And she expected me to just what, believe her? No. I wasn’t going to play an idiot when it came to Zara… or to any woman for that matter.
“You should’ve come to me and told me everything. I may have not had the money then, but I could’ve easily spoken to my grandfather. I was his only heir after all, but you didn’t even give me a chance. You simply threw me away without a second thought. If you’re having any regrets, then that’s all on you because I’m done with you, Zara.”
“I’m so sorry. Everyday I regret not going to you. Forgive me. In two month’s time, the contract will be null and void. I’ll be a free woman.”
Oh, she regrets it now? Good for her. I wasn’t going to lie; a big part of me wanted to explore the option that she was telling me the truth. If she hadn’t had any other man… that ought to prove something, right? Either way, she violated my trust and broke me apart. The lacerating pain I’d gone through was something I would never forget. There was no point in dwelling on the “if” side. She hadn’t given me the option before, so why should I even give her that leniency?
“I wasn’t as rich as my father then, but I am now. I’ve since tripled my inheritance in folds. Had you waited then, you’d be my wife by now.” I shook my head, impatient. “It’s all over now. Go home to your husband, Zara.”
Dark, soulful eyes looked sad, awash with fresh tears. “I still love you, Callum.”
My chest tightened. Somehow her words continued to affect me. I stilled, speechless, not knowing what to do. A part of me wanted to hold her and make her stop crying, but a huge part of me argued that she deserved to be unhappy. After all, she betrayed me. Big time. There was no going back. She did what she had to do, what she felt was right. Zara threw away our love. Pity was something I shouldn’t be even feeling right at this moment.
She came closer while I froze, heart thudding as I got to see her up close. It somehow felt as if she still knew me because she was undaunted when I felt her hands rest on my chest at the same time my eyes trained upon her, conflicted.
“Your heart still belongs to me.” She gave me a sad smile. “It doesn’t matter what you tell me because one thing I know, Callum, is that your heart knows the truth.” Zara pressed her lips to mine. “I’ll be waiting for your return.”
My eyes didn’t even follow her when she let herself out, but I knew she’d left because the energy in the room felt empty, draining.
It hurt to see her. It truly did. Now I was at a loss because I knew I wouldn’t be able to stop thinking about what she had told me.
Chapter 16
Callum
Stella had a working night and wasn’t going to be home until later. So here I was, in my study, nursing my second bottle of brandy, still feeling sober.
Frustrated, I took out my phone and pressed a button on my speed dial.
“Kosta.”
It was rather lame, but hearing a familiar friend’s voice somehow felt comforting. “You sound like something’s up your arse,” I muttered, smiling.
“And you sound like shit,” Dimitris retorted back.
As usual, I didn’t even bother to do the usual to and fro. I just went and dived into the damn problem. “Zara came to see me.”
Dimitris stayed silent awhile. “I have an hour until I pick up my wife from the airport. So go ahead, I’m all ears.”
It was great to see him happy, really. After what his ex-wife put him through, he deserved this happiness. “Unofficial wife. Unless you’re planning to marry her again? Your family must be happy to have her back.”
“It’s Lindsey’s first time back, so she’s nervous. We’re taking one step at a time. I don’t want to scare her away the way I did the first time.” He paused. “Do you still love her?” he asked, referring to Zara.
I had no idea. “I don’t know. It’s been a few years. It was shocking to find her in my office, yeah, but as far as how I’m feeling right now, I can tell you, I feel a lot of hate and anger.”
“But that’s not what I asked you, Kensington. It’s either you love her or don’t,” Dimitris argued, making me even more confused.
I grunted and grabbed the side of my head, pulling my hair out. “It’s not that easy.”
Dimitris sighed. “Well, friend, I have another hour to drag this out of you, so do go on.”
This was madness.
“I’m dating Stella—” I spilled the information that was making it difficult for me to see the real problem with Zara.
“The child?”
All of my friends that knew about Stella, referred to her as “the child” since I had called her that from the very beginning. The woman was far from being a child, however. Truly. “Yes—no—fuck! She’s twenty-two! She’s no longer a child.”
“I get it. You’re in love with Stella,” he suggested, making things worse.
I groaned, getting more agitated as the clock ticked away. Fucking hell! “No. No. It’s nothing like that, but I do care for her. Very much, yeah.” I made an exasperate sigh, confronted. “Should I tell her about Zara’s visit?”
That’s another big question.
“Well, hell, that’s really up to you. If you both are forthcoming with these things in a serious committed relationship, then yes. Although, if it’s a casual buddy f**k, then I don’t see the point.” He paused. “It’s all up to you.”
Stella and I weren’t in love or anything… but we did enjoy each other, very much. “Exclusive, casual.” We were, weren’t we?
“Either way, you’re digging yourself a grave.” Dimitris sounded thoughtful. “You can’t have both. You have to choose. Trust me, it’s not fun to be with a person who doesn’t feel the same for you.”
With Zara, I had an idea… but with Stella, I had no sense where she stood with me. All I knew was that I liked having her around… and as for the rest, it was all up in the air.
~C~
“Jesus! Are you okay?” Stella slightly shook me, trying to pull my face off the desk in my study. Apparently, I had fallen asleep on it.
My head pounded like mad, throbbing as though it had been jack-hammered or something. After two bottles of brandy, I shouldn’t expect any less. She gently situated my back and body against the leather chair.
“I come home late and you’re a big mess.” Stella brushed the hair off my forehead before kissing it gently. “What am I going to do with you and your drunken self?”