CHAPTER ONE-HUNDRED
BURKE’S POV
“Did you hear what she just said?” Ava asked, pacing around my room angrily.
I knew Nikky was acting strange, but that is her coping mechanism; when she is done grieving, she will go back to the sweet loving that she is.
“Ava, she is mourning her mother,” I said plainly, not knowing who to take sides with.
“She just disrespected me, and the only thing you have to say is that she is mourning; Catherine died weeks ago, Burke; she is supposed to be done mourning,” Ava yelled, with her eyes fuming with anger, her cheeks burned red, and I knew she was very angry at Nikky.
“Her mother died weeks ago and it’s not even up to a year since her mother’s death, her father is getting married to the woman who tried to kill her brother, and kidnap her and her mother, can you stop thinking about yourself and out the little girl into consideration,” I yelled back, exhausted about Ava’s nagging about Nikky’s behavior.
“I know Harley was a bad fucking person, but I’m her best friend; all Harley ever did was to love you, but you shoved it to her face. Were you expecting her to just watch as another woman take you without dropping a swear?” Ava said, rolling her eyes at me.
I stood up from my bed and walked towards her.
“I would act like you didn’t just support Harley’s behavior, but if you had anything to do with Harley’s crimes, I’ll take you to North Turret myself,” I threatened, pointing my index finger at her.
Ava was too shocked to speak. I have never threatened my sister before, and I don’t regret doing it right now; I know she has nothing to do with Harley’s crimes; she is supporting her and allowing Harley to use her.
“I… I… I was never a part of the crimes. I even hate the sight of blood, and you know that; why would you point accusing fingers at me?” Ava stuttered, folding her arms under her breast.
“Siding with Harley alone is already a crime to me, Ava,” I stated, not looking at her as she cried; it would break my heart that I made my sister cry, but she deserved the scolding, so I turned a blind eye to her tears.
“But… ”
“That is enough, Ava, if you have nothing to say, can you leave me alone? I need a quiet time,” I said, harshly.
Ava rolled her eyes and wiped the tears from her face.
“It’s about our dinner tonight; it needs to hold; Nikky is feeling depressed; family bonding can make her feel alright again,” Ava explained, and I knew she was right.
Although Ava wasn’t doing this for Nikky, the child pissed her off, but I didn’t know the reason behind it, and I don’t care to know either, whatever her reason is, she would never want to hurt my children or me.
“I know you aren’t doing this for Nikky, but regardless, I want it to hold, but I don’t know how to convince Nikky,” I confessed, and Ava burst into a round of laughter.
“What the fuck is funny?” I questioned, angrily as she continued to laugh.
“It’s just funny how the Alpha is afraid of his daughter,” She stated, still laughing uncontrollably.
“I’m not afraid, I just don’t want to push her too much,” I explained, arching my eyebrow.
I am not afraid of Nikky, but she is in this new phase of life; I don’t want to put too much pressure on her; she will heal at her own pace.
“Yes, you are; she is your daughter, Burke; she would love to attend the dinner,” Ava said after she had ceased laughing.
“She might be my daughter, but she has her decision; she isn’t going to come for the family dinner, that I assure you,” I said, scratching the back of my head.
“Then make her come,” Ava groaned at me before leaving the room.
“She is fine talking with you, can I come in now?” I hear Nikky ask, as she knocks at the door slowly.
“There is no need to talk, Nikky; go and prepare for the family’s dinner at almost noon,” I yelled, without giving her any instructions about entering my room.
The door banged open, revealing an angry Nikky.
“I am not going for the dinner, Daddy,” She said harshly as she glared at me.
“Yes, you would go for the family’s dinner, Nikky,” I said, not breaking eye contact with her.
Nikky didn’t bat an eyelid, and her eyes were focused on me, which was strange; nobody except Catherine could stand my eye contact.
“You have got to make me then,” She retorted as she was about to leave my room.
“If you don’t go, you will be grounded till my wedding with Harley, I know you love leaving the mansion,” I threatened, although I hated threatening my child, but I’ve hardly got a choice here.
“You can’t ground me; I need to leave the palace every weekend,” She grumbled, and I was glad my little threat would work.
“If you don’t want to be grounded, you know what to do,” I said, sternly, darting my vision towards the window.
“I hate you,” She groaned at me, as she left my room.
“You would love me for this, I promise princess,” I yelled after her.
It was already evening, and I was dressed in my casual jean pants and black shirt, and I headed to the dining for our family’s dinner. I have always wanted to do this on the night of my wedding with Catherine.
“You are twelve minutes late, Burke; what are you teaching your kids?” Ava asked, looking at me.
Dikky and Ricky were already eating, while Nikky just glared at me as I sat beside Ava at the dining table.
“Why is Harley not here?” I asked, surprised, knowing that Harley would have loved to join us.
“She isn’t yet family, Daddy,” Nikky said, sipping a glass of orange juice.
“Young lady…”
“Don’t scold her; she’s right, Burke; Harley isn’t yet family, so I told her to come,” Ava said, interrupting me.
Ava has something up her sleeves, she would never fight for Nikky, and saying Nikky’s was right would kill her, but she is doing it.
I shoved the thought off my head; I mean, what worse can Ava do? She won’t hurt her nurse.
I took a place full of soup and started sipping it slowly and enjoying the silence in the room.
“Daddy, what’s happening,” Nikky asked, and I looked up at her only to see her covered in blood.
“What the fuck is happening, Nikky,” I panicked as she continued bleeding from her nose and mouth, and suddenly she fell on her arms unconscious.
“Nikky!!!” I yelled.