Chapter three

LIANNA’S POV

 "Lianna?" He was surprised to see me as well.

 We had been best friends since school even though he was several classes my senior and that was only because I had been doubly promoted several times. But we drifted apart when Ethan and I started dating. And then he just left with no goodbyes or explanations.

 "Oh my God." I smiled. "You look great." He had always been handsome but the past year had been good for him. 

 His features were now more defined. His brown eyes looked almost dark now and his pink lips were fuller. His killer jaw was covered with a light stubble.

 His smile faded as he gave me a quick inspection with his eyes. Even before the man attacked me I already looked horrible. Dirty and tired and my eyes were likely swollen since I spent most of the day in tears now my clothes were in shambles and I had bruises all over my body 

 "Let me take you home." He started toward his car parked on the other side of the road.

 "No no, you didn't have to, I'm sure you have something better to do." I didn't want to be anywhere near Ethan's brother.

 "If you don't want me to drive you home, I'll just ask Ethan to come to pick you up."

 "No!" I cut him short and he looked at me confused. "It's just that it's late and I'm sure he is sleeping. I don't want to wake him up." I lied.

 "You just went through . . . A traumatic event. " He said. " and I never knew my brother to be an early sleeper."

 "People change." I swallowed as I said the words. I had changed also, pain had changed me. I was no longer the wide-eyed girl he knew.

 "Well, do you mind coming back with me to my hotel?" As I pondered the question he added; "it's a suite, there are extra rooms."

 Of course, their family had always been rich, the perks of being from royalty and since my only other option was to sleep under a bridge, I agreed to go back with him.

 The drive was a short and silent one, I know he knew I wasn't telling him the truth. But how could I tell him that his brother abused me? Would he even believe me?

 I murmured a thank you when he opened the car door for me at the entrance of the luxury hotel. The last time someone opened a door for me was before I married Ethan.

 When we got in he showed me my room and gave me some privacy. I immediately pulled off my dirty clothes and took a long hot shower.

 As I bathed some parts of my body ached and thinking of everything that happened a few tears escaped my eyes.

 When I came out of the bathroom I saw clean clothes laid out on the bed, a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt, both of which were undoubtedly too big for me.

 I smiled, Sebastian has always been the most thoughtful person I know.

 My stomach growled as I put on the clothes, a reminder of how long it had been since I last ate. 

 I folded the loose ends and went to the mirror on the vanity and just as I guessed my eyes were puffy and red. I looked 10 years older than the 21 I was and I had lost weight over the past year. 

 I pulled my hair into a ponytail and went to look for Sebastian.

 I nearly bumped into him when I opened the door.

 "Sorry." We both said at the same time.

 "I was going to-"

 "I was coming to-" We started talking at the same time again.

 "You go first." I laughed.

 "I was coming to tell you dinner was here." He grinned.

 "Great, I'm starving." I followed him to the parlour and my mouth watered at the sight of the cuisine spread out on the table.

 When we sat, he looked at me and frowned before looking away. 

 “Thank you.” I blurted without looking at him. Too afraid of what he might see if he looked at me too long.

 “Do you want to talk about it?” 

 I shook my head no. 

 “ Is there anyone you’d like to talk to now?”

 “No,” I said softly and thankfully he nodded. I had no friends and my husband tried to have me raped.

 At first, I tried to eat in smaller lady-like bites but after the first few I gave up and started to eat heartily.

 "When was the last time you ate?" He asked gently as he watched me.

 "Breakfast," I answered without thinking.

 "Are you trying to give yourself an ulcer or does it have to do with why you don’t want to talk to Ethan?"

 I paused with a spoon halfway to my mouth and remembered how Ethan used me as his trash.

 "Allergies," I muttered and put down the spoon, suddenly losing my appetite.

 "Stop lying to me, Lianna." The way he said my name sent shivers down my spine.

 "When did you come back? To the pack?" I asked.

 "Today." He answered quietly. That explains why he hadn't heard the rumours about me, the whore gold digger.

 "It doesn't matter, you're never here. I'll just pour my heart out to you and you'll have disappeared the next morning." I said, referring to how he left.

 "I'm sorry, I didn't think you'd even notice. You were so in love with my brother."

 My eyes started to water at the reminder of that and I quickly blinked it away.

 "You didn't even say goodbye." I smiled sadly.

 "I'm here now."

 "We were friends for years and you didn't even say goodbye. And now you think you can just walk back into my life." I yelled at him out of anger and pain.

 He stood up from where he was and pulled me into a hug and I completely broke down. Crying and screaming against his chest. After a while when my tears had subsided, he repeated his question.

 "What happened to you?" He asked as he wiped my tears and stroked my hair, I felt so warm and safe with him.

 "Today or the past year?" I sniffled. 

 "Let's start with today."

 "I went out to see my friend and when I came home Ethan was there, he was angry even though he smelt like a woman's perfume. But at least he was drunk."

 "What do you mean at least he was drunk?"

 "He doesn't beat me when he is drunk," I replied and felt Sebastian’s whole body tense up.

 "He brought his pregnant mistress, and told me I was going to be her maid, so I left. I begged him to reject me and set me free. He did but I had nowhere to go but anywhere was better than there." I continued recalling the humiliation and pain I felt.

 "I'm so sorry Lianna. I'll take care of him. I'll make him pay for what he did to you." His eyes darkened as he said the words.