Chapter 184
1466words
“Jack–”
“Are you hurt? Do you need anything?” I couldn’t finish my sentence when his worried question echoed through the phone like a bullet.
It’s vivid how worried and anxious he was just by hearing his words. My heart throbbed, and tears welled up in my eyes.
Since childhood, my brother has always doted on me and loved me so dearly. I knew his methods of protecting me could be quite excessive, but objectively looking at it, I knew it was all for my own sake.
I pursed my lips, stopping myself from having a shaking voice as I replied, “I’m fine.”
For many years, all I’ve done was worry him and cause him a headache. Years ago, I left and married Kylian, cutting off my communication with them. He put up with it because it was for my happiness.
But then, he learned that I was mistreated, and I knew that it broke his heart more than anyone else. He saw himself as my protector, and knowing I was hurt… I knew that he probably blamed himself deep inside.
And now… I didn’t even contact him and let him worry about me for days.
“Are you sure? You don’t have to hide it. You can tell me,” he asked in a serious tone.
If he wasn’t in need in the kingdom, I’m sure he would have flown in here and checked every inch of me to ensure that I was fine.
I smiled. “I’m fine, Jackson. No need to worry.”
The underhand went silent for a bit. Taking a deep breath, I said in a guilty manner, “I’m sorry. I should have connected you sooner.”
“So you do know you should have, huh?”
Sarcasm was overflowing in his voice, and I closed my eyes, accepting it straight.
“I do… It won’t happen again.” Looking at the side, I saw a half wall nearby, so I walked toward it and leaned on it while staying on the call.
“What do you plan now?” he asked, voice much calmer than earlier.
Flashes of scenes when Kylian used his own body to shield me from harm, rushed to my mind. He almost gave up his life for me… How could I give up on him because of fear?
“Jackson…” I started.
Instantly, I heard a scoff. “And there goes that voice. Okay, come on, shoot it at me.”
I couldn’t comprehend in his tone if he was joking or agitated by what I was about to say. He sure already had an assumption of what it was about.
“Now or never, Della,” I encouraged myself.
With a deep breath, I continued, “I want to tell you that… I still love Kylian, and I decided not to pursue the divorce as we planned.”
Well, none of it was a lie. Recently, I realized that I still love him. In fact, I never stopped loving him, and that’s why it still affected me so much whenever he was with another woman. I still get jealous because my love for him never faded.
All along, anger, insecurity, and unfavorable situations pushed us to the huge misunderstanding we fell into.
“Give me a reason. Why should I let that happen?”
“Because I love him.”
I hear him snickered. “Now, you are not that naive to think that it’s something that could change my mind.”
Of course, he won't.
“He almost loses his life saving me, Jackson.” This time, I spoke with more firmness in my voice, showing him how determined I was with this decision of mine.
“Jackson?” I called out when I hadn’t heard him reply for a while.
“Then what about Albert?” he suddenly asked, taking me off guard.
Albert? How did he come to the equation?
“What about him?” I asked with a furrowed eyebrows.
I knew that they always shipped me with Albert, but I’ve made my stand clear about that long ago.
“Your reason to be with Kylian is that he almost lost his life for you. Then what about Albert?” he repeated.
Suddenly, I froze as flashes of recent events came to my mind.
A while back, I lost contact with Albert for many days. No calls, no texts, and just emails. Emails, which I couldn’t even ensure he was really the one talking to me.
Then it dawned on me how many times Fae, Stella, and Troy told me that I should show care about Albert, even though they were never that pushy.
My heart skipped a beat, and I tried to swallow the knot that had suddenly formed in my throat. Anxiousness suddenly rushed into me.
“What exactly on earth happened to Albert?” I asked in a panic.
He wouldn’t happen to be hurt, was he?
“Jackson! Tell me!” I shouted after he remained silent for a couple of seconds.
Then, he heaved a sigh. “He told me not to tell you anything.”
“Not to tell me? What the hell is happening?” I was already on the verge of crying, and I don’t even know why.
All I knew was that I was starting to be so worried sick about Albert.
Jackson sighed. “Albert fought with the rogues in the Wakeland for you… Unfortunately, not long ago, he almost died in one of the attacks. But the last order he gave before he lost consciousness and went to a coma was to never tell you what happened to him.”
“W-what?” I stammered, filled with indescribable feelings.
My heart started to ache so much like it was being clenched inside my chest until it reaps and bleeds. I could also feel Trisha in discomfort at the back of my head.
Was it because of guilt? Of course, it was. He was my friend, and he went there on my behalf… I couldn’t believe that I didn’t even take the time to look after him properly. I’ve been assured that he’d be fine and didn’t bother checking on him even once.
I shook my head in disbelief. “Why didn’t you tell me anything?”
“It’s his last words before he fainted, and I respected it as did everyone else. But this incident proved how much he loves you.” He paused. “But if the right man for you is someone who will sacrifice their life for you, then Albert is a better candidate, isn’t he? Because he never hurt you, and he never wanted to, so much that he even hid his condition just to save you from heartache and worry.”
My heart then started beating fast, and my breathing hitch. I suddenly felt lost. Just a minute earlier, I felt so sure of everything. But now, I’m so confused and don't know what to do next.
After much thought, my free hand went to my belly, and I whispered over the phone, “Jackson, I’m pregnant, and it’s Kylian’s.”
Silence filled us once again.
When I felt like he had no plan to speak, I continued, “Although I feel guilty for Albert, I had no other choice. I can’t have my pup born without a father.”
But the most important reason… It was that I loved Kylian, and no one could stop me from being with him anymore.
After years of heartache and misunderstanding, I finally felt the happiness I had been wishing and waiting for.
I couldn’t just give up on it because I felt guilty. Someway, somehow, I’ll find a way to show my gratitude to Albert. But I won’t selflessly give up on my love. I just couldn’t.
“For the sake of your pup, I’ll give Kylian one last chance.” When he said that, relief instantly showered in me, and I smiled.
“Thank you,” I happily said.
“Don’t rejoice just yet. Bring him to the banquet I prepared for you in a week’s time. As long as he passes my last test, I’ll accept him as your mate.” That completely shocked and confused me.
“What test?” I asked.
“You will know at the party. I just want to see his loyalty to you and ensure that he won’t ever choose another woman over you again.”
I smiled because, this time, I was beyond sure. I knew it was impossible. After everything Kylian and I’ve been through, I’m very confident in our relationship and bond already.
Kylian knew it already. He already had a firm understanding in his heart that he loved me. So I’m positive that even if Flora appears again, or anyone for that matter, he’ll never betray me again.
“He won’t,” I said confidently.
“We’ll have to wait and see. I can only hope you are right, though.”
I smiled. “I know I am.”
“Alright, I’ll go now. I don’t care about anything else, but at least call Albert. He’s been worried sick about you.”
With that, he ended the call.
