Chapter 7

*Kosta’s POV*

I move, so I am standing between Lilith and my father

“What does it matter who Lilith is? Why is it always about money with you, dad?”

I watch as my dad steps back and looks at me in shock

“Kosta, I didn't mean any harm. I was trying to apologise.”

I look at him and shake my head

“I don't want to argue, Dad, so how about we start over.”

I walk to where Lilith and her parents are sitting and looking over Mila.

I smile and then look over at my mum, who is still standing at the door.

Then walks towards my Father and me

“Will you both stop being childish? Tonight is supposed to be a happy occasion, not a business deal.”

My dad reaches out and tries to stop my mum, but she avoids him, then walks to Lilith and sits next to her, and takes Lilith’s hand.

“Forgive my husband. He is thickheaded sometimes.”

Nic looks at my mum and giggles

“It's ok. Do you want to hold your granddaughter?”

My mum nods, and then Lilith places Mila into her arms

I walk to The kitchen and get some drinks, and I check on the dinner, then go back to the living room

I see my dad leaning over my mum's shoulder looking down at Mila, and he looks back at me and smiles

“She looks Like you, Kosta. I am sorry I doubted you and Lilith.”

I sit across from them and then look at Lilith’s father

“I am sorry I put your daughter through this, but I assure you that I will make everything right.”

Mr Delpozzo looks at me and grins

“It's ok, Kosta. I am at fault here also. If it weren't for me wanting Lilith to keep our wealth a secret, then none of this would have happened.”

I sigh

“I don't see what wealth has to do with it, sir I. My father should have been happy I found the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. When I fought him, he threatened to cut me off and align with the wealthy families. I never wanted to marry another, but I was a pawn in my fathers business dealings.”

Lilith looks at me and smiles

Then looks over at my parents

Then to her parents

“I want to make it clear that my relationship with Kosta will never be about the business. I won't have this carry-on in Mila’s life. We love each other that is all we need, so if you bring wealth into it again, then remember who got the deal with our families I accepted Kosta’s offer because it was him, and I knew your family was struggling in Media.”

My dad's eyes widen, and he begins to Nod

“We will never make it about business, and I am sorry to both of you for what happened.”

Lilith Stands up and then walks to the kitchen and leaves all of us in silence

I go and check on Nick, and I see her wiping her eyes

“That was harder than I expected, Kosta.”

I walk to her and wrap my arms around her

“We will get through this, Nic, I promise.”

She pulls away from me then checks the food

“Tell them dinner is Ready; Babe, let's try to salvage tonight.”

I help her get the plates and dish up the food, and we both carry the leaves out and set them at the table

When we have finished eating, my father gets an envelope out of his pocket and hands it to me

“I had the divorce finalised, Kosta, and this is yours. It turns out the girl you married broke the contract the same day as the wedding, so you are now the sole owner of Bennett media.”

I open the envelope and pull out the documents that confirm the divorce is final, and I hand them to Lilith to look at

She looks at the papers and then back to me

“Why are you showing me this, Kosta?”

I chuckle.

“I want you to know one hundred per cent that it is over. I don't want to keep secrets from you, Nic.”

She folds the paper up and gives it to me

Then I get the other paper out of the envelope and look up at my father

“Are you sure you want me to take over the business and have it all in my name, dad?”

He smiles

“Yes, Kosta, you and Lilith have shown me that you don't need me meddling, and I trust you will take the business to places I never could.”

I nod at him then I see a cheque sticking out of the envelope

When I see the figure on the cheque, I gasp

“What is this for?”

My dad grins

“Since the arranged marriage was a business contract and the bride broke it, we gained stakes in her family’s business. However, you made it clear ylu wanted to cut all ties. I sold the stake to your uncle, and this is his paid amount, so this is my gift to you, Kosta. I am sorry for everything; I should have seen how unhappy you were”

Lilith looks over at the cheque and then back at my father, then at her father, who smiles

“It's Ok, Nic,” her father says

“I told you everything will work out.”

She looks back at me and then at our Mum’s

“I think it's Time for Dessert.”

My mother gets up and follows Lilith to the kitchen, and leaves me in my thoughts

My father always had a plan to make money, but never in my life did I imagine I would come down to dollar signs

I look over at my dad and smile

“So this means I don't have to go to Serbia?”

My dad shakes his head then looks at Lilith’s father

“Kosta, you will have to go to Serbia. I couldn't get that out of the deal.”

I shake my head at him, and I feel my anger rising

“I will not leave Lilith and Mila.”

My dad frowns

“I'm sorry, Kosta, but this isn't a negotiation you have to go, or the business in Serbia will fold.”

I stare my father down and shake my head

Then I fell a hand cover mine. I look over at Lilith’s dad, who smiles at me and winks

“Kosta, I don't care what your father says. I will see what we can do. I won't have you away from my daughter.”

He then looks at my Dad and points at him

“When are you going to learn that our children are not pawns in business Kosta will not be leaving for Serbia. You will go because Kosta is needed here for the black wolves contract. If you make him go, then I will make it hard to stay in business.”

My dad drops his head then looks at Mr Delpozzo

“I'm sorry, but You don't get a say in where I send my son.”

I stand up and hit the table

“Then maybe it's time I walk away, Dad because I am not a pawn for your greed. I think it's time you leave.”

I walk to Mila’s room and look down at her and smile

“I'm sorry, sweetheart. Maybe you were always supposed to have one grandfather.”

*Lilith’s POV*

Kostas dad storms into the kitchen and looks at his wife

“We are leaving. I won't be told how to treat my son.”

I look over at his mum then back at his father

“I knew you didn't care for Kosta’s happiness, but I now know that we don't need your validation to be happy.”

Kosta’s mother hugs me and whispers

“Please don't take my granddaughter away because of my husband.”

I hug her back

“I will call you soon.”

They leave the kitchen, and I go to the dining room and see my parents watching Kosta with Mila

I sit and rest my head in my hands

“It wasn't supposed to be like this!”

My dad rubs my back, and I look over at him and see him look g at Kosta

“I want to have you both Run my company. I have seen you are stronger together than apart, Kosta. I have been in your position, so I want this for you. I have always thought of you as a son so consider this a gift and my blessing to Your Relationship.”

Host a walks to me and kisses my forehead

“What do you think, Nick?”

I smile

“If we are together, that is all that matters, plus it's a chance to prove your dad wrong. We don't need to be treated as a business deal to work.”

Kosta Grins

“I accept your offer, Sir. I won't let you down.”

My father laughs

“Welcome to the family, Kosta.”

My mum gets up and gives Kosta a big hug

Then goes to the kitchen and brings in the dessert

“I don't know about you, but I want this beautiful dessert Lilith has cooked.”

We enjoy our dessert, and my parents fuss over Mila

When my parents leave, I feed Mila and put her down for sleep, then sit on the couch with Kosta

“Well, that was a disaster.”

He chuckles and has a swig of his beer

Then he looks over at me

“I didn't expect that Nic, but at least we can make our way in the business world.”

I lean into him and kiss his cheek

“My dad is right, Kosta. No matter what, we are stronger together than apart, but I have a feeling this isn't the end of the situation.”

Host a sighs

“You are suitable, Nic. I know my father isn't finished with me yet, and he will do something to get me to follow his rules.”

I rest my head on his chest and think about what happened, and I frown

No matter what, Kostas dad will always try to keep us apart

I look up at Kosta and smile

“Tomorrow, we are moving your things into my house. At least here, he has no power over you. It's my name on the papers, not his”

Host a kisses my forehead

“I'll call Jovan and Jana to help” he kisses me then moves me, so I'm straddling him

I look down at him shocked and he smirks

“Nic I want you”