"Excuse me?"

I kept my gaze fixed on him as I spoke, unbothered if it made him uncomfortable. I wanted answers-answers to the questions swirling in my head.

He didn't reply, but I wasn't going to back down either. I pressed on with my questioning, refusing to let the tension between us win. Eventually, he sighed, turning his head toward me for a brief moment.

"When was the last time you talked to your kids?" he asked, his tone unusually serious.

His question caught me off guard, and my eyebrows shot up. Crossing my arms and legs, I leaned back, narrowing my eyes at him.

"Why are you bringing my kids into this?" I asked, suspicious now. The mention of my children seemed too random. "Are you involved with the shits happening?"

I recalled the recent events vividly. Someone had warned me about my children before the incident occurred. It was as if they were saying they knew every move I made, every plan I crafted.

They knew my thoughts-warning me that if I didn't stop pursuing them, my loved ones would pay the price.

"Do you suspect me?" His focus returned to the road as the traffic light turned green.

Though he wasn't looking at me, the pain in his voice was evident.

Like he hadn't expected me to doubt him.

"If you don't give me a valid alibi, then yes. I suspect you," I replied without hesitation.

There was an icy edge to my voice. I masked my hurt with that tone.

I had trusted him, treated him like a friend, even confiding in him more than I did Kesha. He knew about my kids because of that trust.

"I didn't do it," he finally said. "Have you forgotten that I told you I like you?"

"Love can be dangerous, Finnick."

He smirked at my words, but I couldn't believe I'd said them myself.

"Finnick," I said, my voice sharp and threatening, as he abruptly turned the car and parked on the roadside, slamming the brakes hard.

"The time you and your cousin got into that accident... someone also tried to harm your kids," he said in a low voice, as if trying to ease me into the revelation. But it didn't help.

I nearly stopped breathing at his words.

It hit me that it had been a long time since I last checked in with Chiara and Thunder. Even the CCTV connected to my phone-something I used to monitor religiously-hadn't been opened in a while, despite having plenty of time. I'd distracted myself with work, neglecting the time I could've spent bonding with my twins.

"I've been out of touch because I was protecting Chiara and Thunder. I didn't want anyone to track us..." Finnick explained as he restarted the car.

His voice carried a sincerity that I couldn't ignore. At that moment, I knew he wasn't lying, but I still needed more proof.

"Get your priorities straight, Sapphire. Or you'll lose what's most precious to you," he warned me with concern.

***

When I reached my apartment, I immediately called the secure number I used to contact my children. It wasn't easily traceable, but we still had to be cautious.

"Mommy!" Chiara's cheerful voice greeted me, bringing a smile to my face.

"Chiara... Thunder... are you alright?" I asked, my voice gentle but filled with worry.

I wanted to ask about the incident Finnick mentioned but didn't know how to bring it up.

Would they resent me for being absent? For failing as their mother?

I slumped on the couch, leaning my head back. It felt like I'd had a long day. My shoulder wound had been treated, but it still throbbed occasionally with the wrong movement. "Of course, we are, Mommy! We take after you!" Chiara's bubbly tone was infectious.

I suddenly wanted to see my kids, but I knew I couldn't. I had to be extra careful, especially after Finnick told me someone had tried to kill them.

He said he'd relocated them for safety but refused to tell me where. He thought it was better that way.

"Mommy, when are you coming back?" Chiara asked, her voice tinged with sadness.

"Chiara," Thunder gently scolded her in his usual calm yet firm tone.

They were keeping secrets from me. I could tell from Thunder's tone and the way he called out to his sister.

"Finnick told us you wouldn't contact us for a while," Thunder said honestly. "He said you're busy with something important."

Finnick really did think ahead. His quick decisions and sharp mind weren't just assets at work; they carried over into his personal life.

I grabbed a glass of water, trying to steady myself. But then, Chiara said something that nearly made me choke.

"Are you finding us a new daddy, Mommy?"

"No... no. I'm working," I said hastily, trying to calm myself. "I'm glad you're both okay."

"Don't worry about us, Mom. Please, take care." With that, Thunder ended the call, leaving me with a heavy sigh.

"So it's true..." I muttered, the confirmation from Finnick hitting me hard. "That bastard."

My fists clenched as I hurled my phone onto the bed.

After everything, I decided to sleep the stress away. The day had drained me, between my conversation with my twins and the lingering pain from my injury.

***noveldrama

The next morning, I wasted no time heading to the hideout. I was ready to track the man who'd texted me or borrow Tanner from Evangeline if needed.

I expected chaos at the hideout-it always was when Evangeline and Haze were around-but the sight before me was something I hadn't anticipated. "M-Mason?" I stammered, staring at him in shock.

His dark eyes seemed to pierce through anyone they landed on, brimming with bloodlust.

His messy hair was swept to the side, his white shirt crumpled as if someone had grabbed at it, and his hands... they were stained with blood.

His very presence screamed violence. I swallowed hard, unsure whether to approach him or stay back.

I couldn't move immediately from where I was, even when I saw Mason return to his spot earlier. I swear I could see a dark aura surrounding him.

He grabbed the baseball bat lying on the floor and, without hesitation, swung it at the man tied to a chair with thick ropes, blood splattering onto his clothes.

It was bloody. Grotesque.

I saw Mason smirk when he noticed the blood on his shirt. I didn't recognize him at that moment. He didn't look like the brother who always wore business suits, attended dull meetings, and worked on endless documents. When I looked closer, I realized Mason had been beating the man for some time... or should I say torturing him?

"Did something happen?" Despite the fear crawling up my spine, I managed to step forward, hoping to calm Mason down.

I didn't know what had happened or why Mason was beating this man so brutally, as if he wanted to kill him. I just wanted him to stop and put down the bat.

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