Chapter Seventeen
1191 Words
I ran.
I didn’t know where I was going, and I didn’t care. I just needed to get away from everything—the betrayal, the heartache, the image of Theo and Liana together. My legs felt like they couldn’t move fast enough, my chest heaving with every breath, but I didn’t stop until I found myself in a park.
The swing set was old, rusted, and creaky, but I didn’t care. I sat down, the metal chains groaning beneath my weight as I stared blankly at the ground. My phone kept buzzing in my pocket—probably Theo trying to reach me, or maybe Linda—but I couldn’t face anyone right now. I turned it off, letting the silence settle around me like a heavy blanket.
Tears streamed down my face as I tried to wrap my mind around everything. The shock, the anger, the pain—it was all too much. And then, like a tidal wave crashing over me, I realized the truth: I love him. I love Theo, despite everything. Despite the coldness, the distance, the constant fear that he’d run back to her. It was too late to deny it now.
I don’t know how long I sat there before a shadow fell over me.
"Delilah?"
I looked up and saw Marlon standing there, his expression a mix of concern and surprise. "Marlon," I whispered, quickly wiping the tears from my cheeks. "What... what are you doing here?"
He crouched down beside me, handing me a handkerchief. "I was walking by and saw you sitting here. Are you okay?"
I let out a bitter laugh, shaking my head as I took the handkerchief. "No. No, I’m not okay."
Marlon hesitated, clearly unsure of what to say. "Do you want to talk about it?"
I sniffled, wiping my face. "Do you know a place where I can get a drink?" My voice cracked, and I could feel the anger bubbling up inside me, mixing with the sadness.
He raised an eyebrow, clearly uncertain. "A drink? Delilah, are you sure that’s—"
"Please," I cut him off, my voice desperate. "I just... I need to forget. Just for a little while."
Marlon sighed but finally nodded. "Alright, come on. There’s a small bar not too far from here."
The bar was quiet, dimly lit, and almost empty. It wasn’t a fancy place, but it was exactly what I needed. Marlon ordered us drinks, and we sat at a small table in the corner. I could feel his eyes on me, waiting for me to say something, but I just stared down at my glass, gripping it tightly.
After a few minutes, the alcohol started to loosen my tongue. "I saw him today... Theo," I began, my voice low, bitter. "I went to his office to bring him lunch, and there she was. Liana. Sitting on his lap, kissing him like I didn’t even exist."
Marlon frowned, leaning forward. "Delilah, I’m so sorry. But maybe—"
"Don’t say it," I cut him off, my voice shaking. "Don’t say maybe it wasn’t what I thought it was, or maybe there’s an explanation. I’m tired of the maybes, Marlon. Every time she’s around, I lose him."
He watched me closely, his expression pained. "So what are you going to do?"
"I don’t know," I whispered, taking a long sip from my drink. "What can I do? I’ve tried so hard to keep this family together, but it’s like no matter what I do, she’s always there, pulling him away from me."
Marlon sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Delilah, I don’t know what to say. But you can’t keep living like this. You need to talk to him. Really talk."
I scoffed, shaking my head. "Talk? What’s the point? I’ve tried that, and look where it got me."
Marlon’s hand covered mine, his voice gentle. "You deserve better than this. You deserve someone who’ll fight for you, not someone who runs back to his ex every time things get tough."
I stared at him, my chest tightening. "I love him, Marlon. I know it’s stupid, but I do. And I can’t let Liana take him from me again. Not after everything."
Marlon’s eyes softened, and he sighed. "If you love him, then fight for him. But don’t lose yourself in the process. You deserve happiness too, Delilah."
I downed the rest of my drink, feeling the alcohol clouding my thoughts. "I’m going to fight for him," I muttered, more to myself than to Marlon. "But if he wants to keep his company and everything he’s worked for, he’s going to have to avoid her. I’ll make sure of it."
Marlon frowned. "Delilah—"
I cut him off, standing up abruptly. "I need to go home. I need to confront Theo."
He nodded, standing with me. "Alright, I’ll drive you."
When we pulled up to the house, Theo was waiting outside. His eyes darkened as he saw me get out of the car with Marlon.
"Why the hell were you with Marlon?" Theo growled, stepping forward.
I could see the fury simmering beneath the surface, but I was too drunk and too angry to care. "We went out for a drink. What’s the problem?"
His jaw clenched. "You went drinking with him? You can’t be serious."
I shrugged, glaring at him. "What’s it to you? You’re the one kissing your ex while I’m stuck at home with our son!"
Theo’s face twisted in anger. "Liana was there for business. That’s all it was."
I laughed bitterly. "Business? Business doesn’t involve sitting on your lap and kissing you, Theo!"
Theo took a step toward me, his voice low. "You don’t know what you’re talking about."
"Don’t I?" I shot back, my voice rising. "I’ve been watching you. I’ve seen the way you look at her. I know you’re going to leave me for her, just like you almost did before!"
His eyes widened, shocked. "You’ve been spying on me?"
"Spying?" I sneered, crossing my arms. "I’m trying to protect our family! Do you have any idea how much I’ve done to keep us together? I blocked every news article about her. I even deleted her message to you. I’m not letting her destroy what we have."
Theo’s face turned red with anger. "You had no right to invade my privacy like that, Delilah."
I smirked, feeling a twisted sense of power as I saw the rage boiling inside him. "You want to talk about rights? If you want to keep your precious company and your inheritance, you’re going to have to stay away from her. Because if you don’t, I’ll make sure everything falls apart for you."
Theo’s eyes narrowed, his fists clenching at his sides. "You’re blackmailing me?"
I stepped closer, my smirk widening. "I’m doing what I have to do to protect our family. You don’t get to walk away from me and Tyrone. Not again."
Theo stood there, stunned, his body tense with fury. "I can’t believe you..."
"Believe it," I said coldly, crossing my arms. "Because I’m not losing you to her. Not this time."
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