Share
17. Explanation
September 2026,
Ovzdusia, Soare-Luna Kingdom
Katerina
"I suppose I owe you guys an explanation," I said as I looked at my family.
"No, you don't." Konstantin gave me a comforting smile. "As long as you're happy, we're happy, Kate."
Mother shot him a look and totally ignored what he said. She looked at me and started airing her face with her hands, trying to dry out her nonexistent tears. "I just don't understand why you would do this to me! What have I ever done to you? Why are you acting out like this? This was your wedding, Kate! Wedding! To Felix Richardson!"
With the way she was acting, you would assume that she had been the one who was left at the altar.
"I mean, where are you going to find a guy better than him? Who could possibly love you more than him? How are you going to find a family better than the Richards
Related chapters
Pause, Rewind, Play 18. History and Future
September 2026,Ovzdusia, Soare-Luna KingdomAlyannaI looked at Jay's hand. My hand was resting in his and his thumb was caressing my knuckles.Back and forth. Back and forth.Again. And again.Our hands still fit perfectly.I knew in my heart that this was a moment I would remember forever. The day I reunited with Jay.His eyes still looked into mine like I was the only person he saw. Like nothing else mattered. This moment felt unreal. I had dreamed of it for so long that it was still hard to believe that this was finally happening.Jay brought my hand up to his mouth and pressed a kiss on my knuckles. "I missed this.""Oh my fucking God," Andrei groaned. "I'm going to barf and then throw myself out of the fucking window.""No one asked you to be here," I said, irritated that he was ruining my moment with Jay. "Leave!""Go where? A
Pause, Rewind, Play 19. Could Haves and Maybes
September 2026,Ovzdusia, Soare-Luna KingdomAlyanna"I refuse to believe this!" I snapped. "You cannot go around tarnishing people's names based on assumptions. And do not forget that this is my father that you're talking about."I refused to believe that Dad was involved in criminal activities. He was a good man and he couldn't have been doing business with mafia families. He had too much conscience for that. And it wasn't like he needed the money. Our family had been blessed with a life full of comfort."I know it might seem hard to believe, Alya, but these are not assumptions; they are calculated deductions," Mikhail said."Are you going to let him keep spewing this bullshit?" I asked Andrei, annoyed that he was choosing this moment to remain silent.He was more than ready to bite Jay's head off almost an hour ago. He was ready to go toe to toe with Kate until she
Pause, Rewind, Play 20. Breakfast
September 2026,Scars Bay, USAKaterinaI operated this past week on auto-pilot mode. I woke up, got ready for the day, went to work, dealt with problems all day, went home, and then slept.For the first time in my entire life, work didn't have a therapeutic effect on me. At the end of a long day, I didn't feel like I accomplished something. I didn't feel good about myself. In fact, I felt glad to be done with work for the day because it meant that the day was almost over. And I was one day closer to Alyanna coming back home.I had talked to her a few times over the phone during the last week but something felt off. Her mind was occupied elsewhere. And no, it wasn't work. That, I was sure of. Jayden and I had known immediately that she was lying when she said that work was the reason she couldn't come home with us right away. She wasn't that good of a liar and we knew
Pause, Rewind, Play 21. Video Call
September 2026,Scars Bay, USAJayden"Thank you." I smiled. "Thank you so much!""Of course. That was the best dinner we have had in a really long time!" the elderly couple raved on with wide smiles on their faces. "Bless your hands.""Thank you so much!" I said once again. "I will send out a few tarts - on the house, of course. I'm sure you will love them as well." Their faces lit up. "Now please excuse me, I must get back to the kitchen.""Of course." They smiled and nodded."Enjoy the rest of your evening." I gave them a smile.My restaurant manager was waiting in the kitchen with a wide grin on his face. "That was the seventh table to compliment your cooking tonight.""Just doing my job," I told him as I took off my apron and toque."Looks like you miss working at the restaurant," he started and I knew what he was hinting at."What make
Pause, Rewind, Play 22. Marilyn
September 2026,Scars Bay, USAJaydenI need to clear my head.I grabbed a joint from my stash and a lighter and walked out into the balcony. It was chilly but I embraced the cold night. It matched the cold, empty feeling in my heart.I placed the joint in between my lips and lit it before I took a long drag, and looked up at the moon. It looked achingly beautiful and all alone in this starless night sky.I took in another long drag. I had a million thoughts running through my mind and yet, I couldn't grasp even one of them.I took another drag and shut my eyes, an old memory replaying in my mind's eye.***March 2021,Los Angeles, USAI squeezed some lemon over the sauteed veggies in the pan, gave it a good toss, and then turned off the stove.I heard keys jingle and a moment later, A
Pause, Rewind, Play 23. Storm
September 2026,Scars Bay, USAAlyanna"I have a surprise for you!" Jayden grinned."What is it?" I asked, excited."It's someone you've wanted to meet for the longest time..." He couldn't stop smiling as he stood up and walked somewhere, carrying his laptop, and by extension me, with him."Is it Usain Bolt?" I joked."Unfortunately, no, not this time." He chuckled and then set the laptop down somewhere and then backed up a bit.It looked like he was now in the living room."Come 'ere buddy." Jay patted his thigh a couple of times and a moment later, Storm came into view."Oh my God, it's Stormy! He's back!" I pressed a hand against my heart. He was all grown up now and still had all of his cuteness.Storm's head tilted to the side in confusion before he let out a low whine.Jayden looked surprised before his features softened. "I thi
Pause, Rewind, Play 24. Sunday Family Brunch
October 2026, Scars Bay, USA Dimitri Darkness. Nothingness. A boundless void. I was stuck here for what felt like the billionth time. But I couldn't figure a way out for the life of me. 'Murderer,' a high-pitched voice whispered. 'Murderer.' Oh no. Please no. 'Heartless murderer.' I covered my ears. I didn't want to hear it. 'I deserved better than you.' I heard a familiar voice shriek. The voice was loud. Too fucking loud. There was no source in sight but I didn't need to see her to know who she was. I could recognize that voice anywhere. 'Cold, heartless murderer,' the high-pitched voice kept murmuring in the background. 'I was supposed to be the Queen,' she sneered. 'I was supposed to rule the world.' I ran. I nee
Pause, Rewind, Play 25. First Date
October 2026, Scars Bay, USA Katerina I laughed. "How are you doing?" I shouldn't be laughing. I really shouldn't. Not after he was there for me in a way no one had been in a long time. Maybe he was right. I did judge him too quickly. Not only did he comfort me when I was upset, but he also went out of his way to improve my mood. He suggested we go for a ride. When I asked him to take his pick, he asked for Thunder, Alya's stallion. Apparently, he had heard a lot about the horse from Alya and knew that only she and the stablemaster could control him. Alya had told him that he wouldn't be able to do it. Dimitri was determined to prove her wrong. And watching him trying to make it happen was hilarious. He had been trying to get close to a saddled Thunder for the past fifteen minutes without getting his head kicked off. I even went and changed into my riding gear but as e
Latest chapter
