Page 29 of Pregnant Rejected Mate

“Essentially, yes,” I concede. “He lied to you, Sierra. His life was never in danger—”

Sierra cuts me off by lifting a hand in the air, glaring at me through narrowed eyes of contempt. “I don’t want to hear about it, Felix,” she grates. “He’s not the only one who lied to me.”

Struck through my heart as if her words were a sword, my jaw drops. “Sierra, I—”

“Save it,” she says bluntly, folding her arms across her chest. “I’m only interested in knowing what happens next so I can leave too.”

My frown deepens, wondering why she’s determined to leave again. I thought she wasn’t opposed to being here, on the island. Perhaps she’s changed her mind again.

After all, it’s not like she’s willing to be my mate.

“A decision hasn’t been made,” I tell her. “I was hoping you’d decide what happens to him when you become my mate.”

Sierra’s shoulders tense as she stares at my face blankly. “That’s not happening,” she says matter-of-factly. “I’m not gonna be your mate, so you get to decide what happens to my dad.”

I open my mouth to say something back, falling short of a reply. My hesitation gives Sierra enough time to saunter past me, flipping her braid over her shoulder as she exits the front door.

Blinking into the abyss of utter confusion, I do not attempt to run after her. I don’t understand what's going through her mind or why she’s so calm about everything. It seems she doesn’t care how long she’s here, even if she doesn’t want to be my mate.

She’s made that clear.

She sure has succeeded if wanting to make my life a misery is her plan.

Why did I expect anything less? I had this coming for what I did to hurt her.

Chapter 12 - Sierra

Stepping into the courtyard where the sun’s penetrating rays are at their brightest, I smile as Kairo approaches me. I’m grateful for her arms of comfort wrapping around me when I need them the most.

I’m still reeling from bumping into Felix in the hallway, disappointment lingering despite my conscious attempts to be unfazed.

Cherry blossoms.

They’re my favorite—a fact I was so sure Felix remembered. Kairo told me he’d hand-painted the cherry blossom-bearing-angels in the guest bedroom I occupy.

So why couldn’t he pick the flowers for me?

My mental tantrum is unwarranted, considering that he’s the same man who broke my heart the first time around. If there’s one thing I learned, it’s not to have expectations.

He’s made no effort to apologize for his wrongs. I can’t expect him to pick flowers for me.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” Kairo asks gently when she pulls back from the hug. “You don’t look so good.”

I lift a smile on my face, warming at how unlikely our friendship is. Though I’ve only known her for a handful of days, Kairo is the female friend I’ve never had in my life. She can see right through me, prompting tears to pool in my eyes.

“I haven’t been completely honest with you,” I blurt. I’m afraid that if I’m stuck in my head, I’ll only keep the truth hidden again. I haven’t been able to speak to anyone about my feelings, and she’s the only one who just radiates the comfort and space for me to do that.

Her eyes fill with remorse as she tenderly takes my hands in hers and leads me to the fountain, where we take a seat on the natural marble.

“I’m listening…” she presses with a warmth that has the truth spilling out from me along with a bunch of pent-up tears.

“He hasn’t—he hasn’t apologized,” I choke when I recount everything to Kairo. From the first time I met Felix in Charlottesville to the day he left me and everything in between, I’d told her how he broke my heart.

“Has he addressed the past at all?” Kairo asks, to which I shake my head.

“Hm…” she contemplates with a frown. “That’s unlike him.”

“Whatever,” I sniffle, wiping the back of my hand across my nose. “He won’t apologize, so I’ll make his life miserable.”

---