Chapter 13 13
|| Author Pov ||
Before Alice could open her eyes, she flinched as harsh lips crashed onto hers. Her eyes shot open in shock and froze when they met the pair of familiar, piercing eyes of Tristian.
Her breath hitched. Tristian kissed her with a hunger that sent shivers down her spine. He tasted her tears. Lips against lips, molded together. Their breaths mingled.
Alice melted in him, overwhelmed by the intensity. It was her first kiss, and she was totally unprepared. His lips were moving passionately on her soft petals. Their lips pressed, tilted, rolled.
“Mmh.” Alice whimpered.
Tristian finally pulled back, his gaze locking onto hers with an intensity that made her heart stutter.
Alice stared dumbfounded. She couldn’t believe what had just happened. Her brother-in-law just kissed her. Her eyes stayed wide.
Tristian wiped his wet bottom lip with his thumb “Enough of this!” he growled, “You still want your husband’s love, Alice?” His eyes were darkly possessive.
Alice’s lips were flushed pink and swollen from his kiss.
“Where do you think you were going?”
Alice braced herself, pressing the back of her hand against her lips before pushing him away weakly. “I don’t want to stay here! I can’t! I’m leaving this house!” Her voice cracked with frustration and fear.
Tristian moved closer, cupping her face firmly in his hands. “You’re not going anywhere. I won’t let you leave. Never.” His voice was commanding, almost cruel. “Use me. Use me all you want, Alice! Get your revenge. Take whatever you need. Show him that you’re not weak. Show him you don’t need him.”
He didn’t just kiss her, he manipulated her.
Alice was still in shock. Her lips parted slowly. “And why… why are you trying to help me?” she whispered, pressing herself back against the seat.
Tristian scoffed lightly. “I don’t know.” he said deliberately. “I want you.”
Alice froze, breath catching in her throat. Her brother-in-law wanted her.
Meanwhile, Nick’s betrayal, his cruelty, his indifference, it all flashed through her mind like shards of glass.
Alice couldn’t look at Tristian, couldn’t even speak. Her chest rose and fell quickly, heartbeat racing as fast as the car. She sniffled, wiping her tears with the back of her hand.
“I want him to regret!” Alice spat suddenly. Her voice trembled, a mix of hatred, pain, and vengeance.
Tristian’s brows arched, amusement flickering in his eyes. So, she’d finally cracked. His plan was working.
“Good.” he murmured, his hand lifting to her cheek, thumb brushing her skin with deceptive tenderness. “That’s how good girls should decide. You’re too pure for him.” His gaze dropped to her trembling lips.
Then his smirk returned, dark and victorious. “You just accepted the devil’s hand, Alice.” He leaned closer.
“You’re mine now.”
Tristian leaned in, his lips brushing hers in a fleeting, possessive peck. “You’re so pretty,” he whispered, his voice low and commanding. “Go back to your room. Be a good girl, not for that cheater, but for me.”
Alice’s chest heaved. She sniffled, blinking back tears but this time there was steel beneath the sorrow. She had made her choice.
She would make him pay. Just as he had broken her.
Her eyes locked on Tristian’s one last time, a glance heavy with pain, hatred, and a silent promise. He smirked, sensing the storm brewing behind those tearful eyes, unaware that she was already planning her revenge.
\------
|| NEXT MORNING ||
Alice quietly served food to Martha while Nick sat silently, eating his breakfast. From the corner of her eyes, she stole glances at him.
Oh, how she longed for her husband’s love.
“Good morning.” Tristian greeted, entering the dining hall with a graceful smile.
Martha’s face lit up at the sight of her son. Alice’s eyes met his briefly before she quickly looked away, last night’s memory flashing in her mind. Her throat felt dry, and she licked her lips nervously. Tristian smirked faintly as he took his seat.
Alice stepped closer to serve him food. Tristian brushed his hair back with his fingers, his gaze occasionally flicking toward her. Alice tried her best to ignore him, but his presence was heavy, teasing and knowing.
“Sit with us.” Tristian said suddenly.
Both Martha and Nick looked up. Nick continued munching his food lazily, while Martha smiled. “Don’t worry, dear. Eat with us.” she encouraged kindly.
Alice hesitated.
“Sit, Alice.” Tristian repeated without moving his gaze away from her.
“I–I… well…” with a small, shaky breath, Alice obeyed and sat across from him.
Tristian picked up his fork. His lips curved into a faint, dangerous smirk. Alice tensed. She didn’t know what was happening between them, what it even meant but every time her eyes landed on Nick, her anger rose again.
Knowing he spent his nights with other women burned her from inside.
Alice lifted her gaze once more and met Tristian’s dark, steady eyes. Her heart skipped and she instantly looked down.
Nick spared a brief glance at his wife. Tristian followed his brother’s gaze and his jaw tightened imperceptibly. Even if Alice was Nick’s wife, seeing her like that stirred something dark within him. His fingers gripped the fork a little too tightly.
When Nick finally looked away, Tristian exhaled slowly, almost as if trying to calm himself. He didn’t understand why jealousy burned inside him, of all people, himself having an affair.
But he didn’t care. He wanted Alice. He wanted to claim her, to unravel her innocence and devour every bit of her that had belonged to someone so undeserving.
Breakfast had ended.
Nick wiped his mouth and excused himself from the table casually, unaware of the storm he had left behind.
Martha rose gracefully as well, leaving only Tristian and Alice. He continued nibbling at his food, his dark eyes occasionally glancing at Alice. A faint smirk tugged at the corners of his lips.
Alice rounded the table, gathering crumbs and plates with careful movements. She could feel Tristian’s gaze burning into her back, a heat that made her stomach twist. Her heart thumped nervously. Being alone with him after last night–was almost scary.
Alice took a shaky breath and stepped closer, reaching his side to clean up, trying to appear composed. But before she could move, his hand shot out and caught her delicate arm.
Tristian pulled her firmly closer, bringing her face near his. Alice’s eyes widened when his lips met hers. Before she could even process, his lips were pressing and devouring he mouth. Alice clenched her fists. The thought that if anyone sees what was happening churned her stomach.
Alice’s fist collided with his shoulder and Tristian broke the kiss. She stumbled back, breathless. “What—”
Tristian straightened up, towering over her, “You already forgot the deal between us?”
Alice’s cheeks flushed. She took a cautious step back. “I… I don’t want to cheat.”
“I liked your taste, now I want more.” he purred almost magically.
Alice swallowed. Her eyebrows knitted. She hesitantly opened her mouth “But I feel like a sinner.”
Tristian’s eyes darkened at her words. A dangerous amusement twisted his features. “You want to stay loyal to someone who’s cheating on you?” A snarl escaped him. Alice gripped her dress tightly. Her knuckles turned white.
Reality hit her again sharply.
Her lips trembled as she parted them. “I need time.” she breathed.
Tristian stepped closer but Alice shook her head, heart racing. “Someone will see.” she whispered, before turning around and ran out of the dinning.
Tristian looked away, letting out a soft chuckle.
Then faint noises drifted from the living room. Curious, he stepped out of the dining area.
Tristian’s left eyebrow arched but soon, a smirk appeared on his face when he saw the uninvited guest on the doorway.