29. Pouty Princess
POUTY PRINCESS
CHELSEA
I couldn’t decipher if Sean was unhappy to see me or surprised. But his incredulous tone unnerved me more than the shit-show I had just been through.
“I…” I looked between the two and said, “I— nothing . It was a mistake.”
Turning around, I walked towards the elevator and skipped to the steps. It would be too awkward to wait for the elevator to come up, and I wanted to get out of there. Fast .
A hand wrapped around my arm, making me jump and flinch. But his hold was gentle, not like that creepy man.
“Princess, I’m happy to see you.” His warm voice was addictive, his dark eyes gazing at me. “When did you come here? You should have called me.”
Sean took the bag from my hand, and I paused, seeing the pretty woman look at us curiously. She rolled her eyes and walked inside his penthouse as if she owned it.
“Who is she?” I asked. My heart was beating fast, and I felt uneasy. I didn’t know why, but I wanted to go back to my mom’s place and spend the night there.
Maybe I just wasn’t meant for Los Angeles.
His lips pursed. “She’s my ex-fiancée, Liza.”
Of course, she was. Liza was pretty, with stunning features and dark ebony hair. They looked good together with thick dark hair, and she seemed taller than me.
“I’m sorry, Princess. I should have warned you.” He squeezed my shoulder. “I will explain everything to you, but please don’t leave.”
Again, his warm, deep voice seemed sincere. His eyes were hopeful. I couldn’t meet his gaze. I believed him, even though I knew he spent the entire day with her. I had seen them at the café, and he had hugged her like a close friend. Or a lover .
“Okay,” I blurted, ignoring my thoughts.
* * *
I remained in the guest room, staring up at the ceiling. I could hear the muffled voices of them talking.
Maybe I should have just left. Why did I agree to stay?
Because you like him . I did more than just like him.
I sighed, curling up. How could I compete with someone who had spent over two decades with Sean? Seeing Liza and Sean together made me realize how out of my league he was.
I can still leave .
But something was holding me back. The safety and comfort he provided.
I needed that… or I could just wear my big granny panties and walk out.
I shouldn’t feel self-conscious when I knew Sean’s feelings towards me, but I couldn’t help it.
My old wounds from my past relationship were surfacing, but I wanted to do better for Sean. Be better for him.
Even though I felt like I was interrupting something.
My stomach growled and I covered it. Looking around, I found the water jar empty and closed my eyes. Just my luck .
Wearing the house slippers, I padded downstairs to get some water and paused, hearing his annoyed tone.
“Liza, I cannot do this,” Sean’s voice seemed exasperated. He had never talked to me like that. I frowned and leaned closer to the wall and peered downstairs. They were both standing facing each other.
She let out a mocking laugh. “ You cannot do this?” She pointed her index finger at his chest, her nails long and well-maintained. “You wasted my youth. Gave me false promises and ended our marriage because you cannot do this?”
I couldn’t see his expression since his back was facing me, but I could feel the heavy tension in the living room.
“I loved you,” his voice sounded defeated. Her expression changed. “I loved you more than you did yourself. And it wasn’t enough for you. It was never enough for you. Nothing I did was enough.”
My throat burned. I wanted to run to him and hug him. He had never expressed these emotions before and it made my heart hurt.
Her eyes were watering as she looked away and wiped her tears. “It was suffocating, Sean,” she confessed, shaking her head. “Being loved by you.”
He scoffed. “Is that why you went out with him?”
“You know nothing happened.” Liza’s face snapped at him. “I never cheated on you.”
He leaned closer, and I felt his emotions change and his voice harden. “Emotional cheating is still cheating, Liza.”
“Nothing. Happened.”
“I don’t care.” Sean pulled back. “You wanted to talk with me, I did. Stop pestering amma and let me be.”
“You don’t get to say that!”
“Yes, I fucking do,” he snapped, making me jump. Even Liza seemed surprised. “I gave you everything, and it wasn’t enough for you. That’s why I broke our engagement. You have gotten your closure, so now you can leave?—”
“Two months,” she laughed, and it was devoid of any emotion. “Two months is all it took for you to move on to a young twenty-something girl after breaking our engagement.”
My hands became sweaty, and I pressed my body against the wall, anticipating his reply.
“It’s not like that.”
“ Oh? Then what is it like?” She was taunting him. “Is she a hooker? Your housekeeper? No . Didn’t seem like it. She’s your little princess , isn’t she?”
“ Liza .” Sean was warning her.
“Poor girl doesn’t know who she’s wasting her time with.” My eyes widened when her eyes met mine. Her gaze softened as she said, “If I were her, I’d leave you.”
“That’s enough,” Sean said, grabbing her purse and handing it to her. “Leave and never call me again.”
She kept her chin high and leveled his gaze. “I hope you feel the same betrayal I felt, Sean Tae.”
My heart kept pounding until she left, slamming the front door. I tried to process their talk and jumped when I heard his voice.
“I know you are there, Princess.”
I had a sheepish expression when I faced him. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.”
Sean ran a hand through his hair. I noticed the dark lines under his eyes and swallowed. He must be overworking. “It’s fine.” He looked at me for a moment and smiled. “I missed you.”
I blinked, surprised when he enveloped me in his arms. I closed my eyes and breathed in his familiar woody cologne. Hearing his heartbeat calmed me. His arms tightened around me, making me smile. I felt warmth wash over me as I returned his hug, wishing it would last forever.
But then I remembered the smudge of her lipstick on his shoulder and pulled back.
Sean frowned at me, but I pointed at the stain and asked, “What’s this?”
He looked at it and frowned, rubbing it. “When did this get here?”
I crossed my arms and tilted my head. “I wonder how.”
Sean met my eyes and blinked. I raised my brow until he started laughing, his deep voice echoing in the open-space. I scowled, and that made him chuckle more. Even though I loved hearing his rich laugh, I didn’t like the situation we were in.
“Stop laughing.” I may or may not have stomped my leg.
Sean wiped a tear from his eye, his face flushed. “You’re adorable, Princess.”
“ Stop it ,” I murmured, walking to the kitchen and getting a glass of water.
He wrapped his arms around my waist and dropped his chin on my shoulder. “ Truly adorable.”
I ignored him.
“I am happy that you got jealous,” he said, kissing my cheek.
I glared at him and crossed my arms. He relentlessly pulled back, his smile wide. “Her lipstick must have smudged when we hugged or when she bumped into me.”
“ Whatever ,” I said, feeling stupid that he would ever betray me.
“Pouty Princesses don’t get treats,” he teased me in a sing-song voice, making me glare harder.
I poked his chest. “You’re in a silly mood today.”
“Silly mood?” He raised his brow and pulled me closer. “I’m happy that you are here.”
I smiled, but his faltered when his eyes trailed down at my arm. I was wearing a full-sleeve top, but the sleeve was raised high and— oh shit , he could see the bruise. The handprint from that man.
I lowered the sleeve and didn’t meet his eyes.
“What the fuck is this?”