Bound by the will

CHAPTER 004

STEVIE HARRINGTON

“At the expense of what? Huh? I know Big Peterson knew we were a thing, so why… wait?”

I paused as I turned to face him, realizing something. He was avoiding eye contact with me.

“Trente, what are you not telling me?” I asked as I moved closer, and he stood up.

“Look… I told Big Peterson that we weren't together anymore.”

Those words stung more than a snake's bite.

“You did what? You’re joking, aren't you?” I asked, moving closer, but he took a step backward, making me pause.

“Yes… I'm really sorry, Stevie, but you need to stop seeing me too. I wouldn't want to welcome Devon"

“Trent… no, we can sort this out. That's why I'm here.” I tried moving closer to him, but he stopped me, pointing at the door.

“Trent?!” I called as a tear escaped my eyes.

He turned his face away, still pointing at the door.

Heartbroken, I stormed out of his office, my heels hitting the tiled floor louder than I expected, but I didn’t care. Angel stood by the car, leaning on the door. The moment he saw my expression, he straightened.

“No good news, I’m guessing,” he said quietly.

I didn’t answer. I just yanked the car door open and got in. Angel got the message and walked around to the driver’s seat. As soon as we pulled out of the parking lot, the anger boiling inside me finally burst.

“So he told Big Peterson that nonsense,” I muttered, staring out the window even though everything outside looked like a blur. “He ruined everything. And for what?”

Angel stayed silent for a moment before saying, “People do stupid things when they’re scared.”

I scoffed. “Scared of what? Responsibility? The truth? Me?”

He didn’t reply, which annoyed me even more.

When we got back home, I didn’t even wait for the car to stop properly before stepping out. The cold air hit my face, but it didn’t calm me down. If anything, it irritated me more.

I walked into the house, heading straight for my quarters, when suddenly someone spoke up from the living room.

I turned sharply.

It was Devon.

His eyes were dark, unreadable. “Why did you storm out like that?” he asked, his fingers running around the glass of wine he held.

I turned fully to face him. “You know why.”

“You don’t talk to me like that,” he said.

“And you don’t get to order me around,” I shot back. “You think everything is about you. You think your decisions only affect you. You know what? I’m not cut out for this right now.”

He clenched his jaw. I could tell he wanted to argue, but he didn’t.

I walked past him.

By the time I got into my room and shut the door, my chest felt tight—not from sadness, but from the weight of everything crashing at once.

Sarah peeked her head in. “Do I… come in? Or will you bite my head off too?”

I sighed and sat on my bed. “Just come in.”

She entered, closing the door behind her. “You look like you fought a dragon.”

“Honestly, I wish I had,” I muttered. “At least a dragon would make sense.”

Sarah sat beside me. “So… what did the lawyer say?”

I looked at her, expression flat.

“He told Big Peterson we weren’t together anymore. That’s why this whole marriage thing became a ‘wish’ instead of an option.”

Sarah’s eyes widened. “He did what?… Wait, you two were dating?”

I closed my eyes tightly. I had forgotten she had no idea. “Yeah, we were. Don’t ask questions. It’s been about a year.”

For a moment, she said nothing. Then she nodded slowly.

“That means Devon didn’t just mess up your job… he messed up your future.”

I swallowed hard.

“Could you come out for a moment?” Sarah asked gently. “Let’s take a walk while watching the sunset. You can relax your mind while walking.”

She looked like she was hoping for a yes.

I nodded, and she gave me her hand. I accepted it, and she pulled me off the bed.

Sarah took me outside to the surroundings. “Wait here,” she said, disappearing into the garden room. She came back out with two trimming scissors.

I scoffed. “Really? This will calm my mind?”

She laughed lightly. “Let’s do something Big Peterson would smile at us for.”

I nodded.

Sarah pulled the water pipe closer and began watering the plants. Then she splashed water on me.

“That was intentional, wasn’t it?” I asked, moving farther away.

“No. Where are you going? Come back here,” she said, coming closer.

We started a water fight until we were tired.

“See? I told you. Aren’t you better than before?” she asked.

I nodded with a hint of sadness. “Yeah. Thanks for always wanting to cheer me up.”

“Stevie..Instead of staying in your room harboring shitty feelings, do something fun. Make yourself happy,” she said, patting me as she got up. “You should go in and rest. I’ll tidy up.”

I nodded. “Thank you.”

I headed toward Devon’s mansion and back to my quarters.

When I walked into the living room, I met an unfamiliar face. But that was the least of my concern, so I walked past them, until someone spoke up.

I turned.