From Showdow To Light

A unfolded chapter

Kai's strides were long and purposeful as he approached Natasha, his eyes fixed on hers with an intensity that made her heart race. She instinctively took a step back, her eyes widening with fear. But to her surprise, Kai's face softened, and a gentle smile played on his lips.

He reached out a hand, his fingers brushing against her belly with a tender touch. "Twins," he whispered, his voice filled with wonder.

Natasha's fear gave way to confusion as Kai's eyes seemed to glaze over, lost in a memory. "Congratulations, Mr. Hiwatari. Miss Ivy has twins. You're going to be an uncle... to a boy and a girl."
Kai's gaze snapped back to the present, and he turned to leave without another word. "Tala, drive her back to the mansion," he instructed his friend, his voice low and husky.

Natasha felt a mix of emotions as she was escorted out of the clinic. "Kai, wait!" she called out, but he was already gone, leaving her with more questions than answers.

"What just happened?" she asked Tala, her voice barely above a whisper.

Tala's expression was sympathetic. "I think Kai was just caught off guard, ma'am. He'll come around."

But Natasha couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. Did Kai want twin girls? Was he disappointed? The questions swirled in her mind like a storm, leaving her with a sense of unease.

As the car drove out through the gates of the hospital, Natasha's mind raced with memories of Kai's abuse. The day he saw her with Alex and struck her with a belt, the day she accidentally spilled coffee and he grabbed her hair, and the day she added a little too much salt to his breakfast and he slapped her multiple times. Her hand instinctively went to her belly, and she thought, "Will I be able to protect them from his wrath?"

Tala, noticing her distress, looked at her through the rearview mirror. "Natasha, Kai isn't like how you think he is. He's very caring and loves his close ones," he said, trying to reassure her.

Natasha's eyes welled up with tears. "How can you say that, Tala? You've seen how he treats me. He's cruel and heartless," she whispered, her voice shaking.

Tala's expression was sympathetic. "I know what I've seen, Natasha. But there's more to Kai than what meets the eye. He's been through a lot in his past, and it's made him the way he is today. He's struggling with his own demons."

Natasha scoffed. "That's no excuse for how he treats me. I'm his wife, and I deserve better."

Tala sighed. "I know, Natasha. But please, just try to understand him. He's not all bad."

Natasha looked out the window, her mind still reeling with doubts and fears. Could she really trust Tala's words?

Natasha's curiosity got the better of her, and she asked Tala, "Are you married, Tala?"

But as soon as the words left her lips, Tala's eyes glazed over, and he was transported to a different time and place. Ivy's laughter echoed in his mind, and he saw her hair flowing in the wind. He was frozen in time, lost in the memory.

Natasha's voice brought him back to reality. "Tala, what's wrong? You looked like you were somewhere else entirely."

Tala's eyes refocused, and he hesitated before answering. "Maybe...or not."

Natasha's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean? Are you married or not?"

But Tala quickly made an excuse. "We're here, Natasha. We've arrived at the mansion."

But Natasha was not willing to let it go. "Tala, answer me! Are you married or not?"

Tala sighed and looked away, his eyes evading hers. "I'll tell you another time, Natasha. I promise."