Page 163 of One Nightstand With My Ex's Uncle

EMILY’S POV.

All sound was blocked out immediately I was submerged in the water. Bubbles came swimming out as my hair clouded around my face.

I shook, pulled, and struggled to free myself from the ropes, but they were too firm. My whole life seemed to flash right in front of my eyes, like the pages of a book. I could imagine John leaving me to die, then I’d be discovered the next morning when the pool was drained of water.

A white, lifeless corpse. Then the children would cry, so would the maids, Dahlia would be unable to bear it, and if Lucas returned…

If he found out… he would be so broken. The thought of him crying forced me to fight, even though it seemed impossible. How badly I wanted to breathe. I was so scared, sinking to the bottom all by myself.

Just then, someone took me by the arms, trying to raise me. It was Derel. Hope flared within my chest, and he struck out his claws, tearing at the ropes that bound me. A few times he scratched me, but who cared? I wasn’t going to die.

Immediately he freed me from the ropes, he wrapped an arm around me, and used the other to push us upwards.

The moment our heads burst out onto the surface, I took in large breaths, slapping my hair out of my face.

Then, Derel helped me out of the water. The children came to me, and Sadie used a blanket on me. I cuddled into the warmth, and Derel held me tighter.

“What is all this?” John asked, and I looked up to see Lady Mira in front of him.

“Kaye came to tell us John was drowning you.” Derella said to me, and Sadie hugged me, crying against my neck.

I watched John, as I shook from the cold, and fear.

“I made it clear, Aunt Mira. You all are to stay out of my business. Emily is my…”

Lady Mira landed a deafening slap across his face.

“Just look at you. You’re the real monster.

You wouldn’t even tell us where Lucas is, yet you’re doing nothing to make it better.

I’m guessing you want to become a murderer, right?

You drink every night with those two men you call assistants.

They’re destroying you, John! I know they whisper wicked things for you to do.

Where the hell did you throw all the good people around you… ?”

“I tried! I tried, okay! I tried, Aunt Mira, but everyone left me… Emily left, Lucas left, and… Katie, Katie left too. I don’t even know what she’s up to.

Do you think I drink because I like it? I drink because I need to escape the harsh reality of my life.

I hate it too. Damn, it sucks. I’m all alone, and no one cares. ”

“Should I pity you, or resent you, John? You know, it’s never too late to start all over again.” Lady Mira said, in an almost whisper.

“It’s too late.”

“It’s not. It’s never too late until you say it is.

” Lady Mira said, placing a hand on his cheek.

She hugged him to her, and I saw the tears in his eyes.

“Don’t push us away. You’re still our baby.

I remember when you were born. You were such a little bundle of joy, and we all loved you.

You can still return to those happy times.

First, tell us where Lucas is. Tell us where he is, so we can save him.

” She said, softly, but John pulled away from her.

“That’s all you care about. Lucas, Lucas, it’s always Lucas. The golden brother. The one you all adore. That’s just what you want.”

“John.” Lady Mira called, but he walked away.

Once more, he had been given another chance, and once more, he had walked away from it.

That night, I slept with the kids. Sadie and Jude.

They treated me like I was the kid. Sadie ran a warm bath for me, while Jude brewed tea. After taking my bath, and a hot cup of tea, they wrapped me in blankets, and had me sleep between them, holding me, and filling me with the sweet scent of kids.

That night, I felt better and safer than I’d been in months. The feeling was one I wished I’d always feel till I could finally leave John.

The next morning, I woke up, and Sadie and Jude were in front of me, with a tray of cookies, and milk.

“Morning!” Sadie greeted, extending a cookie to me.

I took it from her. It was warm.

“We made another fanfic drawing.” Jude said, coming to sit next to me. I looked at the drawing, and it was a continuation of the last one.

I was pregnant, and Lucas was with me. On my labor day, he brought flowers with him, and filled the entire labor room with them, before singing, and my babies magically came out. Twins.

One who looked like me, and the other, who looked like Lucas.

“Happy Ever After.” Sadie said, coming to sit on my side.

“Now, you can live this happy ever after.” Jude added.

“Not yet.” I said, slowly.

“Oh come on. You have to live it now. We have a surprise for you.” Sadie said, and a tiny bit of hope shot upwards within me, even though I tried to push it down, and not feel anything.

My brain was working left and right. What could they be saying? Could the goofy smiles on their faces mean what I was thinking?

“I can live it now?” I asked Jude, and she nodded, with a warm smile.

Then, a knock came on the door, and my heart jolted upwards.

“Come in.” Sadie said, and the door was pushed open.

My words died in my throat, as I saw the man coming in.

Lucas.

Tears filled up my eyes immediately, as I stared at him in shock.

Lucas… how possible?

He smiled, and I slowly got off the bed, making my way towards him.

I stood in front of him, and touched his cheek.

“Emily.” He called softly, and a gasp escaped me.

Lucas… he was… he was real.