Chapter 44
Alaric’s mind had been boiling in a rage since they left Tamsin’s house. “Anna must pay!” He growled, his words echoing for the second time—first, as they exited Tamsin’s compound, and now, as they waited for the gate to swing open.
As the gates creaked open, Easton’s foot hovered over the accelerator, ready to move forward. But Cressida’s stopped voice halted him. “Wait,” she said softly, her eyes locking onto Alaric’s as she turned to face him.
“Alaric, I need you to take a step back. Anna’s actions were directed at me, not you. Can you let me handle it?”
“But-” his lips parted to protest, but Cressida's raised finger silenced him, its gentle gesture imbued with an unspoken authority that only she seemed to wield. He swallowed his words, his eyes locked on hers as he waited for her to continue.
“It’s connected to you, yes, but the device was planted on me,” Cressida pointed out, her voice measured. “I’m asking you, please, to let me handle this. Not because I’m ordering you, but because I need your trust in this matter.”
Her gaze intensified, her tone taking on a subtle edge. “Don’t confront her. Don’t think about making her pay. If you do, you’ll find yourself facing me instead of her. Let me handle her, please.”
Alaric’s curiosity got the better of him. “How do you plan to handle her?” He asked, his tone laced with a mix of skepticism and intrigue.
“In any way I deem fit,” Cressida’s response was disarmingly simple. Her gaze drifted away from Alaric, settling on the back of Easton’s head. “Sometimes, reacting impulsively only leads to more complications. In situations like this, it’s better to take a step back, strategize, and figure out the best course of action,”
Her voice took on a thoughtful tone. “Anna doesn’t strike me as someone who’d act without a reason—a reason that’s probably more complex than we think. I don’t just want to react—I want to understand what’s driving her actions.”
Alaric’s lips curled into a wry smile as he shrugged. “But why...?” He trailed off, his amusement clear. He clarified, “Why do you always take things so lightly? You give second chances way too easily. Things aren’t meant to let slide easily.”
Cressida’s eyes sparkled with mirth as she stared at him, her mind racing with responses. But before she could settle on the right words, Alaric blinked, confused, and prompted her again.
“What’s it?”
Her giggles bubbled over, and she let her thoughts spill out. “If I didn’t give second chances, do you think we’d even be in this kind of relationship? Would we even be able to coexist like this?”
She raised an eyebrow, her tone playful. “If I didn’t let things slide, do you deserve to sit peacefully beside me to have this conversation? I bet it’d never happen.”
“Hun?” His tone was questioning, inviting her to elaborate.
She nodded resolutely, her words firm. “Yes, I’m sure of it. Have you forgotten how you used to behave? If I didn’t take things lightly, do you think you’d be the kind of guy a woman would fall for?”
Alaric’s protest was immediate. “I am.” He said, a hint of defensiveness creeping into his tone, as if he’d like to believe that his past self wasn’t that bad.
She shook her head slowly, a teasing glint in her eye. “No, you’re not,” she said, her voice laced with playful mockery. “That’s just your imagination running wild, fueled by all those romance novels you’ve read,”
Her gaze held a neutral expression, but her words cut deep. “Your attitude would’ve driven most people away—men included. If we had the same temperament, if I were as harsh as you, if I hadn’t used wisdom to navigate our interactions, do you think we’d be where we are today?”
Alaric’s eyes flashed with annoyance, but he bit back his retort. He didn’t want to lose his temper or raise his voice around her again. He swallowed hard, his throat dry, and opted for a different approach.
He took his eyes off her, turning his head away to gaze out the window. “Fine,” he agreed. “You can handle it. Do it however you want. I won’t intervene. I don’t even care,”
He paused, expecting her to react with a mocking laughter as she used to, but she remained silent. His gaze snapped back to hers, and his eyes slightly broadened. “I’m serious. I don’t care how you resolve it. Just handle it.”
Cressida released a soft sigh and broke eye contact with him, turning to face the other side. She rested her elbow on the armrest, her head leaning on her palm as she relaxed. “Let’s go in, please.” She ordered Easton, and he promptly accelerated. But before they could move, Alaric’s voice cut through the air.
He cast his face downward. “Stop!” He commanded, his tone sharp.
Cresssida’s head snapped back, her eyes locking onto his, concern etched on her face. “What’s wrong?” She asked, her voice laced with genuine worry. She placed her hand on his shoulder, continuing with a soft tone. “Are you okay?”
Alaric’s head lifted slowly, his eyes locking onto Cressida’s before he burst into laughter that lasted for a few seconds.
His sudden outburst left Cressida confused. “What’s going on?” She asked, her face scrunched up in puzzlement.
As Alaric’s laughter subsided, his expression turned introspective. “I wasn’t feeling well when I thought you didn’t care,” he disclosed, his voice tinged with relief. “But now that I know you do, it’s a weight off my chest.”
Cressida gritted her teeth, her eyes flashing with anger as her expression shifted from confusion to annoyance.
“Are you–” Alaric wanted to talk, but her sharp tone cut his words off, silencing him.
“Shut the fuck up!” She yelled and stared at him for a few seconds. She faced her front, directing her firm words to Easton. “Move.”
Easton nodded. He put the car in gear and accelerated smoothly.
The car pulled up to the entrance, and as Cressida stepped out, Anna emerged from the house, and seeing Cressida, her eyes widened in shock and confusion, and she spun around.
Cressida stood still, watching Anna to see her next action.
After a moment, Anna’s mind clicked back into gear, and she reached for the door handle, but before she could turn it, Cressida’s voice stopped her.
“Wait!”
Anna’s eyes enlarged. “Huh!” She toned, paralyzed, unable to move forward to open the door or take a step back so she could lift her feet and run into the corner.
Her eyes were fixed on the spot, her mind racing with a silent plea for a swift escape. She wished the ground would open up and swallow her whole before Cressida reached her.
As she stood there, frozen and helpless, her conscience gnawed at her, making it hard to muster the courage to turn around and face Cressida. Her body began to shiver, betraying her fear.
Easton assisted Alaric out of the car and wheeled him forward, stopping just a short distance behind Cressida. He knew Alaric would want to observe the unfolding scene, even if he wasn’t allowed to intervene.
Cressida moved forward, and the sound of her footsteps amplified Anna’s fear, making her body tremble visibly. As Cressida arrived behind her and gently touched her shoulder, a startled sound escaped Anna’s lips.
“Ahn!”
The touch shattered her fragile composure, and she turned around involuntarily. Her eyes met Cressida’s, but she couldn’t hold the gaze, and quickly looked down as her body continued to shake with fear.
Seeing her touch discomforted Anna, Cressida took her hand off her. Her gaze lingered on Anna for a second, taking in her swollen face and reddened eyes. She furrowed her face, showing concern, “what’s wrong?”
Anna remained silent, her gaze fixed on the ground. She struggled to compose herself, but her body betrayed her, trembling uncontrollably. Sweat poured out of her pores, beading on her forehead and dripping down to her eyelids, where it clung precariously. Her breathing was ragged, and her entire demeanor screamed of distress.
Cressida’s concern deepened, her face etched with worry. She longed to offer comfort with a touch, but refrained from touching Anna, aware it might exacerbate her distress. Instead, she spoke softly.
“Is everything okay? Do you need anything?”
She paused, allowing her words to sink in, but Anna remained unresponsive.
Undeterred, Cressida continued, “or maybe you’re not comfortable here. We can go inside and discuss it. Just you and me, no one else,”
Her eyes flicked briefly to Alaric before returning to Anna. “Not even Alaric,” she said reassuringly. “Should we go inside?”
She reached out for Anna’s hand, gently taking it to turn her around. However, Anna’s body was rigid, her feet rooted to the spot, refusing to budge.
Anna sniffled, fighting to contain her tears. She inadvertently jerked her hand away from Cressida’s grasp and shook her head. “No, ma'am,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m fine. I don’t need your help,”
“Nothing’s wrong with me. We don’t need to go anywhere to discuss.” Anna said firmly, her words a clear dismissal, and before Cressida would respond, she curtsied hastily and turned to flee.
She rushed away, disappearing around the corner to the left, which led to the backyard—a sanctuary where she and her peers often gathered to gossip. With the coast clear, she would have the space to herself, allowing her to process her emotions in private.
‘What have I done to myself?’