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

"When are we going back to Grandfather's?" Reign asks.

My expression darkens. Despite my best efforts to keep the kids away from Emilian, Reign has formed a bond with the man. He's been insisting we let him visit his grandfather. All the other visits have been on our terms, at our home, but now Reign wants more freedom to visit his grandfather whenever he wants.

"I can invite Emilian over for tea," I offer.

"No." Reign's eyes are dark and stormy. "I want to go to Oakes Manor. I deserve it, I've been good."

I don't bother arguing with him. He hasn't been good. He's misbehaved multiple times in school only this week. I haven't even told Pandora yet, not wanting to worry her, but the kid needs a firm hand, and we both love him too much to discipline him properly.

I also have another reason I don't want him at the Manor - Lily Anna. He doesn't know she's there. We thought it best to tell Reign she was gone, dead. We didn't want to hurt him any more by preventing him from seeing the woman. But now it's been six years, and the kid still hasn't stopped asking about her. And every time he brings her up, I see the fire in Pandora's eyes die down a little.

Lily Anna's shadow is still here, and will follow us for a long time to come.

"We'll arrange something," I tell Reign, but his dark expression tells me he doesn't buy it.

I shift my attention to the girls and Pandora while watching my son out of the corner of my eye. He's an unusual kid. And as much as he frightens me sometimes, I love him more than I ever thought possible.

We never got a paternity test.

We didn't need to.

Lily Anna was right about one thing, if nothing else. One look at Reign tells me whose son he is.

Lai is ri

ght there - in the blue of his eyes, in the smirk on his face. He looks just like him. And in a way, I'm happy things worked out the way they did. This way, we have a reminder of the boy who died much too soon by Lily Anna's cruel hand. Lai is still with us. And one day, when Reign is old enough, we'll explain everything to him.

I just hope he'll understand.

"Let's head inside, it's getting cold." I usher my family into the Manor. It's been a few years since Anders passed away, but we have a full new staff headed by a wonderful woman who makes sure we're all fed and taken care of. Most of my days are spent at the office now. I've taken a big role in my father's company, and Pandora is busy running the town until Reign is of age.

We both worry about what will happen after. The moment Reign turns eighteen, he'll be the most powerful person in Eden Falls. But power corrupts people. And our son is susceptible to it, to being overwhelmed by the possibilities. So we need to steer him on the right path before we hand over the responsibilities.

We settle in front of the fireplace. It's too early for a fire, but when my son asks to set one up, I allow it.

Pandora and I watch hand-in-hand as Reign starts a fire and the girls read a book in front of it. It's the picture-perfect image of a family, and it's our well-earned reward after everything we've been through.

Not everything is perfect.

Nothing can ever be perfect - it's one lesson I've learned since I was nineteen and lusting after a girl I wanted to hate. The girl, who is now a woman, sitting by my side and watching me with love in her eyes.

I'd do anything for her.

I will do anything for her.

"Pandora." I speak up, and she turns to face me, the ghost of a smile making her face prettier than ever. "Are you happy?"

I can't help but ask her that, all the time, any chance I get. I need her to tell me this is what she wants. I took everything from her when we were younger. I tortured her, made her life a living hell. It's a wonder these days, the only thing that matters to me is her happiness.

"I'm happy, Dexter," she whispers in response. "I'm happy because of you."

It's all I needed to hear, and a reluctant, rare smile pulls at my lips as I watch them.

Reign, my son, my best friend's last legacy for Eden Falls.

Adeline and Flora, my beautiful daughters, innocent, sweet and pure.

And my wife - Pandora.