chapter 42

Harry's POV]

Their sober look only proves that she's gone. That feeling of her abandoning them again.

Aria heaves from where she stood handing the boys over to me like they're my responsibility.

They ran towards me, cowering themselves around me and I swallowed.

I rubbed their hair smoothly while my gaze drifted back to Aria who stood poised to her door frame, like one who needed an explanation.

"Hey boys, go sit in the car" I whispered, handing over the key to Chris who pulled Colton from his embrace and dragged him mildly to the car.

Aria was still there, in that position with a frown on her face and my feet drew closer.

"Did she tell you where she's off to?"

"Her lover came picking her up," she replied, looking quite tired.

I sighed, taking out a card from my pocket and shoving it to her face. That will settle it, for the boys must have put her through.

Her face was still twisted as she snatched it away from me and flipped it left and right.

"I forgive you" she said, now wearing a smile as she was acting sassy too which had my eyes rolling upward in frustration.

"About the tattoo, are you sure she knows nothing about it?"

"Stop bringing that up, I need to leave with the kids..."

"Yeah, yeah I know, your father wants you, don't let him appear here, it will be disastrous"

I rubbed my brows a number of times, totally losing it with her repeating the same thing she told me over the phone all the time.

I could tell the kids are tired of waiting and I don't want to keep them this long.

Her lips were moving but the words were absurd. Her eyes were reading only the numbers on the card.

"I get it now, do take care Aria" I whispered, stroking her shoulder mildly and wanting to leave.

"You should be careful too Harry, you're the only family I have here" she said dryly while shrugging her shoulders.

"I'm about to disown you soon, you're becoming a pain in the neck"

"Com'on Harry, it's not like I'd drain everything in your account" she grumbled but then let out a coy smile.

"Good night" I snapped and returned back to the car, to cater for the kids.

Once I was inside with them, I took a glimpse at them and saw that they were leaning their head on each other and sleeping already.

There was silence in my mind for a while, wanting to give them a moment of rest before driving them steadily to the house.

♧♧♧

Arriving at the house took longer than expected and when I did, I carried the boys over to their beds, kissed them goodnight and then left to wallow in my thoughts.

The studyroom. Somewhere I've gotten used to lately. I sank on the couch, which faces the glass wall and then drew in a longer breath.

My head had a lot and that lot ended up with me, probably leaving the city.

I don't know how to explain to her right now and it's exhausting to keep this burden on me.

And now, I've got someone tailing me. Certainly Damien would, which means I have to desert this mansion too.

I licked my lower lip, with dancing eyes at the glass wall and my eyes dropped.

"Rosie" I muttered as her face became the only thing I could see. I'd want to fight for her, somehow but I couldn't force her to love me.

I scoffed and then shut my eyes but all I hear are screams, ghosts, and more like demons calling out to me.

To be sincere, sleeping is never a part of me, I pretend to but then, I'm battling demons, voices that wouldn't let go but rather hurt me.

My eyes were awake until dawn when I had to get the kids ready for school and this time, I decided not to head to work but stay over at the house.

My secretary will handle that. I felt lazy to do anything. After showering up, I felt I'd be alone, except a strange visitor came by.

Creeping towards the door, to be sure of who it is.

He looks like a criminal dressed like a deliveryman. His head pops on my screen and those eyes, I've seen them before.

Yes, Damian's little snitch.

I'm not in the mood to kill today, I'm still recovering from the bloodshed of yesterday.

I hate the stench of blood, hate the brutality of killing, it makes me sick and that's why I've trained myself for several years to lock up this demon part of me.

I turned away from the door, expecting he leaves at least if there's no one inside.

However, I guess he's only curious as he had somehow managed to open my door.

I shouldn't have left it open when I went to survey the pavement.

I leaned to my wall as the door squeaked and rested on me, then it closed back.

I had my hands crossed watching how he creeped in with a box in his hands, oblivious of the fact that I was right behind the door, looking at him.

Then he took out a phone, possibly to record the place. He was blowing a whistle now and he suddenly calls;

"Harry?"

I smirked and began to walk behind him, appearing invisible.

In no time, he was searching my house with me in it, while I humbly waited for my guest.

Now he's coming out through the curvy stir way, still whistling and fingers clicking his phone, as he let out a cocky smile.

"I guess we got the wrong house" he muttered and as soon as he got to the exit door, he froze.

Now he sees me. My eyes blaze at him as he swallows hard.

"Hey Alex" I muttered coldly as my eyes dimmed at him.

"How? You fucking know my name! You...how did you get in..."

He didn't even know what to say as he looked startled.

But I was still leaning to the door, and without hesitation, he pulled a dagger out and drew himself up for a fight.

"I won't try that if I were you" I muttered and squeezed my hand, almost immediately, the axe crushes in his hand.

He widened his eyes at me as all that's left is dust.

"It's you! The tattoo..."

I guess I have to kill this one too.