Chapter 86
Zabelle’s face was a mixture of confusion, hurt, betrayal, and anger
“Zabelle, wait-“Antonio started, taking a step toward her.
But she held up a hand, her expression hardening. “Don’t,” she ld, her voice low and shaking. She immediately turned and walked away much to Antonio’s dismay.
Antonio’s chest tightened, and he turned to face Vanessa, his hands curling into fists. “You don’t get to walk away from this,” he hissed, his voice trembling with rage.
Vanessa smirked, though it was shaky, and she moved back so she could avoid him. “Oh, I think I already have.”
Antonio took a step closer, his fury boiling over, but he stopped himself at the last second. He never touched women, no matter how much they deserved it.
“You’re pathetic,” he said instead, his words cutting like a blade. And you better watch your back.”
Back in the main hall, Zabelle sat back down at her seat and in her hand was now a glass of alcohol.
Her hand trembled slightly as she brought it to her lips and she drank it, her mind replaying the scene over and over.
She had been worried about Antonio and had gone to check on Him when he didn’t come back but who knew who he would be with her sister.
Her heart clenched, and she felt tears rush to the back of her eyes. When Jeremy had betrayed her, she thought no pain would be able to compare to that, but she was wrong, very wrong
The pain she was feeling right now was eating her deep and all she wanted to do was to forget it. Grabbing another glass of alcohol, she gulped it down in one go.
Antonio found her moments later, his steps hesitant. “Zabelle,” he said softly, as he sat beside her.
She turned to him, her eyes filled with unshed tears and anger. “Why?”
“It’s not what you think,” he started as he ran his fingers through his hair roughly. The fact that he was uneasy coupled with what was happening made him on edge.
She shook her head, her lips tightening. “I don’t want to hear it. understand why.”
Her tone wasn’t loud, but it was enough to stop him in his tracks
He could see the pain in her eyes. It felt like she was disappointed in him. He didn’t see such disappointment even when he had been an asshole to her while they were on their honeymoon
He could understand how the situation looked in her eyes.
Antonio took a deep breath, his jaw clenching as he processed the hurt and anger in Zabelle’s eyes.
His own frustration was boiling over–not just at Vanessa but at himself for allowing the situation to escalate.
He couldn’t stay here, not with what Zabelle was going through.
“We’re leaving.” Antonio announced firmly,
Zabelle looked at him in surprise. “No. We’re not,” she responded as she grabbed another glass of alcohol with the intention of drinking it.
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Chapter 86
However, Antonio didn’t allow her to do so as he grabbed the glass and placed it down. He didn’t wait for her to argue.
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Taking her hand gently but firmly, he made her get up, and they started to make their way out, ignoring the curious stares and whispered speculations from the other guests.
Vanessa, lurking in the shadows, smirked as they passed her, clearly pleased with the chaos she had caused. As long as Zabelle wasn’t happy with Antonio, that was a win in her book.
Antonio’s grip on Zabelle’s hand was firm but not forceful, She didn’t resist as that wouldn’t speak well of their marriage in front of others, though her steps were stiff, her posture rigid.
The silence between them was heavy as they exited the grand hall and stepped into the cool night air.
The valet hurried to retrieve Antonio’s car, sensing the tension.
When the black vehicle pulled up, Antonio opened the passenger door for Zabelle.
She hesitated for a moment, her eyes darting to his, searching for something–an explanation, maybe, or an apology. But Antonio didn’t speak.
Reluctantly, she slid into the seat, and he closed the door behind her before going around the car and getting in himself.
The drive was tense, the silence broken only by the engine starting.
Zabelle stared out of the window, her arms crossed as she sniffed back the tears, while Antonio clenched his fists to the point that his knuckles turned white.
He was running over the events in his mind, piecing together the strange sensations he was still feeling and Vanessa’s actions
Something wasn’t right.
When they reached a red light, Antonio glanced at Zabelle
She was still staring out of the window. His chest tightened at the thought of her believing Vanessa’s manipulative act.
“Zabelle,” he called softly, his voice breaking the silence.
She didn’t respond, her gaze fixed on the window.
He sighed and tightened his fists just as the light turned green. “We’re stopping at the hospital,” he declared
Zabelle finally turned to him, her brows knitting in confusion. “What? Why?”
“I think I was drugged,” he admitted, his voice laced with frustration. “I need to get checked out. They can run some tests and give me whatever antidote I might need.”
Zabelle’s eyes widened slightly, but her expression quickly hardened again. “And you’re just figuring this out now?” she asked, her tone sharp.
Antonio didn’t respond immediately. He exhaled through his nose, trying to keep his feelings under control
“I’m telling you because I need you to understand this isn’t what at looked like back there. Whatever Vanessa did, it wasn’t my choice. She came up on me and I pushed her immediately.”
Her lips pressed into a thin line, and she turned away again.
“Really, are you not going to say anything?” Antonio scoffed. He had just told her what happened, and she didn’t even bother to respond.
Chapter 86
When they pulled into the hospital parking lot, the driver parked the car and Antonio turned to her. “Come inside with me.” he requested in a quiet voice
However, Zabelle shook her head in refusal. “I’ll wait here,” she said firmly, not meeting his eyes.
Antonio hesitated, torn between wanting to convince her and knowing it wasn’t the right moment to push. She was still hurting.
“Fine,” he said in resignation. “But please, don’t believe anything you think you saw tonight. I’ll explain everything when I’m done.”
Without waiting for a response, he stepped out of the car and headed toward the hospital doors.
Zabelle watched him go, her emotions swirling–anger, hurt, confusion, and a sliver of doubt that maybe, just maybe, he was telling the truth.
Antonio didn’t seem like the kind of person to cheat but then again, Jeremy also didn’t seem like that kind of person. Zabelle leaned her head back against the seat and closed her eyes, her hands clenched tightly in her lap.
Even if he wasn’t, it only took something small. She was a nobody compared to Vanessa and the thought made her shrink in her seat.
Without thinking, she grabbed her purse and opened the door. As soon as she got out, she was met by some of Antonio’s guards.
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