DAHLIA It was two days since the incident and Elizabeth had still not been found. Although this was a very disturbing matter, it was only a matter of time before she was caught. Dane had also shown me the information that the detective had found. Kendra, she had been the one sneaking the parcels, but since Warren’s arrest she was nowhere to be found. Although we had notified the police, there was still no news on her. I was quite surprised. She was a rather simple woman, so for her to get so sneaky confused me a little. Did she have help? Had it been Warren? I decided I’ll visit him in prison one of these days. I had told Dane and he had agreed as long as he was the one to accompany me to the station. We hadn't been able to go to Dane’s parent's house that day due to everything that happened. But today we were going, and I was more than nervous. Unlike when I met Warren’s parents who loved me, obviously because of my status. Dane’s parents actually disliked the wealt

DANE Damn, I hadn’t told Dahlia that for a reason… Without all the answers, I didn’t want to burden her with more. "We aren't sure if that’s a hundred percent true." I said quietly, glaring at Dad who was looking at me with scorn. "Do you want to see the post-mortem results?" He spat. "Mama, can I have some juice, please?" Aria said and I gave Dahlia’s hand a squeeze. I could see the pain and confusion in her eyes, although she placed them behind a mask once more. Hell… why did I hide it… She poured a glass for Aria, kissing her forehead softly. "Yeah, maybe if you gave me actual proof things could have been easier." I said icily to Dad. "Did my father know about the results?" Dahlia asked softly. I knew she was hurt despite how calmly she was speaking. "Why should I share that? They put it down as a suicide and he didn’t give a crap what happened to her." Dad said. "I think it's high time we spoke to Ba

DANE "Maria… You’re Maria’s nephew? Wait… Does Dahlia know this?" He asked, looking at me sharply. "She does." I said, sitting down. "But the thing is, there are so many questions that have no proper answers too. Questions that I want answers to. My father still beats himself up over finding her that job. A job that cost her, her life." "She committed suicide…" He said, his eyes were shadowed as he now looked at his hands. "Yeah, so I've heard. But I want to hear what you know. Please Mr El Nazari, don’t hold anything back." I said quietly. He sighed deeply, looking out the windows past me, his eyes lost in memories of long ago. "I loved her. After the loss of my wife, Dahlia’s mother, in a car crash… I never thought I’d love again. Until I met Maria, she was the breath of fresh air we both needed in our lives and she loved Dahlia dearly. Do you know that was what made me love her even more? I wanted Dahlia to have a mother who would l

DANE I waited to the side of the diner, mom was currently busy and unlike last time, I was in no mood to help out. I couldn't get the words she said about Dahlia out of my head. I looked around the warmly lit diner, thinking how times had changed. I used to help out here on top of my other side jobs when I was younger. It had been tough, but seeing that debt number grow increasingly smaller encouraged me to keep going. I walked over to the large board containing photos and notes and other bits and bobs. A wall where things were never removed from… I remembered there was a picture of me here, on my 9th birthday. It was probably the biggest party I had ever had. I remember pinning a picture here… that one would be nice to show Aria. A small smile crossed my lips. There was something about that little princess that really warmed my heart. She was her mother’s daughter, after all, guess both knew how to melt my cold exterior. "Dane…" My mother said, as I

DANE You are going to become a daddy again. Those words rang in my head as I stared at my beautiful temptress. Her eyes filled with a hundred emotions as she waited for my reaction. How could I tell her…? How could I put into words the emotions that coursed through me? It felt like a repeat of when Aria first asked me to be her father. I was beyond happy, excited, nervous and worried for Dahlia. I had a thousand questions but I couldn't form any words. I reached over, cupping her face, my lips meeting hers in a deep, passionate kiss. I kissed her like it was the last time, pouring my emotions into it. I would never let her go. She had given me happiness after happiness. Why hadn't I met my precious queen sooner? I deepened the kiss as she struggled to keep up, but I didn’t care. I just wanted her to know how I felt. My love for her would never fade. She had given me three treasures that were priceless. Herself, Aria and now this little one. She gasped