FLASHBACK — BLUNT'S MANSION
Steeve stepped out of the car, took his suitcase, and walked toward the entrance of the mansion.
His mother and grandmother were already staring at him. He looked at his grandmother, gave her a small smile, and waved his hand. Then he turned again and walked forward toward the entrance.
Mrs. Florence was also looking at him, waiting for him to say something — but he completely ignored her, walking past with an unbothered expression.
Florence:
"Maa!! He didn't even want to talk to me…"
She started crying and hugged Steeve's grandmother.
Grandma gently patted her head.
"Don't worry. Young kids are just like this. His father was the same at Steeve's age."
Florence stepped back.
Florence:
"Maa!! I think you should go and talk to Steeve right now."
Grandma shook her head.
"No, not right now. Maybe he is tired. I will go and talk to him in the afternoon."
Florence:
"Alright, Maa…"
She spoke with a tense expression that refused to fade.
STEEVE'S ROOM
Steeve's room was like another large flat inside the mansion. It felt as if he had created his own separate world. The lights were very dim, all the curtains were closed, and no sunlight could enter.
Steeve sat in his chair at the desk, reading a file. Just then, the maid entered.
Maid:
"Sir, your iced latte."
Steeve took the glass from the tray, drank one sip — and suddenly threw the glass away. His eyes were red with anger as he looked toward the maid.
At that moment, Grandma entered the room and ordered the maid to leave immediately.
As soon as Steeve saw his grandmother, his expression changed. The anger vanished from his face as if it had never been there.
Steeve:
"Hey, Grandma! Take a seat. What brings you here? Do you have any problem? Do you need anything? Just tell me once."
He asked this with a smile.
Grandma:
"Yes, I need something. But you have to promise me that you are not going to disagree."
Steeve:
"What is this, Grandma? Have I ever said no to you?"
He said this while walking toward her, kneeling in front of her, and holding her hands.
Grandma:
"I want you to meet Natalya."
Steeve instantly pulled his hands back.
Steeve:
"You told me only to marry her. And I already told you — I am not going to love her. This marriage is happening only because of your will."
Grandma:
"I know, my child. But please… Natalya wants to meet you before the wedding."
Steeve:
"But I don't. I don't need to tell you why I went to London."
Grandma:
"Yes, I know. Just because you didn't want to meet the William family or do these wedding formalities."
Steeve:
"Yes! And now you are asking me to meet her? No. You told me to marry her — and I agreed. But I am not going to take any other responsibilities."
Grandma:
"But for the wedding, it is necessary to meet her. Her mother is not agreeing to the wedding until you both meet. Even Natalya wants this."
Steeve:
"Natalya's mother?"
He asked with a weird and shocked expression.
Grandma:
"Yes. Is there something wrong?"
Steeve:
"No… no. I knew Mrs. Florence sent you here to approach me. Tell her I am going. But just because of you — not for her."
Grandma smiled with happiness.
Grandma:
"That's my son."
Steeve hugged his grandmother.
Flashback Ended
When I was walking behind him in the parking lot, I don't know what happened to me. My emotions burst out before I could stop them.
I shouted,
"Steeve… I love someone else…."
Steeve:
"What did you just say? Pardon?"
While saying this, he turned back toward me, grabbed my neck, and pushed me backward until I got stuck against the wall. He looked at me with aggressive eyes — it felt like his anger could burst out any second.
I felt suffocation. I pushed him away and finally breathed, but I started crying.
Steeve:
"What did you just say — you love someone else? Fine. Then let's cancel the wedding."
After saying this, he walked toward his car and left. He left me in the parking lot while I was crying. I had no strength to stand. I knelt down on my knees.
I tried to get up with the support of the wall. I had to reach home as soon as possible. Steeve had already left — he would definitely reach before me — and I had no idea what was going to happen there.
I gathered my strength and took my mobile out of my purse to book a taxi.
While I was doing so, a taxi stopped in front of me. An old man stepped out.
Old man:
"Good evening, ma'am. Steeve sir has sent a ride for you. Please sit so that we can leave."
I was shocked and confused, but I still decided to sit in the car. It was already late at night, and it was not safe for me to stay outside alone for long.
If he was so angry, why did he book a taxi for me?
Maybe he didn't want any crime scene linked to him if something happened to me.
William Mansion
The car stopped in front of my house gate. I got out and walked toward the entrance. I thought Steeve had already reached, but nothing like that had happened.
When I checked my mom and dad's room, they were sleeping peacefully.
I think Steeve didn't tell anything to my family because it was late night. But that's fine. In the end, this is what is right. I will not hurt anyone's feelings — because this is the truth.
I went to my bedroom, changed, and got into bed to sleep.
My phone rang. It was John.
I knew he had cheated on me, but still I loved him, so I decided to pick up the call. Maybe it was also because whatever happened today had already stressed me out — and John also needed to know everything.
John:
"Hey, Natalya. Why are you not answering my calls and messages?"
Natalya:
"Sorry. I have been quite busy these past few days."
John:
"Are you alright? I am so tense about you."
Natalya:
"Yes, yes. I am completely alright."
John:
"Why didn't you respond to me when I told you about cheating?"
Natalya:
"That was so sudden. I needed time to process whatever happened with me. That's why I didn't reply or call you."
John:
"Natalya, before lovers, we were friends. We spent quality time together. A breakup doesn't mean I don't care about you. You are my friend."
Natalya:
"Hmm… I know. And that's alright. At least I got to know the truth. But from now on, I think we should stop talking to each other — without holding grudges."
John:
"Why?"
Natalya:
"I am getting married. And with you in my life, I may not be able to move on."
There was silence from the other side of the call. After a few seconds, John replied.
John:
"Alright then… have a happily married life. If you ever need my help, just call me. I will never call you again by myself. Take care."
It felt like he was saying this with guilt.
Natalya:
"Fine."
John hung up the phone.