CHAPTER 76

CHAPTER 76
My heart was pounding. Blood roared in my ears, jealousy in my veins.

What the fuck? The same Elizabeth who might be responsible for the attack? Was he fucking her? What the fuck? Had I just allowed myself to become a sidechick?

Quickly, he ended the call and turned to me. “Nothing is going on between us.” He declared, and I scoffed, lying through my teeth, “I don’t care.”

“There is nothing between us, Carla. I am not lying to you. I hadn’t even seen her for a while before running into her at the Gala a few days ago. She means nothing to me. You have to believe me.” He insisted, gesturing painfully, trying to make me understand.

All I wanted to do was hurt him like he had hurt me. I was tired of men in my life throwing me in whichever direction they fucking wanted to.

“I don’t care, Alec. There is nothing between us. Just because we messed around twice doesn’t mean we are anything. Fuck whoever you want to. I don’t care. Just know you are never touching me again.” I hissed, my chest expanding in anger.

Hurt flashed over his face. “That wasn’t what you were saying an hour ago, was it?” He growled back, glaring at me, and my lungs constricted at his words, not at the hurt or in shock, but at the fact that he was just like me.

“Fuck you, Alec. Fuck her too. Messing around with the woman who might be responsible for almost killing us is a good fucking idea! Good job, boy! I hope she throws you a bone!” I taunted, mocking him. Then, I headed for the door and flung it open.

“You don’t know where we are. You don’t know where you are going. We have to –”

“Oh, go to hell, Alec.” I scoffed and walked out of the house.

My veins were molten. I was so fucking angry that it was hard to think. I didn’t know where I was going. All I knew was I had to get away from him. I was a vicious person when I was angry, and I didn’t want to make too much of a mess. Alec was the only one I had here. This was also not just anger; it was hurt, it was betrayal, which is stupid because there is nothing between us, so why do I feel betrayed? I don’t know. I just was.

Somehow, I found my way to the beach. I found some money in my dress pockets. I was sure Alec slipped it there. I didn’t know how.

I got a blanket, a hat, and a very cold drink, then settled on the ground and watched the water. It was stupid of me to do this. I was out in the open. I should be inside, finding something to do, and somehow to pay back the man who saved my life, who was keeping my children safe, our children.

Realisation dawned. I was not a good person in this situation. I was committing one of the biggest betrayals of all time. As much as I had my reasons, which still stood – Telling Alec about the children would create a complex situation for us, where he would want to take my children for me, or worse, want to marry me, all of which would be ways to tie us together more. I couldn’t allow that. I was doing this to get back my father’s empire, an inheritance for my children. Marrying Alec would give everything to him, and I couldn’t allow that.

I had my reasons, but I was still betraying him. This sexual relationship we’d barely started was a sure way to create a bigger mess. I was lying to him. I was keeping his children from him. It would break his heart, and mine too.

With a heavy heart, I pushed away all thoughts and got tan.

I must have fallen asleep because I woke up to an Umbrella over me. Alec was holding the Umbrella. He looked exhausted of me. I understood why he was. There was a killer out there looking for me, and I fell asleep on a beach with hundreds of random people I didn’t know. How reckless.

He helped me to my feet, handed me the Umbrella, and packed up my things. We walked back home in silence.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered when we walked in.

He shook his head, ignoring my apology.

“I am sorry for the words I said, Alec. I didn’t mean it. It’s none of my business what you do with other women. I’m also sorry for falling asleep out in the open like that. It was reckless of me. I … I’m alone out here, and you are the only one I have.” I whispered, forcing myself to say the words.

We were two people forced into a very unpleasant situation. I was keeping something huge from him. The guilt was a noose around my neck.

He looked at me, brows furrowed, “It’s alright, Carla. I’m very sorry for what I said. It was stupid. I don’t want us to fight. We should be a team. There is a forty per cent chance of us being found here, and if that happens, I need to know you trust me to keep you safe.” He expressed, and a chill ran down my spine. I hadn’t thought about that.

“I trust you,” I whispered, wrapping my arms around my body.

“I trust you too. We are a team. Don’t forget.” He smiled, moved closer, and wrapped me in his arms.

My heart pounded at the immediate warmth that flooded my body the second our bodies touched. I lingered in his hold longer than I should have. I pulled away eventually, feeling ignited by his hand on my hip. He knew how to touch me. He knew exactly what to do to make me feel good. I shouldn’t be having these thoughts now. We just fought.

I glanced at his face and wasn’t surprised to find lust in his eyes.

“Well, I’ll take a shower.” I forced a grin and walked away. My mind was a mess.