CHAPTER 62
Amara's brows furrowed as she slowly took in her surroundings.
The events of the previous night flooded back into her consciousness like a torrential downpour.
Kaelith and Anna, their lips locked in a passionate embrace, and then her own head resting on Kaelith's chest as sleep claimed her.
Her eyes widened in realization, and she quickly turned her head away, a knot of unease tightening in her stomach.
"We need to talk," Kaelith insisted, his voice low and throaty as he put his hands on either side of her face trapping her.
Amara refused to meet his gaze and tried to push him away. Kaelith barely budged.
"No," she replied tersely, her tone laced with defiance. She pushed herself and tried to push him away again.
But he was undeterred. He effortlessly maneuvered her and before she knew it, she was sitting on his lap, his arms forming a protective cage around her.
She glared at him, her jaw clenched with frustration.
"Let go," she demanded her voice trembling with suppressed emotion.
Now he wanted to talk? After everything?
She wanted to punch him, tell him this was not the way how things worked, but the image of Anna kissing him- though it looked like he was not enjoying it- still burned in her memory.
She hated how jealous and insecure she had become.
The thought of seeing him with someone else was torturous.
"Not unless we solve this through," His gaze was intense as he locked eyes with her.
Her feet dangled as she glared at him. His chest pressed against hers, her small hands balled in fists.
To him, she looked breathtakingly beautiful even with swollen eyes and pouty lips.
It amused him, to know she was jealous. But not at the cost of upsetting her.
She scoffed bitterly, eyes fiercely holding his gaze. He could see her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I don't want to talk to you. You're a liar," she spat, her words dripping with venom punching his chest.
Kaelith clenched his jaw as he gripped both of her wrists and pinned them behind her with one hand, pinching her jaw with free hand, he squeezed her cheeks.
"Then at least hear my lies," he murmured against her hair inhaling deeply, his voice tinged with frustration.
"I didn't mean to hide it. It was all for your sake. "
Her eyes narrowed in disbelief. "My sake? Toying with me for my sake?" she scoffed incredulously. "What delusional world are you living in, Kaelith? Even I can separate fiction from reality."
He shook his head.
"Baby, listen to me," His tone softened as he reached out to caress her cheek.
But Amara recoiled from his touch, her heart hardened by the pain as she averted her face. "I never lied. I meant everything," he insisted, his voice breaking with emotion.
"I... I kissed her, but it was a mistake. I was out of my mind and drugged. I thought it was you. I'm not making excuses but I will break off this engagement soon." She stilled. Break off the engagement?
Her breath caught in her throat at his words, disbelief washing over her in waves. "You can't be serious," she whispered, her voice barely audible above a whisper. He shook his head vehemently, his eyes pleading for understanding. "I don't love her. I needed some information from her, that's all."
Amara's heart ached at his words, torn between the emotions she still felt for him and the pain that threatened to consume her. "It doesn't work this way, Kaelith," she murmured, her voice tinged with sadness. "I have a heart that feels."
Tears welled in her eyes as she pushed herself away from him, her heart heavy with the weight of their shattered dreams. Kaelith reached out to her, his expression fraught with desperation, but she turned away.
Kaelith clenched his jaw. It took every ounce of self-control to restrain himself from grabbing her forcefully, to bend her to his will, but he knew that wouldn't achieve the desired effect – at least not yet.
Time was a luxury he could afford, but patience was not infinite – and neither was her freedom. She was his, body and soul, and he would imprint that truth upon her consciousness, one way or another.
******
Amara was angry, seething when she slammed open the door of her room. After what happened last night, he dared to explain his actions. Stomping towards the bathroom, she splashed water on her face and looked at her reflection in the mirror.
What was she doing here? How long would she stay here?
If not Anna, there would come a day he’d have another by his side- someone who’d not be her, but someone else.
The pain was there, but she was trying not to let it hurt her.
The realisation was toxic but true. What would she do with her life then?
No family. No one. Not even her memories.
She felt pity for herself.
The husband she had was an abusive man, and the man she thought she was falling for was not her to love.
Amara couldn’t see the end to all this no matter how far she looked.
The path was dusty and foggy and the destination was unknown.
Even if she escaped from here, where would she go? There was no place exclusively for her.
But she couldn’t stay here either.
A thought flickered in her head- so volatile and irrational it made her heart skip a beat. Kaelith wouldn’t let her leave so easily, but staying with him was torture for her heart too. The reflection in the mirror stared back at her. Her body tensed and her heart rate acceded.
The thought of taking that first step sent a shiver down her spine, but she knew it was necessary.
Her mind raced through the possible life she could build – having a home she could call her own, she’d plant flowers around it, and live there for the rest of her life away from the pain this world was giving her, her life would be peaceful, she’d paint and dance all she wanted.
It was daunting, overwhelming even, but she couldn't let fear paralyze her any longer.
With a deep breath, she decided. Kaelith had done so much for her, she couldn’t forget all that and neither did she want to.
She was grateful, but not at the cost of her heart.
With happiness, he made her feel helpless too.
And that was all she could take. For once, she wanted to priorities herself.
She’d escape from here today.