Chapter 5 – His regret

***Joe's POV***

“Don Rodriguez has proposed an alliance” Carl said barging into my study.

“Took him long enough” I smirked. “I always knew I could win him over”

Carl patted my shoulder.

“You're one proud man, Joe, meanwhile I bumped into Miranda on my way here, she says you won't speak to her.”

I sighed.

“And?”

“And? She's your fiancee, you can't keep doing this, you used to obsess over her. What happened? Ever since Megan…”

“Don't mention that name here, Carl.”

He shook his head.

“You're indeed proud, ever since she left you've not truly been happy, you finally got all you wanted, Megan out of the way, The empire and Miranda in your life but yet you look so down.”

I sighed, maybe he was right. Ever since Megan left I've been filled with nothing but emptiness and regrets.

I thought I hated her, thought I didn't care but each time I kept finding myself secretly searching for her, but her whereabouts were unknown, I felt so empty without and yet I couldn't bring myself to admit it.

“Cut the crap, Carl and go back to work”

He shook his head walking out. Deep down I knew he was right but I was too scared to admit it, I treated Megan too harshly back then so how then was I supposed to admit I was worried about her.

I wondered if she were alright now or if she had ended up in any trouble, I searched all over town, no dead body were identified as her, which meant she was still alive but her whereabouts still unknown.

Her supposed family didn't care much about her whereabouts which was odd, Miranda had told me when we were teens that Megan was the most loved child, while she was the least favored and that Megan had always taken that chance to bully her but now thinking about everything, I feel like I was decieved.

I had mistreated her and treated her poorly when she was always the least favored child.

I missed her so much.

***Megan's POV***

The veil draped over my face fluttered slightly as the jet descended, the lights of the runway slicing through the dark sky like blades. I adjusted the thin black fabric, tucking it securely behind my ear as I gazed out of the tinted window. We were here. Back in the States. Back where everything had begun… and ended.

My fingers rested calmly on my lap, black leather gloves shielding the tremble that threatened to surface. But I didn’t shake. Because I wasn’t that woman anymore.

The desperate girl who once ran into the night, heart bleeding and soul in shreds, was long gone. She had died six years ago. Megan, he one who begged to be loved, who waited for Joe in cold dinner tables and empty bedrooms had vanished.

Now, only one remained. The fearless Boss Lady.

The engines whirred to a low hum as the private jet touched down with practiced ease. A smooth landing, no turbulence. Just like the life I had created over the years, calculated, guarded, without chaos. Or so I told myself.

As soon as the door opened, the crew scurried to position, lining up respectfully, heads bowed. But none dared step forward first.

Kai Slayer did.

He emerged, tall, lean, dangerously composed. He had no tie on, a dark gray suit, and sleeves rolled halfway, tattoo peeking from his forearm. His presence demanded silence, and he knew it. He was no longer just my boss. He was the king of the underground, and every bit as feared as his name promised.

He descended the stairs slowly, scanning the area like he always did, eyes cold, every sense alert.

Then, behind him, two tiny figures appeared at the doorway, little curls, green eyes just liie Joe's, solemn expressions.

My boys.

Ethan’s grip on the rail was firm, like he understood the weight of where we were.

Cole blinked against the wind, his hand seeking mine without looking.

I stepped down behind them. 

One after the other, I moved, every stride deliberate, every blink rehearsed. The veil shielded half my face, but I didn’t need it to hide.

I wore silence like armor now.

My hand swept slightly to the side, an instinct more than thought. I positioned myself between the boys and the world.

At the bottom of the stairs, a black SUV idled, doors swung wide open.

I didn’t hesitate.

Kai opened the door wider and stood aside, watching as I ushered the boys in.

“Thanks, Kai,” I murmured, keeping my eyes ahead.

His gaze was unreadable. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

“I didn’t fly across the world to play it safe,” I replied. “Joe is still breathing, isn’t he?”

A smile ghosted his lips. “Yeah. Unfortunately.”

Ethan stared out the window, Cole leaned against my side and dozed off. Kai spoke only once, to ask if I wanted the longer route or the discreet one.

“Straight home,” I said.

Home.

It felt strange calling it that.

*****

My mansion rose like a glass tower, clean and silent. The moment we entered, security systems clicked into place, automated locks blinking green. No one would get in without my permission.

Inside, the space was warm, with dark wooden floors. It was elegant, safe, and most importantly, child-friendly. But behind the luxury, there were guns in drawers, panic buttons under tables, cameras in mirrors. I had designed it that way. Just in case.

Ethan ran straight for the window, pressing his small palms to the glass.

“Mommy! We can see the whole world from here!” he yelled.

“Is there food?” Cole asked, my foodie baby. 

I couldn’t help the small smirk. “There’s everything.”

I watched them a moment longer before turning to Kai, who stood by the entrance with a brown envelope in his hand.

He extended it toward me. “Everything’s in there—papers, IDs, school records, clean backgrounds.”

I took the envelope, flipping it once in my gloved hand before gripping it tight.

"Perfect," I said.

*****

 I stood by the window hours later, alone, holding a half-full glass of whiskey.

My reflection stared back at me. My face was flawless, makeup barely moved, lips red like blood and eyes lined with the same coldness I had built into my bones.

 I wanted to look like everything they said I couldn’t become. Powerful. Beautiful. Untouchable. And most importantly, Feared.

Six years ago, I had been crawling in the dirt of Joe’s indifference, heart in shreds, begging to be enough.

Now, I was Lady M.

No one dared speak unless I allowed them. No man could reduce me again. Not Joe. Not anyone.

I took another sip.

My heart almost skipped.

“Mama!”

Ethan’s voice rang through the space, footsteps racing toward me.

I turned just in time to catch them, both of them, in their matching pajamas, wide smiles on their sleepy faces. Cole clung to my leg like a cat, and Ethan looked up at me expectantly.

“Come read us bedtime stories,” Cole said, tugging at the hem of my dress.

“Of course, honey,” I said, stroking his hair. “Let’s go.”

But Ethan didn’t move.

“Mom…” he started, hesitating.

I paused.

“Yes, baby?”

He stared at the floor for a second, then back at me. “Is our dad here?”

Everything stopped.

My heart froze. The much dreaded questions were back.

“What dad?” I asked, keeping my voice neutral.

“Well…” Ethan looked unsure. “You always told us our dad was far, far away. And now we’re so far away too. So… is he here?”

For a split second, I forgot how to lie.

I crouched down to meet them, brushing Cole’s hair back gently, looking between their eyes—those same green eyes I used to love on a man who shattered me.

I couldn't tell them. 

So I smiled.

“Why don’t we go have some late-night snacks first,” I said. “Then we can talk about this tomorrow, okay?”

Cole lit up instantly. “Yay! Snacks!” he shouted, already running toward their room.

Ethan lingered, still staring at me like he knew I was hiding something. But then, he followed his brother without another word.

I rose slowly, placing the half-empty glass on the table, and exhaled quietly.

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow, I’d decide whether the truth was worth it.