The Prince That Got Away ( A Royal Romance Novel )

Trust Issues

Emilia's POV:-

" So do you believe him?" Tessa asks me a mug of steaming coffee in her hand.

We are sitting at the Café Poitier just a few miles away from Ethelred School. I remember coming here with Roman when I had that infamous confrontation with Louis in the school parking lot.

" I want to give Louis the benefit of the doubt but I am not sure. " I murmur.

I hadn't told Tessa that my marriage with Louis was nothing more than a business deal as he wanted only my immediate family members to know about it. But now I wished I could tell her more.

" He did seem to like kissing you though. You two definitely have chemistry. " Tessa gave me a teasing smirk.

" Yeah, he's not a bad kisser I guess." I laugh it off.

But deep down a feeling of sadness envelops me. That kiss was just a show for the public. My reaction to it, the way I clung to him was embarrassing enough.

" I am not just talking about the kiss. But even in your first pictures together, when you left the prison and he was leading you out, anyone could see that he has feelings for you."

I think my friend has lost her mind but I don't tell her that.

" Really?" I say nonchalantly.

" Yes, it's in the way he looks at you." Tessa browses through something on her phone then she shows me her screen.

There's a picture of Louis holding my hand as we head out together. I am flustered and we are surrounded by paparazzi. It was my first time being photographed as the Prince's wife and my nervousness showed. I am looking at my feet, trying not to trip meanwhile Louis's looking at me. His gaze is full of concern and protectiveness.

I have to force myself to remember that he's great at masking his true emotions. Probably the only thing on his mind was making sure that no one guessed the truth about our marriage.

I felt anger bubble up inside me as I thought about it. Right now I hated both Louis and myself.

" Well, it does do wonders for his image, playing the loving husband. " I say impulsively unable to keep the bitterness out of my voice.

Tessa stares at me for a second as if she's stunned.

" Emilia, is there something you're not telling me?" She asks.

"No, I guess the whole thing with Leyla has left me feeling pissed. I used to feel sorry for her considering her past but now I am wondering if she didn't purposefully set Louis up and leaked the photos to the press."

" I was actually thinking the same thing, Emilia.  You should put your foot down and make it clear to Louis that he needs to stay the hell away from her even if she's at death's door."

It's getting late now. I should probably head home." I don't want Tessa to realize what a negative mood I am in.

On the way back I see Louis calling me yet I don't pick up, I don't feel like talking to him right now. His presence in my life has left me feeling confused. I want to believe that he has nothing going on with Leyla, but I can't bring myself to completely trust him.

He calls me at least two times more but I keep rejecting his call.

In the evening Samantha sends me the link to a YouTube video featuring none other than Leyla. Just seeing her makes my blood boil. It's apparently about an explanation regarding her leaked photo with Louis.

First, she goes on and on about how terrible her mental health is these days. How she had flashbacks of the incident that led to her sister's death and left her with a permanent limp as well as scars on her body.