Chapter 50/It Was Just a Mistake

Chapter 50: 50/It Was Just a Mistake

Chapter 50

Stephanie’s Point of View

I went downstairs with my body as tense as a string about to snap. I was ready for the confrontation despite the hidden trembling in my knees. Alexander was there, occupying the center of the lounge with his dominating presence. As soon as he saw me, he fixed his blue eyes on me and said in a resonant tone:

"Good evening, Stephanie."

I pressed my lips together and didn’t respond. I felt a desire to scream in his face, but I remained silent. My father cleared his throat in annoyance. "She’s nervous... daughter, return the greeting."

"Good evening," I said curtly, my eyes fixed on the floor.

I began to observe him intensely, searching for any spark or signal. Would he look at Valentina? My sister sat there as if spellbound, her eyes shining with an unmistakable glint as she devoured his features. I caught a fleeting glance from him toward her; it was very fast, almost negligible, but it was enough to make my heart contract.

"I’ve come to take Stephanie with me. My grandfather requested this,"

Alexander said, addressing my father.

"Yes, yes... you may go," my father replied with exaggerated welcome.

I walked toward the door with quick steps, as if escaping the suffocating air of the house. Alexander hurried behind me and reached the car first to open the door for me. He leaned toward me slightly and whispered with concern: "Is something wrong, Steph?"

"We won’t talk here. My father is watching us," I said without looking at him as I stepped inside.

He closed the door quietly and headed to the driver’s seat. He got in, started the engine, and we drove off in a heavy silence. Quiet prevailed for a moment before his questioning voice broke it: "What happened, Steph? Are you upset because we’re getting married?"

I was squeezing my bag in my hands. I didn’t want to start the confrontation in the car; I needed a quiet place to observe his features and the details of his face when he spoke the truth.

"When we arrive, we’ll talk more comfortably," I said coldly.

He sighed deeply as if trying to process my coldness, then said in a warm tone that only increased my rage: "I can’t believe it, Steph... that we’re getting married. You’re going to be my wife."

I didn’t answer. I looked out the window, watching the road, praying silently that we would arrive quickly before I exploded from the pressure.

Finally, the car stopped in front of a luxurious restaurant. We entered enveloped in silence and sat at a secluded table that offered us some privacy. Alexander placed his hands on the table, interlacing his fingers while looking directly into my eyes. "Tell me, Steph, what is bothering you?"

I took a deep breath, feeling my blood boiling in my veins. I placed my hands on the table, my body leaning toward him with intensity. "What is your relationship with Valentina?" I asked in a decisive voice.

His features changed with lightning speed. I saw tension invade his face; he turned pale as a corpse, and his blue eyes flickered with hesitation as he asked: "What do you mean?"

"I’m asking you if you’re in a relationship with my sister," I said in a tone as sharp as a blade.

He swallowed hard, his gaze escaping elsewhere for a second before returning to me. "Who told you this? Valentina?"

I felt my heart shattering like fragile glass inside my chest. My God, she wasn’t lying. The bitter truth was crushing my soul. "Were you laughing at me all this time?" I asked, my voice trembling with oppression.

He tried to lean closer across the table, speaking eagerly. "No, Steph, you’re understanding this the wrong way... tell me what she said to you."

"It doesn’t matter, Alexander," I said, turning my face away as a lump choked me. "For a moment, I thought you were actually sincere with me."

"Steph, I was sincere with you! Tell me what she said!" he said, trying to gather his wits.

I looked at him with a callous stillness, my body stiffening from the intensity of the pain and self-mockery. "Listen, Alex. I will marry you, but do not expect me to be your wife. I don’t want to deal with you when we are alone... is that understood?"

"Steph..." he said in shock.

"Let me finish!" I interrupted with a muffled shout, slamming the table with my hand. "For the sake of my little ones, I will accept this marriage. I will be your wife in front of people only. You and your brother are the same both of you are deceivers."

"Stephanie, I didn’t deceive you. You’re understanding this wrong," he said in a wavering voice.

"Really?" I said defiantly, digging my nails into my palms. "Tell me, is Valentina lying?"

He lowered his head, and his voice came out faint and shameful: "It was one night... it was just a mistake."

I felt as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over me. The blood froze in my veins. "Did you fuck her?" I asked, my breath breaking from the horror of the shock.

I didn’t wait for his answer. I stood up from the chair abruptly to leave the place. He rose with lightning speed, grabbing my arm firmly. "Steph, please! Let me explain!"

"Let go of my hand now!" I said, trying to pull my arm away violently, tears burning my eyes.

He released my hand, and I ran outside like a madwoman. I couldn’t believe it... Valentina was telling the truth; he was involved with her! Alex followed me, his heavy footsteps trailing behind. He grabbed my shoulder to stop me.

"Steph, wait! Where are you going?"

I pulled my hand away violently, my whole body twitching. "Don’t you dare touch me! Don’t you dare!" I screamed.

He raised his hands in the air as a sign of surrender. "Fine. I won’t touch you."

"I’m going home now," I said, panting from exhaustion and grief.

"Your father will get suspicious and call my grandfather," he said, attempting to de-escalate the situation.

"I’ll tell him I feel sick because of the pregnancy," I said sharply, heading toward the car. "Now, take me home. And if you speak a single word to me, I’m getting out of the car."

"Fine," he said in resignation.

We got into the car. Throughout the journey, I felt his shadow beside me like a mountain of worries. The silence was absolute, the tension in the air almost tangible. As soon as we arrived, I got out of the car with insane speed, headed to the door, and knocked violently.

Alexander got out behind me and stood at my back in silence. My father opened the door, surprised by our expressions. "What happened? Why are you back so soon?"

"Stephanie felt nauseous and dizzy, so I brought her back home," Alexander said in a steady voice, showing a strange talent for acting.

I didn’t wait to hear more. I immediately went upstairs with staggering steps. I couldn’t bear to see his face or hear his voice; I wasn’t ready to play a part now. I entered my room, locked the door, and threw myself onto my bed, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Why, my God? Why does this happen every time I feel a spark of happiness?" I said, my voice choked with tears. "It’s as if happiness is forbidden to me!"

My body curled into a ball on the bed, muffled screams tearing through my chest, while the bitter truth—He fucked my sister even though he knew she was my sister—echoed in my mind like a never-ending lightning strike.