I hated that I was doing this. Hated that I was leaving everything behind. But Jace was right. It wasn’t safe anymore.
I was nearly done with my bags when a hurried knock came on my door. I startled before going to get it.
It turned out to be one of the kids’ nanny.
“I’m sorry. Their mother isn’t around and-and I don’t know who else to call. It’s Xylon,” she stuttered, her forehead damp with sweat.
My heart was in my throat as I ran to the kids’ room. On the floor was Xylon, shaking profusely.
Please, no!
He was having another crisis.
But this one seemed worse. He had blood running through his nose.
Xyla was beside him, weeping profusely.
I forced myself to stay calm as I knelt beside him and told the nannies what to gather for me.
While the nannies hurried to get them, I lifted Xylon’s head onto my legs and rubbed circles on his back and chest.
“It’s fine. You’ll be fine.”
Half an hour later, Xylon was completely fine. Although, he was very weak and had his head on my legs. I managed to convince him to eat something. So, the nannies had gone to get them.
“I’m sorry,” he muttered weakly, stupefying me.
Huh? “For what?”
“Bothering you.”
He was struggling to keep his eyes open.
Tears pooled in my eyes as I looked at his pitiful face. I sniffled and forced a chuckle. “Don’t be silly, Xylon. There’s nothing to be sorry for. It is my duty, remember?”
His eyes didn’t open. I quickly checked his pulse and was relieved he was just sleeping.
‘He’s fine. There’s nothing to worry about, I told myself.
A tear dropped to my cheek. And another, until I was completely sobbing.
Gods, I couldn’t leave him. Not when he was like this. Not when he was suffering this much.
I didn’t care about my safety anymore. I was ready to stay back and help him, even if it meant losing my life.
****
I stayed longer with the kids and only left when they were both sleeping.
I was tired as I walked back to my room. I’d have to call Jace and tell him about the change of plan.
I paused when I got to my room and found the door open. Someone had been here. Or was still here.
I went in, and to my surprise, it was Jaris. He was there in the center of the room, leaning against the dresser.
For a moment, I was relieved that it was just him and not some unwanted intruder. But my relief was short-lived when I noticed the anger in his eyes. And worse of it all, I knew the reason he was that way.
Before him were my bags, all packed and lined up.
He knows I was trying to leave.
LYRIC
And here I was, thinking this day couldn’t get any worse for me.
I nervously twiddled with the fabric of my shirt, trying to conjure the best possible lies in my head. I was already in too much mess with Jaris to add this to it.
“Care to explain?” His voice was stone cold.
Goodness, he was beyond pissed.
My lips moved, but no words formed.
“Were you trying to run away?” He took a step toward me.
“No. I promise, it’s not what you think.”
“It’s not what I think.” He chuckled. “Well, your bags are here on the floor, all packed up. And it’s night. So, maybe you want to explain what’s going on.”
Shit. He was never supposed to see this. No one was. I’d left the room in a hurry and didn’t think I’d be that unfortunate. “What is wrong with you!?” He growled. “First, you do unexplainable things, and now this? You’re trying to run away from our contract? Why? Do you have someone you’d rather be with? Have you had a lover all along?”
He glared at me like he had a name at the of his tongue.
“Please,” I said rather wearily. “I know what it looks like, but I wasn’t trying to flee.”
Of course, he had every reason to suspect me. It did look like I was trying to flee. But how do I explain to him that I’d changed my mind? How do I even explain why I’d been trying to flee in the first place? It wouldn’t make any sense.
Jaris was so pissed. He looked at me like I’d betrayed him. It was almost like that night at the temple when he glared at me like I was his enemy.
“And here I was, thinking you cared for my kids. For my son,” he said low, his voice filled with disappointment. “We had an agreement for you to help them. Yet, you’re willing to run away just for some other selfish interest.”
No. I wasn’t going to let him do this to me. His kids were the reason I was staying. I was risking my life for them!
“I love your kids! They’re the reason you still met me here!” I snapped.
His eyes darkened. “So, you do admit that you were trying to flee, then.”
Shit! The emotional manipulation dawned on me when it was too late. Ugh! Jaris was a vermin.
He took my phone from my table, surprising me. Then, he walked past me, going toward the door.
“What do you need my phone for?” I asked, confused, but he didn’t even look at me.
“I’m-I’m really sorry. It’s not what you think.” I couldn’t believe I was apologizing to him for something.
Yes, I was wrong. But he’d hurt me as well and didn’t even bother to explain himself like I have.
He didn’t say a word as he reached the door, pulled out my key and walked out the front.
Hold on.
“Wh-What’re you doing?”
His eyes were icier as they pinned me with a glare. “Punishing you. Keeping you locked here so you never think of this stupid idea, ever again.”
No! He couldn’t be serious!
“You can’t do that to me.” I started toward the door, but it was slammed shut in my face, and I heard the sound of the key going in next.
I turned the knob but the door wouldn’t open. I was really trapped in here.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.