Rebecca POV:-
I felt extremely depraved, my heart felt ashamed that I wasn't able to tell Ryan why I did it. My heart is filled with fear and anxiety.
I wanted to hold him and called out to him but I couldn't. For the sake of the secrets which would be burned; the better. For the hidden truth which can't be revealed at all cost.
For Marianne...
“Please… I didn’t cheat…” I whispered, falling on my knees when he left.
My soul is giving up on me, my heart is cursing me for remaining silent. I felt immersed in extreme agony, feeling utterly broken desiring purification.
“You have disappointed me, Rebecca.”
What I was dreading happened. Ryan will leave me too like Jane.
When I thought we could be one, something came and shattered everything. My last ray of hope blew out right in front of me.
“Please… don’t go. Don’t.. Leave me in the dark…” I cried, curling my hands in a fist.
The redemption I finally thought I had found was taken away from me and the most heartbreaking thing was the one who severed it was not me but Ryan.
My heart began to hurt, tears rolled down without any halt when Ryan left me alone in the dark room.
My whole being was shuddering in dismay and guilt and I couldn't be able to tell Ryan what happened when he was gone...
***
I was staying at Marianne's place, lost in the unnerving thoughts Jayden evoked. My mind can't think of anything else.
My heart was denying it, the light hope was shining right in front of me. Everything was crystal clear but still I refused the irrefutable reality and closed my eyes.
Not wanting to face the truth that I have fallen for Ryan. Somewhere in my heart, I was scared to face rejection. Frightened that he won't love me back.
“Why would he?” I muttered. According to him I am the most undesirable woman. He would never.
"Here are your fries." Marianne came, putting the plate on the table, cheerful as usual.
"Oh, Where is Jayden?" She asked and turned to me and saw me crying.
"What happened, Rebecca? Why are you crying?" She asked, concerned. I sniffed and wiped my tear and hugged her.
She rubbed my back and asked, "What happened? Did Jayden say something?"
"He told me the truth I was denying." I whispered, holding her close.
"What?" my grip on her tightened as I began to say.
"Something I began to feel for quite a while. The reason for my devotion, the meaning I lost. What I desire but didn't show. He made me realize what I don't want to do.” I whispered.
“And now, I don't think I can deny it, no matter what. I.. Cannot decline that I have fallen-"
Before I could say anything, the doorbell rang. I stopped and pulled away. I wiped my tears.
"You open the door first." I said looking away.
"No, you complete your sentence first, who knows when you will open up again."
I let out an empty laugh and replied, "It's something I can't neglect. Don't worry, my words will never change." I smiled.
The doorbell rang again. Marianne smiled and hugged me. She kissed my forehead and quickly went to open the door. I stood up and went to wash my face.
I washed my face and I felt like some weight had been lifted off from my chest. I smiled and walked out of the room and saw the second shock of the day; Carlos Micahealis.
The opposition lawyer of Marianne's case.
"Ah, Hello Ms Morris. Haven't seen you in years. Beguiling as ever, I must say." He said, looking at me with a ravish look from his green eyes.
"Mrs Knight." I corrected him.
A gasp escaped his lips, "You are married?!" He asked, faking a surprise.
I scoffed and inhaled deeply to put up a cold front but then I stopped in my tracks as my eyes widened for a second and my heart skipped a beat.
I couldn't do it.
I can't act cold, my eyes are hollow but from inside I am feeling strange. I swallowed hard and kept my gaze skeptical and took a seat on the couch.
"What do you want, Carlos?" I said coldly. Marianne nervously sat on the small couch on the side and Carlos on the farthest corner of the couch I am sitting on.
"First of all, Congratulations The Diva; Marianne Morris and you too, on your wedding."
"We don't need it. I asked you something, talk about it." I said leaning back on my seat, emitting a dominating ambience.
"Straightforward as always." He said and cleared his throat and continued.
"Well then, you see, Mrs Knight, I am a lawyer who works to serve justice."
"Don't talk about your fake morale in front of me. Come to the main part." I said, slightly agitated.
"I will reopen the case of Marianne." He said, finally coming to the point.
"The matter was closed in Cairo. We are in California now."
"But the news can affect her image a lot. Even your Byron cannot save Marianne from the humiliation." He said with a smug look.
A scornful laugh escaped my lips, I looked at Marianne who was scared to no extent. Shivering in appall and I bet the image of her career falling before her eyes flashed.
But I won’t let it happen.
I then turned to look at him as I snickered, "How pitiful, you truly are a trivial man. You surely got the nerve to pick a fight with me."
"You are not what you used to be. You are nothing now." He mocked, putting his one leg over the other.
"That's what you think."
"You are wide open, Rebecca Knight. I can attack you from anywhere." He smirked.
"What a cliche sentence. It sounds disgusting. We will see about it later. Tell me, who are you serving your justice to?" I asked, closing my eyes.
"Not important. I am getting paid, that's what matters."
"Okay, then tell me what do you want?"
"One Night with Marianne." He said.
My smile faded as I stood up. Marianne gasped upon hearing that, tears brimmed in her eyes. She was terrified, trembling violently.
"Everything she did was in her defense. Or else I would have no one… That man was going to kill her." I mumbled and walked to him.
My head was down. I was shaking in wrath urging to show him his place.
"I may have lost myself but if it comes to anyone I love, I. will. not. Tolerate." I raised my head and looked at him, a hint of anger, my head high in arrogance.
A menacing aura surrounding me. My whole being which I never used for years, which used to scare most of the people. I held his collar and glared at him. He was looking at me in fear.
"Watch. Your. Mouth. Carlos." I threatened him and continued.
"I never lose track of the people who might become a threat in future. If you ruin me, I'll ruin you."
"And h-how you a-are-"
"The fake witnesses you used to win your cases and the bribes you have taken and given countless times." his eyes widened. I kept glaring at him which made him choose his words cautiously.
"We both will d-drown. I-I won’t back away." He managed to say.
"Then tell me what you really want?" I hissed, pushing him down.
"I-I want you."