Chapter 148
Antonio remained rooted in the corridor long after Zabelle disappeared down the hall, as her leaving left a void in his heart
The ache in his chest was a constant reminder of her pain…a pain she wasn’t allowing
ig him to soothe. He clenched his fist and he hissed in
annoyance.
If it was before, he wouldn’t have cared about what she had wanted and done what he wanted to do, but he was finding it hard to do so at that
moment.
His wife had turned him into a big sottie for her.
He needed to clear his head.
Turning abruptly, he headed for the bar is the mansion. He needed a strong drink to clear his head.
As always, it was dimly lit and Antonio didn’t waste any time in grabbing a bottle and pouring himself a glass.
He planned on finishing the entire bottle and thanks to his high alcohol tolerance, that wasn’t going to be a problem.
“Cheers to the truth,” he muttered bitterly before taking a long sip.. from the turmoil swirling inside him.
The whiskey burned as it did down his
s throat, and it was just the distraction
Or maybe not, as his mind began to replay the last hour in detail: Zabelle’s scream, her tear–streaked face, the anger in her voice when she asked why he’d kept the truth from her.
Fuck! He curved as he took another drink.
He broke out of his thoughts when he heard the sound of footsteps approaching.
Antonio glanced toward the doorway just as Alejandro entered the room, his expression a mix of curiosity and irritation.
are you
doing drinking alone!!” Alejandro asked, his brow furrowing as he closed the door behind him.
Antonio didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he gestured toward where the glass was kept. “Want one?”
Alejandro hesitated, but eventually shrugged and moved toward the bar, grabbing a glass. He poured himself a drink, then crossed the room to sit opposite Antonio.
wtuit’s going on!” Alejandro asked, as he gulped down his drink in one go. His sharp gaze scanned Antonio’s face. “You look like hell” “You’re not wrong.” Antonio chuckled darkly as he swirled the whiskey in his glass. He always judged men who got drunk to forget their troubles and here he was trying to do the same thing.
Alejandro Iraned forward, his elbows resting on the counter. “Alright, spill. Wh
What happened?”
Antonio exhaled slowly, sing his glass down on the side table. He ran a hand through his hair before meeting his brother’s gaze
“Well, a lor of things have happened,” he stated.
have a lot of time today. Cay at Alejandru urged Antonio as he poured himself another strink
starter, my dad and I have made up.” Antonio revealed.
Alejandro, who had card in
to drink, almost choked upon hearing what Antonio had said, as it was unexpected casperated, not sure if he had heard night.
“I made up with the old man Automo prated Turns out, Natasha trjed to kill
and he saved me.
“Hold on” Alejandro interrupted “You and your dad have made up, he muttered as though it had just sunk in
it won’t change dist Lari Antonio rolled his eyes in irritation,
in shocked. Now give me the details
wat what Aptono del
“Wow, okay, this one’s on y
‘s on you, you messed up for two ye
two years.” Alejansko zemarked alt
E/L
11:52 AM ₫ et
Chapter 145
I know. Luckily, the old man was just happy to have his son hack so he didn’t ponder on that, Antonio responded.
“Cheers to that,” Alejandro raised a roast. “Now, I’m assuming that’s not why you’re in here drinking, considering the fact that your wife is home
“Let’s just say she’s not too happy with me, Antonio si
a sighed.
“I figured that out,” Alejandro said. “What exactly did you do?
“Well, I spoke to my father today, and after we caught up. I told him Zabelle wasn’t Gabriel and Lily’s daughter, and he managed to solve the puzzle
in minutes” Antonio stated.”
“Well, what are you waiting for, hit me with it.”
Antonio didn’t say anything. Instead he brought out his phone, unlocked it and placed it on the table.
When Alejandro looked down at the phone, his eyes widened in horror and he picked up the phone to examine the picture closely to ensure he was seeing right.
“Who are they?”
“Zabelle’s actual parents. Zain
Land Isabelle Pierce, Antonio responded.
“So that’s where the Zabelle came from!” Alejandro commented and Antonio couldn’t help but smile as he and his father had the same thought.
“Zain was Gabriel’s younger brother and the two women were pregnant at the same time.”
somehow, Gabriel and Lily managed to make it look like Zain’s child died while he survived.”
Alejandro’s eyes darkened as he set his glass down, his jaw clenching. That’s_inhumane,”
“It gets worse.” Antonio continued, his voice dropping.
“Her real father, Zain Pierce, committed suicide when he thought she was dead. Her mother, Isabelle, disappeared shortly after”
“Zabelle never e
never got to know then
them–never
never had the chance to be loved by the people who truly cared about her.”
Alejandro cursed under his breath, leaning back in his chuir. “Did she find out about it or did you tell her?”
-1 told her everything. I couldn’t keep it from her, not after I confirmed it was true.
“As Antonio spoke, he remembered how devastated, angry and betrayed Zabelle felt.
It was like watching someone’s entire world fall apart in front of you, and there was nothing he could do to stop it.
Alejandro was silent for a moment, processing the information. Then he shook his head, his expression somber.
That’s a lot for anyone to handle. And you you’re beating yourself up for it, aren’t you?”
Antonio’s lips curled into a bitter smile. “Of course I am. I was the one who handed her the folder, who shattered her illusion of family. How could I not feel respomilder”
“You did what you had to do,” Alejandro said finnly. “She deserved to know the truth, even if it hurt.”
“Yes I know” Antono sighed, his shoulders dumping. He then grabbed the battle from Alejandro, and poured himself another glass
ate sering her like this. She’s been through so much already, and this might be the thing that breaks her.”
She’s stronger than you think,” Alejandro sigird, his tone thoughtful “You’ve told me enongli abini her in know that. She’ll get through this,
“Plus, that may finally be it for her which meat that you
you get to take Gabriel down without her stopping you
wly, though the knot in las caest remained, “I hope so tou. I’ve been meaning to get my hands on that bastard”.
Like conversation seiling between them.
adliner” Alejandro started, braking the silence. “If you want her to talk to you, drinking in a bar out going to do it.”
11:52 AM c d
Chapter 148
“She asked for space.
“Look at you, all nice and considerate. Love really turns people
le into idiots!“. Alejandro chuckled as he got up.
“Fuck you!” Antonio cursed as he watched his brother walk out through the door.
Alejandro made it so difficult to get along with him.
However, he was right. Sitting here wasn’t going to make Zabelle come to him sooner and so, Antonio got up and immediately headed up to his and Zabelle’s room.
Not bothering to knock, he opened the door and entered the room. As soon as he was in, he spotted Zabelle on the bed and as he moved closer, he saw she was asleep.
That was good. At least she could escape reality for a little while. Antonio then reached out and covered her properly with the duvet
After he was done, he then hovered over her. “No matter what happens, I’ll be here, Zabelle,” he muttered as he leaned in closer and kissed her forehead softly so he wouldn’t wake her up.
“I love you, always and forever.”
