, "Like what?"

He shrugged, "You know, having your own little family and whatnot," He said as he nodded his head inside, addressing what I was feeling over the last hour. I shot him a glare, refusing to indulge him further in this.

He changed the subject, knowing I would punch him if he pressed further on the topic, "Anyways, I am gonna head home," He said, then briefed me on Gregory's health before he added, "And Ronald, well, he is doing...you know what," He added with a slight wince and I nodded, "Yeah, I know."

"I think it would be better if you check on him after a while," He suggested and I nodded my head, "I was already going to do that," I said and Jeremy gave me a small smile, bidding me goodbye before he finally left.

I joined Natalie and Nathan in the kitchen as they ate their food. I munched on one slice, my appetite lost for some reason. After bringing Joseph to the bunker and killing more than half of his men, I left him alone with Ronald to do whatever he pleased. It felt right because it was what he wanted. It's why he left everything behind, it's why he walked away from his father and Natalie and joined us, just so he can reach this point; Joseph captured and him the captor.

But better than anyone, I knew the real truth of facing your monsters, of seeking revenge, of winning but coming out as the one bleeding. The thirst for vengeance, I know how it feels. The wounded soul, how it hungers for release. To see its tormentor brought down and shredded to pieces. Yet in the depths of retribution's fire, Lie questions, doubts, and the key to our own destruction.

"Are you okay?" Natalie's words pulled me out of my messy thoughts and I turned my head to her. She rested her hand over my arm, her eyebrows pulled closer in worry and question.

I nodded my head, "Yeah," I said, backing my chair and getting up to my feet, "I just have something to do and I will be back," I said, leaning down and dropping a kiss over her temple. Worry tightened the lines over her forehead, sensing that something was not right.

"It's nothing, Natalie," I assured her again, offering her a small smile and ruffled Nathan's hair as I passed by his side before I headed for the door.

I heard hurried footsteps behind me so I paused and turned around just as Natalie came to a stop ahead of me. Her throat bobbed heavily, "Is...Ronald okay?" She asked, her voice low and anxious, somehow understanding it.

"Uh yeah, why would you ask that?" I asked.

She shook her head, "Nothing," She said, "It's just..." She paused and then let out a low sigh, "It's nothing, will you come back quickly?" She changed the topic.

"I am not sure," I said, "If you are tired, don't wait up for me."

She shook her head, "No, I am not," She edged closer and tiptoed to peck my cheek, "I will wait for you, okay?" She said, and I understood how she wanted me to tell her all about what was happening, so I nodded my head, assuring her, "Okay."

I left the house and made my way to the bunker afterward, swiftly entering the code that parted the metal door. As it slid open, I stepped inside and scanned the area. Everyone else had departed by now, their duties for the day fulfilled. A trail of light led me to the training room. At the threshold, I hesitated, pausing as my gaze fixated on Ronald. He was perched on the edge of the fighting ring, for there was nowhere else to sit. His elbows propped over his knees, his head shrouded in his trembling hands.

His once-white shirt was now covered in crimson. The blood staining his palms, a mute evidence of all that had unraveled over the past hours. Disheveled strands of hair clung to his face as he clenched his fists around them, in a desperate attempt to regain composure and control.

I approached him, taking a few steps closer. He remained oblivious to my arrival, so I seated myself beside him. My eyes wandered around the room as I wrestled with the words I needed to say, trying to form them into the right order in my mind.

Ronald lifted his head up from his hands, looking right ahead of him, aware of my presence now but refusing to turn and look at me, way too lost in his thoughts to care for anything else.

A long moment of silence pressed around us and he was the one to break it, "I am not delusional," He said, making me turn my head to look at him, "I knew...I know that hurting him, that getting rid of him will not bring her back, I know that." He said, his voice low and steady till it wavered at the next word, "But-" One word, three letters, it's this but that ruins everything and demolishes you.

"But I thought it would at least take all of this pain away," He added and I shook my head, speaking, "It doesn't."

He turned his head to me, his tortured eyes had lost all of their light as the storm of emotions raged within his insides, "It doesn't, it's the exact opposite," He mumbled, "It feels much worse."

I nodded my head, "Yeah, the thing is Ronald, revenge does feel good," I said, "For the first ten minutes only," I added, "But then the mirage breaks and reality settles in."

Vengence is a double-edged sword, it may offer temporary respite, but it also perpetuates a cycle of conflict, leaving the heart ensnared in an emotional labyrinth. It is a dance with shadows, offering momentary relief but often leaving the soul yearning for something else entirely.

"It won't change a thing," He whispered, his gaze falling down to the floor, "Killing him will not change a damn thing."

I nodded my head, I've been mentally preparing myself for what's going to happen once Isaac reaches his end because I am sure that I will fall into this same dark pit, questioning what changed and finally finding the space and time to come to terms with her death, "I know, just like I know killing Isaac will not bring my mother back, but I have to do it nevertheless."

Ronald nodded his head, understanding that part too, "I have to kill him, because he...he shouldn't live the life he once stole from her, he just shouldn't."

I nodded in silent agreement. Though he believed he was doing what he had to do, the weight of the situation settled heavily on his shoulders. His gaze remained fixed on some distant point, but it lacked focus as the tumultuous thoughts churned within him. The first tear traced a path down his cheek, an uncontrollable symbol of him finally accepting his mother's death. After all these years, this is finally his real moment of grief.

"All these years, training and working, all these years..." He whispered, "I left my sick father, I left Natalie all alone for this, I left all of my life behind, I lost all these years, I lost who I once was, all for this," He added, "So why does it feel so fucking wrong, why doesn't it feel right? Why do I feel this much regret..." He paused, and another tear trickled down, the redness enveloping the whiteness in his eyes, a mere reflection of the intensity of his emotions. It was all clear in the fiery tremor that seemed to consume his body.

His head hung low, burdened by emotions he could no longer contain. The weight of his decisions bore down on his shoulders, as though this life had stolen even his true identity from him. I placed my arm around his shoulders, my hand gripping firmly, trying to anchor him back to the present. "Ronald," I said with determination, attempting to pull him away from the abyss of those haunting memories that threatened to consume him completely.

Not going to lie, I usually hate him. I hate his usual smug annoying self but at this moment, he was just a kid, one who missed his mother and wished he could change the past, reminding me of the same lost kid in me. Ronald shook his head helplessly, unable to form words, unable to face me or anyone or even himself. With my tight grip over the back of his neck, I pulled him closer to me, my other arm going around his back.

His forehead fell into my shoulders, and it felt like he had no one else at the moment. After he left them, he really had no one, no home, no family. No one to guide him, no one to show him, no one to have his back, no one to lean into when life got hard. And it got hard, harder than he was raised to handle. His weakened state pulled at my heartstrings and I internally cursed because here I was caring for everything and for anyone, trespassing outside my comfort zone and way past my own territory.

Compassion and empathy, when did I learn these two qualities and how in hell did I integrate them into me?

"After I kill him, what am I going to do," His lost words reminded me of my previous thoughts, "Where will I go," He added, hopeless and without a purpose.

"You can do whatever you want, Ronald," I urged, "There is a weird beauty in that, one you can't comprehend now, but you will later on. Because you can either stay and keep fighting if it is the life you want to keep leading, or you can just leave all of this behind and go anywhere, do anything, no one is going to stop or control your movements anymore," I added, because maybe it wasn't that bad to be finally free. For people like us, who were chained for most of their lives, the fresh air of freedom feels suffocating, but in reality, it isn't. It should be liberating, to finally break the shackles and go out into the sun. We should learn to adjust to that.

Ronald sniffled and he pulled me away, edging backward slightly, and tried to straighten himself, rushing his hand over his face and under his eyes, in an attempt to get back his strength. His shoulders were still crushed down, his expression still that of heartbreak and grief but it felt like he was thinking it through. That Joseph finally being dead, wouldn't be the end of the world, but the exact opposite, it could mark a new start for him.

He turned his head to the right, facing me, fighting through the bad and trying to switch the topic, "To be honest, at the beginning, I used to hate you..."

"Me too," I replied back, interrupting his words, "I still do, by the way," I added, "This changes nothing."

A low somber chuckle vibrated from his chest and he nodded his head, "Yeah, I know," He said, pointing at the area beside his chin, "I still have the scar to prove it," He addressed the visible outcome from the last time I punched him while hallucinating and drugged.

I shrugged, not giving him the sorry he was waiting for. "I am not big on trust, Ronald, and to be honest, till recently, I used to really believe that you were working with Isaac," I said, "But I kind of get it now, I understand you...in a way or another," I tried to explain it and a small smile pulled up the corner of his lips.

He playfully elbowed me, "Is this your way of indirectly saying that you trust me now?"

"Don't gloat, it's just a tiny little bit," I said, my eyebrow arching before my gaze flickered down to where he elbowed me, "And if you ever do that again, I will smash your head into the wall."

His smile widened and he nodded his head, "Yeah, sure, sure," He rested the back of his head against the ropes of the fighting ring, "You can deny it all you want but I know that I am your best buddy," He said and I shot him a glare. He was already miserable, and I was going to make him more depressed if he didn't shut the hell up, "Also don't forget, we adopted a cat together, no one can break that type of bond."

I winced, recalling that day, "Don't remind me," I grated out, rushing a hand over my face. How is this my life, seriously?

Befriending Ronald, having a girlfriend I am ready to die for, taking care of a little boy, fathering a damn cat...Me from one year ago, would kill me if he saw the life I am leading...

Ronald was about to say something else but the sound of light footsteps nearing us stole the rest of his words. My gaze flickered to the room's entrance, falling on Natalie. She paused to a stop there, wearing her pajamas still with a jacket on top, her hands safely tucked into the pockets. Her hair was smoothly falling down around her beautiful face, and a bit of redness covered her nose from the cold outside. Her throat bobbed and she hesitated before she walked inside, a few steps and she stopped, her eyes on Ronald before they flickered to me, "Hey," She whispered softly.

She brought her hand up, tucking her hair behind her ear, her eyes on me, silently speaking and I understood her message. I got up to my feet, "I will go check on Nathan," I said, fishing for an excuse, "I promised him a chess match before he'd go to sleep."

Natalie nodded with an appreciative smile and my eyes flickered to Ronald, who looked way too lost and baffled to understand. I gave him a warning look to just fix this already before I made my exit and left them alone to talk.

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

Natalie's POV

My gaze flickered from Nikolas's retreating back and fell on Ronald ahead of me. Confusion reigned in his eyes and I took a couple of steps forward, looking around, searching for a chair or something but found none, "There is nowhere to sit in here," I commented with a low voice. My words had Ronald get up to his feet, "I can go get you a chair if you want."

I shook my head, moving ahead toward the fighting ring and I moved across the ropes and got inside, sitting over the mattress, it was comfortable enough, "Come here," I urged, patting the spot ahead of me. Ronald's eyebrows pulled closer but he did the same as he followed and joined me inside.

My gaze flickered around me, taking into my surroundings and falling into the boxing gloves lying beside me. If Ronald acts like the asshole he is, I will just get those and punch his face. Seems fitting.

I crossed my legs and Ronald sat across from me, his gaze wary and checking me, trying to understand why I was here now and why was I talking to him.

My eyes fell into his shirt and I gulped down, "That's not your blood, right," I questioned. His blood or not; both answers will be equally terrifying.

His gaze flickered down and he shook his head, "No, it is not mine."

My heartbeats accelerated and I bit at the inside of my cheek, trying to gather my words and speak, "Are you okay?" I asked, my head tilting slightly as I gazed upon his tortured expression.

"What do you mean?" He asked, his voice low, shocked still that I was initiating this type of conversation with him.

I didn't shy away from the topic and I honestly spoke, "There is this feeling inside my chest," I brought my hand up and pressed it there, "It's almost suffocating, like I can't breathe without it being an exhausting task," I explained, almost breathless, "And my heart, it feels so tight, in a way I can't explain it," I shook my head, "And I don't feel okay at all, but the thing is...I am okay," I added, because this pain wasn't exactly mine and I felt the tears glistening in my eyes, "I used to feel like this back in the day when you used to get hurt, so Ronald, are you really okay?"

I could see the way my words shifted his expression, breaking his defenses and leaving him bare for me to see. He shook his head, ever so helplessly, "No, Nate, I am not."

The tears in my eyes glistened in his. Back in the day, when he felt pain, I knew. Like a silent whisper, and an empathic prose.A mirrored ache in the depths of my heart, as if he and I shared one vital part. That connection faded slowly when he left me. Almost like he had cut me off from both his life and his soul.

My teeth dug into my lower lip because I didn't want to cry now, "Tell me Ronald, talk to me," I mumbled, "Tell me what happened."

Since he came back into my life in the most unexpected way, this is the first time I feel ready to hear him out, ready to accept all of his excuses, ready to do anything to shake this horrible feeling away.

His gaze wandered, perhaps through the halls of memories, tracing the footsteps of the boy he once was. I could sense the weight of the years, the experiences etched into his being. Time had carved stories across his features, leaving its indelible mark.

I watched the man before me, so different from the boy I had known, yet still connected by the threads of shared history. His maturity was evident, not just in his countenance but in the depths of his eyes, which held agony beyond his years.

Our resemblance was uncanny, like two chapters from the same book. From the shade of our hair, before I had dyed mine to the contours of our eyes, it was as if our very souls shared a blueprint, a testament to the profound bond we had once shared.

"I was there, Natalie," He finally spoke, his eyes falling back on mine, reflecting exactly what he had witnessed all those years ago, "I saw it, I saw him kill her, right in front of me," He shook his head, "And I couldn't do anything to stop it."

I bit down on the inside of my cheek once more, my fingers coiling around my pants, twisting the fabric in my grip. I had already mulled over this reality, piecing it together in my own thoughts, but when he uttered it, contemplating the potential wounds and scars it might have etched into him, I felt a powerful urge to weep, to let go and dissolve into tears.

"I couldn't just get over that, Nate, I couldn't," He shook his head again, "How could I?" He added, the emotions heavy in his eyes, "To this day, It's the only thing I see every time I close my eyes," He said, "I had to do something, anything, and this was the only way I could make a difference, taking from him what he took from us felt like the only way," He explained, "I had to make a decision, either include you and dad in this and risk you getting hurt, or just leave everything behind and walk away."

"I chose the latter," He said and only then I felt the one tear that trickled down my cheek.

"I knew that if I kept pushing you away, you would hate me in the end and just give up on trying to find me," He added, "I wanted that, your hate was much easier than you getting hurt because of me."

I shook my head, my lower lip slightly trembled and I pulled it under my teeth, "I could never hate you," I mumbled. I could pretend to, but how can I actually hate him?

My words had his expression shift, to one of shock and bafflement, it looked like he had believed that I really hated him over the past years. He believed that I could hate him...this crazy boy. Does he not know me one bit?

"You weren't just my brother, Ronald, not just my twin," I shook my head, words weren't enough to describe the bond we used to share. He was a part of my soul, just like I knew I was his, "You were my best friend, you were the only person I trusted, the only one I told everything to, the only one I leaned into and cried to..."

I used to believe that he thought the same of me. Maybe, he did, and maybe the trauma he went through was just stronger than all of this. It could be.

My words were enough to break the barrier, to rip apart that little rope binding his fractured being together. He shook his head, "I am so sorry, Natalie," He whispered with genuine regret, and the tear that finally fell through nearly undid me.

I edged closer, and he did the same, falling into my embrace as I wrapped my arms around him. I hugged him so tight, his temple pressing over my chest, his arms going around my waist, clinging to anything of his past, anything that could keep the human in him alive. He was so scared of that, so scared of losing the human in him, terrified of letting him get absorbed into the darkness, and the tighter I clung to him, the harder he fought his way away from that cliff.

I cradled the back of his head, perfecting the role of the strong one just so I could allow him to be the weak one this time. He doesn't know that I was equally ruined; That I wasn't the same me anymore either...

His shoulders shook slightly, crying into my embrace like a kid who only wanted a safe home; crying for every time he wanted to break down over the last years but couldn't. Crying for losing our mother, and our father, for walking away, for being alone, for fighting a losing battle all over these years.

My vision became blurry and I lowered my head, dropping a kiss over his head, "I know that you fought all of this on your own," I whispered to him, "But you don't have to anymore," I urged him to see some light, "We will fight everything together, I promise."

"I promise you and I need you to promise me too," I pressed my eyes shut, my voice shook lightly, "Because I need you to fight with me too." I hoped the desperation in my tone would make him understand how I badly needed him to be on my side because I too was fighting a losing battle, a one that would end in blood only.

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

Roman's POV

I was in the midst of applying aftershave, my hand gently rubbing it over my chin, when suddenly, someone leaped onto my back. Arms wrapped around my neck, causing me to stumble forward and accidentally spill the rest of the aftershave onto the floor. "Jesus," I said as I tried to recover from my crazy wife's attack of love.

She chuckled softly and nuzzled her head into my neck, planting a sweet kiss there. "Hey, handsome," she said, her smile exuding such rare warmth and tenderness, that it allowed the relief to rush into my chest in waves. I loved it when she was happy. It made me feel things I am incapable of explaining.

I looked at her through the mirror as she clung to me and her bubbly self had a smile spontaneously climb onto my lips, "Hey," I said back, my hands going to my back, my palms pressing under her thighs, making sure she was tucked up the right way as I walked us out of the bathroom. I dropped her over the mattress and she chuckled as I turned around and faced her, "What got you so happy," I couldn't help but ask as I hovered over her, my hands planted on either side of her beautiful face.

She lifted her hand up, letting it rest over my cheek, her fingers caressing my skin, "Why shouldn't I be happy," She said, "I am healthy, I have the best idiot husband in the whole wide world," She added and my eyebrow raised as tease fluttered all over her lips and she winked, "He also gives me the best sex ever," She added, earning another chuckle from me at her big mouth.

"Also, Matilde is all tied up and ready to die," She explained further, "Isaac's end will come so soon as Nik is so close to getting back the crown from him," She let out a low sigh, "And, I am kind of making new friends these days, so well...life is kind of good, it is treating me well, in a way it has never done before."

My smile widened and I leaned down, pecking her full red lips, reveling in this good happy mood and I wished she'd stay happy like this forever. It was a good color on her.

"The real question is, what got you so happy Mr. hot pants?" She asked me with an arched eyebrow, addressing the comfort enveloping my face and my unwavering smile.

"You," My answer was simple, one word only, it was more than enough.

Tease fluttered all over her gaze, liking that answer as she wrapped her hands over my collar and pulled me closer to her, pressing her lips into mine and kissing me like there was no tomorrow. When I slowly edged back, she groaned, "Do you have to go?" She grumbled out, still clutching into my collar and not letting me go.

"I am not that thrilled to go either," I mumbled, kissing the little pout from over her lips, "You know the guys have been pressuring me to hang out with them since when," I added and she nodded with a low sad sigh, "You can come with me," I suggested.

She scrunched her nose in disgust and shook her head, "Nah, too much testosterone for my taste," I narrowed my eyes at her and she added, "Also, I promised Noah to make popcorn and have a movie night with him."

That statement held both relief and concern for me, "You're getting really attached to Noah," I remarked, my worry bubbling beneath the surface. It was a bittersweet situation. But Noah wasn't a permanent addition to our lives, and I feared that growing too fond of him might make it harder for Emma when we eventually decide where he'll go.

She nodded her head, only seeing this as a positive thing, "He is also so used to me by now," She said, smiling still, "It's a nice change, I never thought these little humans would like me."

I tried to shake the negativity away and focused on the good part. I nodded my head, "Who doesn't like you?"

Emma raised her eyebrow, "Uhm, everyone?"

My eyebrows pulled together, "To hell with them," I grumbled out, ready to demolish anyone who'd dare to bad-mouth her in any way, "I like you," I said, "To be honest, it's even a little bit more than just like."

She smiled again, "That's more than enough for me," She said, needing only me and it was almost too surreal, "Also, how much is a little bit?" She questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"You see, it goes like this," I said as I leaned down and kissed her again, she was addictive in ways that were unhealthy, my very own personal-made drug, leaving me on cloud nine every time, "Little bit means I would die for you," I said as my fingertips, feather-light, traced a path from her collarbone to the nape of her neck, igniting a trail of electric sensations along both of our skins. "That I would kill everyone for you," I added and with every touch, I felt her pulse quickening, echoing the rapid fluttering of a captured butterfly's wings, "That I would walk through the gates of hell for you," I said, "And I would ruin the heavens only for you."

"It might sound exaggerated but Emma, there isn't a thing I wouldn't do for you," I whispered, my words real and genuine, "I am ready to rewrite the stars, to steal the fire from the sun just to keep you warm," I said, each word slowly stealing the smile from Emma's face but replacing it with breathless disbelief, "I'd tread through deserts, cross time and space, and I'd break through mountains just to be with you."

"When I am with you, I feel like I could conquer the whole world," I admitted, "Emma, you make me feel stronger than ever, like I am capable of just everything."

Her chest heaved, trying to absorb every word and the intensity of them imprinted lines between her eyebrows, it added layers of foreign emotions into her beautiful green eyes. She looked back at me with a helpless look, like she didn't know how to reply to that, speechless, almost like no one ever told her something similar before.

I gave her lips a small peck, "I love you, my crazy girl," I summarized all of my words into one sentence, "That's what a little bit more means to me," I added with a playful wink, earning a small affectionate smile from her again.

She nodded her head, "And I like you too," She said, her voice low under the heaviness of her inner emotions, "A little bit more than just like."

She cleared her throat after, trying to shake herself back, and changed the topic, "Anyway, come back quickly, okay?" She asked and I nodded, I was dreading leaving now. She was better for me than anyone else. As I said, this addiction has surpassed the healthy dose. I am in a big trouble.

"Also, don't look at any other girls in my absence," She added, the threat and warning evident in her tone, "Unless you want blood to be spilled."

"Who will I look at when I have the prettiest girl here with me," I said. She nodded with a playful proud look, "See, you are one lucky dude," She said, threatening again because that's her love language apparently, "Do one thing wrong and you will be one lucky dude minus one ball," She said, ever so seriously making me throw my head back as a low chuckle bubbled from my chest.

She smiled at my happy mood, the tender lift in her lips making me question even my sanity, wondering if I would ever be able to function again in a world that wouldn't include her.

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

Nikolas's POV

"Why do you never call me?" I was welcomed with Alex's whiney needy words the second I answered his call, "Or is Alex just there for when you need something?"

I sighed, wondering if he would ever stop acting like the wife I never asked for, "Oh but wait, you have a girlfriend now, so why would you need me anyway," He added with a scoff and I waited for him to let it all out.

"You seem to forget that you are the main reason I do have a girlfriend," I inquired and he let out a low groan, "I regret it every day, believe me."

"Did you just call me to complain?" I asked with an annoyed sigh.

He cursed me under his breath, calling me words like son of a bitch with a low voice but I heard him nevertheless, "Alex," I grated out angrily because he knew how much I hated that word.

"Okay, you are right, she is dead," He said, "Sorry," It didn't sound that genuine but I decided it was wiser to ignore his nonsense as usual.

"Anyways," He stressed out, "Like the great brother I am, I called you because I've got Lilly for the night, I am gonna take her out for an early dinner, you wanna join us?" He asked.

Like I would ever say no to that, "Yeah, sure," I said, my gaze flickering to Natalie in the other room, sitting with Nathan and talking, "Can I bring Natalie too?" I asked.

He didn't answer right away, hesitating for some reason, "Do you have to?"

My eyebrows pulled closer, recalling the tension I sensed last time they were in the same space, "Did something happen with you two?" I mean, he used to like Natalie a lot. I can only wonder why he is changing sides now.

He let out a sigh, "Nothing important," He grumbled, "You can bring her, whatever, apparently you can't function without her anymore," Yeah, he is acting absurdly weird.

"Alex, just tell me what's the problem, so maybe I can fix it," I said, not liking this tension forming between them too.

"It's nothing, I said," He added, dismissing it, "I will text you the location later, see you," He said, closing the topic immediately and hanging up.

Air harshly pushed out of my lungs and I slipped into the other room, stealing Natalie from Nathan as I asked her to join me for tonight. I assessed her body language as I waited for her answer but to my surprise, her reaction didn't mirror Alex's hesitancy, which left me even more perplexed. I wondered if his unease was one-sided, or if Natalie possessed a remarkable talent for masking her worries behind a façade of normalcy. The uncertainty continued to gnaw at me and I decided to discuss it later at the dinner.

Natalie beamed brightly at the mention of Lilly, "Yeah, I would love to," She said, genuinely smiling, "I miss that cute little girl."

"What time will you two meet?" She checked again, "Remember, I told you how we were planning a surprise birthday party for Sarah tonight," She said and I nodded, a furrow between my eyebrows as I recalled, "Oh, yeah, was that today?"

She nodded her head, "We can do it like this maybe," She explained, "I will join you at the dinner and leave early to help prep for the party and when you are done, you can come and join me for the party," She said with a big smile, happy at her little plan and I could not possibly say no to her.

I nodded my head, "Deal."

"Awesome," She beamed ever so brightly and I felt my mood dropping down as a thought crossed my head, "Will your dear friend be there too?" I asked, my voice suddenly losing all of its humor.

Natalie's eyebrow raised, "Malcolm is Sarah's brother, of course, he will be there," She answered and I shot her a glare, questioning the whole plan. Natalie narrowed her eyes at me, "Don't be petty, he is a nice guy and you know it."

I scoffed and Natalie crossed her arms over her chest, warning me, "You will be nice to him, don't forget how he nursed your wounds when-" She paused, her eyes widened when she saw the shock wrap over my expression.

"When he did what?" I asked in shock.

Natalie gulped down, realizing her mistake, "Oh, true, I didn't tell you about that for a reason, didn't I?" She scolded herself and took a step backward, "Uh, it was nothing big."

My jaw tightened, "Seriously Natalie!" I shot out in disbelief.

"Hey, you were passed out and bleeding, what was I supposed to do!" She shot back, defending herself.

"Unbelievable!"

"Don't be a jerk, he came all the way to your apartment, he checked all of your wounds and he didn't accept any money in return and he didn't even ask any questions," She defended him, only adding fuel to my anger. Mr. High and Mighty is so desperate to impress her that he would do anything, it's so damn obvious.

I shot her a glare and brushed past her, walking away before my anger would get the best of me. She was gonna drive me mad one day, that's for sure.

She followed me into the bedroom, "Don't be a baby, Nikolas!" She shot out, angry too as she slammed the door behind us, shielding our little fight away from Nathan.

I turned around to face her, "I can't believe that when I was in such a moment of weakness, you invited your damn ex-boyfriend!"

Her eyes widened at the accusation, "He is not my ex-boyfriend!"

I scoffed, as if I was oblivious to all the damn signs, "Don't lie," I grated out and she narrowed her eyes at me as she confessed, "Sarah set us up, and we went on like two dates in total before I told him that it wasn't going to work out, so no, he isn't my ex-boyfriend."

"Goddammit Natalie, each word you are saying makes me want to-"

"Want to what!" She interrupted me, being a little minx as usual.

I marched forward in a swift move, backing her into the wall. She gasped when my hand curled over her wrists and pushed he arms above her head, my other hand grabbed her chin, slamming my lips into hers, wanting to erase any thought of him out of her stubborn head.

I could feel her heart beating against mine. Loud, and a little out of control. Just like mine. We were just two crazy kids walking into a maze, into a foreign ground, and an uncharted territory  without any guide. I was okay with it though, I was ready to get lost inside this dark wilderness alongside her, but why did it sometimes feel like she was trying to crave her way out of this labyrinth?

"Nikolas," She said my name, breathing it into my mouth, like a whispered prayer. This crazed obsession I have for her is going to get me killed but my heart and mind are too drunk and dark to even care. I grunted in response. Leaning closer and devouring her lips till we were both breathless, our lungs aching for a taste of oxygen.

Her hands fought out of my grip and when I freed them, they descended, wrapping around my neck and clutching into me ever so tightly. I tasted the saltiness of her tears against her lips and I edged back, my eyes growing wide as I watched the tears trace a path down her cheeks. She pried her eyelids open, looking back at me, "Natalie, what's wrong?" I asked, bewildered at the sudden shift in her mood.

She shook her head, almost like she didn't understand the reason herself. With her arms around my neck, she urged me to get close again, "Just kiss me," She whispered, a plea in her strained voice that had me question everything.

I brought my hands to her face, my fingers brushing the tears away, "What's wrong? Tell me, did something happen? Did anyone hurt you? Is it-" I started to interrogate her, trying to understand which fucking idiot caused her tears but she shook her head with a somber smile, "No, it's nothing, I swear, calm down, you look like you are about to pull your guns and kill everyone-" She said with a low chuckle, sniffling and bringing her hand to her face as she wiped her tears away.

I nodded, "Yes, I am ready to do more than that now," I said, seriously.

She shook her head, "I am sorry, I am just being emotional and hormonal, and I don't know," She mumbled, sniffling, "I am gonna have my period soon or something-" She said and my eyebrows pulled closer. Her smile grew slightly wider, the trace of tears still evident in her eyes so I couldn't find it in me to smile just yet.

"Is it Ronald?" I asked, recalling their talk from last night. My eyebrows raised, "Because I would gladly go and smash his head somewhere right this moment," I said and she shook her head, "No, no, he didn't do anything, stay put!" She stressed out, her eyes growing wide at my very serious threat.

"Is it me?" I asked, my jaw tightening, "Did I do something?"

She shook her head, "No," She said, smiling softly, "You didn't do anything, you are so cute," She said.

"I am not."

"You so are."

"Why did you cry?" I stressed out again, not liking this one bit.

She shook her head, "Nik, honey, sweetie," She said, like she was explaining it to a baby, "We girls, sometimes we cry for no reason at all, or for something as simple as dropping our food on the floor, it happens," She added with a shrug, but I don't know why I didn't believe her one bit, "Do you want me to explain to you how the girl's anatomy work, the hormones, the whole estrogen ordeal, the womb, and the blood-"

My eyebrows pulled closer and I shook my head, taking a hesitant step backward, "No."

She smiled in accomplishment, "Good," She said, moving to the side and locking the door before she turned around to face me, "Now, take off your clothes, and let's resume this," She said, inching closer and tugging at my shirt.

I pulled back from her and shook my head, "I am not in the mood anymore."

Her eyes narrowed at me, she crossed her arms over her chest and an evil smile climbed up her lips, her eyebrow raised, "Oh, I know exactly how to put you back in the mood," She said, the tease in her voice didn't settle well with me, "Let me start by explaining in excruciating details the time Malcolm and I kissed, you see, it was a July evening and-"

"Natalie!" I grated out, my jaw ticking because she had driven me mad. God, this little minx. She was unbelievable.

She smiled and inched closer to me, "I am kidding, we never kissed," She said, bringing her fingers up to my shirt and playing with the buttons.

"I think you underestimate the lengths I am willing to cross," I said, fuming still.

"What would you do?" She asked, her eyebrow raising, thinking I wouldn't just slit his throat and make it look like an accident.

"For starters, my hand for example would slip tonight at the party and accidentally kill him," I said, "Or maybe I could tie you to this bed and not let you leave before I erase every thought of him from your thick head."

"I like number two, let's start with number two," She said ever so excitedly and I wished she wasn't so freaking cute.

She smiled and snuck her arms over my shoulders, her fingers fluttering over my neck, a nostalgic look in her eyes as she spoke, "Nik, I still remember that first day you walked into my office. I was half asleep and tired but after seeing you, all tall and handsome and ready to break my heart, I couldn't stop thinking about you," She whispered, bringing her hand to my chin and up my cheek, lost in the memories that felt so far away, "You were a mystery, a one that I felt like it's my job to unravel."

And unravel me, she did.

"You came into my life and waltzed into it guns blazing like you belonged there," She added, "I feel like I know since ever, I feel like you've always been here, I don't really remember how my life was before you, I feel so safe when I am with you," Those some emotions from earlier glistened in her eyes, ruining me yet again, "I feel like I am home, and believe me, I didn't have a home for so long."

Her throat bobbed heavily, "So, I could care less for Malcolm or any other guy," She shrugged helplessly, "You've got me under your own spell, Nikolas," She sucked into a deep breath, edging closer and reaching to kiss me, ever so slowly melting all of my anger and rage away, "Fate has a strange way of playing with us, huh," She whispered into our kiss.

She was right. Fate did have a strange way of playing with us. We were its unwilling victims after all. But I didn't care. I don't regret a thing with her. I don't regret staying, I don't regret choosing her even though I don't deserve her one bit. I strangely believe that everything was leading me to this...to her. To my beautiful delicate girl.

Fate played the freaking matchmaker.

It was a laughable thought, really. The irony didn't escape me. Nikolas Virachi, ensnared in the intricate web of fate. I had fallen so deep down its trap. Blind, infatuated, and helplessly in love with this girl.

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

Natalie's POV

Alex doesn't like me. I came to that conclusion on the day I indirectly interrogated him about...his son.

So, I don't actually blame him for his palpable hostility.

I don't blame him for not initiating any conversation with me, for never looking at my side, nor for being so desperate for me to just leave already...

I felt my shoulders drop down, my gaze flickering from my untouched food to Nikolas, Lilly was seated beside him, opening her mouth every time he fed her. She'd smile, so happy by his presence and she'd talk nonstop before she'd climb up to her feet on the seat and drop a kiss on his cheek. They were the cutest thing ever, it made my heart ache beyond my control.

My gaze flickered and wandered around the restaurant, my eyes falling on the table across from us, where one woman was sitting and just watching Nikolas. My eyebrows pulled closer and I kept looking at her, giving her the benefit of the doubt and thinking maybe she had zoned out or something but no, the stupid woman was still ogling at him like he was some type of candy she wanted to eat.

He was a candy alright, but he was my candy only.

I felt my temperature rising and I was more than ready to snatch Nik's gun and throw it at her face. Unbelievable.

Look at me, I am worse than him when it comes to this.

My jaw tightened and I kept shooting daggers at her with my eyes but she couldn't care to look at my side, she was rather busy checking out my boyfriend. The only thing to snap me back was the vibration of my phone. My gaze flickered to it, reading the message from Sarah's husband, asking when I'd get there.

I let out a low sigh when I realized that I'd have to go. Nikolas's eyes fell on me, noticing that too and he asked, "You have to go?"

I nodded my head as I gathered my things, "Yeah," I mumbled, backing my chair and getting up. My gaze went to Alex, who finally looked at me and I gave him a small nod, "I will see you around, Alex," I mumbled and he gave me a small nod, not caring to exchange words with me.

My gaze flickered to that woman and yeah, her gaze was still on him. My jaw ticked and I did the only reasonable thing. I wrapped my arms around his neck from the back, dropping multiple kisses over his cheek at once, "I'll see you at the birthday party, okay baby?" My voice was louder than usual, making sure miss little black dress heard me.

Nik nodded his head, he seemed confused but he didn't question it and when I smiled, he couldn't help but smile back.

I turned to Lilly and kissed her face. She smiled and waved me goodbye and I really hated the fact that I had to go, so I leaned down and pecked Nik's cheek again, "Okay bye, Love you."

I hurriedly turned around but suddenly froze in my spot, my eyes growing wide at the words that escaped my mouth ever so smoothly. The fuck-

What the hell, Natalie!

I slowly turned my head, Nik didn't look to my side but his back was tensed. Alex across from him placed a hand over his mouth, trying to hide his smile.

I did the only logical thing after, I ran off.

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

Hey!
I hope you liked the chapter.
The next chapter will be my favorite though, if it turns out like I want, it will be the breaking point for the two couples; for Nik and Nate; and also for Emma and Roman 🫣

I can't wait to write it down.

Here is a little teaser:

"I should kill you! I fucking wish I had it in me to do it."

See ya soon!