Chapter 7

Chapter 7

RAYANA POV

Liquid shock held my lungs captive as I watched HIM walk away, shoulders and frame larger than life. Everything in my body and soul just knew that it was the beautiful intruder from last night, the same man who'd moved into my head and decided to live rent-free. His face was the replica of an angel, his body the one only possessed by gods.

It was clear to any onlooker that God took his time sculpting, modeling, and framing to be the finest specimen he was.

And the voice... I now knew who the owner of that sweet voice was, and intrigue bubbled inside me like green acid.

I wondered what his eyes looked like. Damn the bloody glasses that hid those killer jewels from me.

"I don't blame you for staring. He's hot as fuck." Charlotte's voice yanked me from my musings. Redness crept to my face and I thanked Heaven for the small blessings since my face was already red from all the crying.

I cast a look at my sister to find her staring at me, a knowing look on her face. I feigned nonchalance.

"What are you talking about? "I bunched my brows behind my Black sunglasses, knowing damn well that it wasn't going to work on her.

"The poor big stranger whom you just undressed with your eyes?" saliva caught in my throat, and I coughed a whole deal while she burst out laughing.

Her hand landed on my lower back and she started rubbing small circles.

"There, there. Such a strong reaction for someone who claims to be innocent" We stopped in our tracks for me to catch my breath. And when I did, I punched her.

"Ow, Dona! " she exclaimed holding her side. I pointed an accusing finger at her.

"You did not see anything. You hear me?" she chuckled before making a zip-motion on her mouth, then threw away the imaginary key behind her. I smile!

"Most definitely. And I sure as hell didn't see that intense look you two shared." she nodded with mock enthusiasm and once again, I blushed beet red.

"Don't let Luc hear you say that." we resumed our walking towards the castle. "Or I'll end up single"

"Oh come on Dona. It's not like you are happy with Lucas. And right now you sound desperate for a relationship that might end at any moment. We all know that you are only with him for stability. There's no love, no passion, nothing. " her words hit me like a whiplash causing me to swallow down the rising bile. She was right. And it hurt to even admit it. But the fact that my own family saw through the facade I tried so hard to keep intact hurt even more.

I swallowed hard.

“I know things don’t seem well with Luc right now, but we will eventually sort it all out. We are getting married in June, so hopefully we’ll have it all figured out.” That didn’t sound convincing to my own ears. Five months before my wedding and the mere thought of it made me want to chew a jean jacket!

Charlotte sighed out.

“It's your relationship. Only you and Luc know it better than we all ever could. All I am saying is I would hate it if my sister got stuck in a loveless marriage only because her husband was the only stable candidate available.” She added a shrug. “But I wouldn’t be surprised if that handsome stranger burst through the church doors just when you were saying your not-so-true vows of forever, swooped you off your feet, and ran into the sunset with you. You saw those tattoos peeking through the neckline of his shirt? He looks very capable of doing that.”

I leaned back as I let out a full-blown belly laughter at her silly ramblings. For the first time in the past two weeks, I laughed out genuinely.

“You’ve been reading too many novels, Charlotte.” She gave me a pearly smile. Against my better judgment, I glanced back in the direction of the parking lot, then swallowed audibly as the pictures Charlotte painted in my brain swirled in slow, motion!

~~~

We entered the house through the back door to find everyone waiting in the foyer, everyone wore a puzzled look while James explained something with the wave of his hands. We drew closer until we were in earshot.

"Couldn't you wait for tomorrow maybe? Your father's body had only been buried and you already..."

"I understand you all feel like this is unfair. But time waits for no one. Father is not coming back, and while everyone is busy mopping I have a title to bear, and duties to uphold. So we can all go back to over rooms and continue our crying after this has been done!" James exclaimed with a hard look, cutting Aunt Bell mid-speech.

"I swear one would think you are the one who killed my brother to claim the archduchy." Aunt Bell spewed with a look of sheer disgust on her face. Mom’s loud crying filled the room and I stepped closer.

“I did not steal anything. The archduchy is mine by birth. It is what I was born for. Father could die today or ten years to come and it would still be mine.” James stared down at my aunt, venom dripping off his tongue.

“Whoa! Everyone?” I stepped forward holding my hands up.

“Can somebody tell me what the fuck is going on? James?” I said staring at my brother through my peripheral vision,

He remained silent, a muscle ticking in his jaw as he continued his stare down with my aunt.

“Your brother here called the family lawyer to read the will. He is on his way as we speak.” My aunt spat angrily. My eyes flew open, and rage overshadowed the pain that pierced through my heart. Everything happened in slow motion from there. One minute I was sandwiched between my aunt trying to stop World War 3 from breaking, the next minute I had my hand clutched in another one as a stinging pain shot from my heating palm, through my arm, and straight to my brain.

A loud SLAP of skin hitting another skin echoed through the vast foyer, and everything else went dead silent.

James had his cheek covered with one hand, and a murderous look brewed on his face.

“You just don’t know where to draw the line, do you?” I spat angrily, tears pouring down my face.

“Is this the monster that father raised? Do you think he would look at everything you are doing and want you to be his successor? We all know that the archduchy meant everything to him, and what you are doing right now is nothing but a disgrace!” I walked towards him and stood right in front of him, chest to chest.

“Is the archduchy you all think of? Just what have you become, James?” I lost it. Fists, slaps, and everything came tumbling down as I turned his chest into a solid punching bag.

He took both my wrists in one hand, stopping me in one abrupt movement.

I hated how weak I was. I hated how I couldn’t stand up against my evil brother, how powerless I was because if I could, I would stop this nightmare in just a heartbeat, and James would not be the archduke.

“Don’t anger me, sister. All of this…” his eyes roamed the open foyer, landing on each one of us. I was the last one to receive his cursing stare. “-all of this including you, belongs to me. So don’t push me because, by the end of today, you’ll be homeless if you cross the line.” With a hard shove, he pushed me backward.

I tumbled backward and fell onto the floor like a pile of useless bones and flesh and I landed on the hard, cold surface with a meaty thunk.

Charlotte’s arms caught me a little too late. I clutched onto her and let out a wail I didn’t know I’d been holding.

“I HATE YOU,” I screamed.

“I hate you so fucking much you freaking monster.” James acted oblivious to my little meltdown and started to walk away, the phone in his hand. He held it to his ear, then nodded to whatever was being said in the receiver. He spun around, and with a sickening smirk called out:

“Everyone should come to the main office. The lawyer has arrived!”