The Rise Of The Ugly Luna novel Chapter 246

Chapter 246

LYRIC

As if he could read my thoughts, he rolled his eyes, taking my hand again. “I’m not going to hurt you. I promise.”

I hated the way he held my hand. It made my skin crawl. But I didn’t oppose him any further and went along.

Along the path we took, I found flowers arranged on them. The flowers continued until we reached our table. The table was set on a very unique stand. The floor was an aquarium and we could clearly see small goldfish, neon tetras, guppies and much more.

This didn’t look real. Caden treating me like this… I was too suspicious to feel safe.

“Do you like it?” He asked with a hopeful smile.

I gave a perfunctory nod and quietly took my seat. He took his across from me.

On the table were varieties of food, juice and wine.

I couldn’t understand it. Was Caden trying to impress me? Now all of a sudden and after everything he’s put me through? What the hell was he thinking!?

He forced conversations as we ate, only he did most of the talking and I only gave the tiniest responses at intervals. At some point, I zoned out and let my mind wander elsewhere–to a certain man I wish was the one seated across from me.

I imagined us having this romantic dinner. I could almost hear our laughter and the clinks of our glasses in my head. Oh, how perfect it’d have been.

This was the life Jaris and I were meant to have. It was the life Caden took from me.

All of a sudden, this whole dinner felt like a mockery. Like it was his own way of reminding me of the love I lost.

“Damn it, Lyric! Are you even listening to me!?” He slammed his hand against the table, causing me to jump in my seat.

It was then I realized he’d been talking to me the whole time but I didn’t get to hear a word as I’d completely zoned out.

Chills skittered down my back. He was pissed. What if he tries to hurt me?

“I’m sorry,” I muttered, keeping my eyes low, my cutleries stuck in my hands.

He fisted his hand below his jaw, like he was trying to ground himself.

“What the fuck were you thinking about? Huh?” He took a deep breath. “I’m right here, Lyric.

You should be focused on me.”

I wish I could snort at his ridiculous statement. But all I could do was fix my gaze on the table and pray he didn’t hit me.

“Look, I’m sorry. Okay?” his tone softened. “I’m sorry for all the times I hurt you, all the times I made you cry. You just…have a way of getting on nerves.”

I also got on Jaris‘ nerves a lot but there was never a time he hit me, asshole–I thought bitterly.

“I want us to have a fresh start. I’m trying to make things work, Lyric.” He reached for my hands on the table. “If you could only give yourself to me, I promise I’ll never hurt you again. I’ll make you feel like the luckiest woman on earth, Lyric. All I need is a chance.”

I dragged my eyes up to meet his, searching for a hint he was joking. But he looked too serious. His delusion was laughable.

Slowly, I withdrew my hands from his. “The only reason I’m with you is because we have a contract binding us. I’m sorry, Caden, but I never want to have anything serious with you.” I kept my voice as calm as possible, letting him know this was not an argument and there was no need for an assault.

I nervously fiddled with my nails under the table.

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Chapter 246

“Why?” He asked after a while. “You still think you stand a chance with Jaris?”

I didn’t answer. I didn’t need to.

He scoffed. “When will you learn, Lyric? You and my brother can never be together. You two weren’t supposed to get mated in the first place. Haven’t you given a thought to all the obstacles you’ve had to fight through? There’s hardly been a peaceful moment between you two. Each time you try to have a good relationship, something comes in the way that obstructs it and pulls you apart. It’s more like even nature is against your relationship. Haven’t you thought about it!?”

His words only worked to confuse me. Yes, Jaris and I were always having but why was he saying it like it was a theory?

“I know you won’t believe me, but you and I…we were meant to be, Lyric. From the onset, you should’ve been mated to me, not him.”

I couldn’t stop the chuckle that bubbled from my throat. Really? Caden and I were meant to be?

Gods, I had so much to say. So much I wanted to spit in his face. But the choke he had on me was too strong

“Come on, Lyric. Say something,” he urged when I stayed silent. Still, I didn’t.

“Lyric-”

“Please, Caden. You can’t expect me to say something when I could easily get hit from opposing you. Take a look at my face! I can’t even look in the mirror anymore ‘cause I hate the scar that’s up there. You’ve hurt me and humiliated me in ways no one ever did. So, I don’t think you should blame me if I don’t want to be with you, because frankly, Caden, you scare me. And even right now, this dinner feels like a mockery to me.” The words rushed out in

two breaths.

A stunned silence followed afterwards, extending long enough for me to realize I might’ve upset him.

I lowered my eyes again, waiting for him to explode. Waiting for the assault.

Except it never came.

He quietly picked his cutlery and resumed eating.

The rest of the dinner went well–only because Caden didn’t say another word until it was

over.

But when we reached home and got to the point w

we needed to part ways, he stood

my way.

“No matter what you do, Lyric, you’ll always be here. You and I are meant to be. As soon as your contract with Jaris comes to an end, you and I will get

mated.”

I stared at his back as he walked away, his words leaving an unsettling itch on my skin.

Caden Dreadmoor, I’ll never be yours.

I went into my room, locked the door and took out my phone to return Jace’s call. He’d called when I was in the car with Caden. I was fortunate the phone had been on silent so Caden didn’t notice.

“Jace. Sorry I was busy.” I moved to the window, sure to keep my voice low.

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