(Red’s POV)“Is it my turn?” I asked Aya again, releasing her hand but raising my arms, lightly cupping her face.As if we were back to square one, I was scared to hold her again. If only I could tell her that my heart was weeping, missing her so much, and those days of not seeing her were hell for me. Standing before Aya brought my heart much pang, thinking I failed her by not being there for her when she needed me the most.“Hi!” Aya smiled nervously. “If these people can find me, how could you not?” She smirked, lifting her hands and placing them on top of mine.“Why did you leave?” I whispered, pressing my forehead into hers. “I was already hating the world, Aya when I returned home and found you gone.”She held my hands, guiding them on her hips.“I was hiding from everyone, Red. It was so painful that I needed to run away from everyone and start again,” she murmured as she grazed her hands on my chest, slowly gliding her palms upward until she reached my shoulders. “Why are you
(Red’s POV)“I had always thought that if Scarlett rose from the grave, my family would be okay, but it didn’t. Before you came, Ariana and Aunt Conchita could barely manage my kids, but you’re our miracle who came into our lives, changing us... changing me, Aya. I need you. I need your help with the kids. Even Violet hated her mother, and I can’t do anything about it,” I whimpered.I sighed and thought it was better to pitch to important investors or clients, but with Aya, it was more like a matter of life and death for my heart and future. I wished to hold her in my arms and kiss her, but I was terrified she would push me away.“Okay,” she breathed. “I’ll help you with the kids. Talk to them. Or whatever convincing I had to do, I will do it for you, Red, but...”My heart leaped with joy, but when she said ‘but’, my eyes gaped at her, afraid she would ask me to leave tonight.“I have conditions.” She muttered in a hushed tone.My heart jackhammered in my chest, and if Aya did not lay
(Red’s POV)“What with the boxes?” Addie asked as she gestured her hand, calling Sapphire and Katie to the chairs.The two girls walked toward her, sitting on the chair quietly. After Leslie gave them a quick shower, it was as if sleep was pulling them to bed already.“I don’t know. I haven’t checked them yet.” Aya, seated on the couch, handed her the hairdryer and hairbrush.When I caught her massaging her temple, I grabbed her gently and pulled her to me, letting her rest her head on the cushion I placed on my lap. She must be feeling unwell because she did not fight me, and instead of complaining, she lay and breathed in relief when I began to massage her temples. “Argh! You should have told me there’s no water upstairs.” Ariana dashed to the stairs in her bathrobe, her face white with soap. “I’m complaining about this place. Where’s the owner?” She chuckled as she knocked at the shared bathroom near the living room.“I told you this place isn’t ready to accept visitors yet,” Aya
(Red’s POV)“I’ll bet my whole inheritance, but something’s fishy about Scarlett’s return,” Ariana hissed, closing the bathroom door slowly and walking toward us. Ariana sat beside Mike, and like us, her forehead creased as crazy thoughts ran through her mind. My sister never liked Scarlett, but I could not help agreeing with her. My forehead creased, shaking my head as I brushed off the thought. They were with me when my wife returned home and saw how devastated and sickly she was.When our eyes met, Ariana knew we shouldn’t talk about it before Aya. She had gone through so much stress, and the last thing I wanted was for her to worry about our children. She lifted her hand, pretending to yawn, and stood up.“Good night, sister.” She kissed Aya’s cheeks. “Just so you know, mom and dad are thrilled with the news of having another baby... or babies in the family, but are you sure it’s not seven or something?”Aya laughed amusedly at my sister, shaking her head. “It was something Kat
(Aya’s POV)“Mommy? Daddy?”First, it was only Onyx calling, but a few seconds later, I could hear five of them calling us simultaneously.“Mooommmmmyyyyy!!!”“Daaaaddddyyyy!!!”“Sshhh... Your mom and dad are still sleeping,” I heard Addie’s pleading voice, sounding like she was stopping the kids from entering because the tent’s door had moved.I knew somehow that after I reached seventh heaven a couple of times, I fell into the arms of Morpheus. Red and I were crazy at each other, making love as if it was our last. Well... it should be the last. I woke up earlier than my cell phone’s alarm and had to turn it off before Red woke up from its noise.Instead of getting up, I snuggled closer to him, arched my head back, and gazed at his godly face. My mind had been reminding me that Red didn’t belong to me, but my heart kept whispering that it was not my fault that I fell in love with him and him to me. No one was at fault, except last night; I wanted Red... I needed him to make me feel a
(Aya’s POV)Dr. Wyatt’s lips curved into a smile as six pairs of eyes followed her wherever she went, and whenever she stopped walking, they would blink their adorable eyes at her. It was a small hospital, and the kids were not supposed to crowd the room, but Red and I begged the doctor, briefly explaining our complicated situation.“Are you excited to see your baby sister or brother?” Dr. Wyatt asked as she applied gel to my belly.Violet placed her palm on her chest, breathing hard as she looked nervously at me. “Yes,” she smiled as she answered. “Mommy, I don’t know why I’m nervous. Dad?” she turned her head to her father.Red chuckled. “Me too, sweetheart.”“Scared to see seven babies?” I joked, causing Dr. Wyatt to chuckle and the kids to giggle.“I don’t care if ten babies are inside, Aya.” Red reached for my hand, squeezing it as he smiled gently and imprisoned my hand in his.I rolled my eyes, laughing at the thought and thinking I would be luckier than Molly if that happened.
(Aya’s POV)“Are you sure you don’t want us to go with you?” Addie asked worriedly.My cousin raised her head, pursing her lips as she studied the villa. When I nodded, she opened the car’s door, returned to the driver’s seat, and sat quietly, not saying anything. We had this discussion already last night before going to bed, and this was sort of part of our exchange deal after she and Leslie insisted on staying with me in the B&B. I hated the idea that she had to sell her business to a friend just because she promised my dad that she would look after me.I disliked the thought that even Leslie had to sacrifice, traveling that long to her office, although Red and Liam approved of her working from home, and she would report to the office only when needed.Leslie opened the window, her lips curving a wicked smile. “Just like we practiced, Aya.”I rolled my eyes, chuckling softly as I nodded, unsure how to deceive Scarlett without intending to hurt her. Leslie called it bluffing to creat
(Aya’s POV) “You’ll make my kids suffer and have a broken family,” Scarlett continued. I pursed my lips, pretending to think, and then shook my head. “Define broken family, Scarlett? As far I remember, Red and I got married because we all thought you’re dead. Right before you were resurrected...” I pressed my lips and chuckled. “Sorry, it came out wrong, but before you returned, Red and I were happy... the kids were happy. I’m only asking you to allow the kids to be with me.” “You think I’m stupid, Aya, letting my family be with you? Do you really think they wanted to be with you?” She scoffed. “My kids are confused. Red thinks he’s in love with you, but like my children, he’s also confused.” “Scarlett, you’re the one confused. Do you want me to call the kids and ask them in front of you? Do you want me to call Red now and ask him yourself what he wants?” I bit my bottom lip and lowered my gaze, unsure if I really had to push this plan, but I promised Violet I would try and hope S