Chapter 3. Explanations.

Stephanie Miller.

I sped out of there. I hid behind the house so that no one would see me, so I could calm all the emotions that were overwhelming me.

What the fuck was that? With my sister? Is he cheating on me with my sister? Isn’t he supposed to hate her, or was all a lie?

I sigh at the million questions forming in my head. I take a deep breath and try to maintain my composure.

I won’t make a scene. Even though my heart is breaking into a thousand pieces, I refuse to give them satisfaction.

I swallow the lump in my throat, fix my clothes and walk slowly upright, as I always do, proud of myself, but my face shows no emotion. I get to where everyone is and head towards dad.

“Dad, I must go. I’m exhausted. It was an eternal day because I had so many operations.”

“My dear, you shouldn’t work so hard. You don’t need it!” my father says with concern in his eyes.

I smile faintly as I take his hands. “Dad, you have raised a professional daughter who is brilliant in her field. I will not stop doing what I am destined to do. And that is final.”

“I always forget that you are the spitting image of your mother. I love you, my little Steph.”

“And I love you too, dad.”

I turned my face and saw Matt rejoin us. He looks at me and says, “Do you want to leave yet?”

“Yes, that’s why I’m saying goodbye to everyone.”

Dad looks at him and, as if sensing that something is happening, he tells him, “Take care of my daughter. Remember that she is my heir, and I will not hesitate to break your legs if you ever make her suffer.”

He looks at him, no emotion on his face. Then he calmly replies, “I would die before making her suffer.”

I whiten my eyes and bite my tongue, unable to help it. Fortunately, no one catches my reaction. Then I add, “Shall we?”

“Yes, come on dear.”

Matt grabs my waist as we walk to the car.

When we get there, Stella intercepts us, saying, “I’m sorry sister, I didn’t want to. It was Matt who made me do it.”

I look at her and see the tears streaming down her face.

Matt gapes at us and plans to say something, but I hold up my hand, stopping him.

I tell him coldly, “not here.” Then I look at her and tell her. "Stella, wipe away those tears and return to the house.”

She opens her eyes and wants to refute, but I approach her and with a cold and threatening voice I tell her, “I told you to dry those tears away and return to the house. I’ll talk to you later.”

I see how she runs away. I look at Matt and motion for him to get in the car.

Once there, he sits next to me and says, “Stephanie, I can explain.”

Taylor starts the engine and begins the drive home. I just look out the window, hiding my pain.

No, I won’t give him the satisfaction of seeing how he broke my heart.

With no emotion, I tell him, “I’m not interested in hearing from you, Matthew. Not now.”

He nods at my words and remains silent during the trip.

When we arrive at the apartment, I take off my shoes at the entrance and, saying nothing; I walk to the bathroom so I can undress.

Matthew sits on the bed, as he says to me, “Honey, can we talk? I can explain it. It’s not what it seems.”

I undress and put on my black satin pajamas. I walk out of the bathroom, stop in front of him and say, “Okay, explain yourself.”

He opens his eyes wide, swallows hard, and says, “she was the one who kissed me. It wasn’t the other way around. I could never fool you, Steph.”

Instant anger hits me and threatens to destroy everything in its path. I yell at him, "and you think I’m an idiot? Clearly, you wanted to be with her. How long have you been cheating on me?"

Matthew looks at me scared and says, “Steph, I repeat. I haven’t deceived you. She followed me to the bathroom. Please let me explain.”

“Talk!”

*FLASHBACK.*

I said. “Dear, excuse me, I have to go to the bathroom.”

“Yes, honey.”

I headed to the guest bathroom on the first floor. When I go to close the door, a hand prevents me from closing it.

I watch what is happening when Stella enters, saying, “Matt, I have to talk to you. It’s important.”

I frown and say, "couldn’t you choose a more appropriate place?"

“I can’t talk to you there, because my sister is on top of you all the time.”

“What the hell do you want?”

“Stephanie is not what she pretends to be. She is cheating on you.”

“Stella, cut the crap with your bullshit lies. Steph wouldn’t be able to do something like that. Unless you show me concrete evidence of that, I won’t believe you. Now get out of here.”

Then I turned towards the sink. She stands in front and climbs onto the sink, catches me with her legs and kisses me. For a few seconds, I was completely shocked. Then I react by pushing her. Then I tell her, “Don’t come near me again. You disgust me. Stay away from us!”

After that, I quickly left and returned to the terrace.

*END OF FLASHBACK.*

I watch him without knowing what to think. It’s true that Stella has problems and she is envious of everything in my life.

But from there to her stealing a kiss and him not doing anything? I don’t believe it.

“I don’t believe you, Matt. I know Stella is problematic. But from there to lock you up and have her steal a kiss from you without you reacting? You hate being touched if they are not people you trust. You took too long to reject her.”

Matt frowns and says, “What do you mean, dear?”

I sigh and shout, “I saw you, Matt! I saw how you kissed her. And believe me, it didn’t seem like you were going to reject her at all. It seemed like you were enjoying it.”

He flatly denies saying, “No dear, you must believe me, please. I didn’t want to; I could never hurt you.”

I sigh and say, “well congratulations, Matt. Today you hurt me. I don’t want to see you and I have a lot to think about. Get out of here.”

He opens his eyes and says, “Are you kicking me out of our home?”

“Yes Matt. I can’t be in the same place as you are right now. Either you go, or I go.”

He sighs in resignation as he says, “no dear, that’s unnecessary. I’ll go sleep at the hotel.”

Then I watch as he grabs his keys and stops at the door. He turns around and says, “You are and always will be the woman of my life, Steph. I just hope you can believe me. I love you always and forever.”

I see him leaving our home. When I hear the door close, I fall into bed exhausted, and all I can do is cry.