CHAPTER 229: HIS OTHER HALF

–Damon–

She complained about body pain. Of course, she would—Livana planned everything down to the very last second, and somehow even after death, I feel her presence lingering. Like she still moves strings around us.

She endured yesterday’s chaos. And today, I’m taking her out—my sister—shopping with my little Sky and the twins.

Laura allowed us to take the twins. Jane is with us along with three more nannies and an army of security. Sky enjoys being in the stroller with Zayvier, while Zendaya prefers her arms around someone’s neck.

"Can we have that customized?" Alyssa pointed at the dress shop.

"Why not Dior? You like their dresses," I said as baby Zendaya pointed at the mannequin, awe in her eyes.

"Oh—you knew!" Alyssa beamed as her arm intertwined with mine.

I didn’t answer. The truth is—I only knew because Livana told me. The way her voice sounded as she talked about this brand... soft, dreamy. We went there once—my wife and I—and I bought dresses for her and my sister.

That memory? It stings. Like someone shoved a dagger between my ribs and twisted it slowly.

"Will you take me to fashion week?" Alyssa asked, looking up.

I nodded.

"Lore!" my son suddenly shouted.

I stopped. A one-year-old recognizing that boy’s name? That reckless idiot training my sister?

Lore walked into the shop—too casual for a high-end boutique. We entered at the same time. Staff ignored him immediately, judging his clothes.

Idiots.

"I’m buying," he growled, dropping a briefcase full of money. The manager changed tone instantly. Lore snapped the briefcase shut.

He hadn’t noticed us yet. He pointed to the most breathtaking dress on display—silver silk.

Livana would look angelic in that.

She... did.

My wife wore something similar.

"Lore," Alyssa called.

He froze, tugged his hood over his face like a criminal.

"What?" Alyssa laughed. "Are you embarrassed you’re buying a dress?"

"Yes!" he hissed like a cornered cat. "I was sent here to pick up dresses. To be paid in cash."

He glanced at me.

"I can help—"

"There’s no need. She has already sorted everything she wants."

She?

He said she.

My heartbeat doubled painfully.

Zendaya wanted to be put down, so I let her go.

"Mama!" Sky clapped and pointed at a mannequin wearing an elegant satin dress with an off-shoulder shawl.

I froze.

Is he remembering his mother?

Or am I just hallucinating—desperate enough to believe he remembers her?

"Uh... yup, this one too." Lore muttered to the shopkeeper. "Exact color."

Alyssa tugged my hand.

She was excited. I gave her my card, letting her pick.

I sat on the sofa. Sky in my arms. Zayvier and Zendaya exploring nearby.

Sky looked up at the mannequins again.

"Mama!"

Pointing again.

My chest tightened.

Being here feels wrong.

Like the mannequins are mocking me.

Like they wear her grace, her posture, her aura—and I can’t reach out to her.

"Why are you buying so many dresses?" Alyssa asked Lore.

"I was sent by my boss," Lore answered.

Boss.

Could it be...?

But no.

No.

I held her body. Cold. Lifeless.

She’s gone.

"She has someone custom-make her shoes," Lore continued. "Old classic Cesare Paciotti."

Cesare Paciotti.

My mind froze.

Livana wore those.

She kept them in pristine condition, like artifacts.

"Dada," Sky tugged my face. "Nomnom..."

"You’re starving again," I murmured, kissing his forehead. "Alright, we’ll get food."

I stood, gave my other card to Alyssa.

"We’ll buy Sky something to eat," I said.

She squealed, dragging baby Zendaya. Zayvier struggled to follow.

"Stay with Miss Zendy," Jane instructed a guard.

I held Sky in one arm and Zayvier’s hand with the other.

"Where do we get food?" I asked Jane.

"I already contacted the Pawns. Snacks ready at any stall."

"Perfect."

We headed to the food stalls.

Sky pointed at fruits. We got yogurt fruit bowls.

He was messy—happy—but messy.

Zayvier joined.

"Zendy," Zayvier murmured again.

"We’ll get one for Zendy later," Jane said.

Sky reached for the ice cream Zayvier had picked and devoured it without hesitation.

I wiped them both, spoon-feeding the boys.

"You need to eat," Jane muttered, placing a burger in front of me as she sat.

I noticed someone lurking behind a stall.

"Is that Logan?" I whispered.

Jane turned, confused.

"I don’t think so. He shouldn’t be out here."

"Then lock him up."

Jane stared at me, head tilted.

"Oh, that crosses my mind. But no—he was instructed to protect little Sky and the twins. It’s fine as long as he stays in disguise."

Sky grabbed fries with his tiny hands, stuffing them in his mouth.

And I watched him.

Messy. Loud. Happy.

And my heart breaks with every breath because he’s smiling while I am dying inside.

And she’s not here.

"Are you dating him?"

The question left my mouth before my brain fully processed it. Maybe I just needed the distraction, something to pull me away from the familiar ache gnawing inside me—Logan’s silent presence always reminds me of the one who isn’t here.

Jane stopped chewing and stared at me like I’d just asked whether the sky was square.

"You’re asking me that?"

"Yes." I wiped a sticky streak of pretzel sugar off Sky’s cheek. "Livana picked you to be Sky’s godmother and Logan as his godfather. She clearly had matchmaking fantasies in her Will. So, are you dating?"

"No, we are not." She answered honestly. No hesitation, no sarcasm.

"Nomnom!" Sky pointed at another stall—cinnamon pretzels.

Jane flicked a signal to someone. Logan emerged from wherever he’d been lurking, hands full, eating as he walked, and dropped a warm piece into Sky’s eager hands.

My son held the pretzel like treasure, biting it with both hands. Adorable little man. Livana... she would’ve died from laughter watching him chew with his entire soul.

I snapped photo after photo, the phone shaking slightly in my hand. Shit. I had to steady my breathing.

Logan passed another pretzel to Zayvier, then to Jane—feeding her casually, naturally. My eyebrow lifted. Something was going on there, no matter what Jane said.

Jane stood, wiped her lips, and announced, "I’ll leave you boys to eat. I’ll check on the girls."

The moment she was gone, I shot Logan a look.

"So," I said dryly, "you were doing it with Jane?"

"Yeah." He didn’t flinch. He didn’t even blink. Just stated it as casually as the weather. Then stood like he hadn’t just dropped a bomb. "Wait."

He returned with another pile of food. Takoyaki, noodles, and something fried. He started eating again, offering bites to me and letting Zayvier taste only after cooling it down.

I stared at my son, sticky hands, happy eyes, crumbs everywhere.

"I don’t know what Livana planned for him..." My voice came out rough, raw, like gravel. "But you’ll protect him, right?"

Logan’s gaze sharpened. Cold. Unflinching.

"You’re the dad. Protect him."

The words hit me harder than the liquor I used to drown in.

"I don’t understand why you’re acting like it’s your job," I muttered.

He didn’t move. didn’t soften.

"If you’re still trying to kill yourself, stop." His voice dropped lower, dangerous. "Sky already lost his mother. He can’t lose another parent."

"That is not for you to decide."

His expression said someone has to decide—because I clearly wasn’t.

Before the tension snapped, Alyssa’s voice sliced in.

"Kuya, look!"

Jane walked back with Zendaya, wearing a dress so fancy she looked like a miniature model.

"Isn’t she adorable?" Alyssa squealed.

I nodded. "Approved."

Zendaya twirled—full spin—right on the table. Sky clapped and squealed "Wow!"

Zayvier, who cared nothing about fashion, simply offered her half a pretzel. She accepted it like it was a royal offering.

Livana would’ve melted at the sight.

God, she would’ve spoiled these kids rotten.

"Did you enjoy it?" I asked Alyssa.

"Yes, and I am not done yet." She giggled.

"Alright, eat first."

I looked around—instinctively searching.

There. Lore, following someone. A tall woman with a wide brimmed hat. Silver lining on the dress. The walk—the posture—my pulse exploded.

I stood abruptly.

"Damon!" Jane called.

I didn’t stop.

My heart ran ahead of me.

I caught glimpses—hat, hair, that familiar silhouette. Then more women in the same style crowded the corridor. Lore vanished. The woman vanished.

My chest constricted. Heart racing like a stampede.

I knew. I knew she was gone. I held her cold, lifeless body. I have scars in my memory that will never heal.

Yet for that moment, hope strangled me.

Hope is cruel.

I stood there like an idiot searching for a ghost.

"Boss, you have to go back," someone murmured behind me. I didn’t know the voice. Didn’t care.

I forced myself to look away and walk back to our table.

Sky was in his high chair again, crumbs across his shirt, the twins next to him.

"What’s wrong?" Alyssa asked gently.

"Nothing."

It’s always "nothing."

Even if it feels like everything.

But deep inside, something restless clawed at me.

Something whispering that I’m wrong.

That maybe, somehow, she didn’t leave me completely.

Half of me wants her back.

The other half knows she’ll never return.

And both halves are tearing me apart.