CHAPTER 20: Why did you come back? Part 2 

Nick When I returned, the celebration was already over and everyone had left, which suits me just fine since all I wanted to do was go to bed. Once there, I closed my eyes, and her image returned to me over and over again. The next day, while I was having breakfast, I was lost in my thoughts, while my gaze was fixed on the waves.“Enjoy your breakfast, son,” Nana Jane said. I 

nodded with a faint smile. “Get ready, Barbie and your mother are coming, though today she 

doesn’t seem as sour as usual,” she added before leaving like a gust of wind.“Son, it’s been 

incredible. I’ve enjoyed the evening and the company,” they said as they sat down to join me 

for breakfast.“That’s nice, Mom,” I said, taking a sip of orange juice.“Darling, you disappeared,” 

Barbie said, placing her hand on mine.“You know I don’t like those kinds of gatherings.““I know, 

I know, son. I know you came for me,” my mother says, and I nodded.“Oh, Grace, your friend 

Patrick is such a charmer. It’s a shame he didn’t come to the celebration.““That’s right, he 

couldn’t make it. He’s here with his family and wanted to spend time with them.”I listened to 

them, paying only mild attention.”He invited me over to his house today, and I’d love for you to 

come with me. Killian left this morning, and Caty is still asleep. That girl keeps getting worse,” 

my mother complained.“She’ll get over it. Not long ago, she was just a child, which is why I 

think she shouldn’t go on another trip. She’s still very immature,” Barbie chimed in, and if Caty 

was listening, she would have jumped at her.“Barbara,” I warned, looking at her.“Well, as I was 

saying, Patrick has invited us to his house. He invited the whole family, but as you can see, it’s 

just the two of you left. From what he’s told me, they have a huge project on their hands, 

working in the same field as our company. I think it would be a great idea for you to meet him, 

son. What do you think?““I’d be delighted. I’ve already told you how much I liked Patrick,” 

Barbie smiled.“What’s his last name?” I asked, frowning. My mother took a breath to speak.” 

Ma’am, Nana Jane is asking for you in the kitchen,” said one of the girls, making my mother 

go with her.I looked at Barbie, waiting for her to answer my question.“I don’t know; I can’t 

remember.” She shrugged and went back to eating.*****An hour later, we left the house. My 

mother decided to bring a dessert that Nana Jane prepared. We arrived at the house, and a 

man in his mid–forties was waiting for us. He was wearing a light blue shirt and white pants. I 

finished closing the car door and walked over to where they were all greeting each other warmly.”Patrick, darling, this is my son, Nick. Isn’t he a charmer?” she said, placing a hand 

under my chin like I was a child. I subtly dodged her hand. The man looked at me, and his 

expression changed; he seemed puzzled but quickly regained his composure and smiled 

again.“Pleasure to meet you, Nick,” he said, extending his hand towards me.“Likewise, Patrick,” 

I said, taking the hand he offered. Then Barbara greeted him cheerfully.“Please, come in,” he 

said, though he looked hesitant. We followed him to a large patio overlooking the sea, and 

that’s when I realized this was the same house where I thought I saw her. I turned to the 

1/3 

* Points 

CHAPTER 20: Why did you come… 

window, and it seemed like no one was around. Damn, I was indeed hallucinating. We stood on the balcony while my mother and Patrick reminisced about their friendship from when they were teenagers, and Barbara listened attentively. My eyes occasionally wandered to the house. Minutes passed, and they brought us some refreshments. Just when I was sure that I was seeing people where there were none, I took a sip of my drink and quickly pulled it away from my lips to avoid choking. That was when I saw her again: her hair, her profile, her figure, it was all the same, only now her curves were more evident. I looked away, thinking I was 

mistaken again, but when I turned back, she was still walking. She just came out of the indoor pool that was next to the main house.“Excuse me, Patrick, my mother told me you have an important company,” I interrupted, causing everyone to fall silent.“That’s right.” He nodded.” Patrick and his family own T–World. His father, Darius Russell, founded it when he was very young,” my mother clarified. My whole body tensed and I barely had time to process the information. It seemed like fate had been pushing me to see her ever since she reappeared. I feel like they were playing with my mind.“If you’ll excuse me, I need to use the bathroom,” I said as Patrick watched me and showed me the way.I looked for a way to get into the house and find Alaia. I didn’t even understand this uncontrollable urge to reach her.I watched Patrick as I changed direction. Fortunately for me, my mother has kept him occupied, and so I took the chance to head to the side door Alaia had just gone through. And there I found her. I 

grabbed her in my arms and pressed her against the wall. She started to move away, so I asked her to stop.***** 

Alaia“Nick?!” I shouted, caught between surprise and anger. “What are you doing here? Are you following me?” I pushed him, but I couldn’t move him.“Let me go, you i***t!” I struggled.” Why did you come back? Why now?” he demanded, his body still pressed against mine. Only my arms have created a small barrier. I didn’t understand why he was asking these questions. “I don’t know what you’re talking about or what you’re doing in my house. Get out, or I’ll call security.” I pushed him again, and all I could hope was for Ash not to show up with the kids.” 

Just answer me.” His voice rumbled from his chest, as he moved his face closer to mine.“I 

don’t have to answer anything to you. Don’t come any closer,” I said through gritted teeth. He placed his palms on each side of my head, still very close to me, keeping me trapped. I looked around for Gavin, but I couldn’t find him.“You’re still the same butterfly I once knew, but… now your wings are even bigger.” He made me turn to face him, and I noticed that he was looking 

at me the way he used to“back when I believed in what he said he felt for me. Nothing has changed; everything about him is a big lie. His eyes moved to my lips.“Yes, that’s right. Some are butterflies, while others remain worms,” I said, looking him in the eyes. Fed up with trying to get him to back off, I kneed him in the groin. I heard a muffled, hoarse groan as his body finally stopped pressing against mine. I watched as he doubled over and clutched his injured 

part. “Don’t come near me again, Nick. Don’t do it if you ever want to still have children,” I said, 

2/3 

8 Points 

CHAPTER 20: Why did you come… 

heading upstairs to find a phone to call Ash and ask her not to leave the pool for now.“Ash.” Ali, look at the time. We should be getting ready to go out for lunch,” she said.“The donor is here,” I told her, looking out the window. I saw Nick trying to walk normally to where a woman and… Barbie was. 

“Here where? On the beach? In Malibu?““Here, in this house.“”You’ve got to be kidding me!” she shouted.“Shhh, don’t talk like that in front of the kids,” I scolded her, pacing back and forth. “What are we going to do?” she asked. “Oh, I can see him. He’s walking up to two women. Who are they? Why is he walking like that?” Her questions just didn’t stop.“He refused to let me go, so I gave his d**k a good hit,” I said, annoyed. Ashley’s laugh was so loud I think I could hear it 

from the pool, not just on the phone.“Okay, you’re a badass. You just did what many women 

wish they could do to an ex,” she said once she calmed down. “Who are those women?““One 

of them is his wife.““Holy s**t! How dare he?““I’m sure the other woman with them is my father’s guest.““Son of a b***h, Ali!” she shouted.“Yes, I think so. We’ll talk calmly later. For 

now, don’t come out. I’ll talk to my father to get them out of here. I don’t care if he has to 

pretend that there’s a fire or something. Send Loli or Elise to come get some clothes for the 

kids.““Got it, I’ll handle it.“I’ll hang up now; my father’s here,” I said, ending the call.“Daughter, 

I’ve been looking for you like crazy.” Dad came in and closed the door. He looked at me intently 

and his forehead creased when he noticed that something was wrong with my face. 

“You need to get them out of here, Dad, now,” I said. His suspicion even grew. 

He placed his hands on his hips. “Ali, is there something that you need to tell me?” he asked. I 

bit my lip and shut my eyes as I heaved a sigh..Damn it. I have no choice now. “That guy, Dad. 

He’s a Garnett. He’s our competition, and he’s the father of your grandchildren,” I said to him. 

“He’s the father of my grandchildren?” Dad repeated as shock plastered on his face, still in 

disbelief at what he just knew.