A Hurt So Sweet Volume Four (Elite of Eden Falls Prep 4)

Epilogue

Dexter

5 years later

"Adeline! Flora!"

His melodic voice rings out in the garden. I look at my wife, lying on a lounger in a one-piece white swimsuit and looking as sexy as ever.

"Which one do you think he'll find first?" I grin.

"Well, Flora will probably giggle so much he'll spot her right away," Pandora grins, pushing her sunglasses up her nose and meeting my gaze. "But Adeline might try to get busted first just so she can make her sister happy."

"Are you happy, toy?" I asked in hushed tones, my voice soft enough so the kids won't hear.

"Yes, Master," she whispers, giggling. I've been loving playing these games with her when the kids can't hear. And I live for the traitorous rouge in her cheeks every time I make her blush.

"Good girl." I return to my newspaper, keeping an eye on the kids while I read. But really, I'm not worried about the girls misbehaving. It's Reign that's got me worried.

At almost twelve years old, my son is my pride and joy. And yet there's something about him, something almost cold, off-putting. It's as if Lily Anna has left her mark on him. Like her shadowy fingers are wrapped around his soul, clenching, gripping it for dear life. He has such a pure soul. But that bitch tried her hardest to spoil it.

It's been years since I've seen her.

She lives with Emilian now, suffering as his victim. We could save her. Pandora and I could work out a way to get her away from my toy's twisted father. Use our influence to make ourselves her legal guardians. But neither one of us is willing to do that. And even though I can still hear the ring of Lily Anna's screams as she was locked up at Oakes Estate, I have no regrets.

She deserved what she had coming.

It was lucky enough she survived the fall off the cliffs. But when Lily Anna found out the fall had broken her spine, that she'd be forced to a lifetime in a wheelchair, she broke.

There's gossip among the help. They say Lily Anna hasn't spoken in years. That Emilian Oakes is just as obsessed as her. That's she's more beautiful than ever. That he ruined her.

I don't care about any of it.

Since my parents died in the fire she lit, I've been looking for vengeance. And watching Lily Anna lose everything that mattered to her one by one has more than fulfilled my need for revenge.

"Think we can sneak off?" I mutter as Reign starts running toward a figure giggling behind an old oak tree.

"Now?" Pandora glances nervously at the kids, and guiltily, I realize she's probably thinking the same thing I am.

Is it safe to leave Reign alone with the twins?

I never believed he'd hurt them, and my son never gave me a reason to worry. But sometimes, his behavior is truly troubling.

I've caught him hurting animals before. I've seen him pin a butterfly down by its wings. I've seen him poking at dead birds in the garden. Reign is a polite, well-mannered young boy. But on the rare occasions we had to punish him, Pandora and I witnessed anger and stubbornness neither of us had seen before. He'd lie through his teeth to get out of trouble. But if you caught him in a lie, the kid lost it. He'd hurt himself to get his way. He'd threaten you. Those moments were rare, but they happened. And they made me worry.

But I shake my head to get the thought out. I can't allow the negative thoughts to take over now. I can't let Pandora see I'm worried, too.

"Let's stay until they finish their game," I decide for us. Her relieved smile tells me everything I need to know.

We watch the kids play until they come back to where we're lounging, giggling and laughing. My wife admires the twins' daisy crowns while I ask Reign to come over.

"Having a good day, son?" I ask him, and he nods. He won't quite look at me, probably still upset with me for scolding him the previous day. The kid sure can hold a fucking grudge.

"It's alright," he drawls, refusing to meet my gaze.

"Reign," I speak up calmly. "You're being such a good brother to your sister."

At this, he lights up. He really does love the girls, has formed a bond with them like nothing I've ever seen before.