Chapter 69 A Rhode
Chris rose to his feet under the watchful gaze of Cara. His body shook with anger and he clenched his fist. With a glare, he warned Romeo through gritted teeth. "This isn't over yet, pretty boy. I promise you."
Cara scoffed a laugh, trying not to find it unbelievable that Chris was going to such extents. Didn't he boast on the day of their divorce that she would be the one to beg him to take her back? Why was he so desperate now?
She watched him storm to his car and drive off, leaving them with nothing but his dust. Her eyes landed on Romeo and sorry flickered across them as she scanned his body for any sign of injury.
"Are you okay? Were you hurt?"
Romeo smiled softly. He had been the one that landed the blows yet she was worried about him. His eyes lit up like an excited puppy. "I'm alright." He took her hand in his. "As long as you are."
She nodded her head with a weak smile. A soft sigh escaped her mouth and Romeo cupped her cheek.
He looked into her eyes, his emerald balls of magic glowing with worry. "I think you should get a restraining order, Cara. I'm too worried about the things he will try to do when I'm not there. Or will you move in?" His brow arched.
Her eyes widened and her cheek burnt red. "M--move in?!" She exclaimed. A nervous chuckle escaped her mouth as she explained. "It's not that bad, it's alright. I can handle myself and I promise you that I will get a restriction order. So you don't have to worry." She smiled softly.
"Are you sure a restriction order will be enough?" He questioned worriedly. "Promise me that you'll move in if it gets too much."
She found the idea absurd! Moving in with a man she was yet to marry. It shouldn't freak her like the way it did since she was an adult but she liked Romeo so much that she was worried about the things that would happen between them.
She knew for sure that she wouldn't be able to keep away from him. Maybe he might even grow tired of her due to her clingy attitude!
She couldn't let that happen. Not when she wondered if he would still find her attractive if he lived with her.
Waking next to him every single morning would be a dream come true for her but who knew? It could be a deal breaker for him.
Despite all of that, she nodded her head with a gentle smile on her face. "I promise."
He looked almost satisfied with her response then pulled her to his chest to hug her, caressing her back in a loving and brotherly way.
A sigh escaped his mouth. He wanted to be everything to her, a comforter, a lover, a family. He wanted his arms to be a place she could and would willingly fall into whenever she was in distress or in any kind of emotional pain.
He hoped she thought like that.
The others didn't utter a word, the moment needed to be savored by both members of the couple.
Their cars arrived and they all went home after saying goodbye to one another.
That night, Romeo was all too reluctant to go home and leave her alone. He wanted to spend the night with her but she forced him to return home, telling him she would be fine on her own.
She would be lying if she said she didn't want his company that night but she also knew both had to be somewhere they called home. He with his family and her with her solitude.
She walked to her bedroom after a shower with a glass of red wine in her hand. She needed to think, to understand Chris' motives. He would never do the crazy things he was doing if it weren't for something that would benefit him greatly.
Or did he place a bet on her? Saying he would easily lure her back into his arms?
That could never happen so it was already a loss for him. But still, what could the real reason be?
Meanwhile...
Jessica stared at herself in the mirror, her reflection staring back at her. It returned to her, all in a blur, still like a lightning. Her cheek stung as she remembered how Chris had hit her and she winced.
She closed her eyes to calm herself, the rage that pulsated through her veins caused her fist to subconsciously clench as well as her jaw.
Her eyes grew open softly, a memory that caused a sudden shiver to run down her spine in a good way, she shivered, her fist and jaw unclenching.
Romeo had grabbed Chris by his collar and gave him a heavier blow than the one he had given her. Why he took her side without any hesitation, she didn't know but that single move caused her heart to flutter.
Come to think of it, her heart never fluttered once for Chris. Because she never loved him. She loved his money.
She was also very sure that Chris would never have taken her side like that. He probably wouldn't have flinched.
She scoffed. "What were you thinking, Jessica Rhodes?" She muttered to herself.
A single stroke of tear trailed down her face and she immediately wiped it off. Her heart ached, it was all too heavy to carry on her own. The pain, the silence, the way she had to pretend to all of them, it was all too much to carry on her own.
"Why won't he ever respect me?" She asked her reflection and stared as if expecting a response. Yet her reflection stared wordlessly at her. "As expected," she stated with a nod of her head. "You are always taking shit and keeping quiet! Why did you think submitting to him and his stupid family would make any difference?
"You have been too soft lately. All that niceness has to be trashed, now, it's time to show him that you are Jessica Rhodes, not Knowles, and a Rhode never takes shit from anyone!"
She glared into the mirror.