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CHAPTER 013

Author: MattyWrites
last update Last Updated: 2024-12-09 14:13:19

CHAPTER 013

I stepped inside the house, which was muted but not the peaceful calm. It was heavy, as if the walls were closing in on me. I walked towards the living room, my heart pounding. Sprawled like a queen on her throne was Lilith on the couch. She had her legs crossed, a phone in one hand and a glass of red wine in the other. When she heard me, she looked up, and that infuriating smirk spread across her face.

She snorted, her voice rasping with mockery and filling up with surprise. “Back so soon?” “I thought you’d finally grown a spine and left for good.”

I stopped in the doorway, gripping the frame so hard my knuckles went white. “We need to talk.”

Her smirk never wavered as she tilted her head. “Oh? ‘What could we possibly have to talk about?’”

Moving into the room, each movement was deliberate, accomplished with a weight and a heaviness, as if I were preparing to fight. The simple words I wanted to hear came tumbling out of me. “I want to know the truth, Lilith.”

A sharp, cruel sound of laughter bounced off the walls. “The truth? You already know, sweetheart. ‘You’re just too scared to admit it to yourself.’”

I snapped: “Stop playing games.” “Say what you have to say.”

She put her back down and swirled her wine. She set the glass down and said, “Fine.” “You want the truth? Rowan and I were in love. Genuine love. It’s not the pathetic, one-sided thing you’ve been chasing all these years.”

I refused to show it as her words hit like a punch to the gut. I forced my jaw tight to keep my voice from sounding steady. “You’re lying.”

She raised an eyebrow and shot back, “Am I?” “Do you think Rowan ever chose you?” Your family forced him into this. He’s always belonged to me.”

I curled my hands into fists, causing my nails to bite into my palms. If that’s true, where is he? Why did he marry me?”

She said sharply, “Because your precious daddy left him no choice.” It was like a knife through me, her tone. "Rowan became the hero your family needed and played the rescuer."

Her words hurt, but I swallowed the pain and moved closer. Do you think tearing me down hones you than me? Does Rowan respect you for this?”

Her glass was forgotten, but she stood now, meeting my gaze head-on. Her green eyes glinted with some malice. She said softly but venomously, 'Oh, Sarah …' No one respects him, lopsided you. You’re nothing to him. You never were.”

I couldn't breathe; I fought for shallow gasps, and my chest felt tight. I wouldn’t let her see me cry, though. I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of knowing she’d gotten to me. I said, sharp and unsteady, “At least I’m not a liar and a manipulator.” “You’ll never win, Lilith. Not with him. Not with anyone.”

Her lips curled into a sneer. “And what are you, Sarah? A little girl desperate for a man who doesn’t love her? Do you think anyone looks at you like anything other than a pathetic, broken woman?”

Something inside me snapped. I shoved her back before I could think. Her eyes widened in shock, then narrowed in rage, and she stumbled.

She hissed, lunging at me, “You little—” She scratched her nails down my arm, and I gasped, trying to push her away.

A door slammed somewhere in the house, and Rowan was there. He thundered through the room with his voice.

“What the hell is going on?”

Immediately Lilith shifted gears, and her face crumpled into a mask of innocence. “She attacked me,” she whimpered, grabbing at her arm as if I’d hurt her. “She— I was just sitting here and she—”

“She’s lying!” I yelled, my voice cracking. “She’s been goading me all night,” he said.

Rowan’s icy blue eyes looked at me, his face unreadable. “That’s enough, Sarah.”

“Are you serious?” My voice shook with anger and disbelief as I said. “After everything she’s done , do you will take her side?”

His gaze didn’t falter. “You need to stop this. Now.”

Lilith reached over to him, brushing his arm with her calculated move. “She’s out of control, Rowan. 'I was only trying to help her see the truth,’” he said.

“Help?” I let out a bitter laugh. “You’ve been trying to destroy me since I met you.”

“Enough!” Through the air, a whip cracked, and Rowan’s voice cracked. His tone softened, and he turned to Lilith. “Go upstairs. I’ll handle this.”

She just smirked one last time and brushed past me, deliberately bumping her shoulder into mine. I trembled as I stood there, watching her disappear up the stairs.

“How can you defend her?” I asked, turning to Rowan. My voice was thick with tears I hadn't shed. “Everything she’s done to me, to us?”

He ran a hand through his dark hair and sighed. “Sarah, you don’t understand.”

I begged them, 'Then make me understand.' “Why do you keep protecting her?”

There was a moment of softening in his expression, and I thought I saw regret. His face hardened again, but just as quickly. He spoke low and chilling, “Don’t push her.” “I’m afraid you won’t like what happens next.”

His words sat there like an angry storm cloud, thick and suffocating. I tried to respond, but the words wouldn’t come. He turned and walked away before I could even think, leaving me in silence.

My legs were too weak to hold me, so I sank onto the couch. His warning twisted and turned in my mind like a knife. What did he have over Lilith? What was he so desperate to protect?

Why did it feel like I was the one being punished?

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