Cassius’s face paled, mirroring the expressions of the others. Jaxon choked on his drink before bursting into laughter. The others joined in, and the room erupted with laughter.
After they finished eating, they all headed to the park. Cassius decided to buy the entire place for his son and wife.
Jaxon stood at a distance, watching Tatiana, Cassius, and Dylan riding the carousel. Aurora stood beside him, also watching.
“A wonderful sight, isn’t it?” she sighed. “For a fleeting moment, I thought I’d never see this. Silly me.”
Jaxon put his arm around her shoulder. “You’ll get to see this every day.” He then recalled what Cassius had said about Silence and Aurora not wanting to meet each other.
He knew it was for the best, but his heart ached knowing Aurora never experienced true love… or maybe she did.
She cared for her family more than anything. The smile on her face and the happiness glittering in her eyes were priceless.
“Aren’t you going to ride with them?” Jaxon asked Jolene, who was nearby.
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t want to,” she replied. Before she knew it, his face was close to hers. Her eyes flew wide open.
“What’s wrong, cutie?” he asked gently. “Tell me, or I’ll kiss you right here.”
“Huh?” Jolene’s face turned red. She glanced at Tatiana, who was smirking at her from a distance. If Jaxon kissed her right here, Tatiana would tease the heck out of her.
“I… I… Uhm… well, I feel pretty insecure around you… I don’t know why, but I just feel that way,” she mumbled, her lips pouting a little.
Jaxon swiftly kissed her, and Jolene gasped.
“I thought you said-”
“I couldn’t help it; your lips are just too sexy. I know how you feel, and I’m going to fix that.” A smirk formed on his lips, and Jolene’s face paled.
Was he planning to…
__
A car halted before a large hall, surrounded by reporters and many influential celebrities clad in their various exquisite dresses.
Jaxon stepped down from the car, causing an uproar. Cameras flashed, and the air filled with the screams of his fans. He walked around the car and opened the door for a figure to step out.
Does he have a date?…
A woman? Who is she?…
Oh my God, he brought a woman!…
She extended her hand, entwining it with his, and he gently pulled her out. Her light makeup suited her white, long gown, which was slit on one side.
Jolene’s face turned red, her palms sweaty as her heart raced nervously. This would be her first time dressing this beautifully. Tatiana had persuaded her to wear it, even wanting to buy it for her, but Jolene had refused.
But she couldn’t refuse when Jaxon offered…
He threatened to kiss her hard in public if she didn’t accept his offer to come with him in this dress.
Tatiana’s assistant?!…
I almost didn’t recognize her!…
She’s a beauty!…
Jaxon placed her hand around his and led her into the hall. Jolene noticed the jealousy that flashed in the eyes of many single women.
“She’s just an escort,” she overheard one of the artists say, though Jaxon didn’t hear it. She noticed the female artist let out a mocking giggle from a distance.
Her feet abruptly stopped, and Jaxon looked at her with concern.
“What’s…”
Jolene shocked the entire crowd, even Jaxon, as she pulled him in and pressed her lips against his.
Gasps filled the air, and the artist who ridiculed her a moment ago felt as though she’d been slapped in the face.
He pulled away, their eyes locked, and she let out a shaky breath. That took a lot of confidence.
Jaxon’s face paled, his gaze intense. With swift movement, he gently held the side of her face and crashed his lips onto hers, nibbling them slightly… while the whole world watched.
Tatiana squealed as she watched the scene unfold on the screen, her sisters by her side.
Maya’s mouth was hanging open, while Issabella only smiled.
“She kissed him!” Tatiana exclaimed.
“Hey, Tatie, remember you’re pregnant,” Catelyn said, joining them with Elsa in her arms.
“She kissed him!” Tatiana exclaimed again, and Catelyn shook her head.
“Cutie pie just surprised me,” Parker muttered, his gaze on the screen.
“I know, right?” Stacy mumbled beside him.
Parker darted his eyes to her. “I hope Valentino isn’t going to visit us with his dogs in Spain when we get back.”
Stacy rolled her eyes. “Call ’em dogs one more time, and I’m going to kill you.”
“I saw you chatting with one of Valentino’s mobsters. You guys seemed close. You like him?”
“I do,” Stacy responded, and Parker’s face paled, not expecting such a straightforward answer. “Now can you stop talking and focus on getting back with your boyfriend Sam?”
Parker scowled and crossed his arms. “I’m not calling him first.”
“Are you really going to leave Maya? Aunt Cat? You should stay with us in Australia,” Issabella’s voice boomed through the living room.
“I have a life in Europe, dear.”
“And I need to get back to my farm. And of course, we’ll come visit,” Maya smiled.
“My late father’s business in Spain needs someone to handle it. I’m the only one left to take over,” Stacy said.
“And I’m going with her,” Parker mentioned.
Even Aurora was leaving. She loved the sight of the beach and wanted an apartment near it. Cassius fulfilled her wish and got her a nice apartment there, though he wanted her to stay with them.
Tatiana suddenly felt a surge of sadness. Mason had put Maya through hell. She had nine miscarriages, with the doctor mentioning she had a slim chance of ever giving birth.
Issabella, on the other hand, had been traumatized for more than a year, abused by many men. The child was said to belong to one of Maximus’s late men. Tatiana wondered how Issabella felt whenever she looked at Elsa, her child. Did it bring back bad memories?
Though Issabella was currently in therapy to improve her mental health, was it enough?
“Tatie, are you crying?” Catelyn’s voice snapped her back to reality.
She reached for her face and found it was true.
She sniffed. “I feel bad.”
“Come here.” Maya threw her arms around her. Issabella did the same, followed by Catelyn and Stacy.
“We wouldn’t all be here if it weren’t for you,” Issabella whispered.
“That’s right. You gave us hope again.”
An hour later…
Tatiana was in Cassius’s arms, a small smile on her face as she enjoyed his warmth.
“Maximus is dead,” Cassius softly announced to Tatiana, feeling she should know the news.
“You still talk to your father?” she asked in the same low voice, feeling nothing about Maximus’s death.. she should thank Silence for it.
“I’ve only talked to him once after everything. Maria and Valentino sent their blessings.” His hand reached for her stomach.
Tatiana smiled and kissed his lips. He drew her close and hugged her to sleep, both feeling each other’s arms.