Flash Marriage: In His Eyes-Chapter 256: A Trap

–Damon–

My son demands a lot. It’s annoying—deeply so—and unbearably adorable.

Now my sister just arrived at our residence straight from school. She looked exhausted, stress clinging to her like a second skin. Lore wasn’t any better; dark circles carved under his eyes. Poor bastard. Staying up all night, commanding and hacking half the world.

"What’s going on?" I asked her.

"He made me attend a few of his classes so he could sleep, and I had to take notes!" she hissed.

"Alright, alright." I raised a hand. "I’ll treat you to a spa later. Go get your beauty sleep."

"Thank you." She kissed Sky’s cheeks. He kissed her back—sloppy, enthusiastic—and waved.

"Car!" Sky demanded as I finally put him down.

He waited for me to take him to the toy car six feet away.

"Go," I shooed him.

He looked up at me with those amethyst eyes, confused. He pointed at the car. Then he raised his arms.

"Up, up."

I groaned. Of course. I picked him up and placed him inside. Then I let him control it.

Damn it.

Even though there were nannies, Livana told me—specifically—to take care of him. So I picked him up again, carried him and the car to my study, and let him play there.

I went to the table, booted up my laptop, and checked Jane’s medical records.

Damn it.

At least Logan already dealt with that bastard who teamed up with a syndicate.

A notification popped up. David sent a meeting invite with the board. I joined with my camera off. They were already live—David leading with that confident grin.

"Thank you, Damon, for joining us!"

They greeted me warmly, professionally. I returned the greeting. They discussed projections, risks, graphs—everything.

I turned on my microphone and leaned closer.

"So what’s the new security proposal regarding the recent crisis? It’s an opportunity to improve it. Tell me."

"Dada!" Sky shouted.

I immediately muted myself as David signaled the manager to continue.

"Dada!" He climbed onto my lap. I let him and held him there.

The discussion continued. Sky listened intently—too intently. He even pointed at David.

"Tito?" he asked.

I nodded. "Yes. That’s your uncle."

They wrapped up the proposal. It wasn’t concrete yet, but it was a start.

"So, what do you think, Damon?" David asked.

I unmuted. "I need to see the result."

"Tetult!" Sky exclaimed.

The room froze—then David chuckled, followed by laughter from the board.

"Alright," David sighed theatrically. "What does President Sky think about it?"

I turned on my camera, showing Sky’s face.

"Tito!" Sky exclaimed, babbling while slapping the keyboard.

"Oh, I see," David laughed. "Let’s schedule another meeting with President Sky."

The board clapped. Sky clapped back, delighted by the attention.

Once the meeting ended, Sky reached for my face and pointed at the door.

"Mikkk." He pointed at his tummy.

"Sure, baby. You’re always hungry."

I headed downstairs.

And there she was.

Tyrona.

Again.

With gifts—toys. Toys for boys.

"Hi," she grinned.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I asked coldly.

Sky tried to mimic me.

She shook the gift box, trying to lure him. Too bad. My son wasn’t into toys. He was into food.

"Leave," I said, already heading to the kitchen.

Her heels clicked behind me.

"I think you need to hear my proposal," she said.

The maid appeared with a baby bottle of milk and biscuits. I took the tray and went upstairs.

"You need to leave, Tyrona," I said without looking back.

I glanced at the butler. "Escort her out!"

I roared.

Sky suddenly cried and wrapped his arms around my neck.

"Dada, I’m soweee," he sobbed, tears spilling from those amethyst eyes.

"It’s not your fault," I murmured, patting his back. "Hush. I’m sorry."

He kept crying as Tyrona was chased out of the mansion.

I gently placed Sky on the chair and wiped his tears.

"Hey, baby. I’m not angry at you." I kissed his forehead. "I’m sorry I shouted."

"No angry?" he asked, squeezing my cheeks. "Dada," he cried dramatically.

Too dramatic.

"Hey, milk and biscuits are here."

I handed him the bottle. He smiled instantly. I wiped his tears and—out of habit—took a sip from his baby bottle. He grabbed a biscuit.

I carried him to his high chair and set the table.

I sighed.

"If your mom were here, she’d scold me for shouting."

He rubbed his ear gently. I scared him.

Damn it.

But luckily, he was easily bribed with milk and biscuits.

And just like that, the world was steady again.

–Lore–

I had a few more days. Just a few more damn days.

I turned around, scanning the house. Where the hell is that girl? If Alyssa left without security, it would be the end of me. She’s a pain in the ass.

...And thinking that immediately made me the asshole.

She diligently takes notes in every subject—every subject of mine—while I sleep through class and let her handle my attendance like it’s nothing. Reliable. Annoyingly so.

I stretched my arms, joints cracking, and headed to her room. Knocked twice.

"I’m coming in."

I swung the door open.

She was asleep—flat on her back, peaceful, wearing one of those ridiculous white serum sheet masks. The room smelled faintly of lavender and overpriced skincare.

"Aly," I called softly.

No response.

I walked closer, checking the mask like a scientist inspecting lab equipment. Then I moved to her vanity, grabbed her absurdly expensive micellar cleanser, and wiped my hands out of habit. Her mini skincare fridge hummed quietly. I opened it, grabbed a serum pack, and peeled out a single sheet.

If she could do this every night, so could I.

I dragged a pillow to the carpet beside her bed, lay down, and slapped the serum mask onto my face.

"Aly. We’re meeting the team today," I muttered, already yawning.

"Hmm... piss off," she mumbled. "That’s at seven."

Figures.

I grabbed my phone, set an alarm, and shut my eyes.

The next thing I knew— 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Smack.

Something slapped my face, followed by the unmistakable smell of diapers invading my nose.

I jerked upright, heart stuttering.

Sky.

His back was inches from my face.

"Ew—" I sat up fast and realized the sheet mask was gone. Sky was already playing with it like a trophy. "How are you even here?"

The door—which I clearly remembered leaving open—was closed.

I checked Alyssa’s bed. Empty.

Then she stepped out of the bathroom, hair damp, wrapped in a robe like she owned the world.

"Hey. Watch Sky for me," she said casually. "I’ll prep for tonight’s meeting."

"How long?"

"Thirty minutes."

I frowned. "Damn."

I scooped Sky up and headed out.

"Oh, there you are!" Damon said, visibly relieved. Then his eyes narrowed at me.

I sighed. "He needs his diaper changed."

"That’s why I was looking for him," Damon muttered, clearly having unleashed the kid into Alyssa’s room on purpose just to sabotage my nap.

Later, Alyssa’s driver took us to the café.

Our art classmates were already there, loud and caffeinated. I opened the door for Alyssa lazily. She stepped in, glowing, greeting everyone like a social butterfly.

I ordered food. Heavy carbs. Survival fuel—for both of us.

Devices came out. Ideas flew around. I contributed minimally. After eating, I dozed off. Alyssa nudged me more times than I cared to count.

Then I noticed him.

Some guy. Too close. Too charming.

I ignored it.

I’m not her boyfriend. I’m just here to annoy Paul and eliminate threats.

"By the way," Gina said, "a bookstore’s still open. We should go."

I nodded and dragged myself upright. Alyssa gathered her things. I stepped behind her, slipped the tracker hair tie from my pocket, and tied her hair up neatly.

"What—what?" she complained.

"You look messy," I said flatly.

She let me do it anyway.

We walked to the bookstore. I took her bag. Heavy. As expected.

She bought more books. I carried those too.

"Please don’t buy indecent books," I muttered.

"Piss off, Lore. This is your fault."

"How is it my fault?" I chuckled, picking up a stainless-steel bookmark and sharpening its edge against my thumb. "You chose them."

We stepped out, heading toward the main road where the rented car was supposed to arrive.

Then—

A black van screeched to a stop.

Hands grabbed Alyssa.

I reacted instantly.

She fought back—biting, kicking, clawing like hell—while I snapped wrists and slammed elbows. Someone shoved me. My head cracked against metal.

"Lore!"

The world tilted. Darkness crept in from the edges of my vision.

Then Alyssa was dragged in—and she pulled me with her, arms wrapping around me tightly.

"Lore!" she cried.

"Aly," I murmured, fingers reaching her hair. I pressed the micro-button hidden in the bead of her ribbon hair tie.

Signal sent.

Pain exploded in my skull.

"Throw their things!" someone shouted. Our devices were ripped away.

Sirens. Police pursuit.

Gunshots.

Laughter—unhinged, manic.

Alyssa cried hysterically, her body shaking against mine.

"Shh," I whispered, forcing my arm around her. "Just... hold me close. I feel really dizzy."

She wrapped her handkerchief around my head, screaming at them, begging.

They didn’t care.

Good.

Because when I wake up—

If I see even one bruise on her—

I won’t hold back.