ZAIA. I stare at him trying to process everything he has just told me. My mind and emotions are wreaking havoc within me. How is this possible?
How could Mom do this?
How could she lie to me like this?
Annette is Mom’s sister?
I’m conflicted, but it’s clear he is not lying. There is so much to take in, including the fact that Annalise and I are not sisters but cousins. It’s our moms who are half-sisters, something even Mom doesn’t know.
This is a mess. First, I learn I have a brother, then I learn Dad had a brother, followed by me learning that Annalise is not my sister and that Annette is Mom’s sister.
That’s… confusing. But more than that is the fact that Mom cheated. I am unable to process how she always portrayed herself as the one being cheated on.
She genuinely looked the part too… I had seen her sadness and her struggle so many times. It’s not possible, I mean I believe Dad but is there a possibility it’s a lie? A misconception or maybe even a trick?
I’ve seen the raw pain Mom’s been in…. the sadness at the fact Annette stole her mate. That can’t be faked, can it?
Only a terrifyingly good actress could put up such an act for so many years. There’s got to be more to it!
She told me when I was old enough that it had broken her, realising Dad had cheated on her and wanted to be with his mistress. Why would she do that and break down into tears?
“Dad…” I say softly, we’ve never been close until the last few years, and even now I feel we are still becoming closer.
I don’t know if he’d appreciate my concern, but right now, I can’t hide the pain I feel for him. I love him and I want him to know I will always be here for him. “Look at me.”
He looks up from where he had his head hanging, and I smile gently. “Things will be alright…” I promise. Will it?
How do you recover from betrayal after betrayal?
“Of course.” He replies, reminding me of his usual self. My father is strong, that I know.
“Good, but if it’s alright with you… can I ask Mom about this? I mean, she’s always been so heartbroken with you cheating on her. Is there a high chance that maybe… maybe it wasn’t her? Of course I won’t mention the truth about you, Adam or your relationship with Annette.
He looks sad as he shrugs slightly. ” Maybe there’s a misunderstanding?” “No, it was definitely her, I saw her clearly, unless there is a woman who smells, and looks exactly like her then, maybe. It was my mate in that room that night.” he says quietly.
I feel disgusted at the thought but he seems so sure. “I see… then, may I confront her? It’s just that… I need to know.”
“If Annette finds out, it could mean the truth of Adam being brought to light.” He says quietly. I get it… that could put Dad in trouble….
“I understand…”
“I am fine with that. At some point the truth must be revealed… but until all this mess with the Blood Born and these attacks is sorted out, I can’t be locked away.”
“No. It won’t. I won’t let it. You are not going to prison father,” I say, a sudden thought occurring to me. “I have a plan …I can do this without mentioning you. “Zaia, what are you planning?”
I smile slightly. I need the truth from her… a part of me doesn’t want to believe this… but a part of me also wants to see her reaction when I question her about it. If there’s even a ray of hope that maybe, just maybe, something is untrue in this entire situation – something that was perhaps overlooked – then I want to find it.
“I will send a note to myself… with this information… something I will open in front of Mom, I want to see her reaction when I show it to her. It’s safe and believable, these people have pictures and things on both Sebastian and I, it will be believable.”
“Be careful. If that is what you want, and if that’s what you need to do to believe me, then go ahead.”
A flash of hurt skims through me at the fact I’m hurting him; and I take his hand. “I believe you Dad, and I am so sorry… All my life I’ve been told by mom that you cheated… you never denied it and I always blamed you for that… but to learn that it was not you but Mom who truly cheated. It’s shocking and I won’t deny that I am struggling to believe it…” I explain softly.
“If it’ll help you, regardless of what happened between us, your mother loves you, that won’t change, Zaia. Are you certain you want to do this now?” he asks. “I don’t want it to cause issues between you. Live in denial if you must.”
I nod. “No, I want the truth… If you allow me to do so, of course,” I say gently.
I don’t want to pressurise him when I promised him whatever he told me will not leave this room, but I am also warmed by his words in defence of Mom. How can your views and respect for a person change so quickly?
He seems to think over it before he nods slowly, frowning. “Very well,” he says.
“Thank you,” I reply. He looks tired, and I know he needs a good night’s rest, I think we both need it.
I want to ask him why he’s never liked the Kings and I’m sure there’s more to it than just business rivalry, but he’s been through enough today. That can wait for another day.
I stand up and offer him my hands. ” Come, let’s go home, I’ll make us both a hot drink, Father.”
“As pleasant as that sounds, I need to go home, Annette and I have already argued.” He says with a heavy sigh. I frown, sne’s blackmailing Dad… now do we fix that?
I’m not letting Dad suffer and be blackmailed like this. I brush my tears away and fix my top, hoping I don’t look like I’ve been crying too much.
I am going to fix things for him. He’s held strong for me. It’s my turn to carry the weight for those whom I love, and I will.
We head out, and I take the reports the guards had written up. Gaspard observes me for a moment and I’m sure he can see I’ve been crying.
I order the driver to take us to Dad’s mansion first. I make sure Dad enters the mansion with Gordon, who is on duty, anyway. Only when the door shuts, do I tell the driver to take me home. One of my guards sits in the front, staying on alert.
Looking down at the files in my hand, I flip through them. Annette has gone as far as to threaten their families…
I lean back, staring up at the night sky out of the window. I need to comb through the guards and pack members and find out if there are others she’s blackmailed or abused… A. full investigation must be carried out. If I build my case, I might be able to strike a deal with her…
It is worth a try. I just need to have more solid backing. Mom’s family knew about the Blood Born, which means there’s a chance that maybe Annette does?
But Mom never knew she was her sister … is it from Mom’s maternal or paternal side? Ah, so many questions!
I massage my temples, and I lean back against the leather seat, mulling over everything Dad had said. Adam… I need to learn more.
Mom and Annette’s history…
Ok, stop girl stop. I’m becoming obsessive! When the car halts outside the house, I get out. Maybe I need a run…
I look towards the dark path that curls around the side of the house, and for a split second, I’m tempted to try to shift again.
I shake my head as I walk towards the door. I didn’t shift because it is so, so painful… I felt like I was going to die… but I want to try again. Maybe things will become easier.
Another day. I unlock the door and head to Valerie’s room. Jai is fast asleep on the armchair beside the bed, his head on the bed, as he holds her hand loosely. I silently leave the room and head upstairs.
After checking up on the kids, I find myself walking towards Sebastian’s room before I stop in my tracks.
What am I doing?
My cheeks burn and I turn quickly and head to my room, but I slow down half way there, hesitating once more. I do need to fill him in on how the meeting went…
I just need to see him, he gives me strength and brings me peace…
No… not like this. I look in the mirror. My eyes are puffy and red; he’d instantly know something happened.
Sighing, I head to my room, shutting the door behind me, I throw the file onto the bed and strip out of my clothes.
Tossing them into the washing hamper, I enter the bathroom. I stay in there for far longer than I meant to, replaying over the events of the evening again and again. The hot water soothes the tension in my neck and back. I’m so tired…
Finally, I switch the shower off and grab a towel. I should just drop Sebastian a message about the meeting. He will be waiting.I towel my hair dry first, as I dry my body quickly and step out of the steamy bathroom and into my bedroom.
The room is no longer bathed in darkness; the lamp is on and there’s at man sitting on my bed, in nothing but grey sweatpants.
His ankles are crossed as he flips through the file I had left on it. His chiselled godly body looks so good and it sends a shiver of pleasure through me.
“Holy fuck…” Sebastian mutters, his eyes raking over me. They darken with approval and carnal hunger, and I can’t help but press my thighs together, clutching the towel in front of me.
My heart is racing as I poke my eyes out at him, and try to mask how hot and bothered I’m suddenly feeling. “What are you doing here?!” I exclaim, whipping open the towel and wrapping it around myself quickly.
“I heard you come in, but when you didn’t show up in my room, I thought I’ll come find you myself.” He retorts arrogantly. “But that view… how about you just drop the towel and let me get a better look? I won’t bite, I just want to see that sexy body of yours naked and wet…”
“Sebastian! Behave! How shameless, I exclaim, blushing as I look around. for a distraction. I glance at the blinds which he has thankfully drawn before turning the light on.
“Proud to be,” he winks at me cockily and shaking my head, I walk over to my wardrobe and take out some panties and nightwear.
“I’ll be right back,” I say as I go to the bathroom with my clothes, making sure to keep my panties wrapped in my night dress I know he’s smirking as I leave the door open and quickly pull on my panties and satin slip dress. I’m about to wrap my matching gown over it when I look up at the mirror.
My heart thuds and I freeze, the temperature suddenly seems to drop as a shiver runs down my spine.
There in the steamed up mirror staring back at me is the symbol of the Blood Born emphasised by the steam and below it, there are four words written. THE END IS NEAR
