Tatiana opened her mouth slightly to take the food from Cassius. He had been awfully quiet since she woke up and helped her bathe.
His answers were just ‘Yes’ or ‘No.’ He gave her everything she needed, and now he was feeding her. Though his gaze was calm, she could tell he was angry.
She had almost lost her life, and she never told Cassius about her mission. Waves of guilt crashed over her every second.
“Cash,” she called softly to the man who was busy cutting her steak.
“Hm?” he responded without looking at her.
“A-are you mad at me?” Tatiana knew the question was stupid. Of course, he was mad at her.
Cassius paused for a moment before continuing.
“I found Isabella alive.”
He paused again, this time looking up at her with wide eyes. The shock was evident in his expression, and he looked a bit confused.
“I found her in the brothel. She was waiting for me the whole time-with a baby.” Tatiana clenched her jaw, trying to hold back tears. “I hate myself for not telling you, and I hate myself for not protecting her. They have Maya too, and… and…”
“Shhh.” Cassius quickly moved closer to her and held her face. She stopped speaking.
“Be calm, okay?” he said gently.
Tears fell from her eyes. “You deserve to be mad at me. I’m sorry…”
“What did I tell you, Rebel?” He asked, wiping her tears away.
“Sorry…”
“Rebel,” Cassius interrupted, sighing. His Adam’s apple bobbed as his expression pained him.
“I almost lost you,” he said, clenching his jaw. “You know, I saw you lying on the cold, dirty floor with all those bruises and bloodstains. I ran to you and found you weren’t breathing… and I swear, my next thought was to die with you.”
Tatiana’s eyes widened slowly at his words.
“Don’t ever keep anything from me, Rebel. I can’t lose you-it’s unbearable,” Cassius’s voice cracked with emotion. “You’re mine, Tatiana. And I won’t let anyone or anything take you away from me. So please, don’t keep anything from me.”
Tatiana couldn’t stop the tears that fell. His words hit her hard.
“I won’t,” she sobbed, her voice trembling. “I’m sorry.”
Cassius stroked her tears away with his thumb. “Always come to me, Wifey. No matter what.”
“I will,” she whispered, nodding lightly. Cassius leaned in and brushed his lips against hers in a soft, gentle kiss that calmed her nerves.
“I love you,” he whispered.
“I love you too,” Tatiana replied, her voice barely audible.
“We’ll get Maya and Isabella back and make them pay for what they did, okay?” he assured her, and she nodded lightly.
“Okay, Cash.”
__
[WALLINGTON’S MANSION… Australia]
One word described the Wallington mansion: WEALTH. It exuded power from every corner. The imposing, grand building was surrounded by different flowers. The soft sounds of a burbling fountain and the scent of roses filled the air. Its architecture was breathtaking. Guards and maids moved in and out of the mansion.
Inside, the rooms were luxurious. A sparkling chandelier hung in the center of the living room, adding to its beauty. The marble floors were so clean and shiny that one could see their reflection.
It was all the result of the great wealth built by Mr. Wallington.
Maids carried several dishes as they made their way to the dining room.
The room was cold, filled with harsh gazes from Maya and Isabella.
Maximus didn’t mind.
“How have you been, Maya? Isabella?” Odessa, an elegant woman, sat around the table. After Yara died, Maximus had married Odessa, who had borne him male twins, Leonard and Rafael, both fourteen years old.
“Ask your sweet husband. Don’t act nice,” Maya glared at her.
“I’m your stepmother. I’m worried about you.”
“Oh, fuck you,” Maya spat.
“Language,” Maximus glared.
“Oh, fuck you,” Isabella echoed. Isabella’s baby was being cared for by a nanny.
“Where’s Tristan?” Maximus asked Odessa.
“He’s upstairs.”
“Go get him,” Maximus ordered, his voice subtly cold.
Odessa sighed and left.
When Odessa was gone, Leonard spoke to Maya and Isabella. “It’s really nice to see you again. How many years has it been, sisters? Ten? I don’t know, I couldn’t count.”
“I’m not your sister,” Maya glared at him.
“Don’t glare at me, I’m not Mason Jones who caused you pain,” Leonard said, and Rafael nudged him lightly.
“Stop, what are you doing?” Rafael whispered. He looked at Maya, guilt flashing in his eyes for what his twin brother had said.
“I’m just telling the truth. Didn’t you see the way she glared at me? Why are you taking her side?” Leonard snapped, giving Rafael a hateful glare.
“Quiet,” Maximus said, and both boys fell silent.
“What happened to Tatiana?” Maya finally asked the question that had been bothering her.
“Somewhere,” he replied lightly.
“Is she alive?” she asked, but he stayed silent. “Please, just answer.”
“I guess you prefer being locked up and starved to death,” he said dangerously.
Maya swallowed hard and stayed quiet.
Now that they were in the mansion, it would be dangerous to provoke his anger. They could only hope things wouldn’t get worse.
___
Odessa stepped into Tristan’s room and found him lying in bed without a shirt.
He removed his hand from his face and opened his eyes, sensing her presence.
“Hey,” Odessa smirked.
“What?”
“You’re not down for breakfast,” she smiled, stepping forward.
“No, I’m not hungry. Tell my brother that. Now, can you guys leave me the fuck alone?” Tristan asked coldly.
“Cold. That’s why I like you,” Odessa smiled seductively, reaching for the hem of her dress.
“Are you kidding me? Don’t do this right now,” Tristan said, trying to sit up, but Odessa pushed him back down and climbed on top of him.
Her hand reached for the bruise on his head-the one Isabella had inflicted on him.
“I saw her right before me, and I feel like killing her for what she did to you,” she whispered.
Tristan grabbed her hand and yanked her hair backward.
“How many times do I have to tell you not to act crazy while my brother is around?” he asked coldly.
“I love the way you hurt me,” she smiled like a maniac. Tristan felt himself getting hard at her words.
“Fuck it, Odessa. Get off,” Tristan pushed her off him and sighed.
Odessa giggled on the bed and caressed his back. “I can’t wait to have you again. All of you.”
“I’m going downstairs for dinner. Get your ass up,” Tristan stood and put on his shirt.
“Getting hard?” she teased.
Tristan sighed and left the room. Odessa followed.
When Isabella and Tristan’s eyes met, she clenched her jaw and averted her gaze, feeling disgusted. Tristan smirked.
“Now, let’s have a quiet family dinner, shall we?” Maximus said, but his phone rang.
“Boss.”
“What?”
“Mr. King just destroyed… the brothel. He saved the women there too.”
Maximus clenched his jaw. So, Mr. King was going to play, huh? His gaze shifted to Tristan, and his brother immediately understood.
“Finally, fuck yes.” Tristan stood and grabbed his jacket.
Maya and Isabella panicked. What were they planning to do?
___
Hudson checked his wristwatch and then adjusted his suit. It was a pleasant event for Indigo. After this, he was taking her out for dinner.
He glanced at the car’s side mirror to check his hair.
He heard someone clear their throat, and when he looked up, his mouth fell open at the sight of Indigo’s beauty. She was wearing a purple dress that accentuated her figure perfectly.
“Wow, you… you look incredible,” Hudson stuttered, his face turning red.
Indigo chuckled and swayed her brown hair. “Thanks.”
“Alright, wait, I have a message.” Hudson pulled out his phone. His frown deepened as he read a message from Cassius.
*Get out of there and go to my mansion.*
“Is everything alright?” Indigo asked worriedly, catching Hudson’s attention.
Hudson started to speak but spotted a red dot on her chest.
Was that what he thought it was?
He reached for her, but a gunshot echoed through the air.
Panic erupted, especially for Hudson, who held her arm.
The bullet had struck her in the chest. Blood spilled from her mouth as she gasped.
“Dee! No… No… no!” Hudson’s eyes welled up as she slumped in his arms.
“H… Huds… I… I…” She could barely speak.
“Call the fucking ambulance!” he yelled at a nearby guard, who immediately complied.
He looked back at Indigo. “Dee, stay with me… Don’t close your eyes, okay? Please, don’t!” he cried.
“I… love…” Her words trailed off as she slowly went numb in his arms.
“Dee!!!!”