Chapter 20
Soren’s POV
Celia’s saddened and disappointed expression lingers in my thoughts. The image would not leave me alone, forcing me to stare at her tear brimmed eves, the way her bottom lip trembled when I dismisses her and the other Healers.
My inner wall has grown so rabid and restless alter the encounter. He bites and nips at the back of my mind. His growls and barks add to the sharp pain behind my eyes, rendering me useless for minutes at a time
Mate! It barks and howls at me. Fated mate!
It’s nonsense to me. As time tricks on, the word imprints itself in my mind.
Mare…is that what Celia is to me?
Before, I thought she was only with me because of her financial situation. My immense amount of money is something that not everybody has. An unlimited line of credit and wealth is sure to make any woman swoon and fall at my feet. It’s what made her fall to my feet, right? Does Celia love me? Does she still harbor positive affection towards me?
She fought so valiantly to gain my favor earlier, wanting me to know the truth. I didn’t believe her, though, and chose to stand by my fated mate instead of her. She’s just a common woman…
Tlook at Bianca. She stands not too far away, her fingers typing away on her phone before she brings it to her ear. Bianca glances at me and smiles before disappearing behind a wall.
This is my chosen mate. Someone who doesn’t even recognize the immense amount of pain that I am subjected to. If Celia were here, she would be massaging my scalp and would have already put a cold compress over my eyes to ease the heat that formed under my skin.
“…the lost princess…no!” Her voice is faint but just loud enough for me to hold onto some of the words she says.
I stand from the bed, silently making my way to the door. Her voice grows louder and louder the closer I get to her. I stand outside the door, tilting my ear towards the crack.
“Yes, I understand. I will not let anyone know. Yes! Nobody will find out! I promise!” Bianca’s voice rises before she suddenly goes quiet. I make my way back to the bed and plop down, the pain behind my eyes growing by the second.
Bianca enters the room, hands on her hips. She stands at the foot of the bed and I watch herm raising an eyebrow.
“Soren?” Bianca says my name too easily. “You still think of Cella as my substitute, right? You hold no feelings of love or affection towards her.”
No words come out of my mouth. I’m unable to form a sentence, let alone an excuse, for how I feel towards Celia. I blink at her, my cheeks heating from the pain inside my skull.
Staring at Bianca’s face, my mind replaces her image with Celia’s.
“So,” Bianca scolls, circling the bed. She stands next to me, looking down. “You really do care about that substitute, don’t you?!” Her voice is loud, making my ears ring.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Blanca,” I respond, stunned by her sudden confrontation.
“Face it, Soren! You have feelings for her! You would have never given her the chance to explain herself earlier today when we visited your mother!” Blanca screeches. I wince. “You always look for her whenever we enter a room too! Don’t think I haven’t noticed that, either!” I avert my gaze and stare at the ceiling.
Could Bianca bo correct? H Have I all of a sudden found waysell entangled with Cella? Do care about her?
