(Adrian)
"Fuck, fuck. Fuck everyone!" I kept cursing as I staggered my way back to the garage, then drove out in my Lamborghini.
I was conscious of everything that just happened- it wasn't the effect of the alcohol in my system.
I laid false accusations against her, intentionally… just so I could convince her with enough reasons to sign the papers.
I could swear on my life, I didn't intend on filing a divorce, but I had no choice either and there was no going back.
God, I'm such an idiot.
After talking her out of the divorce, I initiated it myself. I even called her selfish for her own decision.
But a while ago, I was being the selfish and inconsiderate one.
It was meant to be me and her against the world, but the world was against us, now.
I was ready to murder anyone who'd cause her to shed a sad tear, but it was me, this time.
What would she think of me?
No. Why should I care, now?
She was in there, probably crying her eyes out. And why?
Because of my stupid actions.
I wished I could drive back to the mansion and console her with a warm hug, but what was the point?
Excessive display of my foolishness?
I won't ever be able to look at her in the eyes, will I?
I had hurt her enough, said mean words to her and even called her names.
I gave her hope when there wasn't.
For a fact, I– I didn't deserve her anyway.
And Stacey. How was she going to feel living with a single parent?
Not that she hasn't, but still.
Aurelia. Annabel. Everyone's going to hate me.
I wanted to make a happy family, but it's too late already.
"At least, I'd be alive to bear the consequences." Those were blondie's words that night, but I didn't understand, until now.
That was the advantage– we'd all be alive.
Go to hell, Kendall! I cursed, taking a rough turn, almost crashing into another vehicle.
I hammered the steering as I kept blaring the car horn at drivers, frustrated and pissed off.
Why–?
Why was I feeling so guilty?
I was doing everything for my first two favorite people in the world– the ones that nurtured me with love from birth, made endless sacrifices to see me happy and protected me from this cruel world.
My parents.
I couldn't blame myself. I was being selfish for them. They deserved it more than anyone else, Aurora inclusively.
If anyone else were to be in my shoes, they'd also split up their marriage to save their own parents.
Besides, this could be my only chance to reunite with my first family after five years of bad luck.
Not everyone gets a chance.
If I kept blaming myself for Aurora's brokenheart, I'd end up forfeiting the reunion with my parents and cancelling the divorce.
Then at the end, I'd be left with nothing.
…
The Lamborghini came to a halt in front of luxurious building; Greenville hotel. I was here to pay a second visit to the Devil herself.
I got down with the divorce papers and locked the car.
I took the elevator to the second floor and walked straight to Kendall's hotel room door.
"Come in, baby," I heard before I could even knock.
I pushed the door, amused, but I kept a straight face.
"How did you know it was me, scoundrel?"
She put down the screen of the laptop in her front and shrugged, sitting up on the bed.
"Instincts. You're the only one who knows I lodge here and I knew you'd come back."
Nice instincts.
I threw the papers on the bed and crossed my arms. "Go through them."
Her eyes fell on the paper and she began grinning like a witch as she flipped through the rest.
"Can you tell me where my parents are, now?" I asked, impatient.
She looked up at me, smiling. "Oh, oh," she said like she had forgotten our agreement.
"There's no room for excuses. You made me do all you wanted through blackmail. Why don't you do your fucking part?!"
"Calm down, darling–"
The pain in my head changed to a dull throb. I didn't realize I started rasing my voice, but I later did.
"Don't fucking tell me that! I've been calm the whole time, obeying your orders, blindly and I didn't mind. Now, I'm divorced for my parents' sake and I know you're the happiest woman that has ever lived. What else do you want?! Is this even what you called love? Depriving me of my happiness? You know nothing about family love or bonding, whereas you had loving parents. You don't even reason like a mother that you are–"
She got on her feet and yelled back, letting space collect around her words. "Stop. Talking. Nonsense! Just stop it!!"
There was a question I had always wanted to ask since we met, but I'd save it for later.
"You know what, Kendall? I'm fed up with you. I thought you were out for a change, but this is the worst version of you."
She chuckled before composing herself. "Are you ready to talk about your parents, or not?"
I muttered under my breathe. "I am."
"Well, there's one last step and they're yours–"
I sighed in annoyance. "One more step to this, one more step to that!"
"Don't cut me off, again."
I bit my lower lip. "Fine. Go on."
"Aurora is out of the picture–"
I frowned. "And you think you just won."
"Adrian," she shunned.
"What did I do?" I asked, lacing my voice with a hint of pretense.
"Stop testing my patience and listen!"
"Else?" I challenged her with my last courage.
She closed her eyes, maybe to think before opening them, again. "Nothing and of course, yeah," her frown turned upsidedown.
What was that supposed to mean?
"I won," she added, which made complete sense, now. I guessed she read my mind.
I began clapping and showering her with praises while she beamed with smiles. "Kudos! You really deserve a trophy."
When my applause died down, I asked, "About my parents?"
She sat down. "Right. Before them, I was talking about Aurora. She's no longer an obstacle–"
I couldn't help, but interrupt her once more. "So, what?"
"Let's proceed with our marriage plans."
I traced my steps backward. "You have completely lost it! I should have known you'd stoop this low to achieve your aim."
"Is that a yes?" she asked, taking out a gun under her pillow, then she kissed it.
I shook my head until I said the last word. "We never bargained for this. It's a fucking N-O. No way!"
"It's so brave of you to reject my proposal…" she began and her voice trailed off.
She walked up to me, pressing the muzzle of the gun on my chest and her index finger on the trigger.
"Maybe you don't know how wild and dangerous I can be at any point," she added.
I scoffed. "Deal with it alone. That has nothing to do with me!"
She jammed the gun on my head, making me totter across the room.
"Of course, it does, sweetheart. What makes you think I can't wipe out everything in the world, your loved ones, innocent lives– just so I could be with you?" she asked, smirking.
"No. You won't do such. These are empty threats."
She walked around me in circles, still pointing the gun at my head. "Believe me when I say I will. I never take back my words, baby."
I stared at her without uttering a single word, knowing she wasn't going to pull the trigger.
She continued blabbering. "Think about it; endangering the lives of your dear parents, Aurora, Anastatia, Trevor and we won't get married, at all. Or we'd get married to save them all."
How did she know I had a son with Zoey?
Irrelevant details shouldn't matter to me at this minute.
It was like choosing between life and death. Everyone would choose life over death, including me.
So, I made up my mind.