Chapter 264 - FACING HER PAST AND PRESENT

The next morning, Stefan came to pick up Cayenne to bring her to the court with regards to Alexander's case which sent Jonas to jail.

"Are you alright?" Stefan asked Cayenne who remained silent on their way to the public court.

"I'm fine. I just didn't expect that I'd see my stepfather in this manner. During his court trial fifteen years ago, I wasn't allowed to come. Eventually, I decided not to see him in jail as well. If my memory serves me right, I only visited him thrice. Most of the time, Luiz and Kyle would visit him together with my mother."

"Do you hate him?"

"Hn. I hated him for doing what he did. If he didn't try stealing, he wouldn't wake you up. You wouldn't call for help. Alexander wouldn't come. He wouldn't have died. You would still have a brother. My mother won't be left alone with the three of us to raise on her own. She wouldn't fall sick. She wouldn't have died so early. When I think about it, I felt so frustrated and upset; and – " her voice turned soft and low, almost a whisper in Stefan's ear. "I would start to wonder if staying with you is the right thing to do."

Stefan slowed down his speed to take some time with her alone. It would be better to establish another layer of trust at this point knowing how insecure she was with their relationship. When he found a nearby café, he stopped the car. "I'll go buy something. Wait for me here."

"Okay."

Stefan got out of the car and went inside the café to buy some hot drinks for Cayenne. After getting the drinks, he went back immediately to make sure that she won't wait for a long time.

"Here's a hot cocoa for you." He gave one cup to her and took the other cup for himself. "Don't think too much of the past. My brother would still die in the end because he already decided to end his life a long time ago. He just needed an excuse to do it and your stepfather just happened to be there. And I remember correctly, your stepfather didn't even try stealing anything valuable that night. I saw him open my mine fridge and took out two bars of my Amedei Porcelana chocolates. I was just too afraid at that time and everything went south when I called for help. He didn't even run away like what others criminal do. He stayed and tried administering first aid to my brother until Clara and Magnus came."

Cayenne felt even more guiltier now. She still remembers that fifteen years ago, she was flipping the magazine pages which talked about dishes, desserts and other things. She pointed on Amedei Porcelana picture and told her mother and Jonas that she likes to eat it. Jonas had been trying his best to act as her father when she was young and she told him that she would only recognize him as her father if he can get her that chocolate. Everything happened because of her.

"I'm sorry." Cayenne's tears fell on the cup she was holding and she couldn't stop them at all. "I didn't know. I told him to get me those chocolates and I will recognize him as my father. I really had no idea that he'd do it."

Stefan put his cup down and pulled her for a hug. "Shh. Everything will be alright. Aren't we heading to the court to make things right. You said that you started it and now, you're ending it yourself as well. You don't have to be sad about it. You are still young at that time. The actions of the adult shouldn't be blamed on you."

"Aren't you angry? My careless remark cost your brother's life."

"I'm not angry. Everything happened for a reason."

"And what reason would that be? A reason for us to suffer?"

"Nope. Everything happened for you to meet me. Look at the bright side. If things of the past didn't happen, you probably won't work in my hotel. Jillyanna and Travis won't help you on your first day of work. I won't become acquainted with you. No one would encourage me to make DNA test. I wouldn't know about my real identity and uncover the secrets behind my mother's death. And it might be a little late but, the discovery of Alexander's death made me free your stepfather from his suffering in jail. Now, you still have the chance to recognize him as your father. Your brothers will be able to spend time with them. Don't you think it's enough to outweigh your guilt?"

Cayenne hugged him even tighter and cried silently. She only had one regret left, the fact that she wasn't honest to her mother until she died. "Aaahhhhh!" She cried loudly this time and let her guilt and frustrations fade away with the wind.

Stefan gently pats her back and kissed the top of her head. He knew that she needed to let it all out in order to face her reality and confront the past with the stronger version of her. She needed to feel secure and he's the only one who can give it to her.

After few minutes, Cayenne pulled away from him and wiped her tears. "Thank you. Thank you for accepting me despite everything that has happened."

"If I won't accept you, where else can I find an amazing wife like you? I have no space for someone else in my heart. This place is occupied with the one and only Cayenne Ardolf Dumrique."

"Your sweet talks are getting better." Cayenne continued to wipe her tears while letting out faint chuckles.

"I'm not just sweet talking you. I mean everything I said." Stefan took hold of her hand and kissed it. "I won't let anything or anyone take you away from me."

Cayenne looked at him straight in his eyes. You can see the sincerity in him and the gentle care he possessed for her only. "Close your eyes."

"Why?"

"Just close it." Stefan just did what she told him to do and the next thing he felt was the kiss from Cayenne. However, when he opened his eyes to catch her on the act, Cayenned was already sipping her hot cocoa. "Why are you staring at me?"

"Nothing. I didn't know that my wife likes stealing kisses from me. I thought I was the only one who does that."

"Who kissed you? You must be dreaming." Cayenne retorted and looked outside the window to hide her blush. 'I won't admit to it. Hmp!'