Free Web NovelChapter 15: Red Lips, Silk Threats
LOUISE’S POV
"Now, if duckling is going to be on his knees for anyone, it’s going to be me. So, take a step back from my darling...before I make you." freёwebnoѵel.com
It’s always that damned easygoing tone with him. Always that stupid, infuriating smirk! And those eyes that look everywhere but me.
"Or wait..." he places a hand on his mouth, faking disbelief, "is this some kind of incest thing? The kind where you want your stepbrother to get on his knees or something?"
He’s speaking to me, yet his eyes are on him. He should be looking at me. His eyes should be on me! I’m the reason he’s even doing all of this.
"We’re half-siblings, not step-siblings." Adrien sighs in exasperation.
Why is he exasperated? What right does he have to sound done with all of this? What gives him the right to interfere in my relationship with—
"Still classifies as a kink to me, darling."
They’re in their own little world, aren’t they? A world where I’m just waiting on the sidelines. But, I refuse to be sidelined for that useless brother of mine.
"It’s been a while, Orion." A properly gentle voice from a proper lady. I’m the reason you’re here Adrien. I’m the reason Orion put that ring on your finger.
And you are not allowed to forget it. I won’t let you.
"I know. You said that before."
He is a cruel man. With everyone else, he looks like he’s having fun reveling in that cruelty, but with me, he always looks unimpressed.
Like he’s seen it all and already knows that I will never have anything to offer him. freewebnøvel.coɱ
But I can’t falter. I won’t falter. I worked hard to get Orion Vassilis to notice me, and I worked even harder to keep him by my side for almost a decade.
He is my trophy! My prize! The proof of my existence!
"I know that, but I just wanted to say it again. It really has been a while since we’ve...talked." I take a step towards him, leaving Adrien in my shadow.
Where he’s supposed to be.
"Well, I wasn’t the one who cut our conversations short, was I?"
No, that was me. I was the one who ended it...and for good reason. I ended it because Leon said...wait... where is Leon?
He went into the study with Orion, but he hasn’t come out. Where is he? He wouldn’t actually leave me here alone, would he?
"This was about as fun as I expected, but I’m bored now so let’s get going, duckling."
Lost in my thoughts, I notice it too late— Orion walking past me to get to Adrien. Orion, leaving me to link hands with that rat!
I whirl around, trying and failing to keep the panic out of my eyes. I don’t care about Leon, but I can’t lose Orion’s attention. I can’t lose him.
"You’re right! I broke up with you!" I must not lose my composure. I must remain poised and graceful. "But that was only because Leon— "
"If you’re asking about your fiancé...he’s in the study with Aunt. Apparently, he has a lot of explaining to do"
He’s not supposed to know that. No one was supposed to know that Leon and I got engaged. That stupid blonde bastard promised me that it would remain a secret until we broke it off!
So, how the hell did Orion find out?
"It’s not real." I have to hold on to something...I have to give him something to keep him. "Leon asked me to do this because he had information— "
"On the inheritance succession, right?"
Something sinks in my chest with the dawning knowledge that he already knows about my bargaining chip, but my eyes are drawn to the way he playfully fluffs Adrien’s hair.
He never touched me like that. Ever.
"I was going to tell you. I was going to let you know everything so you could take your rightful place! I did all of this for you, Orion!"
He likes honesty, so I’m being honest. I might not be wearing the jewelry set he got me, but my loyalties haven’t changed. I’m still loyal to him.
I know I am. So, why is that damn brother of mine looking at me with pity in his eyes? How dare he pity me?
I am Louise Dubois! I am the Basilisk’s partner!
"Then why didn’t you tell me the moment he told you? Why end our relationship and accept his proposal?" Each word lands like a stone, sinking my already broken ship.
I need Leon to come explain this, because I can’t. I can’t explain shit because I didn’t even want to break up with Orion. It was never my choice!
Where the hell did that stupid fucker go? This is his problem to fix!
"I had no choice, believe me." I would’ve never left you if I had a choice. I spent my whole life being perfect for you. "I’d explain it but I can’t. So please, just wait for Leon to— "
"Darling, this weird woman keeps coming on to me, what do I do?"
It’s as if I’m not even speaking, like I’ve faded into the background. I’m watching him flirt with Adrien, knowing that the only reason he’s still standing here listening to me is because he wants to poke fun at Adrien.
And I’m useful to that cause, so he’s letting me speak.
"Please don’t involve me in this." Adrien sighs again, looking anywhere but me.
So, I’m an eyesore now?
Wasn’t the entire reason for putting that ring on Adrien’s finger to get me back? To make me jealous? So, why am I being treated like a nuisance?
It has to be Leon’s fault. He’s fucked it up and he’s dragged me down with him. He’s fucking ruined me! He’s ruined everything!
"But this is the part where you’re supposed to get mad that some random woman is desperately begging your fiancé for attention." He pouts. "Where’s the possessive rage I want to see, duckling?"
I can’t lose. I won’t lose. Not like this.
I won’t stand here and watch Orion and Adrien walk around and flirt like they did back then. I won’t let them slip into their own little world, thinking that I’m none the wiser for noticing and not saying anything.
I won’t let anyone win.
He pulls Adrien past me, eyes colder than steel. "Move out of the way, Louise. We have a plane to catch and an engaged life to enjoy...so, be a good girl and wait for your pathetic fiancé to come get you, okay?"
He doesn’t even spare me a glance as he strides past, pulling my useless brother who somehow gets everything I want past him.
But he won’t get this. Not with any peace of mind.
"If you’re not interested in getting me back, then why are you still flaunting an engagement with Adrien?"
I know that look in my brother’s eyes.
You see, it’s so easy to get swept along in Orion’s rhythm, that when you finally catch a glimpse of common sense, everything feels weird and foreign.
You become disoriented.
Adrien has probably just realized that the game has changed and Orion is now dragging him into deeper shit— the type that either breaks or kills you.
It’s always like that with him. Either you break or die.
And if that deliciously panicked look on his face is anything to go by...he’s definitely going to break.
