Arranged Love

Chapter 15: Falling to Pieces

*3rd Person's POV*

There was silence for all of two seconds before all hell broke loose. 

Everyone started yelling but Sarah just smiled coyly at Rafe.

"Silence!" The king banged his fist on the table. 

"Rafael, Sarah, Melania follow me." He took the queen's hand and hurried into the room they had taken Lanie to that first night. He waited until the three of them walked in before shutting the door to the dining room.

The king sat at the circular table with the queen to his right. Rafe sat across from them, with Sarah sliding in beside him. Lanie opted to stay standing. In her eyes Sarah and the prince made the perfect couple, and it was quite obvious that she wasn't welcome.

"Are you sure it is Rafael's?"

"Yes sir."

"Nevertheless a paternity test will be conducted as soon as it's safe for the child."

Sarah gasped, "I'm not a whore your highness."

"Quite frankly Sarah, yes you are," the king shot back.

"How far along are you?"

The queen asked this question.

"4 weeks." She smiled up at Rafe much  to Lanie's consternation. She wanted to slap the smile off her bitchy face. It finally hit her, what Sarah had said. 

4 weeks...that means he slept with her when he already knew I was coming. Lanie wasn't surprised that Rafe lied but it still hurt imagining him with her. 

The quiet was deafening for a minute. The queen finally whispered, "This changes things."

With the waves of hurt rolling over her Lanie slowly slid down the wall until she was sitting on the floor. She could feel the tears coming, but she breathed deeply. She couldn't give Sarah that satisfaction.

Rafe's eyes burned into her. He couldn't believe this was happening. Sarah's hand on his arm registered dimly but he couldn't stop looking at Lanie, trying to convey his guilt and shame. He had put her through so much, this was the last thing she deserved.

He got up and started in her direction, "Melan-"

She raised her hand, "Save it." He had no right to feel hurt by her rejection but he still was.

"I want all of you back here in one week's time, after each of us have had time to think on this situation. If a single word about this conversation leaks to the press you will be severely punished," the king addressed all of them but was staring straight at Sarah, "Rafe and I will tell everyone else about this, you are all dismissed."

Lanie slowly got up and went to her room through the second exit of the small conference room.

She got to her room just as a tear finally slipped out. Leaning against the door she sobbed her heart out. It was silly of her to have gotten attached. Being kidnapped seemed to have taken all the sense away from her brain. The absurd picture she had of her and Rafe maybe, somehow, someday loving each other unconditionally was foolishness as she could now see. 

She started choking on her sobs and had to run to the bathroom, dry heaving. Lanie wasn't sure what was worse, the pain in her heart or her throat. 

After a few minutes she picked herself up and showered. The water was burning but she was so numb she couldn't feel it. She rubbed her skin raw, trying to scrape off every trace of that despicable man from her body, everywhere stung when she came out. After slipping on the terrycloth robe hung in the bathroom, she collapsed into bed and let the darkness take over.

*Rafe's POV*

I still couldn't believe this was happening. The look on Lanie's face before she went upstairs assured me that this was very real. Sarah tried to grab my hand but I jerked away from her and followed my Father back into the main dining room. Everyone stilled as we went to the head of the table behind my Father's usual seat.

"Sarah is allegedly pregnant with Rafe's child, but as soon as it is safe for the child a paternity test will be completed. I expect complete silence towards the press from each and every one of you. If a word of this leaks whomever it came from will be severely punished. Melania and Rafael will still be married in 2 months. In the coming weeks we will be making decisions about what to do next and how this child will be taken care of."

I could feel Jason's and Mark's gazes boring holes through me but I refused to look at them, ashamed. It isn't often if ever that I felt this way in front of anyone except my Mother but today I knew I deserved any snide remarks or criticism.

I felt the need to check on Lanie, to explain my actions but there are no explanations to give. I slept with Sarah after I knew that Lanie was coming and I lied to her about it. I knew she wouldn't welcome my attention at this time if ever. Nobody in her place would. 

I had royally fucked up.

*Elizabeth's POV*

I really hate the situation Rafe put Lanie in, but I'm so damn happy the focus isn't on me anymore.

Everyone slowly dispersed and I also left. I knew Mark was behind me but I couldn't be sure if he was following me or not.

I reached my room and as I was turning the doorknob, Mark's hand stopped me. He was so close to me, his front aligned with my back. His hand looked so different compared to mine.

"We need to talk Eliza." I feigned innocence as I turned around, "What about?"

I was between him and the door, I saw his eyes flicker to the hickey on my neck.

"Don't do that."

"What?"

"Tempt me like this." He shoved me up against the door and slammed his lips on mine. Of course I was shocked for a few seconds but I quickly got into it. My hands went everywhere until I finally got them under his shirt. God his abs were perfect.

He pushed the door open behind me but kept his tight hold on me. After walking backwards with our faces attached to each other, we fell on the bed. His shirt came off as did mine. His lips slid to my neck and I gasped, trying to get some oxygen back into my lungs. I moaned his name, it was all I could think of.

He froze. He pulled back and looked at me as if he was seeing me for the first time. We were both still breathing heavily.

His eyes widened and he scrambled off the bed. "Eliza, what the hell just happened?" I knew there was something really wrong here so I pulled my shirt back on. "We were kissing Mark. That's literally what we were doing."

"We shouldn't be." I didn't understand.He held his head in his hands, "Dammit that was such a stupid mistake. Rafe's going to kill me, goddammit!" That hurt. More than I care to admit.

Now I was just pissed. He corners me, kisses me like a starving man given a meal then tells me it was a mistake? How much of an asshole could he be? Wasn't it obvious that I liked him? What more could I do? Take off my clothes and prance around like those other girls he likes so much? 

"Get out." His face crumpled, and he reached towards me "Eliza I don't mea-"

"Get out!" I got off the bed and opened the door for him.

He quickly pulled his shirt on and tried to reach for me again, "Eli-"

I shied away, "Out." He finally left and I went to take a shower. I didn't even feel like crying, if he wanted to be a jackass he can be a jackass but I sure as hell wouldn't share any tears over him. If he didn't want me it was his loss.

Maybe after my shower I'll check on Lanie. I can't imagine how much worse she must be feeling.

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Author's Note: Thank you all for keeping up with me, this chapter is dedicated to because of her reading, and commenting on this story. This book has over 600 reads now and I'm really grateful. Thanks everyone!

The picture is of our new favorite character, Sarah!!