Karmina's POV

Karmina stepped out of the dimly lit elevator at the penthouse apartment of the Manhattan skyscraper. She had purchased this apartment after Harry made a compelling argument of investing in the city. They already had her house in Los Angeles, his flat in London, and he was planning on buying some real estate in Paris. All of their favorite places besides New York, her original home. As a child she grew up more upstate but often they would come into the city. Harry had offered to buy the place, but Karmina felt the need to buy it herself. She needed to exert a little of her newfound millionaire status. Something she had never imagined she would achieve.

The new place was recently furnished by one of the best decorators in town, due to Harry's persistence. Karmina didn't mind it as she wasn't exactly an expert in interior design. She also didn't have time to worry about furniture with the amount of things piling on her plate. Her second novel was in the process of being edited, meanwhile she was working on the script for the movie contract of her first book. Not to mention she was a mother of a six month old, engaged to a sensational pop star, and her military husband had returned from the dead.

Derek. She had only spoken to him a few times to arrange a meeting that would be happening later that night. On the phone they didn't speak much, but Karmina assumed he had found out about everything. Karmina was now constantly followed by paparazzi ever since Harry announced their secret love child, Karry. The amount of hate she received from the fans was overwhelming. She was was labeled 'Harry's whore.' They hadn't announced their engagement for her safety for the time being, but she was continually harassed and had to hire security.

Karmina walked passed the foyer into the living room where Karry was sitting on a mat playing with a few blocks and Natasha, Karmina's mother. Karmina had always had a difficult relationship with her mother because she was overbearing and judgmental. She had inherited more traits from her father. After the accident in London and the birth of Karry, Natasha had softened. Both her parents even had managed to have a decent relationship with Harry.

"How was the meeting?" Natasha looked up at her. Karmina bent down to pick up Karry and give her a kiss.

"It was okay. But they want the script sooner than I had anticipated," Karmina answered whiling cooing at her baby girl.

"Well, did they specify the amount of time?" Natasha now stood so they were at eye level.

"Three weeks," Karmina sighed. She felt her phone vibrate and looked to see Derek had sent her message saying he would be there soon. Karmina didn't know why her heart began to race.

"Harry called," Natasha interrupted her thoughts. "He says he will be home in two days. And that he want to you to call immediately after you speak to Derek," Natasha hadn't mentioned Derek before now, but Karmina could tell from her tone that her opinion of him had not changed.

"Thanks Mom," Karmina mumbled, she could understand Harry's jealousy but didn't like the idea of not being trusted.

"Do you need me to say?" Natasha put a hand on her shoulder.

"No, I'll be fine," Karmina forced a smile to reassure her. Truth was, she was completely terrified of seeing Derek. It had been so long and the feelings had dimmed but they were still lingering. She had no idea what to expect when she saw her husband.

A few hours later, Karmina had just begun to feed Karry her solid food, when she heard the phone.

"Hello," she answered.

"Miss Santos, you're guest has a arrived," the doorman spoke from the other line.

"Thank you, Stewert. Send him up please," Karmina took a deep breath. Trying very hard to steady her nerves, her heart feeling like it was going to pop right out of her chest.

When the elevator bell went off Karmina nearly jumped three feet backwards. Her nerves now ha her over the edge.

"Hello?" His deep voice called from the foyer.

"In here," stood, and picked up Karry as he walked out of the kitchen to see a much older Derek walking her way. He had grown since she had last scene him. Nearly two inches and his muscle tone had increased.

"Karmina," he smiled a wide smile, and gave her a slight hug. "Is this your daughter?" He smiled down at Karry who stared up at him.

"Yeah, this is Karry," Karmina smiled at her daughter, because she really didn't know what else to do or say.

"She's beautiful like her mother," he winked at her and Karmina laughed awkwardly.

"So what's up Derek?" Karmina turned to walk into the living room, Derek following her. "What happened to you?" Karmina decided to get straight to the point.

"We were war prisoners that whole time. We were held captive for information. And once there leader was killed they left us stranded there to die. We were saved because some of the civilians found us," Derek spoke with no emotion, his eyes distant.

"That's horrible," Karmina couldn't help but frown in concern. The sadness and guilt seeping through her nerves. "How did you get through it?"

"I would think of you and the life I would becoming home too," he gave her a weak smile. Karmina's heart dropped, he had never stopped loving her.

"Derek-," Karmina began, but he cut her off.

"You don't have to feel bad for having dated someone. I understand that you thought I was dead, but that doesn't mean we can't pick up where we left off," he grabbed her hand and slowly kissed it.

"Derek, I can't do that. I have a daughter, and I love Harry," Karmina was shocked. She couldn't just leave her life to chase the past.

"Do you love me?" Derek asked her, his eyes filled with hope.

"I don't know what I feel. I'm very confused this is too much to fast," Karmina stood and put Karry in her play pen.

"But there's hope, I still love you and I won't stop fighting for you," he grabbed her arm and spun her around so they were face to face. Karmina remained silent, she was at a loss for words. Derek let go of her arm and stood straight, regaining his composure. "So wife, where is my room?"

Karmina's jaw hit the floor. Derek had changed in his absence. The sweet young innocent teen was no longer there. He was a hardened soldier.

"What are you talking about?" Karmina stared at him incredulously.

"I kind of don't have any where to go. Can I stay with you for a while?" He looked away sheepishly. "We are still technically married. What's mine is yours..." He trailed off, still not meeting her eyes.

"There is a guest bedroom down the hall the third door on the left," Karmina said deadpan. Harry is not going to like this, but legally he was in his means. If not, he could force her to sell and gain half the money. She needed to contact a lawyer as soon as possible.

"I'll go get my stuff, goodnight wife," Derek smirked and exited into the elevator. In a few days, it would be Karmina with her fiancée and her husband under one roof. This can not be good.

Notes

So Derek has moved himself in, Harry is not going to like that. Comment with what you think of the character list! A lot of new faces!

xoxo<3