Cris's POV

"So, what do you both think?" I asked my parents. "My mind is made up. I want Kamea to be my future - mother for the twins, my wife, and mother to our children. I want to travel with her - take her wherever she wants to go. She is the one I want. I am so in love with her, Mom, and dad. She is everything I want in a woman and more. I know we just met at my club on Saturday, but ever since that day, I can't stop thinking about her. And, you heard Día and Rocco - they love her too."

"Her previous relationship hurt her really bad. She was going to surprise her boyfriend on their third anniversary, but she caught him cheating. It's been a year, but she is afraid to open her heart again. I'm willing to wait forever for her."

"Believe me, son. I know how she feels. Before your father and I met, I was in a similar relationship as Kamea. There is no set time that the hurt will last. But I can tell you are passionate about her just by how you look at her. Give her some time, and her love for you will grow just as much as you have for her. And mama can't wait for more grandchildren," my mom said with joy in her voice.

My dad agreed. "It took me a bit before your mom and I started dating. I never gave up on her because just like how you love Kamea, I felt the same way about your mom."

My mom started blushing like crazy when my dad said that.

"Your father was quite the charmer back then, and he still is. Keep showing her that she is special - through your words and actions. You have to show both - not one more than the other," my mom added.

"I promise."

I noticed Kamea hadn't called me yet, and I started worrying. My phone was right beside me, and it didn't ring once. So, I kept it beside me as I read the twins a story.

*20 minutes later. *

My five-year-old daughter, bless her heart, could tell something was wrong.

"Daddy, don't look so sad. Everything will be okay." Then, she jumped up from her covers and gave me a big hug.

"I hope so, sweetheart. I was just waiting for Ms. Kam to call me and make sure she made it home safe."

"Daddy, we like Ms. Kam. She is really nice."

"Me too, baby girl." 

"I more than like her. I love her. Please call me love. I am worried about you." 

*30 minutes later. *

I couldn't wait anymore, so I went downstairs and asked my parents if they could stay with Día and Rocco.

"Call us and let us know if she is okay," my dad replied with a concerned look on his face. So, I ran outside to my truck and drove to her house. You all are probably asking, "How does he know that?" Well, I have my ways, and I am the only one who needs to know that.

When I pulled up to her house, I saw the most horrific scene. My heart broke—police cars surrounded her house. So, I walked up to one of the officers asking, "Excuse me, officer, but this is my girlfriend's house. What happened to her?" 

"Well, she will be, but not yet."

"Sir, someone broke into your girlfriend's house. From the way we found her, they pushed her down the stairs really hard. She was rushed to the hospital."

"Thank you, officer." Two emotions overcame me - anger and hurt. My blood was boiling, and I thought I was about to burst a blood vessel. Hurt because she didn't deserve this.

I called home to tell my parents what had happened and didn't know when I would be back. "Please don't tell Día and Rocco anything yet. I will tell them what happened."

My mom replied, "I promise. Please update us on Kamea's condition when you can."

"I will." After hanging up with my mother, I sped off to the hospital.

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Reed's POV

"I'm a dead man if Kam dies. Why couldn't she just give me what I wanted? We would still be together, and she would still be alive."

I called Courtney and told her what had happened. "Can you come to pick me up? I am on Main Street near Starbucks. I need to run home and pick up some clothes because I need to leave as soon as possible."

"Do you have any idea what time it is?" Courtney said, annoyed.

"I-I think I may have killed Kam. I-I just went to get the things I left at her house. When she said that she had burned them, I went after her. We tussled a bit. Kam got away, but then something in me snapped. I pulled the rug from under her feet, and she fell. So, I went and pulled her off the floor and pushed her down the steps. I panicked when I heard the police, so I escaped." At this point, I started crying profusely.

"Are you freaking kidding me?! You just left her there to die?! For once, Reed, stop thinking with manhood and use your brain!! As much money as you make, you could have easily replaced them. And why wait a year to get them? What did I think when I got with you?! Kam did not deserve that!! She didn't deserve to be cheated on, either. No way am I helping you out!!" Courtney screamed in my ear on the phone.

"Well, if you hadn't been flirting and wearing those skin-tight dresses, I wouldn't have cheated. Don't act so concerned now."

"Are you even listening to yourself?! It takes two to tango!! Please, just shut your mouth!! If it weren't me, it would have been someone else. I would always see you looking and flirting with other women while you and Kam were dating. I should have picked up on that. I can't believe how stupid I was for hurting Kam!! She was my best friend, Reed!! And now, she may be gone forever!! Consider us done! And don't even think about getting your engagement ring back because I will sell it. Goodbye!!"

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Courtney's POV

I must call someone and tell them Reed did this. But everybody hates me. I was stupid, stupid, stupid! I chose sex over my best friend. Tears of guilt started flowing.

"I'll call mama Palu." So, I dialed her number and prayed she would listen to me.

"You have some nerve calling, young lady," she said angrily.

"Mama Palu, I'm sorry about everything. Please listen to what I am about to say."

"You have 5 minutes to say whatever you have to say. Start talking because the clock is ticking."

I took a big gulp and said, "It was Reed who put Kam in the hospital. He pushed her down the stairs and watched her fall. And then he escaped when he heard the police. He tried to get me to help him, but I couldn't."

"Stop with the tears!! My child was a mess for months because of you and Reed. You didn't feel remorseful then, so just stop it with the tears now!"

"I'm sorry, Mama. I really am. I can't take back what happened. I want to do what is right for Kam. She didn't deserve what Reed did to her. Kam was always there for me, and what did I do - stab her in the back? I want to see Reed get what he deserves for doing this." My eyes started hurting from all the crying that I had done.

"Thank you for calling, Courtney. It does not excuse what you did, but it's a start. If you care about her, go to the police and tell them what you just told me. But please stay away from my daughter and the hospital."

"Yes, ma'am." I left my house to go to the police station.

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Cris' POV

I ran into the hospital like a madman and straight to the receptionist's desk.

"Excuse me, but I'm checking to see if Kamea Palu was admitted to this hospital.."

A nurse that looked familiar came over. "Hi, I'm Kam's friend, Tamia. Follow me, and I'll take you to the waiting room where her family is."

Everybody turned around to see who had come in. "Mama Jayde and Papa Kalani, this is Cris."

When Kamea's dad stood up, I gulped. I'm at least 6'2", but he had to be at least 6'5" or 6'7". Other than him, my mother is the only one who makes me nervous. Even when he spoke, the boom in his voice was fearsome.

"So, you are the young man that has my daughter smiling lately," he says.

"I make her smile?" My stomach started to knot up. "Y-Yes, sir. My name is Cristiano Fiore. You can call me Cris."

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Fiore."

"Listen up and listen good. If you ever hurt my daughter like the last guy, you better go into the witness protection program because I will break every bone in your body. Got it?" he said with a scowl on his face.

"Y-Yes, sir."

"I am Kamea's mom, Jayde. And standing next to me is my husband, Kalani. Sitting next to me is our other daughter, Noelani. And over to the right is my niece, Marissa, and her boyfriend, Andre."

Marissa's POV

"I hope Kam makes it because, dang, that man right there is hot."

Cris' POV

"It's nice to meet everyone. Mr. & Mrs. Palu, I have known your daughter since this past Saturday, but she has already won my heart. And my children love her just as much. I'll explain everything."

I told them what happened to the twins' mom, how they said they love Kamea, and how my parents already care about her.

"Cris, all we ask of you is to care for and love her like she deserves to be loved. That boy really tore her heart to pieces. And I just got off the phone with Courtney, and she told me that Reed was behind putting Kamea in the hospital."

"I knew it!! I'm going to kill him! The coward already probably skipped town," screamed Marissa.

When her mom said Reed's name, I started cursing loudly in Italian. They looked puzzled. "Sorry, I am Italian. I warned Reed on Saturday that he better not harass or come near her. But I see he didn't heed the warning. I will find him and make sure he pays for hurting Kamea. You have my word."

I called my security team about Reed and told them to search for him immediately. And I called my parents and told them that I was not leaving the hospital until I heard news about her condition.

*30 minutes later. *

"Hello, everyone. I am Doctor Weekly, Kamea Palu's doctor. Kamea is........."

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Thank you all for taking the time to read chapter eight.

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