Chapter 32 32
Venessa’s POV
“Was that really necessary?” Denzel demanded, his voice sharp. “You said your foot hurt. Why can’t you just leave her alone?”
“When you finally decide to treat me like your wife when you touch me!” Jalisa screamed back, tears spilling as her voice cracked.
“How can I, Jalisa?” he snapped. “You reek of Tyrell all the time. It takes everything in me not to assume you’re fucking him. The only reason I give you the benefit of doubt is because I trust him. And I know exactly why your father forced this marriage so he can seize control of my military by hook or crook and bend it to his will. Do you have any idea how close I am to filing for divorce? Stop this madness.”
I froze.
I hadn’t known Denzel carried so much anger beneath the surface. So much restraint. It explained everything why he was finally willing to try, why the cracks were beginning to show.
In the past, he had been devoted to her, blindly loyal. But now… his eyes were opening.
What had changed?
“Rayon,” Nyla murmured in my mind, and I hoped she was right. If saving Rayon was what it took to wake Denzel up, then I was grateful deeply grateful.
“How dare you insinuate that I would ever sleep with Tyrell?” Jalisa spat. “He’s my friend.”
Her gaze slid to me, sharp and calculating.
“You don’t seem to have a problem with her fucking Rayon,” she added, sounding just as foolish as she always did.
I wasn’t his wife. But logic had never been her strong suit.
“Venessa is not my wife,” Denzel said coldly. “She is not my Luna. She is free to date whomever she wants. You speak as if I keep a harem. I would have divorced you already even if it cost me half my land and some of my people but I will not do that to my child. Leave Venessa alone. I’m sick of this nonsense.”
His warning rang loud and clear.
I pushed myself up from the floor. The kick had been deliberate meant to humiliate but I returned to her feet anyway and resumed the massage. I never claimed to be a saint. If she wanted a performance, I’d give her one.
“That’s enough,” Jalisa snapped. “Leave us.”
I stood and exited without a word.
My mind was already racing.
If Denzel was here and the king was still around then where was Fabian?
There was only one answer.
Jalisa wouldn’t leave Denzel’s side unless she was guarding him. Which meant Fabian was with Tyrell.
And that meant trouble.
Rayon, do you know where Tyrell is? I linked him urgently.
“Yes. We’re heading to lunch with the king.”
My stomach twisted violently.
“Excuse yourself. Now,” I ordered.
Silence.
“Rayon, please,” I begged, panic clawing up my throat. “Find an excuse. Don’t take anything from them.”
Tears blurred my vision as fear tightened its grip.
“I need you to trust me. I’ll tell you everything later things you won’t like, things that will sound insane but please, find a way out. If you can’t, don’t eat or drink anything they offer. Please… I’m begging you.”
“Does this have something to do with why you wanted to see me earlier?” he asked quietly.
“Yes,” I said, my voice breaking. “This is a matter of life and death. Please. I can’t lose you.”
The silence stretched painfully long.
I didn’t even realize I was crying until I felt the tears sliding down my face. I had never felt so powerless. This wasn’t a battle of strength it was a battle of the mind.
“Alright,” he finally said. “I’ll excuse myself and come to you.”
I exhaled shakily.
I didn’t know if the king would have chosen to kill him, but I wasn’t willing to risk it. Fate had spared Rayon for a reason and I intended to keep him alive.
I needed him.
Back in my room, I collapsed onto the bed, forcing myself to breathe. After a while, I moved to the chair by the window and stared out at the garden. Tonya was tending to the lettuce, her movements gentle and unhurried.
I decided then that I would ask her to be my assistant. I needed her close safe. She had a pure heart, a sincere friendship untouched by envy or jealousy.
I waited.
An hour later
“Meet me at the gate. I want to take you somewhere nice.”
Rayon’s voice echoed in my head, and relief flooded me. I slipped into a peach sundress and let my hair fall freely down my back.
On my way out, I ran straight into Denzel.
“Where are you going dressed like that?” he asked, his tone unreadable.
“Rayon is taking me to lunch.”
A low growl vibrated from his chest.
“It’s a friendly lunch. Nothing more, Alpha,” I said calmly.
He studied me closely.
“Are you upset about what happened with Jalisa earlier?”
I shook my head.
“No. I was already heading out when she called for me.”
He exhaled, but his eyes darkened. Even if Denzel saw nothing wrong with it, Nigel clearly disagreed.
“There’s nothing between Rayon and me,” I said quietly. “Trust me.”
He nodded.
I didn’t linger. As tempting as his attention was, time was against me and the clock was ticking.
Rayon was waiting at the gate. I climbed into the vehicle, and he smiled, openly admiring me.
“You look beautiful,” he said, then chuckled. “I’m very curious about this urgency, Venessa. It better be worth it.”
I laughed softly.
“It is,” I promised.