ina had a huge grin plastered across her face. She had just dropped off Nadia at school. She then visited Tristan at his office since he wanted to eat his lunch with her. He had kissed her goodbye like his life depended on it, and she couldn't help but enjoy the feeling every time he kissed or touched her. She could feel herself falling deeper for him, but she was still too scared to tell him.

Nina stepped into the freezing hospital and rode the elevator to the floor her grandmother was still on. Nina opened the door and said, "Hey, grandma."

Her grandmother just smiled, which was unusual for her. Her eyes always got excited when she saw her, but now she had a scared look in her eyes.

"Did you think I wouldn't be able to find you, bitch?" a raspy male voice asked.

Nina froze.

Nina knew the voice all too well. No, it couldn't be him. Nina turned to her left and saw him sitting down, smirking at her.

"Nick, what are you doing here?" she asked. She clenched her hands at her side to keep them from trembling.

"A little birdie told me Grandma was sick, so I came to see her," he said, standing up.

Bile burned the back of Nina's throat at him calling her grandma his grandma. He never cared about her or her family.

"Nick, let's talk outside please."

"Why?" he asked, grinning but there was no humor behind his eyes.

"Grandmother needs her rest."

Nick glanced at her grandmother before humming in understanding.

"Alright, let's go outside."

Nina shut the door and glared at Nick.

"You don't look happy to see me, sweetheart," he said, trying to hug her.

Nina stepped back. "Why the hell would I be happy to see you?"

"Still feisty, huh? I still love that shit."

Nina sighed trying her hardest to keep her anger in check.

"Where's my sister?"

Even though her sister Naomi had an affair behind her back with Nick, she still needed to know if she was okay because she knew how dangerous Nick could be.

"She's good. That's all you need to worry about."

Nina bit at her bottom lip, wishing that she could actually see her sister for herself to make sure she is actually fine.

"I think you know why I came back," he said, stepping closer to her.

Nina gulped. "I...I really don't know."

Nick laughed and she flinched at how nefarious it sounded.

"Bitch, don't play games with me."

Nina's eyes widened. She tried to back away from him but he grabbed her wrist.

"What is it that you want?" She hated how her voice cracked.

Nick smirked when he heard it. "Stop trying to act tough in front of me. You're still a scared little girl."

Nina closed her eyes wishing that this whole situation was a nightmare she could wake up from.

"I'm not scared of you anymore." Nina lifted her chin. She narrowed her eyes at him and stood her ground.

"But you're scared of your sister getting hurt, right."

A shiver ran down Nina's spine.

"Don't hurt her."

"I won't if you do exactly as I say. And think about it carefully Nina, 'cause I can also hurt your Grandmother, Tristan, and Nadia if I don't get what I want."

Was he spying on me?

"Don't touch them," Nina said, clenching her fists tighter.

He smiled a devilish smile. "I won't. Just do as I say."

***

Nina went straight to her room after helping Nadia with her homework and tucking her in for the evening. Tristan still wasn't home and she was happy about that.

Nina stripped herself of her clothes and stepped into the steaming hot shower. She squirted her vanilla body wash onto the loofah and began scrubbing her body. Her mind went back to what Nick had asked her to do. She didn't want to do it but she had no choice. If she didn't do as he said, he would hurt everyone she loved.

Nina lathered up her body once again and told herself this was what she had to do but she didn't want to betray Tristan. They were finally on the same page and she didn't want anything to ruin that.

Nina shut off the shower. She dried off her body and applied her vanilla-scented lotion. She then brushed her teeth and washed her face.

She padded her way into the bedroom and pulled a red gown out of the dresser drawer when she heard a knock at her door.

She didn't need to ask who it was so she said, "Come in."

"Hey, babe," Tristan said, walking inside her bedroom and closing the door shut.

Her heartbeat stuttered at the way he was looking at her and guilt gripped her lungs making it hard for her to breathe.

Tristan frowned when he looked at her. He rushed to her and placed his hands against her face. "What's wrong?"

Nina shook her head. "Nothing, how was your day?"

"Don't brush me off. I know when you're upset," he said, rubbing his thumbs against her cheeks.

"Nothing's wrong, seriously. I'm just having menstrual cramps."

So that wasn't a total lie. Her period had started earlier that day.

"Do you need some medicine? Tea?" he asked, concern clouding his eyes.

"I already took some. Enough about me. How was your day?" she asked, trying her best to cover how sick she was feeling from what she would have to do.

"It was the same old. Had to fire one of my employees for his incompetence. So, that was the only highlight of my day."

Nina nodded like she was really listening to what he said but his words went into one ear and out the other.

Tristan grabbed her hand and they walked towards the bed. He made her get under the covers, while he sat atop the bed.

Tristan narrowed his eyes at her. "Are you sure nothing else is bothering you?"

Other than the fact that I have to steal from you, no nothing's wrong.

Nina gave him a small smile. "I promise. Now, go to bed."

Tristan smiled and placed a kiss against her lips. "Goodnight."

Nina watched him walk out, with tears streaming down her face.

***

Hey guys, how's it going? I know it's been a while since I've posted. If you didn't read my announcement it was because I got sick and had to have surgery so a lot was going on. I don't mean for it to be an excuse, just letting you know why I was away for a while.

I appreciate you guys still reading this story. It means a lot.

Anyway, if you enjoyed this chapter don't forget to comment, vote, and share :).