Chapter 23 - Destined

Rose's POV

I looked at him, speechless. I was taken aback by his confession. I didn't know what to believe. I could feel honesty in his eyes, but...

I sighed, closing my eyes. I felt lost. And even if he told me the truth, it wouldn't change anything between us. Especially when he was engaged to my sister. Moreover, the messages I had seen weren't long before we met.

I took a deep breath and stated firmly, trying to control my emotions. "I will not let you play with my feelings or my sister's feelings."

"I will not. I made a decision." He informed, determined. I gave him a questioning look. "I will talk to Kate." He added.

"What? What will you tell her?" I asked in panic. "Don't dare to tell her about our past." I warned him nervously.

"No, I will talk to her about the engagement. I won't tell her anything about our relationship yet." He said firmly, placing his hand into his pocket.

"Yet?!" I snarled nervously, approaching him. "Troy or whatever you are, don't dare to say anything about us. It is the past. A nightmare for me which I want to forget. So I will not let you break her heart like you did to me. Of course, it isn't the first time for you to play with girls' feelings, but I will not let you play with my sister's feelings." I warned him confidently.

"Really? Do you really regret our moments together?" He asked, full of hurt in his eyes as he grabbed my arm, looking into my eyes.

"Yes." I replied, trying to hold my tears. I felt overwhelmed.

"Even Alec?" He asked, still looking into my eyes.

I looked at him in shock. I gulped nervously, averting my gaze.

"Answer me!" He snapped, shaking my arm slightly.

"What the hell are you talking about? Don't involve my son in it. And Alec is the only thing I would never regret in my life." I stated firmly and pulled my arm away.

"I am happy to hear it, and he is already involved, don't you think? He is the most beautiful proof of our love." He resumed, giving me a bright smile.

I gulped nervously while my heart was beating faster. I cleared my throat, averting my gaze and said nonchalantly, trying to control my voice. "Don't talk nonsense! Alec doesn't have anything to do with you. And there wasn't any mutual love. It was only me who was in love, just me." I paused and breathed deeply, trying to calm down. "Now leave me alone, please. I don't want to see you." I added without looking at Troy.

When I wanted to turn around, he grabbed my arm quickly and pulled me towards his chest abruptly, catching me off guard. In a second, he brushed his lips against mine, wrapping his arm around my waist. He pressed me against his hard body tightly while kissing me feverishly.

As soon as I pulled myself together, I pushed him back, placing my hands on his chest. When I wanted to slap him, he caught my wrist, stopping me while looking into my eyes, his eyes dark with passion.

"Is Alec my son, Rose?" He asked, plunging his eyes into mine without releasing my arm.

"Leave me alone, Troy or whatever you are." I snapped, pulling my hand away.

"I will not leave anywhere before you answer me." He informed, determined.

I frowned, ruffling my hair, and lied. "No, he isn't."

He gave a forced smile. "But why do I feel you are lying?"

I sighed, rubbing my temple. "It is your problem if you believe me or not. He isn't yours. Please leave now. I have work to do."

"Fine. Then prove to me he isn't mine. I want a DNA test." He stated firmly, placing his hands into his pocket.

I ruffled my hair nervously and took a deep breath. I bit my lower lip and said, trying to control my voice. "Troy, I don't have to prove anything to you."

"Fine. You wanted it. See you soon, Rose." He gave me a devilish smirk and left without letting me say anything.

"Troy!" I called him angrily, but he didn't stop.

Fuck! What am I going to do now? Everything will get messed up.

And Kate... When she finds out about it, she will be heartbroken.

And my father... Shit!

****

"Mommy!" Alec exclaimed happily, rushing towards me as soon as I walked into the mansion.

I smiled as I bent down and hugged my little boy tightly, breathing in his scent. I placed a tender kiss on his cheek and took him in my arms.

"Mommy, we are going to see Troy." He informed cheerfully.

"What?" I mumbled nervously and looked at my mother who was looking at us, smiling.

"Troy's mother invited us for dinner this evening." My mother replied, giving me a warm smile.

"They aren't coming." My father stated firmly as he walked into the living room, adjusting his cufflinks.

I rolled my eyes in annoyance and sighed.

"No, Steven. They are coming. She especially asked about them. They want to meet Rose." My mother protested.

I gulped nervously. Why does she want to meet me? Can it be because of Troy? Maybe he planned something; so he asked his mother to invite us for dinner. Or he told her about us?! No, he couldn't.

I breathed deeply, trying to calm down.

Maybe he planned to confess that we were in a relationship in front of everyone. No, he isn't that crazy. He will not dare, at least if he wants to live. If my father hears about it, he will kill him.

"Mom, I am tired. It will be better if Alec and I stay at home." I said, giving my mother a reassuring smile.

"No! I want to see Troy. I missed him." Alec protested and looked at me with puppy eyes. "Please, Mommy."

"You are coming with us. It would be impolite to decline her invitation. We are going to be a family. So of course, they want to meet you too." My mother stated firmly. My father frowned in annoyance, but he didn't say anything.

"Yay!" My son exclaimed happily in my arms. I smiled at his attitude sadly and kissed his cheek.

I squeezed the straps of my bag tightly as the driver parked the car in front of the luxurious mansion.

As the driver opened the door for me, I got out of the car, breathing deeply, and looked around. There was a beautiful garden in front of the mansion, making you feel like you were in a fairytale.

"Mommy, come on." Alec grabbed my hand and shook it, trying to get my attention.

I smiled at him slightly while he pulled me towards the door impatiently. Meanwhile, my mother, father and Kate were following us.

I breathed deeply as a maid opened the door and greeted us politely before letting us in.

I walked into the living room in slow steps, following my parents and sister while holding Alec's hand. Meanwhile, my heart was pounding.

"Troy!" Alec shouted happily, releasing my hand, and rushed towards Troy as soon as my little boy saw him.

"Alec!" I exclaimed in a low tone, forcing a smile, but he didn't listen to me.

"Buddy!" Troy exclaimed happily as he bent down, giving Alec a wide grin, and hugged him tightly.

My heart arched as I looked at them. I pursed my lips together, trying to hold my tears as my eyes welled up. Troy kissed Alec's cheek and took him in his arms happily.

"Rose?" Someone called me, interrupting my thoughts.

I cleared my throat and looked at her, surprised. "Serena?"

"Did you know each other?" Kate asked, puzzled.

"Yes, we met at the after party at Paris Fashion Week a few weeks ago. She is so talented. I adored her latest collection. It is fabulous." Serena replied, giving me a warm smile, and approached me. "Welcome, honey." She said softly and hugged me. I hugged her back, smiling slightly, and looked at Troy. Meanwhile, he was staring at us in surprise.

"So have you met Rose before? You also went to Paris for Fashion Week." Kate asked Troy, confused.

"No, I didn't stay for the after party." Troy mumbled and looked at me.

"Yes, you know Troy. He had to return to New York early because of work." Serena commented, giving Troy a knowing look.

I was staring at him without getting rid of my surprise while Troy's father greeted us and introduced himself.

How couldn't I think about it when I met Serena? I felt she looked so familiar and reminded me about him. She and Troy really looked like each other.

Troy had his mother's hair and eyes; light brown silky hair and ocean blue eyes.

"Rose! What a coincidence!" I turned around as I heard a cheerful familiar voice.

"Liam?"

"Don't tell me you are the sister?" He asked, giving me a charming smile, and raised his eyebrow after greeting me with a hug.

"Umm... Yes." I replied, giving him a warm smile.

When I looked at Troy, he was staring at us in frustration, his fist clenched while Liam's arm was around my shoulder.

"How do you know her?" Troy asked between gritted teeth, looking at Liam, his gaze dark.