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.

But what stood out was that 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.

Thanks to that, 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.

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

Why was he back? When did he return?

"Chloe?" he asked.

His voice was firm, causing me to pull myself together as I stared into his blue eyes, that was staring at me like he was.... concerned?

That couldn't be right. He was volatile, worse than Nathan could ever be.

"Are you alright?"

I looked down to see he was holding my hand softly. I groaned as I slapped his hand away from mine.

"I don't need your help," I spat out rudely.

I placed my hands on either side of me, struggling to pull myself up.

Damn it!

"I think you do," he stated.

I lifted my eyes to him and there was no hint of amusement in his features. This was just the worst. How could I make a fool of myself twice in one day?

Ignoring him, I kept trying to get back to my feet, but it wasn't working quite right. Sebastian suddenly grabbed my arm and hoisted me up.

"There," he mumbled. "That wasn't such a big deal, was it?"

I huffed, feeling my cheeks heat in embarrassment. My eyes were on his chest. I stepped back from. him, turned around, as I walked back towards the mansion.

If he was expecting a 'thank you,' then he would have to wait for the longest time. He was the reason my life got fucked up in the first place. If he hadn't pushed me into that water, then Nathan wouldn't have needed to save me. I wouldn't be carrying this child now.

My eyes stung, and I held my arms around me. The moment I stepped in front of the gate, I could hear the soft rap of a music.

"Why is life so cruel," I whispered in the darkness.

If only I had moved out of this place earlier, I would at least be free from these people. But, I was still at their mercy because Nathan was right. I was a nobody.

Pulling my head down, I walked inside, taking 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?"

"About?"

"Sebastian returned today after nearly a decade." one of the maids whispered, excitedly as she passed by me.

"Yeah," her colleague said. "I even heard he is going to take over half of the company estate since Mr Willis snr. is very sick now."

"But isn't Nathan the head of this Estate?"

"Well..."

I knew of their 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 Nathan or his family. I just wanted to be left alone.

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

Nothing was fine.

But, all I knew was I couldn't lose this child. Nathan was a stubborn man, and he could be with Jessica Kale, but he has to step up, and claim this child. If I had to be beg him on my knees, then, I would.

Yet, nothing about that was reassuring, even as I closed my eyes to shut out the world.

...

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, his hand gripping my arm like a vice. I stumbled on my feet as I tried to swallow past the lump in my throat.

"Nathan?" I called out as he dragged me without a word. I stumbled to follow him. "You're... hurting me. Please, stop," I pleaded.

He didn't even pause.

In about 5 minutes, I was standing in front of the main gate, barefoot with my arm throbbing like a bitch.

"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 sneered, 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.

And, there was no-one to protect me from that.

Jessica suddenly stepped out of the shadows, and 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."

This wasn't Nathan.

I don't know why I kept saying that when the last six hours has been nothing but a nightmare. He was literally gloating at me.

He was really throwing me out, tossing me aside like I was trash.

Jessica's laughter echoed in my ears as he shoved me out, shutting the door to the mansion.

I bit my lips, struggling to remain calm. But, I couldn't as the tears tore out of me. I can't fucking cry! Ugh!

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.

Was that 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 that I suddenly realized was laying across my feet, 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 in. I had nobody but him, and the Willis.

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 stepped out of his car, looking at me coolly.

Oh, my God!

Not again!