Nine months too late: After divorce

She turned with a slight startle, and her breath caught in her throat when she indeed found him approaching.

"Hey," het tipped his head at her.

"Hi, Kage." She hoped there was no tremor in her voice.

She turned away, returning her gaze to the expanse below. Only this time, she couldn't focus. What was he doing there?

Kage stood beside side her, staring into the night sky. "How are we doing?"

It took her a moment to realize what he meant. Heat flooded her cheeks as she glanced down at her belly. What she had on was a black crop top. Her bump was totally exposed. The bump was growing round. "Fine, I guess.

She shrugged.

He nodded. "If you need anything, anything at all, you know you're to-"

"I know," she cut in, rolling her eyes.

Silence stretched I between them. Sylvie became so uncomfortable she couldn't breathe anymore.

She turned away to leave. Kage grabbed her wrist. God, he needed to stop doing that. Each time he held her like that, it was as though her entire skin was freezing.

"Where are you going?" he gently asked.

She stared down at his hand holding hers. It took her a minute to get her composure back on. "Uh... inside? Where else would I be going?" She gulped hard after trying to answer bravely. just got

"But I

Buve

here."

"And I've been here for some time now." She tried walking away, thinking he'd let her go. But he didn't.

She was forced to look at him.

The way he stared at her... God, she really couldn't be here. He made her see a version of Kage she didn't want to see. "About what I said the other night," he started slowly, his fingers moving across her hand. "Have you thought about it?" Sylvie scoffed, almost snapping. "Are you serious? Earlier today, Lana was kissing you in front of me. And you dare to ask?" She forcefully snatched her hand away. "What are you trying to do, Kage? Hold on, are you trying to play Lana and me?"

"I'm Kage Hawkins. I don't need to play anyone. If I need someone or don't, I let them know."

"But for what reason?" She folded her hands below her chest. "Lana is pregnant for you. You two are engaged! Why would you even want to do that to her? You expect me to be cool with that?" "Lana and I and I have been friends since childhood." He spread his arms in frustration. "That is all she's always been-a friend. Her family is well-connected, which is why my family keeps suggesting the whole marriage stuff between us. And well, I've never seen a reason to kick against it." There

was a flutter in her heart. Her throat ran dry as she prepared herself for the next question. "So.... you're telling me you see a reason now? And..." She chuckled. "That reason is me?" .

There was silence. Rage-looked away.

She gave a small laugh. "We've known each other for years, Kage. And there's never been a time we came close to even being friends. Okay, maybe a couple of times. But mostly, you've been an **. And I'm not exempting myself-I know I've been a b***h too. But all of a sudden, you want me to think you... you care for me? You're willing to cancel your engagement for my s*ake?"

She sighed. "Well, I hope you don't blame me because it's funny as hell."

She started walking away, close to the balcony door.

"Some years a sago, I met

a girl." Kage's words halted her. She remained standing with her back to him, not turning around.

"It was in high school, and she was really pretty. She was the prettiest girl I'd ever seen. I wanted her. But back then, I was a bully and didn't know much about pleasing a woman. So, I went to her the only way I knew-by trying to intimidate her. I thought maybe, if it made her scared, it'd be be easy getting her on my side. But," he sighed, "she was one very stubborn girl. She wouldn't bend and gave me a lot of trouble.

"It was a long game, one that didn't end well for me. And one day, she chose my cousin over me. She let him touch what I craved, willingly gave him her dignity." He paused for a deep breath.

"It was the first time I was ever heartbroken. I tried to hate her, tried to hurt her even more. But in the end, I really wanted to have her. So, I did something silly."

He took a longer break, like his next words were very heavy.Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

Sylvie was forced to turn around, her heart racing faster than horses.

Kage wasn't looking at her when he continued. "I asked my grandfather to include her in his will."

It took four seconds for the words to completely sink in. When they did, Sylvie's hands were over her lips, stifling her gasp. Her eyes were wide open, like they could swallow a building, and her heart beat so rapidly, she feared it'd burst out from her

chest.

No. No. No. He couldn't be serious. Kage Hawkins couldn't be serious.

This time, Kage dragged his eyes to her. "I was kind of my grandfather's favorite, but it wasn't easy getting him to do that. I knew with her in the way of my inheritance, I'd be forced to comply, and even my family wouldn't object. I was crazy, but I really wanted own this girl, even if if it was for two years.

"I thought and I hoped that things would change between us. But even in marriage, we were still enemies. As a matter of fact, it grew worse.

"There were a few times I tried inviting her to dinner, making it seem like it was a business dinner, but she'd decline, insisting she was tired and busy. I always acted grumpy and nonchalant about it, but all those times, I got my heart broken over and over until I got fed up. I felt there was no need holding onto something that would never be there."

"So, when our contract was close to ending, I started the divorce process. But I was as slow as a snail and wouldn't let my lawyer complete it."

Tears were rolling down Sylvie's cheeks. It sounded like a fairytale. She couldn't believe it.

"I still hoped that somehow, before the end of the contract, things would change. But then, she got pregnant. I... I was a fool for doubting her at first. I didn't know how to react to the news, but she tried to leave!" He scoffed, his voice raising a notch. "Why would she try to leave with my unborn child? I... I tried to stop her and..." He gulped hard again. "But she fell and lost

it'

." Her voice broke.

Oct 11.

"Kage... 08:50 Fri, 0 91% "She didn't know it, but tortured myself for days. And worse, she ran off. The next thing I saw were divorce papers. Sometimes, I'm grateful for it, and sometimes I'm not. Because I keep asking myself: if that lady hadn't sent me those divorce papers, would I have sent mine?" 'He shook his head. "I doubt it. "But she divorced me. Even after all these years, she still didn't want me. So, when I ran into her again, I tried to hurt her with my words, just to convince myself that I didn't feel a thing for her."

"Oh, God..

She dipped her head, her tears flowing freely.

"But three weeks ago, I postponed my second wedding and I keep asking myself why?" He chuckled. "Why the hell did I postpone it, because I knew it definitely didn't have to do with me being busy, as I've claimed.

"I was in self-denial. But with the second date coming up in only a few days," he tsked. "I finally understand why I'd done it. Because with each passing day, I find myself getting more scared-scared that I would lose this girl forever and be with a woman I've never loved." Sylvie's heart had broken into a thousand tiny pieces. She didn't know what to think, but this whole time, Kage had loved her!? He had feelings for her!? She wept, unable to utter any words. He closed the distance between them, taking her hand into his.

"I'm sorry, Sylvie." He muttered softly. "Sorry I made you cry. And I know it isn't the first time. I know I've not been the perfect man, but it was the only way I could make myself feel better for your rejection."