chapter 15 A Harsh Truth
SEBASTIAN.
Both women turn to me, relief flooding Annalise’s face whilst Zaia’s anger fades a little. Her face paling and her chest rising and falling rapidly before she looks down at Annalise.
“I…I didn’t push her, she fell herself!” she says. My heart squeezes as I look at her, tilting my head. I wish she didn’t let her jealousy and anger get the better of her. 3
Annalise struggles to her feet, and I help her up. “Go inside and get it cleaned up.” I command, quietly.
She looks at me with tears in her eyes as she clutches her arm, and I feel a sliver of guilt. I’m really using her…
“Annalise, tell him the truth. I didn’t push you!” Zaia snaps, glaring at her sister. “It was an accident. I… I must have tripped.” Annalise whispers, avoiding her sister’s gaze.
I close my eyes, wishing Zaia at least saw that no matter how annoying Annalise is; she did love her..
“Stop acting like you’re innocent!” Zaia says, frustration clear in her voice. “You are a fool, Sebastian, if you believe her!”
“I saw enough… Annalise go.” I
command.
She looks at me before she whispers a ‘ I’m sorry’ to Zaia, and hurries away, trying to stifle her sobs.
“Do you really think I pushed her?” Zaia asks me.
I look at her, hating how much I missed her… how do I stand here before her and not pull her close?
My stomach twists as my gaze falls on her stomach.
“What are you doing here, Zala?” I ask quietly, stepping closer to her.
She steps back. “Don’t change the topic. You think I pushed her, don’t you?” she asks me angrily. There’s intense rage and hatred in her eyes and for a moment I wonder where my Zaia has gone…
“Zaia-”
“No! Not until you answer me. You think I pushed her, don’t you!?”
“I saw her fall.” I say quietly.
“She probably saw you and did it on purpose. She’s a snake and you’re an idiot to fall for her. Her kidnapping-”
“Zaia. Stop it.” I warn her quietly.
“No! For once, at least try to listen to me! Call her back and ask her yourself
“Stop causing a scene!” I growl, glancing around as I grab her arms and
yank her close.
Tingles rush through my hands the moment I touch her and my heart thuds as her breath hitches, our eyes meet, and the proximity seems to make time still.
Only her stomach is between us as I gaze into those unique amethyst eyes.
“Zaia. Calm down.” I say softly.
Her eyes flash in anger, but there’s
also hurt…
Why are you hurt when you apparently cheated on me, too? 2
“What do you want?” she asks me venomously.
She’s still hurting… but it’s hard to see this side of her.
I let go of one of her elbows. Reaching up, I pull at the ribbon tie of her mask, tugging it off and gazing into the face of the woman who means the world to me.
My gaze dips to her plump lips, and pleasure rushes through me. The
temptation to kiss her is consuming…
“What do you want, Sebastian?” she whispers.
I lick my lips, swallowing hard as i force myself to look into her eyes. Tell me, Zaia… is this child mine?”
She scoffs bitterly, looking away from me as she pulls out of my hold.
“And why should I answer you when my plea to have you listen moments ago fell on deaf ears?”
I sigh, closing my eyes. “Zaia…I’m trying to ignore everything. Tell me, is this child mine?”
I need the answer, I need something to tell me she didn’t betray me…
“I owe you nothing…”
“You owe me the truth.” I reply dangerously. My eyes flash as I advance on her, cupping her face.
she tenses, her heart thumping, but
that fire in her eyes remains strong “It’s not yours.” She says.
My heart sinks, the pain in my chest growing.
No. I don’t believe it.
She tries to pull free, but I refuse to let her go.
“Look me in the eye and say that again.” I whisper.
Her eyes flash as she glares up at me.
“This child is not yours.” This time she doesn’t bat an eyelid as she holds my gaze and with those words, it feels as if something inside of me breaks.
“Then whose?” I ask quietly.
She’s about to answer when a voice from behind us beats her to it.
“Mine.”
My heart thuds loudly as we both turn to see Atticus standing there, a trown on his face and hands in his pockets.
No…
Deny it Zaia, I don’t believe it..
Zaia instantly moves away from me, her heart thumping as she watches him.
“I’m asking her, not you,” I reply venomously.
He isn’t surprised… so I was right; he knew.
He walks over to her, gently taking her wrist and moves her behind his back.
“Let it go to Sebastian, she’s chosen me… and remember, you were the one who ended it with her. Let her go.” He says quietly as I stare at the woman who is looking at the floor. 2
“Zaia… is he the father?” I ask quietly.
Tell me it’s a lie…
“You don’t need to answer him, Zaia.
It’s been a long night. You need to rest,” Atticus says.
“No. I think I do… so he can step out of my life and never return,” she replies, glancing up at Atticus before she turns to me.
“He is… but you shouldn’t be so shocked, Sebastian… you were able to cast me aside for another… just the way you cast Annalise aside when we turned out to be mates… why so shocked when the same happens to you?” She says.
I stare at her, unable to explain it to her. She’s never mentioned the time before we found each other as mates. She never questioned anything about Annalise and so I never brought it up.
But for her to mention it now…
“Zaia, I think we need to- She shakes her head, raising a finger to stop me.
“Na’a. WE don’t need to do anything, the time to hear is long gone… I’m done screaming and not being heard.
You’ve moved on and so have I. Goodbye, Mr King, I think you have overstayed your welcome.” Every word she speaks is ice cold, her eyes glaring at me as she holds hostility and rage within them.
“Zaia-”
“It’s Ms Toussaint to you, Mr King! And in case you need a reminder, I Zaia Toussaint, reject you, Sebastian King. Once and for all.”@
The words cut into me like a knife and I can see Atticus trying to hide his amusement… but it doesn’t matter.
What matters is… I truly have lost her…
She spins around and looks at Atticus.” Please take me home.” She says, her voice far softer than it was when she spoke to me.
“Of course. Come.” He says, caressing her cheek before he looks back at me, his eyes hard.
“You are no longer welcome here, Alpha Sebastian. Take your men and leave as soon as possible or I will have my men escort you out.”
His words make my blood boil and my gaze snaps to Zaia’s back, but she doesn’t bother turning back…
What am I holding on to?
“Did you hear me, Alpha Sebastian?”
I glance back at Atticus as he puts his arm around her shoulder. He turns away, just as fireworks erupt in the sky, signalling the end of the year.
Atticus pauses, shoulder at me, and looks over his his eyes glinting dangerously, and a victorious smile crosses his face.
“Happy New Year, Alpha Sebastian.”
With those words, he leads her away,leaving me seething and feeling completely alone.
This is my doing… 4
I watch as she walks away, staring at her back. Hoping and praying, she’ll glance back … but she doesn’t. Not even once.
