Timing

Julian's POV

Olivia shows up later with videos and photos of Caspian's meeting with Keith and Trevor and their objectives for the election. As I sit there listening to her, all I can think about is Ryder's reaction when he discovers he's about to become an orphan. I was expecting one of my cousins to be the mole, not Ryder's father. He has been through a lot these days. just when he had recovered from his wife's death, Fate is bound to repeat itself.

" Caspian will try to attack Dad on the election day but I'm going to ambush him before that. He's going to wish he never betrayed us" Olivia suggests and I share a look with her. She should know better than to formulate such plans. Caspian won't attack my father on election day, he's going to make sure he doesn't get their vote.

"Give me a minute," I tell her as I put Edward on the phone. He picks up at the first ring.

" Sir Leon,"

" Where's Lena?" I ask while staring at the pictures displayed on the screen.

" She's inside the room. Is something wrong Sir?"

"Keep your eyes on her. I'm sending more guards to you. Don't let her get out of your sight"

" Yes sir but you know how she is" I puff out an exasperated breath then I end the call and dialed her number. She needs to know what's going on. That's if she'll pick up the damn phone but I won't stop calling her knowing she'll probably pick it up out of annoyance.

" Julian, Do you want to set my phone on fire? Can't you take a hint? " She rants.

" I know who Trevor was working for. We might think all is well but it's not. I need you to stay close. Don't go anywhere without Edward. I mean it, Lena. This could jeopardize everything. You have to promise me " I tell her on a serious note and I can hear her breathing hard. I furrow my brow wondering what the problem is now.

" When am I getting a break? If I'm not dealing with my family issues, I'm dealing with yours. What the fuck did I do to them? Who is this mother fucker that is scouting for me? " She asks angrily and I assume that's not the only thing bothering her. Maybe we should talk in person. She's still hurting over her encounter with her dad and Isabella. I shouldn't have left. I'm a terrible husband.

" You know what, I'm on my way to Sweden. Calm down okay? Don't freak out " She doesn't say anything for some time.

" I'll be expecting you," she says then ends the call while Olivia narrows her eyes at me.

" What is your plan? I have a feeling that you're not going to like mine"

" She's not your pawn Olivia. Lena is a person, not some merchandise. "

" I agree but what are you going to do about Iona ?" She asks and I'm suddenly reminded of the other problem lurking around. Iona reached out to my mom a few days ago with the notion that she was pregnant before she left. She said my mother found out about it then she approached her for an abortion. Eventually, she takes the money but she didn't abort it. Apparently, she and I have a son together. The thing is, I don't believe her not just because I have seen the boy but because of the time frame.

I haven't spoken to Iona yet but my mom has and if my mother is apprehensive about it then there's something fishy. My mom never liked Iona because of her background and I'm supposed to believe she likes her now because she's suddenly better than Lena.

No shit.

" He's not mine Olivia"

" That wasn't what the DNA test said. You need to see how ecstatic Mom is. That boy is definitely your son"

" He's not mine. I have never been reckless in all my years as a bachelor. I'll know my blood when I see one. He's not mine" I tell her for the umpteenth time. I haven't seen her in ten years. Ten good years and she shows up claiming I have a son? She suddenly wants me in his life because she found out I was married. Now, how did she know I was married? I never announced it.

" Okay okay. Don't bite my head off. I fear Milena won't believe you. She's not an idiot "

" No, she's not. Leave Lena to me"

" So, have you told her yet? She's going to find out. God help us if it's from Mom" That will be disastrous but I'm not going to let that happen. I'll talk to her when I get to Sweden perhaps we can settle this once and for all.

"I'll talk to her. Dad is safe here. Please keep it that way. I'll talk to the others about the election. Keep me posted please " Olivia looks at me for a while then she nods.

" Why are you looking at me like that?"

" I don't know. Your confidence is a little surprising"

" That's because I don't trust anyone, Olivia. You shouldn't either " I tell her then I stand up from my seat. It's time I set things straight with Iona. I have been avoiding it for days now but if I'm going to do this, I need Lena by my side. She needs to know. She needs to understand. She has to.

Milena's POV

Isabella's face is all over the news and I'm getting tired of listening to people accuse her of murder. So I turned off the TV and decided to go out for some time. I would have loved to see Logan but I doubt Ariana will be thrilled to have me around. I contemplate going to the office but I don't feel like seeing my dad right now or any other day.

The airline that I work for has been sending me emails to confirm Trevor's death and I have been busy answering them, they still want me to fly from October till January. I'm always in charge of season flights. I would be ecstatic about it if I wasn't married now and it'll be my first Christmas with Julian and I'm not going to be around. It's somehow harder than I thought.

Convincing the board to choose someone else has been an impediment but I'm not giving up. Lonely and bored, I decided to go to the bank to retrieve Julian's deal that Isabella stole before he notices it and I book a flight that day to return to Italy even though Julian's jet was available. I would have loved to fly it but they refused and that's that.

I leave a message for Julian in case he decides to keep his word. I'll be home instead. I'm at the terminal waiting for Edward to get me a cup of milk when I felt someone's presence. I raise my head and I see a lady in her late twenties I guess. She's wearing a lilac top and a skirt that is tucked in. Her wavy black hair is pulled in a bun and her hazel eyes are locked on mine. I don't usually ogle but I can't help but admire her beauty. She's beautiful.

" Milena Ariel Smith right" I frown suddenly alert as the admiration I had for her a while ago is replaced with annoyance. I bring a hand to my waist as I narrow my eyes at her.

" And who is asking? I hope it's worth my time" I tell her honestly cos she's about to see the other side of me if it isn't. Her eyes dart to the wedding ring on my finger and it stayed that way for seconds and when she looks up, she's already glaring at me.

" The woman who gave him a child" she says and I drop my hands down from my waist as I try to process what she just said.