Flash Marriage: In His Eyes-Chapter 305: Little Pawns

–Livana–

Knight Ox placed the drives from the Nest into my gloved hands—the ones recently seized by the government. The plastic felt cold even through the barrier, as if it already knew it was no longer protected. I sifted through them carefully, methodical, leaving no trace of myself behind. Then I reached the drive marked with a distinct sticker—quiet, deliberate, chosen.

"Thank you, Sir Ox."

He inclined his head in a respectful bow. Commander White gathered the remaining drives and handed them to our agents for inspection, ensuring there would be no data breach, no whisper of leakage. Precaution is not paranoia—it is survival.

I slipped the marked drive into my pocket and shook Knight Ox’s hand. Commander White followed as we returned to the car. Together, we headed toward the apartment registered under one of our pawns’ names—the caretaker of this particular property. A place that existed only on paper and silence.

I went straight to the bedroom and swept the room for hidden cameras. Commander White and I had been in transit for far too long to tolerate carelessness now. Idaho wrapped itself around us like a held breath—secluded, still, obedient. Satisfied, I stepped into the shower, steam blooming against my skin as I listened to my voice mails.

The first was from my husband.

He sounded dramatic—almost boyish. Much like his son.

"Love," Damon’s voice sighed theatrically, "your son is bullying me. And your mother scolded me."

Then another message followed.

"Mama... Dada... angry..." Sky’s tiny voice murmured.

I laughed softly, shaking my head. I had been gone only a few hours, and already the house was in rebellion.

"Dada, badie."

Damon’s voice burst into the background. "Sky! Where did you learn that? Give me the phone."

I heard my son’s mischievous laughter—quick, light, probably fleeing down the hall—before the message cut off.

I exhaled, a quiet sound between amusement and longing. They are my joy now. My anchors. The thought of having more children with Damon no longer felt indulgent—it felt inevitable. The twins would soon attend kindergarten. Life, even mine, continues.

After finishing my shower, I dressed in soft cotton pajamas, the fabric brushing against my skin like a promise of rest. I took my laptop and inserted the drive.

A username and password appeared.

I smiled faintly.

I used his username—his favorite Pokémon character. Then the password: his sister’s favorite Pokémon. I had visited her once. She told me everything with the eagerness of someone who had never learned to lie.

Snorlax.

The files opened neatly, arranged with almost obsessive care. Names labeled each folder. I searched for those closest to me.

Nothing.

I opened one file.

Time-stamped records unfolded before me—photos, recordings, videos. Every detail cataloged. Every secret preserved. It was all here.

My heart tightened—not from fear, but from disappointment.

He chose to be a spy. He chose to betray me, patiently, meticulously, just to gather all of this.

I could forgive him.

He didn’t need to pull the trigger.

A knock interrupted my thoughts.

I rose and opened the door.

"My daughter is here," Commander White said softly.

"I’ll be out in a minute."

He nodded. I returned to my laptop, secured a copy of the files, scanned thoroughly for viruses, then transferred everything to Lore’s newly created cloud drive—built solely for this purpose.

Safety first. Always.

I closed my laptop, locked it, and stepped out, extending my arm toward Dr. White.

"Dr. White—" I froze, then smiled. "Sorry. Dr. White-Hawthorn."

I embraced her, and she returned it warmly.

"Congratulations," I said, squeezing her arm.

Then I turned to her husband—Ox’s younger brother, Orion.

"Ori, take good care of Remi."

He placed his fist over his chest and bowed.

"I will fulfill my duty—as a husband, a lover, a provider, and a friend."

"Perfect."

I glanced at Commander White, who smiled in quiet approval.

"We brought dinner," Remi said, though I still instinctively thought of her as Doctor White.

"Perfect," I beamed, glancing toward my bedroom door.

"Don’t worry," she added. "I’ll call you when the table is settled."

I returned to my room one last time, ensuring everything was exactly where it should be. I called Lore—he confirmed all was secure. Satisfied, I locked my laptop and dialed my husband. He answered immediately.

"Babe!" he chuckled. "What’s up?"

"I arrived safely. I’ll see you soon," I said softly.

"Mama?" Sky’s voice echoed in the background.

"Sky, I’m still talking to your mom," Damon protested.

"Mama!"

"Darling," I laughed gently, "let me speak to him."

I heard Damon complain but surrender the phone.

"Mama! Uwi, okie? Sky wav yuu. Sky mish yuu."

"Mama misses Sky too—and loves Sky very much."

"Dada, wav?"

"Yes," I giggled. "Mama loves Dada and misses him too. I’ll call later, okay?"

"Dada~~" Sky whispered something unintelligible to his father.

"Hey, babe," Damon said.

"I’ll have a quick dinner and call you in two hours."

"Got it."

"I love you. Bye."

I ended the call.

When I reached the dining table, everything was prepared—food reheated, candles lit, conversations waiting. We settled in together, laughter flowing easily, the night stretching long and warm.

For now, the world could wait.

–Damon–

I watched my son as he played with his car—far more energetic after that call from his mom. I’d already packed my things. Jane was still upstairs, packing Sky’s clothes along with other essentials. That’s right. We’re leaving tomorrow.

Sky was driving the car around with Zayvier. Their sister was busy hosting a tea party with her stuffed toys, issuing commands that they must enter with gifts.

Then everything stilled when an unexpected visitor arrived.

I suppose her father let her in—perhaps one last time. But I didn’t expect her to use her son to gain access to the compound.

"Sky!"

That little boy—Andro—ran toward the car. Sky squealed in excitement, Zayvier echoing him. Boys were always like that.

Sky climbed out of the car and ran straight to Andro, wrapping him in a hug. Zayvier joined them, hugging both.

"Oh, that’s adorable," Tyrona smiled, turning to me. "Our kids get along so well."

I raised a brow and crossed my arms.

"So your tactics changed," I said coolly. "Using your son now that you’re secured—kept away from everyone."

"Don’t be silly, Damon." She giggled, the sound forced, unnatural—like she was trying to make it cute. She moved closer and sat beside me.

I pulled away instantly.

"Stop it," I hissed. "Don’t touch me."

"Mama!"

Tyrona’s head snapped toward the sound. Sky had pulled Andro toward the large painting of my wife—lamps glowing softly on either side.

"Mama," Sky said again, pointing.

"Wow, pretty," Andro gaped, then turned to stare at Sky’s eyes.

Sky bared his tiny teeth, smiling with his eyes. Too adorable for words.

"Snacks are here!" Laura announced—then halted when she spotted Tyrona beside me. She rolled her eyes.

"Mommy!" Sky shouted. "Foodie!"

Zayvier rushed toward Laura. Her expression softened immediately as she patted his head, then reached for his hand and led him toward the coffee table near Zendaya.

"Over here, kids," she said. Then to me, "Damon, wipe their hands, please."

I stood and took the wet wipes.

"Fall in line," Zayvier instructed Andro, who eagerly took his place at the back. "Princess first."

Yes. Princess first.

I wiped Zendaya’s hands first, then Sky’s, followed by Zayvier’s, and finally Andro’s. He looked up at me with a wide, trusting smile.

"Paty! Paty!" Sky exclaimed, pulling a stuffed toy from one of the miniature chairs made for their size.

They cleared the toys off the chairs and sat down as Laura placed a tiered tower of pastries at the center, followed by small bottles of juice.

"Mommy, look!" Andro exclaimed, pointing at the ornate stainless pastry stand.

"Oh, that’s pretty," Tyrona commented.

Laura rolled her eyes again. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

She then stepped closer to Tyrona, lowering her voice.

"You know you’re not welcome here. But since my babies like your son, you can leave him and pick him up later."

"Don’t be harsh, Laura," Tyrona chuckled. "So you’ve taken on the role of Sky’s mother now? Wow..."

"Of course," Laura replied coolly. "My sister’s children are my children. I treat them equally."

Tyrona’s gaze dropped to Laura’s stomach.

"Pregnant again?" She picked up her purse as she stood. "Hmm. Must be fun being a wife, huh?"

I sat on the sofa near the kids’ table and picked up a macaroon.

"Andro, baby," Tyrona called. "Mommy’s leaving now, alright? Yaya will stay with you."

"Bye-bye, Mommy."

She stepped onto the play carpet and kissed Andro’s head before leaving. The babysitter sat nearby with Andro’s bags.

Not long after, Jane came downstairs, pausing when she noticed Andro eating with the kids.

"Oh, they have a visitor?" she asked.

I nodded.

My phone rang. Two hours since Livana’s last call. I took a photo of the kids, then answered.

"Hey, sweetheart. How’s the trip?"

I knew Tyrona was just trying to confirm one thing—that my wife was still alive.

"Mmm," Livana said softly. "Something’s up, isn’t it?"

"Sky’s fine. He made a new friend. The twins are here too."

"Alright," she said. "That must be Andro?"

"Yes," I muttered. "How’s the gown fitting? Ready for our wedding?"

I stood and left the living room, closing the door to our bedroom behind me.

"I’m very happy about a second wedding, handsome," Livana giggled.

"It must be late there," I said. "Are you tired?"

"Yes," she yawned. "I want you to make love to me. My period ended yesterday. I really need you."

I chuckled softly.

"You can touch yourself," I murmured. "Just listen to my voice."

She laughed.

"So," she said casually, "Tyrona was there?"

"Yes. Confirming whether my wife is dead. Really dead."

She chuckled again.

"Good," she said. "Just according to plan."

According to plan.

My wife was that calculative—manipulative in a way that made me fall for her all over again.