"Bad news has good legs." ― Richard Llewellyn

The four looks all shocked as they shifted their eyes to each other. "Theios?" Cassie Ann broke the awkward silence that fills the air for a moment, slicing the thick tension. A wide smile broke out on her lips as she stared at the couples. "Come in!" she invited the couples and Taryn just stared at the couples. Then, anger slowly infusing him as he watches their back following Cassie Ann to his living room. Just then everything rushes to him like big waves and his anger towards his own father resurfaces. Hatred overwhelms him as he follows them with no small amount of emotion in his features.

Cassie motions them to sit and the two did, awkwardly. Looking at the satisfied look of Cassie Ann, his rigid and tense body instantly relaxes. "I hope this clears out whatever suspicion you had in mind when I said the baby is Xandrous' child," she spoke condescendingly with a hint of bitterness in her tone.

Taryn suddenly looks at Zandros with contempt. Zandros looks at Cassie and smiled. "Of course, there's no doubt, Cassie!" he responded promptly. When he looks at Mrs. Mailov, she was staring at him adoringly. Her eyes glistening and he was feeling this strange emotion the way the lady stared at him with adoration and longing. She looks like she was about to cry and his heart clenched.

"Could you please give us some moment, Cassie? I need to talk to my son," his last word snapped him out of his trance and stared at him furiously.

Son?

"As far as I remember, I don't have a father!" he yells in his head, clenching his jaws tightly.

"Of course, theios." Then Cassie Ann gave him a smile and headed to his room.

Watching her back as she disappears through the hallway, he snapped his head furiously back to Zandros Mailov. "You have no son, here!" he glowered grimly. A pain flickered in those orbs that looks like his. He ignored it. He has no idea what they have been through and he wasn't there. He was bullied and called bastard when he was a kid and fought alone. He has no idea how much he yearns to have a father figure to look up. How much he yearns to hear him saying he loves him that he is always there to protect him, them.

"Alexandrine," that soft voice snapped his eyes in her direction. He was confused with the name she calls him. Lauren was already on her feet, looking like she's going to collapse any second. She stares at him with disbelief. He looks like Alexandrous and she's not surprised why Cassie mistook him as Xandrous. She just doesn't understand why he was doing this or she's just denying the fact that he was obviously doing it out of revenge.

Taryn stared at the woman in front of him hard, denying the strange emotions he felt as he stared at her soft motherly features. She looks elegant despite the simple black pants and white buttoned down top. "I'm not Alexandrine!" he hissed, ignoring the urge to feel her arms around him. Would it be warm like his mother's embrace? Well, he doesn't remember now how does it feels like, it been a long time. The longing in her eyes starting to bother him. Why is she acting strange? She should be angry. Her husband has a son with another girl. She should be mad at me and at her husband not like that, acting like I was her lost son.

She smiled, too sweetly that it irritates me. I could feel my heart starting to melt and the urge to feel her warm embrace is nagging me and it is strange. I shouldn't feel that.

I look away, averting my eyes to the man who caused pain in my mother that caused her life. The cold, collected man looks different in front of him. He looks lost, pain etched all over his face, and at the same time, anger swirling around his orbs and I don't know to whom it was directed.

"You are Alexandrine Mailov!" Zandros finally spoke after staring at him for a while. "You are Alexandrous' identical twin that Dr. Tara Asker abducted right when you were born," his words was like a lightning. It struck him and left him speechless, bewildered.

"The woman who raises you was an abductor! She took you away from us!" Mrs. Mailov accuses sharply. Her voice was like a razor. Suddenly, he felt uncertain. There are thousands of questions swimming in his head and his aunt Tamara crosses his mind.

He thought he's the only one that could answer him. She should know everything, the truth!

........................

"Vicky, honey!" The looks on my parent's face are not what I expect as I walk into our house. With confusion, I hug my parents. Dad and mom just hugged me back without saying anything, but their eyes held more volume.

My heart suddenly picks up speed as I shifted my stare between them. Something is wrong and I can feel it. Dad looks worried and at the same time, grim. The collected aura was nowhere can be seen on his gorgeous face. Mom was worse.

"Is there anything wrong?" I asked.

Mom shook her head too quickly that didn't escape my scrutinizing eyes. I stared at her hard, pinning her silently with my eyes. She looks at dad, eyes that were asking for help.

Definitely, there's a problem.

The happiness I felt suddenly whisk away and now, fear slowly clothing my whole being. I don't have any idea what was it, but my instinct felt it, and it was heavy.

"Dad!" I look at him, my eyes pleading him to tell me.

Dad stared at me with mixed emotion. "I called your manager," dad begun. He let out a lungful of air and glanced at my mother who was standing next to him. I caught Jaime passes by in my peripheral vision. He was heading to the kitchen. We were standing in the grand foyer, I was about to head upstairs to my room when dad and mom showed up from the living room. Every second passed as he paused, it seems that I'm not getting enough oxygen, making it difficult to breathe, eagerly waiting for his next words. "You are not going back to London for your last photo shoot. The manager already agreed—" my brain suddenly felt empty. I watch his lips moved as he talks, nothing registered in my head as soon as I heard he broke the contract and my career is gone. His last words became blurry.

"Victoria, honey, it is not safe anymore for you to go back to London!" mom's worried tone switch my brain back on. Snapping my head at her, I stared at her eyes, curiously. The words not safe brought confusion to my head.

"What do you mean, not safe, mom?" I asked, bewildered.

Dad and mom shared the same look as they look at each other. "Dad, MOM!" my tone rising as I stared at them suspiciously. I hate lying.

They already did that to us and Elle. Our relationship was jeopardized because they didn't tell us about her sickness. They like to hide things from us and everything just screwed up because they thought it is better if we knew nothing. "WHY IS IT NOT SAFE?" I shouted. Frustrations and disappointment triggered my anger, now clouding me. Gritting my teeth, I spoke calmly. "Dad, mom, I know you just want the best for us by not telling us the truth," with a strangled voice "but I, or Elle, or any of your kids, deserve to know the truth. We are not a baby anymore, we can decide for ourselves!" I grit out, unable to control my temper anymore.

Dad shook his head, pausing as he sighs. "Deshawn Prescott commits suicide and the family is blaming you for ditching him with another guy, which is Alexandrous ..."

My body turns frigid as soon as the words flew out of his mouth. My whole body feels cold, the time when I found my baby was gone, the same feelings, came rushing to me like tidal waves, racking my whole being. "NO!" I felt the words came out, filled with agony. My heartbeat feels like it doubles up, feeling burning inside. My head shaking incredulously, as I tried to deny the truth. "No, it can't be!" I murmured choking and I felt my body turns limp and everything around me seem to start spinning, and I want to gag.

"VICTORIA!" mom screams as I felt my body dropping. My body feels like a water, slowly dropping, then into oblivion.

.......

"I DON'T CARE! I'M NOT GOING TO WATCH THIS FAMILY, RUIN MY DAUGHTER!" I opened my eyes and squints my eyes almost shut — trying to squeeze the radiance away that filled my clasped eyes — when the bright light from the chandelier hits my eyes. I look around the room and realized I was in mom and dad's room. Mom wasn't anywhere so as my dad. My eyebrows furrowing. My eyes followed where the loud voice of my father was and my eyes landed on the door of their ensuite bathroom.

Dad probably was angry that his voice had reached me loud and clear, even the menacing tone didn't escape my senses.

When everything came back to my senses, I suddenly scramble out of the bed. I need to talk to my father.

Deshawn is dead.

My career as a model is over.

And now, I'm not safe!

"DAD!" I called out as I made my way to their bathroom door. I didn't look for my shoes as I walk barefoot to the door. "DADDY!" I called loudly as I knock on the door.

I didn't hear anything behind the door. I knock again and then it opens. Dad looks so mad. His face is grim as he unconsciously glowers at me. When he realized it was me, his face softens.

"How do you feel now?" dad asked as he cupped my face. His gruff voice is gone.

"Dad, why is it not safe to go back to London?" I asked without preamble.

Dad pulled his hands away and dropped it on his side. He stared at me, looking lost before opening his mouth. "Prescott's fans are very angry and they are hunting you. Even Frankie was not safe anymore. She was almost stabbed by one of the fans in a restaurant after realizing she was your roommate,"

"OH MY GOD!" I uttered shocked, my palm flew up to my mouth, my eyes bulging as the words registered in my head. My body started to shake with fear for her. "I need to call her," I said momentarily, pulling my hand away from my mouth and scrambles out of their bedroom. I felt dad following me.

"Vicky, honey," mom calls out behind me and I didn't look back as I headed to my room. I head dad said something to her and their voices faded as I entered my room.

.......

"Frankie?" my voice quivering as I spoke when the call connected.

"VICKY!" she squeals anxiously. I smiled, ignoring the fear starting to dominate my whole being.

You can conquer the fear, Vicky. I chastised myself as I tried to deny it.

"You need to stay in Greece ..." she implored, dragging me out of my own thoughts.

"I know. How are you?" I asked, fighting back the fear but my voice betrayed me.

"Well, I'm stuck here in the apartment, with two guards outside my door 24 hours watching," she laughs but lacks emotion.

I let out a soft hollow chuckle. "It's all my fault!" I mumbled, almost inaudible. I feel all the more remorseful, gnawing guilt overwhelming me like a rat running in my stomach. I felt like I was buried under a concrete.

"No, it's not your fault, Vicky. These people are just too judgemental and Deshawn is weak! He could have done something to ease the pain instead of ending his life!" Frankie commented harshly and I let out a painful breath. "I don't understand why would he end up his life when there's nothing going on between you two anyway or did I miss something?" she asked cautiously.

I fell into silence, contemplating whether to tell her the truth or just keep it hidden in respect for the promises I made with him. I battled with my thoughts. "Vicky?" Frankie's voice interrupted my thoughts.

"I'm sorry," I apologized shortly. "You know there's nothing going on between us, Frankie," I answered as I walked over to my bed and perched on the edge, propping my back against the headboard languidly. I heard another beeping tone from my phone and when I look at it, it was Xandrous calling me. I ignored it and thought of calling him back later.

"... don't understand why would his family assumes that you ditch him for Xandrous," she commented missing some of her words. I just smiled bitterly. "Anyway, just be careful, Vicky. Don't go out alone yet until the issue faded," Frankie reprimanded and I unconsciously nodded my head.

"I know, but I can't just stay here inside the house. I'm going insane!" I let out a frustrated sighed.

"I know, I know, but your safety is more important. Watch some Netflix or call me. I'm sure, Xandrous is always available to give you company, as well," she teased.

"He's busy now," I replied shortly.

"Well, you can always call me," she said and I smiled.

"Thank you, Frankie! Please stay safe," I said before hanging up the call.

I dialed Xandrous' number. It rang twice and I heard his voice on the other line, sounding frantic.

"Vicky baby, why are you not answering?" he asked rather demanding.

"I'm sorry, I was talking to Frankie," I answered weakly. I felt like all my energy today was all sucked up leaving me completely lethargic.

"Would you like me to come over?" Xandrous asked shortly his voice full of worries.

"No!" I responded all too quickly, shaking my head at the same time. "I'm fine. Dad and mom are here. I know you have things to settle, company to run," I sighed. I pulled my back away from the headboard and then lay on my back flat on the bed, my legs dangling over the edge.

I heard him sighed. "I will fly tonight to see someone and be back tomorrow I hope. I just need to settle something. I'll call you if I can't make it back, baby. Just please stay at home and don't go out until I come back and we could go watch a movie, or eat out. Can you promise me, baby?"

I sighed. My heart sinking at the thought of him leaving but he has some business to attend to. "Yes," I agreed, sighing momentarily.

"This is just temporary, baby. Everything will be alright!"

I smiled bitterly at oblivion. I don't know if how long will this issue lasts and the guilt in my chest will stay. If only I went to see him, this tragedy could have been avoided.

God, why regrets always in the end?

"Vicky?" Xandrous sounds worried, dragging my attention back to him.

"I'm here," I responded shortly.

"Baby, are you alright?" he implored. I could feel the tense in his voice.

"Y-yes, I t-think I'm fine," choking back the lump in my throat, I softly responded.

"Tell me what's wrong, baby?" his strangled voice begging me.

I felt the stinging tears brimming in my eyes as the news oscillated in my skull . If only I was there, he would still be alive. I bit my bottom lip to stifle the sobbing sound coming out from my mouth. Forcing a smile between the tears, I forced a casual tone. "Deshawn is dead!" I spewed out, my heavy chest feels tighter as the words came out.

"Vicky, baby," he sucked his breath, pain evident as he breathes loudly, infusing me wholly. "The media got it all wrong and his family doesn't know the real truth." My head feels like it's going to explode from the realization that Xandrous knew it and never mentioned it once.

"How did you know?" I asked.

"Someone needs to opens their eyes and sucked it up the truth, and not jumping into conclusion and ruins someone's life!" Xandrous disparagingly remarked ignoring my inquiries.

"You are not going to see them right?" I asked. I'm not going to let him go alone and talk to the family. They are still mourning and God knows what these people can do, especially his brothers are all in the army.

"I need to, Vicky! These media has to stop spreading lies and this family needs to stop misleading these hungry gossip mongrels," he said sternly.

"Xandrous, let them mourn first," I said too desperate to stop him from going to see the family. I can't let him go alone. I will come with him. "We will go together. I have to face them. I'm sure, they would rather want to see—"

"NO!" Xandrous snapped in a final gruff tone.

My temper flared up. I bolted up and sat upright, glowering at the space before me. "Xandrous, you don't know what these people can do. They could kill you!" I hissed furiously.

"Then the more you shouldn't go!" he pointed out firmly.

I squeeze my eyes shut trying to ease my temper. I want to strangle him with frustration. "You are not going anywhere, Alexandrous!" I grit out firmly.

"I'm not going to watch them ruin your name. I will stop this nonsense spreading!" he shot back angrily. "Stay here, Victoria and I mean it. If I find you wandering around while I'm gone, I swear to God, Ms. Pallos, I'm going to glue your ass in your bed if I had to!" he ordered sternly and my eyes bulged as his words processed in my head.

He didn't just talk to me like that!

"How dare you talk to me—" anger burst, as I glowered at oblivion.

"Just stay home, Victoria! I have people watching you, baby. I'll be back soon!" ignoring my anger, he reprimanded.

My jaws tightened as I clenched my hand tightly around the small sleek machine. "YOU ARE NOT GOING A—"

My words were cut off when I heard the dial tone and I stared at my phone bug-eyed.

He just hangs up on me? That's son of a bitch!!

With another burst of anger-infused strength, I seethingly threw the phone to the bed. The phone bounced off to the floor creating a loud sound. The shattering sound filled my ears and I didn't care at all.

Scrambling out of my bed, I stalked towards my door forgetting about showering and I'm still using my clothes since last night and trudge down the hallway purposefully.

"MOMMY!" I called out, with heavy footsteps I passed series of doors, checking each room with frustrations. My chest pumping furiously against my ribcage.

"ARGHh!!" I screamed as I paced down the staircases, angrily.

"What's going on?" to my annoyance, Luke popped out of nowhere with a shirt drenched with sweat. He obviously just came from the gym, with a towel slung over his shoulder.

"Where's mom and dad?" I scowled.

He shrugs his shoulders in nonchalance that only added to my frustrations. "Argh, you're useless!" I hissed, brushing passed him and he just chuckled it off as he headed to the stairs and I ventured around the foyer to the living room where I first saw them.

"What?" I followed dad's voice and led me to the drawing room. I pushed the door open and dad's back was facing me.

"I don't think he killed himself. There must be a foul play going on here and now my princess is taking all the blame,"

My eyebrow shuts up as I called his name. "Dad!"

...........................

I was staring at my aunt sitting across me. The woman who raised me lovingly and treats me as my own. She had forgotten about her life and what the world has in store for her just to ensure my good future. I swallowed hard as I stared at her depressing features. She was wearing the same dress as I left her two days ago. Her hands were restrained with handcuffs, face filled with guilt as she avoided my eyes.

"Why didn't you tell me the truth? Why did you let me believe that my father abandoned us?" I couldn't help but sounded accusing. I feel lost. I don't know how should I feel for her.

Pity?

Anger?

..........

A/N: Here you go. I'm hoping for five more chapters and it's over. I'm sorry for the delays.

Hoping you enjoy reading it. :)