Chapter 257: Never loved you

Raphael’s POV

For a long second, I just stared at the message.

My chest felt hollow, like something had been scooped out and left empty. She really left. A part of me had known she would. I’d seen it in the way she avoided my eyes this morning, the way her smile didn’t quite reach them over breakfast.

She had been distant, and I was secretly glad that at least she ate with me, yet I had still hoped. I don’t know why.

Hope had never been enough to fix anything between us. A soft tsking sound pulled me back to the present.

My gaze snapped up. Amelia was leaning slightly, trying to peek at my phone screen, her head tilted with exaggerated curiosity and disappointment. I locked the screen immediately and lowered my hand out of her line of sight.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I asked, my voice low and stripped of emotion. Exhaustion framed my face.

She straightened with a careless shrug, like she hadn’t just crossed a line. “Relax. I was just curious.” she casually chimed.

“You weren’t invited,” I said flatly. “I was under the impression your invitations were cancelled. Something about your company crisis?” finding her mere presence a hassle.

Her lips curved. “It wasn’t cancelled yet. I just didn’t feel like coming.” Her gaze slid over me slowly. “But then I missed you,” she said sweetly trying to reach my arm. I was dumbfounded by her shamelessness. How many times do I have to say it for it to sink in?

My stomach turned as I evaded her touch moving away from her.

I looked at her the way one might look at something unpleasant stuck to the bottom of their shoe. “I’m done with your games, Amelia.” Exhaustion laced in my tone but my voice was firm.

She only smiled wider, as if that response entertained her. “You’re still Lynn’s lap dog,” she said lightly. “First Richard. Now Lucien. When are you finally going to open your eyes?”

“Shut up,” I cut in sharply. “I’m not in the mood. Aren’t you tired of chasing something that was never yours to begin with?”

Her expression twisted, the mask slipping for a fraction of a second. “Not mine?” she repeated. “I knew you before Lynn did. What’s so special about her? Or have you forgotten all the times you told me you loved me?”

I actually laughed. It wasn’t loud. It wasn’t amusement either. It was an empty and hollow smile remembering all those times I touched her to play her game. It was a pathetic excuse for revenge but it felt like I lost my soul every time. Just staring at her now remembering everything gave me a strong urge to strangle her.

The only thing stopping me is the fact that I might get jailed for it and that would be more than enough for Lucien to get Lynn.

“You really believe that?” I asked quietly. “After all these years?” I drawled stepping closer my cold gaze swept her and she shuddered backing away sensing the danger.

“In all the time you’ve known me even before Lynn,” I continued, my voice calm, almost conversational, “have you ever once seen genuine affection in my eyes when I looked at you?”

Her lips parted, but no words came out.

“Even last year,” I said, holding her gaze, “when you thought you had me exactly where you wanted… when you thought I was choosing you…”

I gave a slight shake of my head. “Was my gaze genuine affection Amelia?” I asked her. She went silent.

“You know the truth. It was all a poor act but you were too engrossed in the thought that I was yours to see the truth…” She went silent, a part of her knew the truth.

She always knew even when she made me believe Richard was having an affair with lynn I always had Lynn in my heart. I played along to protect what I had, hoping to get the evidence she had but I played the game for too long..

Amelia then out of spite had always come up with excuses to accompany her, whenever she knew Lynn needed me. During every doctor appointment knowing how scared Lynn was of hospitals. It was her way of venting…

“My greatest mistake was thinking people don’t change and maybe you never did. Maybe the girl I knew was always a wolf….” She blinked and dramatic tears dropped down..

Amelia and I were truly close as children. Natasha always had a difficult time blending in with other children because of her albinism. Amelia was that one solid rock by her side. They were best friend and out of habit I considered her a second sister..

Natasha in the past had joked about Amelia being her sis in law and every time I laughed it off because I never saw her that way..

She drew in a deep breath. “I always loved you Raphael..” she quietly said.

.

“You never loved me. It’s just a sick obsession.” I refuted before adding. “Talking about Richard. I always found it odd, the way you took him off the board…” I mentioned and her expression stiffened for a fleeting moment.

“I always doubted that night. Just pray to the devil you serve Amelia I don’t find something to prove my doubts..”

She stared at me for a while before a laugh slipped out then another as her tears rolled down curious glances came our way. “You think I framed Braelyn…” she asked in a shaky voice.

She drew in a deep breath. “You are that desperate to protect her that you lie to yourself..” she asked looking like a fragile victim. “Even if Richard miraculously isn’t her lover what of Lucien…”

My fist clenched. “Once a woman cheat emotions are involved. Your perfect Lynn isn’t perfect..” she said with a smile her tears continued rolling down

I smiled. “That’s quite a performance but next time wear white to look more tragic. Lucien was a distraction because of the open marriage and I have no reason to explain anything to you.” I said in a final tone then turned around heading for the exit

Despite everything I said my chest felt hollow. I switched on my phone and sent a message to my assistant

Mr Volkov: Cancel Everything I prepared for today.

The moment the message was sent, I felt a weight crash on me.

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