Chapter 97: Chapter 97

No. I wanted to shake my head in disagreement. How could it be as Rex says? Of course, Rex is the closest to me. How could he not have space in my heart?

It came to a point where I eagerly awaited Rex's arrival. To reveal to him that I wanted him and that I had begun to feel the same way he did. That I don't find his flirting clingy or weird.

However, it's too late to say all this. Wyatt and I are joined, and nothing can change that.

Regardless of what I say, not even my sincere confession could get Rex and me together. Rather, it'll make me appear selfish. It'll make it seem as if I wanted Wyatt and Rex at the same time. Moreover, it'll put Wyatt in an awkward position.

Wyatt had done a lot for me; the last thing I'll ever do is let him down.

Although I'm hurt about how things played out with Rex in the end, I don't want to leave Wyatt. I like Wyatt a lot. My quivering lips parted slightly. "I..."

Rex ran his hand through his hair and let go of me, a reproaching smile on his face. "I really wanted to kidnap you regardless. Fuck you and claim you until you're completely mine. Bruise you regardless of how you felt inside, but somehow I still choose your happiness over myself. I couldn't bear to hurt you." He whispered breathlessly, his pain evident in his soft voice and his hands falling to his sides.

I couldn't help the tears that streamed down my eyes. It felt as if my heart was plunged into a hole. I've always known Rex never cared about me; he always put me first, regardless of what.

However, I've always been selfish toward him. Just like now, I still choose myself over Rex—over his happiness.

I'm such a vile person. I'm not a worthy person. Perhaps Rex should have never known me; perhaps he should've never reconnected with such a vile person as me. In that way, he won't be in his current position.

Suddenly, Rex backed away from me and roared disparagingly, shaking the forest. I trembled, my heart gripping with pain.

Rex's red eyes turned more bloodshot, and I couldn't help but feel scared at what was happening to him. He must be feeling myriads of pains that I can never estimate. It must hurt a lot inside Rex now, right?

Wyatt's hand took hold of mine, and he caressed my hand softly as if to comfort me and stop me from blaming myself. "Don't blame her; it's my fault. She called for Rex. Initially, she wanted to call you herself, but she forgot her phone at the mansion. I'm selfish; I can't bear to let her go, so I let her know the truth about us being mates. She never knew all this time…"

"Quiet!” Rex roared loudly and glared at Wyatt coldly, his eyes filled with pain, malicious intent, and killing intent.

“Shut up. Why do you have to explain? Why do you have to tell me? Why, you son of a bitch?" Rex roared and threw punches at the tree, his every punch driving a hole into the poor tree. The poor tree began to shake as if it'd soon fall if Rex continued the assault.

I understand the reason behind Rex's loud bellow. Had Wyatt not explained the truth of that morning, Rex might still have a reason to hate me. However, with Wyatt's explanation, I knew Rex would forever have no choice but to blame himself for losing me.

He'll have to blame himself for being slow. If he hadn't arrived late or if he hadn't disappeared for a while due to his schedule, none of this would have happened. I could have been his. We could have been preparing to get together by now. However, reality is cruel. Humbling men and making fun of the lot!

Rex slowly straightened up and patted his hand as if he already had a leash on his emotions. His eyes turned blank, and he lowered his head to stare at me with blaséness. Just a few distances apart, it felt as if we were worlds apart and we were nothing but strangers.

Rex's lips suddenly curled up, and before I could process it, Rex turned. Within seconds, his whole figure had disappeared from the forest, and I guess my whole life as a whole.

It felt as if the temperature dropped with Rex's departure. I suddenly got cold all over, and I shivered. My brain began to process all that had just happened.

Rex. Rex is gone? How could he be gone? I furrowed my brows in confusion. I had just connected with Rex a few weeks ago. How could he be already gone? But he. He…

I shook my head and tried to deny the fact, but I couldn't. I could vividly remember all that happened. Even if I didn't want to, my brain kept replaying all that happened. But...

Rex only told me what he wanted to do; he didn't blame me, nor did he let anything out. That's so abnormal! Rex, how could he leave without scolding me?

"Rex, stop playing jokes on me; didn't you promise to protect me forever? Rex, you're this princess's bodyguard; how can you leave without this princess's order? Rex, come out now. Rex." I yelled out into the forest while shivering due to the cold.

My brain kept playing out how Rex and I met, how we had both gone through life, how the people close to us had both hurt us the most and how he had patiently taught me while teasing me and flirting with me—calling himself cute Filippa's Hubby.

“Rex,” I whispered, my voice shaky and brittle. No! How can Rex leave? Perhaps Rex just wanted me to shout louder. Yes, that must be it! That must be it.

I placed my palm close to my lips and yelled into the forest, "Rex."

However, I was replied with silence, Rex's figure long gone. I couldn't catch a trace of him. I couldn't help but realize that I'd lost Rex. That I've lost him forever!

At this realization, a sense of weakness invaded my whole being and overwhelmed me. A deep pain gripped my heart.

I staggered back and almost collapsed, but Wyatt held me from behind, stopping my fall.

My heart tightened with pain. A raw pain overtook a part of me. A part of me suddenly began to hurt, as if it were getting cruelly disengaged from me. It felt as if I'd never become whole again.

I suddenly felt cold, and I couldn't help but shiver. My whole self turned dazed due to the pain.

Wyatt turned me to him and hugged me close. I grabbed Wyatt's sleeve and stared at him with teary eyes. "Wyatt, Rex is gone forever now, right? I won't see him again, right? He won't come over to teach me anymore, right? I've lost my best friend forever, right? This is permanent, right?" I cried out, my whole body shaking in his hand.

Wyatt engulfed me in a hug and patted my back.

I remembered how I was happily expecting Rex to take me out to sight-see; I guess there'll be no more of that.

I remember planning to spend my earnings on him as a form of gratitude. There'll be none of that anymore as well.

There won't be that person who knows my identity the best. There won't be that guy who likes to flirt with me or act as if he doesn't care about me when he is the one who protects me the most. There won't be...

"It hurts. It hurts a lot." I cried out to Wyatt while gripping my chest. I've lost my parents. Now I've also lost Rex. Am I fated to lose people who have always gotten close to me? Am I so maleficent?

Wyatt hugged me and made me lay my face on his chest. "It's fine, babe. Cry it out, babe. I'm here for you." He wrapped his hand around me and purred at me.

Rex and I have had a close bond ever since we were young. He had always understood me well, and I can't believe that I won't have to see him anymore.

Despite the fact that I caused many things, Rex didn't let out any angry words to me. It would have been okay if he had told me that he hated me to my face. It would have been okay.

The more these thoughts ran through my mind, the more I cried while Wyatt kept consoling me, and soon I turned completely dazed and lost my reasoning.

A few seconds, minutes, or hours later, I felt Wyatt carry me.

In the next minute, I felt myself get placed on the bed.

Wyatt meticulously removed my shoes and socks before tucking me into bed and then covering me with a blanket.

He planted a kiss on my forehead. "Baby, it's been a long day. Sleep for me, okay?"

I grabbed Wyatt's hand and stared at him pitifully. "Wyatt, I'm sorry. I'm such trouble. Because of me, you got..."

“Shhhh!” Wyatt interrupted and planted a soft kiss on my lips.

“Wyatt, I'm not annoyed at you. And I believe that you didn't use tricks. And to me, you're not despicable." I mumbled and found myself succumbing to a deep sleep.

"That's fine. As long as I have you, other things don't matter." I heard him whisper before he planted a final kiss on my lips.