Flash Marriage: In His Eyes-Chapter 325: Aftermath

–Livana–

We planned to stay for one more night.

My mother had been having far too much fun pranking my father to death. After all, to them, she was already dead. This was her small revenge. I did the same to Carrie. Both of them deserved it, in my opinion.

Carrie and Father even tried to convince everyone that I was Livana.

Naturally, no one believed them.

Grandpa Reagan ended up scolding the two of them, declaring that they had both lost their minds.

Perhaps they had.

Guilt can do that to a person.

"Skyler, it’s time to get up," I called out to my son, who was currently splashing around in the swimming pool.

The shallow section had been designed in a circular shape with a mushroom fountain in the center. Grandma had recently renovated the entire pool just for the children.

"Wait, Tep~mama!" he shouted back while continuing to play.

Just then, Alyssa’s voice rose from the patio as she announced to her parents that she wanted to marry Lore A.S.A.P., as if she were simply planning a short vacation.

Her parents were stunned.

Her father looked horrified.

My husband stood up and immediately scolded her.

Meanwhile, my grandparents—and hers—were laughing.

I suppose, to them, marrying at that age was perfectly normal.

"I can still go to school while we’re married," Alyssa argued.

"No!" my mother-in-law said strictly. "If you keep insisting on this, I’m sending you abroad."

Mother’s threat hung heavily in the air.

But Alyssa merely sighed, took out her phone, and called someone.

A lawyer... or perhaps a judge to bless their marriage.

Poor Lore.

Although, in truth, it was entirely his fault. He was the one who proposed to her. He thought it would take time for her to realize that his gift contained a ring—a ring meant to secure her as his wife.

"Skyler, I’m going to start counting," I called out calmly.

He quickly climbed out of the pool and ran straight to his second mommy—my sister.

Laura laughed as she wrapped him in a towel.

"Tep-mama scary!" Sky announced loudly.

Even the nearby maids and butlers burst into laughter.

Meanwhile, the drama outside continued.

"By the way, I called my godfather, who is a judge. I told him I want to rush the wedding," Alyssa said casually as she walked away, humming.

"What is wrong with her? Didn’t we raise her well?" my father-in-law, Hardin, muttered in disbelief.

"You spoiled her too much," Damon replied.

"Just let her," Grandma Isabella said while Grandpa Wilbert laughed heartily.

"Yeah, because we can’t control her anymore," Damon added. "Where the hell is David?" he muttered.

I sipped my non-alcoholic margarita just as Zayvier approached and sat beside me.

I handed him a probiotic drink with a straw.

He lifted it toward me.

I clinked my glass against it.

Then we both took a sip.

"Mama," Sky ran over to me and looked up with bright eyes. "Foodie."

I pulled the hood of his robe over his head.

Then I lifted him onto my lap, took a sandwich from the tray, and handed it to him.

He grabbed it with both hands and took a very large bite.

It was adorable watching him manage it—his cheeks puffed out, completely stuffed.

A moment later, he offered the sandwich to Zayvier.

Zayvier also took a big bite.

The two of them grinned at each other proudly.

"I think there will be an early wedding," Deanne said as she walked in, dressed in a fine white dress that gracefully showed her curves and her round belly. She was due to give birth in just a few weeks.

"This is a pain in the ass," Damon complained. "Kelly, have you seen David?"

My husband looked thoroughly stressed.

"Nope. He left his phone in the library. I can’t track him anywhere," Kelly said.

I chuckled softly.

Even David was hiding.

"What do you think, dear?" Amilee asked me. "Do we need to prepare for the wedding?"

"Yes," I said thoughtfully. "I believe I already have a crew for the grand wedding that Lore wanted."

"Come on! Not you too!" Hardin exclaimed.

Truthfully, it would be fine if Alyssa wanted to marry immediately. Her future was secure with Lore. He could pay for her tuition if he wished. He could buy them a house.

In fact, I suspect he already had.

Still, I also believe she should maintain a presence on social media.

Lore could afford all of it—and protect her at the same time.

"Mom, where’s Alyssa’s dream wedding book?" I asked as I stood, carrying Sky in my arms.

"It’s back in the mansion. I’ll send it to you," she replied.

Well, it seemed they had no choice but to agree.

I adjusted my hat and took Zayvier’s hand.

"The kids need a nap," I said.

Laura and Zendaya followed behind us.

"Can it wait until I give birth?" Deanne asked.

Laura laughed again.

"Ask your sister-in-law," she teased.

"What happened?" Caine asked as he arrived carrying a tray of snacks.

Deanne explained everything.

Caine ended up looking even angrier than Damon.

I headed upstairs.

From down the hallway, I could hear Alyssa scolding someone inside her room.

I suspected David was hiding there as well.

"Let’s go bath-bath," I told the boys, leading them toward the bathroom.

I began filling the bathtub with warm water and bubbles.

While the water ran, my phone suddenly vibrated with an emergency notification.

I picked it up.

Then I froze.

The house where our main Nest was located had suffered a security breach in its system.

I would need my genius hacker for this.

"Zay-Zay, hold your brother."

Zayvier obediently hugged Sky as I hurried toward Alyssa and Lore’s room.

I knocked once and then entered, pulling the blanket away.

"Lore, get up," I said quickly.

He sat up immediately.

David was there too—sleeping soundly.

"Get to work," I told him.

He nodded and pulled a briefcase from under the table.

"Aly, can you help me bathe the boys?"

She didn’t hesitate for a second.

–Kai–

We were shopping in London when a group of boys—looking like low-tier gangsters—started whistling at us. Probably at my woman.

My hand moved instantly to the small of her back. Protective. Instinctive.

She had gone all out to dress up for this shopping trip. Elegant coat, heels that clicked sharply against the pavement, hair perfect despite the cold London wind.

Anyway, we carried on with our day and eventually headed back to the hotel. Once we reached our room, we packed for our flight. Francis was with us, helping me with my wife’s luggage. Two large suitcases—just for her and whatever things she bought.

She has her own money.

But everything here was paid for by me.

That’s my role. I’m a provider. No matter how independent she is, I still want her to depend on me too.

We reached the airport where our private plane was waiting.

"It’s cold," she muttered, pulling her fur coat tighter around herself.

"Don’t worry, baby. Just—"

"Get down!"

Francis yanked both of us down.

At the exact same second, something sharp slammed violently into my leg.

The sound came a split second later.

Gunshot.

Pain exploded through my thigh like white-hot metal tearing through bone. My leg buckled instantly. I hit the ground hard, my arms already moving—already wrapping around my wife, dragging her beneath me.

Instinct.

Always protect her first.

From the ground, my eyes snapped toward the baggage trailers. My instincts screamed before my brain caught up.

There.

A gunman crouched beside the trailer, the barrel of his rifle still smoking.

"Kai!"

Sophia grabbed me, panic flooding her voice—

Another shot cracked through the air.

This time it struck my back.

The impact knocked the air out of my lungs.

For a second, everything went white.

The bullet felt like a burning spike punching through muscle, digging deep somewhere near my spine. My body jerked forward violently as the shock tore through my nerves. My hands scraped the concrete as I forced myself to move despite the agony.

Francis stepped forward instantly, placing himself between us and the shooter.

But I was already crawling.

Dragging myself over Sophia.

Shielding her completely with my body.

My back screamed in protest. The wound burned deeper every second. I could feel warmth spreading beneath my clothes—blood soaking through the fabric, running down my side.

Before I could even focus again—

Two more shots echoed.

Then silence.

I lifted my head just enough to see it.

The gunman near the baggage trailer dropped instantly, collapsing beside the vehicle. His rifle slipped from his hands and clattered to the ground.

The driver of the baggage trailer slumped forward over the steering wheel.

Dead too.

"Kai!"

Voices were shouting everywhere now.

Airport security. Staff. Running footsteps.

But my body already knew.

The shot in my back wasn’t shallow.

It hit deep. Somewhere vital. Near my spine.

"Baby... come on. Talk to me!" Sophia cried.

Her hands were on my face now, trembling.

I’ve been shot before. Many times.

And I survived.

But this one...

This one hurt differently.

Still, even through the pain, I noticed something that made a faint, crooked smile tug at my lips.

My wife was shielding my neck and head with her purse.

Using it like a damn helmet.

Protecting me.

God...

I didn’t marry the wrong woman.

Not even close.

She’s always right.

She protects me too.

"Francis!" Sophia cried.

Strong hands lifted me from the ground. The movement tore a groan from my throat as the bullet wound in my back flared with brutal intensity.

They placed me on a stretcher.

A woman leaned over me, calling my name.

As she moved, something slipped from her shirt—a pendant shaped like a horse chess piece.

My vision blurred, but I recognized it instantly.

God.

One of ours.

"Francis," I forced out, my voice rough. "Protect her."

"Stay with me," the woman ordered firmly. "Stay conscious."

"My wife..." I muttered weakly. "Make sure she’s safe."

"We are working on it."

I could feel it now.

The blood was still pouring out somewhere behind me, soaking the stretcher. My back throbbed like hell—sharp, deep, unbearable with every movement.

But none of that mattered.

My only focus was my wife.

She needs to be safe.