ONE MORE MISTAKE
RISK
I blinked away the tears.
Lilian didn't come towards me. She was waiting for me to make a move, but I didn't. For a moment, her smile grew faint but she quickly adjusted her expression. She was unsure of how to react and it was painful to see her like that so I looked away. Just being in this place, in the presence of the people I called family not so long ago made me want to run away. We were very close, but now it seemed like we were strangers.
I felt Sterlings eyes on me and I felt his judgment towards my cold behavior.
I met his eyes and saw his disappointment.
If he thought I was going to express some kind of longing, he was wrong. He should know better than to expect anything from me, especially since he was the one who ruined this.
I wondered how Liliana reacted to Sterlings reappearance. I wondered if she was angry at him but forgave him for his deception because her love for him was stronger.
"Everything still looks the same," I say after a while. I feel their eyes on me but I look at the garden and the familiar outdoor patio that has an unfinished canvas. I don't analyze it, no matter how much I want to.
It's been a while since I've been here, I was never allowed to visit once my uncle got full custody of me. That was the only thing he prohibited me from doing. If he ever caught me coming here, he would move us away from here so I would never see them again.
Now, that threat seems to have expired. For me at least. I didn't believe in his words as much as I used to.
Lilian smiled brighter and looked at her surroundings. I had a gut wrenching feeling wash over me by watching her smile like that. It made me remember my times with her, she always had a warm presence around her that made me feel safe and loved.
"Yes, everything is just the same, we didn't want to change anything." She said softly and I knew what she meant by that. She's been like this ever since Scarlett died, she's didn't move a thing, even her room was left untouched. Now I know she was doing the same with me.
They didn't want to change things just in case if I ever came back, it'll be like I never left. She knew how afraid I was of change and so she made sure everything was the same.
Although times changed, and I gave up on that hope long ago. I wasn't ever going to come back.
"Where's Jeremiah?" I asked so I could stop the wave of sadness that wanted to overcome me. However, I felt like I only dug the knife deeper.
Sterling closed his eyes and Lilian's smile faltered. I've always called Jeremiah dad, but now I felt like I didn't have the right anymore.
Sterling answered instead of Lilian.
"He's working," he said sharply.
"Oh," I whispered, then stared at Lilian who wasn't looking at me but staring at the ground. I took the opportunity to study her. I didn't think it was possible to see so much change but after what she's experienced, I understood why she looked worn out. It almost seemed as if there was an invisible load on her shoulders that weighed her down.
With Sterling's supposed death, and my uncle doing everything in his power to tear me away from them, it must've been horrible for her. I hated that she had to go through all that, she didn't deserve it.
She looked back at me and smiled. I tried to smile, but this was all so much to take in. I felt like I was slowly losing it.
It was as if life was throwing this in my face to torment me because I wasn't able to have it.
"I missed you, Thea." Lilian's voice was so familiar and I wanted nothing more than to run up to her and hug her. But I knew if I did, it'd be hard to let go. I couldn't go down the path of pretending everything was going to be okay because it wasn't going to be. I was only here because Sterling told me he wanted to talk to me. I wasn't here to reunite with Lilian.
I didn't tell her anything back, and faced Sterling. He has his hands inside his pockets, his eyebrows furrowed as if he was trying to figure me out.
"Where should we go?" I asked Sterling, my voice far colder than I intended to. I hardly recognized myself, I was being cruel and it took everything in me to not apologize.
Sterling looked surprised by my behavior but he nodded towards the patio. I felt my muscles tightening but I nodded. I looked behind me and found Kace standing behind me.
His face was devoid of emotion, but I knew he heard everything. I was sure he was going to report this to my uncle but there was nothing I could do now. I just hoped my punishment wouldn't be too severe.
"Don't follow me, I won't take long." I told him, and surprisingly he nodded. Then he walked towards his car and went inside.
I didn't turn to look at Lilian instead I faced the patio and made my way to it, leaving Sterling behind. However I heard him falling close behind me.
Once I made it, I sharply turned to face Sterling who was coming up the last step. His face told me everything I needed to know.
But before I could say anything, he spoke.
"Did Bruce hire someone to keep watch on you? What's wrong with him?" His face was scrunched up in confusion but it was evident that he was pissed off. He was pointing at Kace from behind.
"What's wrong with you?" I spit the words out, venom dripping from my mouth. He stops and looks taken aback by my outrage. However I don't miss the irritation that flares in his eyes.
"I took a risk coming here because I thought you were trying to tell me the truth and be honest for once. But I realized that you brought me here to show me this." I motion to our surroundings. He doesn't move his eyes from me, they're glued to mine as if he were trying to make sense of me.
"Did you think this is what it'd take to tame me? You thought by showing me Lilian and this home you would achieve your goal of giving in to your demands. Well you were wrong, are you trying to mess with me? Because that's what it feels like." I shake my head, tears threaten to fall.
"Our mom, Thea." He corrected me and I looked away from him, a humorless laugh escaping from my mouth. Of all things I said, this is what he caught.
"And no, I'm not trying to mess with you. She wanted me to bring you here, she wanted to see you. Do you even know how much she misses you?" I felt his temper rising and I knew this wouldn't end well.
He took a step towards me and pointed an accusing finger at me.
"I brought you here because she isn't well and it's all because of you-" I cut him off before he could finish.
"Shut up! Just shut the hell up, Sterling! You left her too! You did the same thing but the difference is that you made that decision. I didn't have that choice. You walked away with your own two feet so just shut up and don't you dare blame me!" I say with clenched teeth. I couldn't believe he was blaming me, verbally tell me that I was at fault when he was the one who fucked up.
He wasn't the same person he used to be, he became someone who was horrible and awful, it made me not want to know him at all.
I didn't wait for him to say anything. I turned away from him and jogged down the steps and stopped short when I saw two figures near the main entrance. Lilian had tear stains on her cheeks, her hand on her lips.
She heard everything.
I tried to go to her but my body didn't react to it.
I looked at the other person who was standing beside her and my anger only grew stronger.
Rory stood there, watching me look weak and vulnerable. I didn't think it was possible to hate him, there was no reason to formulate such intense feelings for someone I didn't know. Yet it was impossible not to when I knew Sterling trusted Rory more than me. He confided in him, while he pushed me away. Rory was one of the few who knew he was alive all this time and I was left in the dark.
That painful realization cut me deep enough that it ignited a burning desire to despise him.
Rory didn't say anything but I didn't need him to in order to know what he thought.
I felt a single tear land on my cheek but I bottled up my anger and walked away from both of them. I promised myself never to come back.
From afar, I saw Kace beside the car. He stood patiently with arms crossed. I didn't waste time before entering my car and leaving. I didn't want him to follow me, I wanted to be alone for a while. I looked at my rear view and didn't see anyone follow me. I soon pressed the accelerator harder. I didn't want to be here, I wanted to go far, far away from here.
After driving for about thirty minutes, I stopped in a little town far away from the city. Over the road, the beach was shown and since it was past five, the sun looked beautiful while making its way down to the sea. The sun reflected in the water. I got out of the car and sat down on one of the blocks that were on the ground. I signed and just sat there, while looking at the beautiful scenery in front of me.
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My headlights illuminated part of the house.
At this point I didn't really care if Bruce would get angry at me. The moment I accepted to meet with Sterling, I accepted my consequences. I turned off the engine and got out of the car, and as I made my way towards the front door I noticed the car Kace used today. I was sure he was going to be just as furious as Bruce.
As I was about to open the door, a hand gripped my arm.
My heart raced as a million thoughts crossed my mind. I didn't know how far Bruce would go to destroy me. I thought I did but after his brutal behavior yesterday, I knew nothing.
When I turned around and meet Kace's thunderous eyes, my heart didn't relax. However this time, fear wasn't pulsing in my veins.
I ripped my arm out of his grip.
"Oh, you did me a poor one, Nightingale." His body was shadowed by the dark but I was able to see his eyes. Although they were sharp, there was a slight hint of confusion surrounding them. He didn't know what to think of me, that's what made him feel so unsettled by me.
However, I knew exactly what kind of person he was. His behavior from last night was all I needed to know to form an opinion on him. He was someone I couldn't trust, he clearly knew how wrong it was yet he stood by as he watched my uncle hurt me.
It was clear the whole situation made him uncomfortable but he wasn't going to do anything about it.
"Where did you go?" He demanded, as if he had any right to. I didn't need to tell him anything, he wasn't the one I was afraid of.
"I needed to be alone," I responded just as sharply.
He tilted his head and noted the way his nostrils flared.
"Well aren't you a lucky one. Your uncle hasn't come back yet, he was busy getting ready for the business party for later tonight. The one that you should be getting ready for as well." He told me and I would've told him to watch out for the way he was talking to me but all that I was able to concentrate on was what he said.
Bruce did mention something about a party last week but I forgot it was today. It wasn't something I wanted to attend, I was dreading it ever since Bruce told me the reason why he wanted me to attend. He was using this opportunity to show me off so he could form another arranged marriage.
"Do you have any idea how badly this night would have turned out if he was here?" Kace's voice got heavier as he furrowed his eyebrows.
"Yeah, it would have but that shouldn't worry you. It's not like you'll do anything about it."
I took a step back once I realized how close he was to me. When he noticed my movement, his eyes glanced between us and backed away as if he remembered himself. He adjusted his posture and looked at me once again but there was a different expression on his face. His anger wasn't as loud as it was before.
Headlights flashed on his shadow and I was able to notice how disheveled he looked.
Before he could say anything else, a voice boomed from behind Kace.
"Thea," Bruce walked towards us, he was glancing at both of us but he kept his eyes on me as he was taking in my attire. He shook his head, his eyes turning to Kace and an unknown expression passed his face.
"Why isn't she ready?" He asked. He was asking him, not me and I wondered if it was because he was avoiding me. Ever since our last conversation, he's been acting differently.
Kace stood taller as he pulled his arms behind his back. His shoulders broadened and he was able to block Bruce's face.
"She was shopping all afternoon, sir." The lie came out of Kace, no time for hesitation. I stared hard at Kace's back, trying to understand why he was covering up for me. I didn't need him to lie for me, did he think I did?
I didn't get to see Bruce's reaction, all I heard was a sharp intake of breath.
"Tell her to hurry up and get ready." Bruce said and walked past Kace. I was able to see him now still he didn't turn to look at me, not even as he walked past me did he turn. Instead, he opened the door and slammed it shut.
I turned to look at Kace, ready to tell him I didn't need his help, however I stopped when I realized he was already facing me with an expression that I haven't seen him in before.
He nodded his head and then walked away from me. His form disappeared into the distance, and I stayed in the same place frozen.
He was wrong to lie still I couldn't help but feel as if I owed him something because of it. He lied even though I didn't ask him to, and it made me feel unsettled by his response and his behavior towards me.
I glanced away from his shadow and walked inside the house.
It was oddly quiet inside and dark, I didn't turn them on. Instead I walked up the stairs and headed towards my bedroom.
My legs felt heavy as I walked to the bathroom to shower.
I took less than fifteen minutes to shower and get dressed. I wore a long silky black dress that had slits on both sides. It was strapless and fitted at the chest area but loosened towards the bottom. It was simple yet elegant.
I looked at the bruise from the mirror and the marks looked worse than the morning. I turned slightly and from over my shoulder I saw another bruise imprinted on the back of my arm. I went over it with my hand and considered leaving them there to spite Bruce but I didn't like the thought of people perceiving me because of these.
I searched for my makeup bag and tried to cover it with as much makeup as possible.
Once I was sure it was covered, I moved on to my hair. I pulled it into a slick bun, the ends of my hair poking out from the top.
I took a quick glance at myself in the mirror and couldn't help but feel bad for myself. There was so much I was hiding, I truly looked content but I was far from it.
I heard a knock on the door. I looked away from my reflection and mumbled a soft yes. The door didn't open, instead I saw a shadow from below the door shuffle.
"Your uncle is waiting downstairs Ms, Nightingale." I was surprised when I heard Kace's voice, I expected it to be Bruce.
I sighed before making my way to the closet to get my heels. Once I picked the ones, I put on earrings and made my way outside my room. I met Kace on my way out of my bedroom. He was waiting outside my room, and when he met my eyes, he nodded his head.
I looked away and made my way down the stairs, my heels clicking on the floor. It echoed around the room, making Bruce look away from his phone and up at me. He replaced his scowl to a smirk. I knew that smirk and that had only meant one thing. He was satisfied with what he saw, he saw me as a gift to all those men he was trying to sell me off to.
He didn't care if I was against his schemes, all he cared about was money. He knew me, once, and saw through my lies but it was different now because I won't allow him to use me that way anymore. If he thinks I'll let myself get traded as if I were merely a product, he's wrong. I'll make his life hell if he even attempts to lock me in a marriage once again. I was done.
I played by his rules once but never again.
He didn't know what he was going at and I'd be damned if I would let him get away with it.
When I reached the bottom, I smiled but it wasn't just a smile and he knew. His smirk faded as he knew what my intentions were. He took a step towards me but I didn't stop.
I walked towards the door and opened it. I heard Kace behind me, but I didn't wait for him as I walked to the car.
I watched as Bruce glared at me once I was inside the car. He pulled Kace aside and told him something before slightly pushing him.
Kace stiffly nodded and walked the other way.
Once Bruce was inside, he turned to glance at me and I could've sworn he wanted to hurt me by the way he was looking at me. Was this the reason why he was avoiding me, was his rage too much for him to carry that whenever he saw me he wanted to hurt me?
"Behave," he told me.
I looked away from him and throughout the car ride I tried my best to ignore the urge to get out of the car.