2

CHLOE

Fuzzy memories came back to me. Years ago, he was the second brother I had to deal with.

I couldn't remember much thanks to the pool accident, but the faint bits I remembered were frightening. Faint memories of him being violent, punching others, bruises on his face and body.

I didn't remember much but after waking up, Nathan was quick to talk to me about everything at the time.

While Nathan had saved my life, Sebastian was the one who pushed me into the pool.

Because of it, Sebastian was sent away to the UK as punishment. I hadn't seen him since then and that was nearly a decade ago.

But now, apparently, he was back.

My gut clenched against the sight of his face and his hands. Despite them being twins he looked completely opposite to Nathan with black hair instead of blonde and a broad frame, the main similarity being their blue eyes.

I could only recognize that face from the pictures in his family home back then.

Why was he back? When did he return?

I blinked back to reality when I realized that I was back on my feet. His hand was on my arm and he had pulled me up without me noticing. Staring at him, I noticed his expression shift for a moment.

“Chloe?” he asked.

Without thinking I slapped his hand away, my anger burning alongside worry. Would he harm me like he did last time?

I glared at him openly.

“I can take care of myself,” I spat out coldly before turning to walk away.

Of all the things, he was the last thing I wanted to face at the moment. I didn't want anything to do with him.

I went back to the mansion. There was no way that I could live here for long, considering what Nathan has done for me. But, at the same time, I had no place to go. I needed to think of something and fast.

The celebrations were still going on, but I ignored it. I needed to get away, to hide from the pain and the humiliation.

Instead of the main entrance, I took the other entrance on the far end of the house that would lead me towards my room. The route was quiet and I met several other servants along the way.

“Have you heard? Sebastian returned today after nearly a decade.” I stopped as one if the maid's voices,

“Yeah. It's apparently big news all over the company. He's taking over some of the operations in this branch because of Mr Willis’ illness.”

“But isn't Nathan the head of this Branch?”

“Well…”

I knew of his father's health decline, but I didn't know of this decision.

Shaking my head, I tuned them out. The last thing I wanted was to hear anything about Sebastian or his family. I just wanted to be left alone.

I reached my room, slamming the door shut behind me. Taking off the party dress I collapsed onto the bed completely exhausted.

I couldn't get rid of the baby, and I knew I had to talk to Nathan. He was rash and impulsive sometimes. Surely he wasn't serious about breaking up with me or this engagement.

Tomorrow, I would face him and fix things. He won't be angry anymore and everything was going to be alright.

But as I drifted off to sleep, I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling in my chest.

…

I woke up to a loud banging noise. Forcing my eyes open, I tried to focus on my environment. It was barely dawn, what was going on?

Suddenly the door opened and there stood Nathan. My heart raced in alarm.

He moved quickly, dragging me out of bed, Nathan's gripped my arm like a vice. I stumbled on my feet as fear gripped me, my mind racing.

“Nathan?” I called out as he dragged me without a word. I stumbled to follow him.

Before I knew it we were at the entrance when he suddenly stopped. I stumbled and managed to hold my fall as I looked at him.

"What's going on?" I demanded, trying to shake off Nathan's grip. I couldn't understand…

"You're leaving," he sneered, his eyes glinting with a look I'd never seen before. My blood froze as his words hit.

Leaving?

"You no longer belong here," Nathan said, his voice cold and detached. "You were always just a servant, Chloe. And you've outlived your use ."

I felt a wave of disbelief and horror wash over me.

He finally let me go and I stumbled onto the stairway. Servants stepped out, throwing a bag alongside other clothes. I realized that they were all my belongings.

It was like an ice bath. Nathan was really throwing me out of his mansion, out of the only home I'd known for years.

Jessica stood by his side, a smug smile spreading across her face. He pulled her closer, and my heart broke.

“Besides,” he smirked, “the last thing I want is you interfering in my affairs. You were a good lay while it lasted.”

He was actually throwing me out, tossing me aside like trash.

Jessica's laughter echoed in my ears. They left, shutting the door to the mansion.

I tried to hold back tears, but they streamed down my face.

I thought he loved me. We had been together for so long, so many years. Years that I spent devoted to him.

Yet I meant nothing to him. I was just a servant, a plaything to be used and discarded.

That was all I was to him?

Then what had I been doing my whole life?

Where had I gone wrong? I'd given Nathan everything, and this was how he repaid me?

I gathered my belongings, putting them in the boxes before leaving. As I walked through the empty streets, my feet aching from the morning chill, all I felt was regret.

I had nowhere else to go. No friends to take me. I had nobody but him.

What do I do now?

I was lost in thought when a car screeched to a halt beside me. I jumped back, my heart racing. Thankfully unlike the last time I was on the sidewalk.

Who the hell would suddenly stop like that?

I turned around to shout but froze in recognition.

Just like the night before, Sebastian's face looked at me.