Chapter 53 The Confession
Dandy.
Lilian still looked terrified, like a lamb being led to a slaughterhouse. She finally let go of my arm slowly, with her voice barely above a whisper.
"Fine. I'll go."
Guilt twisted in my stomach. I was the one who dragged her into this mess. The one who tricked her to come over. The one who put her in front of Xavier's cold fury.
Gosh I should have gotten rid of the bracelet immediately she told me she lost hers.
Xavier had relaxed slightly, the tension in his shoulders easing as he walked toward the door. Lilian followed behind him like she was walking to her own execution, her steps was small and hesitant. She kept glancing back at me with pleading eyes.
I wanted to tell her it would be okay, but I wasn't sure if that was true.
Xavier reached the door and stopped, turning back with an impatient look.
"Why aren't you moving?"
Lilian's fear changed into irritation instantly. She crossed her arms.
"Well, you should go first."
He scoffed loudly and dismissively, then yanked the door open and walked out without another word, slamming the door shut right in her face.
Lilian flinched hard her whole body jerked back. For a second, she just stood there, staring at the closed door like she couldn't believe what just happened.
I was also in shock by his attitude, did he plan on scaring her off again after convincing her.
She took a quick breath, and opened the door herself. She shot me one last look before disappearing after him.
The moment they were gone, Nicholas let out a long, dramatic sigh.
"What the hell is this situation? I didn't know Xavier could be so petty over a small issue. Wow. Remind me not to get on his bad side."
Alexander sneered, "Wasn't her friend the same person who rushed over like some sort of superwoman a few minutes ago to apparently 'Save Her'? Why is she suddenly afraid of a little conversation?"
That did it.
I turned to glare at him, my hands clenching into fists at my sides. He was so annoying. So insufferable. So hypocritical.
He'd been angry at me earlier. Angry because he thought I slept with Xavier. Meanwhile, he was the one sleeping around with that Roxy lady whenever he felt like it.
The audacity.
And with this his disgusting nonchalance and mockery, it was starting to really piss me off.
"You really should stop glaring at me that way," Alexander said coldly like it was a warning. "I'm not responsible for your frustration."
I laughed bitterly.
"Ha! And who said you're not part of my frustration? You are definitely a hundred percent part of my frustration. And your friend had better not hurt mine, because I'll fight back."
His eyes narrowed.
"Well, even if he did, you wouldn't be able to do 'A Thing'."
"You---" My blood boiled.
Nicholas stepped forward, his hands raised like he was trying to calm wild animals.
"Okay, you both really need to calm down."
We both turned and glared at him at the same time.
His hands dropped and his mouth shut. He took a step back, looking between us like he had just walked into a war zone.
I didn't care. I was done holding back.
"You. are. The. most annoying husband ever!"
Alexander took a step closer squinting his eyes dangerously.
"And who are you to say so?"
"Says me!" I shouted, stepping forward to meet him. "Your legally married wife!"
Behind us, I heard Willow whimper. The poor wolf ducked behind one of the couches, clearly wanting no part of this.
Nicholas tried again, his voice cautious.
"Okay, seriously, you both need to calm down before someone says something they'll regret."
Alexander ignored him completely. He stopped right in front of me, so close I could feel the heat radiating off him. His voice dropped dangerously low.
"That title is used only for contractual benefit, you're not entitled to use it, especially not against me. So I'll pardon your misbehavior"
"You---" I stared at him with wide eyes, my face felt hot and my hands shook slightly in hot rage.
This bastard!! how dare he look down on me!
He was the one who insisted I was 'Typically His Wife' earlier. The one who claimed ownership when it suited him. But now? Now it was just for show? And once again I'm not allowed to do the same when it also suits me?
Something inside me snapped.
"Argh! I hate you! I hate you so much!"
I hit his chest with both fists, again and again, my vision blurring with angry tears.
But before I could land another hit, his hands suddenly shot out. One grabbed my waist, yanking me against him. The other gripped my jaw, tilting my face up.
And then suddenly his lips crashed onto mine.
I froze.
My mind went completely blank. What the hell was he doing?
Behind us, I heard Nicholas mutter under his breath.
"Damn. This is the most toxic and awkward day of my entire life."
I heard him leave, his footsteps retreating quickly. Willow scrambled after him, clearly wanting to escape the chaos.
But I couldn't move.
I tried pushing Alexander away, but his body was solid and immovable. I gave up and clamped my mouth shut, thinking that would stop him.
But it didn't.
He bit my lower lip, hard enough to make me gasp.
The moment my mouth opened, his tongue invaded, claiming every inch with a hunger that felt both violent and desperate. He kissed me like he was punishing me. Like he was trying to silence me. Like he was trying to prove something I didn't understand.
My legs trembled my knees weakened. But his arm around my waist tightened, holding me up, refusing to let me fall.
I couldn't breathe or think or do anything at all.
When he finally pulled back, his glare was still there. His chest rose and fell harshly, matching mine.
I shoved him away, stumbling back a step with wide eyes. My hand flew to my lips, touching them like I couldn't believe what just happened.
"What the hell are you doing?" I yelled with a trembling voice.
"I don't fucking know!"
His shout made me flinch.
He ran a hand through his hair, breathing hard. When he spoke again, his voice was calmer but still intense.
"I should be asking you that question. Why are you so mad at me? It's not my fault your friend ended up in that situation. Why are you so mad when I didn't even do anything wrong?"
His eyes bored into mine, searching for an answer.
I blinked, my mind was scrambling. Yes why was I reacting this way? Why was I so angry?
Mabye because he was unfair. Because he had double standards. Because he could do whatever he wanted while I had to follow all his rules like some obedient puppet.
But I couldn't tell him that.
I already looked pathetic enough. I didn't need to add 'desperate wife' to the list. I don't want to look like I was some sort of bored desperate wife seeking for his attention.
I bit my lip hard tasting him in the process, and looked away. I needed to leave before I said something I would regret.
I turned to go, but his hand shot out and grabbed my arm pulling me so close to him again I could feel his breath
"Answer me."
"Let go."
"Not until you tell me why you're so upset."
"You have no right to force me to speak!"
"I'm your husband."
I laughed bitterly, yanking my arm, but he didn't let go.
"Husband? Really? You only claim that title when it's convenient for you! But of course I'm not allowed to do the same, and what right do you have to be angry at me if truly I had slept with Xavier, you're the one sleeping around with Roxy whenever you feel like it, while I'm stuck here obeying your stupid rules like an idiot!"
The words burst out before I could stop them.
Alexander froze.
His grip on my arm loosened slightly. His eyes widened, just a fraction, like my words had hit him somewhere he wasn't expecting.
He stepped closer after a while, his voice dropping low.
"Why does it bother you? Why do you care what I do too?"
I looked away immediately, my heart hammering.
He stared at me for a long moment. I could feel his gaze burning into me, searching and trying to figure me out.
"If you didn't care," he murmured, his voice almost soft, "you wouldn't be this angry."
My breath hitched.
His grip on my wrist loosened completely. His voice dropped even lower. As if he was contemplating if he should say what's on his mind or not.
"Are you jealous?."
"I'm not!" I snapped, my face heating up completely.
But even as I said it, I knew it sounded overly defensive. And I had probably given myself off.
He just stared at me, something raw and unreadable flickering in his eyes. Like he had just figured out something that terrified him.
He stepped back suddenly, letting me go completely.
He turned toward the door, his movements were stiff, like he was forcing himself to walk away.
But he suddenly paused at the doorway and looked back at me one last time.
"Don't ever say you hate me again."
Then he left.
And I tood there, frozen, my heart pounding so hard I thought it might break through my ribs.
My lips still tingled from his kiss.
And I had no idea why it felt like something between us had just changed forever.