Female Novel
Chapter 35
Chapter 35 “Chelsea, don’t do this. You don’t know what you’re saying.” I feel Dave’s strong hands
around my right arm tighten. I glare up into his blue eyes. Our eyes interlock, and for a brief second, I
am contained by lust. But the moment ends swiftly, and I pull my hand away, pushing him violently
against the wall. “Don’t you touch me!” I hurl at him. I take a large step away from him and turn back to
Christie. “Come on, sister. Let’s get out of here!” “I can’t, Chelsea, Sebastian is my fiancée.” “So you’re
choosing a man over your own sister?” I stared at her in shock “Chelsea, please don’t do this,” Christie
cries, her tears running wild down her face. Now is the time for me to make a quick exit. My suitcases
thud on each step as I hurl them down the stairs. My sister trails behind me, upset as ever. “Chelsea,
wait! Please do not leave!” Just as I reach the large white double doors, 1 drop my suitcases and turn
to face her again. “Why don’t you just ask Sebastian Christie? Ask him if he’s really going to exploit
poor villagers in Kenya, just for the sake of finding some documents?”
Her breathing is unstable as she turns to face Sebastian. “Sebastian… is this true? Are you really going
to pay the workers next to nothing? And use children?” He is finding it difficult to answer her question.
From where he stands near the staircase, Dave is just watching the scene.
A few moments pass, and Sebastian still does not respond. “I asked you a question, Sebastian!” my
sister yells. I have never seen her so distraught. “Yes… well…somewhat” of it is true. But this isn’t your
business, Christie! Or Chelsea’s!” he shouts, raising his head to glare at my sister.
“Who cares if it’s my business? You have been lying to me this whole time! I care just as much about
charity and Kenya as Chelsea. How could you do this?!” “It’s business, Christie! What About That,
Don’t You Understand?” His tone becomes calmer. “If you want to leave, there’s the door.” Sebastian
strides away, disappearing in the direction of his study. His verbal assault appears to have left
everyone stunned. Even Dave. I get the feeling no one has ever heard him explode like that before. But
it is just what my sister needed to hear to be convinced.
She turns to face me, and I see hurt and angry woman. “Chelsea, please wait here while I get Peter
and my things. I’m coming with you,” she says calmly. I nod and turn to head outside.
“Chelsea, please wait!” I let out a deep sigh. I should have known Dave was going to try and stop me
again.
“Just quit it, Dave! Your partner just confessed to everything. I am just glad my sister has finally seen
him for what he is. For what you both are!”
Just then, my sister comes barreling down the stairs with some of her luggage. That was quick. She
looks dishevelled and exhausted. My heart goes out to her.
“Tell your partner the engagement is off!” she snaps at Dave before we tumble our suitcases out thenovelbin
door.
I knew she was angry, but I had no idea she was this furious. Thankfully, the cab has arrived. We load
our luggage into the trunk, and then Christie and I jump inside.
I feel Dave’s eyes on me, but I keep my attention focused ahead. Within seconds, the cab speeds
away, leaving a solemn-looking Dave alone on the marble steps of the mansion. I whip my head
around to stare at him, taking one final snapshot before we separate forever. We’re here, Chelsea,”
Christie whispers as we stand outside the door to our old apartment. I still cannot believe how Christie
was able to buy it back from the new owner in less than a week. A part of me knows she must have
used some of Sebastian’s money to persuade them.
But all’s well that ends well, right? Christie and I are surrounded by luggage and are both physically
and emotionally exhausted. We are still hurting from the men who ripped out our hearts, but at least we
have connected
again. I am so grateful to have her back by my side. Christie nervously turns the doorknob of apartment
sixteen, and we enter nice and slow, as if somewhat afraid of what we will find on the other side.
The apartment is barren, which leaves a sinking feeling in the pit of our stomachs.” Tomorrow we’ll get
our stuff from storage. Until then, we’ll just have to make do,” Christie says softly, noticing my solemn
demeanour.
Although I am ecstatic to be home, the change from living in a luxurious mansion to a tiny two –
bedroom apartment suddenly hits me. Not to mention all the drama and emotion that went along with it.
Christie wraps her arm around my shoulder and pulls me into a big hug. “What do you say we give the
apartment a fresh new makeover this week? You were always good with interior design.” “I love that
idea!”
“Great! Well, welcome home, sweetheart.”
“Welcome home, sis,” I reply, hugging her and Peter tighter. After we settle in with the few belongings
we have, night falls, and before we know it, we hit the hay. The small mattress Christie and I have to
share makes for very limited movement. One slight shift to the right and I encounter the cold, hard,
dusty wooden floor. A shift to the left will leave me face to face with my sister and Peter’s gentle
snoring.
Li prer 35
Outside, the half moon hovers above my window, glimmering among the dark clouds that blanket the
stars. I can almost see the top of some of London’s most famous high-rises, and it is my fixation with
them that perpetuates my insomnia. If I listen closely enough, I can hear the faint sounds of cabs
honking their way through the bustling streets, no doubt taking drunken Londoners home after a big
night out. The thought of partying again with friends makes me feel a little sad. Tomorrow she will call
Catherine and Jane. I continue to toss and turn, only to find my thoughts drifting to Dave. He is so sexy
yet devious. The hurt I feel towards him is unlike anything I have ever felt before. It was the betrayal
that hurt the most.
I am embarrassed to admit that, despite the deception, I am still harbouring love-like feelings for him.
Every time his lips engulfed mine…I was his. I never got over the effect of his touch and how his
slender fingers caressed my body, sending shivers down my spine. But how can I long for someone
that has betrayed my trust? How can I be in love with someone who will take advantage of workers in a
country I care so deeply about? It doesn’t make sense! I’m caught in a battle between my mind and my
heart. I turn to face my sister. Now that the makeup, designer clothes, and handbags are gone, I see
her as who she used to be. Behind the wealthy mask she wore, she is just a woman who wants to be
loved. I imagine that was the reason why she fell so hard for Sebastian in the first place. My sister and I
were in the same boat. I woke up and sat up. The rays of sun streaming in through the windows
immediately blind me. My vision is blurry and my hair is in utter disarray as I gather my senses. I
instantly notice that there is a space on the mattress where Christie and Peter should
be.
I blink twice; I am alone in the apartment. Where the hell are they?
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