I Can't Let You In
1054 Words
Chapter 28
“I’m not hiding anything from you,” I said, forcing steadiness into my voice.
“Liora…” he called softly, his gaze fixed on me as my pulse quickened.
At once, the contract condition resurfaced in my mind:
NO INTERFERENCE IN EACH OTHER'S PRIVATE LIVES.
My jaw tightened, but this time, when I met his eyes, I was composed.
“You made it clear in the contract, no interference in each other’s private lives,” I reminded him firmly.
He hesitated. “But this isn’t just about you. It’s about…”
“It is my private life,” I said, quieter now, but no less firm. “What I do… where I go… that’s not yours to question.”
Derek fell silent, studying me with an intensity that made my chest tighten. Still, I held my expression steady, refusing to let anything slip.
After a moment, he stood, his gaze never leaving mine. “If you’re not going with me… I can’t leave either. People will start asking questions.”
“You can,” I replied quickly. “We’ll tell them you left to attend to your newly acquired property.”
He exhaled slowly, clearly unconvinced, then turned and walked out without another word.
“That was too close,” I whispered, releasing the breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding.
Crossing to the drawer, I pulled it open and retrieved the contract, and held it for a moment. “You saved me,” I murmured before heading downstairs.
Derek sat in the living room, lost in thought.
“I’ve signed it,” I said, breaking the silence as I approached.
He glanced at me, took the document, and tossed it carelessly beside him.
I sat a short distance away, keeping the space between us deliberate.
“I know you’re trying to help,” I began quietly. “But there are things you just have to let go of.”
His gaze flickered to mine for a fleeting second before drifting away again.
“I’m sorry if I made you feel bad,” I added, softer this time. “But forget the trip. Let’s focus on why this marriage exists.”
At that, he looked up.
“Fine, we’ll focus on that. Three days at home first… then we start.” His voice was calm, but distant.
“I need to go home and get my clothes,” I added.
He nodded, leaning back as though withdrawing into himself, his jaw tightened, and though he said nothing.
I rose and headed for the door, but his voice stopped me.
“Wait.”
I turned sharply.
“We can buy new clothes,” he said.
No, I need my cracked phone.
“I’ll get mine from home,” I insisted, turning again.
“I’m coming with you.”
Hearing that I forced a smile.
“Don’t get the wrong idea,” he added, and the smile faded just as quickly.
He walked past me and opened the door.
“Are you planning to go out in pajamas?” he asked, glancing back briefly.
I looked down at myself, then followed him outside without a word.
The car was already waiting as he opened the door for me, his driver seated inside.
I slipped in, and moments later, he joined me. The car pulled away smoothly.
I tried to glance at him… but he didn’t look back as the silence stretched unbearably until we arrived home.
Mum had already left for work. I rushed inside, heading straight to my room. Quickly, I packed a few dresses, shoes, jewelry, just the essentials into two bags.
Then I moved to my handbags, and I grabbed the one from a few days ago.
My heart skipped as I opened it, my phone was still there, exactly where I’d hidden it.
Relief washed through me as I gathered some handbags. I grabbed everything and hurried outside, where Derek and the driver helped load the bags, and we were on our way.
Back at his house, Derek carried one of the bags upstairs while I held the second leading the way.
Halfway up, I glanced back… and missed a step.
“Ahh…!”
The bag slipped from my hand as my balance gave way… but before I could fall, Derek caught me.
One arm steadied my neck, the other firm against my waist… for a moment, everything stilled.
“Oh…” My breath caught. “Thank you,” I said, quickly regaining my footing.
“Are you alright?” he asked, concern flickering in his eyes.
“Yes,” I nodded.
I picked up the bag and continued upstairs, this time without looking back.
Inside the room, I dropped the bags and sank onto the bed.
Moments later, Derek entered, set down what he was carrying, then left again, only to return with the rest of my handbags, placing them gently beside me.
For a moment, he just stood there.
“I can help you settle in,” he offered.
My eyes widened slightly as I sat up. “You don’t have to. I’ll handle it.”
Without responding, he moved to his wardrobe and began removing his clothes: suits, shirts, trousers, and then some shoes.
“Now you have space,” he said simply before walking out with them.
I waited until the door closed, then I grabbed the handbag and pulled out the phone.
“I can’t let him see this,” I whispered. “If he does… everything unravels.”
I plugged it in and watched the screen flicker to life… then I began arranging my things.
Two hours later, I collapsed onto the bed, exhausted.
But something tugged at me as I pushed myself up and walked to the phone. I saw over twenty missed calls from Lucien.
“Why won’t you just disappear?” I muttered, my grip tightening around the phone.
Just then, the door creaked open as Derek stepped in, holding another handbag.
“I forgot this earlier,” he said, walking in.
Instinctively, I shifted; positioning my body to block the phone from view.
“Are you alright?” he asked, placing the bag down.
“Mm,” I nodded, forcing a smile.
His gaze lingered… then he started walking toward me.
My pulse spiked.
No… you can’t see this.
- Writer
