Chapter 71

VERONICA'S POV I was in the main hall, resting my one leg over the other, taking a sip of my drink with my eyes affixed on the man before me. His hazel eyes hold immense resentment for my ex-husband. Leaning back, he pushed his long brown hair behind, resting his one leg over the other dominantly. Sam was standing in the middle of the hall, hands behind him while looking down. 'I did as you instructed, Sir. From the engagement to telling Saafia about everything." Sam breathed out, working under him for a long time. The one who helped me escape Dariel in the first place, faking a relationship with Jacey just to keep a close eye on their cursed family. 'Hmm. Good Job." His deep assertive tone came out. Wearing a black buttoned shirt and waistcoat with two buttons opened, he set his elbow on the armrests, a devilish smirk spreading across his lips. 'And me? What about me? You promised me that you will help me divorce Dariel so I could get my life back." I questioned with a frown, turning to him. 'And is it not?" He asked temptingly, arching an eyebrow at me. 'Have you seen how wildly he is after me and Jared? And after what happened at the Cafe. He won't let it slide." I mumbled, finishing my drink in one go. Knowing Dariel, he was not the type of man who remained silent, he would go to the extreme to punish those who infuriated him. And for now, me and Sam stood on top of that list. 'Vex not. Dariel won't be able to do anything now." He exhaled, gesturing to me to relax but it was not that easy. My outcome in this web had begun to vex me, especially after witnessing how blindly he trusted Saafia but that was never shown towards me. 'He also threatened me, Sir. He doesn't show mercy to his foes." Sam spoke worriedly. 'I will handle him. You keep an eye on Jacey for now. You must keep her in your control, shut her if you must." He ordered strictly. 'Yes, Sir." With a nod after receiving his further instruction, Sam left, leaving us alone in the hall. When we were left alone, I rose from my seat and sat beside on the armrest, moving my hand across his shoulder, smiling seductively at him. 'What about me?" I whined. Shifting my other hand to his handsome beard, bringing his face close to mine, having no idea how I got swayed by his nothing. 'Hmm?" Smirking, he took his hand in mine, brushing his thumb over my knuckles with a mischievous expression in those hazel eyes. 'Aren't you happy with Jared?" He asked huskily, leaning back to stare at me properly. Oh Lord, all these years yet I failed to not return to him. Whether I was with Dariel or Jared, my heart always compelled me to remain in his domain. 'Who says I wanted him? You told me to get any option available to leave Dariel." I muttered, faking sadness for that pathetic bond. He smirked darkly, kissing my hand, bringing a bright blush on my cheeks, 'Then you ensure my pleasure and I will take care of your luxuries." 'And Jared?" I asked playfully. 'Let that loser suffer. He is not my concern." He sighed. 'What are you going to do?" Flashing his malicious hints, he rose from the seat, resting his hands in his pockets, curling his lips in a wicked smirk to ensure he would show Dariel the worst outcome, enunciating. 'You love that woman, don't you, Dariel? You will see how I would rip what you love from right beneath your shadow." SAAFIA'S POV:- I was at home, hugging my knees close to my chest with tears glistening in my eyes. I was stuck in a dilemma with unwanted thoughts disturbing me. 'I don't know what I should do anymore, Sarah." My voice broke, resting my forehead on my knees, praying someone would guide me on what I should do or else this confusion would gobble me. 'All this time, the only person I hated was the person who hit Papa and now… that person turned out to my husband. I don't know what I should do anymore," Whispering, I expressed my grief. The pain of him knowing it all but never telling me was inexplicable. I might have overcome this anguish if I knew but his silence shattered my heart. Sarah narrowed her eyes in compassion, opening her mouth to speak but closed it. 'Why is this happening to me? Why this trial with me?" I was about to liberate a sob. She shifted and pulled me in her embrace, keeping me close so I won't break into a sob but it was hard to contain my emotions. 'Don't worry. This shall pass." She whispered, rubbing my back to soothe me. 'Pass? How? Is Papa going to come out of his grave?" I sniffled, wiping my tears, frowning at her consolation ending in vain. 'I know you are sensitive but don't curse him like that. Not that it happened deliberately. What is the point of cursing when it can't do anything?" She sighed, taking my hands in hers. There was no sign of anguish on her face. This was my regret after all, she was only thinking about saving my home. It was an accident after all. But… My heart was not that strong to handle it. 'Saafia, don't repeat the past. It has been seven years. I know it's hard for both of us but, don't risk your future because of the past." My mouth gaped at her advice, she was only thinking from an elder sister's perspective but things were much harder for me. It was my remorse, my agony and knowing that he. It was too much for me. 'Past? Our Father had a life threatening accident. Do you remember what my last words were to him? How can you say this-" As I was about to pull away from her roughly with a hiss, displeased with her comments, an unforeseen realization hit me. Pausing, I scanned her worried expressions for the next few seconds before shifting back, swallowing hard. 'Did.. you know that?" I asked, praying that my instincts were wrong. She ignored my question, trying to pull me to her embrace, 'Saafia, please." Shaking my head, I got up immediately, horror creeping on my face, 'Sarah, did you know that it was Dariel or not? And if you did then why didn't you stop me from marrying him and loving him?" I asked in a whisper desperately. 'Saafia-" Was I the only ignorant one? They knew it yet remained silent with me? I was about to force the truth out from her but the doorbell rang. Sighing in frustration at who it could be. I went and opened the door. Deep down I knew it would be him. My lips curled downwards when Dariel was there, upholding a sorrowful and disturbed expression. The hopelessness in his eyes pricked me badly. I was going to close the door but he put his hand in between, shaking his head in denial. 'Please don't close the door." He whispered, coming in between while locked his eyes intensely with mine that I couldn't help but to shiver. 'I believe I told you I need space." I murmured, averting my gaze, leaning against the door. He closed the gap until he was hovering, placing his hand on the door, above my head, tilting down to my level. My heart skipped a beat at his proximity, a shiver went down my spine when he continued breathlessly. 'The space you are asking for is tormenting for me, Saafia." The anguish in his tone stiff me. Lifting my crushing gaze, I locked it with his, not realizing when he grew this close to me. But those moments occurred before my eyes. Before he knew, he was on a path of no return. He fell too hard and now his pain was clenching my chest. 'Dariel, please." I whispered, shaking my head in denial. A tear pricked in my eyes. Failing to spend a second in his painful presence where his eyes were begging for me to return, shaky legs retreated. Holding the hem of my dress, running to my room, leaving him at my doorsteps with a barely functioning mind.