Chapter One Hundred And Twenty Eight

Chapter One Hundred And Twenty Eight
Third-person Pov

Killian sat on the edge of his couch, his jaw clenched tightly as he stared blankly at the television screen in front of him. The video of Serena’s press conference had ended long ago, yet her words still echoed in his head like a haunting memory.

“I am not interested in Killian Blackwood and never will be.” Those were the words that kept echoing in his mind.

He ran his hand through his hair and groaned, the frustration bubbling up inside him like a volcano about to erupt. The public humiliation was one thing, but hearing her say his name in that cold, detached tone, like he was nothing but a nuisance, had hurt deeper than he expected.

He had sent her flowers, letters, gifts, everything he thought might soften her heart and she had thrown it all back in his face. In front of the world.

“What the hell did I even do wrong?” he muttered under his breath, pacing into the living room.

His shoes clicked against the tiled floor as he moved back and forth, restless. His thoughts ran wild. He remembered the last time he had seen her; the confidence, grace, and fire in her eyes. He admired that about her. He thought maybe she would understand his gestures one day. But instead, she had chosen to crush him.

Killian let out a deep sigh and slumped onto the couch, elbows resting on his knees. 

“I was only trying to show her I cared, and how sorry I am.” He whispered. “Why does everyone see it as wrong?”

“Dad?”

The soft voice he heard made him lift his head. At the bottom of the stairs stood Theo, his little boy, wearing his blue pajamas and holding his stuffed dinosaur. His messy hair and sleepy eyes tugged at something inside Killian which was the only gentle thing in his chaotic life.

“Hey, buddy,” Killian said quickly, forcing a smile as he straightened up. “What are you doing out of bed?”

Theo walked closer, clutching his toy. “I heard you talking loudly, Daddy. Are you angry?”

Killian chuckled weakly, rubbing the back of his neck. 

“No, not angry, just thinking a little too much.”

Theo frowned, his big brown eyes filled with concern. 

“You don’t look okay.”

Killian exhaled heavily. Even his five-year-old could see through him. He crouched down so he was eye level with Theo and placed both hands on his son’s small shoulders.

“I’m fine, champ,” he said softly. “Really, I am. Sometimes adults just get stressed. But you don’t have to worry about me, alright?”

Theo tilted his head slightly. “Promise?”

Killian then forced another smile and nodded. 

“I promise.”

Theo studied him for a moment before finally nodding back. 

“Okay, Daddy. I love you.”

That simple sentence almost broke Killian. He pulled Theo into a tight hug, breathing in his son’s scent. That innocent, warm smell that reminded him of what truly mattered.

“I love you too, Theo,” he whispered, kissing his forehead. “Now, go back to bed. You need to sleep.”

“Okay,” Theo said softly before turning and walking back upstairs, his little feet padding lightly against the steps.

Killian stayed crouched for a few seconds, watching his son disappear into his room before standing up again. He rubbed his face roughly with his hands and let out another frustrated groan.

Then his phone suddenly buzzed on the couch.

He hesitated for a moment before reaching for it. But then, the screen lit up, and he saw that it was a message from Samantha.

He rolled his eyes and unlocked the phone.

“You really look pathetic these days, Killian. I saw the press conference. She humiliated you, didn’t she? Maybe now you’ll realize who truly cared for you. I’m still willing to forgive you if you come back. Unlike Serena, I actually understand you.”

Killian scoffed, shaking his head. “Unbelievable.”

Of all the people in the world, Samantha was the last person he wanted to hear from. He had kicked her out of his life for a reason. The betrayal and the lies. He hadn’t forgotten about it at all. But seeing her message now felt like salt on an open wound.

He clenched his jaw and, without thinking twice, tapped her name and pressed the call button.

The phone rang only once before she picked up.

“Killian!” she said in an annoyingly cheerful tone. “I knew you would call. I told myself you would miss me eventually. You always do.”

Killian let out a dry laugh, though there was no humor in it. “You really think that highly of yourself, don’t you?”

“You don’t have to pretend with me, Killian. I saw the video. Serena embarrassed you, and I know how much that must hurt. But I can help you heal. I can…”

“Stop right there,” he cut her off sharply, and there was a pause. 

“What?”

Killian’s tone hardened. “You think I called because I missed you? You think I want to crawl back to you after everything you did?”

“Killian, come on…”

“No!” he snapped, standing up and beginning to pace again. “Not in this life. Not in five different lives, Samantha. I wouldn’t want you back even if you were the last woman on earth.”

“Killian, you’re overreacting…”

“You betrayed me,” he interrupted coldly. “You went behind my back, leaked information that could have ruined me, and then you had the audacity to act innocent. You’re lucky I only threw you out of my house and not into a cell.”

As he said that, silence reigned on the other end of the line.

“Listen carefully,” he continued, his voice low and sounding dangerous. “If you ever text me again, or even try to spread lies about me, I will have you arrested. I still have enough evidence to bury your career completely. Don’t test me.”

Samantha gasped softly. “You wouldn’t dare…”

“Try me,” Killian said, then ended the call before she could respond.

He threw the phone onto the sofa and leaned back, his chest rising and falling as anger coursed through him. His hands were trembling slightly from fury, humiliation and everything bottled up inside him.

Then he looked around the quiet living room; the dim lights, the ticking of the wall clock, the silence that followed his outburst. It all dragged him to be a lonely man now.

For a long moment, he just stood there, staring at nothing. 

“Serena, it’s not over yet,” he uttered softly with a bitter smile.