Chapter 3

• KELILAH’S POV
• Later that night, as I sat in my room, staring blankly at the wall, I heard a soft knock at my door.
• “Come in,” I said, my voice hoarse from crying.
• Mother entered, her face lined with worry. She crossed the room and sat beside me on the bed, her hand reaching for mine.
• “Kelilah, I—”
• “Don’t,” I cut her off, pulling my hand away. “Don’t try to justify what happened tonight. Don’t tell me this is for the greater good. I’m tired of hearing it.”
• Mother sighed, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I’m not here to justify anything. I just want you to know that I understand how you feel.”
• I laughed bitterly, shaking my head. “Do you? Do you really? Because I don’t think you do. You’re not the one being sent away. You’re not the one losing your sister.”
• Her hand rested gently on my shoulder. “You’re right. I can’t understand completely. But I do know this: Loveth doesn’t hate you. She’s scared, and she’s angry, but deep down, she loves you. Just give her time.”
• I wanted to believe her, but the memory of Loveth’s hateful words was still fresh in my mind.
• I pulled her hand away, standing to pace the room. “Why does it have to be her? Why does anyone have to go at all?”
• Mother sighed deeply. “This isn’t just about our family. The survival of the entire kingdom depends on this.”
• “But that’s not fair! She’s my sister!” I cried, my voice breaking.
• “And she’s my daughter,” Mother said, her voice trembling. “Do you think this is easy for me? I’ve spent every moment of today trying to think of another way, but there isn’t one, Kelilah. If we defy King Korvus, he will destroy us all.”
• “I don’t care about the kingdom,” I whispered. “I just want my sister to be safe.”
• Mother placed a hand back on my shoulder. “I know, my love. But sometimes, protecting the ones we love means making sacrifices we never thought we could bear.”
• “I don’t know if I can fix this,” I whispered, my voice breaking.
• Mother squeezed my shoulder, her grip firm but comforting. “You’re stronger than you think, Kelilah. And no matter what happens, we’ll get through this. Together.”
• As she left the room, I sat in the quiet darkness, my mind racing with thoughts of Loveth. I didn’t know how, but I vowed to find a way to make things right. Even if it meant defying everything I had been taught to believe.
• ******
• Morning came, but I barely slept. The weight of the coming day pressed down on me as I lay in bed, my thoughts swirling. Suddenly, I felt a gentle touch brush my hair aside, and I opened my eyes to see Loveth sitting beside me.
• “Loveth?” I whispered, startled.
• Why was she in my rooms this early?.
• “I’m sorry for the hurtful things I said to you last night. I didn’t mean any of it. I don’t hate you and I’m sorry I sounded so selfish”, she apologized
• “No, don’t say that. I have already forgiven you for everything you said”, I replied, leaning a bit closer to her.
• “I was horrible to you” she cried and immediately I pulled her into a hug.
• “I forgive you, Loveth. And yes, you won’t be getting married to Korvus ”, I said
• “You want… to… you want to take my place”, she asked
• “No. None of us will have to. I’ll find a way out for us”, I said, sounding reassuring.
• “You promise?”, she asked with hopeful eyes, and I nodded.
• “I promise” I replied.
• I didn’t know how I was going to make it work, but I was certainly going to do something.
• “Want us to go to the office now?”, she asked, now smiling at me
• “Yes” I squealed and jumped from the bed.
• I had taken a leave today, because I wanted to dedicate the day to Loveth.
• “Let me get dressed and we can go together”, she said
• “I will wait for you out front” I replied.
• Quickly, I got into the bathroom and brushed. I took a quick shower and wore a pink gown that ended just above my knees. Mother was in the kitchen when I got downstairs.
• “Good morning mom”,
• “Good morning, princess. So where are you up to?”,
• “I’m going to the office with Loveth and after that, I will stop by Jackson’s place. I had promised to meet him by the end of today”,
• “Okay then love. Say hi to Jackson for me and don’t stay out late”, mother warned.
• “Okay Mom” I said.
• *************
• The ride to Jackson’s apartment was brief, and my excitement only grew as we pulled up to his grand duplex, complete with a white picket fence. This would be our home after the wedding, a thought that filled me with a warm sense of belonging and anticipation.
• Inside, the living room gleamed with a pristine charm—the floors shone under the afternoon light, and the air was as fresh as if it had been purified just for us. I sank into the plush couch, feeling at ease as Jackson settled beside me.
• “So, what did your parents say?” he asked, his voice curious.
• “Loveth will be going,” I replied.
• “Thank God,” he muttered, a touch too quickly. My eyebrows furrowed, and I felt an unexpected wave of irritation.
• “What do you mean by that?” I asked sharply, my gaze challenging his.
• He took in my reaction, his expression softening. “No, I meant it’s better that she’s going instead of you,” he defended, placing his hand gently on my lap.
• I pushed his hand away, my voice firm. “It’s not better. My sister isn’t going anywhere, and neither am I.”
• He blinked in surprise, frowning as he tried to comprehend my words. “But you can’t keep the bride of King Korvus away from him. What do you plan to do?”
• “There must be another way,” I insisted. “But Loveth will not marry that man—not while I’m still alive.”
• His expression softened as he realized the depth of my resolve. “So, what are you planning?”
• I looked him dead in the eye, my tone resolute. “I’m going to speak to the high priest. I’ll convince him to choose someone else.”
• “And if that doesn’t work?” he asked, his voice curious yet cautious.
• “If it doesn’t work,” I said, my voice barely a whisper, “then I’ll go to Bazil myself and make King Korvus understand that my sister will never be his bride.”
• Jackson’s face twisted in alarm.
• “Are you insane? Why would you risk your life like that? It’s not worth it!. What if he decides to claim you as his?”
• “Your words are beginning to anger me, Jackson,” I snapped. “Would you let them take Kat if she were in Loveth’s position?”
• “Babe, I…” he started, but I wasn’t interested in hearing him out.
• “Well, if you’d let them take your sister, then that’s on you. But I won’t let them take mine.”
• He sighed, reaching out again. “I’m sorry, love. Don’t be upset, please.”
• “Then don’t ever imply my sister isn’t worth it,” I retorted, my voice sharp.
• He pulled me close, cupping my face in his hands. “I’m sorry. Please, forgive me.”
• I rolled my eyes but softened slightly at his touch, even though he should have known better than to speak that way about my sister.
• “Come on, love. I’m truly sorry,” he murmured, pressing a light kiss to my forehead.
• “Whatever,” I mumbled, trying to stay upset.
• “I have something for you,” he said, disappearing into the other room for a moment. When he returned, he held a small, beautifully wrapped box.
• “What’s in here?” I asked, eyeing the package.
• “It’s a gift,” he said, a hint of pride in his voice.
• I tore open the box and gasped. It was a rare collection of diamond accessories that I’d been yearning for. As a princess, I had plenty of treasures, but Jackson knew how much I adored diamonds.
• “Oh my gosh, thank you!” I squealed, throwing my arms around him as he flashed a dazzling smile.
• “I love you,” he whispered.
• “I love you too,” I replied, feeling my heart swell.
• After a moment’s pause, he held out his hand. “Dance?”
• “What kind of dance?” I asked, a playful smile forming on my lips.
• “Any kind,” he replied, shrugging as he turned on the stereo. Soft music filled the room, and we swayed together, his hands guiding me gently. But as the dance continued, I felt heat rising within me. The air between us was thick with desire, and soon, his lips found mine, deepening the kiss.
• In one smooth motion, he guided me onto the couch.
• “Fuck Jackson” I moaned.
• I was wet already, and his fingers were sliding in easily. He pumped steadily, while I lifted my hips to meet his thrusts.
• But we couldn’t go any further than this. I wanted to wait until our wedding night for the main act. Seeing that the game was getting hornier than expected, I pulled away, glancing at the clock I discovered It was past three already. I guess this was my perfect excuse.
• “I have to get back to the office” I said, straightening my clothes
• I arranged my dress and hair, while he looked at me. My eyes moved down his lower body and I could see the hard Imprint of his dick from his pants.
• He looked at me, his eyes filled with disappointment. “Can’t you stay the night?”
• I shook my head, forcing myself to resist his pleading gaze. “I promised Loveth I’d be home soon. Besides, I didn’t tell Mom I’d be staying over.”
• He groaned. “You could just call them.”
• “It doesn’t work like that,” I insisted.
• He sighed in defeat as I adjusted my dress and leaned in to kiss him. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
• “Promise?” he asked.
• “Promise.”
• I picked up my bag and started to leave, but then decided to leave the diamond box here—it was our future home, after all. No sense in moving things back and forth.
• “I’ll just drop this upstairs,” I told him, heading toward his bedroom.
• Once inside, I felt a thrill of excitement as I took in the familiar yet awe-inspiring space. This would be our future bedroom. I walked over to the wardrobe, placing the box inside, but as I turned to close it, my hand accidentally knocked over a stack of documents.
• Papers scattered onto the floor, and I hurried to pick them up, not wanting Jackson to walk in on the mess. But then… my fingers brushed against something that made my heart stop.
• A marriage certificate.
• I stared at it, reading the words over and over, feeling the world tilt beneath me. Jackson’s name was printed clearly on the document, but beside it was a woman’s name—someone else. My mind went blank. My heart thundered, and I felt a hollow, numbing ache spread through me as the certificate slipped from my trembling fingers, fluttering to the floor.
• Just then, Jackson entered the room, stopping dead in his tracks as his eyes met mine. He looked at the paper on the floor, and I watched as his expression crumbled. A tear slipped down my cheek, and my face, once filled with love and trust, now held nothing but betrayal and heartbreak.
• “So I was nothing but a cheap mistress all these years?”