Chapter 45: Chapter 45

Zach POV.

"I don't care what she says, it won't stop me from taking the company away from her," I said, stepping out from the changing room and coming to face Noah, who had an exhausted look on his face.

"Man, I don't even know what to tell you anymore. She apologized to you for god's sake".

"She didn't mean it" I maintained, refusing to acknowledge the helplessness I had felt days ago at the restaurant after she left. It had almost felt like she'd had enough and was leaving me for good, which was stupid since we were not together. Wasn't it my plan to hurt her? So why had I felt so shitty to see her cry? I hated her for what she did to me, but deep down I didn't want her to be in pain, I didn't want her voice to sound so broken as it did today, I didn't want her out of my life, or maybe I did. It was all freaking confusing.

"If she's willing to allow you to get your hands on her company then I'm pretty sure she meant it. Look, it's been five years Zach, you need to stop being so fucking bitter, you might really lose her if you continue on this path".

His words hit deep within me but I scoffed at them, refusing to let go of the hate I felt because it was the only thing I could hold on to if I wanted to avoid getting my heart dashed into pieces again. Vega never loved me, it was all about the money for her, and that hurt more than anything else, so I wasn't going to forgive her. Noah was just being borderline ridiculous to even think I cared about Vega. She lost me, and that was that. "We're not together Noah, why do you think I'm going to lose her? I don't care about her"

"Yeah, keep telling yourself that" he snarked and I wanted to shake him just for him to get on my level and be on my side. "If you don't care about her, then why did you break into her house to leave a picture and that stupid note".

"I was just mad that she was having fun".

"Of course, you always have a reason for all your actions but this has got to stop Zach. Vega was my friend and she'd have still been in my life if it weren't for you. I had to cut her off when I agreed to help you with your revenge and do you know why I did that, It was because I felt guilty about you being sent away to military school because deep down I know you blame me and my mother for it".

I waved him off. "It wasn't your fault".

"You fucking say that but I know that you hate me for it Zach" he shouted, standing up from where he sat, his hands clenching in anger. I stared at him surprised that he was angry at me.

I didn't even understand why he was suddenly bringing this up. Did I resent him and his mother a little for what happened to me five years ago? Yes, maybe more than a little sometimes. They could have stopped Dad but they didn't and that hurt more than I let on during my stay at the camp, but that was a long time ago, and Noah had practically been the one to send me letters and encouraged me to fight through it, then he'd helped me out with my revenge plan without even questioning me, until recently.

"You're just trying to pick a fight Noah, and I won't be humoring you," I said, stepping back away from him. He grabbed my hand and pulled me back until we stood face to face.

"Of course, that's what you always do, block people out just because you're too scared to confront your feelings. You're a coward Zach, all you know how to do is run".

"I don't fucking run" I yelled because he was wrong about that. Heck, Vega was wrong about that too. "It's because you all pushed me away after I gave you all my very best. What? Are you surprised to hear that" I shouted, the sudden anger in my chest coming from nowhere? "Do you think that I had wanted to go to military school, did you think I enjoyed all those countless dinners where what you all did was tear me down and remind me of what a failure I was? You never had to go through that Noah, so stop fucking acting like you're the victim here".

"You say it like you're the only one who suffered. I had to be perfect because of you, I had to do everything right just because you kept fucking everything up by trying to ruin the family name" he yelled in my face and I shoved him off so hard, that he tumbled back into his seat, his eyes widening in shock as he stared at me.

"I didn't put a gun to your head and asked you to do all those things, did I? Stop trying to make this about your struggling because we both know who had it worse. Father never loved my mom and that hate transferred to me even after she died, and then you and your mother came into our lives. He supported your career but said that I couldn't pursue mine, he told me that it was business or nothing else, and then I got my heart broken, then the scandal started with rumors circulating that weren't even true most of the time but you all chose to believe it because you'd already assigned me the role of the family black sheep right? Right!? . I don't even have to explain shit to you because you witnessed everything I went through".

"It's always about you Zach, your feelings, what you went through, your mom's death, and all that. You don't care about how I feel, even tho I've put myself on the line for you countless times, and you're doing the same thing to Vega. You're not the only one who got hurt Zach and even tho you made yourself vulnerable and told her about what you really felt, all that was destroyed when you told her that you were only playing games with her, now all those memories are tainted, and whenever she thinks of the time you spent together, she's going to doubt that you were ever truthful".

"I think you should leave Noah. I want to be alone" I said, turning my back on him.

I heard him get to his feet. "Aren't you tired of being alone? You've made all these billions but all you have is hate in your heart. You have no one to share all that you achieved with, no one to call your own, no one to fucking love you. I think by now, it should be clear to you that being successful, and achieving so much in a short period will not make you happy".

"I'm fucking happy, you're just too blind to see it. Father is finally proud of me, and your Mom called me her son even if it killed her too. I'm fucking ecstatic" I said, turning to face him even tho I knew everything I said was all lies. The ache in my chest never went away, it only got worse, and even now, taking revenge on Vega was starting to hurt. Nothing was ever going to take away the ache no matter what I did.

Noah sighed, then dragged his hand through his hair. "I wasn't going to tell you this but Ryan Mickelson has been trying to get Vega's attention".

"The guy she danced with at the club," I asked, the memory making my mouth sour. I hadn't felt rage like that for ages and anytime his name came up, I still felt like committing murder.

"Yes, I looked into it so you should also know they were once classmates and Vega might have liked him at a point in time."

"Just pay him off and ask him to stay away from her" I ordered, the hate I felt for the guy multiplying.

"That won't work, and it's because I already tried it. He seems to be really into her and with how determined he was, I won't be surprised if Vega falls for him".

The thought of that had my heart clenching. "Offer him more money, I'm sure he can be bought just like the others".

Noah shook his head. "Not this time Zach. Ryan Mickelson is a business tycoon. He doesn't need your money."

"So what are you trying to tell me"

"I'm just trying to say you won't be able to stop Vega from having a relationship this time, and once she falls in love with another man, then you'll lose her forever".

"Vega is mine until I'm done with my revenge. This Ryan Mickelson guy is not going anywhere near her" I growled, meaning every word of it and Noah gave me a look, but I didn't care. The thought of anyone having Vega made me see red and I wasn't going to analyze the reason why. But I sure as hell wasn't going to let any Ryan Mickelson near her.