Nik's POV

No matter how many times I look at it, I don't see where I did wrong. I mean, who would want to remain in such toxic family? Yes, my relatives and I, we do compete and struggle for everything but we don't starve one another,we know our limit. But them ? They've totally crossed the line.

Fine, let's forget about her step or half dad or whatever. Let's talk about her mother. Her daughter she hasn't seen for how long, three? four? five years? She didn't even give a shit about her! Didn't ask about her well-being, how she's been living? But then goes on ahead to ask for a favour right away? what a nerve.

I scoffed in disbelief, they should be lucky I wasn't there when it happened, else I'll would've chopped them to pieces; just like I'm doing to this onions right now.

"Sir Nik " Amanda tried to take the knife from me but I sent her a glare "You should leave this to me, you shouldn't be here " She still tried to reason with me and in the process cut myself - thanks to her distraction.

My face scrunched up from the pain while Amanda let out a dramatic gasp.

"Oh my God " She cried out in horror starring at the blood oozing from the wound

" Look what you've done to yourself now !" She chided, while glaring at me. I knew if I wasn't an adult and her employer, she would probably be pulling my ear by now.

I ignored her ravings and simply turned on the faucet and let the water from the kitchen sink wash away the blood.

"Sir Nik " She called after me again when I placed the chopped onion in a container after my wound had successfully stopped bleeding.

Gosh, her voice was beginning to hurt my ear.

I ignored her and simply nudge her to the side with my hips when she tried to stop me from adding the chicken stock and the bay leaves around the onions.

"Sir Nik! " She cried while stomping her feet exasperatingly.

"Your madam refuses to eat " I said to her and her mouth shut at once "I think it has to do with the fact the food was prepared by you, I feel she's craving mine "

Amanda gave me an 'Oh really? ' look , while trying to keep a straight face. It was obvious this situation was quite funny to her considering this was the first time I was preparing a meal in my entire life - not for me but someone else.

Aside from making my coffees, I had no other idea about the kitchen- I was just too lazy to learn how to cook anyway.

" Did you guys have a fight, again? " Amanda asked.

I turned to face her and when I saw the concerned look on her face, slowly nodded my head as an answer.

" Thought so " She sighed.

Even if I didn't tell her, Amanda was quick to catch on things and obviously knows my intentions towards Maya.

" Let me guess " She said rubbing her hand on her jaw "You did something to her without her consent, right?"

" Am I that obvious to read? " I queried

"Nope" came her answer "You're just one hell of a difficult man to understand " She deadpanned and I cast her a playful glare.

"No, seriously, what did you do this time?" She asked folding her arms across her chest.

"I kinda forced her family to remove her name out of the family registry - "

"You did what?!" Amanda boomed.

But I was quick to add " But that was after I found out they were planning to do the same thing after they get her to get me to sign the contract " I said in one clean breath.

But seriously why am I explaining myself to her, what is wrong with you Niklaus? You're your own person, why are you asking for her opinion?!

"Hmmm" Amanda sighed deeply " What you handled is not a small issue "

" Atlest someone understands me " I mumbled under my breath until I heard her next comment.

"But you're in the wrong" She said eliciting a shocked " What?! " from me

"Tell me, what did I do wrong? I perfectly payed back her family in their own coins for the vicious acts " I cried out, laying out my points.

"You see, that's the problem!" Amanda retorted " Her family is evil? Check. You payed them back in their own coins ? fine ! But removing Maya from the family register is akin to exiling her from that linage ; You've practically made her an orphan "

"She was literally an orphan at the first place" I countered grimly.

"But atlest, she had a background "

"My wife doesn't need such background " I stated firmly.

"Are you guys married yet? No. Is she a Spencer by marriage yet ? No. So maybe you should've asked for her opinion or atlest given her a heads-up before making her familyless" Amanda concluded, heaving and red in the face as a result of the intense argument.

I felt slightly uncomfortable with this feeling settling in my chest, guilt? Oh no.

But was I really wrong in removing her from the registry?I mean aside from marrying Kay, I've haven't had time to question my decisions or rather didn't care enough to question them.

Why was everything concerning Maya so different, cause it can't possibly be love. It's quite obvious I care and extremely devoted to Maya cause I promised her that . I want to stand true to my word but love? No, it can't be.

I'm just trying to be a faithful and devoted partner.

"So what are you going to do now ? " Amanda asked, interrupting my train of thought and I returned back to reality.

I gestured my head towards the recipe book with its pages opened, resting on the kitchen counter.

Amanda followed my direction and chuckled upon seeing the page "You want to bribe her with a meal ?"

"That's an apology meal " I corrected her.

"What are you cooking by the way? "

" Baked Onions with Fennel Bread Crumbs" I replied curtly and transferred the coarsely crushed fennel seeds to a small bowl.

"Mmmm, smells good" Amanda inhaled deeply approaching me, she tried to take a sneak peak of my yet to be done food but I blocked her with my body and turned her towards the direction of the door.

"Have a nice day " I said dismissively and turned her towards the door.

Amanda left with an aggrieved expression but I ignored her and went on ahead with my cooking.

So engrossed was I in my cooking that I didn't notice someone sneaking in and stiffened when I felt an arm snake around my waist.