Chapter 232
1500words
Wearing the thin lavender nightgown that fell up above my knee, I took my time walking around the premises of the manor.
The cold breeze of the night hit my skin, making my skirt fly back. Thankfully, it wasn't a balloon skirt, or my legs would have shown.
I also pulled my hair on the side of my neck, keeping the wind from tangling it.
“Look, it's so beautiful. It's been so long since we saw a picturesque place like this,” Trisha suggested, trying to calm me down and make me feel better.
And she's right.
At the back of the manor was the most beautiful and peaceful scene I've ever seen since I came here.
A smile involuntarily formed on my lips as I approached the swing hanging on the long and sturdy branch of a giant tree.
I passed my upper body through the tire's hole and sat on it, holding on to the rope.
It felt like childhood.
I swang myself and stretched my legs while I leaned back a bit to see the mesmerizing night sky filled with stars that sparkled like diamonds around the crescent moon, seemingly smiling above me.
The sounds of swaying leaves and insects in the forest were like music in my ears, healing the guilt and pain cursing in my body.
Far ahead of me, just across the pond, was the playground for pups protected by a wooden fence.
It's a modern playground with complete facilities. Unlike the swing I was on, the swings in there were more complete and sturdy.
There were slides, but instead of stairs to get on them, there was a climbing wall. There were monkey bars and a merry-go-round, but what fascinated me most was the several picnic tables around it.
I could only imagine our pack members having a great time with their families. Children playing and parents chatting filled the place with laughter and smiles.
“You know… This manor is so perfect.” Trisha commented in a very contented voice.
I smiled at that as I ventured my eyes around the place. It’s so peaceful, and it’s like you can find anything you need here. Nodding, I affirmed, “Indeed it is.”
“Look at this place. It’s so well decorated and…” She swooned. “It’s a perfect place for Aaden to grow up. Albert is really thoughtful.”
“You never failed to praise Albert every chance you get,” I teased. She really likes him and always brings him up to me.
Scoffing, she jokingly replied, “That’s because you never give him enough credit.”
It stung a bit because it was true, but I kept the conversation light and simply replied, “Touche.”
“You must think I’m crazy, don’t you?” I asked, rubbing my swollen temples as I continued swinging to ease me a bit.
Looking up at the stars, I continued, “The better Albert was doing, the more uneasy I felt, which should be the total opposite.”
I should be glad. I should rejoice that I had a perfect fated mate and that I chose wisely by being with him.
“And that’s what I don’t understand about you. It’s a great thing that Albert is doing so well to you and Aaden,” Trisha added.
“It’s just…” I shook my head, sorting out my thoughts.
“Just what?” she pressed on.
Sighing, I said, “Albert is being good and all, but… he’s suppressing himself. He’s hiding all his anger and pain, which isn’t good.”
Pain crossed my eyes as I let my feet put friction on the ground to stop the swing. “It might be gradual but the more all those negative feelings accumulate in him, the more it will turn his heart darker.”
Gloomess exuded in my expression as I continued, “And I fear that though it may not happen now, it will soon.”
It's not even a matter of if now but a matter of when, and the thought that I’m the cause of it breaks my heart even more.
“That’s impossible! Albert had always been a good man. You’re overthinking.” Trisha contradicted.
Reminded of the events earlier, I explained, “What happened to Lily is a good example. She didn’t do anything punishable that severely, and yet she faced such injustice because Albert vented his anger toward me and Kylian toward her.”
“That should be me. I should be at the receiving end of that anger from him.” I sighed, hands tightening at the rope of the swing.
“Oh, come on! You’re just making a big deal out of it. It’s nothing.” She brushed it off, continuing, “Anyone would be angry if they encountered the same thing as Albert. Even if Albert went a little too far this time, it’s understandable.”
I sighed and got off the swing, trying to walk off the heaviness in my heart instead. “I hope so…”
Sitting by the edge of the pond, I removed my shoes and let my bare legs feel the cold water.
With both my hands slightly on my back and leaning on the grass, I leaned a bit back and looked far ahead, near the border after the playground.
At first, I was just admiring the forest's silence and the swaying of the tree branches when I suddenly saw a silhouette of a man standing outside by the fence.
My legs froze, and my breathing hitched as I locked eyes on the man’s eyes that were vividly fixated on me in the darkness.
My soul trembled as I narrowed my eyes, trying to determine whether I was seeing things or if they were real.
Palpitation, I sat up properly and clenched my fist. “Is it him? But that’s impossible!”
My thoughts became clouded as disbelief filled me. We hadn’t seen each other for three years but somehow, unknowingly, I could still recognize him… even in the darkness.
Well, that’s just… shit!
But the real question was… How did Kylian suddenly appear here at Wakeland?
Especially when I had already released an order that said no one from the Dark Moon Pack was welcome to set foot in Wakeland.
My breathing escalated. I shocked my head again and blinked a couple of times, thinking, “I must be drunk! I shouldn’t have drunk so much wine earlier this afternoon!”
“Is that Kylian?” Trisha’s shout filled my heart. If she had another person beside me, I would have been deaf by now. Hysterically, she added, “How come he’s here?”
Anger and surprise were evident in her voice, but it could be heard that, above everything, her fury was more on the surface.
It took me a few seconds to wake up from a daze and realize that Trisha could recognize him as well.
I’m not hallucinating!
Steadying my breath, I stood up, put on my shoes, and asked, “Kylian? Is that you?”
Immediately, the man ran off. Instinctively, I rushed after him, but he was too fast. Just as I reached where he used to be, he disappeared.
I looked around a couple of times, but there was no sign of him anymore. He completely disappeared as if he had never been there before.
I clutched the iron fence tightly with both my hands, fuming with anger and a sense of rush.
Breathing heavily, I cursed, “The hell! What’s he doing here? He should never have appeared in here!”
After that, I ran as fast as I could back to my office. Slamming my hand on my table, I hastily called Sapphire. “Come into my office,” I instructed, not caring that it was already late at night.
I heard a bit of movement on the other end before I heard Sapphire speaking in a low voice, “Princess, what happened? I’m still at the dock and trying to get along with the boatmen.”
Right! I forgot about that.
Sighing and calming myself down, I replied, “Never mind. Come and see me immediately tomorrow once you get back.”
Curiously, Sapphire asked right before I hung up the phone, “Isn’t tomorrow your inauguration day? Would you have another work to attend then?”
After rubbing the bridge of my nose, I hastily grabbed the glass of wine beside my computer and took a sip from it. “Yes, and it’s very important. Also, I hope you can accompany me at the party.”
I ended the call and gulped down the entire contents of my wine glass without waiting for her reply.
Frustratedly, I put it down on my table, hearing the loud impact of it.
Feeling my thumbing heart, I closed my eyes in frustration as my own emotions betrayed me. As much as I wanted to deny the truth, I couldn’t hide that deep inside me. I still deeply miss the man who betrayed and hurt me so much.
But that also couldn’t change the fact that I could and would never forgive him, nor would I allow him to set foot in this land—not even half a step!
With sharpness in my eyes, I vowed in pursed lips, “Kylian, I’ll never forgive you!”
