Daddy's Little Pet | 18+

|Regrets!|

ROBERT

Regret!

That word lingered in my mind, biting at me until I was too sick and tired to think of anything else.

It was eroding the edges of my sanity, making it difficult for me to breathe properly or think clearly. I felt a deep sadness as I watched Renee's silhouette fade into the darkness.

That's when I realized how much of a jerk I'd been.

She had vanished. My woman was gone, and the worst part was that I couldn't chase after her like I used to.

Instead, I'd told one of the nearby security guards to follow her and ensure she got home safely. I would keep an eye out for her. After a while, perhaps days, I'd get through to her and...

'And then what?' My mind screamed at me. Despite my best efforts at being strong, tears prickled behind my eyelids.

Back in the hall, I'd seen the pain swimming in her eyes and the look of utter disbelief, fear, and disgust as she saw me for who I truly was.

She had every right to flee—to turn around and run away from me as fast as she could—because I'd betrayed her.

I'd become paralyzed, frozen in place. I'd let Amanda get away with her drama and lies.

Speaking of that bitch... Where the hell was she? I spun around, fists clenched.

With the cool night breeze whipping around me, a chill in the air made my bones shiver. I began walking back into the hall, rage fueling my steps.

Was she still here? Oh, the things I'd do—the things I would say to her. My gaze swept across the crowded room, but I didn't find her anywhere.

She wasn't amid the paparazzi or mingling with the socialites. She was nowhere in sight.

Even Dylan was gone, and it struck me.

They'd left after causing havoc and wrecking my life like they always did.

This was a new low for them. I was furious. So enraged, and Lord knows if I got ahold of any of them—of Amanda especially, I would kill her.

I'd grab her by the throat and...

'And what will you do?' My subconscious chimed again, the voice in my head taunting. 'You could have done much more earlier and stood up for the woman you claimed you loved. But what exactly did you do? Stand frozen, tongue-tied, and wait for security to arrive and do nothing. You could've refuted Amanda's half-truths and even denied knowing her, but you didn't. You let her words get to Renee, and now you'll pay heavily for that. You just see.'

I shuddered at the memory. Why had I remained silent? What spirit possessed me?

'Amanda's evil spell, of course. That's what got to you. Just like the last time you let her trample on you. Regardless of your resources or how powerful you claim to be, you allowed the media to get their piece for tonight. I can only imagine what the entertainment headline will read tomorrow. Poor Renee...'

"Fuck! I..." When I felt a cold hand on my shoulder, I began to curse, my jaw tightening.

I turned around and met the worried gaze of Mr. Ryan, the party's host.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles, the couple from earlier, stood by his side, looking concerned.

"Good day, Mr. Clarke. I'm deeply sorry for what happened, and I apologize for the security team's tardiness. I—" Mr. Ryan began, but I cut him off as he was about to finish.