Chapter 148
Chapter 148
SAGE
I need to find them. I can’t leave without finding them. But how? I don’t know where to start.
“Please, tell me, exactly what happened?” I urged Gertrude.
She wiped her tears before she started talking. “When I read your letter, I knew something was wrong. But I trust that you know what you’re doing, so I go along with it. In the first few days since you were gone, I still managed to calm the kids down. But every day, they keep on asking questions we have no answer to. We tried to explain to them, but you know your kids; they are smart.”
“And then, two days ago, when we called them for breakfast, they were gone,” Robert continued. “God knows how much we tried to look for them.”
“It’s not your fault,” I assured them as I reached for Gertrude’s hand on the table. “I just have to figure out where to start.
“How about you? Are you okay?” Gertrude asked; concern was etched on her face. “We were worried about you.”
I forced a smile on my face. “I’m fine. You don’t have to worry about me. The past has already caught up with me. Now, I have to stop running and face them.”
“Are you sure you’ll be alright? Is there anything we can do to help you?” Robert asked worriedly.
“You’ve done more than enough, Robert. It’s time for me to fix this alone,” I replied.
Gertrude was sayinit
something when suddenly I heard another voice coming from somewhere. I quickly turned around to check if there’s anyone there, but there’s nothing.
“Where are you?” said the thundering voice inside
my
head.
“Sage, are you okay?” Gertrude asked when she noticed my confusion.
“I’m amazed that despite the circumstances, you still dared to escape?” said the voice inside my head.
It didn’t take long for me to realize what was happening. He was using our mind link to communicate.
“Fuck you!” I cursed, which sent the old couple into confusion. “Oh, I’m sorry. I wasn’t talking to the two of you,” I quickly cleared it out.
“What’s going on with you, sweetheart?” Gertrude asked worriedly.
“Don’t worry about this, Gertrude. Please excuse me for a moment. I’ll just handle this,” I excuse myself.
Without waiting for a response, I rushed out of the room, searching for a private space. I found an empty bedroom and closed the door behind me before exhaling sharply.
“What do you want?” I hissed at Titus, my hands trembling with frustration.
“Go home. Now,” he commanded.
I scoffed. “I can’t. I’m kind of busy right now.”
His voice dropped into something darker, more dangerous. “That wasn’t a request, kitten.”
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Chapter 148
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Before I could respond, a sharp, painful pressure tightened around my thigh. I gasped, stumbling slightly as the enchanted bracelet he had placed on me constricted like an iron shackle.
“Sh*t!” I cursed under my breath, gripping my leg. “Stop it, Titus!”
“Not until you come back,” he said coolly.
“I will go back, okay? Just give me time. I’m kind of busy with an important matter right now,” I said, trying to convince him.
A chill ran down my spine as a shadow flickered before me, solidifying into a familiar figure. My breath hitched as I quickly got up from the bed and then took a step back, my back pressing against the wall.
Titus stood there, tall and imposing, his piercing gaze locked onto mine. But something was off. He wasn’t supposed to be here. I knew he was still at the palace–so how?
I swallowed hard. “How… how are you here?”
He smirked, tilting his head slightly. “I’m not. Not physically, at least.”
“Our bond allows me to do more than just speak into your mind,” he continued, stepping closer. “I can be here. In a way. I can see you… hear you… even touch you.”
I scoffed, folding my arms. “That’s impossible.”
His smirk deepened as he took the distance separating us. I gasped when he leaned closer and planted a soft kiss on my lips. I was utterly shocked when I felt his lips touch mine.
I gasped. “I… I felt that.”
Titus‘ eyes gleamed with satisfaction. “Of course, you did.” His expression darkened slightly as he observed me. “Now, where are we?” he said, his voice softer this time.
I clenched my jaw. “I can’t go home right now. I have important matters to attend to. I can’t talk to you right now. I’m busy.” His eyes darkened with frustration, his jaw clenching as he took a slow, deep breath. “Busy?” he repeated, his voice dripping with disbelief. “Do you even have the slightest idea where I am and what I’m doing right now, kitten?”
I crossed my arms, refusing to back down. “I don’t care,” I shot back without hesitation.
He exhaled sharply, raking a hand through his dark hair. “Damn it, Sage,” he muttered, his tone laced with exasperation. “You’re going to drive me insane.”
His words should have intimidated me, but instead, they only fueled my defiance.
He let out a rough sigh before continuing, “I’m in the middle of taking down an underground operation. One that’s been kidnapping, torturing, and selling people like us. I’m out here risking my damn life, saving those who can’t save themselves.” He paused, his gaze locking onto mine with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. “And yet, here I am. Wasting precious time, making sure you don’t get yourself killed.”
For a moment, I was speechless. I hadn’t expected that. But I refused to let his words shake me.
“Then maybe you should focus on what’s in front of you instead of worrying about me,” I said stubbornly.
His lips pressed into a thin line, his patience wearing dangerously thin. “Oh, believe me, Sage,” he said, his voice low and controlled. “I can do both.”
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Chapter 148
Silence stretched between us, heavy and tense. Then, suddenly, his hand reached for my waist, pulling me forward until I was nearly pressed against him.
“If you
don’t come back,” he murmured, his breath ghosting over my lips, “then you left me with no choice but to do this.”
A sharp cry escaped my lips as the bracelet on my thigh tightened, sending a wave of unbearable pain through my entire body. It felt like fire burning beneath my skin, spreading through my veins with every unbearable pulse. My legs shook beneath me, my body weak from the torment, but I refused to collapse.
Gritting my teeth, I clung to the edge of the dresser, my nails digging into the wood as I fought to stay on my feet. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me break. I wouldn’t let him win.
The silence between us was thick, heavy with tension, but the pain made it impossible to think straight. My chest rose and fell in quick, uneven breaths, my vision blurring at the edges.
“S–Stop…” I gasped, my voice barely above a whisper. My pride was crumbling, and I was on the verge of giving in.
Titus remained unmoved, his voice calm yet firm. “It will only stop once you’re back where you belong,” he said.
His words sent a chill through me, colder than the pain coursing through my body. I had no choice. If I didn’t go back, the pain would only get worse.
“Please, let me stay,” I begged, my voice trembling with desperation. “I swear, I’ll go back as soon as I’m done here.” My heart pounded as I clutched at the last shred of hope. I couldn’t leave, not when my children were still missing.
But Titus didn’t care. His voice remained firm, unwavering. “The answer is no, Sage. I want you back at my place. Now.”
Panic surged through me. “Titus, please-
Before I could finish, the connection between us snapped, like a cord being cut. He was gone, leaving me in silence.
I staggered back, gripping the dresser for support. He was gone. Just like that.
Despite the unbearable pain surging through every fiber of my being, I remained stubborn. I can’t go back, not until I’m sure that my kids are safe. Even if it means enduring this excruciating pain.
