Chapter 44

Lillian

I felt weak, my knees were wobbly. I only managed to get to Aiden's room before collapsing on the door.

The door opened seconds later and I almost toppled over.

" Lillian? Why are you here?" He looked me up and down.

I had only the white sheets around me and my night dress in my palm." I can't stay with him."

His eyes softened, and he let me in. I know this was wrong. I was marrying Zayden, so sleeping in his brother's room was uncalled for.

I sat at the edge of the bed, my mind racing with a million thoughts.

" What happened, why are you dressed like that."

I swallowed, I wasn't sure myself.

" I don't know." I gazed up at him, my eyes teary.

Aiden sighed, running his hands through his hair." I knew you'd react this way after what you saw."

I shook my head." That's not it. I slept completely clothed but woke up with nothing on."

He creased his brows." What!"

I sucked in my breath." I was lying on the edge of the bed, but when I woke up, I was on his lap in the middle of the bed, without clothes on. I was sweaty, the bed was wet......I...I "

I bite down on my lips unable to continue.

Aiden came to sit beside me." I don't think he'll do such a thing; you'll be getting married in a few weeks, so there's no rush."

Clutching the sheets up to my neck, I spoke." You said it yourself, he raped Sage. Tell me why the hell I woke up naked with him still awake in the middle of the night."

He sighed." He raped Sage because she refused to give him sex at that time, and well, he was crazy about her."

Pain shot through my chest.

He was once crazy about Sage.

" I've refused to give him sex several times," I told him.

He stared at me, surprise written all over his face. He chuckled but it didn't reach his eyes.

" Why am I not surprised."

My limbs were beginning to feel heavy, dizziness creeping in like a thief.

"There are cameras in every corner of the house, just in case you are so unsure." He continued.

My eyes widened." Can I see them, I just want to make sure he didn't touch me."

He nodded and left the room. He came back a few minutes later with a laptop. He fixed in a drive and placed the laptop on my lap.

I gave him a knowing look.

" I'll give you some privacy." He phrased before exiting the room.

I clicked the play button and watched carefully.

  I covered my mouth with my hands ,stifling a sob as I watched, guilt weighing down on me. I was having a seizure, and there he was trying to help me. And What did I do in return?

   He turned me to my side and tried stopping my leg from jerking.

I was Stupid.

I was so stupid.

I closed the laptop, a heavy sigh leaving my lips. It then occurred to me that I was acting this way because I was still in shock about what he did to Sage and had assumed so quickly that he had violated me.

  I felt guilty, too guilty that I spent the rest of the night in the guest room.

By the time I returned to our bedroom in the morning, he had gone. He didn't even wait for breakfast.

  I couldn't eat and just got dressed for work. My mind kept wondering how I was going to face him at the office knowing full well that I had accused him of something obscene.

I didn't go directly to work; I decided to treat myself, so I invited Jade over for an ice cream date. Hopefully, it would help clear my mind.

" Oh my God! " She grasped." Only rich people can afford ice cream at Cream Town."

I chuckled." You now have a rich best friend."

We walked into the fancy building, and we were shown our table close to the huge glass window.

  Jade ordered plain chocolate, gummy candies and a lot of whipped cream.

My favourite was vanilla, with a touch of strawberry and caramel. The combination does wonders for my taste buds. But today, I wanted to try something different, so I ordered a mint chocolate chip.

The waiter brought our orders minutes later.

" So, how's your plan going?" Jade said scooping a full spoon into her mouth.

I shrugged." I can't do anything until after the marriage."

" When is it?"

" In two weeks, the engagement ceremony is in six days," I told her.

She paused." Six days! Girl, why aren't you shopping."

I rolled my eyes." I can do that some other time, my issue is the photos. We have to take photos together for the wedding and engagement."

She was already halfway done with her cup by now." How's that a problem? I'm dying to go shopping for dresses. You need an expensive dress, you'll be the wife of one of the richest bachelors in the country."

It was at the tip of my tongue to tell her about Zayden, but I couldn't.

"I'll let you know when I'm getting the dress, as for the photos." I sighed." I'm trying as much as possible to reduce our interaction."

She scoffed." It's just going to be for a few minutes, beside you need to win him over if you're going to suck him dry."

I nodded,she was right. I was about to speak when the waiter came, placing a bowl of vanilla, strawberry and caramel ice cream on the table.

I looked up at him." Um, excuse me? I didn't order that."

He flashed a smile at me." Oh, that man over there did. He said it's your favourite, a gift to you.'

Me and jade turned our heads at the same time to the direction he was pointing.

My eyes fell on a man with a huge build. He was wearing a black hood over his face. The only part of him visible was his lips.

Jade glanced at me." He is creepy, do you know him?"

Her voice died down at the back of my head as I stared. My eyes trailed from his covers down to his hand around a coffee mug on the table.

  A tattoo, a rose tattoo peaked out from the sleeve.

I swallowed, my skin turning pale. I recognised that tattoo, I recognized that build. I even recognised those lips.

My lips quivered." Jade, let's....let's get out of here."

I didn't see her expression, my gaze was glued to the man smirking at us from a few tables away.

" Why, do you know him? " She asked

The waiter shifted." Are you okay ma'am?"

I grabbed my purse, dropping some cash on the table." I'm fine, thanks for the cream."

I stumbled but caught myself before I hit the ground.

" Lilly, what's going on?"

My body was trembling, memories flashing into my mind like nightmares.

It can't be.

My foster father told him. That was the only explanation for why he was here.

He told him! That man told him I was in New Jersey.

" We have to go," I said, walking as fast as my feet could carry.

I couldn't think straight; I was so bent on getting as far as possible away from Cream Town that I didn't realise I had walked into an alley.

  "Lillian, stop." Jade yelled, stopping a few feet behind me." Why are you acting strange all of a sudden?"

I turned to face her, beads of sweat running down my forehead.

" It's him." I gasped my mind in turmoil. I couldn't shake the horror that thrummed through my veins. It was making it difficult for me to breathe.

She creased her brows but then her eyes widened." You mean...?"

A sound startled us. We both turn our heads in the direction of the sound.

" I paid two thousand dollars for that ice cream you know." His voice vibrated throughout the walls.

I stepped back. My heart beating erratically. His presence was suffocating.

Jade grabbed my hand." Stay away". There were goosebumps on her skin; she felt his terrifying presence, too.

He walked slowly towards us, tracing his fingers on the concrete wall.

" You are the friend, eh? I have no business with you." He roared.

His size was already blocking half the alley casting a huge shadow behind him.

I couldn't speak, I couldn't move. My legs were paralyzed with fear. Every step he took closer made me flinch, my mind screaming at me to run, and never look back.

" Let's go, Lillian." Jade pulled me but I remained in place.

My stupid legs wouldn't move.

" There's nowhere to run to now, little bird." He gnarled and then removed his hoodie.

His face came into view. Those mismatched eyes with a long scar on the left stretched from his temple down to his chiselled jaw.

I gave him that scar.

Memories of the pain he had inflicted came flooding back. The scar on my abdomen, coupled with the ones I had discovered some days back, throbbed with a renewed sense of vulnerability.

" Lilian, let's get out of here now!" She yelled at me and began dragging me in the opposite direction.

He didn't chase after us but just stood there watching me.

" I'll see you soon." He whispered and then disappeared out of sight.