Caleb rely raised an amused eyebrow at Carlo’s display of protectiveness.
"Fuck off?" he repeated. "If you have the guts, feel free to lay a hand on . I’ll look forward to visiting you in jail," he taunted, stretching his arms out in a mockery of a hug. "Father might actually pay you a visit―"
Carlo snarled, and he tried to lunge for Caleb’s neck. Alia quickly grabbed him by the collar, stopping him from making one of the worst mistakes of his life.
"Carlo, let him go. He’s not worth the trouble. He’s only saying all this because he can’t get over , like the poor pathetic sap that he is."
Now, it was Caleb’s turn to scowl, his eyes glaring daggers into Alia’s soul. Once, it would have made her panic, as back then, nothing could puncture his sunny charm.
But now it simply made her sad. She had wasted three years loving a mirage, and even when she was ready to bid him goodbye, he still persisted in haunting her like a vengeful spirit.
Their marriage was well and truly over. Why couldn’t Caleb beat that into his skull?
"You will regret not listening to when you have the chance. You nearly died on the slopes once. That should have been enough warning for you to step away," Caleb continued, his voice a harsh whisper. "Loving Matteo Montgory will be your downfall. Step away from the edge before it’s too late. You don’t want to leave your father alone and lonely in this world, do you?"
Alia hissed. "Are you threatening ?"
"Just looking out for you. Your father was nothing but kind to ," Caleb said, an unidentifiable emotion in his eyes.
But just like how it appeared suddenly, it vanished just as quickly, leaving behind a smug visage.
Caleb opened his mouth to continue, but then his phone let out a beep, signaling that he received a ssage. Reluctantly, he tore his eyes away from Alia’s own to take a look before pulling away.
"I have to go now. But Alia, you should think it over," Caleb said. His eyes roved over Carlo and he smirked. "Stop wasting your ti with illegitimate brats, when you can have the real thing."
Carlo lunged forward again, only to be thwarted by Alia’s hold. His arms spun futilely as he tried to break free. How was this woman so bloody strong?! He could only bare his teeth at Caleb’s retreating back; Alia didn’t let go until she saw the last of his car vanishing into the horizon.
The mont he was free, Carlo let out a string of expletives. Alia rely watched him bemusedly, waiting for him to calm down.
"What’s that for?!" Carlo eventually exclaid. "You should have let punch the shit out of him! Look at how he treated you!"
"Thank you so much for caring about ," Alia said sincerely, and an ugly flush crawled up Carlo’s neck.
"Like hell I do! I don’t care about you― I just hate that bastard!" He spluttered, stomping his feet.
Alia resisted the urge to laugh. Even though he was turning eighteen soon, he was still just a kid after all.
"Fair enough. No matter what you feel about , I do not wish for you to jeopardize your bright future because of him. Speaking as soone who actually married him, he isn’t worth the heartache. Let’s not add to his body count, shall we?" Alia said.
Carlo’s lips twisted at the thought of being counted as one of Caleb Walton’s victims. "Like he can take on. I’ll beat the living daylights out of him so he can’t even piss without pain!"
Alia laughed. "Better you than . I do not wish to go near his crotch ever again."
"Lady, you’re gross," Carlo complained, a petulant frown crossing his face.
"You brought it up first," Alia retorted cheerfully. "More importantly, I’m glad you seem to be taking my advice about applying yourself. Daniella has ntioned that your grades are improving."
Carlo grumbled, glaring hotly at the floor as though it personally offended him. "Why do you care? Weren’t you busy dying on the slopes or sothing? It’s such a stupid way to die. You might as well try skydiving next. Bet you that man would tamper with your parachute."
"I was recovering from a skiing accident," Alia corrected him primly. Carlo didn’t really need to know the specifics of how close she ca to walking to death’s door, since he was technically a child and still prone to impulsiveness. "And of course I kept up with your news. It’s important to ."
"Well you can save the effort," Carlo said firmly. "I’m getting on just fine without your help, so you and your shitty ex-husband can go."
"No can do," Alia said, "I have a vested interest in your future. Have you considered which university you wish to attend?"
Carlos groaned. "I don’t care about university, okay! I just got my grades up because beating every little shithead in the rankings was more satisfying than being beaten by them."
"Spite is working well, I see." Alia nodded and clapped her hands. "In that case, you certainly deserve a reward. Co on, my treat. Consider it my thanks for helping banish Caleb."
"I’m not hungry," Carlo retorted before his stomach let out the loudest grumble Alia had ever heard.
"Your stomach begs to differ," Alia said smugly. "Now out with it, is there sothing you wish to eat? Steak? Fries? Potato chips? Caviar?" she asked, throwing out food ideas randomly. What did teenage boys eat anyway?
"No steak or caviar," Carlo said vehently, his hands balled into fists. "I don’t want any of those fancy rich people food, those fuckers―"
Ah. Perhaps such fancy food reminded Carlo of his adoption and subsequent abandonnt. In that case, Alia could only suggest one of the best food truck als she had eaten.
"Let’s get kebabs then," Alia said firmly, half-dragging him by the arm. "We can eat, and you can tell your plans for the future."
"I’m telling you, I have no plans for the future, let go― hey, woman!"
Carlo dragged his feet, but soon he found himself bundled into the backseat of an expensive car. In the rearview mirror was none other than Matteo Montgory, who rely raised an eyebrow at his presence.
"Matteo, are you done with work already?" Alia asked, surprised to see that he had suddenly returned without so much as a ssage.
"I settled it with a phone call," Matteo said easily. Poor Ronan had been tossed to the back of his mind. "Besides, I saw a weasel slink out of this building a while ago. Did it bite you?"
Reviews
All reviews (0)