Chapter 134
Zabelle however didn’t stop as she increased her pace so she cosilil get back to the car and get the hell out of there…
“Zabelle.” Antonio caught up to her just as she reached the door of the mansion. “Let’s talk,” he proposed.
“No, Antonio, Ter heard enough” she shook her head, refusing to meet his eyes.
I’ve heard enough. You were married to her. You kept this from me. And you didn’t.” Her voice cracked as she was overwhelmed with various
motions.
“You didn’t think I had the right to know. So just act like I don’t.”
“No, you had the right to know, Antonio said quickly, trying to close the distance between them. “I swear I was going to tell you. I just.…….”
“Knowing you that wasn’t happening anytime soon,” she said quietly, almost a whisper.
“You’ve been hiding this from me. All this time and you had no intention of telling me..”
Antonio’s heart clenched as he couldn’t stand the hurt in her eyes and the way she was pulling away from him.
He took another step forward, but she held up a hand, stopping him in his tracks.
“1-1 don’t know what to say to you anymore,” she said, her voice wavering
She wanted to say more, but she remembered that she was in his parents house and there was a chance they could overhear.
For a
a moment. Antonio froze. The woman he loved was
s slipping away
from him and it was his fault.
His mind raced for something–anything–that could make her calm down.
Sering as he was distracted by her words, she used the opportunity to leave the mansion.
“Zabelle,” she heard him call after her as he followed her.
“You know, Antonio, today, I’m reminded of how I’m just a pawn to you and will always be. You know everything about me, and yet I barely know anything about you,” she scoffed as she sniffed in a bid not to cry,
“And here I thought we were developing an actual relationship,” she smiled bitterly.
Zabelle’s words hut him like a punch to the gut. He wanted to reach out to tell her that they had and that he was madly in love with her, but he found himself unable to do so
“Zabelle,” he tried to speak, but her ride arrived and without wasting time, si
she got into the
the car, and he watched it drive away. He stood frozen in his spot trying to process the fact that he had messed up and after a few minutes, he cursed loudly.
Not only had he messed up with Zabelle, but his father as well
It felt overwhelming to know that he had a lot to make up for.
Just then, he heard footsteps from behind hun, and he didn’t have to turn to know that it was his parents.
blr’s mad at you, isn’t she?” Alicia asked as came into view.
he ran his fingers through his hair roughly
“I want to scold you for keeping this from your wife but considering t sighed
the emotional rollercoaster you’ve just been through. I’ll let it slide,” Alicia
However, standing here instead of going after her isn’t going to pacify her, she pointed out.
“Yes, you’re right,” he agreed as he dipped his hand into las pocket and brought out his car key.
He then turned to his father, who had been standing quiet. It didn’t feel right to leave when they had a lot to talk about, but Zabelle was equally Important
However, what William said in the next instant made Antonio feel less guilty.
1/3
Chapter Et
“Go, our conversation can wait. Yo
Your wife can’t”
“Thank you” Antonio said to his father, all that could be considered the nicest thing he had said to the old
It appeared William was also thinking the same, as a look of happiness as well as reliet appeared on his face.
“Go!” Alicia pushed her son and Antonio fmally rushed to his car
two year,
His resolve was stronger than ever. He might have made mistakes, but he wasn’t going to lose Zabelle without fighting for her.
Zabelle slumped against the seat as the car pulled away from the mansion, her chest tightening with a mix of anger, betrayal, and something she didn’t want to admit, jealou
She clenched her tists in her lap, her nails digging into her palms as she replayed Antonio’s words,
He had been married. Married to someone else. And he hadn’t told her, nor did he plan on telling her.
100
Zabelle didn’t believe Antonio when he said he planned on telling her, not even for a second.
She had seen the look in his eyes when he asked his mother not to say a word to her, and she knew what it How foolish she fell now, realizing she’d been building their relationship on half–truths and omissions. She was doing it again, she was falling for a man who would break her heart in the end.
The media and everyone were right. Antonio was not a man capable of giving love.
A lump rose in her throat, and she blanked rapidly to keep the tears from falling.
She hated crying. It made her feel weak, vulnerable, and she wasn’t going to cry again for a man.
mean
All she had to do now was find a way to get the feelings that were developing for Antonio out of her heart, so his actions wouldn’t hurt her again. But as much as she tried to do so, jealousy kept on creeping in
She had assumed she was the first woman to hold a significant place in his life, being his wife, but she was wrong,
She no longer f
felt special
Natasha. She whispered to hard I and the name left a bile on her throat.
That Litch had tried to kill Antonio and all he had done was help her. She deserved the death William had given to her.
Zabelle couldn’t help laut ponder on what had slar meant to Antonio? Had he loved her? The thought made her stomach churn.
The fact that he had thought bar was expecting a child with her and head hated his father for two years, told her, gave her an inkling of just how much she was important to Antiano.
Zabelle extuled turply and shook her head she wasn’t going to dwell on that. It didn’t matter who Natasha was or what she’d meant to Antonio. Thankfully, she was dead, and so she wouldn’t have to deal with her.
What mattered was that he’d hidden hier existence al
alongs with everything else from her
Her ploose inuzzed in her pocket, and it broke her of her wandering thoughts
She brought it our other purse and glanced at the screen, expecting to see a message from Antonio.
But it wasn’t him just an automated notification
Good. She didn’t want to far from him right now.
The car turned on a quieter road, and Zabelle realized with a sinking feeling that she was heading home,
Home, where Antonio would eventually come looking for her. Home, where she’ll have to face him.
The idea made her stomach twist again. She wasn’t ready to see him, not yet.
2/3
11:16 PM
Chapter 134
She needed time to process everything, to sort out her emotions and gather her thoughts. But where could she go?
Her mind raced, searching for an escape. She could book a hotel.
No, that was a bad idea. She was getting more and more popular and if someone saw her at one of the hotels then it would be the next topic of
So what.. her eyes brightened as an idea suddenly hit her.
Nivera
They weren’t the best of friends at least, not
ot yet–but there was something about Nivera’s straightforward nature that Zabelle found comforting.
Nivera didn’t sugarcoat things. She was someone Zabelle could count on to listen without judgment and maybe even offer the kind of advice she desperately needed.
Without giving herself time to overthink it, Zabelle pulled up Nivera’s number and hit call,
“Hey, Zabelle,” Nivera answered after a few rings. “What’s up?”
“Hi. Nivera” Zabelle greeted, trying to keep her voice steady. “I. I hope I’m not bothering you, but are you free right now? I was wondering if you’d be up for hanging out.”
“Of course,” Nivera said without hesitation “Is everything okay, your voice is shaky?
Well trying to keep her voice steady failed.
Zabelle hesitated, debating how much to share over the phone. “Not really,” she finally admitted. “It’s been a rough day, and I could use some company. If you’re busy, I totally understand..”
“Don’t even worry about it,” Nivera cut her off. “Come over. I’ll text you my address. We can talk or not talk, whatever you feel like?
Relief flooded Zabelle’s chest. “Thank you, Nivera. I really appreciate it”
“Anytime,” Nivera said, her voice kind but firm. “See you soon.
As soon as the call ended, Nivera sent her address and Zabelle gave the driver
She leaned back in her seat, staring out the window at the pass
passing city lights.
Her heart still ached, and the anger simmered just beneath the surface, but at least now she had somewhere to go. Someone to talk to.
The car pulled up to Nivera’s house about twenty
twenty minutes later.
It was a cozy, modern mansion with warm li
She
lights glowing in the windows. The sight of it made Zabelle’s shoulders relax slightly
stepped out of the car, clutching her purse tightly, and walked up to the door.
Before she could knock, Nivera opened it, a small, reassuring smile on her face.
