CHAPTER 58: 58-HE IS NOT DONE YET

Iris:

"That’s exactly what I said," he replied quickly. "But to get your mother off my back, I had to act. Still, it’s true, nobody really knows what the Blue River water can do."

He sounded defensive, as if he could tell I didn’t believe him.

"So now you’re saying you fixed things with her because of Colin? What about before that? Colin wasn’t even there then. Why were you back with Lara before? Why did you cheat on me?" I demanded, folding my arms.

If he wanted this conversation, I wanted the truth.

Not that it would change anything.

By the end of the day, he had still cheated on me and broken my trust.

"Even back then, my only goal was to get my hands on the Blue River water, since everyone else was trying," he explained, sounding so sure of himself, like it was somehow justified.

"Well, not everyone was willing to cheat on their wife, so let’s not say that," I muttered, letting that part slide as I watched him grunt.

"Why didn’t you tell me before? Why did you let me find out in the most painful way?" I hit him with another question, making it clear he wasn’t going to get away with it easily.

He clicked his tongue, looking irritated that I was pressing him.

"Well, because if I’d told you, you would’ve stopped me," he muttered.

A frown creased my forehead again.

"Of course I would have. And do you think you wouldn’t have done the same if I’d gone around cheating on you for some water?"

As soon as I said it, I saw his body tense up.

"Exactly," I added quietly. "No matter what excuse you make, the truth is you cheated and that’s all I’ll remember. And I want you to remember it’s over. It’s over forever."

I had to swallow my pride and anger to keep my voice steady.

The memory of being pushed into the pantry that day still clung to me.

"Even when I tell you I don’t love her?" he asked.

"It doesn’t matter. You still cheated. So let’s just say you didn’t love me either," I shot back, and it felt good to see the hurt flash across his face.

"And I can’t get a second chance?" His voice dropped lower, softer, almost pleading.

It was confusing why he was acting this way. Was it because of the kids?

Because Lara didn’t interest him anymore?

Or did he think, since I was already in the guest house, he could have both of us again, switching back and forth like before?

"I gave you a second chance," I said firmly. I watched him frown, remembering that day I caught him cheating. "I gave you a chance when I told you if you left, it’d be over. That was me giving you another chance. Now what you’re asking for is too many, and no, I’m not ready for that."

"Besides," I added, "I’m already dating Luca. He’s a good man."

I swallowed every leftover feeling I had for Kash just to say what I knew would hurt him most and from the look on his face, it worked.

"It’s true. I’ve moved on, and I’m happy with Luca. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t come between us or try to ruin things. You’re happy with Lara, and I’m happy with Luca. Let’s leave it like that."

I kept repeating it because every time I said it, his body twitched, and the veins on his temples pulsed.

It was fine. I’d been in pain too, back when he cheated on me.

"Fine," he hissed. "I’m done with you two."

Kash being Kash, the words still managed to sting.

I felt my posture tighten without meaning to.

Maybe, deep down, it still hurts hearing him say he was done.

"Good," I said sharply.

After he made that decision, he stormed away and reached Lara.

Of course, he had to show his anger. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close.

Even Lara seemed caught off guard by his sudden display of affection.

"What did he say?" Luca asked as he walked toward me, his eyes fixed on mine.

I only gave him a look of disapproval. It was ridiculous for him to think I’d tell him anything.

After a while, everyone got busy with their work.

Keith arrived late, but the moment he showed up, he walked straight to me with a smile on his lips and a coffee cup in his hand.

"Here," he said. "I was just walking past the café and thought, why not get the most gorgeous woman a cup of coffee?"

As he said that, I heard Luca cough from the side. Keith’s eyes shifted to him, questioning his presence.

"Are you going to make an introduction?" Luca asked harshly.

"Keith, he’s Luca. He’s my boyfriend." The moment I introduced him, I saw Keith’s smile fade.

He instantly fixed his posture, dropping the flirtatious smile he’d been giving me since we met.

"And Luca, he’s the model working on the launch with us," I added tiredly.

The more I had to tell people who Luca was, the more uncomfortable I felt.

But Luca seemed pleased enough.

"Yeah, and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t flirt with my girlfriend." Luca’s tone was serious, though I knew he was only doing it to annoy me.

"Um, I’m really sorry. I was—uh, you know, I’ll just go and check the costumes," Keith stammered awkwardly before walking off in a hurry.

Now Luca turned to me, smirking.

"You have so many men after you. How do you not sleep with them?"

His question was strange and disrespectful.

"That’s because I’m not you, Luca," I replied, trying to take a sip from the coffee when he snatched it out of my hand and took a large gulp.

"Well, I’m not going to let my girlfriend drink something another man bought her." He paused, raised a finger, and rushed away to grab a flower from nearby. "I can give my beautiful girlfriend a flower. And don’t even think about not accepting it, because your ex is watching us." Luca murmured the last part about Kash, and my eyes shifted just a little to check on him.

Just like Luca said, Kash was watching us.

As soon as I accepted the flower from Luca, I saw Kash walking briskly toward us.

"You know what? How about we have a little race? Earlier today, I didn’t give my best because I didn’t want your girlfriend to panic," Kash hissed at Luca.

Kash, who had just claimed he didn’t care anymore, was back to acting jealous, just like before.