"So, we're gonna heal,
we're gonna start again."

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

Nikolas's POV

"Who do you think did it?" Isaac's voice echoed from the phone's speakers, the words coming out of the old recording had Nathan's eyes grow wide with bewilderment and disbelief, "I was the one to give you the drugs, to get my hand on your phone and just orchestrate the whole thing, wasn't I?"

"But why?" Was what I asked him, because it made no sense, because I had thought that he had loved the little kid he claimed as his heir. That he wouldn't cross the line and hurt him. But he was Isaac after all, so what did I expect?

"Because he will think you did it, that you are the one who hurt him," Was his answer, "Which will make you the perfect villain in his story," He added, plotting for years and years to come, and back then, I never thought he would succeed. But the sad part is, he did. He did win, I gotta give it to him. Even dead, he is still manipulating and staging everything around us like the damn devil incarnate.

The way he brainwashed Nathan, the way he made sure that little boy would grow up to despise me and hate his own family; Isaac did win in that part.

"I thought you cared about him," Was what I said, shocked but also proven right because Isaac was always rotten. He was and always be a terrible father, whether it was to me, to Emma, or to Nathan.

"Of course I do, but you do know this, my son; there is a stage where every kid in our family will need to be toughened up," Isaac added, his words had the dimming light in Nathan's hazel eyes totally fade away, like vanquished dawn, its once golden hues now obscured by the ominous shadows of twilight.

"Nathan is a kid and he is weak, he needs to be toughened up, so he can be worthy of the Virachi name," He said, "And you know Nikolas, you know that nothing could fuel someone more than getting hurt, more than hate and revenge."

"He will get hurt again, and he will believe it is only you," He added, "Because who else would hurt him, right?" He added with a scoff, "Let's just say, you will be his very own Frank," He chuckled, amused by his own words, "He will grow up to hate you, and even when you do kill me, Nikolas," He had accepted his defeat by that point which is why he was prepping the stage for plan B, "He will carry on my work, I will live through him, and he will be my legacy."

"Turn it off," Nathan's whispered words pulled me back to the present, my eyes falling on him and trying to read his body language. His eyes were focused on the phone broadcasting the bitter truth, tears of betrayal filling and clouding his eyes, "Turn it off, I said!" He shot out, his voice bouncing off the walls, his tortured eyes finally flickering to me. They held the weight of a shattered universe, a galaxy torn asunder by the treachery of who he once thought of as his own flesh and blood.

When I didn't budge, he moved forward, a groan left his mouth as his hand flew and threw the phone away, it landed outside the cell, shattering against the ground, and finally, the voices it was once broadcasting fell silent.

His chest heaved, unable to catch his next breath. His face twisted in pain, his eyes pressing shut in an attempt to suppress the ache surging through him, which was both physical and mental. That had a single tear escape his closed eyelids and it trickled down his cheek.

A cough raced up his throat, followed by another and he brought his fisted hand to his mouth in order to cover up the coughs. When he removed his hand away, I could clearly see the red crimson blood over it, as well as the few drops that had covered the corner of his lips.

He wiped his hand over his shirt, in a futile attempt to hide it away from me. The weight of what he just learned had him dropping down on the bed's edge, his head in his hands as he desperately whispered, "Leave me alone."

Having accomplished my mission, I left him to his solitude and retraced my steps, securing the cell door once more before heading to my office. I sat down at my desk, I activated the screen connected to the camera inside his cell. I watched him for a couple of minutes, witnessing how he rose to his feet in fury and flung the tray of food across the room, plates and glass shards scattering like stars on the cold floor. The sharp fragments pierced his feet when he walked, but he didn't seem to care, the pain seemed secondary to the turmoil inside him.

With his back against the unforgiving wall, he slowly sank to the floor, his head cradled in his trembling hands. His shoulders convulsed with the weight of his despair, shaking slightly. Unable to bear witness to more of his anguish, I switched off the screen, attempting to quell the strange ache tightening within me.

Sinking back into my chair, I reached for my chest, massaging the inexplicable pain that seemed to press ever harder against my heart.

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

Lilly's POV

I was completely immersed in my work, jotting down side notes for an upcoming meeting and making final edits to the presentation's slides when I sensed someone's eyes on me. My gaze shifted from the computer screen to my office door, which was now ajar, and there was Chase, casually leaning against the doorframe, amusingly watching me do the simplest of tasks. A soft smile played on his lips as our eyes locked, delighted that I had finally registered his presence.

My eyes grew wide, not anticipating his early arrival. I practically leaped from my chair and hurried to his side with less than a breath. As soon as I was within arm's reach, his arms came around my body and his strong warm embrace enveloped me whole, drawing me so close to him. "I thought you were coming tomorrow," I murmured, my eyelids dropping down as I melted into his chest.

"There was a slight change in my schedule," He clarified, his hand going through the back of my hair, his fingers gently weaving through the strands, savoring me like I was savoring him, "I just got here an hour ago." And he came to see me first.

Over the past week, he'd been tied up with a hectic flight schedule, and I hadn't seen him in six long days. I was on the verge of losing my sanity.

I edged back just slightly so I could look at his beautiful face. He brought his hand up and rested it over my cheek, his thumb tenderly brushing my skin, his eyes caressing my face, "I missed you so much," He whispered, the tilt of his lips enough to make my heart fly high up into the sky, soaring in both delight and pain.

I leaned into his touch, sinking into everything he is; his scent and closeness stripping away all of my defenses and I forgot where I was and what I was doing, "Me too," I mumbled, wholeheartedly, "So much."

With his hand on my face, his fingers moved down and tilted my chin up just enough so he could lean forward and take my lips into a blissful ride. Our lips touched and every organ in my body stopped working, except for my heart, my crazy unstable heart sped off so fast before it came crashing into a wall when my ears operated again and I heard some noises around us.

I abruptly pulled back from him, registering the nearing voices as those of Dad and Uncle Ashton. God, I forgot I was at work for a moment there. I edged back, trying to build distance away from Chase but he kept his arm around my waist, pulling me close when I tried to push away. I cleared my throat and ran my hand through my hair, anxious as my eyes fell on them, ascending down the corridor and taking a pause by our side.

Dad's eyes were on mine, his face...expressionless, not angry or annoyed over the fact that he literally caught me kissing a guy yet again. He gave no reaction, nor did he dramatically address it and my heart sank further and further down. Something is not right. This is so not like him.

Uncle Ashton broke into a big smile at the sight of his son, "Come here, you," He urged, "I feel like I haven't seen you in a decade," he commented. He was on a work trip when Chase was here and came back just as Chase went on his flight. True to his words, he hasn't seen him in a while.

Chase chuckled lowly at his father's exaggeration, his arm leaving me as he walked toward his father and hugged him. My eyes were on Dad only, trying to detect any shift in his body language, attempting to understand and analyze his abnormal state for the last couple of weeks. Unlike him, without uttering a single comment, he just checked his watch before his eyes met mine again, "There is a meeting in 10 minutes, are you ready?"

I nodded my head, his tone made me feel like I was talking with my boss and not my dad, "Yeah, I am," I whispered lowly, my mood going down after it went up with Chase's arrival.

He gave me a curt nod, "Okay, I will go grab a cup of coffee and we'll meet there," He said before he pulled his phone from his pocket, going through it as he walked away, not caring to address either Ashton or Chase as he left our side.

My shoulders slumped down and I diverted my attention to Uncle Ashton, who gave me a warm smile, "I won't be able to join this one, some urgent work came up," He informed me, "So, I am putting my trust in you to lead this meeting," He added with a wink and a smile curved my lips at his proud tone. I nodded my head, trying to fake confidence, "Don't worry, I've got it."

His smile widened before he looked at Chase again, "I will have to go now, but drop by the house today," He said, "Your mother misses you," He added, and Chase nodded his head, "I was already planning to come by at the evening."

Uncle Ashton seemed satisfied at that and he quickly bid us goodbye as his assistant came and dragged him away, talking about some crises in one of our VIP sites that he needed to take care of immediately.

I inched closer to Chase again, my hand going to his white shirt and fixing his collar, "You must be tired, go home and rest and once this meeting finishes, I will come back," I said and he shook his head, "No, I am not that tired," He said, "I will wait for your meeting to be done and we can leave together."

I smiled, a small somber curve of my mouth, and tiptoed to gently peck his lips, expressing my contentment through that tender kiss, "You have no idea how relieved I am that you're back," I whispered softly, my voice carrying the weight of my emotions. His concerned gaze met mine, and his fingers brushed gently across my cheek as he asked, "Did something happen?"

I shook my head, unable to find the right words to convey the tumultuous storm of emotions within me. Because you know, it's the basics; One, his ex-girlfriend dropped by and we had a small talk that is making me question everything. Two, my relationship with Dad is slowly deteriorating and I think he will never forgive me for all I've done. Three, I've never felt as alone as I did over the past week, every day I sit in my house, I stare at the four walls and cry my heart out because even though Natahn is captured, I don't feel secure, the total opposite, I have a feeling that a war is impeding and more tragedies are about to hit us soon...

See, just the basics.

I glanced into his eyes, hoping he could see the depth of my emotions and understand the complex maelstrom within me, even if I couldn't find the perfect words to express it all.

"I just missed you a lot," I opted for this answer instead, "We can talk all about it after I am all done with work, okay," I added, needing to share with him bits and pieces of what's troubling me deep on the inside before I explode.

"Okay, I will be right here when you get out," He said, giving me a small peck, assurance in his tone as he sensed my wavering state, "Go and show them who is the boss."

I smiled at his encouragement before I bid him goodbye. Gathering my belongings, I made my way to the conference room with a newfound determination. The sense of responsibility was weighing on me more heavily than ever. Uncle Ashton had entrusted me with this task from the beginning, and his trust in me with such a big decision ignited a desire to exceed his expectations.

The meeting kicked off with the other company's representative providing an introduction before unveiling their proposal for a new business partnership. Following their presentation, I explained a comprehensive action plan for the upcoming quarter. I assessed the compatibility of their approach with our strategic objectives, fostering an open dialogue for discussions and inviting input from the rest of the members.

It became a collaborative exchange of ideas as we worked together to shape the future of both companies and arrive at a mutually beneficial decision.

However, amid this sea of participation, there was one noticeable absence. My dad, though physically present, seemed galaxies away in his own thoughts. Not once did his gaze turn in my direction, nor did he appear to listen to a single word I uttered. A heavy sensation settled in my chest because I had hoped, against the odds, that he might recognize the tireless effort I had invested in preparing for this meeting.

I yearned for him to see that I was no longer the reckless, foolish girl who had torn our family asunder. I wished with all my heart that he would discern the transformation in me—a responsible, mature, and dependable individual. These were some of the qualities I had been striving to cultivate, the very traits I had been diligently researching and attempting to weave into my character, all in an effort to ensure I never repeated the same grievous mistakes of the past.

Despite my efforts lately, Dad didn't seem to care one bit, neither for the meeting nor for my presentation. Halfway through, he received a phone call and left the room. After that, he just didn't come back. I resumed my work almost like none of that affected me, indulging the rest in their discussions and taking notes to share with Uncle Ashton afterward. Two long hours later, it was finally over. Exchanging a few pleasantries, the rest of the members went away and I was left alone with the leader of the other company.

He inched closer to me, a warm smile replacing the formality on his lips, "I just want to applaud you for the great presentation," He praised, extending his hand forward, "I like the way your brain works, if we go forward from here onwards, I am gonna have to tell Ashton to keep you on my team."

I returned his smile and rested my hand in his, shaking it, "Thank you, I have a feeling this will be a big success for the both of us," I replied, maintaining a professional tone even though excitement bubbled within me. This deal is what will guarantee our sponsorship for the France project. It seems that if everything goes smoothly and as planned, the manager position in Paris will be mine.

Uncle Ashton assigned me this task in exact because he is fully aware of my interest in that position. He wanted to check if I could lead the project the proper way from the beginning and it seems I was off to a promising start. Ah, I can't wait to tell Chase!

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

Chase's POV

I spent half an hour with Zack, catching up before he was called into some urgent work. Trying to buy myself some time, I headed for the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee, attempting to kick my brain cells awake because I felt like I was going to pass out from the lack of sleep.

I should've gone directly home after arriving but couldn't without seeing her first. And that look she gave me once I wrapped her in my arms, rendered me helpless and bounded me to stay and wait for her. I brought my hand to cover my mouth when a yawn parted my lips and used the other hand to pick up the cup when the machine beeped, signaling that my coffee was done.

"Hey, Mr. Pilot Man," The soft, slightly familiar voice from the side had me turn around, my eyes falling on...her. Being half-asleep made me almost forget her name but I searched for it quickly in my head, trying not to embarrass myself, and greeted her back, "Evelyn, hey," I said.

A small smile lifted her lips and I looked around, my eyebrows pulling closer, "Uh, what are you doing here?"

She sighed in boredom, "My dad, he is here for some deal or...something," She scrunched her eyebrows, uncertain, and shook her head, "I am kind of doing this one-month internship with him, in which he drags me everywhere he goes," She added with an unhappy roll of her eyes, "He is just trying to convince me to follow into his footsteps."

Her gaze drifted around her, to the workers going in and out, those with their phones stuck to their ears, and those with headphones, joining their online meetings while munching on their food, "But this corporate life is so not for me," She added with a horrified tone, feeling so out of place.

Finally, someone who agrees with me, "Same here," I commented.

Her smile came back, "That's why you became Mr. Pilot man, huh?"

I nodded, taking a sip from my coffee, "Exactly."

"Uh, if you don't have anything to do, can I stay with you," She asked, horror in her eyes as she looked around the foreign chaotic surroundings, "I know no one here and I am gonna go out of my mind if I wait more for dad."

I nodded with a smile, "Sure, come on, we can sit there," I added, pointing at a less crowded spot.

She gave me an appreciative nod, wrapping her fingers around her own coffee cup before we both headed to the couches positioned by the ceiling-high glass windows. My gaze flickered to the panorama unfolding below my eyes.  The bustling city stretched out in all directions, the streets below a labyrinth of activity, with tiny ant-like figures scurrying about, each with their own purpose and destination. The sight alone made me realize how I'd rather be way up between the clouds.

"So, are you still in college?" I asked, initiating a conversation and taking another sip of my coffee, trying to stay awake.

"It's my last year," She answered, "Will graduate this summer," She added, sipping in her coffee, "I kept changing departments, which is why it is taking me an extra semester to finish up," She explained.

"And your current department is?" I asked and she let out a low soft groan, covering her face with both hands.

I chuckled, "Let me guess," I said with an arched eyebrow, "Business."

She removed her hands and nodded her head with a pout, totally dissatisfied with her own decision, "It's weird but I couldn't find what I wanted and I still haven't," She mumbled, sounding too lost.

I shook my head, "It's never too late to switch it up again," I encouraged, "It's a job you gonna have to bear for the rest of your life, you should at least like it in a way, or else what's the point."

"Exactly!" She said, excited to find someone with the same mindset, "That's what I keep telling Dad," She sighed, "But he is all about the logic."

She shook her head, dismissing the topic, "Enough about me," She said, "How is flying?" She asked, "I bet it is much cooler than being stuck within these four walls," She added, indirectly addressing our surroundings.

I nodded my head, "Much cooler," I said, my eyebrow raising as I imitated her previous sentence, "And that's what I keep telling my dad."

She chuckled, "They seem to dislike one another a lot, but I think they are more alike than they'd let out." She said and I fully agreed.

For the next hour or so, we engaged in random conversations. The exchange of words kept me from succumbing to exhaustion, while it spared Evelyn from the boredom of waiting for her dad. It was a mutually beneficial interaction.

However, my attention eventually wandered away from Evelyn. I scanned the bustling crowd, realizing that those who had attended Lilly's meeting were now dispersing. Which meant, it was likely that she had left as well. I spotted her amidst them, her demeanor exuding a gentle radiance as she conversed animatedly with a fellow attendee. Rising from my seat, I was about to call out to her, but before I could speak, she turned her gaze in my direction. Her expression brightened considerably, and her smile widened as she hastened toward me.

As she approached, her enthusiasm was palpable, contrasting with her demeanor when she entered the meeting. "Hey, you won't believe h-" she began, her voice pausing momentarily as her eyes fell upon the girl seated across from me. In that same instant, her smile gradually waned.

Evelyn stood up, her eyes growing slightly wide, both in shock and excitement, "Oh my god, hey," She exclaimed, moving closer and enveloping Lilly in a quick, friendly hug. However, I couldn't help but notice how Lilly stiffened in response, remaining motionless throughout the brief embrace, seemingly too stunned to react.

Returning the greeting, Lilly replied, her enthusiasm gradually dimming as moments passed. "Hey," she said.

Evelyn's gaze flickered over Lilly, realizing from her attire what she questioned next, "You work here too?" She asked, astonished at the fact.

Lilly nodded silently at first before her eyebrows knitted together. "You...work here?" she repeated, her voice tinged with incredulity as she tried to process the unexpected presence of Evelyn here in the company.

Evelyn swiftly shook her head. "Oh god, no," she clarified. "I came here with Dad."

Just then, almost like he heard the mention of him, footsteps approached us, "Eve, here you are," Evelyn's father said, interjecting into our conversation as he took a pause by her side.

Lilly's gaze drifted from Evelyn to her father, her eyes growing just slightly as her confusion grew, "She is your daughter?" She asked in utter shock, almost like she had met him before.

With a warm smile, Evelyn's father nodded and casually draped his arm around his daughter's shoulders, drawing her closer. "Yes, I see you've met my crazy kid," he chuckled.

Evelyn narrowed her eyes playfully at him and Lilly nodded, still trying to adjust to the fact, "Uh, yeah, we did meet before," She said and his eyebrows pulled closer, "Oh really, where?"

"At the airport in Italy," Lilly answered, her throat bobbing as it flickered to Evelyn again, something not settling well with her.

Recognition flashed over his face, "Oh, true," he said in acknowledgment, "I remember seeing Alex and Ashton there," He said and Lilly nodded her head, confirming the theory. Just then, his eyes flickered from her and to me, his expression shifting just slightly, "I remember seeing you as well."

I nodded, remembering him too. Well, more like remembering Dad's palpable hostility toward him. He extended his hand forward, introducing himself to me, "Caleb," He said and I rested my hand in his, nodding my head in acknowledgment, "Chase," I said, the sound of my name alone had a smile pull up his lips, a somber nostalgic one as he softly whispered, "I know."

Confusion drew my eyebrows together and he pulled back, his eyes flickering to Evelyn, "Something came up, I won't be able to drop you home," He informed, "Will you get there on your own?"

Her shoulders slumped down and she sighed, nodding her head, "Okay," She said, "Told ya I should've come with my car."

He nodded, "Yeah and you would've run off at the first chance, I know you," He commented with an arched eyebrow and she shrugged, confirming they've been through that before.

"We can drop you off if you want," I suggested, trying to be nice and I felt Lilly's eyes instantly shoot up to me. I turned to her, trying to understand if I did something wrong but she immediately looked away, without a mere comment.

Caleb's eyes flickered to me, "Actually, I would really appreciate that," He said and I nodded my head, "Yeah, sure, we were on our way out as well," I said, my arm going around Lilly's waist, pulling her to my side because it felt like she was slowly building distance away from me.

Almost involuntarily, Evelyn's eyes flickered to my hand, the one resting over Lilly's waist, and she looked away, probably just now understanding that she was my girlfriend.

Caleb dropped a kiss over his daughter's head, "Take care," He said before he turned to Lilly and me, "Will see you later," He added, bidding his goodbye before he left.

I turned to Lilly, "Are you ready?" I asked and she silently nodded her head.

"Then, let's go," I said, my gaze going to Evelyn and she nodded her head, following suit as we headed for the elevator.

"How did the meeting go?" I asked Lilly, trying to get her to talk to me.

She lifted her eyes to me, "Good," Was all she said before she averted her gaze away. Great.

Silently we left the building and I was heading for my car when Lilly paused, "I will go home with my car," She said, "You drop Evelyn off and I will see you later, okay," She said.

"We can go together," I suggested, I only stayed two hours so we could be together. I thought we'd go out, have dinner, and then go back home. But Lilly ruined my little plan and shook her head, "No, it's better this way," She tiptoed and pecked my cheek, "I will see you back at home," She added, edging backward and turning to Evelyn, forcing a smile on her face, "It was nice seeing you again," She said, waving her hand and bidding goodbye, leaving me no chance to speak as she whirled around and headed in the opposite direction.

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

Lilly's POV

After arriving at my apartment, I decided to make up a quick sandwich to quell my rumbling empty stomach. Following a refreshing shower, I slipped into my comfy shorts and oversized shirt before I settled onto the couch. I aimlessly scrolled through my phone and flipped through the TV, desperately trying to distract my mind and avoid dwelling on my mounting insecurities.

As I was engrossed in a stream of funny dog and cat videos, a message notification suddenly popped from above. It was from Chase so I opened it instantly. He wrote to inform me that he was going to drop by his parent's house to see his mother before coming back home. I quickly replied with a simple 'okay' before setting my phone aside. Frustration overwhelmed me, and I let out a low groan, burying my face in my hands. I felt utterly foolish for succumbing to jealousy over a girl we had met, what, just two or three times...

I attempted to fill my time by FaceTiming with Mom, followed by a call to Max, and later a chat with Sally. I was desperately trying to keep myself occupied, to divert my thoughts from the relentless loneliness gnawing at my chest.

As the clock struck eleven, I mustered what little energy I had left, crawled into bed, and wrapped myself in the comforter, hoping to find solace in sleep. However, slumber eluded me, and I heard the faint buzz of my phone on the nightstand. It was likely Chase calling, but I didn't even glance at the screen.

Soon after, the door to my apartment clicked open. I recognized that it was him; he was the only one with a key to my place. I squeezed my eyes shut, feigning sleep. I wasn't ready to face him tonight, not when my thoughts were in such disarray, liable to lead me into utter irrationality.

His footsteps drew closer to my room, and I suspected he might have sensed that I was asleep because he silenced his footsteps as he approached. I felt the weight of the blanket shift, tucking it snugly under my chin. His hand reached out, gently brushing my hair, tucking it behind my ear before he leaned in closer. Soft lips met my temple in a gentle kiss.

That simple, tender gesture caused my heart to constrict painfully. I had missed him so much over the past week, longing for our time together tonight and over the weekend. Yet, here I was, messing everything up, just like I always do.

After that, he quietly left my room and the apartment as a whole. I heard the front door gently click shut, and I let my eyelids flutter open. I remained in bed for the next hour or so, lost in a labyrinth of tangled thoughts, overanalyzing every damn thing like I always do.

After two exhausting hours of fruitless contemplation, I finally surrendered to my restless mind. I climbed out of bed and wrapped myself in a cozy robe, slipping my feet into warm slippers. With determined steps, I grabbed my keys and walked out of my apartment. I paused by his door, placing the key in and unlocking it. Even if he was sleeping, I wanted to simply sleep beside him. There was no rational reason for my earlier brooding, and it was time for me to stop acting so stupid and insecure.

As I was to open his door, a faint, melodious tune wafted through the cracks. My curiosity piqued, and I froze in place, leaning closer to decipher the haunting notes that seemed to hang in the air like an ethereal mist. With bated breath, I pushed the door open, entering the house silently, making sure to close it behind me.

I headed for the light emanating from the other room, where he surely was, sitting and playing his favorite instrument.

The piano's delicate notes sounded like tears flowing from ivory keys, each sound felt like a fragile whisper, a sigh of a full heart. It was a melody that seemed to carry the weight of a thousand sorrows, each melancholic chord a brushstroke on a canvas of longing. The music danced between minor keys, a haunting lament that tugged at the very essence of my soul.

I kept walking, and with every step, the melody made more sense. It wove a story of love lost, of dreams shattered, and of memories that refused to fade. It was a heartache given voice, a requiem for a love that needed to be reclaimed.

I took a pause when I could finally see him, amid the quiet embrace of night, he sat beside the window, a silhouette bathed in the radiance of the moon. In that gentle lunar glow, he appeared almost ethereal. His features, softened by the moonlight's tender caress, seemed carved from the very essence of angels.

His eyes, half-lidded in contemplation, shimmered like twin pools of liquid night. They held a profound depth, mirroring the secrets and desires that lingered within his soul. His fingers, lithe and graceful, moved across the ivory keys, conjuring melodies that resonated with his heart's deepest yearnings.

My breath hitched in my throat, unable to make it out as I gazed upon him. God, he wasn't real. He couldn't be. No wonder I am falling so deep again, no wonder I've never stopped loving him, no wonder why this man will be the end of me, no wonder why his absence ruins me, no wonder I am so attached, so scared, terrified of all of this being just a lie, horrified to lose him yet again...

The music stopped and I was shaken back to reality, I blinked the blurry images away and focused my gaze on him, his eyes falling back on me and registering my presence. A few lines etched between his eyebrows and he extended his hand forward, "Come here," He whispered, urging me to get closer, to erase his worries and doubts.

I stepped forward, inching closer to him, drawn to everything he is. I rested my hand inside his palm and he pulled me closer and I settled over his lap. I looked at his face, a perfect beautiful thing in this ugly world of mine. I brought my hand up and brushed the side of his hair, "I am sorry," I whispered.

My words tightened the lines on his face, "What's wrong, Lilly?" He asked, trying to understand the puzzle that is me.

I shook my head, fearing if I spoke, I would stupidly cry when there was no reason for it. But the harder I tried to suppress them, the harder they pushed and clouded my eyes, "Talk to me, Lilly, please," He urged, sensing my unstable state.

I moved my hand and brushed under my eyes as I felt one tear escape, "It's stupid, I know," I whispered, "It's just...I feel that any girl out there is much better for you than I am," I mumbled, feeling so stupid for being this much insecure, "Which is why when I see you with another girl, I can't stop myself from feeling so shitty, I feel like you would finally realize how I am not good for you, that you would see me for who I am," I added, freely speaking about my inner turmoil, "That you would just leave me."

Disbelief at my words clouded his expression and he shook his head, "Lilly, why would you ever think of something like this," He asked, like he couldn't wrap his mind around it, "Did I make you feel like that?" He added, almost blaming himself for me being distrustful.

I shook my head, "No," I said, "After all that happened, after all the things I've done and said, I've come to realize that I am not exactly good, that there are things, characteristics in me that aren't good, ones I am trying to change but I don't know if I will be able to," I explained, not knowing if I was making any sense, "And look at you, you're the total opposite of me," I mumbled, my gaze flickering all over his face, "I don't feel like I deserve you or your love, god, you're too perfect for me-"

He shook his head, "I am no way near perfect, Lilly," He said, "I've made my fair share of mistakes too, none of us is perfect, so you need to stop blaming yourself this much," He said, his arm tight around my waist, keeping me close to him because it felt like I could fade away under all these circumstances, "I know that since you came back, I've done nothing but blame you," He shook his head, sorrow filling his vulnerable blue eyes, "But as I told you, I am to blame too, I started this, I was the one to push you away, to not fight for you the way I should've."

He rested his hand over my face, his fingers fluttering gently over my cheek and under my eyes, wiping away traces of my weaknesses, "I've hurt you too, Lilly," He whispered, "And to be honest, I've hurt Aylin too," He added, reflecting on his own messy thoughts just like I was doing, sharing with me what's troubling him.

"Whether I like to admit it or not, I was using her," He shook his head, pressing his eyes shut, still trying to deal with that fact, "And god, I feel like such a jerk for that, for taking advantage of her love and-" He paused and sucked into a deep breath, shaking himself back and he glided his eyes open, "See, I blame myself too," A low sigh parted his lips, a hidden meaning woven into his words, "And I keep wondering, Lilly, I wonder if I do deserve you and your love too."

Something about being honest with each other, about sharing our inner troubles and insecurities made me slightly relax, it made my heart calm down just a little, and it scraped off some of my securities. I edged forward, my forehead resting over his, "You deserve the whole world, Chase," I mumbled, my hand going through his hair, my fingers woven into its soft strands, "I wish I could give it all to you."

My words pulled a soft smile up his lips, "Why would I care for the whole world when I've got you."

His words triggered my own smile, I edged backward, "Don't say cute stuff like that," I said, my eyebrow raising, "You already have my heart captive by sitting here in the moonlight and playing the piano and looking so damn hot, what more do you want?"

"What more could I ask for," He said as his smile grew warmer at the my heart captive line. He looked back at me like I was so precious, like he wanted to tuck me away before the world hurts me or before I hurt myself again.

I caressed his face, "You couldn't sleep?"

He shook his head, his eyelids dropping down in tiredness as he leaned into my palm, "I couldn't."

"The melody you were playing was so beautiful," I couldn't help but compliment him, "But it was heartbreakingly beautiful."

He nodded his head, acknowledging that fact too, "The music you play is just so... heartwrenching," I added.

His hand rested over my thigh, his thumb rubbing soothing circles over my skin, his gaze cast there as he spoke, "You know me, Lilly, I am that good with words," He lifted his gaze up to my face, "I think this is the way that I let out the things inside of me that I don't know how to deal with."

His words squeezed my heart because they only conveyed that there was still heartbreak residing deep within him and he was trying to extract it. I sensed that he wasn't comfortable with what seemed to be a very personal thing of his, so I shifted the conversation toward a playful route, "Oh, no wonder I am so messed up, I have no talent whatsoever to let what's troubling me out," I said, narrowing my eyes as I thought it through, "Seriously, at least my mom draws, I really need to learn some form of art."

Chase's eyebrow raised and I smiled sheepishly, "Look at us, talking openly about what's troubling us and being so mature and whatnot," I couldn't help but comment, impressed by the progress, "Who would've thought, huh?"

Chase nodded his head, amused as well, "Welcome to an adult relationship."

A smirk pulled the corner of my lips and a tease fluttered all over my face as my hand descended below his neck and down his shirt, pausing when I reached the hem, "Also, do you know what else adults do?" I asked.

He sensed where this was heading and his eyebrow arched, "Enlighten me."

"They have sex," I said, turning my head to look at his piano before I faced Chase again, "So, why don't you be a good boy, push me over your piano, and the fuck the shit out of me?" I suggested, ever so innocently.

A low chuckle vibrated from him and I felt him shift me in his lap, his palm flattening over my thighs, "How can I say no when you ask ever so nicely," He said, ever so sarcastically.

I was about to reply back but his fast movement had me gasp, swallowing down all of my words when he slammed his lips on mine, sucking the left oxygen in my lungs, standing and lifting me up in his embrace. One arm around my waist and his hand gripping my ass and under my thigh before he dropped me over the piano's surface. Oh dear god, he will really do it.

He edged backward, releasing my lips from his beautiful assault. His eyes met mine and they were alive now, like a hot blue flame ready to set us both on fire and I never wanted to burn before as much as I wanted to now.

He untangled my robe, pushing it down my shoulders before he pulled the rope out, his mischievous eyes flickering to me as he ordered, "Give me your hands."

My eyes grew wide and I brought my hands forward as he bound my wrists together, "What are you doing?" I asked, breathless, ready to both pass out and jump on him.

His eyebrow raised, recalling my previous words with a dark dry tone, "Being a good boy," He said and I gulped. Oh, my good boy knows exactly when to be a bad boy and I can't help but love him deeper for that.

I pushed my tangled hands over his head and around his neck, pulling him closer and pressing my lips into his. God, I was crazy for him and right now, nothing else mattered, not our shared guilt, not Aylin, not Christian, not Evelyn, and not Nathan. Nothing but this, but me and him, in the quietude of our shared space, where only moonlight dared to trace. Our bodies blended as the rhythm of our beating hearts played a symphony more intense than the melody he brought to life.

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Nikolas's POV

"What?!" Alex asked, more like shot out in utter bewilderment as he got up to his feet, not in his usual dramatic tone but in serious desperation. He looked like he was about to punch me or push me off a cliff, or both...

"You heard me," I said.

"Oh no, I want you to say it again, so maybe if you heard yourself out loud again, you'd realize the absurdity of what you're suggesting, Nikolas!"

He is angry. It's never good when he is angry.

I rushed a hand over my face, exhausted already and I said the words again, "I am not going to kill him," I stated. I've thought about it for too long and I've made my decision.

Alex's eyes grew wide and he threw his arms in the air, "You've lost your mind, that's for sure," He grated out in frustration, "Well, if you are not going to kill him, then don't worry, Emma and I will do it for you," He added, our roles switched for once. Him, choosing violence and me, taking the peaceful road. Yeah, something is not right.

"What made you change your mind like this," He shot out, the fury in him palpable, ready to get out and consume the whole room, "What happened to all the promises you gave, for god's sake did you forget your state when Nathan was hurt?!"

I internally winced at the memory and pushed it to the furthest back of my brain. The thought alone will make me go and drain his blood. Control, I am keeping control.

"Like I said Alex, I am not going to kill him," I said once again, my jaw tightening.

"Why?!" He shot out.

I didn't know how to explain it, "Alex, he is a kid-"

"No, he isn't," He shot out, unstoppable now, "He isn't a fucking kid, he is the same age I was when you came and took everything from me!"

Air harshly pushed off my lungs and he added, "Was I a kid back then?" He shot out, digging up that horrible past, "If so, then why didn't you spare me too, dear brother?"

Yeah, he is not okay. Not at all.

I got up to my feet, edging closer to him, "Alex, can you calm down and hear me out?" I suggested, unable to comprehend his reaction. His anger though justifiable, I expected him to understand. Out of everyone, I thought he would get what I am unable to put into words right now.

"How do you expect me to calm down for fuck's sake," He grated out, the rage wrapping over his eyes and covering up an inner pain he is trying so hard to get rid of but failing, "That fucker hurt my kid, Max almost died that day, okay, you weren't there, I was, I saw him in that state, you didn't," He added, "If your damn kidney didn't work, what do you think would've happened?"

"Because of him, Max's whole life turned upside down, since that day, he is not the same, not physically, nor mentally," He added, his jaw ticking, "I feel like I lost my boy because of that fucker so the least you can do is fucking kill him and if you won't, then I will!"

I rushed a hand over my face because he wasn't listening to me, "Alex, I know that and I am not saying that what he did is forgivable or forgettable, for god's sake I also held my bleeding kid in my arms thinking that I've lost him that day!" I shot out because he was talking as if I wasn't aware of all the bad things that befell us.

"I get that, Alex, but you need to understand my position here," I added, "I've done much worse and I lived to tell the story-"

He scoffed, interrupting me, "No, no, I did kill you, but you came back," He pointed out, "So we kill him, and if he is lucky, he will come back too, if not, then, hope he rots in hell," That mocking tone of his always drove me mad and now it made me want to punch him but I couldn't deny how right he is but I also want him to get me. This is so fucked up.

"I don't understand you these days, I really don't," Alex commented, suspiciously narrowing his eyes at me, "First you go and meet up with Christian, and now this, what's up with you?"

My eyebrows pulled closer, "How do you know about Christian?"

His eyebrow raised, "I always feel it when you are hiding things from me," He said, "I followed you that day and saw you meeting up for him for god knows what reason."

My jaw tightened, "Christian hurt Lilly and he paid for it when we tortured him for days in that basement," I said, "But he was my responsibility as a kid and I failed him, so I am going to make up for that."

Alex's eyes widened, "What the hell happened to you?!" He shot out in disbelief, "When did you become the good guy all of a sudden?" He said, "Where is the Nikolas who kills and ruins people's lives, I need that Nikolas now," He shook his head, "Look, just because you got a second chance, it doesn't mean I am going to give that to everyone that hurts me and my family!"

"Believe me, Christian, I want him dead too, but now my biggest issue is Nathan," He added, refusing to see eye to eye on this subject, shooting his last words with determination before he stormed out, "He will die, I will kill him even if it meant that I will have to fight you too to do it."

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The roles are switched for once, huh xD
Hope you liked the chapter!

See ya soon :)