Chereads / Within Two Hearts / Chapter 10 - A Ring For Imprisonment

Chapter 10 - A Ring For Imprisonment

Lila's POV 

I stared blankly at his retreating figure, my mouth ajar, and closing like a fish forced out of water. Don't think of disturbing me? I wanted to scream my lungs out. I'm your lawful married wife, not a roommate! But the words refused seeing the day's light, but stayed lodged in my throat.

I stepped nervously into the room, and the heavy door clicked shut behind me. The space was a great sight to behold; luxurious, with high ceilings, filled with elegant furniture, and a bed that had that appearance of that in a five-star hotel. But sadly, it didn't feel warm or welcoming to me. It had every feeling of another cell in the prison my life had turned to.

I sank weakly onto the edge of the bed, my hands shaking slightly. My head was a whirlwind of emotion with everything that had transpired. The rushed wedding, the cameras, Diana's constant jealous glares, Mom's fake smiles—all of it was driving me crazy, suffocating life out of me. And now, the worst of all, I was alone in this gigantic house, married to a ruthless man who cared not about me.

A heavy knock on the door startled me to reality. I jumped up, my heart beat accelerating, but it was a maid that entered.

"Dinner is served, ma'am," she said in a soft tone.

"I'm not interested, not hungry," I replied in a whisper, almost to myself.

The maid waited at the door for some time, looking like she wanted to say something, but she changed her mind, nodded and left.

I sat back down, staring intensely at the floor. The strange silence in the room could deafen. My chest heaving with every breath, and tears wailing up to spill, but I forced them back. Crying wouldn't change my messed up life.

The hours didn't blur away but instead, it dragged on, ensuring that I had a long night, each one heavier than the last. I paced around the room, restlessly opening drawers and closets, just a way of keeping myself busy and distracted. But no amount of distraction would be able to wipe off the feeling of emptiness already building up in me. 

Eventually, I decided to stroll out. The mansion was strangely quiet, but I could still hear occasional sound of footsteps or hush distant voices. I found myself stopping just in a library, the walls lined with different books endlessly on each side. .

I ran my delicate fingers along the shelves, marveling greatly at the collections available. I realized this was the only part of the mansion that has live in it, I felt alive again. I could tell that the books definitely carried stories and emotions that even the mansion lacked the decency to tell. 

"Couldn't even try staying cooped up in your room just for a second?"

I whirled around to the direction of the voice, my heart leaping none stop into my throat. Right in the doorway, stood Sebastian, his hands shoved in his pockets. His expression was as usual, unreadable, but on a closer look , I was able to sense a flicker of amusement in his eyes.

"I—uh—I was just trying to — uh — to look around," I stammered shamefully, and feeling like a child caught in the act while sneaking cookies.

He said nothing, rather, he stepped inside, his presence towering the room. "This is the only part of this mansion that I actually make use of," he finally said, gesturing to the books lined up on the shelves.

I raised an eyebrow in amusement. "You read also?"

His lips twitched, and formed a smirk, though it almost formed a smile. "Don't sound so shocked."

"Well, you don't in anyway strike me as the cool headed literary type," I retorted freely before I could restrain myself.

He tilted his head, clearly interested, and studying me. "And what type exactly do I strike you as judging from the moment our paths crossed?"

I hesitated, unsure if I should be honest with my answer. His gaze became intense, and that made it hard to think straight.

"Forget I ever said that," I muttered, turning my attention back to the shelf.

For seconds, there was defining silence between us. I could feel his eyes roaming all over me, and that stare reminded me of our first night together, and that made my skin prickle.

"I don't even bite, you know," he said suddenly, his tone softer than I ever expected.

I turned to face him, crossing my arms. "Could've fooled me if I didn't see for myself."

He chuckled softly but said nothing in defiance, the sound surprising me to the core. "Goodnight, dear Lila," he said, his voice gentle and caring. 

And that was it, he was gone, leaving me all alone stucked in the library.

I sank frustrated into one of the armchairs, my mind racing with different thoughts. Sebastian Knight was nothing but an enigma—a man who could sweep you off your feet, make you feel important one moment, and completely invisible the next.

As I sat there, keeping myself busy by staring at the rows of books, one thought kept ringing in my head: What mess have I gotten myself into just because of an inheritance?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The mansion was no different today from other days, suffocatingly quiet as usual. Each day only dragged on longer than the last, and Sebastian's constant absence made it even worse. I hated myself so much for taking note of his his comings and goings, but I couldn't do anything to help it. Every footstep that approached the mansion, kept my heart racing, and all expectant to see him, but it crashes when it wasn't him.

I was sitting on the couch as usual, focused on flipping through channels aimlessly, then the sound of the front door cracking open caught my attention immediately. My stomach tightened at the sound and I knew what it means. He was finally home.

Sebastian walked in, in a mess, his tie already loosened from whatever, his sharp gaze landed on me for just a second and sweeping past me as though I were invisible to him.

"You're late again," I said, my voice very sharp and harsh than intended.

He paused instantly, his hand on the back of a chair, and holding my gaze, he raised a brow. "I didn't realize I needed to occasionally report my schedule on a daily basis to you."

The coldness emitting from his voice was like a slap. I stood, unable to act all goody and suppress the bubbling anger in me anymore. "You don't need to give me a run down of your daily activities, Sebastian. But maybe if you could at least act like I am in existence. Just once in a while."

"Lila," he sighed, clearly annoyed and not having it from me, "we are supposed to be over this. This is clearly a contract. Nothing more, nothing less."

I felt my chest heavy with his cold shives. "Is that why you've adopted the method of kissing me one day and then, the next minute, you act like I'm a stranger?"

His face darkened, but he made to leave without saying anything. That silent treatment got me more furious, my blood boiling. "Answer me right away, Sebastian!"

He spurned around to face me, his expression unreadable but I observed his actions. "Because that's the easiest way obviously. From the agreement, you're not supposed to matter to me in anyway."

I stared at him in disbelief, my hands shaking. "Not supposed to matter to you? Can you even hear what you just uttered from your mouth? You kissed me fervently, Sebastian. You made me believe something was brewing between—"

"I didn't plant any idea in you, you just decided to believe your imaginations," he interrupted harshly. "Don't confuse a moment of vulnerability with real life matters."

"A moment of vulnerability?" My voice breaking, but I refused to give in and cry. "You're inhumane, and unbelievable."

"And you're the naive one," he shot back. "What horrible pictures did you paint in your head, Lila? That we would magically work out and become a real couple? That I would suddenly fall head over heels in love with you?"

"I don't know what pictures I might have created,," I admitted truthfully, my voice trembling. "But it never occurred to me that you would treat me like this."

He stepped closer, hovering his huge form over me. "You don't even know anything about me, Lila. And trust me girl, you wouldn't want to know a shit."

I glared hard at him, the tears I had been forcing back finally finding their way out, and running over. "I hate you, Sebastian."

His jaw tightened, but his eyes betrayed no emotion. "Good then. That makes everything more easier."

I took to my heels and making my way upstairs, slamming hard the door to my room. I sank frustrated onto the bed, my chest heaving with much anger and scorching hurt. Will I ever get over this hurt?