Chapter 33: Judgment Day is Near

The car came to a sharp pause and I noticed that we were surrounded by a number of cars. I gasped and pulled Andrew closer to me, stress compelling my nerves to activate the emergency system.

“What’s happening!?” I yelled at the cab driver, who again ignored me and went out. I exhaled heavily and looked around, trying to grasp the situation. Immediately, I took out my phone and decided to call Max before it was too late.

As I was about to call him, my phone started ringing. It was Xavier — and my hands froze as soon as I saw his name pop up. There was something about everything related to him — I couldn’t think of anything when his name popped up. Maybe this was some psychological thing.

“Is that Xavier uncle?” I heard Andrew as he looked at my phone’s screen. “You should pick it up, mommy. I am sure he can help us!”

I didn’t know how Drew even understood the situation — or that we needed help, but I didn’t know what else to do. I knew that Xavier wouldn’t hurt Drew. He might hurt me; but the recent events made it seem as if he cared for him. I couldn’t care about myself anymore. If it could make sure Drew was safe, I would be all for it.

Moreover, Max was busy with some stuff. If I called him for help, he would never let me do something on my own again.

I picked it up before it could end.

“H-Hello?” I said as I put the phone to my ear.

“Finally.”

His voice resounded in my ear, somehow making me extremely nervous. I breathed heavily. The memories of so many tormenting events captured my brain into an endless nightmare.

“X-Xavier. What’s happening?”

“Nothing much. Come out of your car.” His calm voice made things worse.

“N-no. I won’t come out. T-Tell me what do you want?”

I heard a sigh from the other side of the phone. “I really don’t want to force you out in front of Drew. Please don’t make me.”

I shivered as I imagined the worst he could do to me. I only picked his call because I wanted to make sure Drew was safe — I knew Xavier was in control right now and if I didn’t do as he said, he might even resort to hurting Drew.

I came out of the cab with Drew in my hands as I saw no other way.

“Scarlet.”

I heard his voice from behind me. I turned around and there he was — his hands in his pocket, his suit all well made and a simple smirk on his god like face.

Again.

He took a step towards me and I pulled Andrew’s face towards me, hugging him tightly. He looked at my reaction and chuckled.

“You lied to our son about everything, didn’t you?”

“What do you mean?” I said, even though I had an idea of what he meant. He shook his head and took a few steps towards me, while I stood still — trying not to be intimidated by him.

“Max? and his father?” He continued with a despiteful look on his face. “You think you can make this decision in his life? That you can decide who he accepts as his father?”

“Of course, I can,” I replied sharply while cautiously taking a step behind. “He is a six year old!”

“But you’re not! I can make this a legal case! I will go in court and then you and Max won’t be able to steal my child from me!” He shouted and I flinched.

I heard Drew sobbing and I hugged him more; trying to calm him down. Xavier scoffed and backed off.

“Take Drew to my house,” He ordered one of his men. My eyes widened and I took several steps back.

“No-no. Please. Don’t hurt him!”

“Haven’t you seen my house? Do you think I hurt people there?” He asked in a calm voice to me.

“That doesn’t matter. I don’t want him anywhere near you.”

“Well, that is gonna be pretty hard since he is my child.” He came closer and tried to take Drew from me. I took another step back while pleading from my eyes.

“Wait.” I said, finally thinking of something. “What do you want from me?”

“I want my child and I want you with me.”

“But—“

“You shouldn’t have ever chosen Max, Scarlet. You don’t know him.”

“Well, at least I don’t hate what I do know about him.”

“And you don’t know me, either.” He walked toward me again. “So?”

“Fine, but I am not letting Drew go alone. Take me too.”

He thought for a second before nodding. “Fine. Come with me.”

________________

The car stopped in front of Xavier’s mansion. I hadn’t seen this place before; but it was huge.

“Come with me,” He said as he got out of the vehicle and opened the door to my side.

I looked down as I came out with Drew — who was quiet by now.

I followed him quietly inside the place. It was a beautiful place to say the least. Built with white marbles and tiles, the place seemed like an actual royal palace.

“Show them a room,” He said to one of the men standing near the door, before turning to leave. I didn't worry to ask him where he was going.

The man nodded and then started walking towards the lift. I had no choice but to follow him, finally leading me to the second floor.

The first room that we reached was given to us.

“If you need anything, please feel free to use the telephone in the room,” The man said in a blank voice and I nodded. He left us alone and I sighed.

I walked inside and closed the door. Drew was rather silent, so I put him to bed. He looked at me with a little fear in his eyes. I had never seen him afraid of anyone; I had never seen him so quiet.

“Drew. Everything is going to be fine.”

He shook his head in denial. “Good night, mommy.”

I couldn’t say anything more. What could a six year old understand? I couldn’t ask him to think about it, but somehow it was clear that he understood everything. He wasn’t oblivious.

I sighed and put up a fake smile. “Good night, honey.”

He closed his eyes and after a few minutes, it looked like he finally fell asleep. I sighed in relief. He needed to rest after everything that he had gone through.

A knock on the door made me alert and my heart started thumping against my chest. Oh no.

I shuddered as I got up and stared at the closed door. The knock came once again and I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and finally took a few steps towards the door.

A third knock made me open the door immediately, because I didn’t want to risk waking Andrew up.

Xavier stared at me with a tired face. I looked back at him with mixed expressions. I was scared, angry, sad and completely terrified. I didn’t know what he was planning and I was tired of saving myself.

“Xav—“

“He is my son,” he cut me off in between. “So you’re going to be my wife. Tonight.”

“What are you saying?” I whispered as I took a step back.

He pulled me out of the room and closed the door. “You really don’t care about Andrew, do you? Such a big house and you got his room to make the fuss in?”

“What are you even saying? And what did you mean, Xavier? I am not your—“

“Exactly.” He stopped when we came a little away from the room. “You’re not my wife right now and that is the biggest issue. I should have married you a long time ago. I should have known that buying you wouldn’t work all that well!”

I shook my head as I took a few steps back. “No. N-no, Xavier. Please. I beg you. I can not have Drew’s life wasted like—“

“You are wasting Drew’s life by keeping him away from his father, Scarlet!” He shouted at me and I flinched again. “Maxence was never and will never be his father! He can not love; he is a heartless man!”

“I think our definition of being heartless is completely opposite, Mr. Xavier!” I shouted back at him.

“Well, that is not gonna matter when I marry you,” He pulled me closer and I looked into his eyes from the closest view possible. “Nothing's gonna matter after I marry you, woman.”

“X-Xavier…”

“I can’t let you take my son from me.”

I closed my eyes as if that could help me escape this hell of a reality, but as soon as I opened them again, I was back to where I was. He was still there, I was still there — everything was back and worse.

“Why don’t you just leave me and my son alone!!” I shouted as I finally burst into tears. I felt helpless once again and lost my strength, falling to the ground.

He took a step back. “You wouldn’t have to be so pathetic if you would have done the right thing from the start.”

I looked at him and the hatred I had concealed inside me, masking it with humanity — came out like a beast set free.

I got up. He looked at me confused but I walked up to him. My breathing was in control for the first time in front of him. I took a small breath in, took control of my voice and painted a small smirk on my face: “Maybe this is your time to be in hell, Xavier.”

He looked at me with interest — with no speck of any worries, whatsoever — and then a small smirk appeared on his face too, making my blood boil even more.

“I guess that is a challenge, my future wife.”