apter 110
Chapter 110
~APOLLO-
in that moment, I refused to be swayed by my mother’s threats. My determination was unshakeable as held my mate tightly against me, offering her fierce support despite what anyone else around me thought about it.
“Apollo,” my mother snaps through gritted teeth. “Everyone is watching. We can still salvage this before your reputation takes a hit. You need to let me take her from you.”
Fuck my reputation. That was the last thing on my mind.
“Lana,” I murmur, gently running my fingers through her hair. “Talk to me. What’s wrong? I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere. I can fix whatever it is.
I was doing my best to be gentle with her, as she appears quite vulnerable right now. I knew I had to tread carefully with my words and actions. I wasn’t sure if this was only about the engagement or something else had happened.
I was sure that she would want nothing to do with me after the unjust way I treated her last night. The fact that she was here, holding onto me like tha was a big surprise to me. However, I wasn’t complaining. I loved having her in my arms like this. I fucking wanted it more than anything else in my boring life.
As I felt my mate’s body begin to shake involuntarily in my arms, a wave of urgency surged through me. The weight of the crowd’s gaze was unbearable, each stare piercing like daggers, analyzing our intimate moment amidst what was once supposed to be my engagement night. Now, it was far from that.
Just as I considered my next move to direct her away from this suffocating attention, my stepmother burst onto the stage, her presence bringing with it newfound tension.
Fuck.
I didn’t want to deal with her as well. I knew she would also try to take her daughter from me considering she was quite supportive of my engagement as well. It was probably one of the few things she agreed on with my mother.
“Lana?” she cries out, her voice slicing through the air, laced with torn concern and frustration. “What’s happening? Why are you clinging to Apollo during his engagement ceremony?” The tension in the air thickened as her words hung between us, drawing the attention of everyone present. “You are gaining a lot of unwanted attention sweetheart, how about you come with me and we can talk about this?”
“Is this what you’ve taught your daughter?” my mother snaps. “Is this the lesson you’ve instilled in her? It’s absurd she’s disrupting such a tremendous day for my son!”
“Mother,” I growl, my patience wearing thin. “I already told you, I won’t stand by and let you insult Lana like this.”
Her eyes narrow. “What do you think I should do after witnessing her behavior, son? Look at her clinging onto you like that–something clearly isn’t right with her.”
“Lana,” her mother pleads. “Please step down so Apollo can carry on. This behavior is alarming. You’ve never acted like this before, and I’m genuinely worried.”
one
The whispers and unwanted glances continued to fill the room, all directed toward Lana, who stood in silence, as she continued to cling to me. It was clear that whatever turmoil she was experiencing was weighing heavily on her, but still she remained tight–lipped about her actions. With around us venting their frustration and aiming their fury at her, I knew I had no choice but to step in and protect her, creating a barrier ag unnecessary judgment.
neir
I scooped her into my arms, and gasps rippled through the room at my bold move. I remained unfazed by their reactions. I had one mission only on my mind and that was to get my mate out of here, far away from everyone who wanted to force her out of my embrace.
“Apollo!” Jada’s voice pierced through the thick atmosphere, her shrill tone slicing through the mounting tension like a knife. “What on earth do you think you’re doing? Everyone has gathered here, impatiently waiting for us to exchange rings! Why are you leaving the stage with her when I am the one you are getting engaged to?”
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1621 Tue 29301 d10)
Chapter 110
With a firm resolve, I say, “The engagement is off for today,” as I carefully cradled Lana in my arms, her delicate frame feeling perfect against me,
Ignoring the uproar behind me, I began to navigate through the buzzing crowd Faces turned as we moved, their expressions a jumbled mix of shock excitement, and curiosity, with whispered comments swirling around us like a restless wind,
I could feel their stares boring into our backs, each glance silently questioning what had just happened on that stage. However, I kept my eyes on the path ahead, sticking to my decision to escape.
At that moment, I knew nothing and no one could take my mate from me.
Once outside in the parking lot, I searched for my vehicle and gently placed her inside. She was still sobbing and it felt like another stab to my chest.
“Tell me,” I whisper, wiping her tears away with my hands. “What can I do to make you stop crying? It hurts to see you like this, Lana.”
Her lip quivers, and she looks shaken as she says, “Please don’t give up on us. I can’t stand the thought of you being with someone else, Apollo.”
I swallowed hard. I couldn’t bear the idea of being with anyone else either. I felt lost, unsure of what to do now that everything was out in the open about us after the scene we’d just made.
I tried my hardest to protect Lana from a life filled with hardships due to my complicated past and present, but it seemed I’d only ended up hurting her
more.
After witnessing the pain I caused today, I knew I couldn’t go through with the engagement any longer. I had to find a way to cancel everything and somehow convince my mother to accept my decision as well.
Before I can gather my thoughts and respond to her, I’m suddenly drawn in by the unmistakable sound of hurried footsteps.
As I pivot to face the source of the noise, a new wave of frustration washes over me at the sight of my parents, Jada’s parents, and my stepmother all fusing upon us in a tightly–knit group, their expressions a mixture of worry and displeasure.
Damn it.
I should have just driven off instead of lingering here to console Lana and stop her from crying. I should have found a more private area to do it.
But now, we were cornered, left with no option but to confront the impending storm of parental wrath. This wasn’t good. I didn’t want Lana to have to deal with this right now.
“You, young lady, have some serious explaining to do,” Lana’s mother states, her voice sharp and authoritative. She looks embarrassed by her daughter’s behavior.
“You as well,” my father interjects, his tone a mix of disappointment and stern authority that makes me stand up straight to properly face them.
As far as I knew, Lana’s mother as well as my father had no clue about us. This conversation was about to be a fucking pain in my ass.
AD
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