I enter the house, drenched in water. With every step I take, it's as though the cold intensifies.

"Natalie? Oh, Jesus!" Aunt Ruth screams as soon as she spots me. "Bring me a towel!" She yells. She continues, "For the love of God, Natalie, what have you done to yourself? Did Judith's words rattle you so much?" She asks, checking every inch of my body.

"Where's Louis?" I ask, uninterested in taking care of myself. I needed my son. I needed to comfort him and be comforted by him.

"He's in bed already, you just wait here, let m— I interject, "No, auntie. I'll see Louis first."

***

I enter my little man's room. He's fast asleep, properly tucked in bed. For a few minutes, I stand there, at the door, watching him sleep. I don't want to risk going close to him as I'm wet, so I turn to leave. As I'm leaving, my eyes fall on the metal mesh dustbin. There are a few squeezed up papers in it. I go to it and kneel beside the bin as I go through the trash. I fold my lips together, as I take in the contents of the papers. I breathe in, knowing fully well the decision I had to make. I get up and head out, going straight to the living room.

"Where are you off to again, Natalie?! At least, take an umbrella!"

"I'll be fine, aunt. I've got to do something." I respond, as I rush out.

****

I ring the bell continuously. There's still no answer. I open the Italian barricade doors, and luckily, they open.

"Natalie." I hear Rocket say as soon as I enter. I pause, somewhat embarrassed. "You're drenched, Jesus, did you come under the rain?" He asks. He grabs me, and in a matter of seconds, we're in his laundry room. It is humongous. It looks like an ancient washing room slab. I try to concentrate on his shoes, avoiding eye contact as he uses the towel to dry me up.

"I'm sorry I entered without waiting to be let in. I was in a hurry."

"My house is as much as yours, Natalie. It's always."

I try not to panic internally as I think of how to arrange the words I'm about to say. You can not chicken out. Louis. Louis. Louis. Louis. Louis. Louis. Louis. Louis. Is all my subconscious keeps repeating. I try to keep myself, my heart, from thinking about Luke, and how much of a betrayal it would be. He was alive, I knew. I was certain. It's as though I could feel his energy radiating through me. Momentarily, I was confused. I was put in a very tight spot. I had to choose between the man I loved, the father of my child and my child, my flesh and blood. Remembering the contents of what I'd seen in Louis' dustbin, pictures of his family, something he tried to draw, broke me. He had drawn himself alongside myself and a man at the far back, his head covered with a box. There was another drawing which I'd assumed was a picture of himself, myself and Rocky. It was at this moment that I in-fact, knew what I had to do.

"I'll marry you, Rocky. I'm ready to marry you." I blurt out. If I could, I would marry him at this instance so I could pacify my son.

Rocket laughs. He moves back. "Did I hear correctly or did I over take some whiskey and I'm now hallucinating the thing I desire to hear the most?"

I look away, irritated.

"Can you, please, just say that one more time, Natalie?"

"I said I'll marry you, Rocket. That is, if you're still willing."

"Of course, I am!" He responds, and then, he rushes out. I stand there for a few seconds, confused as I look on. Still dipping wet and shivering, I go out and I see him. He halts.

"You didn't give an answer." I state. Suddenly, he goes on one knee and I see him reveal a shiny ring. The same ring he'd shown me before.

"I figured, I should be the one proposing. I never got the chance to do this, so, Natalie Natty," He chuckles. He continues, "Devaux Richardson. Will you marry me?"

I hesitate to give my answer or give my hand even though I'd already made my intentions known. It was as though his gesture would seal up everything.

"Rocky. I think you've misunderstood me." I respond. I see his face fall.

"But, but I heard you correctly. I'm not drunk."

"You aren't. Yes, I do want to marry you, but I'm not marrying you for me. I'm, I'm, doing it for Louis."

He looks at me, but I can't read what expression he has on.

I continue, "I don't want to lie to you or lead you on. I don't love you, Rocky."

He gets up. I still can't make out what expression he has on. He turns around. "Fine. If that's how you feel, then I have two conditions for this marriage to happen. I love Louis, but don't get me wrong. This is a life partnership we're talking about here so if you don't think you can accept my conditions, then you can go dry up in your house."

I eye him from head to toe, shocked at his tone, shocked at his words. He'd never spoken to me so coldly before. "And, these conditions are?" I ask, my heart beating fast.

"First. I will have as much right over Louis as you do. Secondly, you will perform all your duties as my wife and you will not, under any circumstances deny me my rights as your husband."

I look at him with pure disgust. At that moment, I hated him. He was using my situation to his advantage. He finally got me in the place where he unfortunately had leverage over me. "So, what you're saying is that you will have sex with me whenever and however you wish, without me being able to object to it even when I want to. It's my body you're after."

He tilts his head. "No. You know it's more than that, Natalie."

I move closer to him. We are dangerously close. I take both his hands and place them on my breasts.

"What are you doing?" He asks, dragging them away. I drag them back and place them on my breasts again, and I move in to kiss him. He holds my head to prevent me from doing so.

"Natalie, what are you doing?!" He asks. I ignore his questions and take his hands again, using them to rub against my entire body and privates.

"Natalie!" He yells, shoving me off lightly.

"Why are you pushing me away? You want my body don't you? Take it, then! If that's the only way you can become Louis' father, take me, Rocket! Bastard."

"So, do you want to tell mommy what happened? Why did you, you know. Fight with that boy?" I ask Louis as I get him dressed for school.

He sighs, "I didn't hurt him mommy. He laughed at me and then he poked me. He poked my head and I was angry."

Hearing him speak, I silently pray that my son does not inherit Luke's anger. Luke could be as scary as a mad man when he got upset. "Why did he laugh at you?"

"He said his daddy was his hero. I don't have a daddy, so I don't have a hero, mommy."

"I can be your hero, my love. Don't you want mommy to be your hero? Huh?" I ask, trying to see if there was anyway at all I could escape being tied to Rocket.

He nods a no, and I give up, defeated.

***

"I'll drive." I hear a familiar voice say as I usher my son into the car.

"Uncle Rocky!" My son screams, excited. He gets down from the car and rushes to hug Rocket. I look away, still annoyed about the incident from the previous night.

"Get in the car now, champ. Let's get you to school."

"Do you mind?" He asks me.

"No. You can have your way." I respond, giving him the keys. He holds my hand just as I turn.

"Can we talk?"

***

"I'd like to apologize for yesterday. I didn't mean to hurt you or make you think that I'm just after your body. No, Natalie. I've loved you since forever. You know that."

"Rocky, you claim you love my son so much and if you do all the things you do for him without me even asking you to, why can't you do just this one thing for his happiness? Louis wants a father, Rocky."

"And you're using me for it. Natalie, I'm sorry for yesterday, but the truth is, you always want someone to be there, for the other person to go all out for you but are you ever willing to the the same for them?"

He wasn't lying. He was saying the unfiltered truth, and it hurt like hell realizing that I'd been too selfish towards people, mostly him. This man had loved me unconditionally since I was just a girl and he's always been by my side whether I wanted him or not.

"It's enough of the arguments, Rocket. Every day that goes by, my son suffers without a father. I want that to end. I agree to both your conditions, however, I will never love you. You can sleep with me, touch me, kiss me as much as you want to but I must warn you that every time you do it, Luke will be on and in my mind and my heart and there's nothing that will ever change that."

"My love is more than enough for the both of us, Natalie. You'll learn to love me again, like you did once." He responds. I frown and look away. Alex had said those exact words to me a few years ago. It's as though I was beginning to hate him everyday. If I'd known, I'd have stopped him from coming close to my son right from the beginning. I would've avoided this entire situation.

He takes my hand. I try to jerk it away but he holds on to it tightly. He reaches for his pocket and brings out the same ring. I look at him and then I watch him slide the ring down my finger.

****

"Do you want to stay back in? You threw quite a fit and spoke harshly with the proprietress the other day." Rocket suggests.

"No. I should go in and at least apologize. Louis, I'll get you down, my love." I say as I get down from the car.

"Come, love." I say to my son as I get him down from the car.

**

Louis' gone into his class. Rocket and I stand at the are for parents as we watch Louis enter one of the classes.

"Ms. Richardson." The proprietress says, walking towards our direction.

"Mr. Gillies." She says to Rocket.

"Hello to you to, Rose." I respond. I didn't like this woman. I could tell that the aura around her was off.

She laughs. "Well, I see you're in better spirits today."

"How's the other kid doing? Is he okay?" Rocket asks.

"Well, fortunately, I was able to coax his mother into settling for just an apology. Nothing against you or the school, given, Louis behaves properly."

"Thank you for all of that, Rose, but if I may ask; did you ask the other boy what he did to my son? My son did not just retaliate unprovoked."

She nods, irritating me further. Was she always this happy? I cringe, as I observe the smug smile on her face. "Regardless, Ms. Richardson. This is a school. My school operates on certain policies and they must be followed."

Rocket coughs. "Once again, Natalie and I are extremely sorry for what happened. Rest assured, it won't be happening again."

"Fantastic. I can understand Ms. Richardson, trust me. I should understand a mother better than anyone else."

"How so? Do you have a child?" I ask her. She didn't look like she had one.

"No." She responds plainly. Our eyes meet and we look at each other directly in the eyes. "But my partner does."

"You're married." I state.

"You can say that," She chuckles.

"Well, in that case, why don't we invite her to our wedding, Natty?"

Rose gasps. "Wedding? You're finally tying the knot, my goodness. Congratulations." Rocket takes her hand for a shake but I do not. I look at Rocket, disappointed but not exactly sure if I was disappointed he invited her or that he made it public just like that.

"My love!" Rocket shakes me, bringing me out of my bubble.

"Hm?" I respond.

"Rose will be at our wedding. I think a friendship between the both of you would be beneficial to you two."

I smile, irked and uninterested. "Of course. We should share a bottle of Cabernet soon."

"Definitely." She responds.

I cross my bare feet as I sit back on my chair, going through written reports of everything that'd happened in the company during my time away. Everything seemed stable. No discrepancies, no stolen funds, no uncleared taxes and certainly no company debts. It was either Caleb was good at hiding things or he really took care of the company like it was his own.

"Hello?" I say, as I put a call through to the company's legal department.

"This is Natalie speaking, I'd like to know the company's legal standing— I mean, are we currently having any legal battles? Has anyone sued us?" The response I get shocks me even more. It was as though the company was as exactly as I left it a few years ago. If I wanted to expose Caleb, I would need evidence to do it and what better way to expose him for the person he truly is than to catch him doing something sneaky in the company?

There's a knock on the door. I look up, curious. "Come in." I respond.

"Hello, Ms. Richardson. I'm Edith, from BlueRay events." She says, stretching her hands towards me.

Reluctantly, I give her a shake. "How may I be of help? I'm a bit busy with work." I needed to get a new personal assistant. I didn't want just anyone barging into my office.

"Oh? I'm your wedding planner, your fiancé sent me here. I thought you were expecting me."

I tuck my hair behind my ear, trying to hide my irritation. "Hm."

"So, I'd like to know what theme you'd like?"

******

Caleb's POV

I release my tie as I stare out the window into the empty street. I was stressed out and constantly getting humiliated by that bitch, Natalie. It was all good before she returned.

"Caleb!" I hear, as I turn to see a red faced Kelly. I move to my table and I pour out a glass of water. I hand it over to her.

"That wasn't necessary." I respond, a few seconds after she hits my hand and the glass shatters all over the floor.

"What are you doing? Natalie is busy threatening us, and you're here, acting like a damn mute." She walks up to me. I look at her, wanting to hear what she had to say. She cups my face.

"You have to secure your legacy. Do it for me. For our children. You did it before, what's stopping you now?"

I hold her hand, remembering the day of the incident.

Flashback, 4 years ago, after the accident

"I'll put a bullet in your kids head. I'll be sure to do that if you don't do as I ask."

"Mr. Davies, it's unethic—

"You've got one minute! Do it or your kid dies! All I'd have to do is make the call. Don't test my patience, Doc."

She sobs, shaking like the scared little lamb she was. "I'll do it, I'll do it, please, don't harm him. Don't— don't hurt him, please." She responds.

"Is her surgery over?"

"The assistants are cleaning up, she'll be brought out soon."

"Well, look for an excuse. Go back in there! Do what you have to, Doc. Just get it done." She nods at me, looking at my empty firearm. I continue, "Make sure to kill her or ensure she doesn't wake up from that coma for a very very long time."

*****

I'd planned it all. My first strike was pitting Lucas against Natalie. After their divorce, I was tasked with following Natalie around, reporting her every move to him. It was as though he was obsessed with her. I couldn't see one thing, not one thing attractive about her.

I always found a way to misinterpret the photos of her I'd take to Luke. He was gullible. He believed and played into my trap. With everyday, he has more reason to believe that the woman was indeed, loose.

Severally, he'd tried to get intel on the child. He'd even requested for countless secret DNA tests from hospitals that she'd visited with the boy, in and out of the country. I'd made sure that every single one of them returned as negative.

Things were going smooth and I had been successfully setting Lucas up for the slush fund scandal. It would've landed him at least 3-4 years in jail, enough time for me to takeover the company and make it mine, until Natalie showed up and ruined it all. Each day, I felt like squeezing the life out of her. Her plans were always getting in my way, and it was as though she was smarter than I was. I couldn't tell what was going on in her head or what she was thinking. I had her office bugged, hoping to know all of her plans. She rarely said useful things. It angered me. A few days later, I met Jennifer. Two things came to my mind; one, use her to spy on Natalie. Two, use her to provoke Natalie against Luke, but I decided against the latter. It was useless going to such lengths.

Jennifer reported information to me at first but then, I had reason to believe that Natalie was in on it. I watched from a distance, and it seemed like Jennifer's guard had been let down around Natalie. They laughed together. It was unusual, so I set Jennifer up. I intentionally set things in motion for her to hear the conversation on the phone.

I couldn't tell what was and what wasn't. Natalie wasn't doing anything. She wasn't reacting the way I'd thought she would. Deep down, I'd hoped Natalie reacted and confronted Luke about the merger but again, she amazes me further. It's either she was good at playing innocent, acting gullible or she really had no sense. I knew her motive for coming to the company was for revenge and exposing the backdating of the merger would've been the perfect revenge plan but she did nothing.

Jennifer begun to avoid me and then, I confirmed it finally. She'd switched sides. She had to be taken care of. She didn't know too much but she knew enough.

I would've killed her silently but my greatest mistake was letting her know that I was onto her. She took off. She hid. I had a hard time finding her, until, I was able to get her cell signal. It was the perfect spot and perfect situation. Natalie was present, so I'd hoped that her death would be pinned on Natalie. I'd finally get her out of the way. I was elated! Until, I realized, there was someone all too familiar with her. How did I miss this? How did I never see him? Like a knight in a fucking shinning armor, he saved her. Once again, my plans were foiled.

The merger took place. I'd planned everything. I'd had planted explosives in Lucas' car. He would die that day, and the forged papers, naming me as his successor would work in my favor. Unfortunately, things definitely did not go as planned and to make matters worse and further rubbing salt in my wounds, Natalie got hold of the company, yet again. I was going crazy. Now, Natalie had to die. I was going to do it. I was going to kill her with my bare hands. She had to die.

"Rocket!" I yell, barging into his home, beyond enraged. "Rocky!"

"Natty, my love?" I hear him call, his voice, irking me further.

"Hold it. I don't understand it, I don't understand you. Why the hell did you send a wedding planner to my office? Without even consulting me first?"

"Is that why you're so worked up? Come on, my love. It's not that big of a dea—

"Yes, it is! Can you learn to respect my personal space." I state, more of a command than a request.

"We're going to be married next week Saturday, Natty—

"Marriage is understanding. It's a partnership, Rocky! You should ask me first before you do things." I demand, turning around to leave. I tried countless times to forget that I'd have to be married to him. My dislike for him began when I lost my home because of his interference, however, at this moment, I despised him to the very core.

I can feel his presence as he walks behind me. I try to move away but he holds me back, putting his hand round my waist and his hand caressing my hair.

"Please, leave me." I say, still irked.

"I'm sorry, Natty. I'm sorry. Why don't I make it up to you? How about we go to the beach this Saturday? Tomorrow's Friday. We could take Loui—

"No. I have a lot of work. I have to work Saturdays too."

"That's odd. You don't have to do that, Natty. You don't have to overwork or stress yourself for that matter— you know I'm here, I'll take care of you, Lou— "It's not about the money." I respond, somewhat annoyed at his words. I didn't need his money. I continue, "My net worth's probably higher than yours, Rocket."

He chuckles. "You have a wicked tongue, but I love it."

"I'll be leaving. I have to get my son from school." I say, turning around to leave.

"Wait," He says. I pause. He continues, "You mustn't think of work next Saturday, you know."

"Why's that?" I ask, avoiding his eyes. I fold my arms, more than ready to leave.

"Natty? That's our wedding day, come on! I said it a few moments ago."

I drop my hands almost immediately. I look at him. "Our what?"

"Wedding day, Natty. What's so surprising, you consented to this."

"Why's it so early? I mean, I- I know I did, but I didn't know it was so close by. It's too early." I was beginning to panic.

"It's too early to make me Louis' father? I thought this was for him?"

"Don't you dare use that against me." I say, pointing at him. "Everything I do, I do it for him and I'm only marrying you as per his desire. Louis wants a father and that's what I'm giving to him."

"Then why are you so worked up? Why are you even upset?"

I don't know what to say, how to reply his question. Why was I worked up when it was inevitable? I already made the decision, hell, I initiated it. I knew all too well what the answer was. I was annoyed because of Luke. I still had hope that he would return. I believed he was coming for me, but now, with each passing moment leading up to the day I would lawfully become Rocky's wife, I was beginning to lose hope. Suddenly, an idea pops in my mind. If Lucas was truly out there, there was only one way to lure him out.

"I'm just stressed, forgive me." I respond, massaging my temples. "Let's go to the beach on Saturday."

*****

"Mommy!" I giggle as my son runs to me, my arms stretched out to receive him. I take deep breath, inhaling his scent. I give him a kiss on the cheek.

"How was school today, huh?"

"Fine, mommy, I thought about you today."

I almost melt at his words. "Me? Honey, I think about you every single moment. I hope you're okay? Did you get in a fight?"

He nods, "Jake's my friend now, his daddy left him too."

"What?" I ask, not understanding what exactly he meant by that. I hug him again, trying to kill of the conversation. "Why don't we go to the arcade or get some ice-cream?"

"It's advisable to not let children play so much during weekdays." I hear an all too familiar voice say. I get up.

"Rose."

"Ms. Richardson."

"You may call me Natalie, seeing as I call you Rose." I state, pretending to have a smile on my face. For as long as Louis would be in the school, I couldn't risk falling out with her.

She nods, smiling too. I know a fake smile when I see one.

"You still owe me a bottle of Cabernet." Rose says.

"Ah, I see. You're a busy woman, so am I. I think it's best to see to a day where we both would have a few minutes to spare."

"I can make time tomorrow, by noon. You should check your schedule and let me know if that works for you." She responds.

"No, not at all. There's no need for that. I create my schedule, as I own the company."

"Fantastic."

"Eric Kayser, noon, it is." I respond. It was going to be one uncomfortable afternoon.

*******

After ice-cream, my son is knocked out at the backseat. Again, he'd made it abundantly clear that he missed his father.

Flashback

"What do you think about uncle Rocky? Do you like him?" I ask Louis, as I hand him a cup of rolled ice-cream.

"Mhm. He's the best mommy and I always beat him in football!" My son states, laughing. I look away, hoping my son would react negatively to my next question.

"Well, would you like uncle Rocky to become your daddy? Do you want to call him daddy, instead of uncle?"

"Is uncle Rocky going to be my dad?" My son exclaims. I could see the excitement in his eyes.

"Only if you want him to be, my love."

"Yes, mommy! Yes! Uncle Rocky's my daddy! Yay! Yay! Yay!"

******

I go into the study, trying to be as quiet as possible as Louis room was just opposite the study. I close the door gently behind me. I tie my hair in a bun as I rush to my computer. I turn it on and log into my e-mail account. It was time to reconnect with Lee Martins.

To; Detectivemartinslee@private.com

From; Natalierichardson@carrington.com

Time; 2:15 AM

I hope this message meets you well, Detective. Four years after and I still need your services. There's two things I need you to do. As you know, my husband is missing. I had, in good faith, believed that it was better not to find him because he was declared wanted by the police, however, I've become worried that something might've gone wrong somewhere. You know where to find me, but before that, do give me a call. Same number.

I hit on the send button and the message disappears. I get up to leave, expecting to get a response later in the day, but surprisingly, my phone rings at that moment.

"Detective. It's been a while."

He responds on the other end, "Of course, Ms. Richardson. How may I be of help?"

"I need you to find the father of my son and I need you to get him to crash my wedding."