ROWAN My feet immediately stopped on the spot the moment those words left his mouth.
I stood there completely still.
Please don’t let it be what I was thinking.
My heart started pounding so hard that I could practically hear it in my ears.
Do not tell me he tailed me last night.
Do not tell me he saw me go to the club and watched a man take me home.
No…
That couldn’t be possible.
Could it?
I swallowed once, took a deep breath, and forced every trace of surprise off my face before I turned back to him.
I gave him the most disgusting, grim look I could manage and let out a loud, mocking scoff.
“You know something, Kelvin?” I tilted my head, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
“You know what I’ve learned about cheaters?” I folded my arms across my chest.
“It is that once they cheat and get caught, they start accusing everyone around them.
They manipulate the story until the person they hurt starts looking like the guilty one too.” I took a step closer, eyes locked on his.
“You want to manipulate me into thinking I also cheated so I’ll forgive you, right?” He didn’t answer.
He just kept staring at me.
I let out a short, bitter laugh.
“Well, I’m sorry, DEAR EX.” I emphasized the last two words.
“But it isn’t going to happen….
A cheater deserves a cheater,” I continued, my voice becoming colder.
“And you deserve my rival.
So go meet him and spend the rest of your life with him.” My heart was still racing.
I was trying so hard to keep my emotions under control, but I doubted it was working.
Kelvin stayed silent, watching me carefully, searching for any crack in my expression that would confirm his suspicion.
I refused to give him one.
Don’t react, Rowan.
Whatever he thought he knew, I wasn’t going to help him prove it.
I cleared my throat nervously.
“When you’re done with whatever shit and lies you’re spinning, do well to get the hell away from my doorstep.” I turned and stepped inside, ready to slam the door in his face.
I was about to close it when a strong force pushed from the other side, making it impossible.
My eyes widened.
“Kelvin!” I threw all my weight against the door, trying to keep him out.
“Get out!” But he was stronger.
He pushed harder from the other side, forcing the door open.
I stumbled backward as he stepped inside, pushing me slightly aside as though this was his house.
My mouth fell open.
What the fuck was wrong with this man?
“Are you serious right now?” He completely ignored me.
Instead, he walked further inside like he had every right to be there.
Then, to make matters worse, he casually dropped himself onto my couch.
I stood there for a few seconds, completely speechless.
The audacity was almost impressive.
I looked toward the kitchen.
A dark, violent urge flashed through me.
For a split second I wanted to walk straight into the kitchen, grab a knife, and end this bastard right there.
If I were some evil killer who couldn’t control my emotions, this bastard probably wouldn’t have made it past my front door.
Thankfully, I wasn’t.
So instead, I took a deep breath and pointed toward the door.
“Why are you in my house?” He didn’t answer.
He simply leaned back on my couch like he was the owner of the house.
I stared at him in disbelief.
Was he actually comfortable?
In my house?
After everything he had done?
I raised my hand again and pointed firmly toward the door.
“Leave.
This instant….
If you do not leave, I am going to call the cops on you.” I expected at least a little fear.
Instead, Kelvin looked at me as though he knew I wouldn’t actually do it.
I couldn’t even blame him for thinking I wouldn’t call the cops.
Because, if I was being completely honest with myself, I knew I probably wouldn’t.
A tiny part of me still cared about that motherfucking idiot.
I hated admitting it, but it was the truth.
After everything he had done, after all the tears and anger, there was still a small part of me that didn’t want to see him get hurt or get into serious trouble.
Maybe that was my biggest weakness.
I cared too much.
And Kelvin knew it.
I took a deep breath and decided to stop giving him any attention.
If I ignored him long enough, surely he would eventually get tired and leave.
At least, that was what I hoped.
So I didn’t say another word.
I walked around the living room, looking for something—anything—to do that would take my mind off him and make it look like he didn’t even exist.
There was nothing.
The house felt too uncomfortable and weird with both of us inside.
I couldn’t focus on a single thing.
I glanced at him sitting comfortably on my couch.
How did my own house suddenly become uncomfortable because of one person?
I sighed.
There was no point staying here.
I would simply change my clothes and leave.
If Kelvin wanted to sit there like he owned the place, fine.
I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of knowing he was getting under my skin.
I walked past him without saying a word and headed toward my bedroom.
The moment I got inside, I shut the door firmly behind me.
I wasn’t taking any chances.
I didn’t need him following me into my room too.
I quickly changed out of my clothes and picked something casual.
After getting dressed, I stood in front of the mirror, nodded in satisfaction, and sprayed a light fragrance on my neck and wrists.
Then I opened the door..
The second the door swung open, I saw him standing directly outside my bedroom door.
I hadn’t even seen him there.
He must have been leaning against the wall because the moment I opened the door….
“Ahh—fuck!” he groaned loudly as he lost his balance and fell hard onto the floor.
“Shit… my back…” He was now lying there, blocking my path, still groaning in pain and holding his side.
I ignored him completely.
I stepped over his body without even looking down and walked toward the sitting room.
I picked up my car keys from the table and was about to head out when I felt him right behind me again.
Before I could take another step, his hand shot out and gripped my wrist tightly, forcing me to stop.
Why was he always so quick to grab me?
Didn’t he understand how disgusting his touch felt on my skin?
Did I really need to say it to him again before he finally stopped putting his hands on me?
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“None of your fucking business!” I screamed, yanking my wrist free and shoving his hand away hard.
He suddenly burst into a deep, devilish laugh.
The sound made my skin crawl.
I couldn’t help but wonder what the hell was so funny “You’re going back to that same club, right?” he said, still laughing under his breath.
“You’re going to that same place you went last night.
You’re going to get fucked by him again, aren’t you?” His eyes locked onto mine, sharp and filled with accusations.
“You think I don’t know?