RYAN POV
Moans and groans filled the four corners of the room. I watched their illicit act, each part of my body trembling and almost breaking.
They were caught up in the sham of CONSUMMATION that they were oblivious to my presence. I simply looked on, my feet unable to move. I was beyond stunned.
Finally, my assumption was proved right in front of me. My dad had been screwing with my wife for like forever. It stabbed me like a knife, at the betrayal.
Evelyn's innocence had been lies all this while, yet I fell for it. I allowed her to jeopardize my relationship with Ariel. I savaged my College life, doing everything to please her.
She had always claimed to be a virgin and that had been one major reason why our relationship hadn't gone past kissing, hugging and holding hands. But it was clear. She never loved me. She was only pretending. She only loved my father.
I turned to leave, making a slight noise with my shoes, and it seemed to do the trick of distracting them.
“Ryan…”
I didn't wait, as each step I took out was calculated. I was angry, and I was trying my best not to do something foolish today.
I stepped outside, clenching my jaw, as I tried not to turn back despite Evelyn's shouting behind me.
Her hand held my arm, and it took me a lot of self-control not to pull her hair and hit her in the face.
My forward movement halted, as I gritted my teeth.
"Please, I can explain.” She sniffed, pleading.
“Evelyn, how long has this been going on?”
I hope my voice wasn't high. My closed eyes did no justice in helping my thoughts calm, rather the scene from Evelyn's room appeared right before me.
"Please Ryan. I'm sorry.” She pleaded, as I looked into her eyes, giving her the coldest expression ever.
"Do you even have amnesia?” I asked, as she shook her head.
Her hair was disheveled, a wrapper tied round her body.It only bred disgust in me. I was irritated, as I took her hands off my body.
"I have been tricked all this while. I am stupid. You deserve accolades.” I laughed, as I clapped my hands, anger burning in me.
I was quite surprised it hadn't busted out of me. I was stunned I could still keep it together,with the self-control I had. I was flabbergasted, but I really needed to leave as fast as possible before I lost it.
"No, Ryan. I didn't mea....n to. I… I am so s.orry.” She stammered, clenching her hands together in apology.
"Goodbye Evelyn. You both should continue, but I have to leave.” I took steps, as her hands lingered on my body yet again.
But this time around, I removed her hands from mine, as she fell, her eyes brimming with tears. That was my last glance at her as I opened my car door.
"Stop Ryan. She has fainted.”
And just like that, I stopped each part of me burning, as I hung on to the door handle.
With one last determination, I said the next set of words:” Go to hell.” I blurted out and left.
I really don't care......
I need to find Ariel, as fast as I can'.
That was my only determination at that moment, and I wouldn't stop until I fulfilled it.
ARIEL POV
I woke up this morning suddenly feeling weak, nausea hitting me more than I could have imagined.
I sat beside the window as I observed outside. It was beautiful.
The sun is setting just at the right moment.
I sighed, my past few weeks spent feeling like I had been in a lost cause. I suddenly felt withdrawn, every part of me wanting the solitude of being inside.
The thought of the outside world no longer brought me joy, as it did before.I just wanted to be by myself, sleeping, sleeping, eating and then sleeping again.
It had been over two weeks since I had left Ryan, and it still felt like yesterday. I missed him. Every day, I longed to see him.
They were moments I wished he could discover this place easily, but I knew it wasn't going to be that easy. He might not even try to look for me. After all, he wasn't in love with me. I wasn't his beloved Evelyn.
The thought of Evelyn suddenly brought imbalance, the deepest part of me suddenly in view again. The peace of mind I yearned to have by leaving Ryan was only replaced with guilt and regret.
I wonder how Ryan must have been feeling. What food would he even be eating?
I let out a gasp at the image that ran into my head at the thought that Ryan was probably lean, and it really upset me. What if he was hospitalized?. It was a wrong decision on my part to leave, most especially without informing Ryan.
But I just had to. Staying with Ryan only reminded me that I was sharing him with Evelyn. And it was also a reminder that Evelyn's obsessiveness might cause me greater harm if I wasn't careful. I needed my peace of mind, too. I almost feel like I would go crazy.
The doorbell rang, as fatigue hit me. It was difficult, but I pushed in every effort to stand, as I took slow strides to the sitting room.
My stomach growled, reminding me I haven't eaten since yesterday evening. Lately, my loss of appetite has been greater than ever. I didn't enjoy my food and would prefer someone cooked meals for me instead.
I opened the door as I was expecting only two people, either the housekeeper Damien employed or Damien himself.
I felt air pass through me as my eyes widened in shock at the sight of the person in front of me.
She pulled me into a hug, as I tried to relax, but opposite was it, as my heart was thumping.
I glanced at Damien, who had a complicated look, his brows raised a bit.
"I couldn't keep it any longer. She figured it out.”Damien confessed as Eva released me from her grip.
I nodded as I let them in. I simply settled down, Eva's eyes on me feeling like she was throwing daggers at me. She scanned me, her eyes roving around me.
"I will be leaving now. I have an urgent meeting to catch up with.”Damien explained, his hand reaching his neck, nervousness breeding on him.
"Goodbye.”Eva waved, gearing closer to me, as she held my hand.
"How did you find out?”The words rolled out of my mouth before I could stop it.
I breathe out, feeling more tense. I didn't want her to see me like this. I didn't really want any of them to see me like this.
"Your book gave it all. It was a good thing I knew you were writing your book anonymously. You even named my character Isabella. How cute?”She cooed, as I smiled.
She winked at me, as I chuckled. I thought Ryan was the only one who knew about the book. As a matter of fact, he paid little to no interest in it. Work always gets in the way.
It gladdens my heart, Eva read my book. It was the best news ever.
She clamped my hands with hers, her eyes meeting mine, as I swallowed. She was going to say something I yearned for and might also dislike.
"My brother misses you. He hasn't been himself these past few days. Please come back. “She pleaded, as I darted my eyes sideways.
It was at that point I wished Eva never figured out my book to know Damien was behind, helping me to leave. Maybe I wouldn't be seeing her today.
She wouldn't be begging me now either.
"I can't. I left because Ryan was still glued to his past. He still likes Evelyn. I just needed a break as my mental health was suffering already.”I lamented, my chest suddenly feeling less heavy.
"Haven't you heard? Evelyn was sleeping with my dad behind my brother's back. They had kept it a secret for as long as possible.”
Eva looked saddened as she spoke. My hands left her grip as I was appealing. My mind flashed back to when Sir Bryan tried to harass me, and it hit me. He was worse.
"Ryan already sorted it out. But right now is when Ryan needs you the most? He had been betrayed by his father. He needs someone he can trust and rest on for comfort. Furthermore, he loves you."My heart felt warm at her words, but the sudden feeling of nausea hitting me was suddenly getting too much.
I had a bitter taste on my tongue.
"I can't leave here now. I'm sorry, Eva, and please promise me you won't reveal my location to him.”I pressed on Eva's hand, as I stared heavily at her.
She let out a puff of her breath, disappointment boldly written on her face.
"I'm sorry."I mused, as she forced a smile.
Just like lightning, I sped off ,pressing my palm against my mouth. I released my grip the moment I reached the bathroom sink as I let it out.
I vomited, feeling as if my whole stomach was being plucked at. Eva was able to reach my side on time, as she held my hair, as I let it all out.
She helped me rinse my face, as I washed my mouth, giving it a thorough brushing.
I was weak, my hand resting on her shoulder as she helped me to the living room.
I sat, as she stared intently at me. My stomach growled, as a wave of unsettling feeling settled on me.
I hope it wasn't what I was thinking.
"Sister in-law, are you pregnant?"
My shoulder fell, my heart brimming with uncertainty as I was shocked.