Chapter 25 Chapter 25.

Chapter 25 Chapter 25.
(Rebecca)

Stepping out of the house and into the garden, I felt an uncontrollable rage boil within me, a storm I couldn’t quite comprehend.

How dare he cheat on me?!

"I'm his partner in this game, so why the hell did he betray me?" I yelled, pacing back and forth among the petals and greenery.

It was just a game, yes, but the betrayal stung like a physical wound.

“Who cheated on you?” Daniel's voice rang out behind me, startling me.

I turned, eyes wide, but I quickly regained my composure, crossing my arms defiantly as I faced him. “No one,” I replied, my voice steadier than I felt.

“No one?” His scoff held disbelief as he stepped closer. “Rebecca, I heard you yelling about someone cheating on you. You're saying it’s no one?!”

"So what? What’s it to you?" I challenged, my heart pounding as the confrontation escalated.

“Did Lucian cheat on you?” Concern laced his features, but I didn’t trust it.

"You cheated on me too," I shot back, the accusation drenching my voice in anger.

"Rebecca, I didn’t cheat on you!" he defended, and my fury only grew.

“Really? You really think I’d believe that?” I spat.

His expression softened. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I did what I thought was necessary to protect you.”

I sighed heavily, genuinely exhausted from his endless explanations.

“I love you, Rebecca,” he whispered, his voice almost breaking as he reached for me.

I jerked my hand away, my heart racing not from desire but from betrayal. “That’s enough! I’ve had enough of your nonsense!” I exclaimed, my voice firm, and I side-stepped him, my heart aching with every step. Memories of his betrayal crashed over me like waves, relentless and suffocating.

Just as I turned to the garden path, I bumped into someone. “Sorry, sorry!” I stammered, taking a step back and looking up to meet the cold gaze of another contestant.

“Watch it, bitch!” The young woman spat at me.

“I said I was sorry,” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. I tried to walk past her but her voice cut through the air, halting me in my tracks.

"Of course, as expected from someone like you," she sneered, her words dripping with venom. "A cheap whore."

I turned to face her, incredulous. "What? What did you just call me?"

"At least I'm a cheap whore with dignity," I shot back at her, my tone laden with emotion mixed with anger. "I’m actually working hard to get what I want."

"Of course, you worked very hard to bring your family the shame and betrayal you brought them," she said mockingly, irritating me further.

"Whatever happens between me and my family is none of your business,” I snapped, my voice steady but charged with controlled anger.

"Then keep your family drama out of our lives!" she fired back, her voice rising. "Stop hijacking the media with your shameless antics!"

"The media is a free platform for everyone," I retorted, my resolve strengthening. "If you don’t like a content, you’re free to ignore it."

With that, I turned on my heel, leaving behind her hostile inheritance and stepping towards my own path.

As I marched away from the rude woman, my heart was pounding from the fight, but not just from the confrontation. Each step felt heavy, as if the ground beneath me was trying to anchor me down in place, force me to confront all the emotions bubbling inside me. Anger, sadness, betrayal—it was a cocktail that threatened to spill over at any moment.

I could feel Daniel's gaze still on me as I made my way through the garden. I didn't want to look back, didn’t want to see that look of concern or regret etched into his features. He had hurt me, and I couldn't fathom how anyone could cause someone they claimed to love so much pain, especially right after I was reminded of why I couldn’t trust him again.

"Rebecca, wait!" Daniel called after me, his voice more strained now.

I paused but didn’t turn around. Part of me wanted to give in, to let him explain, but I knew what he would say would be nothing but more excuses, more lies.

"Please! Just hear me out!" The desperation in his voice tugged at my heartstrings, but I was done being pulled in by sweet words and heartfelt pleas.

"Why, Daniel? So you can stand there and tell me how much you love me and how it was all a misunderstanding?" I snapped.

The truth was, I was tired of misunderstandings. I was tired of being the one who forgave while Daniel kept making excuses for his actions. I took a deep breath, steeling myself against the emotions that threatened to erupt.

“I’ll say it again: I’m finished with your nonsense. I want to focus on my game, my goals, and not the mess you’ve created.” I finally turned to face him, allowing my emotions to seep into my words.

Daniel took a step closer, and I could see the pain in his eyes— or at least what he wants me to see, mingling with determination. "I just want a chance to prove myself to you," he replied, his voice almost a whisper.

"Prove yourself? You’ve had plenty of chances. Stop treating my trust like a game you can win back with a few nice words." I shook my head, feeling the weight of the situation press even heavier on my chest.

This time, it was I who walked away, pushing myself beyond the heated confrontation. I needed to clear my head and gather my thoughts. I stepped into a quiet corner of the garden, where the comforting scent of the flowers enveloped me in a gentle embrace. I closed my eyes, allowing nature to envelop me, to soothe my pain. With every breath I took, I imagined letting go of the tension that had gripped me so tightly. Before I knew it, the minutes slipped into hours, and I lost track of time altogether.

When I finally opened my eyes, a surge of confusion washed over me as I found myself in a bedroom. How did I get here? My heart raced as snippets of the garden echoed in my mind, its vibrant colors fading as reality set in. I shot up, pulse pounding in my ears, and began scanning my surroundings with mounting panic.

Then my gaze landed on him, seated at the far corner of the room.