BOSTON

LIAM’S POV

Kristabel looked pleadingly into my eyes.

“Please help me save my niece.” She said as the streaks of tears fell from her eyes.

I hated seeing her sad. I wanted to say no, but I couldn’t. I could not say no to him, even though I had promised myself that I would never let Kristabel use me like she had seven years ago.

I had moved on; I had a wife now, and I had a company to consider. I couldn’t just up and leave. All these concerns, however, seemed to take a back seat when it came to Kris’ request. Just like seven years ago, I was at her beck and call yet again.

Like always, I was ready to put everything else in my life on hold for Kris, and soon we were on my private jet headed for Boston so I could help this niece of hers, Marilyn, whom I had never heard of.

So much for moving on.

“We will be landing soon,” the pilot said. I looked over at Kristabel and noticed that she had fallen asleep. I could not help but smile at how cute she looked asleep with her headphones on. I decided not to wake her and instead enjoy the view of her sleeping.

I stared at her, wondering how everything about her makes me yearn for her. Her stubbornness, smile, feistiness, and every single thing, good or bad, made me want her even more.

I wondered how, even after all these years, I could hardly ignore this need to have her by my side. A small strand of her hair fell to her face. I brushed it away, and abruptly, she opened her eyes. My hand stayed awkwardly on her face, not knowing what to do next. I looked away and replaced the smile on my face with an instant frown.

“You should probably put that up in a scrunchie, I wouldn't like that touching me,” I said and immediately realized how rude that sounded. I looked forward to her usual feisty comebacks to make me feel better, but instead, she said nothing. Her face held the same sadness that it had a while ago. I felt this insane urge to make that sadness go away, and it felt horrible that I couldn’t.

“Sorry,” She mumbled and moved a bit.

Why do you have to be such a jerk?!

The jet soon landed, and we got into the car. After Kristabel had given my driver the address to the hospital, we were on our way.

“Is she gonna be alright?” Kris asked the doctor as soon as they got inside the hospital waiting room. She looked pale and scared. I was close to putting my arm around her, to remind her that I am there for her, but I however dropped my hand awkwardly.

I have a wife now, I cannot do that.

“She’s stable for now. do you both want to see your daughter? The doctor asked. Kris looked at me with a apologetic smile.

“He is not Marilyn’s father, please take me to her, I need to know that she is alright.” Kristabel said and was led away into the ward while I sat awkwardly in the waiting room as the conversation between Kris and the doctor replayed in my head.

She said nothing about Marilyn being her niece to the doctor– She did not even correct him for assuming that Marilyn is her daughter. Something did not feel right, but that too was none of my business.

I sent a quick text to my wife, something about being stuck at work. I would have to come up with a better excuse later. A pang of guilt hit me as I thought about the fact that I would have to lie to her about where I was. Stephanie is not the kind of wife I can tell the truth to, she already doesn’t like Kris from seeing her at the party. Telling her about Kris and me being in Boston together would just be me digging my own grave.

“What the hell are you doing here, you bastard?!” I heard someone say, the voice sounded familiar…too familiar. I looked up to see one of the people that I had hoped never to see again. Tyler Hardings, Kristabel’s older brother. We used to be best friends but things went sour after what happened.

“Nice to meet you, too, Tyler,” I said, feigning a smile even though I wanted more than anything to avoid the awful awkwardness of being there.

“You think you can just worm your way back into our lives? Even though Kris accepts you back, I never will!” He said in anger.

“You should be thanking me for being here, Tyler,” I said, doing my best to keep my cool. The last time Tyler and I had seen each other it had ended up in a brutal argument. Which brings me back to wondering why I am so willing to save Tyler’s daughter (Kris’ niece) Marilyn. I really shouldn’t care that much about this family especially after what they did to me.

“I am only here to save your daughter’s life, so get off your high horse and be grateful,” I added.

“My daughter?” Tyler asked, confused, which in turn confused me because Tyler is the only sibling that Kris has, so Marilyn being her niece would have to mean Tyler being Marilyn’s father.

“Yes, your daughter…Marilyn.” I offered, but the confusion on his face still stayed before being replaced with a look of realization. I was about to say something, but one of the nurses interrupted.

“Sir, we are ready for you.” The nurse said. I followed her into the phlebotomy room where my blood was to be drawn.

“You have a really pretty daughter, you both look so alike. Don’t worry, we’ll do everything we can to make sure she’s alright.” The nurse said as she swabbed my arm and inserted the needle. I smiled in response, even though her words only added to my confusion. My mind ran a mile thinking about how Kris could have lied to me yet again. There’s something about everything with Marilyn that doesn’t make sense. She can not be my daughter, right?

I waited anxiously for the nurse to finish taking my blood, and then I came face-to-face with Kristabel in the waiting room.

“Is Marilyn my daughter?” I asked immediately I saw her. As the words left my lips, Kristabel’s face went from smile to confusion, then finally unmistakable terror.