Christian POV:-

I grit my teeth in anger. Why today of all days? Merlin will surely pay for it. I know that they can't arrest me because I have already turned each penny I earned with chastity. No matter how they search for it, they can't find any proof against me. But, I am infuriated at the fact that once again, the day Sophie was looking forward to was ruined. I think Merlin is taking revenge for the rumour I spread; She is having a child with a client of hers. I get it, that gossip destroyed her whole career as her name is stained. If she did it on some random day, I would find it amusing but right now, she is making the fire inside me fierier. Why does she have to make the matters worse?

I remained stoic as they went through my paper. I am deeply thankful to my mother, if it wasn't for her, I would have continued to earn money, wrong for both my wife and child.

They continued to interrogate me but then they showed me the papers of the land, I gave to Merlin. Even though it belongs to me but I gave it to Merlin as a gift as she refused to name it as hers. I grit my teeth in irk, the woman sure knows how to play games.

"Mr Elvis, This land belongs to the government. You gave papers to Ms Merlin Florence to avoid getting caught, isn't it?"

"When papers say that it's my land then how come this claim comes in between?"

"Where did you buy it?"

"You can find it from the legal papers, it is registered and officially mine," I said nonchalantly. "What about the paper we received which clearly shows that land is not yours."

"The land was given to Merlin, I assumed she is the one who sold it without the owner's permission because you can see the papers of legal registration so there's no question of stealing a government's land," I explained.

"We have heard that your money is also morally wrong."

"You see... That's a word called 'rumour'. Feel free to check whatever you want about my morally wrong money." I said firmly. We both had a staring competition and then he left me alone in that interrogation room. After spending hours there, they finally let me go with no solid proof against me. You better be prepared Merlin to go to jail for the second time, you gave me an idea to use the same card you have used against me,

My mind is now filled with anxiety. I have to explain to Sophie what happened. Now, I have to tell her about my past life too- what I want to prevent at all cost.

And not just that, I have to apologize too, for ruining the day she was looking forward to. Why does Merlin always destroy days like that?

I sighed deeply and when I walked out, I saw Tyler leaning on the wall.

"Hey... What brought you here?" I asked walking towards him. He seemed surprised to see me here and that goes the same for me too.

"Nothing.. just something trivial. And you?" He said casually while lighting up the cigarette.

"The same reason as yours," I said leaning beside him on the wall. He offered me a cigarette but I refused it. He shrugs his shoulders but then a police officer came, glaring at Tyler, "You can't smoke here." He said. "Oh, Okay." Tyler said casually as he threw the cigarette on the dustbin, he curled his lips upwards as he said mockingly, "Anything else? His Majesty"

Officer scoffed as he left. Tyler chuckled and then again leaned on the wall. I sighed as I began to say, "Today is our anniversary and here I am, in the station. Merlin sure knows how to destroy the day."

"Oh, Happy Anniversary... Dude...By the way, Merlin always did that. Last time, she is the one who ruined your special day."

"Thanks and Yeah... She always did that.. she just doesn't learn her lesson." He let out another chuckle and then I asked, "So.. how's your married life?" His smile faded as there was a brief pause and it seems like he is not happy about it. He sighed and then finally replied, "I don't know man... I think.. she is hiding things from me." My eyes widened in shocked as I asked, "You sure?"

"Dude, I told you about it." He said exasperated, "Was I too hasty about it and made a wrong choice. I have waited for her all this time and now it doesn't seem right." He grits his teeth as I put my hand over his shoulder. "Tyler. Maybe you should confront her rather than making assumptions about anything."

He hummed and said, "You're right.."

Then a silence fell upon us and he asked, "When you're going back?"

"Soon.. and you?"

"When I want to." He said with a smirk. I smirked back and turned my head in another direction, "Yeah... Of course, By the way, Who dared to pick a fight with you."

"Just a business rival, challenging me. But, it surely is a coincidence that we both are here." He said. "Challenging you?" I laughed. "Who dares to pick fights with you?" I asked. "Don't worry. I have planned his demise in accordance with his deeds. He broke his limits." He scowled but then gave me an evil smirk. "When it comes to working, you have no heart," I said with a sigh. "I know." He replied.

"I want to go soon. Sophie must be worried." I exclaimed my anxiety.

"I wish, Candice would also feel the same for me." He said hopelessly.

"Tyler you know it, how you guys are married, give yourself some time."

"Dude, Have you forgotten how you get married? And it was so clear that you guys are in love after 4 months of your marriage, unlike ours." He said nonchalantly but a glint of anger was clear in his voice.

"All things happen at their pace. Chill." I said.

I closed my eyes and after a while, Candice came to meet Tyler. He was astonished to see her like her arrival is too unexpected.

"Not being worried, huh?" I teased him with a smirk but he didn't seem amused, he narrowed his eyes at her. She passed me a faint smile and asked Tyler, "Are you okay?" He did not reply but rather he hissed, "Why are you here?" She lowered her gaze and said hesitantly, "I.. was worried.." Her demeanour is truly different than before. Sophie was right, she has changed after her marriage. She looked at me with a faint smile again as she said, "Sophie was so worried about you. She wanted to come too but I told her that it's not good for her condition." I passed her a smile and replied, "No, It's okay. It would be better if she stayed home."

"She was crying a lot." When Candice said that, my tranquil broke as I couldn't waste any second here.

"I'll take my leave," I said as I left to see how long it's gonna take them.

It took me another hour and finally, I came home after I didn't know how many hours I spent at the station. I reached home as I entered and asked Samuel, "Where Sophie?" He looked down sadly and replied, "In your room, Sir." I rushed to our room as I heard the heartbreaking sound of her cries that deluged me in sadness. I walked close to her, her face hidden in her knees as the deafening sound of her cries caused a commotion in my mind. I bent and before I could say anything she stopped crying and she lifted her gaze to look at me, "Christian.." She whispered. I passed her a faint smile, she clutched my shirt as she began to cry and yelled at me, "Why did they take you!? What are you hiding from me!? Why did you leave!? You know I can't spend a second without you!? How could you!? You're supposed to stay with me today!" She cried, hitting my chest. I put my hand over her back as I rubbed it and replied in a soothing voice, "But, now I am here and don't worry, I'll never leave you. No matter how long it will take me, I'll always return to you. Even fate is the witness of this." She slowly lifted her gaze as I wiped her tears. She gave me a nod and pulled back after a while. She leaned on the bed again as I looked down.

"Why did they take you?" She asked, looking away. I sighed as I mustered some courage to finally tell her everything about me.

"Sophie... I want to tell you about my past but I don't think it would be good for your condition." She held my hand and smiled, "I am here for you. No matter how dark your past will be, I'll shine your present and future so the nightmares of the past will never haunt you again." She smiled widely as she tilted her head cutely. I kept looking at her as I felt my heart fluttering in happiness to have her by my side. I swallowed the lump in my throat as I began to tell her,

"I.. My.. The.." I trailed off, I just know how I should start. She gave my hand a gentle squeeze as she passed me a reassuring smile, I took a deep breath as I felt calm looking at her like this and then I again began to say,

"Father used to beat Mother and I sat in the corner of the dark room, hearing those loud cries, feeling scared. I wanted to take my mother away. So, I.. joined the underworld at the age of 17. But, a year after it, father died and we began to face money problems, to escape our desperation for money, I... I involved myself more in it and for the sake of money, I did illegal things too and we moved to New York but... When I found out that you guys also came, I was so surprised, I thought that I left you behind and we can never meet again as you can live a normal life again, without even knowing about my existence but I was wrong. You guys moved here because some people want to sell you. That time, I saw someone taking you away and mother's words echoed in my mind that I have to protect you and before I knew it....I... I took a life. The first time I killed a person.. was for your sake. I was devastated, I felt like my body was stained in blood and that guy is glaring at me. I couldn't sleep, I couldn't eat. But, soon I recovered from that trauma because of Merlin who even after hearing it, stayed by my side. She even encouraged me to go deeper in the Mafia world, I never knew she was doing this for my despair, not for the sake of our future. When mother came to know about it, she... she killed herself saying that I am a disgrace to her. She.. killed herself because of me... I am the reason for her death... I felt so heartbroken and after destroying my life, Merlin cheated on me too. I was left with the incapability to think and feel. I then devoted my life to fulfill the promise I made to mother; to marry you. But, I can't do it, not unless I convert my depraved money into money earned with virtue. A year before our marriage, I told Aunt that I'll come back to fulfill my promise.

I just lost my ability to think and when Juliette met me, she told me that you'll never agree to marry me, she said a lot of things that caused me to question my choice to marry you. Her words are so misleading and I strayed from my path and caused this mess. I'm sorry, I never want to do this injustice to you, I never want to blind myself in the possession of money. I have made a lot of mistakes and I can't even penance for those crimes I committed. That's why when I broke you, I wanted to at least make this mistake of mine right. I just don't know what you'll think of me after knowing I have killed people, I have done illegal businesses and that I am the reason for my mother's death... I was so afraid to tell you but Sophie I need you by my side. I am nothing without you.." I said as tears brimmed in my eyes, blurring my vision. My lips began to shake as my whole being was shuddering in dread to see her reaction. I didn't dare to lift my gaze and met hers. A silence fell upon the room and I felt my heart heavy because of her lack of response. I closed my eyes as a tear fell directly on the ground. I pressed my teeth against themselves to stop myself from crying. The absence of sound crushed my heart miserably as I was left with the inability to think nothing but thoughts of despair.

But, then Sophie's grip on my hand tightened as she moved her head and rested it on my shoulders. My head shot up as I turned and saw her smiling, her eyes were closed and seemed so... peaceful. She was liberated from any stress.

Her thumb brushed against my hand as she began to hum a random melody. I couldn't understand her demeanour but then I immediately recognized the melody. Mother used to hum it to me. The sound was so nostalgic and soothing. Suddenly, all negative emotions washed away as I felt a feeling of solace and lull taking over me. I tilt my head and put it over hers as she continues to hum. Mother always did this whenever I felt sad or lonely. The sound is an eternal source of calmness for me, A never ending feeling of being loved and cared for by the one I loved. An everlasting and unforgettable feeling of serenity. This evoked the same sensations as Sophie in me.

After finishing it, Sophie began to say softy yet feebly,

"Thank you.. for saving my life twice. For coming back to me. For being mine... Just remain mine forever...

Christian, You have the wrong person by your side all the time. Now, you have me, I'll never let you astray from your path. I'll be your light and will help you get through harsh times. What's done is done. We have to focus on our future now. For the sake of our child. Don't worry, I'll stay by your side forever. And Christian.." She moved to me as he moved to my laps and ran her hands in my hairs, she smiled as she leaned in and kissed me deeply and with such passion that my heart fluttered with happiness and I effusively welcomed that warmth and love of hers. She slowly pulled away and continued, "Your virtues are something I deeply admire. Your devotion to rectify your mistakes, either in love or in business. You have successfully purged both your money and me. I feel so proud whenever I look at you. I felt so secure in your arms. You have spent many years making mistakes and correcting them. You have worked hard enough. And now it's time to rest assured as I am by your side being your guide. You now live your life in harmony. There won't be any more afflictions and even if they are..." She took my hand in her and put it over her overgrown stomach, "We will prevail together." She smiled widely. Her words are so consoling. They made me feel so blessed. I also smiled back as I rubbed my hand over her stomach.

My heart treasures those deep feelings of love I have for both of them.

"When did she start kicking?" I asked.

"Now She? At least decided on a gender Christian. And maybe next month."

"But, I couldn't think of it. I want both a girl and a boy." I pouted slightly. She giggled as the sound of it gave me tranquility.

"By the way, Don't you think that you are more fat than you should be?" I asked. She held her chin and began to think and then replied, "Maybe because our baby is healthy." She said and I nodded. And I spent the day of my day with my beloved wife while talking to my sweet baby.

***

"Your baby is healthy and everything is fine." Said the doctor. We have come for a regular checkup as she told us everything is fine.

"You sure you still don't want to know about gender and anything." She asked and Sophie quickly shook her head 'no', saying, "No, No, No, Don't tell anything about our child. I want it to be a surprise. We just want to know if our child is healthy or not, nothing else." Doctor chuckled as she began to say, "You are really diligent about it." Sophie smiled and nodded childishly. Then we went home and by looking at Sophie's smile, my heart also filled with content.

My every path now leads to only one destination; yours. My every breath began to search for your feelings. My heart has now begun to crave for your soul. My life is not mine anymore, it's yours...