Page 49 of Gamble with Me
Chester's threats derailed me. I didn't know if he was able to live up to them. His words tied my hands and locked the front door. I was trapped, and the only thing missing was a chain around my ankle.
As I looked at my sleeping daughter, my phone disturbed me from my depressing thoughts. The screen enlightened with an incoming text message. My heart skipped a beat when I saw who it was from.
Unknown Number: Why, mon cœur? Why did you return to him?
The rope around my chest squeezed me, and I felt like I couldn't take another breath. With the disaster that my life had just become, I totally forgot about him. If Chester found out about me having an affair with a masked stalker, he would burst through the roof. Not because he loved me. I stopped dreaming about my husband having any feelings for me. But because it would be extremely humiliating. For the sake and safety of us all, I had to push Zefarin away.
Valeria: Chester is my husband and the father of my child. He deserves a second chance.
My fingers trembled when I typed the message and hesitated to send it. Eventually, I pressed the button and closed my eyes, suppressing sobs. The helplessness attacked me in full force, almost knocking me off my feet. I didn't know what to do, how to lose the baggage that my marriage become, or how to free myself and Zara from Chester's sharp talons.
Unknown Number: And what about you, mon cœur? What do you deserve?
A heavy sigh escaped my lips as I moved toward the bedroom window. My stalker knew exactly what to ask to call me out on my lies. He sensed something shady behind the change of my decision. I had to cut him off before he discovered too much. I couldn't risk Chester finding out about us. It was too risky.
Valeria: A happy family. Me, Zara, and my husband. Please, don't stand between us. Leave me alone.
My heart constricted painfully when my eyes lifted from the screen, and I looked outside at the street. He stood under the lamp on the sidewalk. The phone in his right hand glowed, and it took only a few seconds for his reply to come.
Unknown Number: Never, Valeria! You're my heart, the reason I breathe. Don't ever ask me for this.
Valeria: Would you destroy a family because of your selfishness?
Unknown Number: I will destroy the world if it means having you, mon cœur. And I'm about to prove it.
The breath stuck in my throat when I looked at him, standing right under my window. Mindlessly, I pressed my open palm on the glass, gulping past the lump in my throat.
I felt so desperate, so weak to dream about something that didn't exist. The relationship or anything more than wild sex with Zefarin was unfeasible. My common sense screamed at me it was just an adventure, something that couldn't last. I had to be realistic. He couldn't help me.
Valeria: I don't need proof of anything. I need you to leave me alone. Get out of here, or I'll call the police.
Unknown Number: Will you? That way, you'll have to admit to your husband that you cheated on him.
Valeria: Yes, but I'll be free of you.
My heart ached when I stared at the letters that formed the awful sentence. I didn't want to be free of him—quite the opposite—I wanted him in my life. However, if I had to choose between my and my daughter's happiness and safety, I would always select hers.
Unknown Number: If you aimed for my heart, you missed, mon cœur. Your words can't hurt me when I remember your soul singing my name and your body dancing to that melody. You're mine, whether you like it or not.
It was highly inappropriate, but a wide smile crossed my face, and my heart thundered with happiness. I never thought I would become a woman who enjoyed this type of almost toxic affection from a man who hid his identity from me. My reaction was utterly absurd, but he gave me hope for a better tomorrow.
Yet the moment was interrupted by noises from the hall. Chester hadn’t left. He probably took a shower and would come to the bedroom to dress. I had to get Zefarin away before Chester noticed him.
Valeria: I don't like your possessive thinking. You don't own me. I can make my own decisions, and right now, I'm staying with my husband. Get lost before he finds you lurking under our balcony.
I pressed the phone against my chest, hoping it would be enough for him to understand and leave. But it was only my deepest wish.
Unknown Number: Send him out, and we'll see who will return to you.
It was pointless. I had to end this conversation.
Valeria: I already have my champion. Goodbye.
I hid the phone under the cushion and lay beside Zara at the exact moment the door into the room opened and Chester walked in. I closed my eyes and focused on breathing, pretending to be dead asleep. He picked out clothes from the closet and stopped beside the bed.
His touch was surprisingly tender when he brushed the hair away from my face. Goosebumps arose on my skin, my stomach cramping. Pure disgust thrived in my chestwhen his fingertips grazed my skin. I couldn't wait for the moment he stopped touching me and left.
Thankfully, no incoming text disturbed the silence in the room. However, the last time Zefarin didn't reply to my message, he appeared at my doorstep. And I didn't know if I was scared or excited about the prospect.
