Chapter 70

Zayden

   I got to the office with eye bags under my eyes. Every day was the same; I was losing sleep. It's been a week now, and we were going to spend a few days at my father's mansion. Because of that, we had to postpone the opening of her jewellery shop till the following week.

Lillian was going to reveal the pregnancy to him there. I agreed because she would find it suspicious if I kept refusing.

My mind kept racing with so many thoughts. In the end, I couldn't tell Lillian and I gave up. Whenever I open my mouth to confess, it's either a phone call disrupts me or Lillian suddenly has a new gossip to tell me and so I took it as the earth wanting me to keep my mouth shut.

Let whatever wants to happen, happen.

I had only seen Sage once at the office. She refused to resume work so I had to get another secretary. It was even better because Lillian comes to the office sometimes and I'd rather they don't bump into each other.

I let Helena go. She wasn't hurt or anything, just a bit traumatized. I made sure to cook up a good story she was going to tell anyone who cared to ask where she'd been for the last few months.

I stretched my arms and got up heading for the boardroom. I had a meeting to attend, after which I'd go see Sage. I have to fix this mess somehow.

The meeting took about an hour and then all the board members left one by one. I was about to take my own leave when my father called me back.

  I sat my ass back, glancing briefly at Loren who was still seated.

"We have some things to discuss with you." My father spoke.

I strongly wanted to ignore him and just walk away, but I should show some respect; Lillian wouldn't want me to disrespect him.

" About what?"

Loren cleared his throat, his lips curled up into a smile.

My stomach roiled.

" I received very shocking but great news from Sage yesterday," Loren spoke.

I swallowed, holding my breath.

My father chuckled, his eyes gleaming with mischief." I knew you'd cheat on Lillian sooner or later."

I gritted my teeth." I'd never cheat on my wife."

They both laughed.

" My daughter is pregnant for you Zayden. She has proof. How's that not cheating?" Loren commented.

Fuck!

I clenched my fists. I anticipated that this would happen. Sage would never keep her mouth shut.

" You should have married her in the first place if you knew Lillian was going to be just a side chick. We spent a lot on that wedding, you know?" My dad phrased.

I took a deep breath, my jaw ticking every second. What was I even supposed to say? How the hell was I going to defend myself on this one?

" What I and sage had was a mistake." I gnarled.

" A mistake? You don't sleep with a woman and call it a mistake." My father spoke harshly.

" I didn't....." I bite back my words.

" I don't care what it is actually. I'm just glad that I'll be a grandfather soon. Does Lillian know about this?".

Loren chuckled." I don't think she does. If she did, they'll be divorced by now."

I just sat there, staring hard at the wooden desk as they conversed between themselves.

" It doesn't matter. Divorce her and marry Sage as soon as possible. I don't want my grandchild to be born out of wedlock. We will take care of the media." My father said nodding at Loren.

" She's a nobody so we could just find a scandal that'll wipe her out from the net. No one might pay attention, she's not even  that popular." Loren added.

My father agreed." I expected Lillian to be pregnant by now, but maybe she's barren or something. Make the divorce quick, Zayden; I never liked Lillian anyway."

I stared at both of them in disbelief not even knowing what to feel. I felt like a puppet. I can't just sit and watch them orchestra their plans into my life like I was a broken toy.

I clenched my fist. He had the guts to call my wife a nobody." Sorry to disappoint you but you can't tell me what to do."

My father's eyes narrowed." Yes, we can."

I stared right back at him." I'm not divorcing Lillian, and as for Sage, she got pregnant because she drugged me. I'd play my part as a father but I'm not marrying her."

My dad stood to his feet, the chair screeching as he did. He walked up to where I sat, his eyes holding the same intensity he had been using to look at me for years. He doesn't look at Aiden like this.

"You will do as I say." He snarled, his eyes blazing.

I stood up, my height towering over him." Sorry pops, but you can't control me."

He suddenly smiled." Oh yes, I can."

" Zayden, stop being stubborn and do as your father says. It'll save you a lot of trouble." Loren added.

I scoffed and grabbed my suitcase." To hell with you."

My dad grabbed my elbow in a tight grip." If you don't want to end up in jail by tomorrow then you better do as I say."

I smirked." Jail? Are you going to threaten me again just like you always do?"

" Threaten you? I'm simply putting you where you belong. The only reason you are still a free man is because I've been putting off the cops for years."

He let go of me and came to stand right in front of my face.

My jaw ticked."I don't care. I'm not divorcing Lillian; get that in your old skull."

" We have a lot of leverage, you know?" Loren spoke getting up from his seat.

My blood ran cold, the hair on my skin standing.

" You killed my son, I have clear evidence of that. You killed your mother; it was thanks to us you didn't end up in juvie. And our newest evidence......." He brought out a tab.

Turning on the screen, he swiped and various photos appeared.

My breath hitched.

Jesus Christ!

This can't be happening!

" That's right, you should panic because with just this you'll be spending the rest of your life behind bars. And then what would happen to your dear wife?"  He grinned.

I looked from my father then to Loren. I have no idea how they got those photos but now I know that I'm being monitored.

My father sighed." I should have sent you to rehab or, better still, left you locked up in that house. Look what you've become." He shook his head. " You're just like your mother, she spoiled you and now you've become a monster."

My legs were rooted to the ground. I hate this feeling, I felt like a pawn in their games. I've always been a pawn, I've been used and manipulated my entire life.

I ran a hand through my hair."Yeah, you should have left me to rot in that house. Why did you let me out in the first place only to wish it all back now."

He placed a hand on my shoulder, giving it a tight squeeze. " Because I need someone to use and manipulate,son. Besides, your life had lost meaning the day you put a knife through her heart. I saved you from eternal destruction, you should be grateful."

I bit down on my lip, suddenly feeling weak." I'm not divorcing Lillian; I love her."

" I don't care who you love. You don't deserve to be loved in the first place. You're a psychopath. This is your last chance, Zayden. Don't push me."

I clenched my fist, my chest heaving up and down. I shook my head." I'm not divorcing Lillian. You can't control me anymore."

He nodded." Then you'll leave me with no choice."

He turned around and walked out of the boardroom with Loren behind him. I slumped on the desk.

My eyes were blazing, my blood thrumming in anger. I'm so tired of all this. I'm tired of being manipulated.

He wasn't bluffing. I know what he was capable of. If I don't divorce Lillian, then he'll put me behind bars. No amount of money would buy me out, and then I can't even imagine what would happen to Lillian after.

And then there's Tyrell; he's still a threat, and I can't protect Lillian from prison.

" Argh! Fuck!" I groaned in frustration.

At this point, I might just kill them all. I shouldn't entertain thoughts like this but he said I was a psychopath. Maybe I am, or rather, I'd become one because he won't stop tormenting me unless he's six feet below.

The photos began haunting me. There's only one explanation as to why he has those photos.

Quickly, I left the office and drove home. Thankfully, the house was empty. I called Oliver over; at this point,, he was the only one I could trust.

I filled him in on the situation real quick and then We began searching the house for bugs and cameras. As expected, he didn't judge me, but he was mad about what I did.

" You should have called the cops instead of getting blood on your hands."He sighed.

" We were in a dire situation. The cops wouldn't make it on time."

He only shook his head." I'm sorry about what my dad is doing to you."

I remained quiet for a while." It's my fault so it's understandable."

We moved to the hallway, moving paintings and wallpapers in case there were any bugs in them.

" No, it's not. It's been more than nine years ago. He shouldn't be holding on to it for that long." He spoke, his voice cool and collected.

"He lost a child because of me, any parent would hold a grudge." We placed the last painting in the hallway on the floor and searched through the woods.

"I lost a brother. I hated you for some time but I got over it." He added.

" You're not your father."

" And you're not who they say you are."

We looked gazes, too many emotions were flowing through my head to think properly right now.

I didn't respond to that and we just kept searching.

Half an hour later, we found six micro cameras and bugs.

" Any idea why your dad did this." Oliver asked, staring at the micro cameras." It's quite inappropriate to install cameras in your marital home."

I shrugged, "Obviously, so he could get more leverage on me. And sadly, he did; I let my guard down again."

" I think you should move out of this house. And your next location should be unknown, not even I should know." He phrased.

I sighed." I'll talk to Lillian about it "

He creased his brows." Did you tell her?"

I shook my head and I heard him sigh." It's understandable but it's not going to end well."

I nodded." Whatever happens, I'll accept it."

" You love her?"

I swallowed, my heart squeezing violently in my chest. It has been happening very often lately. Like I was having a minor heart attack.

" Yeah."

He stared at me for a moment and then looked away." I'll help however I can."

" Thanks. Can I ask a favour?"

He nodded.

" If by any chance I get locked up." I paused and swallowed the bitter lump in the back of my throat. " Look after her for me, will you?"

" I will."

I turned to face him." I want you to protect her at all costs if anything happens."

He gave me a pat on the back." You can trust me on that."

I whispered thank you and then he left.

I went out to the balcony and stared out the horizon. Lillian should be back anytime now.

It's inevitable, I'll end up in jail sooner or later.

Closing my eyes, I released a sigh.

Is it normal to sometimes wish you weren't born into this world?