Chapter 44 — Lies Part 1

My clutch on the handle loosened as my brows creased. Huh?

"It seems you have forgotten why you got married to the girl," the voice spoke again.

"No, father. You never let me forget," Hunter's voice was cold.

Father? Mr. Bryan King? My frown deepened even more as my heart thudded against my chest.

"I have to, son. It is my duty. I know you never wished to get married."

"Yet you made me!" Hunter snapped.

"If that old hag didn't make such a ridiculous rule to be married to be a part of the Elite board, I'd never force you. Or else...how would you be able to take over the Elite board's throne?"

My eyes widened as I breathed heavy. What were they even talking about?

"Since our purpose has been attained, this fake matrimony can be called off. No need for anyone to put up with the act anymore, right, son?"

"Yes, dad…If you're done, I have work to do."

N-No. He didn't. H-He didn't...

The rose in my hand slipped as I literally heard my heart shatter in pieces. My hand shot up covering my mouth and the other held the wall for support as the world seemed to begin spinning, and my legs felt like giving up. I looked at the ring in my finger not being able to believe my own ears. It felt as if the ground was snatched away from beneath my feet, and the sky collapsed on my head.

All this time the question I had been pushing in the back of my mind was finally answered, and it hit me like a thousand tons of bricks. All this time I had been living a lie.

"Anyways, I and your mother are going on a business trip to Canada..." He paused. "Here's the file of the contract and all the transactions made. You do check it out, son and get everything sorted ASAP."

Silence was all he met with for an answer.

Sound of footsteps neared the door, but I stood my ground because my mind was too occupied replaying those words again and again to command my legs. Swiftly the door opened revealing the polished figure of Mr. Bryan King. My eyes slowly travelled up meeting his wide eyes, his physique frozen. Getting out of his shock state he tore his gaze away sending a look over his shoulder and walked away.

As the barrier was eliminated my eyes met those of the traitor I had cherished for months, a fraction of shock laced in them which soon switched to anger. He got up from his chair. "You..." he bawled, his voice matching his glare. Marching to me he grasped my arm and pulled me inside shoving into the wall hard as pain shot throughout my back. "Did I not tell you not to come here today?"

I stared at those eyes. How easily they could deceive one. "How...How could you?" I breathed out.

All this time I had been nothing but a toy of his hands. All those sweet, caring behavior was nothing but a part of his act. He had been using me to achieve his wretched desire, and I let him like a fool I was.

A lump formed in my throat that I couldn't find the strength to swallow. "Lies…this has been all lies," I whispered. My eyes began to sting as my vision blurred. "I've just been a pawn in your dirty game all along."

His eyebrows lowered and chin jutted. "You women are all the same." The pure hatred his eyes reflected strangled my heart to demise. "I do not have time for your crap. Leave before I make you."

Drawing a shaky breath I fixed on him, and before I could resist my hand shot up coming in contact with his cheek, the sound echoing through the walls of the room.

A vein popped in his neck as his jaw clenched in a dangerous manner, and he slowly directed his eyes back on me, his glare murderous. In a flash my back hit the wall once again, his grip tight on my arm, but the pain was nothing compared to the one ensuing through my heart.

"Never. Ever. Do. That. Again," he growled in my face and left, his heavy footsteps fading away.

I lost control as I slipped down the wall, the atmosphere of the room getting heavy by my distressed sobs. "Why...Why me..."

For how long I had stayed on the floor self-pitying I had no idea, but when all the tears seemed to dry and my heart numbed I got up, and let my legs take me wherever my eyes led. I couldn't go to my parents for I couldn't see them heartbroken. I couldn't go to the Kings Mansion because I loathed that place. I couldn't even seek refuge in my bestie's.

The weather seemed to coincide with my state as the day began to somber, and the wind howled. Somewhere a lightning hit followed by a loud gregarious boom of thunder, and droplets of cold icy water came down pouring over the city. My steps hastened turning into a furious gallop until I stood in the middle of a deserted park, the heavy rainfall piercing my skin, but nothing could surpass the agony that split my heart into a million pieces.

A piercing cry assimilated the booming thunder that rumbled the sky as I fell to my knees on the ground, bits of rocks boring my skin. The warmth of my tears mingled with the cold rain flowed down my cheeks.

"Why did you save me from that fire if you had to kill me again?" I screamed at the sky. "Why couldn't you just give me the easy death?"

And I sat there letting the rain flood away all my tears, and as it abated into a drizzle all my pain was numbed. I had no more vigor left in me until a car came to a screeching halt in front of the park, and a flashlight was directed my way. Shutting my eyes close I held up my hand covering my face from the blinding light.

As my eyes adjusted to the light I looked through my fingers. My heart raced once again as a silhouette of a man stood just some feet away from me.

"Ember."