6. Her Little Sister

Strange how those words were coming from the same man who cheated on her.

The same man who abandoned his child in illness. 

The man who didn't care a bit about his own family. 

“This is an opportunity for you to give your mistress’s son a proper surname. Aren't you happy?” She muttered.

Who was he fooling?

He knew what he wanted.

And he knew she knew. 

Killian was silent for a few seconds. From the other end, only his heavy breathing resounded,

A sign that he was holding back his rage. 

Surprisingly, when he spoke next, his tone was oddly strained. “Are you doing this because of Lily's death?”

Like seriously?

What woman divorced her husband simply because they'd lost a child?

It didn't make any sense, did it? And he also knew that. 

He knew it wasn't the reason why she wanted to divorce.

He knew well what prompted her decision. 

Was he going to continue ignoring what transpired at the hospital, pretending it didn't happen?

Didn't he ever think that she deserved an explanation?

“Never mention my daughter's name.” Kiara swallowed down the hurt along with the tears that threatened to fall. “You're not worthy.”

Then she cut the call. 

How satisfying it was to hang up on him.

Even more satisfying would be never to see him again. 

“Oh my God, Kiara…” Maya gasped, her palm flying to her chest. 

The look of horror on her face was enough sign that she'd heard the phone call conversation. “A- A divorce?”

Kiara nodded. “Isn't your brother the best lawyer in the state?”

In case Killian wanted to make things difficult for her, she'd need a strong backing. 

Maya seemed too shocked to speak. 

She muttered some curses under her breath then shook her head. “It's no wonder all the guests were gossiping. Kiara, are you sure about this? You love him more than your life, aren't you gonna regret this later?”

Kiara’s only regret was entrusting her heart to him. 

“It's okay. Let's go inside.” Maya held the car's door open. 

Her best friend needed no more explanation.

She'd always known what was happening. But whenever she brought up the topic, Kiara always evaded it.

If only she had listened to Maya earlier. 

“Does your family know about this?” Maya asked once they stepped inside the mansion. “I mean, does your grandfather know? Killian might do something as bad as breaking the business pact between your families.”

This was going to be heavy news for her family. 

In fact, Kiara didn't know how to break it to her grandfather.

It would break the old man's heart for sure, and she might have to face some repercussions. 

Shaking her head to Maya's question, Kiara sighed. 

Maybe she should spend a few days here before going home. 

“Hey, Maya. Why did you bring her here?” Maya's mother was standing in front of the two large doors, both hands planted on her waist.

For a second, Kiara was shocked and speechless. 

Maya as well. “Mom, what do you mean? It's Kiara, my bestie-”

“Do you want Killian Reid to kill us all!?” The middle-aged woman shouted. “The news is spreading like wildfire that Kiara asked for a divorce in everyone's presence at the funeral. You had the mind to bring her here!”

“Wait, Mom, I can explain-”

“Look, Kiara.” Maya's mother faced her. “Please forgive me for acting impulsively. I wish we could accommodate you, but your husband is already threatening everyone in the socialites’ circle. Did you know what he told this silly girl's father? If you spend five minutes in our home, we can say goodbye to our family's fortune.”

Was he crazy? 

How could he threaten Maya's parents? 

“That's a bunch of shit, Mum! Don't listen to him!” Maya hissed. “You know that heartless man-”

“No, Maya. You might as well take her along to wherever you feel is safe. As long as Killian doesn't threaten us, Kiara, you're always welcome here.”

With Maya's mother dismissing them, it turned out Kiara had no other choice but to go straight home. 

Not Killian's home of course.

She had a lot of explanations to give to her grandfather. 

“Kiara, I'll come with you.”

“No need, Maya.” Kiara declined. If she needed to explain everything to her grandfather, she had to do it alone. 

The same taxi that brought them took her out of the neighborhood. 

Sitting in the backseat alone, Kiara closed her eyes.

Whenever she did so, her baby's image flashed in her vision. 

Her only companion in those days without Killian.

Why did fate have to be so cruel?

When the taxi arrived on the city's outskirts, it was already evening.

The family's mansion stood mighty and tall in the residential area. 

It glowed with lights, the brightness blinding, a stark contrast to the dark clouds of gloom hovering around her. 

Kiara stepped into the mansion, the vast emptiness creeping her out.

The servants must have retired to their quarters already. 

Her grandfather had probably gone to sleep already. 

Clutching the shawl wrapped around her, she dragged her heavy footsteps into the house. 

Strangely, voices were coming from the living room.

The light voice of a lady laughing, and the deep voice of a man chuckling.

Were her parents back?

Did they have guests? 

However, Kiara stepped inside the living room to be met with yet another shock. 

Killian sat on the couch, while the boy sat on his lap. The lady sat beside him, holding his arm and smiling brightly.

“What a coincidence, Kiara's also here!” Her stepmother rushed down the stairs, her excited voice grabbing everyone's attention. “Have you met Sophia, My Dear? She's your little sister I've always spoken about. The daughter I had from my first marriage.”