Page 73 of His Beloved Princess
“But we are a bunch of weirdos.” Derek shrugged, squeezing my shoulder supportively. “If you need anything, just call. I’m mostly in Bastian’s office.”
I nodded, grateful for his words, and he left the room with one last half-smile. Rosalind and Peter followed him because they needed a ride, and Frederick went to find his father. I stayed in the conference room with Andreas, who was scowling at me, and I felt the lecture coming from a mile away.
“I admire and respect you, Electra, but this has to stop,” he started, and I lifted my eyebrows. I didn’t expect to hear this. “You’re not alone anymore,” he continued, sitting down, and with his leg, he also moved a chair for me. I took a seat, cautiously watching him. This wasn’t a man I knew.
“For weeks, Bastian tried to show you that you were partners and he had your back. Yes, he made some mistakes, but he loves you.” Andreas gently squeezed my hand, making me feel even more confused. “Let me and my family, who is now your family too, help you. You don’t need to fight alone.”
“It’s easier said than done,” I said, ashamed of all I’d said to him.
“I know, but at least promise me that you’ll try,” he said, much gentler than I’d ever heard him speak.
“Okay,” I muttered, hanging my head low. “I promise.”
Shockingly, he placed his long, tattooed finger under my chin, pushing me to look at him. The breath stuck in my throat, and my heart skipped a beat. I knew that intense stare. The one that made me shudder every fucking time, but he just wasn’t the right man to look at me like that, and my heart almost broke all over again. His resemblance to Bastian was hurting me more than I could take.
“You’re not the only one who loves him, Electra,” Andreas whispered like he was afraid someone could hear him admitting that he cared. “He’s not only my brother; he’s my best friend. A person I could always count on. He never left me in trouble, even when I deserved to get my ass kicked, he was there to help me, to support me in whatever gibberish I was making.” He wiped a tear that escaped my eye with his thumb, his eyes swirling with so many emotions that I couldn’tidentify them. “I’m broken and lost, too. And I don’t know what to do if he doesn’t wake up.”
“He will,” I breathed, taking his palm away from my face. He obviously needed some human contact, too. “He won’t leave us here hanging by a thread.”
“I believe that. Otherwise, I would’ve lost my mind,” he uttered, breathing sharply. “The next few days will be hectic.”
He was back to his usual bossy self in a moment. I wasn’t sure if he ever showed any feelings or if I only imagined them.
"Reporters, police, maybe a court hearing?" I asked, rising to my feet, and he stood up as well.
"It's too soon for a court hearing," he replied, taking his briefcase and safely storing files with my signature. "But we need to be ready for anything."
"No lies or half-truths," I reminded him, and he nodded, giving me an annoyed grimace.
"Place a ring on Bastian's finger and wear yours always," he ordered, opening the glass door for me and following me outside. "We'll decide about the next step together."
"Thanks." I smiled at him, and he turned in the other direction. But before he could leave me, I stopped him. "And I'm sorry for earlier."
"Don't apologize, Electra," he said before I could continue, shooting me a grin. "It was a great show. I was almost impressed by your audacity to yell at me."
"Thank you," I deadpanned, acting offended, but he didn't care. He chuckled and left, leaving me with a familiar feeling of loneliness. At least I could spend the afternoon in Bastian's quiet company, thinking about what happened.
I became Mrs. Thorn in the most unusual circumstances, and a huge fight was in front of me. I felt it in my bones. The hardest decision of my life would surely complicate everything, but I finally felt prepared for a change, and I knew Bastian would be proud of me.
35
Champagne and Whiskey
Electra
Placing a wedding ring on Bastian’s finger was the hardest thing I’d ever done in my life. In the privacy of the hospital room, I sealed our marriage, which was already drenched in tears of longing and desperation. I couldn’t even express how much I missed his gentle touch, stern voice, gorgeous smile, and, most importantly, the feeling of safety that he provided. I was scared to death that I would never feel so loved and protected from the outside world again.
He was the barrier between me and all my fears and worries, but the wall was slowly crumbling. With every day that passed, he was more and more away.
“Hello, sweetheart.”
A familiar voice interrupted my depressing thoughts, and I turned to the door. My dad and Zoe stood on the threshold, holding a bouquet of red roses, two bottles of champagne, and my favorite teddy bear.
“What are you two doing here?” I whispered, wiping my cheeks from the fresh tears. I didn’t speak to them for long days because of everything around me. My world turned upside-down after my announcement, and the press crowned mequeen of the billionaire empire. I just didn’t have the strength to talk to anyone who wasn’t part of that lie. Explaining was the last thing on my to-do list.
“I wanted to see my daughter,” Dad replied, his lips curled into a soft smile. He placed the flowers and bottles on the table and hugged me tightly. “You didn’t answer my calls.”
I inhaled a deep breath, trying to tame the tornado of emotions swirling inside me. My feelings again threatened to burst through me in the form of tears, yet I had to find a way to contain them. I couldn’t turn into a crying mess every time someone showed me some compassion.
