CHAPTER 16: WON’T BE LIKE HIM

Braelyn’s POV

"Stop making up things Braelyn. What happened to the woman I married?"

He ruined her. He killed that woman the day he made me know this marriage meant nothing to him.

My hands trembled at my side. My eyes went cold. "You would not believe no matter what." I calmly said. My sudden claim startled him.

"You don’t have to be so dramatic..." He hissed, "What if she tore an old picture? It was just a picture that didn’t warrant your reaction. What if she died?" He smoothly turned everything

I was the one who was overreacting, and maybe he was right. "It was just a picture indeed," I replied then glanced at Amelia with a soft smile.

"I hope you get well soon." I genuinely wished her with a warm smile before turning. Raphael reached for my hand to stop me, but was stopped by Lucien.

He didn’t say anything but her strong grip on Raphael’s hand said everything. "She can’t just leave like that. " Raphael spat.

I glanced over my shoulder, confused as to why he was stopping me from leaving. "You have already done enough Raphael," Lucien said before Raphael yanked his hand from his hold.

"She hasn’t apologised to Amelia yet. That hit was critical, it almost caused a concussion, which could have cost her life." He wanted me to apologise to Amelia.

I turned around, my mouth wide agape at his audacity. "You want me to apologise." I blurted still unable to believe my ears

A dry cough crackled from the bed. Raphael immediately rushed towards her bedside to give her a bottle of water. He was patting her back gently. I smirked wondering if he could not see through her deception or was just playing dumb to hurt me.

"We should leave," Lucien whispered in my ear, but I wanted to see this to the end. If he were truly forcing me to apologise. We were both at fault, her; if she wants me to apologise, then she would have to apologise first.

"Don’t stress yourself. The medication was heavy." He coaxed her.

Amelia gulped the water gently before she spoke in a weak voice. "You don’t have to make her apologise. She is still your wife, Raphael, and I am just a mistress." She said pitifully, tears lingering in the corners of her eyes.

"How can I make her apologise to me?" She added, sniffing and fighting her fake tears. Her act touched his heart.

"Don’t say that. I won’t let you suffer any injustice. This is an open marriage, you aren’t doing anything dishonourable." He said with an ounce of remorse before he turned his attention to me.

"Do you truly intend on not apologising? You almost killed her." From his eyes, it was apparent he wasn’t joking. He meant every word.

I scoffed, crossing my hand across my chest. "I might if she apologises first. She touched my things without permission and destroyed something very important to me." I said although I had no intention of ever apologising to Amelia

Amelia started shedding another round of crocodile tears. Her performance was as flawless as ever. "Raphael!!!" She said leaning onto his chest.

."Braelyn!!" Raphael roared. I sneered seeing through her act.

"It was just a picture." He added

My smile didn’t falter. He, of all people, knew how much it meant to me. Raphael was the one who held me the day my father died. He listened to me cry and talk about my parents, about my mother.

Yet he called it just a picture over and over again. "You are right Raphael."

"It was just a picture the same way this is just a marriage." The world felt heavy as I said it. I turned on my heels to leave the room.

Raphael’s last words followed behind. "You know we can’t get divorced, Braelyn, or you will lose everything." He reminded of his twisted reason for everything.

I stopped at the door. My lips parted, then closed. And I swallowed back the words and marched out.

My footsteps were fast, and I didn’t glance back once before I knew I was running down the hallway.

A hand snaked around my waist and pulled me backwards. Lucien’s arms wrapped around. It was a warm hug, the one I craved, but it was from the wrong man.

The painful fact was, despite how much he tore me inside out, a small part of my heart still loved him. I still loved the once tender Raphael whose eyes were only for me.

Amelia was always in the picture but it wasn’t like this. He didn’t love her. Then, when did this happen?

When did Amelia become the one in heart?

"Why do you keep on torturing yourself?" Lucien’s soft voice asked. My trembling body stops still finding his softness and warmth foreign. I pulled away from him. He didn’t stop me.

"Please help me handle the discharge procedure. I don’t want to stay here longer." I evaded the question once more. His gaze hardened, his jaw rolled.

"You can’t leave yet. The doctor said they still have to run tests to know the true state of your health." His voice carried genuine concern. Lucien was a puzzle I didn’t understand.

The black sheep of the Volkov family was unpredictable and I knew better than to rely on another Volkov.

Besides, I already knew my condition, there was no need to go through all those tests or let Lucien know my condition.

"There is no need and thank you for your help." I nodded at him,

"Why?" He drew in a breath.

"Why are you pushing me away?"

"Why can’t you just leave him even if it’s not because of me?"

He asked, and I felt a bit guilty.

"Not everything can be said, Lucien, and I think we should keep our distance." The words fell heavy on him.

His face distorted. "You might not care about the rumours, Lucien, but I do..." I watched him closely. He had a lot to say but let me speak.

He had the same eyes as Raphael and a similar face if you stare at it long enough.

"I have been called the barren wife, the cursed bride and a lot of names, Lucien and honestly, I am tired."

"Braelyn," he blurted, I shook my head to stop him.

"He hurt me but it doesn’t mean I would be like him." I didn’t let him reply.

I walked away, letting the words sink in.