Flash Marriage: In His Eyes-Chapter 286: Sunshine

—Damon—

As the robot carefully unboxed the fancy package, a pair of shoes was revealed—leather, expensive, impeccably crafted. A collective sigh swept through the room as the robot completed a thorough scan. Commander White picked them up. Though he had only arrived yesterday from a long vacation leave, his instincts were still razor-sharp, his presence as precise and reliable as ever.

"Place it by the locker," I instructed through the microphone. "I’ll ask Alyssa if she wants them."

He nodded and took the box away. Tomorrow was Alyssa’s eighteenth birthday—exactly. The air in the villa buzzed with anticipation.

My phone rang.

"Mom?"

"Come to the ballroom. It’s time for the dance with your sister."

"Got it."

I tapped Francis, he nodded as I headed back. In the ballroom, David and Alyssa were already dancing, laughing, stepping on each other’s feet to whatever music the choreographer had queued.

"No," I said flatly, crossing my arms. "I don’t dance like that."

"Oh, come on!" David teased. "You used to dance in clubs—seductive enough to trap your wife."

Silence dropped like a blade. Livana is supposed to be dead. We all know the rules.

"It’s my birthday," Alyssa cut in, rolling her eyes. "We can visit Liva and show her your dance."

"I don’t think your future sister-in-law would appreciate that," I replied smoothly, playing my part in front of the relatives.

"Just dance," Alyssa ordered.

"You have a new girlfriend?" Uncle Yohan asked, and I immediately pivoted.

"Yes. They practically met in a club," David shrugged.

We were ushered into a smaller room, just the three of us and the choreographer. The dance was meant to be a big surprise. The steps were awkward—borderline humiliating—but watching David and Alyssa laugh made it worth every second. That was when it hit me: I had never bonded like this with my siblings before.

Livana did this.

She made me see Alyssa—not just as my sister, but as someone to protect. She made me see David’s burden—running the company, shielding our baby sister. She changed the way I loved my family.

After practice, Alyssa was glowing. I hugged her, kissed the top of her head.

"We all need a break tonight," David groaned, clutching his chest.

"You need more cardio," I teased.

"You always get cardio."

"There’s a treadmill in the villa," Alyssa added, oblivious. I patted her head.

"I’ll go to my lover for that cardio."

Her eyes widened, and then she kicked me—hard. A sharp side kick straight to my hip.

I hissed under my breath. Lore’s been teaching her far too well.

Back in the North Wing, I entered our bedroom. My wife and son were asleep—or so I thought. Sky stirred at the door’s click, sat up, and beamed at me, teeth flashing.

"Oh," I murmured. "You’re hungry."

I kissed his head. He lifted his arms instantly.

"Foodie!"

It woke Livana. She sat up, drowsy, tugging my shirt.

"Hey, babe," I whispered.

"You need to change first," she mumbled.

I set Sky down, changed, then lifted him again and kissed my wife—slow, claiming. She sank back into the pillows, exhausted.

"Sleep more," I told her, tucking her in and turning off the lamp.

"Bye-bye, Mama," Sky chirped.

"Eat well, my love," she whispered back.

Downstairs, Gina gasped when she saw Sky. Cousins followed suit. He clung shyly to my neck.

"Sky," Alyssa called, waving a sandwich.

He launched himself toward her. She caught him easily.

If the world learns he’s easily bribed with food, I’ll have a problem.

Jane prepared a tray—Livana’s. Efficient as always.

"Now I know why Logan can’t let you go," I told her.

"He’s just naturally clingy," she replied.

I chuckled.

They gasped again—Sky’s eyes always do that to people.

"Where are the twins?" Gina asked. "They have those amazing eyes!"

Laura arrived with her husband and the twins. They waved politely—aloof, observant.

"Sky!" the twins called.

Sky squealed, grabbed more sandwiches with his bare hands, and handed them over.

"Aly, watch Sky," I said.

"Sure."

Lore wasn’t around.

"I’ll be fitting gowns later," Laura said lightly. "Won’t that lover of yours greet us?"

"She’s not feeling well."

Laura scoffed, playing along with the act. Someone has been leaking information to Tyrona—I’m certain of it. But my wife... My wife always handles things before they ever reach me. She anticipates the game three moves ahead, then lets the board burn quietly.

So in front of relatives and friends, we performed in our little theater. I played the part of a man shielding a mistress, careless and indulgent, letting rumors breathe. And just like that, everyone followed the script. Smiles were exchanged. Whispers stayed polite. No one questioned a thing.

Good.

Let them believe what’s safest for them to believe.

I returned to our room, set the food down, climbed onto the bed, and showered Livana with kisses. She giggled, tugging my shirt up.

"You want more?" I asked softly.

She nodded, eyes bright. "Acting like a perfect mistress, are we?"

She laughed and nudged me.

"Yes," she whispered. "I am."

Somewhere below us, a door opened that shouldn’t have.

–Alyssa–

I finally slipped into the gown.

It was heavy—luxuriously so—but light enough that I could still dance in it. Laura, Deanne, and Mom fluttered around me, fixing everything with practiced ease. Makeup. Hair. Final touches. They didn’t need to hire anyone. They were the experts.

Deanne left the room and returned moments later with a box. She opened it carefully.

I gasped.

Gemstones shimmered inside, catching the light—my eyes locked on the Alexandrite in the center.

"Wow," I breathed.

Instinctively, I glanced at the bracelet Lore had given me. It would look perfect with this. I reached for it.

"It’s actually from Lore," Deanne whispered. "Don’t tell him I told you. He wanted to keep it a secret."

I froze.

Heat rushed to my face, my cheeks flushing. But confusion followed quickly—why didn’t Lore want me to know the crown was from him too?

They placed it on my head. It wasn’t heavy at all.

It was... perfect.

I stared at my reflection. I didn’t know whether I looked like a princess or a queen—but my chest tightened, and my eyes stung. Mom hugged me gently, and I saw her wiping tears.

"Mom," I teased softly, "are you going to cry like that at my wedding?"

She chuckled, dabbing at her eyes.

"I’m just so happy that you’re eighteen."

Right.

They had woken me up earlier with cake and singing. Sky and the twins were there, clapping and singing along, their voices messy and sweet. It was already the best birthday.

Livana wasn’t there then—but I knew she was watching. Somehow, I felt it.

"So," I teased, "can I get married now that I’m eighteen?"

Mom pouted immediately.

"Of course not!"

"Well, what if it’s Lore?" Laura chimed in mischievously.

"I don’t mind," Mom said casually.

We burst into laughter.

Soon after, we moved into the ballroom. Relatives and friends filled the space, security tight but discreet. Everyone was enjoying hors d’oeuvres and finger foods. I peeked toward the corner where the twins were seated with their nannies, Logan nearby in full bodyguard mode.

"Alyssa."

I turned—and gasped.

"Livana!"

She stood there in a stunning gown, black curls framing her face. I rushed into her arms. She held me, then gently pulled back to look at me properly.

"You’re so beautiful," she said, hugging me again. "Now go. Have fun. I’ll watch from afar."

I nodded.

Damon stood beside her, his hand reaching for hers instinctively. Gentle. Protective. So sweet.

The MC began the speeches—my brother David, of course. Then it was time.

I emerged from the eighteen staircase, carefully descending each step.

Lore waited at the end.

That wasn’t in the program—but since he was my escort, he probably didn’t have much of a choice.

He reached for my hand, and I smiled.

"Hello, gorgeous," he said with a charming grin—one that made my heart stumble embarrassingly.

We danced.

Eighteen girls. Eighteen boys. Relatives, friends, classmates.

Lore stayed focused, guiding me smoothly, swaying me effortlessly—like he’d done this a hundred times before. It made me happy.

Too happy.

It made me fall in love again, even though I knew I shouldn’t. Because Lore... didn’t want me that way.

His hand rested on my waist, gentle and careful, twirling me perfectly with the music. When it ended, our faces were inches apart.

My heart ached.

"The tiara looks perfect on you," he said softly.

I smiled and lifted my left wrist.

"This too."

He grinned and led me back to my throne.

"Alright, that’s enough," David called out. "Stop being too romantic, Lore."

Laughter filled the room.

"Buddy, you still need everyone’s blessing, okay?"

Lore chuckled and raised his thumb.

The party continued. Then the twins prepared something for me.

But not just the twins.

Sky stood there—holding a microphone.

I froze.

Zayvier held a tiny violin. Zendaya sat at the piano with her mom. The first try was messy—but adorable. They started again.

Then Sky sang.

His words weren’t clear, but he wasn’t out of tune.

🎶 You are my sunshine... 🎶

"Tita, you are my shine-shine..." he sang.

My heart swelled painfully as the twins played almost perfectly.

But perfection didn’t matter.

I loved them. All of them.

This was the best gift I had ever received.

Mom and Dad came over and hugged me tightly.

Best birthday ever.