BETROTHED TO THE BILLIONAIRE

Ryan’s POV

Valerie’s courage coupled with her obsession with this same topic that has been going on for weeks fuels my anger every single time I remember it all.

How it all started and the question of where this is going.

This is definitely an obsession. Involving Anita has confirmed my suspicion of her obsession and her unstable mental health.

I won’t let her do this to me anymore. These are my family members and I love them. Anita can never hurt Mom. She is our mom and I can never believe a single thing about her trying to hurt mom.

Valerie is unbelievable.

First, it was my Dad. Then she claimed Mother called her home and now Anita? Isn’t that absurd?

With my head banging, I pace to and fro the room, waiting for her to say something at least to dissipate this rush of adrenaline.

I can’t even think of a possible solution to all of this anymore. This is getting out of hand already.

I twirl around to face her. She is usually quiet and calm. The anxious expression on her face the other day, when she told me my Father was her supposed attacker, isn’t there on her face right now.

Is Valerie trying to get back at me? Is this because of her Dad? Is she doing this because of her Father’s relationship with mine? Is she pretending to like me?

“Do you have any idea what…”

“Ryan”, she cuts me short as usual, her hand going up as she lowers her head down. I am trying so hard to contain my anger. If I give it a chance, I might ruin it all.

We need to act maturely and discuss this like adults, without letting our emotions or love for family members interfere.

“I know you might not believe this too but it’s fine. I just want to tell you…”

As much as I want to try to understand or keep the rush in me low, I can’t help it. Her claim of being right is annoying.

And the pause in her statement too.

“Henceforth”, I assert firmly with gritted teeth. “I don’t want you to ever bring this topic up ever again!”

She blinks, her eyes growing wide in surprise and disappointment. “Ryan…”

“I mean what I said”, I interrupt her from going further, hoping to show my seriousness. “I don’t want you to talk about this topic ever again, ok?”

I expect her to nod. But that will be so unlike Valerie.

She does not nod. Her expression is unreadable.

Gulping loudly, she takes a step further and stops. “I know what I have been telling you is unbelievable but you have to try to believe me, Ryan. I know what I am saying. I can’t lie to you. I can’t frame your father or your sister up for nothing…”

“Really?” I take a step back and move around, in rage. “How can I be so sure that you are not doing this for a reason?”

“Ryan…” she calls with a tone of disappointment.

“We are not discussing this again, is that clear?!” I raise my voice at her, expecting her to agree to this so we can close the chapter.

“No, it is not.”

At first, she was extremely calm and it was disturbing but now she is beginning to talk with a loud voice, displaying her obvious annoyance.

“Are you accusing me of making this whole thing up?” she questions with a tone of disbelief.

I stand with arms akimbo, with no intention to answer her. When I said I wanted us to close this chapter, I meant it. I have no more interest in this topic and I would love it if we could pretend as if nothing happened.

“Tell me”, she takes another step towards me with a defiant look on her face. “What would I achieve from making this stupid story up, then? Tell me!”

As much as I do not want to say a word, this question is tempting. “Who knows? You could be doing this for your Dad or for some reasons obvious to you alone, who knows?”

The moment the words come out of my mouth, I regret them.

I shouldn’t have said that. This was what has been on my mind ever since it all started but I avoided saying it.

Now, it is out.

Her face drops and my heart sinks at the expression on her face.

Her right hand flies to her mouth to hide the low gasp that escapes from her as she squats down.

Everything happening to us these past few weeks is indeed unbelievable. What she has been wanting me to believe and what I just accused her of.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean…”

“No!” she screams and rises slowly. “It’s fine.”

“It’s fine?” I ask in surprise, catching a glimpse of a wicked glint.

“Yes”, she nods with a light smile on her face. “It’s fine. You are right. I am doing this for obvious reasons. I am doing this because of the same reason you think I am doing it. I am also crazy, I made it all up. Are you ok now?”

I shake my head and facepalm myself.

I don’t know how I feel right now. I don’t know if it is disappointment or just pure regret.

“And you know what?” her question jerks me back to life as I drop my hands. “My father was right.”

It picks up my curiosity. I wonder what her dad was right about.

“I shouldn’t be involved with you. I shouldn’t have said what I saw if I didn’t want you to be safe and for your Mother to be. I should keep quiet and pretend as if nothing happened. But I couldn’t help it. I couldn’t help but wonder what you would think if it eventually gets out that I knew all along and I never told you a thing. How would you feel?”

Silence ensues.

I am totally speechless.

“We got married for a reason, Ryan. We couldn’t achieve that reason so I see no reason why I should still be here with you. My Father was right again. He told me to leave but I told him I couldn’t because I love you. But now I guess love is not enough if you can’t trust me. I’m sorry for making up a story like that, Ryan but I hope you will find answers to all the questions gnawing at your heart that you aren’t brave enough to ask.”

It didn’t dawn on me that what she meant was that she was leaving until she moved to grab a bag.

“Wait, what?” I demand with a sudden surge of energy. “What do you mean by that?”

She doesn’t reply. Instead, she let go of the bag and move to the bedside to grab her handbag.

Her Dad asked her to leave me. Why would he do that?

“Hey”, I grab her arm but she yanks her hand away from my hold immediately.

“We are done!” She affirms confidently with a solemn look on her face.

“What?!” I watch her move away from me with that serious look which indicates that she isn’t joking. My mind continues to drift till she gets to the door and I am still standing still, not running after that.

I find it hard to believe.

She must be joking. Or maybe it is a dream.

Valerie can not leave just like that, can she? It was just a little argument? Getting rid of our contract means we have to stay together till the very end, right? She agreed to this then why is she leaving?

Does she want me to put her above my family?

The slamming sound of the door jerks me back to life and I realize this isn’t a joke or a dream.

I rush to the door but before I can pull it open, my phone begins to ring. I want to ignore it but I find myself hurrying back to get the phone before heading out so I can stop Valerie from going wherever she intends to go.

Mother’s name flashes across the screen of my phone which makes me halt in my tracks right after I step out of the door.

Quickly, I pick up the call.

“Ryan, come home”, Mother’s broken voice reaches my ear before a cough follows and the call gets disconnected immediately.

I drop the phone and stare at it for a while as an imaginary scene races through my head.

Without waiting any further, I race out of the mansion, not to stop Valerie from going but to save my Mother.