Chapter 118 Chapter 118

Chapter 118 Chapter 118
I had said it. I had finally said it out loud that I loved someone else. But saying that wasn’t enough. 

I swallowed, my throat burning. 

“There’s more,” I said quietly. 

Scott didn’t speak. He just looked at me, his jaw tight, his eyes were dark. 

“I love Ace,” I said. 

The words landed harder than anything before them. 

A sharp sound escaped Scott’s chest—half a breath, half a laugh that held no humor. He turned his head slowly, almost mechanically, toward his son. 

Ace stayed frozen, his shoulders tense, his fists clenched at his sides. 

“Can you explain to me what Sabrina is saying?” Scott said. 

My heart slammed painfully against my ribs. “No. I will.” 

Scott’s gaze snapped back to me. 

“I loved him before I ever married you,” I continued, my voice trembling now but refusing to break. “Before I even knew he was your son. Before I knew anything about you.” 

Scott’s brow furrowed. 

“You already know that we go to the same school,” I said quietly. “I crushed on him. Hard. I knew his last name and all that, but I didn’t know who his father was. He was just… Ace to me.” 

Ace closed his eyes briefly. 

“When you came into my life,” I went on, “I had no idea the two of you were connected. Even though you both bore the same last name, it didn’t really mean much to me. And when I found out—after I was already married to you—that you had a son named Ace, it felt like the world had tilted off its axis.” 

Scott’s lips parted slightly, but no words came out. 

“I was trapped,” I whispered. “Between my marriage to you and my feelings for him. And I tried to do the right thing. I really did.” 

Ace took a step forward. “Sabrina—” 

“I tried to focus on my marriage,” I said quickly, glancing at him before returning my eyes to Scott. “I told myself that what I felt for Ace was wrong. That it would fade. That marrying you meant choosing you completely.” 

Scott let out a slow, disbelieving breath. 

“But it didn’t fade,” I admitted. “And I was weak. I was confused. And I made terrible decisions.” 

My hands trembled at my sides. 

“I’ve been juggling both,” I said. “My marriage to you… and my relationship with Ace.” 

The silence that followed was deafening. 

Scott turned to his son again, his voice low and dangerous. “Is that true?” 

Ace didn’t hesitate. “Yes.” 

Scott’s eyes burned. “And how long has this been going on?” 

Ace swallowed. “Since she came into this house... so, yeah. It’s been a while now.” 

Scott laughed then. “A while,” he repeated. “That’s what you give me? A while?” 

“I wanted to tell you,” Ace said, his voice tight. “I tried, but Sabrina stopped me.” 

Scott snapped his head back to me. “You stopped him?” 

I nodded. “Yes.” 

“Why?” Scott demanded. 

“Because I wanted to fix my marriage,” I said. “Because I didn’t want to hurt you. Because I thought if I tried hard enough, I could make myself be what you needed.” 

Scott stared at me like he didn’t recognize me. 

“And was that why you broke up with Courtney?” he asked suddenly, turning back to Ace. 

Ace shook his head. “Yes. I didn’t love her as much as I loved Sabrina. I couldn’t see Sabrina hurting because I kept her in the dark about my relationship with someone else. So, to prove that I do love her... I ended things with Courtney.” 

Scott scoffed, dragging a hand down his face, pacing now. 

“And now,” he said bitterly, “you decide to tell me all this tonight? After everything that’s happened?” 

“Yes,” I said softly. 

“Why?” he demanded. 

I took a deep breath. “Because I learned about something today. Something I wasn’t supposed to know.” 

Scott stopped pacing. “What?” 

“That there is someone else in this house who truly loves you,” I said. 

His brow creased. “What are you talking about?” 

I turned. Mary stood frozen near the wall, her eyes wide, her hands trembling. 

“She can speak for herself,” I said. 

Mary’s breath hitched. 

Scott followed my gaze, confusion flickering across his face. “Can someone tell me what’s going on here?” 

Mary swallowed hard. She stepped forward. 

“It’s me,” Mary said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m the one.” 

Scott stared at her in disbelief. 

“I’ve loved you for years,” she continued, her eyes shining. “From the day I started working here. I never acted on it. I never crossed a line. But I love you.” 

Scott’s face hardened. 

“Is this a joke?” he snapped. 

“No,” Mary said quickly. “I would never—” 

“Enough!” Scott roared. 

Everyone flinched. 

“This is insane,” he said, his voice shaking with anger. “All of you. Every single one of you. Do you think this is some kind of game?” 

No one spoke. 

Scott pointed toward the door. “Everyone out. Now.” 

The staff didn’t hesitate. Mary cast one last look at Scott before lowering her head and leaving with the others. 

“Not you,” Scott said sharply, stopping Ace. Then he looked at me. “You too. Stay.” 

The door closed, leaving just the three of us. 

Scott turned to me, his voice suddenly softer, almost pleading. “Tell me the truth.” 

“I am,” I said. 

He shook his head. “No. You’re not. You’re trying to hurt me. You want out of this marriage, and you’re using the most disgusting lie you can think of to do it.” 

Ace stepped forward. “Dad—” 

“Don’t,” Scott snapped. “Don’t you dare.” 

“It’s not a lie,” Ace said firmly. “I love her.” 

Scott rounded on him. “You’re my son.” 

“And she’s the woman I love,” Ace shot back. 

Scott laughed bitterly. “So that’s it? That’s your justification?” 

Ace clenched his jaw. “I didn’t choose this.” 

“Yes, you did!” Scott yelled. “You chose to betray me.” 

“I chose to be honest with myself,” Ace replied. “Something you taught me to do.” 

Scott’s face twisted in anger. “Don’t you dare use my words against me.” 

“I’m not,” Ace said. “I’m living by them.” 

Scott stepped closer, towering over him. “You’re being selfish.” 

Ace didn’t back down. “And you’re refusing to see the truth.” 

“The truth?” Scott scoffed. “The truth is you went behind my back.” 

“The truth,” Ace said, his voice rising, “is that I love her. And she loves me.” 

Scott turned to me, pain flashing across his face. “Is that really true, Sabrina? Do you actually love him?” 

“Yes,” I whispered. 

Something in Scott broke. He turned back to Ace. 

Ace’s fists clenched. “I didn’t want to destroy anything.” 

“But you did,” Scott said. 

Ace snapped. “She was never yours to begin with.” 

Scott’s face darkened, fury blazing in his eyes. 

“You’re done talking,” he said coldly. 

Ace met his gaze, unflinching. “No. I’m not.” 

And just like that, father and son locked in a heated stare.