The Curiosities Concerning Fate

∷ Chapter 41 ∷

ADINE WALKED ALONG the pavement in the protected vicinity of Rosewood Creek, her mind in a dishevelled mess. She couldn't make much sense of anything, unable to stop herself from replaying the scene that had unfolded minutes before her anger had pushed her to leave the house. She knew from the beginning that reading the documents would cause trouble, yet she could not regret her decision. Not when she'd learned so much from that small endeavour.

She couldn't begin to understand Sebastian's need for revenge, the lengths to which he'd gone to set his plans into motion despite the consequences. She couldn't put herself in his position. She had an equally complicated relationship with her father, but she would do anything to leave her traumatising past behind, not act as foolishly as Sebastion in his attempts to rake up what had long been buried. Perhaps their circumstances differed, but try as she might, the situation was not one she could condone.

She didn't know much about the conditions behind their faux marriage either, but even with her memories in disarray, she knew it had something to do with Sebastian's thirst for revenge. She had no doubt been dragged into his mess in ways she could not comprehend.

A heavy sigh escaped her as she thought back to her conversation with Mike. Overwhelmed with anger and confusion, he'd been the first person she'd thought to call from the moment she'd left the house. She didn't know who else would be willing to talk to her, let alone listen.

She broke down crying the very second she heard his voice on the line, the dam she'd tried so hard to keep her tears in finally caving. She relayed the evening's occurrences through barely audible words. Her unexpected breakdown had taken a toll on her. She'd cried herself into exhaustion as she pressed the phone to her ear, listening to Mike's murmured words of comfort.

It wasn't until she'd calmed down enough to speak again did she ask the question with the answer she dreaded to hear the most.

"Did I know?" she whispered, her voice hoarse. "Did I know what I was getting into when I agreed to marry him?"

There was a long pause on the other end of the line before she heard him inhale sharply.

"It was a complicated situation but . . . Yes, you did," he said. "You married him of your own volition."

Of course, she knew. She guessed just as much. In the end, she was the only one getting fooled. She'd stupidly expected the best out of their marriage, choosing to trust Sebastian's words, only to realise now that he'd exploited her amnesia to play 'house'. Still, for the life of her, she could not understand why.

What would he gain from lying to her about the state of their relationship? She couldn't think of a single plausible reason. She would've stayed to hear his explanation but she was much too angry. Seeing his face in that condition would only push her to physically assault him in some manner.

"I'm sorry, Adine," Mike said, sounding more than a little apologetic. "If I had known he would lie, I would've told you about it sooner."

She assured him it wasn't his fault, that Sebastian shouldn't have lied in the first place. She ended their conversation shortly after, giving him the excuse of wanting to be alone. Her anger was long gone by now, lulled by the frigid air around her, with sheer disappointment taking its place instead.

But her desperation for peace was interrupted by the low rumbling of a car pulling to a stop next to her. She knew who it'd be even without confirming her assumptions. Who else, if not the very person she wanted to distance herself from?

The passenger side window rolled down, and from within, she heard Sebastian say, "Adine, get in the car."

The anger she once assumed had been suppressed resurfaced once more as she scowled at the vehicle before walking in the opposite direction and away from it.