Chapter 3 Chapter 3- Failed To Hide

Morning sunlight spilled through the curtains, dragging me back to a room that still smelled faintly of bourbon.

My head throbbed, a reminder of too much alcohol and a heartbreak that hadn't quite died. 

I reached out, expecting to feel Zayne’s warm skin, but the sheets beside me were cold. 

“Huh..? Zayne?”

A note sat on the nightstand next to a tray of gourmet breakfast. 

‘Had to leave. Sorry.’

Short. Professional. Cold. 

Just like the man himself. 

I couldn't help but laugh bitterly. What did I expect? A confession of love? It was a one-night stand, a strategic move in his war against Edric.

I pushed my hair behind, took a shower in his place, and since I was starving, I ate everything.

After being done, I grabbed my things, called a cab and left his place.

Rose and I were sharing an apartment after disowning my family — yes, I disowned them.

Rose was absent. Must be enjoying her night too.

Smirking coldly, I decided to rest for the time being before the top-class gathering.

By 8:00 PM, I was standing in front of the mirror, Rose watching me with a mix of awe and concern.

"You look like you are going to a funeral, Kristine," She smirked, wearing her shoes.

"I am," I smirked back, applying a coat of blood-red lipstick. "Edric’s."

Feeling bold tonight, I had chosen a dress that was practically a weapon, floor-length black lace, backless, with a slit that climbed dangerously high.

All eyes must be latched on me. I was the CEO of Scents’n’Secrets, topnotch fragrances after all. 

A woman of perfume and power. 

I wouldn't let them see me bleed.

Tonight, people would consider my attention a privilege.

“My, my, aren’t you becoming bolder?”

“One should be when they have to stand alone for their baby.” I replied derisively, picking my purse, holding my head high and leaving for the party.

The second I entered, I could feel the eyes following me, studying me thoroughly.

But, then– A familiar warmth settled at my back before a large hand traced the length of my spine.

Him.

The heat of it burned, sending a traitorous shiver straight to my core.

"Avoiding me already, Sweetheart?" Zayne’s low, tempting tone reached my ears.

"I am not avoiding you, Mr. Nightwood,” I didn't turn around. I couldn't. “I am just... sober now."

"Sober is boring," 

His hand tightening slightly on my waist, pulling me back until my heels were locked between his. 

"And you weren't boring last night."

“Stop.” I shifted to face him with my steps retreating. “It was only for one night. You left a note, remember?”

“I left breakfast too,” he corrected, closing our distance with his gaze darkening.

“And a warning, remember?”

“By the way, good shot.” He pointed at Edric’s bandaged head.

I rolled my eyes, folding my arms at my chest, indulging in the sight where he was making up excuses.

“I think I should go now.” 

Before I could snap back, the sound of a fork hitting a crystal glass rang out. The room went silent.

“Everyone, on this auspicious day, I have an important announcement to make.”

On the raised platform, Edric stood. He looked pathetic with the bandage wrapped around his head, but he was smiling. 

Genuinely smiling.

He looked at the crowd, his eyes landed on me. For a second, he paused. Then, his gaze shifted to the woman beside him.

Amie.

He began to take out a velvet ring box.

My eyes widened. 

Edric's hand trembled, giving a smile he might have practiced in the mirror for months.

The smile I once believed was for me.

“Amie, you are everything I could possibly desire. My love. My happiness.” 

He shifted to one knee. 

“Will you do me the honor of showing you how much I love you for the rest of our lives?”

My breath caught.

That ring… 

It was everything I had once imagined on my own finger.

Every dream I had built with him now belonged to someone else.

The pain I was trying to hide through makeup, through my one-night stand, through any possible means shattered.

“Will you marry me?”

“Oh my God, Edric! Yes! Yes!” 

I stood miserably. Lips quivering, soul being torn apart, strength draining.

For how long was he taking advantage of me? 

For how long was this going on behind my back?

My steps stumbled, colliding with Zayne's who was behind me all this time.

He didn't offer a shoulder to cry on. 

Instead, he gripped my shoulders firmly, forcing me to stand straight.

“Don't you dare cry.”

He leaned down, his eyes boring into mine, cold and calculating.

“Look at them, Miss Iglesias.” he hissed.

“They think they won. Are you going to let them keep thinking that?”

“He's marrying her, Mr. Nightwood.” My broken tone came, “He is giving her the life he promised me.”

“Take it back.” Zayne said, a wicked smirk playing on his lips, pressing it against my ear.

"Or better yet, take everything he owns. Including his dignity."

I looked at Edric, who was now kissing Amie, back to the heartless businessman, Zayne Nightwood — the man who hated Edric more than anyone. 

“Enough, Mr. Nightwood.” 

I walked away with tears glistening in my eyes, cursing both of them. 

Once again, I lost. 

Back again in my apartment, I wiped the lipstick roughly from my lips,

the black dress shredded on the floor. 

I wasn't crying anymore. But, each time my eyes fell on the pregnancy test, my chest began to burn.

“She took my baby’s future, Rose…” 

"Kristine, stop," Rose pleaded, trying to grab my hands.

“We can just leave. Move away. Start over."

"No!" I snapped.

“I won’t run away. Not this time,” 

“They… they can’t do this to me… Not to my baby…”

“Hold yourself, Kristine.”

“How can I?!” A scream unintentionally left me. “That woman is living my dream! She stole my future!”

Sniffling, I pulled away a little, wiping my teary eyes roughly, smearing the immaculate eye look, curling my hands in a fist.

“They will pay, Rose.”

Holding my hands to help me calm down, she asked softly, “But, what are you going to do?”

I rested a trembling hand over my stomach.

Once… I had dreamed of giving this child a loving family.

That dream had died.

Now only one remained.

Revenge.

With my eyes blinded by revenge, I picked the pregnancy papers with my hands trembling.

No one could ever know the truth.

These papers couldn't exist anymore.

“What the hell are you doing, Kristine?!”

I looked Rose straight in the eye.

“I'm going to destroy them.”