Chapter 48

Lillian

Jade was fixing my hair in front of the ceiling-to-floor mirror. Her hands expertly curled the thick strands. She had put it in thick curls, and now she was trying as much as possible to style it, but I was starting to feel the strain from sitting for too long." just put it in a ponytail."

She grimaced." No way, it's your engagement-no ponytails."

I finally gave up. Time was slipping away with just two hours to go before the engagement ceremony. The excitement, mixed with anxiety, was building inside me.

Zayden and I had wanted an event centre, but his father had other plans. He had also tried to force us to live in his house till the wedding, but Zayden was against it. I wouldn't blame him, not after what they did to him.

So here I was, getting ready at Zayden's place.

" Do not lose sight of why you are doing this," Jade said, her hands gently gripping my cheeks playfully.

I nodded." I know."

" You can sleep with him but try not to get pregnant." She urged.

I chuckled." You gave me a packet of condoms and pills. There's no way I'm getting pregnant."

She sighed." I still think you should get a contraceptive implant, It's safer."

Rolling my eyes, I countered." That's the least of my worries right now." I haven't told her about Tyrell and the messages I received.

I picked up the necklace Zayden got me yesterday and put it around my neck.

I was wearing a white body con dress, with high slits. Whites complement my hair perfectly.

" So what's your plan after the marriage," Jade asked, helping me find my shoes.

I hummed." I planned on buying a house but that would raise suspicion. I'm going to live with him so buying another house would draw attention."

Jade nodded thoughtfully." Or you could buy it discreetly, under a different name."

It was risky but I had considered it." That's my best option."

" So then what's next?“

" I thought of starting an orphanage, but I have a feeling his dad would be against it. Plus, I need a source of income, so how about starting up a jewellery shop."

Jade contemplated, deep in thought." Hmm, jewellery shop. That's better."

I sighed heavily, the gravity of my choice settling in." I feel really bad about this."

Jade shook her head, disagreeing with me." Think of it as you simply enjoying the privilege of being a Kent."

I remained quiet.

" Lilly, if you don't do this. Then when the contract ends, you'll be left with nothing."

I bite down on my lips. She was right." I'll start with the house first; he might want to help With the jewellery shop, although I haven't told him about it yet."

" How sure are you that he'll agree to it?"

" It's part of the contract. He'll agreed to do anything I ask, and I have access to his credit cards."

She patted my shoulders." Mission in motion immediately after your honeymoon."

I smiled or at least I tried to.

We finished dressing up when Zayden came into the room.

" It's bad luck to see her before the ceremony, you know." Jade shot at him.

He glared back at her." It's just an engagement ceremony, not a wedding."

Despite the cast on his hand, he still carries himself Confidently.

Jade's lips twitched then she stepped out.

We were now left alone. He leaned on the dresser, his gaze fixed on me." You look good."

I raised a brow." Just good?"

He took a step towards me and I did the same till I had my hands around his neck.

" You're beautiful." He brushed his lips against mine, and I responded equally.

We have been kissing a lot lately.

" We should get going." He broke the kiss and I just stood there with my legs wobbly.

" Yeah." I finally responded.

" But first, we have to talk."

I blinked up at him." About what?"

He released a breath." I've Waited for you to tell me, but it seems you are not going to."

My stomach lurched." Tell you what?"

"I'm not stupid, Lillian. That Car accident wasn't just an accident. I saw the fear in your eyes when you told me to turn around. You don't get scared of someone you've never met."

I took a step back, trying to mask my emotions." I was scared because he was going to hit us and he did." I lied.

My heart raced as he dipped his hands in his pocket and pulled out my phone

" Then why didn't you tell me about this?" He switched on the phone, exposing the secrets I had been hiding.

" You left it in the kitchen, the screen lit up and I thought it was something important, only to take a look and see this." His gaze darkened a terrifying intensity filled the air between us.

He clenched his fists and I took another step back, panic racing in my mind.

" That's ......it's ...it's not what it looks like." I choked, desperately trying to control my emotions.

He ran a hand through his hair." Don't lie to me! " He yelled.

I flinched at his volume, my hands trembling violently. I snatched the phone from him." It's none of your business, anyway."

He grabbed my hand roughly and I did nothing but quiver." It's none of my business, huh? I nearly broke my hand because of you! I shielded you with my body and you're telling me it doesn't matter!"

His voice was laced with hostility. He was holding my hand so hard that it hurt.

I swallowed, unable to meet his gaze. He had seen everything and now I was trapped.

He let go of me, anger visible on his face." So you planned on leaving me after the wedding."

I remained quiet.

He slammed his hands on the dresser." Answer me!"

I flinched, the first tears rolling down my cheek." I had no choice."

" You could have told me he was threatening you instead of keeping it to yourself and playing along with his games."

I shifted my feet, the atmosphere was incredibly heavy." I'm sorry, I didn't know what to do."

He groaned in frustration." So you just planned on leaving me after the wedding? What happened to our contract?"

He stared at me, a mixture of anger and hurt in his eyes.

" I'm sorry, I have no choice." He wouldn't understand. I didn't want to drag him into my mess.

" Why? Who is he? Who is he to you?"

I remained silent.

" If you think I'm letting you go, then think again. I don't care if he has a hundred criminal records, he can't have what's already mine. So text him back and tell him if he wants you then he'll have to go through me first ?"

He turned on his heels and left the room. I collapsed on the bed. Zayden wouldn't understand.

I re-applied my make-up and came out of the room.

Jade rode with Nico to the ceremony while I rode in silence with Zayden.

I didn't text Tyrell back. I just couldn't, it would be better if I faced this alone.

The house was already bustling with people from high social class. I didn't recognise any of them. The only people I had as family were Nico and Jade.

They made a toast, chatted, laughed and told jokes. But everything felt like the wind especially since Zayden was still upset.

I got bored and went out to get some fresh air. I was enjoying the cool evening air on my face when I felt a nudge on my elbow.

I turned around and I froze.

" Shireen!"

She showed her set of white teeth." Hi big sis!"

I looked behind her; if she was here, then Thomas and Victoria would be, too.

" We arrived five minutes ago. Dad and Mom are mingling with the guests"

I looked down at her. She had grown; the last time I saw her, she was a toddler, and now she looked twelve. She was the only one in the family who at least acknowledged my existence.

I don't hate her even though sometimes she put me in trouble and I get beaten up because of it.

" What are you doing here? You weren't invited."

She shrugged." Dad told us you were getting married. He got the Invitation days ago, he said he was friends with Mr Kent."

I blinked, disbelief clouding my vision." He told you I was getting married?"

She skipped over to sit on the concrete flower pot.". Actually, We saw it on the news. You're marrying a rich man. Congratulations."

I smiled a little to lessen the tension between us." Thank you."

"At least, he's better than Tyrell." She added.

I frowned." Where did you learn that name."

She chuckled." Daddy told me about him and what he did to you. He said girls that run away from home would end up like you."

I clenched my fists. I wasn't surprised and couldn't imagine all the lies he would have told Shireen.

" If I hadn't run, I would have been dead by now."

She sighed." I should get going, dad would get mad if he saw us together."

I nodded, and we stood there for a few seconds before I pulled her in for a hug.

" I don't hate you, I don't like you either." She spoke, hugging me back.

I chuckled." You say that a lot."

She let go and hopped back into the house to join the rest of the guests.

I left the balcony and went to the guest room to have a pee break. I didn't go to Zayden's room because I knew he was there. He had spent only fifteen minutes in the company of guests and that was when they were giving a toast.

Twisting the knob, I locked the door, just in case someone wandered in here. When I was done peeing, I stepped into the bedroom.

"Hello, little bird."

I froze, my whole body vibrating in terror. I looked up to find him sitting casually on my bed, dressed in a black tux.

I stumbled backwards and landed on my butt. A fear both ancient and overwhelming paralyzed my legs.

He stood up, twisting a pocket knife in his palm." You know what happens when you disobey me, right."

I wanted to scream but only air escaped my lungs.

Please let this be a dream.

Please let this be a dream.

" Stay away....." My voice drowned in the air. My pupils dilated ,drinking in every detail of his menacing figure before me.

"Next time, it wouldn't just be his right hand. I'll break his legs too. You're mine, little bird."

My blood was thrumming loudly in my ears as I crawled away from him on the floor. My skin,deadly pale, a fine sheen of sweat coated my forehead.

With long strides, he was already standing above me. He pulled me up and covered my mouth with his palm.

I was sweating and shaking violently.

"You need a reminder of who you belong to." He snarled, his mismatched eyes boring into mine.

I shook my head, violently, tears wetting his hands over my Mouth. I bit his rough palm but he didn't budge.

He brought the knife to my face." Tell your lover, Zayden, not to get involved. I already graced you with the wedding. Marry him, but 7 days after the wedding, you're come back to Denver, where you belong."

I tried screaming but my voice died down on his palm. I nodded desperately, hoping he wouldn't hurt me.

" I'll leave a souvenir." He chuckled and then dug the pocket knife into my side.