Flash Marriage: In His Eyes-Chapter 293: Love Games

–Livana–

I woke late into the morning, the light already warm against the curtains—and yet, there was no husband beside me. Only my son, sleeping soundly, his tiny breaths steady, peaceful. He was clingy even in sleep, just like Damon. The same posture, the same quiet possessiveness. I kissed his forehead and snuggled closer, indulging in that fragile stillness, when my phone blinked insistently.

I reached for it.

Hubby: I miss you. pleading emoji

Hubby: Next time, let’s send Sky to his great-grandparents.

Hubby: Then let’s do it all day and night. Damn, just thinking of it makes me aroused.

I chuckled softly and called him. He answered almost instantly, as if he’d been waiting.

"Where are you?" I asked.

"I just arrived at my office," he said. "But I promise to be there as soon as I can."

"Hmm, okay," I replied nonchalantly, the way queens do when they already know the devotion is absolute.

"But we have to send our son away."

I laughed—and that was enough to wake our little one. Sky shifted and snuggled into my chest, instinctively claiming his place.

"Mama."

"Don’t be ridiculous," I murmured, caressing his black hair—the same shade, the same texture as his father’s. "Jane and Logan just arrived after visiting their home. I’m sure Sky would love to play with them."

"Well, whatever," Damon muttered. "When I get there, I’ll give him away so he’ll stop clinging to you."

Such a dumbass husband.

Sky was exactly like him. Damon clung to me like gravity itself. Our son had merely learned the habit early.

"I wav youuu, Mama."

"I love you too."

"Oh, please," Damon snorted from the other line.

"Don’t you love your son?" I asked calmly. Then I guided Sky’s tiny hand toward the phone. "Say hi to Dada."

"Dada," Sky chirped sweetly, gripping the phone with both hands, "I wav you... foodie, kay-kay?"

"Wow," Damon sighed. "His only way to love me is because of food. I’m coming home after I’m done with this. I love you both."

"Wavvv you, Dada," Sky sang.

"I love you too." And then the line went dead.

"Dada?" Sky stared at the phone seriously. "Dada, foodie!"

I laughed and hugged him close.

"Baby, we have a lot of food."

"Oh."

I kissed his forehead and carried him to the bathroom, changing his diaper, wiping him clean, and dressing him in fresh morning clothes. I did my own routine beside him. He waited patiently, following me with curious eyes, watching every movement.

It was like raising a miniature Damon.

I finally took him downstairs. Mother had already prepared breakfast, and Laura waved while eating with the twins. Sky squealed in excitement—so did the twins—and I placed him carefully on his designated chair beside them. I hugged my sister, then my mother.

Mother served Sky his breakfast, and he clapped happily.

"Drink water first, my love," I reminded him, handing his bottle over. He sipped from the straw, giggling, then pointed eagerly at his plate.

"Wow. Pish?"

A pancake shaped like a fish. Of course. He loved fish—not as pets, only as food.

I took my mug and sipped the warm water I had prepared for myself, grounding, steady.

"I’ll go downstairs to check on something," I said, already moving toward the Nest.

The moment I sat down, the screens bloomed before me. I checked on my husband—working relentlessly, efficiently, cutting through plans like a blade through silk. Always racing time just to return to me.

Then I called Lore.

Three seconds. That was all it took.

"I’m on it," he muttered. "This is messed up, but I’m working on it."

"I’m here," I said calmly. "Prepare as you need me to."

I settled into my swivel chair—my throne—and watched everything. Even the school. Especially the school. I watched them.

I am protecting our Princess.

"Got it."

I ended the call and observed.

Lore casually threw his arm around her neck, locking her in with his own playfully, while she responded lazily, tapping him without much energy. They were clumsy. Young. Unaware.

Adorable.

Gina approached with other classmates as they settled in the cafeteria.

I had already placed a few of my Pawns-in-training across the campus—watching, blending in, alert. They were everywhere, invisible yet present.

I would do the same for my family.

Always.

Because a queen does not merely rule.

She guards what she loves—quietly, completely, and without mercy.

–Lore–

Livana really does work well. She’s flexible. Efficient. Those spoiled brats on the other counter? Easy targets.

But I need a few days before I execute my plan.

Step one: piss Alyssa off—properly.

The problem? She doesn’t participate.

Where does all her energy even go?

"Didn’t you sleep last night?" I asked, gathering her hair and tying it loosely.

"It’s your fault."

"What?" I scoffed. "I was sleeping peacefully. Unless my snoring hacked its way into your room?"

"I want to go home. I’m skipping class."

"But we have an important activity this afternoon," a few classmates chimed in, trying to convince her.

I pinched her sides playfully. She jerked and smacked me with her book.

"Ow," I pouted.

The table went silent.

She sighed, sat down casually, and smiled like nothing happened.

I peeked behind Alyssa just in time to see the most handsome guy from the Tennis Club approaching Trisha.

I almost laughed.

Really? That guy?

But it was working. He was a senior, popular, and everyone already had eyes on him.

"I think if I had the same charisma," I blurted out, "I wouldn’t be single by now."

They followed my gaze. Cheers erupted when the guy handed Trisha some gifts.

"Why don’t you try seducing them?" Alyssa asked casually as she stood. "Let’s get food, guys. It’s all on me."

"Yay!" Patrick and the others exclaimed, jumping up in excitement.

Everyone stood—except me and Gina.

Gina stepped closer, glaring daggers at me.

"Idiot."

I blinked. Completely puzzled.

"What did I do?" I asked as she walked away. "I’ll watch the bags. Get me a nice ramen, please—extra meat."

"Whatever."

I waited. Alyssa came back first and dropped into the seat beside me. I wrapped an arm around her shoulders and leaned in, my lips brushing near her ear.

"I need to talk to you about something."

"You sound serious."

"I am. You’ll hate me for it."

She shrugged and pulled her hood over her head.

"I have one million pesos to burn," I said lightly. "Wanna go out this weekend? Maybe Baguio... somewhere north. Somewhere cold."

"Are you asking me out on a date?"

"You can call it that."

She shrugged again.

"It’s fine with me."

"Yeah," I grinned. "So when are you going to crack the puzzle?"

She groaned, exhausted, burying her face into the inflatable neck pillow—then lifted her head again.

"Where did you get the money?"

"Your brother sent it earlier this morning. He wanted me to do something for him."

"Like strip dancing?" she asked, brows creasing.

I laughed and pinched her cheeks. She smacked my hands away.

"Hey, I don’t do that," I said. "Unless you want me to?"

I grinned.

Her cheeks flushed as she started hitting me like an angry kitten. Damn. Adorable.

Soon, the others came back with food. The ramen wasn’t here yet, but the sushi platter was massive—and there was more coming.

I fed her a piece of sushi.

She flushed instantly and smacked me again, grabbing water and pressing a hand to her forehead.

I laughed—maybe I overdid the prank. The others laughed too, but I shushed them.

"Only I’m allowed to laugh."

Yes. This would stir Trisha.

She was the insecure type—spoiled, territorial. Anything Alyssa had, she’d want. Especially attention.

While everyone enjoyed lunch, Trisha stood up and tried snuggling closer to that jockey. She kept glancing at us.

She wanted Alyssa’s reaction.

Too bad Alyssa was busy eating and genuinely didn’t give a fuck.

"So... are you guys dating?" Patrick asked suddenly.

"No/Yes!"

I said yes at the exact moment Alyssa said no.

She glared at me.

"She loves me," I said, slinging an arm around her shoulders. "So much."

She elbowed me hard.

"Ow."

That’s when Trisha’s group approached, laughing.

"She’s hanging out with dorks," Trisha spat.

"Lore," Gina said sweetly, "I think we need a mosquito catcher. I keep hearing buzzing in my ears."

Alyssa’s friends burst out laughing.

Alyssa didn’t.

I didn’t either—but I backed Gina anyway.

"Yeah," I said casually. "We might need a bigger one."

Trisha turned to me. "You don’t look like someone who should be hanging out with idiots."

She pointed at me. "Yes. You."

She tilted her head. "I’m having a party next week. You should come."

"Oh, that’s nice," I said, glancing at Alyssa. "Sure."

Gina went quiet. Staring at me.

"But only you," Trisha added.

I shrugged.

"Sure."

"Bye," Trisha winked, walking away while her friends shot confused looks at me.

I leaned back toward my group.

"Alright," I said quietly, grinning. "I’ll go as a spy. Have fun. Gather intel."

They stared at me like I’d lost my mind.

"Are you serious?" Patrick scolded.

"I don’t think that’s right," Amala added.

"I don’t know you anymore, Lore," Gina murmured. "I don’t love you anymore."

I pouted dramatically, then looked at Alyssa.

Yeah. I hurt her again.

But I’ll explain later.