I thought he could be blabbering nonsense to scare me, but whatever his reason was for saying such a thing, it wouldn’t be enough to change my mind. “You can’t make me leave, Lance,” I told him.
“Should I be the one to depart, then?” He questioned while his eyes flared with wrath, and I cowered at my seat.
For a moment, I stared at him, and before he could notice how my eyes turned watery, I glanced up the ceiling and admired the exquisite chandelier in white and gold. “I’m sorry I hurt you, but can you at least give me another chance?” I pleaded with him, and he shook his head.
“I’m sorry, but we have no future, Alexa. Your resentment of me is well-founded, and I share your feelings.” Before he proceeded to the sink to wash his plates, he said, “Let’s stop before we both wreck our lives anymore.”
As I battled back the tears that threatened to spill, my bottom lip quivered. I couldn’t break down, though, because I had something essential to do. It’s only the first day, so I couldn’t give up without putting up a fight. I raced ahead of him as he walked out of the kitchen, blocking his way.
“Just tell me what you want, and I’ll do it.” I tried to persuade him, but he disregarded me and continued on his way. I kept my distance and followed him as I watched him walk away, then he turned back and came to a complete halt. I waited for him to say anything, and when he did, I was completely attentive. A small smile crept in the corner of my mouth as I anticipated him to apologize for his disinterest.
“If you still have any respect for yourself, don’t show up in front of me.” He uttered it without blinking and then walked away after making the horrible statement!
Whoa, what a knucklehead!
I threw his back a filthy glare as I watched him leave. I paused for a few moments before deciding whether to return to my bedroom to sleep or formulate a strategy because I had no intention of leaving his place.
When I got into my room, I went directly to my bed and stared at the ceiling, trying to figure out what I should do next. I wouldn’t be able to stay in Lance’s place much longer, given his present treatment of me. I needed to make a move, and I needed to make it quickly before it was too late! I sighed profoundly for the umpteenth time!
When I heard a knock on the door, I rested on my side, facing the wall. I jumped out of bed hastily and dashed to the front door. Despite my delight at seeing him, I managed to frown at him.
“What do you want?” I asked him.
Lance’s face twisted, and I wondered what was wrong with him until he opened his mouth to speak. Before walking away, he gave the command, “Follow me.”
I raised one of my brows, perplexed by his order, and followed him upstairs. We were both silent, and he only came to a halt in front of a door that could have been his bedroom’s door. “Can you tell me what you’re up to, Lance?” I inquired, a little uncomfortably.
He didn’t respond and merely gave me a sidelong glance before pushing the door wide. The island’s bedroom was not the same as the one where we entered. Even though the furniture was about money, it was dark and dismal, which fit Lance’s current attitude.
Lance stripped off his robe and stood naked as soon as he entered the room, oblivious to my presence. When he got closer to me, I covered my lips, but I didn’t see it coming when he grabbed my hand and dragged me to his bed.
I protested to his idea of ravishing me, saying, “I’m not ready yet.”
Lance laughed at my protest and took both of my shoulders in his hands. He said, “Look carefully,” and then turned away from me.
My eyes widened in horror as I gulped for air and saw that his back was terribly scarred. My eyes welled up with tears as I grabbed for his most prominent scar and traced it with my finger. I felt so bad for what he endured, but it happened in the past, and I wouldn’t be able to change anything.
Lance’s face stiffened when he showed me the scars, but he remained silent when I asked him a question. For a little while, he was emotionless, but I couldn’t stop crying as I watched the aftermath of torture, for which I had a theory about who was responsible!
“Alexa, the wounds will remind me of your betrayal for the rest of my life.” He stated matter-of-factly.
“Can you tell me what you’re talking about?”
“Don’t play dumb with me when you and Dimitri did this to me!” His thunderous voice reverberated off the walls like thunder.
Lance was enraged, and I was afraid he would beat me, so I shielded my face with my hands. My entire body trembled with worry that he’d lose his cool. I shivered at the thought of Lance turning into a monster, and I dashed towards the door before he could hurt me.
After I locked myself inside the room, my heartbeat rang around my ears like a drum. Lance wasn’t a monster, but I couldn’t stand it any longer when I saw the wrath in his eyes!
Lance’s aloofness persisted the next day, and he made me feel unwelcome in his place. Regardless, I had no intention of leaving, and I was going to teach him what being stubborn really meant!
Despite his admonition to stay away from him while he was at home, I chose to disregard him and do things my way. I would get up early in the morning and shower before going downstairs to get my coffee and toast.
I sat on the couch with my legs crossed and a cup in my hand, watching the news. Lance would probably pass out from exhaustion if he saw what I did in the morning!
For a week, I was able to keep up with the daily ritual, but my patience was wearing thin as Lance continued to defend his heart against my invasion. I waited for him to come down one morning, but I was almost on my third cup, and he hadn’t arrived!
I became concerned that something was wrong, so I went upstairs to see how he was doing. I didn’t bother knocking because he had left his door unlocked. When I first walked into the room, it was pitch black, so I went straight to the large glass windows and parted the drapes to allow the light in.
“Oh, my God!” When I saw his bloodshot eyes staring back at me, I exclaimed. I immediately approached him and placed my hand on his brow. I informed him that he had a fever.
“I know, but it’s none of your business,” he muttered, his eyelids drooping as he bowed his head.
“That’s all right. I swear I’ll leave you alone, but first, let me take care of you,” I said, and I went outside to grab his prescription before he could say no.
When I got back, I gave him his medicine and told him to lay down for a few hours.
“I will really appreciate it, Alexa, if you will just leave me,” he said in a weak voice.
My nostrils flared while listening to him, but I took a deep breath to settle myself down. “Would you mind being a little more cooperative?” I questioned him in a calm and monotone tone.
“Will you also refrain from being intrusive and bothersome?”
I was startled and astonished as I stood close to him when he responded with another question.