Page 14 of Depraved Temptation

"And this," she gestures between herself and me, "this happened long after us. It wasn't planned, it wasn't revenge or a game. It was unexpected."

Lila then shifts her gaze to me, her eyes searching mine, looking for something—strength, understanding, anything. "Alexander," her voice is barely audible. "I love you. God, I do. But I won't be the reason your family breaks apart even more than it already has."

I reach out, trying to pull her into my arms, to provide some semblance of comfort, but she sidesteps, evading my grasp, her walls visibly rising. Her vulnerability is replaced with a fiery determination, yet her eyes betray the turmoil beneath.

"This isn't what love should look like," she murmurs, mostly to herself, as the weight of the evening's events crashes around us.

Lila's heels click hastily against the cobblestones, the sound echoing in the silence that has settled. "Lila!" I shout, my voice desperate, wanting to bridge the chasm that's rapidly growing between us.

But she doesn't look back when she says, “Please don’t follow me. I’ll call an Uber.”

The night seems to wrap around her, obscuring her from my view with every step she takes. The world narrows to that departing figure, her raven-black hair swaying with her hurried pace, that crimson dress a flash of color in the dimly lit surroundings.

I make a move to chase after her, my instincts screaming at me to not let her go. But my feet feel like they're anchored to the spot, my heart heavy with regret.

I turn to face Cameron. His eyes are wild, almost frenzied, as they lock onto mine. "You stole her from me. And now you've lost her, too. Hope it was worth it."

I take a deep breath, my chest tightening. "This isn't about Lila anymore, is it? This is about us."

Cameron's face contorts, a mixture of sadness and fury. "There is no 'us' anymore. You made sure of that." With those final words, he turns on his heel and storms off, the roar of his car's engine fading into the distance.

Left alone in the vast emptiness of the mansion's entrance, the weight of what's transpired presses down on me. The realization that I might have lost not only the woman I've grown to love but also my own flesh and blood is a wound that cuts deep. Love, betrayal, duty—they whirl around in a tumultuous storm, leaving me more lost than ever.

What do I do now? Where do I go from here? For the first time in my life, the path ahead is uncertain, and I'm left to grapple with the choices I've made and the future they've set in motion.

Chapter 9

Lila

Inside my dimly lit apartment, the soft hum of ambient music is barely audible. The previous evening's events play in my mind as I sit rigidly on my couch, a tissue clutched in one hand. The stark contrast between my feelings for Alexander and the mess we’ve made becomes painfully clear.

I draw in a shaky breath, my thoughts revolving around Alexander's piercing gaze and his unexpected tenderness. But each memory is shadowed by Cameron's bitter words, reminding me of a past I can't escape.

"Why is everything so complicated?" I mutter to myself.

Three sharp knocks pull me from my thoughts. I wipe away my tears and make my way to the door. A part of me hopes it will be Alexander, but another part of me is relieved when I see my mother standing on the other side.

"Baby, you're a mess," she states bluntly, her eyes surveying my tear-streaked face.

“What are you doing here?” I ask.

She shrugs. “I had a feeling you needed me. Now, invite me in and tell me what’s going on.”

I step aside, allowing her entry. "It's a bit complicated, Mom," I mumble, averting her gaze.

She gives a wry smile. "Complicated? With the Harringtons? Who would've thought?" Her voice drips with sarcasm, but there's an undertone of concern.

"You warned me, I know," I admit, wringing my hands.

She sighs, drawing me close. "Lila, it wasn't just a warning. It was me trying to protect you from all this."

A sob catches in my throat. "I thought it would be different with Alexander… that we could keep it separate from everything else. From Cameron."

Mom raises an eyebrow, her voice steady. "And how's that working out for you?"

I shake my head. "Not well."

She tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear. "Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, we can't escape the past. But remember this: you deserve happiness, Lila. Don't let anyone, even a Harrington, make you doubt that."

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