Tatiana gasped as the words slipped out of her mouth. Her hands flew to her lips as she watched Cassius’ face contort in shock.
“Oh God, I said it,” she whispered, her eyes locked onto his.
It took a moment before Cassius finally whispered, “Rebel,” his voice barely audible, laced with both shock and excitement. “W… what did you just say?”
“Well… uhmm… the thing is, I… I missed my period last month, and this month too… though I haven’t confirmed if it’s pregnancy…”
“Jesus Christ! Rebel!” Cassius exclaimed, a smile slowly spreading across his face. He swiftly leaned forward and began kissing her nose, mouth, lips, and cheeks.
“You’re pregnant!” he exclaimed, kissing her again.
“Cash, I haven’t confirmed it yet. I’m not sure!” Tatiana exclaimed, surprised by his enthusiastic reaction. He was genuinely happy.
He captured her lips for a brief kiss. “I love you so much, wife. You’re the best,” he said, his eyes shining with joy.
“But what if it’s not… what if I’m just late?” she asked, her voice filled with uncertainty. Though she had been feeling weak recently, she didn’t want to get her hopes up too high.
“Then we’ll celebrate the possibility, wife, and wait together for confirmation,” he said, kissing her forehead. “I’m having another baby with you. This is the best news.”
Tatiana chuckled, feeling a warm sense of happiness wash over her like waves. Her cheeks flushed, and her heart raced with affection.
“We’ll have the doctor check on you tomorrow,” Cassius added, and Tatiana’s smile faltered slightly at the word “tomorrow.” They were going to save Maya, and she badly wanted to help, but she knew Cassius wouldn’t allow her.
“Please be safe,” she said.
“I will,” he assured her, rubbing his thumb on her belly, his eyes locked onto hers. “You should stop worrying, wife. You now have a life growing inside you,” his voice soft and filled with warmth.
“Alright, hubby,” she replied sweetly.
—
**BRAINSTORM HIGH SCHOOL**
“Make sure you keep your eyes on your papers only. Any form of cheating will not be tolerated… Am I clear?” The teacher’s voice boomed through the classroom.
“Yes, ma’am,” the students chorused.
“Why is this school so different? A test? We’ve only been back for two or three weeks, and we’re already having a test?” Leonard’s friend complained. When Leonard didn’t respond, his friend nudged him. “Hey, are you okay?”
Leonard shot him a glare. “I’m fine. Now shut up.”
The boy quickly fell silent and looked elsewhere.
Leonard’s thoughts were in turmoil, haunted by what he had done the previous night. He had sneaked into his father’s room. He knew his father must have weapons, and after searching, he found a gun.
“Mister Wallington?” The teacher’s voice snapped Leonard out of his trance. His eyes snapped up to meet hers.
“Yes?”
“Are you alright?” she asked.
“Y… yeah, yeah, I’m fine,” he responded.
“Are you sure? If you need anything, I can-”
“I said I’m fine!” Leonard snapped, causing the teacher’s brow to furrow.
“Here’s your paper,” she said curtly, twitching her lips as she moved on to the next student.
Leonard closed his eyes and cursed inwardly. He had been losing control lately. His gaze shifted to Rafael, who was also watching him. Leonard averted his eyes, picked up his pen, and began writing his test.
‘You should watch your back. Your brother might kill you.’
Silence’s voice echoed in Rafael’s head. Leonard’s behavior was starting to worry him. Though Rafael wanted Leonard to suffer, to feel the pain he had inflicted on him for years, seeing him like this was becoming alarming.
Rafael felt something brush against his leg under the desk. His eyes snapped back, and he saw Leonard’s girlfriend giving him a seductive smile. She had been after him recently. The girl used to smile whenever he was bullied by Leonard, and now she was trying to cling to him.
He shot her a glare and kicked her leg away. She gasped at his harsh reaction.
“Is everything alright?” the teacher asked.
“E… everything’s f… fine, ma’am,” she stuttered as Rafael turned back to his work.
—
When Rafael got back to the mansion, he headed straight to Silence’s room but couldn’t find him. He asked the guard where Silence was and was told he had gone to the gym.
Rafael found the man lifting weights, his skin glistening with sweat as he smoked a cigarette. His tattoos gave him a dark aura, and his weathered face made him look like a devil. No matter how many times Rafael had faced this man, he always sent a chill down his spine.
“Hello, Rafael,” Silence said, setting the weights back on the holder and drinking from the alcohol beside him. When Rafael remained silent, Silence’s piercing blue gaze fell upon him.
“Are you here for a staring contest?” the man asked.
“I…” Rafael sighed, unsure if his words would upset Silence. After an internal struggle, he finally spoke. “I’m scared.”
Silence stared at him for a long while, making Rafael’s palms sweat with every passing second.
“You said Leonard might kill me. And the truth is… he’s been acting weird.”
“How weird?” Silence asked, his gaze focused.
“Like he… really wants me gone.”
Silence’s lips curled into a creepy smile. He stood and walked toward Rafael, his presence almost making Rafael step back.
“What about you, Rafael? Do you want him gone?” he questioned.
“Gone?” Rafael’s brows furrowed. “Why would I want that? He’s my brother.”
“And the same brother wants you gone.”
“I’m not sure about that yet.”
“What if he wanted to kill you? What would you do, Rafael?” Silence asked, his creepy smile widening.
“I… I don’t know,” Rafael stammered. Leonard had hurt him, yes… but would he go as far as killing him?
“You took everything from him, Rafael. His position, his attention, his respect… his girlfriend,” Silence whispered.
“I didn’t take his girl.”
“That’s not the point.”
Rafael sighed. “You’re not helping. I don’t even know what happened to my mother or uncle. I know they hated me, but…”
“They’re dead.”
Rafael’s eyes widened, and his face paled as Silence’s words sank in. He stepped back in terror.
“Well, your mother is dead. Your uncle-or should I say father-is being tortured by the Kings as we speak. He’s as good as dead.”
“What? What the heck? Did you do this? Why is my mother dead? Did you kill her?”
For a fleeting moment, Silence’s eyes flashed with anger. “Are you dumb?”
Rafael slowly relaxed, thinking for a moment. His eyes widened as realization dawned on him. He whispered, “Maximus.”
Shock and anger flashed through him as the truth sank in. “Maximus killed my mother and… sent Tristan to the Kings.”