: Her return

The room fell silent; one could hear a pin drop. Tatiana forgot how to use her mouth and only stared at her son.

"Is Father a bad man?" Dylan asked innocently. He didn't look upset but worried.

"Dylan," Catelyn cut in.

"No, he is not a bad man. He is a wonderful man that you'll meet someday. But now is not the right time, dear, but I promise, you'll meet your father," Tatiana answered, and Dylan's smile returned.

"I bet he is as handsome as me," he chuckled.

"He sure is," Tatiana agreed, and the room returned to its cheerful atmosphere.

After putting Dylan to sleep, Tatiana went to grab a glass of water, trying to control her breathing.

"Tatie," Catelyn called behind her.

"I just promised him that he'll meet his father soon when I don't even know who he is, what he looks like, or what kind of personality he has. What if he hates me and Dylan? What if Dylan hates me? What if..."

"Relax, Tatie, it's not the end of the world," Catelyn held her hand.

"I don't know what to do," Tatiana whispered.

"You'll have to find him. As far as fate brought you two together that night, fate will do the same again. You just have to follow your instincts. It's your choice, Tatie," Catelyn smiled and left the kitchen.

"Look who's glowing," Jolene and Isabella, Tatiana's younger sisters, teased on the video call.

The first wife of Mr. Wallington bore three daughters: Maya, Tatiana, and Isabella, respectively. She died of a disease after Isabella turned a year old. Mr. Wallington didn't waste time marrying another woman who bore him a pair of male twins.

Maya was married to an influential man in the city; her marriage was the first to add more resources to Mr. Wallington's empire.

The same thing was supposed to happen after Tatiana married Nathan, but she was glad to know the monster lurking behind those charming eyes of that asshole.

"Did you see my movie? It was a hit!" Isabella squealed on the phone.

"I did. You are now a superstar. Your acting skill was awesome, and I'm so proud of you, baby girl," Tatiana complimented.

"Thanks to your manager Jolene, that I borrowed from you. And thanks to the skills you showed me. I'm like the younger version of you. When will you begin to act again? We should make a movie together."

"Ah, right, that would be so awesome," Jolene grinned as she exchanged glances with Isabella.

"I told you guys I'm done with that world. I need to focus on Dylan. He needs me," Tatiana retorted.

"Oh," Isabella's face dropped but lightened up again. "How's Dylan? The cutest kid I've ever seen." Isabella and Jolene both knew how she got Dylan.

"He is good, and he is asleep."

"I can't wait to meet him, for real. You need to come back, Tatiana. The storm has cleared," Jolene said.

"I've missed you, Tatie, and I can't wait to meet Dylan too," Isabella spoke.

The trio chatted over the video call for a while before Tatiana decided to go to bed. She tried to sleep but couldn't; Dylan's words kept ringing in her head.

She took out her phone to read some novels until sleep took her away, but her phone suddenly went off.

Groaning, she tried to charge it, but it didn't turn on. Mumbling to herself, she decided to buy a new one tomorrow. She had wanted to do it a long time ago but never got the time.

She lay on her bed again, and the thought of that night lingered in her head.

She had thought never to set foot in that country again, but it seems her wish is not possible.

___

The next day was the weekend, a day Tatiana spent with Dylan. She took him out to get a new phone, then headed to the park, Dylan's favorite place.

Dylan had been her medicine over the years, and she never once regretted having him. She would walk through fire and water just to make him happy.

"Hello, miss, can I take a photo of your kid?" An elegant woman with her husband asked Tatiana. "He's so adorable. It's fine if you don't want it."

"I don't mind," Tatiana smiled. This wasn't the first time anyway; Dylan attracted a lot of attention.

After the couple took his picture and left, Tatiana bought Dylan's favorite cookies, and they headed home.

"We are home, Mrs. Cat," Tatiana announced as she walked in with her son. A frown settled on her face, spotting Catelyn staring at the television with a shocked expression.

"What's going on?" she asked after sending Dylan upstairs. Tracing Catelyn's gaze, it was now her turn to be shocked.

____

~The famous actress Isabella's indecent photos and videos exposed at the peak of her success~

~Isabella Wallington found dead this morning, seems to have committed suicide by jumping off the bridge and drowning herself~

____

Tatiana felt her world crashing down on her. She stared at her sister's picture on the television, with the word 'RIP' boldly written on it.

Her feet finally moved after being frozen for minutes. She rushed upstairs, grabbed her old phone, and began to do all the necessary things to get her messages, voicemails, and some other important things.

Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably, her body trembling.

In a while, she got back everything, and her heart shattered seeing so many voicemails on the carrier server from Isabella. Taking a seat, she clicked on the first one.

"They are everywhere, Tatie. My nudes are everywhere. I don't know what to do. Your number is the only one I know by heart. I can't even call the police; they are not listening. I don't even know where I am..."

Isabella's voice trembled badly from the speaker. Her fear was intelligible. Tatiana clicked on the next, tears cascading down her face like a waterfall.

"Tatie, why is your phone dead? I'm scared, I'm so fucking scared. People are everywhere. I'm dressed in black like a criminal and hiding. I reek of rotten eggs and gutter. They are calling me names, Tatie, like they are going to kill me. What do I do? Please, I need to talk to you. Please..."

Tatiana trembled more and clicked on the third.

"I... I can't believe this is happening. What did I do wrong? It's definitely someone who knows me. I'm not a whore. They drugged me overnight and took pictures and videos. The whole of Australia hates me. I'm lost... I... I gotta go, someone is here. Please call me back if you get this. Please, Tatie."

Tatiana couldn't take it anymore. She wanted to scream but that would alert Dylan, so she ran outside the house, not minding the rain that poured down heavily, and let out a loud scream.

"Fuck!!!" Tatiana went on her knees, pulling down her hair.

Catelyn stood by the doorstep in tears, watching her helplessly.

___

With a pale face, Tatiana stared outside the airplane window. Yes, she was on her way back to Australia. Isabella's burial was tomorrow, and she needed to be there.

Dylan was still with Catelyn; they would be coming in two days. She didn't want Dylan anywhere near funerals and was glad Catelyn agreed. Catelyn was the only one she could trust at this moment.

Hours later, the plane landed safely. Tatiana stepped off the plane, returning to a country she hadn't set foot in for six years: Australia. Once upon a time, this was home, but not anymore.

___

Clad in a black, expensive suit, a man overlooked the city before him, his gaze sharp like a blade and his aura domineering.

His black-and-white office was adorned with grand architecture. The crystal nameplate on his desk had the word 'MR. KING' boldly written on it.

His phone buzzed, shattering his tranquility. He answered the call and waited for the man on the other side to speak.

"Hello, Mr. King, the woman you had a night with six years ago just returned to the country."

: Don't you think you've run enough?

As Tatiana stood before Isabella's grave, it felt like a nightmare. A nightmare she didn't want to believe. Her desperate voice over her voicemail echoed in her head.

She blamed herself for not being there when Isabella needed her help. She hated herself for leaving this monster den of a country in the first place.

Tatiana wished she had tried to stop Isabella from going into the entertainment industry, but her sister was determined, just like her.

She would find whoever was behind this and make them wish for death. She would destroy each and every one of them.

"Tatiana," a familiar voice snapped her back to reality. She turned to see her older sister Maya. She was dressed in black, just like her.

Only a few people attended Isabella's burial; their father, stepmother, and stepbrother were not among them.

Maya walked to stand beside her, sadness swirling in her gaze. "I'm so sorry."

Tatiana scoffed. "Isabella would never kill herself, you know that. And yet you let Father suppress the news and ask the cops to conclude it was suicide? How could you?"

"I have no power, Tatiana. How am I supposed to face Father?"

Tatiana knew she was right; there was nothing Maya could do even if she wanted to. Tatiana decided to find out the truth herself and avenge Isabella's death.

"Let it go, Tatie," Maya muttered, and Tatiana slowly looked at her, her eyes reddened with anger.

"Are you seriously kidding me? This is our little sister we are talking about. I should let go?" Tatiana asked, and Maya swallowed.

"I'm hurt too, and I badly want to make them pay, but I... I can't lose you too," Maya made to touch her, but Tatiana shifted back.

"Don't ever cross paths with me. You can stay low while I catch those bastards," Tatiana said as she walked towards Jolene, who was waiting for her.

Maya tried to hold her tears. She pulled up her sleeve, and her gaze settled on the red bruise on her wrist. She took a deep breath and watched Tatiana's car leave.

---

"She really said that?" Jolene asked in disbelief.

"I don't need her help anyway," Tatiana mumbled, shutting her eyes. Dylan and Catelyn would be coming to the country soon. She needed to find a good place before they returned.

They both settled in a coffee shop where they could discuss.

"I've checked the CCTV footage around Isabella's area, but they were all malfunctioning. A man told me it wasn't working for a long time. I'm sure the person behind Isabella's incident knows her, but I can't pinpoint who," Jolene explained.

"Those bastards behind it are sure to be in the entertainment industry, and the only way to get them is to be in the same world as them," Tatiana's eyes burned with determination.

"Are you saying..."

"Yes, I'm going back to acting," Tatiana stated firmly.

As they left the coffee shop, Tatiana spotted many reporters swarming around a large building, wanting to take a glimpse of a figure.

"Oh my, that's Mr. King," Jolene squealed, also trying to peek. A man emerged from the building with several guards, his suit screaming wealth.

His chiseled features illuminated by the sunlight—thick eyebrows, sharp nose, full lips, and a muscular figure that would make any woman drool. His hair was styled backward, with a few strands dangling to one side of his face. He carried each step with power, catching the onlookers' breaths, even Tatiana's.

Damn, what a beauty.

Though the reporters were wild at the sight of him, they dared not come closer than six feet. That's if they loved their reputation.

The word mercy wasn't in his dictionary.

"Mr. King?" Tatiana raised a brow.

"They call him 'King of the entertainment industry.' His full name is Cassius King. I heard he is a ruthless type, but fuck, he is so hot," Jolene said, and Tatiana gave her a look. "Sorry."

Returning her gaze to the imposing man called Cassius, Tatiana was stunned to meet his gaze. Even though she was seeing him from a distance, she felt those piercing gazes prickling her skin.

For some reason, his look reminded her of her little boy.

Though it was just for a moment, she couldn't help but wonder how a man held so much intimidating aura. Even after he entered his Rolls-Royce Boat Tail, Tatiana didn't stop staring until he drove out of sight.

"Are you crushing on him?" Jolene's voice snapped her back to reality.

Tatiana cleared her throat. "No way. I don't think he is any different from those powerful men I've met. They're all the same."

One of the female reporters spotted Tatiana and quickly took a picture before she left.

She looked down at the picture and frowned. "Isn't this Isabella's sister? Tatiana Wallington, a famous actress years ago who tarnished her marriage?" she mumbled in disbelief, but then her lips curved up.

---

Getting to her lodge, Tatiana stepped into her dimly lit room tiredly. Jolene would search for a company to get her signed with.

It wouldn't be easy due to her past and also Isabella's incident, but she wanted to give it a try. She wouldn't stop until she got what she wanted.

She went to take a shower, letting the warm water calm her tense muscles and relax her mind. After a few minutes, she emerged with a white towel draped around her chest and barely reaching her knee.

She went to her drawer to pull out nightwear for the night, oblivious to the figure in the room with his intense gaze on her.

Turning to wear it, her eyes settled on a man sitting on the couch around the corner, and she gasped in shock.

"What the fu..." She wanted to curse but recognized him and blinked several times just to make sure he was the one.

"Mr.... K-King?" she stuttered, gripping her towel tightly, afraid it might fall and reveal her forbidden treasure to him.

What the hell is he doing in her room?

His piercing gaze observed her body, face, and down to her smooth thighs.

"Excuse me," Tatiana snapped when the man said nothing.

"Why are you so surprised?" he asked in a deep, rich voice laced with power. He slowly stood and approached her, each step making her skin crawl.

"You barged into my room just like this, years ago," he stated, still stepping forward. Tatiana made to step backward, but her back touched the wall. Shit! She cursed inwardly.

As his height hovered over her, Tatiana got mesmerized by his blue charming eyes, which reminded her of her son.

Why does this man look so much like Dylan? She had asked herself that question when she saw him swarmed with so many reporters. There's no way he is the one, is he?

But his scent... no, it can't be.

He is scary; what is he here for? To kill her? She can't trust powerful men like him. They are devious.

She did the best thing she could think of. Run.

But her luck wasn't on her side as the man caught her and pinned her hands just above her head and glared at her.

"And where do you think you're going, woman? Don't you think you've run enough?" he sneered.

: He hates me

"Huh?" She raised her brow.

"You think you can just leave without a trace after what happened that night?" His hands still pinned hers above her head, his piercing blue eyes boring into hers.

"W-what do you mean?" she stuttered, his scent reminding her of that night—the night that changed her life completely.

"What do I mean? Are you seriously asking me that, woman? If your brain can't recall how we burned together on that bed, how about I remind you right here?" His face was dangerously close as he growled into her ear.

Her eyes widened. He meant it. Every single word. He was the king of the entertainment world, after all.

"Let me go," she demanded stubbornly, her voice barely audible. He let out a low, dark chuckle that sent a chill down her spine.

"Let you go? Oh, I'll let you go, Tatiana. But not until you understand the consequences of crossing paths with me."

Her pupils dilated as she remained frozen, not scared but shocked with the realization that Mr. King was the man she had a night with years ago. Dylan's father.

Tatiana never thought he'd hold such a personality. Cassius had the same blue eyes, lips, and hair color. He was like the bigger version of her son.

"Why did you leave that night?" he inquired.

"I'm sorry... I was drunk and in a state of depression that night. I left because I was embarrassed. I'm sorry," she apologized, her voice barely audible.

He remained quiet for a while, his gaze piercing as he observed her closely like a predator ready to pounce on its prey.

He released her hand, and she quickly held her towel.

'Dylan,' her subconscious reminded her, and she wanted to tell him, but his words shattered that thought.

"Among all the women who wanted my dick buried inside them, you're quite a different one."

Tatiana almost gasped. "I'm not that type of woman. You know nothing about me, and that night was a mistake."

"Oh yeah? I saw the way you stared at me hours ago. Like you desire me again."

Tatiana clenched her fist beside her. He smirked at her fierce look; that's exactly what he wanted to see.

As she made to speak, his phone rang, disrupting the moment. She watched him pull out his phone, and his gaze hardened.

"Well, I guess we'll be meeting some other time, Tatiana," he said, looking up at her, his jaw clenching. "Don't even think of running again; you won't like my next action."

With that, he stepped out of the room, and Tatiana could finally breathe well.

"That was scary." She made sure his footsteps faded completely before shutting the door.

---

After her encounter with Mr. King, Tatiana couldn't get her mind off him. She couldn't fathom the reason for his anger and had thought he would have forgotten her. But that wasn't the case.

He seemed to have searched for her, thinking she was a whore. She couldn't even bring herself to tell him about Dylan. Gosh, she felt like going crazy.

"Tatie, the apartment is ready," Jolene informed her over the phone, and she headed to the given address.

It was a well-secured residence in the whole of Australia. Tatiana was able to afford it, thanks to her savings. She knew that money would come in handy someday.

She needed a place where Dylan would be safe; this was a monster den of a country, after all.

After settling in, Tatiana reveled in the comfortable apartment she had prepared after so much stress. Its architecture was grand and well-furnished. The lighting was soft and warm, illuminating the lavish decorations.

The air was clean and fresh, prompting a smile on her face.

"Tatie?" Jolene called, bringing in some boxes.

"Hey, easy, I told you I'd pay some men to do this," Tatiana said, taking the loads from her, and Jolene sighed.

"It's fine. This is nothing," Jolene chuckled.

"Jojo?" Tatiana raised a brow.

"That's all, they're not that heavy. This is the last one," Jolene said. "Uhm, I've been meaning to ask."

"Hm?" Tatiana hummed, unpacking the box.

"Are you really sure about this?" she asked, and Tatiana looked at her. "I mean, everything. I just wanna know if you're fine."

Tatiana smiled. "I'm good."

"Great. I've found a company to sign you in, and you won't believe it. Take it as a surprise tomorrow," Jolene winked.

Jolene had always been a capable manager. She was like a sister from another mother, always helping Tatiana through thick and thin. Tatiana was sure Jolene was blaming herself for Isabella's death, even though she tried to hide it.

That was why she had been trying so hard to help her ever since her return.

"Jojo," Tatiana called.

"Hm?"

"Isabella's death was not your fault," Tatiana stated, and Jolene's face dropped. Those words felt like something she had been wanting to hear badly.

The doorbell sounded, disrupting the moment. Catelyn and Dylan walked in.

Jolene gasped, seeing the young cutie.

"Mummy!" Dylan's tiny voice chimed as he ran to hug Tatiana.

"Oh sweet boy, I've missed you," she kissed his cheek, and he giggled softly.

"I missed you too," he answered, and Tatiana kissed him again.

Dylan's gaze went to Jolene. "Aunt from the video call."

Jolene remained frozen, her lips parted as she stared in awe. 'Cute! Cute! Cute!' those were the words ringing in her head.

"Jojo?" Tatiana's voice brought her back to her senses.

"Dylan," Jolene crouched before him and held his tiny hands.

Dylan pouted. "Are you about to cry?" he asked innocently as he blinked those adorable eyes.

"I am just too happy to see you," Jolene chuckled.

"Me too," he replied.

"Do you wanna play? I and your mother prepared an awesome room for you. Wanna see it?"

"Yes!" he said excitedly.

Tatiana watched Jolene take Dylan to his room.

"She didn't even recognize my presence. Just how cute is your son?" Catelyn teased, and Tatiana smiled, but it disappeared almost immediately.

"I'm sorry about Isabella," Catelyn consoled.

"Thanks," Tatiana nodded. "I met Dylan's father yesterday."

Catelyn's eyes almost popped out of their sockets. "Really?"

"Yeah, and I think he hates me for leaving that night," she added.

"Did you tell him about Dylan?" Catelyn asked, and Tatiana bit her lip. "You didn't?"

"I couldn't. He thinks I'm a whore. He hates me, and I did a bit of research about him last night and--" Tatiana paused to take a deep breath.

"And what?"

Tatiana looked at her and announced.

"He is engaged"