The Ultimate Betrayal

Lies and Deceit: Chapter 16

   I had much time to think as I made my way back up to the bedroom. Sunrise had not come yet and knew Sam was probably still sound asleep as usual. I connected many dots of the missing story of the questions I didn't ask Selena. I concluded Selena and Teal were sisters, and the marriage to Sam was not any force of nature, but perhaps a setup by Teal. There were a few things I understood, but many I did not. My head felt the strain of the stress and not to mention my emotions and I decided to focus on something else as I quietly trailed my way back up the stairs.

Sam was still asleep by the time I had slipped back into bed beside him and it seemed he had not noticed my disappearance. I faced his peaceful face and conflict stirred in my mind. I wondered if I should run away and seek freedom for myself, like Selena had suggested. Perhaps, I could leave him a scarlet letter, and runaway to. I doubted Sam would forcefully make me return or marry him.

The commotion of my movements and rustling mind woke him and he greeted me with wide eyes and a refreshing smile. I stroked his long blond hair from his face and thought I could never leave him. I had never known such great love before, and I'd risk anything to keep it. Even if it meant mine own life, or perhaps that was selfish- being I was apart of two.

He tucked a piece of hair behind my head and said, ''What's wrong, Blue Eyes?''

I only shook my head, but deep down there was a lot wrong. Many secrets I could not tell him to protect my own safety and his. Selena words replayed in my mind, Don't speak one word of this to Sam, unless you want him dead before the wedding. I very, so deeply wanted to tell him and I knew I probably should. Either way Grant had a death sentence on his head, and I had to tell him the truth.

''You left for some time...'' he said as he gently rubbed my back. I started to open my mouth to confess where I had been and what I had endured, but Sam cut me off. ''You don't have to tell me where you've been. I suppose everyone needs their alone time sometimes,'' he said and then proceeded to roll on top of me and kiss me on the lips.

The guilt was just too much, and I could take it anymore. I pushed him away and refused his intimacy to go any further. ''Get off me! I cannot do this any longer!'' I screamed. Sam quickly removed himself from me and sat a short distance away on the bed. I sat myself up on the bed and Sam looked at me stunned and with a hurt and pained facial expression. I breathed in and out heavily and tears streamed down my face, and I was not yet ready to confess everything I had learned that night, and everything else I had been hiding.

Sam briefly and sadly looked down at bed before gaining the courage to ask, ''Is it me? Do you not love me, nor wish to get marry me, Blue Eyes?'' he asked softly.

I swallowed hard, ''No!'' I cried. ''I do love you and I want to marry you!'' I managed to say through my whimpers and horrid crying.

He moved closer and placed both of his arms around me. I laid my head on his chest and he kissed my forehead. ''You can tell me when you're ready,'' he said calmly and patiently.

I glanced up at his watering and sparkling green eyes and said, ''I'm ready.'' I chocked down my tears and began. I started at the beginning of how Grant and I built our relationship and trust when he helped me escape back home to the plantation, after sneaking off to his estate with Teal. Then, I explained how his behavior changed the night of dinner party and how he drugged and took advantage of my intimacy. Tensions grew as I explained the baby in my stomach could possibly be his. I could feel Sam's anger growing as he tightened his grip around me, but he remained silent and listened. Everything spilled out of my mouth like water after that, and I finally felt free, but terrified of the repercussions.