~ Charlene~
I could not understand his reasons for yelling at me when I had done nothing wrong. He had not believed me five years ago, yet he acted as if I had done something wrong by not calling him by his name.
"Adrian is…" I tried to explain, but he laughed again, mocking my words.
"So you can call him by his name, and yet you address me as your Highness," he scoffed and grabbed my hand, pulling me into his chest. He wrapped his hand around my waist possessively.
"Charlene," he muttered my name, his blue eyes piercing mine. For a moment, I saw a glimpse of the man I once loved. Memories I had longed to forget flooded back. "You are not allowed to be seen with that man, especially when you are around me, Charlene!" he warned, his voice filled with anger and longing.
I scoffed and tried to push him away, but he tightened his grip on my hand, pinning it above my head. "What the hell is your deal, Draven?" I finally said his name, exasperated.
He smirked wickedly at me.
"You rejected me five years ago, and now you act as if you have a claim over me, which is annoying coming from you!" I retorted, frustration seeping into my words.
Draven laughed and leaned closer to me, our lips almost touching. I could feel his breath on mine.
"A claim?" he scoffed, then leaned in to whisper in my ear. I am just trying to save a man who would be stupid enough to fall for someone like you," he said, his words cutting through me and leaving me shocked. "Oh," he faced me again. Do you think I am doing all of this just to win you back, Charlene?" he asked, his voice laced with bitterness and hurt.
I blinked, speechless. There was nothing to say. There was too much to process. "I am only trying to save that human who would be so heartbroken once he heard about what you did in the past," he continued, sighing heavily. "I never expected to see you like this again after five years, and I must say, you do not look miserable enough for what you did to me back then."
"What?" I stammered, shocked beyond words. I never expected him to hold a grudge after all these years still.
A grudge based on something that was not even true. He had trusted everyone else and refused to believe me. "Draven, I never knew it was you coming. If I had known, I would not have taken the job, and I…"
Draven leaned in again, brushing away strands of hair from my forehead and placing his hand on my cheek. "Are you saying that you do not want to see me? Is that why you had an affair five years ago, because you felt I was not satisfactory enough for you?" he yelled at me.
"Draven!" I shouted at him, wondering if he had bipolar disorder.
One moment, he was talking about making me miserable, and the next, he acted as if he could not bear to part with me. I could not understand the reasons for his behavior. It was all too confusing.
I contemplated telling him about our children, to let him know that I had never cheated on him all those years ago, but the way he was yelling at me made me question if it was the right time to reveal the truth.
"Charlene," he let go of my hands and fixed his tie. "Seeing you right now infuriates me so much," he said, his eyes glowing with a golden hue.
His Lycan was attempting to take over, but Draven fought to keep it at bay, and his eyes returned to their usual blue color. "I do not want you appearing in front of me again, and do not blame me for what I might do if you ever cross my path," he warned, his voice filled with anger and pain.
As I was about to reply, my phone started ringing, and I moved away from him to answer the call. "Hello, Margaret. What is happening?"
"Charlene, it is Damien. His breathing got worse, and the hospital called me. Your number was not going through. Where are you?" Margaret's urgent voice echoed through the line.
"What happened to Damien!" I shouted, but quickly lowered my voice when I noticed Draven staring at me. "I am coming right now," I assured Margaret, ending the call.
"Your highness," I lowered my head, intending to leave, but Draven grabbed my hand. "I am in a rush right now, Draven," I pleaded.
With a swift motion, I freed my hand from his grasp and rushed out of the washroom without looking back, even when he called my name.
Outside the washroom, I found Adrian waiting for me, shocked at the scene he had just witnessed. Together, we hurried to the hospital, and in my heart, I silently prayed for my baby's safety.
As we walked further from the hall, an inexplicable feeling made me glance back, only to find Draven staring at me with disdain and resentment.
I sighed deeply and turned my gaze forward. If only he knew, I thought, as we left the hotel behind.