Flash Marriage: In His Eyes-Chapter 344: A Truce and Agreement

–Livana–

"Tep-Mama!"

The voices of Andro and Sky carried through the door—bright, unguarded. Andro calls me that too. How easily children assign trust... how effortlessly they offer it.

"How did you even manage that?" Tyrona snarled.

I laughed softly, shaking my head as if the answer were beneath explanation.

"Andro is simple, darling."

She remained tense—coiled, ready. I could feel it in the air between us, tight as a drawn wire. She could fight me, yes...

But she wouldn’t last.

She would die.

A quiet giggle slipped from my lips as I slid the gun back beneath her desk, then tucked the bullets neatly into the drawer. Control restored. Illusion maintained.

I moved toward the door and opened it.

"Mama!"

Andro rushed into me, wrapping his small arms around my waist. I caressed his hair, slow and gentle, while giving Tyrona a passing smirk—a blade disguised as warmth.

"Hello, baby."

From the corner of my eye, I saw her—pale, trembling. Sweat gathered along her temple like silent confession.

"Your mommy and I were just talking," I said lightly, shifting my gaze to Sky, who still wore his backpack like a soldier on a mission. "Did you give your gift to Andro?"

"Oh!" he perked up—so much like his father it almost amused me. He quickly opened his bag and pulled out the chocolates.

"Wow!" Andro’s eyes lit up.

"He can’t have chocolates," Tyrona sighed, trying to regain control of something—anything.

"Dear," I said sweetly, slipping into that polished stepmother tone, "these are healthy. Pure cocoa. Nothing to worry about."

"Yummy!" Sky chimed.

"Go on, back to the playroom," I said, patting both boys gently. My gaze flickered toward Alyssa at the end of the hallway—she gave a subtle nod.

I closed the door softly behind them.

And turned back.

"Now," I said, voice shifting like silk concealing a blade, "let’s discuss business."

I sat down, calmly fixing the pin in my hair—every motion deliberate.

Tyrona shook her head weakly.

"Livana..."

"I’ve already dismantled your little empire," I interrupted with a faint giggle—one that likely sounded unhinged to her ears. "I know every connection you have. Every move. I’m simply tired of pretending otherwise."

I leaned back, studying her.

"Shall I tell your son you’re part of that syndicate?" I smirked. "Or would you prefer I spare you?"

A pause.

"For Andro."

Her expression twisted.

"Don’t forget," she hissed, "you ruined my life the moment you entered Damon’s."

"Oh," I chuckled softly. "You ruined me first, Tyrona. You nearly killed me—more than once."

I tilted my head, feigning thoughtfulness.

"I’ve avoided drama, really. Because I know Damon would simply come here one night and kill you in your sleep."

A faint smile.

"I’ve been the one stopping him."

Her gaze faltered. She knows.

"Perhaps," I added with a careless shrug, "when Andro is older... I’ll finally kill you."

Silence stretched—thin, fragile.

"Fine," she whispered at last.

Of course.

"First," I said, leaning forward slightly, "where is my stepmother?"

Her eyes widened.

"I already know where Carrie is. I need the address of her—and her lover."

Defeat settled into her bones. She reached for a notepad, scribbling quickly before handing me the paper along with a key.

"I know she’s involved too," she muttered. "She had men stage abductions... selling women."

I tore the note cleanly from the pad.

"Prepare for war, Tyrona," I said, rising to my feet. "And stay out of it."

Her breath hitched.

"W-war?"

"You didn’t know?" I laughed lightly. "They’re coming for you."

I stepped closer, my voice lowering.

"I’m not doing this for you."

A pause.

"I’m doing it for Andro."

I straightened.

"Stock your pantry. Call your mother. Your sister. Stay inside. My men will surround the estate."

Her world was unraveling. I could see it—the slow collapse behind her eyes.

"I need to go," I added. "My husband is already trying to locate me."

She stood abruptly.

"You better not take back your word, Livana," she said, voice tight. "I’ll give you everything. Just keep us safe."

"Yes," I replied plainly. "Everyone except your father."

She nodded.

"Stay here. I’ll have my men—"

"Take my son."

I stilled.

That... I hadn’t expected.

"Tyrona," I said, brows lifting slightly, "are you certain?"

"Take him," she pleaded. "Please."

Ah.

Desperation. Real, raw, unbeautiful.

War had finally reached her doorstep—and she knew she would not survive it untouched.

When that nurse died... when the guard followed... it was obvious. Threads were being cut before they could be spoken aloud.

Lore and Alyssa had already installed what we needed throughout her estate. Quietly. Invisibly. She had no idea.

I let her pass.

Downstairs, the living room was a soft chaos of scattered toys. Sky looked up at me, already pouting, sensing departure.

I sat on the sofa, offering him a reassuring smile. He returned to playing with Andro.

Moments later, Tyrona returned—luggage in hand, another smaller bag filled with things Andro had once kept at our home.

"Mommy?" Andro called.

"Hey, baby," she said, forcing a smile. "You’re staying with Sky, alright?"

"Why?" he asked, trailing after her.

Lore didn’t hesitate—he opened the luggage, checked swiftly for bugs or trackers, then closed it again with efficiency.

Tyrona returned with a grocery bag.

"You want to play with Sky, right?"

Andro nodded.

She handed him a tablet, added the charger into the bag. Preparing. Letting go.

I felt nothing for Tyrona.

But for Andro...

Something quieter stirred.

We stepped outside. Lore carried the luggage. Tyrona handed over an extra child seat. We secured both boys properly.

Then she held Andro—longer this time. Tighter.

Kissed him.

Memorized him.

"I’ll call you, okay, baby?"

He nodded, smiling, unaware.

"Bye, Mommy!" he giggled.

And she... broke silently.

Alyssa started the engine.

As we pulled away from the villa, Lore slid open the compartment, retrieving his laptop and powering it on. I handed him the note—he immediately dispatched men to the location.

Efficient. Seamless.

I looked back.

Sky and Andro were laughing together, absorbed in a cartoon flickering before them. Innocence, framed in borrowed time.

My phone buzzed relentlessly in my hand.

Damon.

Of course.

I answered.

"Where the fuck are you?!" His voice was sharp, furious. "I told you not to leave—and you took Sky with you?!"

I leaned back slightly, unbothered, letting his anger wash over me like a familiar storm.

Possessive. Overprotective.

Predictable.

And entirely mine to handle.

*****

When we arrived home, Damon was already there—waiting.

Brows drawn together, arms crossed, his presence heavy enough to press against the air itself.

I remained in my step-mother attire, composed as ever. One of the staff approached, and with a simple gesture toward the trunk, I instructed them to take out the luggage meant for Andro.

Damon’s attention shifted the moment he saw the child still inside the car.

He stilled.

Lore moved efficiently, unfastening the seatbelts and helping both boys down.

I, however, walked straight to my husband and kissed him.

His lips did not respond.

His hands did not move.

Anger, then.

Noted.

I pulled away as if it didn’t matter and continued inside. Zayvier rushed toward me, wrapping himself around my legs. I patted his head lightly before he ran past me, already drawn to the new excitement.

"Andro!" he exclaimed. "Wow, you shweeep here?"

I glanced toward Laura, who had just stepped out of the kitchen carrying a tray. Her expression shifted instantly—shock laced with disbelief at the sight of the luggage... and Andro.

"What’s going on?" she asked, a strained chuckle slipping through.

"I’ll explain later," I replied smoothly. "Family meeting. Six."

No room for questions.

I headed upstairs.

Calm. Unhurried. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

I slipped off my shoes, placing them neatly on the rack designated for cleaning. Then I removed my hat, setting it carefully among the others—aligned, untouched, perfect.

The door clicked shut behind me.

And then—

His footsteps.

Measured. Heavy.

Damon reached me in seconds, his hand catching my arm, the other rising to my neck. Not tight—never enough to harm—but firm. Possessive.

I lifted my gaze to meet his.

Dark. Furious.

"What did I tell you, Livana?" he growled, his voice low, edged with something dangerous. "You’re pregnant. And I told you not to go out."

I exhaled softly, placing my hand over his wrist.

"Damon," I said evenly, "I’m not your prisoner."

His stare didn’t waver. Not even slightly.

For a moment, the room felt smaller. Tighter.

Then—he exhaled.

His grip shifted, hands sliding down to my waist instead, pulling me closer.

"What happened?" he asked, voice softened now—as if he hadn’t just held me in warning.

"I visited Tyrona," I answered. "I told her what’s coming. We reached an agreement."

Something in his expression darkened further. His hold tightened, drawing me flush against him.

God... he smelled good.

"Don’t do that again, Livana," he hissed.

Ah.

So he knows.

Of course he does.

The breached data. The murdered nurse. The dead guard. Raynaldo’s body was discovered. Pieces aligning into something inevitable.

"If you weren’t pregnant..." he muttered, voice dipping into something more dangerous, more primal, "I would’ve made you get on your knees for me and suck my cock."

A soft chuckle slipped past my lips, followed by a faint scoff.

"You really think I can’t do that, husband?" I challenged, tilting my head slightly.

He shook his head almost immediately.

He knows better.

He always kneels first.

My fingers trailed lower, teasing—just enough to provoke.

A quiet test.

A deliberate one.

He growled, the sound vibrating low in his chest.

"Don’t test me, wife," he gritted out. "I’ve had enough patience today."

I smiled—slow, knowing, edged with something wicked.

"I don’t think you have patience at all, husband."