WILL POV
After I made sure her room was secured, I left and returned to my chambers. I sat on the bed, my head buried in my palm.
The images of them smiling made my blood boil. I let out a groan, the veins in my neck pulsated.
I gritted my teeth, my nose flared. Immediately, I grabbed the glassware on the lampstand and smashed it on the floor.
Why? Why do they have to be happy after ruining my life?.
Breaking the ware wasn't enough to let out the pent up frustration and anger. I stripped and walked into the bathroom, barefooted.
I immersed my whole body in the bathtub, filled with cold water. I don't know how many minutes I stayed like that, but I visibly calmed down.
Not because the water helped, but because I consoled myself with the plans I have laid out for them.
For seventeen years, I had endured hardship. Lost my family and identity. Insomnia was my companion because the price of peace was too expensive.
He ruined me. Maybe he had forgotten, but I didn't. My late parents won't forgive me if I dare to forget.
I heard the door of my room open, disrupting my thoughts, so I quickly got out of the water, cleaned my body, and got clad in something casual.
I entered the room, and Lucy sat on my bed, staring into space, lost in thought.
Lucy has been the only reason I'm able to maintain my sanity. She's my remedy and nemesis.
"I thought you were asleep?" I asked as I sat on the chair opposite her. She didn't say a word, but the chaos was pretty obvious in her eyes.
"What happened here?" She asked in a cracked voice, changing the topic. I tilted my head as I tried to understand what she meant.
She shrugged, "I mean, there are pieces of glass lying carelessly on the floor and from what I know about you, the only time you smash things is when you're pissed"
I furrowed my eyebrow, while keeping a straight face. Such a smart ass.
"It's late. Why are you here, doll?" I inquired, folding my arms against my chest.
"... couldn't sleep," she replied, as she continued to gawk at me.
"What's troubling you, doll?"
She turned to look at me. Tears pooled in her eyes. Slowly, she strode toward me and collected the towel, "let me help you"
I watched her struggle to reach my hair. I rolled my eyes. Swooping her off her feet, I placed her on the chair.
"Thank you," she whispered and ruffled my hair with the towel.
"You were gone a month and not once did you bother to reach out and when I initiated to care, you were already unavailable. That's cruel, Will"
"Why did you continue to call and leave messages? You should have known I didn't want to be disturbed," I groaned. Not ready for her whining...
A dry chuckle erupted from her throat, "so I was.. nevermind. I apologize for disturbing your peaceful time. I was worried because I thought you were in danger"
There was silence for a while before she ruined everything. "Where have you been this past month and what have you been up to?"
My breathing hitched with shoulders stiffened. My hands clenched.
"None of your business. I don't meddle in your business, so don't poke your nose in mine," I snapped and moved away. Tucking my hands in my pocket.
Why is she nosey? Getting involved in my business will only ruin her. My world is dark, cold and dangerous.
"I am so.. sorry Will. Please don't be mad at me," she pleaded and hiccupped. "It was just that I missed you so much," she rasped.
There was no need to look at her. She was crying already. I closed my eyes and steadied my breath. Lucy doesn't like it when I'm mean to her and I hate it too, but I can't help it.
"Come here," I ordered, and a second later, she was hugging me from behind. Her arms tightly wrapped around me like I would disappear anytime.
We remained like that for a while, as she sniffled. My hands caressing hers.
"I'm sorry for raising my voice at you," I mumbled. Instead of accepting my apology, she smacked me on my back.
"What is troubling you?" I asked in a serious tone.
"I don't want to get married to Grey"
"But you knew the marriage would happen someday."
I felt her nod, "but I don't want to spend my life with him. I don't even love him"
If she doesn't want him, why force her? I gritted my teeth. "Does that mean anyone but him?"
She stayed silent for a while before answering, "no"
I furrowed my brow, confused. "What do you mean?"
She broke the hug and stood before me. Her eyes, tired and bloodshot.
"You know I want to marry for love. I have someone that I deeply care about." She stared at me like she was expecting me to say something.
"Then tell your parents. They are not narrow-minded." I shrugged.
"I can't. Mum said Grey is the perfect man for me and that the marriage between us is important," she whimpered.
"And the guy?"
She averted her gaze away from me. Her breath quickened. "I don't know if he knows how I feel about him, or maybe he's pretending not to know." Her voice cracked. She might lose her voice.
"Then I guess he's an asshole," I scoffed. I walked away and grabbed a bottle of whiskey and poured myself a drink.
"He's not," she retorted.
I laughed at her naivety. "A guy would definitely know if a girl is into him. Well, I can help you out by convincing him." He took a sip.
"You can't," she huffed and plunged on the bed.
"Why not?"
"Because you are that man, Will!" she confessed. Her words hung in the air. My breath hitched, but I remained silent and felt every layer of protection break.
"Can't you see that I've always loved you? For years I kept it in, hoping you would notice, but maybe you did but ignored it. I fucking love you, Mr. Will Cannon," she yelled, tears rolling down her face.
Her words hit me. Why now, Lucy? I knew she liked me and I intentionally ignored it. I have something more important to do than love.
I gulped the drink and groaned as it burned my throat, before slamming the glass on the table. "Stop it Lucy" I thundered. My heart pounded.
She shook her head, and held my hand, "no. I know you feel something for me, too. Let's run away. Just the two of us," she cried.
"For years, you treated me like I was the most priceless gem on earth. Tell me, how was I supposed not to fall for you? I'm human, you know" she threw her hands in the air.
"You said you'd help me. Why are you suddenly okay with all this?"
"Stop calling his name in front of me," I commanded and snatched my hand away from her hold and she fell on the floor.
"I can't help you. If your parents want you to marry him, then go ahead. I don't bloody care"
"You don't mean that... right?" She stood up and faced me. "Tell me to my face that you don't feel the same, that you don't care and I promise to leave you alone." Her breath came out ragged.
I looked at her with a cold eyes, "I don't have romantic feelings for you, neither do I care"
A pained smile plastered on her face. "So, I've been delusional all along?" She nodded. "I'll accept my fate. I hate you but I hate myself more for choosing you" she spat. Her voice, quiet but firm.
Fuck!
The moment she was out of sight, I punched the wall repeatedly until my knuckles became bloody.
I didn't expect Lucy's betrothed to be the son of my worst enem
y - Cullen Dipson. They think they've won. But I'm not done. Not yet