“Have a great rest of your evening, Charley.”
I feel her shocked eyes all over me as I continue toward the venue before jogging up the short steps. When I get to the entrance, I halt beside one of my soldiers and I glance over my shoulder to see her looking down at herself, adjusting her dress.
“Keep a close eye on, Swan. If she leaves this venue, let me know right away and follow her.”
“Sure thing, boss.”
Asthe night progresses, I find myself still not having spoken to Reign since our earlier encounter, although I want to. I am desperate to know how he has been over these past eighteen months, but it appears he is now avoiding me after our interaction. It's clear that he took my rejection to heart.
When it is time for me to depart, my feet aching from the heels, I say my goodbyes to Lucy and Cody, offering my congratulations once more. While leaving the venue, I search for Reign to say goodbye, but when I am unsuccessful, I tell myself it’s probably for the best, even if it hurts.
As I get to the front entrance, I pluck a black rose from one of the arches before getting into the car waiting outside for me. While settling on the white leather, I speak to my driver.
“Please take me to the cemetery.”
After some time, driving, I can’t seem to take my thoughts away from Reign, fighting internally to return to the venue after this to find him. I feel like I am making the wrong choice by leaving him. A decision that will later be filled with regret. We finally pull up outside of the graveyard and as I open the door beside me, I address my driver once again.
“Wait here. I will be five minutes.”
As I step out of the car, the embrace of the summer night breeze caresses my flushed skin, and I gently close the door behind me. With my bag tucked securely under my arm and a black rose clutched in my hand, I illuminate my path with the bright glow of my phone's torch, navigating through the darkness in search of Chaos's final resting place. Despite the pitch-black surroundings, a sense of courage fills me, reminding me of how far I have come.
I halt as soon as I spot it from afar, his headstone bold and clear, decorated with blooming flowers, his name sprawled across it.Jay ‘Chaos’ Petrov.I smile softly, my eyes becoming teary with sadness, knowing deep down he never would have wanted his real name on there. I take slow steps forward until I am beside him and I kneel. I lean over, placing a lingering kiss on the picture of his handsome, smiling face that is engraved into the marble.
“Hello baby. I am sorry it took me so long.”
As tears blur my eyes, my emotions overwhelming me, I reach into my bag, gathering the things I brought with me that I wanted to leave here for him. I first take out the tiny golden bangle with the engraving of ‘Stormy’ on it.
“I named her after you. After our time at the beach together when she was conceived during the storm. I thought you would approve considering a storm is chaotic weather.”
Tears stream down my cheeks as I gently place the small bracelet by his headstone.
“She looks just like her daddy, baby, but I am sure you already know that. She has worn this since the day she was born, but I want you to have it here with you. I want you to feel her with you while you are resting.”
I sniffle as I reach into my bag for a small photo of her. Dressed in pink, her big dark eyes twinkling as she smiles with soft brown curls framing her face.
“Through her, you will always live through me, and I feel so lucky to have her. Carrying and growing a part of you inside me during my darkest hours was such a blessing; you and she saved me from myself. I miss you so fucking much, Chaos, my heart aches for you. Losing you is like a wound that never seems to heal, a void that can never be filled. I am so sorry for every moment lost, for every word left unspoken. But I swear, with every part of me, I will not allow anyone to hurt her like they hurt you. That's why I had to leave New York—to protect her, to honor you, and to keep your legacy alive through her.”
With a trembling hand, I place the photo of our daughter, Stormy, beside the bracelet, then retrieve my gas lighter. I lift the black rose, flicking the flint and igniting the flame. I scorch the petals, but not enough to make the rose disintegrate. Once I am satisfied, I close the lighter and observe as the rose glitters with pretty embers. I carefully lay it beside his headstone, a solemn tribute to the twisted tale of love we once shared.
Suddenly, I see a bright light shining behind me and when I side-eye over my shoulder, I notice the headlights of a car. I refocus on Chaos, smiling softly before leaning over, setting my lips against the cold marble before I whisper.
“Until we meet again, baby. We love you, always.”
I slowly stand, tucking my phone into my bag before retrieving a cigarette and placing one between my lips. I light the end before taking a deep pull, wiping my wet cheeks with my palm and turning around, heading for my car. When I realize it is not my car, I come to an immediate halt and the back door opens.
My brows pinch until I see Reign step out and I sigh before looking aside. As I smoke the cigarette, he remains quiet, staring at me from a distance, his dominating presence overwhelming. When my eyes gradually meet his, he raises an eyebrow before giving a head gesture.
“Get in the fucking car.”
I scoff, my face scrunched up, ready to push his buttons and I take a step back, holding my ground.
“No.”
With stern eyes fixed on him, I stride around the other side of the car, intent on leaving the cemetery to get to my own vehicle waiting outside, but as soon as I get to the rear of his car, he is there, swift as a shadow. In one quick motion, he slaps the cigarette from my hand and slings me effortlessly over his broad shoulder.
I scream and kick out in protest, but my efforts are no match against his strength. Ignoring my struggles, he simply opens the rear door and throws me onto the backseat. Twisting my head to shoot him an evil glare, I find him smirking back at me before slamming the door in my face.
My jaw tightens as I sit up, attempting to compose myself despite the rush of adrenaline. Calmly, he slides into the seat beside me followed by a soft click of the closing door. As I cast a sidelong glance, I watch as he adjusts the cuffs of his immaculate suit with meticulous care and the car begins to move, the steady hum of the engine filling the small space.
