Chapter 266 - Two Hundred And Sixty-six: What Could Make A Man Cry (1/2)

Niklaus point of view:

I thought I was dreaming when I saw Reina on my couch. But when she held my gaze, staring back at me fearlessly, I knew this was reality.

How and why was she here? I was puzzled. She had been avoiding and canceling my offers to meet in the past days, so why would she suddenly come here all alone and by herself.

But that was until Isabella arrived, it was her doing, no doubt. Guess I wasn't the only one who was skeptical of Reina's identity. For once, I was happy to say that I'm proud of Isabella's underhanded tactics.

Isabella was gravely devastated by Maya's death. Personally, it would have seemed awkward if she saw someone that looked exactly like Maya and did nothing.

”What are you doing?” Reina cast fierce orbs on me.

I gulped yet didn't show it. Instead, I covered it up with a smile, ”Why are you so jumpy and untrusting? I just want to give you a good head rub,” I lied.

I had ulterior motives and that had been stealing some strands of her hair to use to conduct a DNA test later to confirm her identity.

”Head rub?” she still regarded me suspiciously.

”Yes, a head massage,” I freed my hand and began to massage her scalp before she brought up her guard around me.

At first, Reina was cautious of my action. However, by the time I used very firm pressure and a tiny circular motion, gradually moving my fingers up along her hairline until they met in the middle of her forehead, massaging her entire forehead and scalp, she relaxed into my touch. I inched along, massaging her untiringly till she fell asleep.

I only withdrew my hands when she was sound asleep and looked up to find my daughter giving me a knowing look and smile - it was quite creepy, to be honest.

”Urm,” Isabella slapped her head as if trying to recall something, ”Imma go check if Jennifer and Neon are done with that visit to the dentist, I suddenly need to do some heavy shopping,” she said, winking at me. I understood that gesture, Isabella was buying me time.

When Isabella left the house, I carried Reina off the couch, careful not to wake her up. I didn't go to my room, rather took her to Maya's room.

Every room in the house was renovated except that one and kept off-limit to everyone - including Jennifer and she knew better than to disobey that one. Only Amanda was the one who came in to keep it tidy.

I placed her on the bed slowly before lying down beside her. The motive of stealing some strands of her hair was still fresh on my mind and I was set on accomplishing it when a better idea struck me.

I moved closer to Reina, pushed away her hair on her left shoulder, and found what I was searching for; the scar on her left neck.

Dumbfounded was an understatement to describe how I felt, I was struck numb - so much for pretending to be who she wasn't. After the cat and mouse game, I found out about her this easily.