His Rejected Mate, His Obsession

CHASE

I walked into my bedroom, numb, my mind all over the place. I hadn't expected to see Kiara today. I hadn't even expected to ever see her again.

I thought I was done. I thought I had buried the past. I thought what she did to me didn't matter anymore.

But the second I saw her face, everything I'd locked away for six goddamn years exploded in my chest like it never left.

She betrayed me. She humiliated me.

And now what? She had a kid?

A kid. Which meant she might be married. Living her life. Doing just fine while I was stuck in this limbo.

It was like none of it ever meant anything to her. Like I never meant anything.

I sank into a chair, gripping the edge, trying not to let the thoughts drown me, but they were louder than ever. The image of her holding that little boy. His eyes. His smile. That kid didn't just exist. That kid belonged to her.

The woman who once begged me to love her. Who once looked at me like I was the only one.

Now she had someone else. She'd moved on.

And I felt like a fool for still caring.

The worst part? I missed her. I missed her like a sick addict and hated myself for it.

I tried to shift my focus. Tried to think about Kylie. About the woman who had stood beside me after Kiara ruined everything. The woman who was waiting patiently for me to finally choose her.

But even that didn't bring peace.

Being with Kylie always felt... tiring. Forced. There was nothing wrong with her. She was sweet, she was loyal, she wanted me. But I just couldn't feel what I was supposed to feel.

Still, I didn't want to hurt her. After everything she'd done.

A knock pulled me from my thoughts. I didn't move right away.

"Your Highness," someone called through the door.

I stood and opened it slowly. A palace guard.

"What?" I said, my voice sharper than I intended.

"Miss Kylie is here to see you. She's waiting in the tea room."

I wanted to turn her away. I wanted to be alone.

But Kiara's face was still flashing through my mind. That hollow smile she gave me like I was just another stranger.

I sighed and ran a hand down my face. "Tell her I'll be there soon."

⸻

When I walked into the tea room, Kylie was already seated, waiting with that practiced hopeful look in her eyes.

"Chase!" she said, like she hadn't seen me in years.

I gave a nod and walked over, not sitting just yet.

"It's late. What are you doing here?"

"I... I just wanted to see you. It's been weeks since we last spoke. I was getting worried," she said with a soft voice, almost fragile.

I knew she worried too much. I knew she always felt unsure about us, like I was going to disappear.

And maybe it was because I kept letting her.

I should try harder with her. That's what I told myself. Kiara had clearly moved on. She had a whole damn child and probably a husband too. I needed to stop being so stuck in the past.

These were just old feelings. That's all.

"I'm sorry about the distance. I've just been busy. I'll make more time for you soon," I told her.

Her face lit up like a little kid getting a gift. "You really mean that? You'll spend more time with me?"

"Yeah. I will."

There was a silence before I added, "But it's already late. You should head home."

Her smile faltered, like a candle flickering out.

"I... I was thinking... maybe I could stay the night. We've been engaged for a while now and..."

I cut her off without even thinking. I didn't want to hear it.

"No. Go home, Kylie."

She tried to smile again, but her eyes gave her away. She was hurting.

"Okay. I get it. But Chase... if you're not over my sister, you can tell me. What happened back then... it was horrible for all of us."

I looked away. The guilt was starting to push down hard. She didn't deserve this. She had stood by me when everyone else was too ashamed to look me in the eye.

"Why are you bringing her up?"

"I just... I just don't want to be forcing something if you're still hung up on her. I know how charming she is. I know forgetting her isn't easy."

She dropped her gaze again, and this time it hit deeper.

"I'm not thinking about her," I said too quickly. "That part of my life is over."

The lie sat heavy on my tongue.

"You sure?" she whispered.

"Yeah. So stop worrying. Go home. I'll find you when I'm less busy."

She nodded, smiling even though her face still looked like it wanted to cry. Then she walked out.

I slumped into the nearest chair.

But no matter what I told Kylie, no matter what I told myself, Kiara was still in my head.

I couldn't erase the way her son clung to her. The way she looked at him.

That kid. That damn kid.

Who was his father?

Why did the question bother me so much?

I should hate her. But all I could think about was the possibility that he was mine.

And if he was...

I wasn't going to let her get away with hiding that from me.

Not this time.