A/N: I LOVE YOU ALL. THANK YOU! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE FEEDBACK. IT'S OVERWHELMING BUT I DEFINITELY LOVED IT. AND IT SURE DID MOTIVATE ME TO WRITE FASTER. SEE, WHAT A LITTLE INCENTIVE CAN DO?
I LOVED GIVING THE HINTS AND I HOPE THEY WEREN'T TOO CRYPTIC.
ANYWAY, HERE'S THE NEXT CHAPTER. MORE TALKING AND STILL NO ACTION. AND IT'S SHORTER. SORRY FOR THAT.
ALSO KNOW THAT ALTHOUGH I LOVE KAY, I ALSO LIKE THE REST OF PASSIONS' CHARACTERS, SOME MORE THAN OTHERS. AND ALTHOUGH THEY DISAGREE AND ARGUE WITH KAY, NOT ARE ALL EVIL. I TRY NOT TO CHANGE THE CHARACTERS TOO MUCH.
WELL, ENJOY.
~*~
Six Days Later,
New York City
Who can say for certain
Maybe you're still here
I feel you all around me
Your memories so clear
Golden rays of sunshine seeped through ivory clusters of cottony clouds as the late October wind blew past the group of mourners who came to lay to rest the ever alluring Kay Callaway. The crème de la crème of high society had attended, many of them the Callaway's family friends, business colleagues. The rest were people who knew Kay, most of them men who had liked her a long time ago, when they first met her. Many of the women were Fox's old flings, some holding on to bitter grudges against him, while others were mothers with their daughters, clinging to the opportunity that their child could be the next Mrs. Crane.
They were swarmed by photographers, a few newscasters and their camera men, and some writers who wanted to make a story out of the tragic love affair while the bodyguards kept them at bay. The whole world had stilled itself to watch the funeral.
The priest stood in front of the circle as they gathered around the ebony casket laden with red and white roses. Red roses for Kay and white for the twins. White like innocence. Fox thought as he rigidly sat on the chair situated close to the casket. Gwen sat next to him; her dark eyes obscured by even darker glasses to hide the tears she was shedding. Sometime through the service, her gloved hand had found his, gripping so tightly, wanting to ease his sorrow but knowing that nothing can. Fox was burying his future with Kay. She was the one Fox had been waiting for all his life and now she was gone like a distant memory, a dream. Gwen wanted to say she was sorry but it didn't seem enough. It would never be enough.
Jason sat on Gwen's other side, followed by the rest of his family while Julian and Rebecca sat on Fox's left, keeping silent and solemn. They liked Kay and they would surely miss her. Julian felt incredibly sorry for Fox. He was never much of a father to him but he still cared that his son was in torment.
John stood behind them, his face creased into a deep frown. He never thought of being Kay's friend after she revealed his true paternity. He never even thought of liking her but deep inside, John knew that she had become more his sister in the past few months than a few years ago. He would miss her bratty ways and her slightly annoying nicknames for him. He would miss Kay's sarcasm and her smirk and constant eye rolls. And he would really miss working with Kay. In a his heart, John had lost a sister and a good friend.
An anguished cry pierced the cold air but no one moved to look, no one cared. Sam and Grace stood together, their heads bowed in sorrow while David and Ivy stood on opposite sides, trying to comfort them. They were surprised to see so many people attend. They didn't know that she had touched so many lives, knew so many people. Kay had a life outside of Harmony, a life filled with people, important people, who cared about her, who loved her, who somehow made up for all that she was deprived of.
But Sam and Grace were grieving for her too because despite Kay's actions, despite her repeated mistakes and her anger towards Sam and Grace, in the end she was still their daughter and they still loved her. Now, there was no chance of telling her that, no chance of forgiveness, of redemption. It was eating their insides away to have to bury Kay.
No parent should ever have to bury their child. Wasn't that the rule? But Grace and Sam were burying their second child. First there was Jack, who never had the chance to live a life and now Kay. Kay, who was full of fierceness and fire, of zest and perseverance. She was supposed to be Sam's baby girl. From the moment Kay was born, he knew that she was special. That she, out of all his children, would be the one to dare to be different. She would test all boundaries, bend all rules. And Sam loved her for all that she was. But they had drifted too far apart. They had become strangers to each other and they came to the point of hating each other. Now there was no turning back.
Deep in the stillness
I can hear you speak
You're still an inspiration
Can it be
That you are mine
Forever love
And you are watching over me from up above
Oh, Kay, what happened to you? Grace thought miserably as her body shook with sobs. David pulled her tighter and she rested her head on his shoulders, her tears spilling over the front his coat. What happened to us? This isn't how it was supposed to be. I have learned to fear and despise my daughter. And you shouldn't be lying there. You shouldn't be dead, no matter what you did. We failed you. I failed you, didn't I? I was too busy trying to give Charity the mother she lost, that I deprived you of yours. But I did love you. I just didn't know how to show you. You were more than what I expected, more than I could handle. I'm so sorry.
Behind them, Hank stood silently with one year old Joey in his arms. The blonde, blue eyed toddler was too young to understand that the pretty girl in the picture was his dead cousin. Hank had wanted them to meet. He had wanted Joey to be inspired by Kay, perhaps not turn out like her but at least know what she was like. Hank sighed, shaking his head as head planted a small kiss on his son's forehead. Children were so precious. On his left, Simone, Reese, Charity and Miguel stood together, looking somber like the rest of the group.
Miguel came not because he wanted to be there for Charity. Of course he wanted to console her but a part of him was pulled to go. A part of him wanted to be sure that Kay was really dead and that he was free. It seemed twisted to stand there and mourn the woman and babies he helped kill but inside, Miguel was sorry too. He really was sorry for what he had done or more likely failed to do to stop this from happening.
I just wanted justice, Kay. He thought unhappily as guilt and shame consumed him. I just wanted you to stop torturing us. I never wanted you to die. I never meant for this to happen. Never. I sorry I didn't stop Jessica. I'm sorry I just watched. It doesn't make any difference now, does it? I'm apologizing too late and it isn't going to change the fact you're gone. I should have believed you when you told me you were pregnant and the maybe I could have reasoned with Jess. Maybe. Miguel's gaze shifted away from Kay's coffin to the grave next to hers where a statue of an angel stood like a guardian. Kyla. He would never know her and Miguel had never seen his daughter. But still it hurt. I'm sorry I helped rob you of your second chance. I'm sorry about your babies. I don't know how I'll live with this, Kay, but I will. I'll try to be a better man from now on. I'll try to make up for my sins but I will never forget them. Your death is the albatross around my neck and I will gladly carry it for the rest of my life if it means that you're in peace. I'm sorry. He was suddenly crying, his shoulders shaking and Charity looked at him, her lips quivering as she bit back a sob. Charity had badly wanted them to be friends.
On the far end of the line, Simone shed a silent tear that she brushed away quickly. Reese noticed of course, and the young man placed a supportive arm around his friend, fighting back his own sadness. Simone thought back to her childhood with Kay, to the games they played as children, to their schemes later on in the years.
I'll miss you, Kay and I'm sorry. She was torn because a part of Simone hated Kay. She hated her for escalating things to the point that it became deadly, hated her for leaving five years ago without as much as a goodbye and for coming back three times as vicious. Simone hated Kay for associating with Fox when she knew how much he hurt her family. Most of all, Simone hated Kay for turning Jess into a monster. In the process Simone had lost two friends. But deep inside her heart of hearts, a part of Simone will always think of Kay as her best friend, as the girl who stood by her when her family was in shambles, who helped her scheme to get Chad. But what's done is done. She thought bitterly, sniffling. I just wanted to say goodbye Kay. I wish we didn't have to part as enemies. After this, Simone was leaving. She didn't know where she was going or if she would ever go back to Harmony. All she knew was to get away.
Fly me up to where you are
Beyond the distant star
I wish upon tonight
To see you smile
If only for awhile to know you're there
A breath away's not far
To where you are
Mason Hunter came as well with his wife who a long time ago he foolishly cheated on. And he regretted it with everything he had. But only he, Kay and the other woman knew that. His wife would never know because Kay had straightened him out. She had made him see that he was ruining a perfectly good life. Kay had kept his secret and now she would take it to her grave. Mason wanted to thank her for saving him, for changing him for good. Kay probably didn't know the good she was doing then. He only wished she had a better life, a happier one. But like everything else, that was too late now.
Their thoughts were interrupted by the priest's final words. "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil." He declared solemnly, closing his small bible with a pause. "The family has requested to say their final farewell to Kay and the babies. Please be seated."
Jason took his cue and rose, walking to the front of the coffin with a heavy weight on his shoulders. He stood before the small crowd and sighed, his eyes taking in all the sad faces, some he knew well, others he just met.
"I found this poem that reminded me of Kay. It seemed like something she would say." He began as he cleared his throat and pulled the small piece of paper out of his pocket. "May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, the rain fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again," Jason stopped talking as tears spilled down his cheeks and he looked down at the green grass under his shoes, wishing that this wasn't happening. "When…when I first met Kay, I thought she was a brat." He chuckled a little. "It was like culture shock. She was different from everything I was accustomed too. She was fearless and I liked her. She was the fierce one, a wild card. I may have only known her for over four years but she was my sister. She may not be my blood but she was family. And I loved her. I loved her. And the twins, they deserved to live. They deserved a beautiful life."
Miranda followed after her brother, delivering yet another heartfelt and teary goodbye to Kay and the twins. Arthur went next, less emotional but truly solemn and saddened. Helena spoke last, pausing a few times to compose herself. She was probably the most angry, the most hurt that she could not stop this. She hadn't known what Kay was doing. No one had bothered to tell her. She thought Kay was fine in Harmony, even with Fox there. She thought Kay was happy. Helena never knew about the pregnancy. Jason and Miranda had failed to mention it to her or Arthur. If Helena had just known earlier, she would have quickly asked Kay to leave Harmony. She would have sent her of the family chateau in the south of France or kept her in New York where she would be safe.
She spent years of helping Kay, of making sure she was alrighty, all for nothing
Fox would have said a few words, he would have poured his heart out about how miserable he was, about how he would miss Kay and he would be empty inside without her. But he knew it wouldn't be enough. All the words and tears in the word would not bring her back. And what he wanted to say was private. It was sacred. It wasn't meant to be said outloud to a whole bunch of people who were grieving in their own, different ways; it wasn't meant to be shown or put on display for the whole world to see.
He wasn't really listening to Helena's words by then. Fox was lost in his own world, the sounds around him dulling into distant echoes. He thought of Kay, the twins already toddlers. They looked just like how Fox imagined they would. He saw them running down the beach, laughing, calling to him. He wanted to go to them, to hold them in his arms, to give Kay one last kiss but he was rooted to the ground.
Are you gently sleeping
Here inside my dream
And isn't faith believing?
All power can't be seen
"Fox." Gwen said as she gently shook his arm, disrupting his bittersweet daydream. He looked at her, trying to understand what she was saying. "It's over." She said with a heavy sigh.
"What?" He asked, looking around them. Jason was leading Miranda away with their parents. Mason Hunter and his wife approached them and said something. The Bennetts stopped in front of Kay's coffin to place a few flowers. Grace had stopped crying. Everyone else was leaving.
"It's over."
Fox wanted to say it wasn't over. It was just the beginning of the miserable end but he just nodded, not budging an inch. His gaze returned to the coffin now almost halfway covered in red and white roses. "Kay hates the dark." He whispered, tears burning in the back of his eyes. "She'll be cold. And alone."
"Oh, Fox-" Gwen began to speak but she was suddenly cut off by Ethan.
"Gwen, can we talk?" He asked, giving Fox a sideward glance. Ethan didn't know what to make of his half-brother's display of grief. As far as he could remember, Fox never really cared much about the women in his life. He did not invest enough emotion into each relationship to truly care. But maybe Kay was different. Maybe she triggered some sort of humanity inside Fox. Or maybe it was the fact that she was carrying his children. Ethan only sighed, somewhat confused.
The blonde looked at him skeptically, not knowing how to respond. They haven't spoken to each other in years and she wanted to keep it that way. Questions raced in her mind. What did he want? Why did suddenly want to talk to her? "Not now, Ethan." She replied softly, returning her gaze to her friend.
"Gwen, please."
"No!" She hissed. "Fox, we should go. It's going to rain." Gwen whispered as she glanced up at the dark clouds overhead. It was going to pour and for a moment, Gwen's thoughts drifted to her life, her own grief; to the baby she lost, then to Kay's twins and Kyla. They were forever lost, robbed of a future. God works in mysterious ways. Father Lonigan told Gwen once. But she already stopped believing in God's mysterious ways.
Children should never be punished for their parents' mistakes.
Fox shook his head. "I want to stay here for a little while. I'm fine, Gwen. You go ahead." She knew he was lying. He was far from fine. He was broken with grief and sadness. He was lost and angry. But Gwen understood he needed space. Fox needed time; perhaps all the time in the world.
Sighing, she nodded. "The limo driver will wait for you." Gwen whispered. "I'll call you from the Callaways'." Fox nodded absently and Gwen walked off, followed by Ethan who seemed to want to say something to him but did not know how to find the right words. Fox just nodded at his older half-brother. He didn't really want Ethan's sympathy, knowing that it would not truly be sincere.
As my heart holds you
Just one beat away
I cherish all you gave me everyday
'Cause you are mine
Forever love
Watching me from up above
"Okay, Ethan, what is it?" Gwen muttered as she stopped walking and turned to face Ethan, folding her arms over her chest as if to shield herself from him. They were far enough from the gravesite or anyone else, not that it mattered since everyone was leaving in their cars.
Ethan nodded, offering her a small, shy smile. "How are you, Gwen?" He asked and she was suddenly taken aback by the softness in his voice, the sadness that tinged it. Gwen had almost forgotten what he sounded like.
She swallowed the lump in her throat and pulled away her sunglasses. "I'm fine, considering." Gwen replied somewhat awkwardly, her anger strangely dissipating. She was more sad for Fox. "And you?"
Ethan shrugged. "I didn't really know her. It's hard to grieve for a stranger." He answered, heaving a sigh. She shot him an incredulous look but before Gwen could make a comment about it, he continued. "Gwen, this isn't what I wanted to talk to you about."
"Ethan, if this is about what happened to us, don't say anything. It's in the past and I want to leave it there." She quickly declared, not wanting to endure this anymore. She did not want to stand in front of him anymore and look at Ethan and remember all the hurt she went through, all the sadness. If only she had seen him what he really was sooner.
"Please," He pleaded, placing his hands on her shoulders. Gwen shrugged them off, glaring at him. "Sorry. I need to say this, Gwen. Just hear me out. It's been long overdue and you should hear this."
"Ethan," Gwen pressed, keeping her cool. "Your sister just died or does that not make any difference to you? This is not about us or what we were. Have some respect for the dead."
He nodded gravely. "It's because of Kay that I'm saying this."
"What?"
"She made me realize that nothing lasts. Gwen, I wanted to apologize for being a coward, for failing you each time, for not being a better husband." He declared solemnly. "I wish I had treated you better, I wish I had loved you more. I should have been honest to you from the beginning, Gwen. I should have been honest. We could have avoided a lot of hurt. This must be so hard on you. It must remind you of our baby. Of our loss."
Gwen shuffled her feet uncomfortably. She was in the brink of tears, maybe from sheer sadness and anger. She wanted to hear his apology years ago when it still mattered, when her hurt was still raw. Why was he doing this now? What he did he expect to accomplish from this? She titled her head slightly. He looked sincere enough, truthful with his words. But then again, Ethan always did look sincere when he fed her false promises.
"First of all," Gwen replied, her voice quivering slightly as she tried not to fall apart and cry in front of him. "Yes, you failed me each time I asked for the truth. You lied to me endlessly and when I found out the truth, you broke my heart. You ruined my life. But I played a part in my own pain. I should have seen right through you. Maybe, I should have left you instead of have faith in you, instead of holding onto some broken vow. And don't you dare call that baby our loss. It was my loss. I was the one who grieved and cried while you moved on. A part of me died with that baby while you ran off into the sunset with you new family. That baby was nothing but a responsibility to you." She declared sarcastically, venom dripping from her words. "And this lame attempt of an apology is a little too late. Stop wasting my time Ethan and go back to your family." She moved to walk away but Ethan caught her arm and held it gently but firmly.
"I just wanted us to be friends, Gwen. I don't want to be enemies anymore." He whispered, looking genuinely hurt. "This funeral…it made me think of all the things I gave up, of all the things I lost. Couldn't we at least be friends? It would mean a lot to me." Ethan pleaded softly.
Gwen yanked her arm back fiercely. "Ethan-"
"Is something wrong?" Jason asked aloud as he stood next to Gwen, giving Ethan the dirtiest look. Gwen inched closer to him, shaking her head with a heavy sigh.
"No. Let's go." She declared, turning away and walking to the car.
Jason watched Ethan with disdain. "Leave her alone. You've done enough damage." He hissed icily as he walked away and caught up to Gwen.
And I believe
That angels breathe
And that love will live on and never leave
Fox looked around him and saw that he was alone, except for a couple photographers who stayed behind but were respectful enough to keep their distance and not bother him. He had lived in the spotlight most of his life and by now he was accustomed to the paparazzi.
He saw Gwen and Jason go into their limousine and Ethan go into his own car. He knew something was up with the three but he didn't bother to wonder. He couldn't make himself care right now. Fox walked over to Kay's coffin. A few people had approached him earlier and expressed their condolence and Fox wanted to yell at them. He wanted them to stop looking at him so apologetically. He didn't want their sympathy. Fox just wanted Kay and his children back.
"I don't know how to do this, say good bye, Kay." Fox whispered. "I don't want to let you go. But I have to. I'm so sorry, Kay. I'm sorry I let you down. Helena was right. I did play a part to this. I didn't intend to but I did. I shouldn't have talked you into restarting this whole mess. It would never have come to this. I don't know what to do to make it up to you, Kay. I hope you forgive me. I hope you know that I love you. I will always love you. You made me the happiest in my whole life. You made me whole." He exhaled shakily as pain ripped through his body and settled in his heart.
Fox recalled how Dr. O'Neil stepped out of the ICU and declared that Kay was dead. Fox had lost it. He had shoved Dr. O'Neil to the wall, yelling at him, telling him to stop apologizing and bring her back. Fox had refused to believe it. Kay wasn't gone. She was strong. She was going to survive. But then everyone was crying all around him, wailing, screaming, and begging. And he sat by her side and cried all day, hoping for some miracle to happen. But nothing came and in the end Kay was truly gone.
And then they took Kay's body away. Fox didn't want them to; he didn't want to ever let her go. But they pried him away, apologizing at the same time while explaining that they needed to do an autopsy. They needed it for the investigation, to prove the brutality the Jessica did to her pregnant sister. The thought of them cutting her up anguished him, it made his skin crawl and his blood boil. Fox fought them, even asked for Alistair's help but the old man was unreachable. It took three painful days until Kay was released to be buried and by then, Fox was ready to set the whole town of Harmony on fire.
"I wanted us to be happy, Kay. I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you and our children. I was going to take you away from Harmony and maybe go Europe and live there. My family has a nice mansion in the English countryside. The children could have rode horses in the grounds-" Fox stopped as hot tears streamed down his cheeks and his shoulders began to shake from cry. "I'm so sorry. So sorry."
He wiped his eyes with his gloved hand and sighed, his gaze catching the tall angel statue by Kyla's grave, Kay's first born daughter. He walked over to it, kneeling down on the soft grass. He placed the white rose by the tombstone and smiled sadly. He had meant to place it on Kay's casket but it seemed fitting to give it to Kayla now. No one had acknowledged her.
Fly me up
To where you are
Beyond the distant star
I wish upon tonight
To see you smile
If only for awhile
To know you're there
A breath away's not far
To where you are
"Hello, Kyla." Fox greeted softly. He knew Kay would want to be by her daughter. That's why he didn't fight it when the Callaways suggested that she was going to be buried in New York. Fox didn't want Kay in Harmony either. She hated it there and Kyla would not be near her. "Your mommy never introduced us but I'm Fox Crane. She told me all about you and how beautiful you are. She had this." He said as he pulled a small heart shaped locket from his pocket, fighting back tears. "Kay…Kay took this picture of you right after you were born and she wore this locket all the time because she loved you very much. But you already know she loved you with all her heart. I hope you don't mind that I keep this. I love her too, you know. I loved your mommy with all my heart, Kyla, but she was taken from me. I know she's with you now and she's happy to be with her baby girl. Tell…tell her I love her and I miss her so much. I miss her so much. And you look after the twins, okay, because I love them too but I can't be with them. I know you'll be a great big sister to them." Fox swallowed the lump in his throat and he bent his head into his hands and cried out everything he had left in him until rain poured from the heavens, soaking his hair and clothes, chilling him to the bone.
I know you're there
A breath away's not far
To where you are
************************************************************************
Harmony Police Station, Same Day
Jessica watched the live feed of Kay's funeral from her jail cell and smirked to herself. Even from the grave, she still gets all the attention. She thought bitterly as she pressed her back against the cold stone wall and glared at the several police officers who shot her disgusted looks and shook their heads.
She watched the lavish but sad ceremony and wondered who the people that attended were. The newscaster was throwing some names around, some billionaire here, another heiress there, and some French model. Kay wouldn't know these people. Kay couldn't. She was nobody. Jessica thought in disbelief as she listened attentively.
Jessica sighed as she saw familiar faces from back home. Her family and friends were all standing close to each other, their heads bent in sadness, their faces set in grim expressions. Something tugged in her heart when she saw her mother and father looking unbelievably miserable. She wasn't sure if she should be angry or sorry to see them that way. She did this for them and now they were mourning Kay? It seemed ungrateful to Jessica.
The only thing that Jessica was sorry about was that Kay was pregnant. She hadn't known and the possibility never occurred to her. She did not even notice it when she dragged Kay out of her bed. Maybe she would have been less violent with Kay, maybe she might not have even gone through with the whole kidnapping. Jessica inwardly reprimanded herself. There was no point in thinking of what could have happened. The damage was already done and there was no turning back now.
Jessica's jaw suddenly dropped as the camera zoomed and Miguel's face came into perfect view. "That rat bastard!" She hissed as she stood up and pressed her face against the bars, scowling at the sight of her sidekick bawling his eyes out for Kay. Jessica paused momentarily and wondered if this was Miguel's way of ensuring that he not get caught. Perhaps his sympathy for Kay and her unborn babies was just an act so no one suspects him.
Well, that's definitely great acting. She thought but another part of her wondered if Miguel really was sorry. He better not do anything stupid.
She retreated to her small bunk bed and sat down, scoffing when she heard some officers mumble about what a tragedy it was. Some even got the nerve to come up to her cell and call Jessica a horrible human being.
"I'm horrible?" Jessica retorted, anger boiling through her veins. "Do you know what Kay did to us? Do you?" When the young officer stammered and could not find an answer, she continued. "I didn't think so. And I guess you're lucky to never know anyone like Kay, to never know her. She was evil and now, I got rid of her. And I'm not sorry."
"What about her unborn children? Were they evil too?" The officer argued. The rest of the precinct grew silent as they watched the heated exchange. They were curious to know what could drive Jessica to kill her own sister.
She shrugged nonchalantly. "I didn't know about them and I guess they're better off. Kay would never have loved them. She would have found a way to use them in her game."
"You are truly, truly heartless. I hope you rot in jail."
"We'll just see about that." Jessica muttered.
************************************************************************
Meanwhile, somewhere off the coast of Fiji, Alistair watched Kay's funeral, sighing when the camera focused on Fox, showing all his sadness to the world. "My grandson is embarrassing himself by his candid display of emotions."
His blonde assistant shrugged her shoulders, as she stretched her crimson lips into a soft, sympathetic smile. "He truly loved the girl. I must say, it's rather romantic." She replied, feeling quite sorry for the young heir.
Alistair shrugged. "My dear, in this business love is over-rated and romance has gone out of fashion."
"If you say so." She mumbled as Alistair flicked the remote and Dr. O'Neil's face appeared on the screen.
"Doctor, how's the island?"
Dr. O'Neil sighed somberly. "Very warm, Mr. Crane." He replied somewhat dryly.
"Any news on the patient?" Alistair asked quietly, shooing his assistant with a wave of his hand. She obediently nodded and shut the door.
"Kay is still unconscious. She's not making any progress although her vitals signs are great. So are the twins." He reported. "Her stab wound is healing very well."
"Good, good."
"Mr. Crane, the district attorney has also asked me to testify during Jessica Bennett's trial." He informed the older man, worry etched in his face.
Alistair nodded, pausing briefly. "You will do so, then. I'm sure it won't be too hard for you."
"Very well." Dr. O'Neil mumbled somewhat dejectedly. He wondered how he got himself into this mess. Perhaps, it was because no one refused or ever defied Alistair Crane, not if their life meant anything to them. He wondered if how he would be able to face a courtroom full of people and lie when he knows all too well that Kay was alive. Not completely but in the eyes of the law, she was still legally alive. "How long will I have to do this?"
"As long as it takes. You finish what I asked you to do and you do it successfully, then you can return to your normal life." Alistair declared curtly.
"May I ask why you have not informed your grandson of the truth?" Dr. O'Neil queried. He had seen the funeral. It was a devastating event. He felt guilty watching Fox suffer over a devious lie.
"My grandson needs to learn a lesson." The old man answered softly.
"What lesson?" Dr. O'Neil curiously asked. As far as he could think, all Fox did was love this woman.
Alistair leaned back in his leather chair and lit his second cigar. "I did not hire you to understand why I do certain things. Your job is to ensure that the future Mrs. Crane and heirs to this family successfully survive this ordeal. Don't worry, doctor, you're on the right side. Better yet, you're on the winning side. If you do this right, you will be greatly rewarded."
"And if I fail?"
"You won't."
"But if I do? Mr. Crane, there is still a chance Ms. Callaway will not survive this." He pressed firmly.
"Then I will not hesitate to terminate all participants of Project Phoenix." Alistair answered coolly, his eyes holding dangerous promise.
Dr. O'Neil swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. "I see."
~*~
A/N: LIKE I ALWAYS TELL YOU GUYS, THERE'S A REASON FOR WHAT I WRITE. SO HAVE FAITH. KAY, IS NOT DEAD, YAY. AND ALISTAIR HAS A REASON FOR NOT TELLING FOX. DON'T WORRY, FOX WILL FIND OUT SOON. I HAD TO INCLUDE KYLA.
DON'T WORRY, IT'S NOT GOING TO STAY THIS WAY FOREVER. I HOPE THAT WASN'T BORING.
IF YOU WANT A HINT OR TWO, WRITE A REVIEW AND EMAIL ME AFTER.
