Chapter 10%
I clenched my jaw, turning my head away. “It was your child but the child was gone, so leave me now.“>
Jayson sucked in a sharp breath like I had just stabbed him. He buried his face in his hands, his shoulders shaking. Of course, he didn’t expect it. But it was for the greater good, at least, there was nothing tying us apart. I could freely move on from him.”
“Our child was dead. This is on Fiona,” he whispered. “I-” He stopped himself, his fingers digging into his hair. “I never meant for this to happen. I didn’t think this would happen. I didn’t even know-“}
I clenched the hospital blanket in my fists. “You think that changes anything? That suddenly I’ll forgive you because you’re regretting it
now? I said what I said so leave now.”
His head shot up, eyes filled with raw pain. “I swear, I never wanted to hurt you. I was angry, I wasn’t thinking, but-“}
“But you still did,” I cut him off, my voice cold. “You betrayed me. Over and over again. You don’t get to act like this is some mistake you regret. You chose this. You chose Fiona!“}
Jayson reached for my hand, desperation written all over his face. “We can fix this. I’ll fix this. Please, just-“}
I yanked my hand away. “No, Jayson. There’s nothing left to fix.”
Before he could say a word again, the door suddenly swung open, and our parents walked in. Silence hung in the air like a noose. I was met with the heavy stares of our parents. My mother’s face was pale, her lips pressed into a thin line. Jayson’s father stood rigidly beside her, his fists clenched. The tension was suffocating.}
Then, in a flash, Jayson staggered back as his father’s fist connected with his jaw.
Jayson
“You disgust me,” his father growled, his voice shaking with rage. “You are my son, gave you everything, and this is how you repay me?” Jayson wiped the blood from his lip, his jaw tight. He didn’t defend himself. He just stood there, shoulders stiff, breathing hard.§ “Explain.” My mother’s voice was quiet, but her disappointment cut deeper than any slap could. “What is this all about? The child? It wasn’t Ryan? It was Jayson? How could this happen… when you told me you love her?” She was disappointed at me. “It means you were fucking behind our back?”
I swallowed the lump in my throat. I had nothing left to lose now, I might as well the truth, so this could all set us free.
“This is my fault,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “I was stupid. I believed Jayson loved me. I believed everything he told me… and I fell for him. I never meant it to happen, but we were just so close. He was always with me… and then it happened.“}
Jayson’s head snapped toward me, eyes dark with emotion. “Kylie-”
“No.” I cut him off, stepping forward, my hands trembling. “You only made me fall for you so you could get revenge on my mother for ruining your family.”
His father turned to him sharply. “Is this true?“}
Jayson didn’t answer.
“Answer me!”
Jayson clenched his fists, his entire body trembling. And then, for the first time, his mask cracked.”
“At first, yes,” he admitted, his voice hoarse. “I wanted to hurt her. I wanted to destroy her mother’s happiness the way she destroyed mine. My plan was to break Kylie’s heart, to make sure she suffered. I admit now, I was the reason why she was kidnapped… and the scar, it was all my fault And then, when the truth came out, and I truly regretted what I did.”
Jayson exhaled shakily, raking a hand through his hair. “I fell in love with her.
A bitter laugh escaped my lips. “Love?“}
If this was yesterday, I would probably become the happiest girl because I was deeply in love with him. But now–lies! I only want to forget about him and all our memories.}
Jayson turned to me, desperation in his eyes. “Yes. I didn’t expect it, but it happened. And when Ryan arrived and I saw you with him, I realized–I could never let you go.“%
His father scoffed. “You realized? After using her? After lying to her? She’s your stepsister! Did you even once think about that? And kidnapping! You did that! I didn’t raise you to be an evil man! If you’re mad, you should revenge on me not on them!“}
“I never wanted to hurt her,” Jayson said, his voice cracking. “Not anymore.“}]
The room was suffocating.
That’s when his father spoke again. “It doesn’t matter anymore. It’s done now. You two will never be together.”
Jayson’s breath hitched.
“You will marry Fiona,” his father continued, his expression hard. “And Kylie will marry Ryan. This family has already suffered enough. We won’t allow it to fall apart because of your selfishness. This is a huge scandal that could ruin our reputation so we would stop this. End of conversation.“%
“No.” Jayson shook his head. “I won’t marry Fiona. Not anymore.”
But I had already made my decision.
I straightened my shoulders, forcing myself to meet his gaze. “I will marry Ryan.”
Jayson’s face twisted in pain. “No. You don’t love himn.“%
“I like him,” I said simply, refusing to let my voice waver “And that’s enough.”
*Kylie, please,” he whispered, stepping toward me. “Don’t do this.“%
conversation.”
“No.” Jayson shook his head. “I won’t marry Fiona. Not anymore.”
But I had already made my decision.
I straightened my shoulders, forcing myself to meet his gaze. “I will marry Ryan.“% Jayson’s face twisted in pain. “No. You don’t love him.”
“I like him,” I said simply, refusing to let my voice waver. “And that’s enough.“}
“Kylie, please,” he whispered, stepping toward me. “Don’t do this.”
I smiled sadly. “We’re step–siblings, Jayson. That’s what we’ll be. Forever.“}
His expression shattered.”
“Are you sure about this? Ryan?” He turned to Ryan. He was just standing there, listening to us.
“I’ll marry her,” Ryan nodded. “You can rest assured that I’ll never hurt her.”
“Great,” my mother said. “I want the marriage as soon as possible before the media could get a hang on this forbidden relationship and ruin our family. But the kidnapping, Jayson? It would take time before I forgive you. Just be thankful that we value this family so we’re keeping it.”
I agreed. All I want now is to just move on.
When I knew that Jayson wouldn’t leave me alone, I stood up from my bed and left the room with Ryan. I wasn’t feeling better but I needed air or else I’ll suffocate from the tension.
Want
“Want to have a date with me?” He grinned. “Since you confessed you like me-“}
“That was a lie,” I said, lying again, because honestly I like him. I was just not yet ready to tell him about it. Everything was still a mess. And if I would fall in love again, I wanted it to be for real.}
“Well, I didn’t lie about liking you.” He smiled. “But we’ll get there. I am willing to wait. For now, how about we go to our house?“> “Your house?” I blinked.”
“Why? Do you want to stay at your house?“}
Right. I didn’t have a choice. At least, for now… and it would be for the better. I didn’t want Jayson to follow me and forced me to talk to him. I knew he would do that. He wouldn’t back down easily.
“I’ll take that as a yes. And it’s also time to meet my family.” He then took my hand as we walked out of the hospital.
