Chapter 143 143

Chapter 143 143
EVA

The car finally pulled up to the estate after a long ride and Nico killed the engine. I sat there for a moment, staring at the front doors.

I did decide I was going to ask him the next time I see him but what if he says it's true. We haven't really put a name on our relationship so what if I'm the only one overthinking all this, overthinking the relationship.

I did say it was just a fling, one that lasted longer than it should and now I'm about to pay for it, delusions in return for abandonment.

Nico climbed out and opened my door, and a maid appeared almost immediately, rushing to help me out of the car. I leaned on her, my leg dragging beside and my ribs screaming with every step that I took even with her help.

I look and feel pathetic. Stupid, weak, vulnerable. It's a big surprise Jace or Blair or Elena hasn't killed me by now.

The second we walked into the foyer, I saw Dante climbing down the stairs. He got to me and the maid and Nico went back outside to the car. 

I sigh. "What are you doing downstairs? I didn't think you'd be back yet."

He gently placed hand under my not so good arm to keep me steady. Then he looked at me without saying a word, his grey eyes scanning my face, "I've racked my brain hard and I still don't remember proposing marriage to anyone."

What?

I blinked at him. "What?"

"What were you on about?"

I'd gush about how adorable he was whenever he was curiously frustrated if I wasn't feeling so shitty right now. “Rich people don't really propose, Dante. They just sign the alliance papers their parents give them and hope it's a small wedding. I'm just surprised you're all going for the big one.”

He raised a brow. “What are you fucking on about?”

I'm sorry but it's going to take more than that to convince me that a well connected man like him doesn't know anything about his own wedding. 

Isn't marriage between two people, how is one aware and the other not.

But the good news is, he didn't ignore my calls on purpose when the news came out, it was because of an unfortunate accident.

The maid returned with the duffel bag in the trunk and bowed. “Please take it to Lily. Thank you.”

“To the bedroom.” Dante ordered without looking at her.

“What are you–” 

“What I should've done a long time ago.” He flicked my forehead slightly. “You think of all the women to form an alliance with, I'll pick Blair? Because my mother said so?” He flicked it again. “It hurts that you would actually think that.”

I rubbed my forehead and scoffed. “Dante, look at you for a second, look at your…family. Why should I not believe it? I'm getting tired of all this, I really am. And I don't think I can hold on anymore.” I sniffled and blinked back the tears threatening to fall, the. stretched out and opened my hand.

I have good eyes, I know what an intimate photo looks like. There's not a reason why Dante would hold Blair's chin, while she's sitting so delicately on the bed in clothes I can almost see through in the image.

Nothing.

What is it he wanted to say that he couldn't do so without holding her chin.

Even if it didn't mean anything, Chloe has eyes for romance, wherever, whenever, no matter how small the detail is, even if she kind of goes color blind when she meets  a glaring red flag.

She wouldn't make a big deal out of this if she wasn't sure.

“What?”

“Your phone.”

He pulled out his phone from his pocket and handed it to me. 

I swiped it open and searched his engagement article online then handed it back to him. He skeptically took it and began scrolling through, his brows furrowing deeper the lower he went.

He paused when it got to the picture I think, then he looked back up. “A second. I'll meet you upstairs.” He leaned in and kissed my forehead. “Except you want me hunting you down, do not go anywhere.”

He waved a maid over to help me and then walked out, furiously typing on his phone. 

What is he up to this time?

The maid helped me to the bedroom, where I unpacked the duffel bag and handed the maid Lily's plushie to take to her. A little familiarity in an unfamiliar place can do so much.

The second she left, I closed the bag and pushed it to the side before settling on the bed.

After minutes of waiting for Dante to return, I didn't know when I dozed off. One minute I'm here trying not to think, the next minute, I drifted off under the warm and cozy feeling, my body finally giving in to the exhaustion. 

I didn't even remember lying down.

I woke up to slow shuffling on the bed and the mattress dipping beside me. I grunted as I tried to shift, my ribs protesting. But any more movement and I'd be lying on my aching arm. I squinted against the dim light and saw his face.

Dante.

He was lying beside me on the edge of the bed, his hand resting on my cheek. It was cold. He leaned in and kissed my forehead, then pulled away.

"Go back to sleep.” He murmured.

I sighed. "Where'd you go?" I mumbled, barely coherent.

He brushed stray strands of my hair to the back of my ear.

Even half asleep, with my body screaming at me to rest, and the strong urge to just snuggle further into him, I can't ignore the only sane voice in my head, reminding me that this wasn't supposed to be happening.

This was setting myself up for more pain.

I forced my eyes open and slowly sat up, wincing as my ribs protested. I turned to face him. "Why do you keep doing this?"

I faced the front before he could reply. I really feel pathetic and stupid right now.

He sat up and  reached for the nightstand. He picked up a sealed phone box, and gently placed it on my thighs. "Here."

I stared at it, confused. "What is this?"

"Open it."

I took the phone and slowly unboxed it. It was a sleek black phone, with cameras that can possibly take pictures of the solar system. The screen lit up when I turned it on.

There was already a sim card inside, and it was mine.

When did he even have time to get a new phone? Under an hour? Even my sim from Mira.

I glanced at him, but he didn't explain. Dante sighed and wrapped his arms around me from behind, his chest warm against my back. Then he placed his chin rest on my shoulder, his breath almost on my neck.

I looked at the screen again and noticed that there was already a notification waiting for me to tap. From the short heading I can only make out that it was a news alert from one of the major outlets.

> BREAKING: DeLuca and Beaumont Engagement Officially Called Off

I stared at the headline, my heart stopping.

The article was posted an hour ago. It's even from a verified source. 

"Sources close to the DeLuca family have confirmed that the alleged engagement between Dante DeLuca and Blair Beaumont was never officially announced. The two families have no formal agreement, and the photos that surfaced were taken out of context."

I glanced at him and went back to reading.

"A representative for the DeLuca family released a statement earlier today, clarifying that while the two families have a long-standing relationship, there are no plans for a union between the two heirs for now. The representative also added that Mr. DeLuca is currently in a relationship with someone else and has been for some time."