Untamed Love

Chapter 002

Unraveling Lies

Sebastian's POV

I never dreamed it would reach this.

Perched outside Elena's apartment, my mind whirled with remorse and regret. Every step I made seemed to disperse the bits of our existence together, which had broken beyond recognition. I was not the man I used to believe I was—strong, disciplined, always one step ahead. I had failed, no doubt. And the cost of my mistakes was standing on the other side of this door, poised to permanently walk out of my life.

I knocked softly; the sound too mild for the force with which my heart hammered in my chest. My stomach turned over when the door opened and I saw her standing there clutching those divorce documents. Elena appeared different, as though she had dropped the layers of the lady I knew. She was stronger today, and I was foreign in her life.

She replied softly, "Sebastian," and her voice sounded worn out. She was bored with the lies, bored with me, bored with the hurt.

I entered, the weight of the unsaid words between us getting more weight with every moment. I was obliged to correct this. I had to give it a shot.

You signed them, I murmured, my voice sounding hollow, even to me.

She nodded, her arms across her chest. "What would you have me do? Wait around to uncover more secrets. More exists?

I stammered; the truth in her words pierced farther than I could have expected. I had told lies. Thinking I could shield her, I had concealed things from her, but all I did was drive her more away.

"I didn't want this," I murmured, regretting everything. "I was not interested in any of this."

Elena laughed gently, yet it sounded like bitterness. You consider me to have done it? You suppose I wanted to see all we created fall apart? To be embarrassed before the entire planet? Sebastian, you let your brother bring about disaster. And you withheld even the truth about it.

Looking down, I see her gaze. She was right—victor had been playing me for months, pushing lies into the media, behind-the-scenes life manipulation. I should have seen it coming, but I was too preoccupied with my company—on keeping ahead in the competitive environment I lived in. I was now paying for letting everything else fall apart.

"I didn't know, Elena," I murmured gently at last, staring at hers. "I knew nothing until it was too late."

She shook her head, clearly in astonishment. And that should improve it as well? That should cause me to forget everything?

"I'm not asking you to forget," I murmured, moving toward her. "I want a chance to write things."

Her eyes flicked with something—pain, uncertainty, perhaps a tiny sliver of hope—but it was gone as rapidly as it had seemed. She walked over to the window, away from me. Sebastian, this is not something you can repair. Not with apologies, not with words.

I fixed my gaze on her back, the weight of my mistakes sinking more into my chest. She knew exactly what I needed. Not enough words would be used. But I could not turn away. Still to come.

"Elena," I murmured gently, "I know I've offended you. I am aware of my faults. I still adore you, though. I loved you without stopping.

Her shoulders tight, she remained silent for a long period. At last she turned back to me, her eyes darting over mine as though she was trying to determine whether or not to believe me.

Her voice just above a whisper, she whispered, "You love me?" "So why did you tell me lies? Why did you hold things from me?

"Because I thought I was protecting you," I said, regrettingly husky in voice. "I reasoned that, if I handled it, you wouldn't have to be hauled into the mess."

She looked at me, her face stiffening. And consider where that got us.

The strain between us was broken before I could reply by a tap on the door. Elena's brow wrinkled as she walked toward the door; my heart skipped.

"I'm not expecting anyone," she said, looking at me nervously.

My chest started to stiffen familiarly. There was something wrong. I moved toward the door exactly as Elena opened it.

Victor stood on the other side, his smile as icy and deliberate as always. "Sebastian," he murmured fluidly, his gaze darting toward Elena for a split second before backtracking to me. We have to talk.

Elena's eyes grew shocked. "What the devil is he doing here?"

I stood in front of her, therefore obstructing Victor's view of her. "You have some nerve showing up here, Victor," I said.

Victor laughed, low and menacing. " Relax, brother. I'm only here to chat. to help to dispel certain misconceptions.

"Get out," I yelled, my voice trembling with rage. "You are not welcome here."

Victor's smile got wider. "You find it simple enough to exclude me? You believe you can sweep everything under the rug?

Victor asked, "What do you want?" My patience became thin, I asked. I could sense Elena's uncertainty and terror behind me as the room's tension choked me.

Victor dropped his voice and moved in closer. "Sebastian, I want what is mine. I am interested in business. I desire everything you pilfer from me.

My whole body shook with the impulse to toss him out as I tightened my hands at my sides. You are crazy.

Victor's eyes danced with a deadly brightness. "perhaps." You will regret not paying me any attention when I offer it, though. Never let yourself believe me to be ignorant of everything about you. I know your flaws and how to take advantage of them.

Elena came forward before I could react, her voice quivering with rage. "You've already destroyed enough, Victor." Leave before I phoned the cops.

Clearly delighted by her disobedience, Victor arched an eyebrow. " Elena, you ought to exercise caution. This worries you. Not right yet.

As his words hung in the air, a barely hidden danger chilled my spine. My body protecting Elena from his sight, I moved forward. You have talked enough. Left.

I thought he may try to press farther for a second, but instead he grinned—a slow, eerie smile that made my skin crawl. Sebastian, you are making a mistake. Again, though, you have been making mistakes your whole life.

He turned on his heel and left a thick quiet behind him.

My palms still locked into fists, I inhaled shakily. Elena remained still next to me, her face pallid with surprise.

Her voice hardly audible above a whisper, she questioned, "What the heck was that?

I tried to steady myself by swallowing hard. "That is Victor, reminding me he is not done."

Elena's gaze fixed on me, battling in her between fear and rage. "He is dangerous, Sebastian. You should proceed cautiously.

"I know," I answered, my voice low. But these days, this goes beyond just me.

She stared at me, her features marinated in uncertainty. "What do you mean?"

I inhaled deeply, the weight of the truth down on me. For months, Victor has been striving for business control. He has been spreading misinformation to undermine me, manipulating the media, and employing foul strategies. He was the one starting the rumors of an affair.

Elena blinked, her look turning to one of incredulity. "The affair... it wasn't true?"

Shaking my head, I moved toward her. "No," I never turned around from you, Elena. Never mind.

She fixed me, her eyes seeking the truth among mine. Her shields started to fall apart gradually, and I could see the hurt and treachery building for so long.

"Why didn't you tell me this before?" She muttered.

My voice cracking, I said, "Because I didn't know how." "I didn't want to bring you into this mess. I reasoned that I could protect you if I kept it away from you.

She closed her eyes, her hands shaking as she encircled herself with arms. And consider where that got us.

I moved forward and reached to touch her arm. "Elena, I apologize. I should have spoken the truth to you. I ought to have put trust in you.

She stood there for a long period, her eyes closed and her body shaking. She opened her eyes at last and gazed up at me, her face a mixture of weariness and suffering.

She murmured, "I'm not sure if I can do this." "I'm not sure whether I could trust you once more."

My heart dropped, but I knew she was quite entitled to feel that way. I had betrayed her confidence, hence regaining it would not be simple. I would not, however, give up.

I spoke softly, not yet asking for pardon. "But I'm asking for an opportunity to show you I can write this."

Her conflicted eyes met mine. She fixed on me. She nodded at last, her voice little above a whisper. "One opportunity, Sebastian." I just have that to offer.

Though not much, it was plenty. Enough to dream of and enough to strive for.

But one thing was obvious as I watched her leave: Victor wasn't done.