The Pain of Betrayal

At Knight Heritage

"That's it, I am leaving "

Rosaline huffed in anger as she immediately jumped from the bed and marched towards her closet. Jennifer and Emily became shocked as soon as they heard her.

"N-No Rosa, don't-"

Jennifer rushed to hold her right arm while she was grabbing the suitcase but Rosaline immediately snatched her hands away from her and glared her.

"Don't come in my way, Jennie."

She growled, her eyes shooting daggers. Jennifer was bewildered as well as scared. She knows if Xavier comes to know about this, Lord knows what he will do and fir sure the consequences won't be favourable for Rosaline. But she was more confused of the fact that wasn't Rosaline aware of this? She knows Xavier more than anyone in this world. Then why was she acting so recklessly?

Jennifer looked back at Emily for help. Emily nodded and looked at the tigress who was shoving all her dresses inside the suitcase harshly.

"You can't go Rosaline"

Rosaline immediately turned stiff after hearing her. Her movements seized abruptly. But suddenly a fire erupted inside her heart. She twisted her neck to her left and shot a death glare to Emily but Emily continued staring her coldly with her arms crossed over her chest. Rosaline glared her for a few seconds but then a mocking chuckle escaped her lips. She shook her head and gave her a taunting smile.

"Why? Who would stop me? Xavier or his minions?"

She scoffed. Her frivolous remark didn't go unnoticed by both the girls. Emily clenched her jaw as she knew that Rosaline was indirectly pointing it to her. The contempt she saw in her eyes for herself was clearly evident but right now she was in no mood for a cat fight.

Emily took a sharp breath and looked at Rosaline who was already staring her with a confusing look. But before she could speak, a deep husky voice echoed inside the room which made the girls startled.

"Maybe not his minions but your own agreement, Mrs. Rosaline Valentino"

Rosaline balled her fists and closed her eyes in anger as she immediately recognized the owner of that deep voice. She opened her eyes and looked back only to see Xavier standing at the entrance with all his glory.

His hair was dishevelled while his face held an unfathomable expression. But as soon his stoic gaze met with her fiery hazel orbs, the corner of his lips tilted up into a cynical smirk. Rosaline internally frowned and kept staring him blankly. Xavier then dipped his hands in the pocket of his pants and strode towards her with heavy steps.

"Or maybe your own gameplan for which you were sent by your dear Agent, Mrs. Valentino"

He spoke in a raspy voice. Rosaline became stunned with his reply. Her eyes turned wide as saucers while her jaw dropped to the ground. She couldn't believe it. She did her best to hide her game and moreover she didn't find any trace of suspicion from Xavier too.

The day when Rosaline was caught with that secret camera by Xavier, she became extremely vigilant. But most importantly till now she hadn't been able to implement even half of her plan and all the commotion happened. Rosaline was furious after that lift incident but also a bit scared. She needed comfort and support at the moment but everyone around her was only blasting on her and scolding her which forced her to take the decision of leaving the battlefield amidst the war. It was an extremely stupid move but she was not in her senses anymore. Rosaline just wants to leave and go away from everyone. She even dropped the plan for which Vincent had initially sent her here then how come Xavier was able to caught her lies?

Xavier smirked at her shocking face but his smirk got wiped off from his face as soon as he saw Rosaline chortling.

"So, you knew everything? Well, it was kinda expected you. After all there's a reason why you're a Mafia. But.."

She chuckled and move closer towards him, her stilettos clanking against the shining marble floor. Xavier kept staring her intensely, his hawk eyes watching her every move quietly.

"Do you have any evidence for the crime of which you're accusing me of, Mr. Knight? Did you saw me stealing or harming your so called" she raised her fingers in air and did a quote sign "Scorpions? No right. Then how can you say that I am being a danger to you?"

Rosaline spoke in one go while her eyes were glued on his raging figure.

Rosaline's P.O.V.

I know Xavier was just controlling his anger. That's something strange because he is just like a ticking bomb who is ready to explode any minute. I know I was playing with fire but I have to save myself no matter what. And for that I have to act cleverly. I can't go all berserk after getting caught red-handed. Although right now I am terrified to my core but all these years of adventures for sure had taught me well how to act wisely in such risky situations. My life is no different than a journey of a have-a-go warrior.

I waited for him to say something but seeing him quiet, I further continued.

"Listen Mr. Knight, you are no one to me. Neither I am your slave that I will take your fucking orders nor I am obliged to follow your each and every command like a submissive wife. I will do whatever I want to so just leave, alright? I am the master of my own will, a free bird and most importantly a Valentino not a Knight"

I spoke in an arrogant tone while folding my arms over my chest. Without waiting for his reply, I turned back and carried on with my packing, ignoring his presence completely.

"Are you sure you can do this, Rosebud?"

Xavier said in a firm tone. I clenched my jaw on hearing that endearment. After so many days I heard that dreadful word again. All the past memories started playing in my head like a broken record which made my heart twitched with pain and my eyelids heavy. I controlled myself as I can't broke down. Not right now.

I ignored him and continued with my packing. Xavier noticed my indifference. He then started walking closer to me. I tried my best to control my emotions but my body betrayed me as I started trembling when I felt him approaching me.

"You have changed a lot all these years Rosebud"

Xavier spoke in his burly voice. My knees turned weak hearing his male baritone.

'CONTROL YOURSELF DAMNIT', I screamed in my mind.

"Your Agent have trained you well enough but you're still my innocent naive Doll, Did I even mentioned that you are here...to harm the Scorpions?"

'Shit!'

My eyes widened.

'Oh My God, did I say that?'

'Urgg Rosaline, you're so stupid', my conscience scolded me.

I clutched my shirt which I was about to place in my bag with trembling fingers.

"Did I?"

Xavier asked again. I looked at him and found him smirking at me. I inhaled sharply.

"Maybe you didn't but you were trying to imply only that."

I spoke sternly while my back was still facing him.

"Oh, is that so? But aren't you forgetting something, Mrs. Rosaline Valentino?"

'Forgetting?'

'What am I forgetting?'

'Think Rosaline, think'

I was lost in deep thoughts. I pressurized my mind to remember what the hell I was forgetting. All of a sudden, my breathe hitched as soon as I felt a hot breath on my neck which made me shiver.

I gulped and turned back. Xavier was standing in front of me while staring me intensely. He was standing way too close. His eyes looked straight into mine which made me a bit uncomfortable because the intensity with which he was staring me was so deep that I found myself getting lost in his obsidian orbs. There was only a sliver space between us which too was reducing slowly as he started leaning forward towards my face. My heart caught in my throat; I was having a hard time in breathing as well. His eyes were roaming all over my face, kissing my every detail. His gaze slowly fell on my lips and he stared them without even blinking once. My knees turned jello. He bit his lower lip while his eyes were fixed on my lips and I am damn sure that I saw a hue of lust in his eyes.

'What's wrong with him?'

'Is he again trying to intimidate me?'

All of a sudden that incident flashed in my mind when he caught my secret camera pendant. Obviously, he is trying to use the same trick again and me being that silly 16-year-old falling for it.

'No, no Rosaline. This might be one of his tricks to illicit the truth from you. Don't fall for his games. Don't do something stupid again', my brain tried to make my stupid heart understand.'

I cleared my throat and moved a bit back as he was invading my personal space. Anger rushed inside my veins as I shot him an icy cold glare.

"Stay in your limits Mr. Knight. There is nothing that I am forgetting. I am leaving and that is my final decision."

"As if I will let you?"

Xavier rasped in his deep voice. I gritted my teeth and curled my fingers in a fist.

"What do you mean, you won't? I am not obliged to follow your every command. You're not my husband."

"But I am your Boss."

He snarled with clenched jaw.

"Boss? Yeah, so what? I will resign and leave. I have my own company; I don't need to work for yours."

"Your own?"

Xavier snickered. I scowled at him but he continued chuckling.

"See, I told you. Your brain is all fucked up Rose. The company of that piece of mutt whom you call as your husband had ruined you badly. My Rosebud used to have a sharp memory but now she had really turned into a blockhead. Don't worry, I will repair your fused bulb."

'How Dare He!'

I was about to give him a piece of my mind but he cut me off in midway.

"Remember you signed a contract with me and according to your so-called Valentino Estates" he did the same quoting sign in air " is now under Knight Empire. And according to the sunset clause of the agreement, every employee of your company, every manager, every director in fact every single thing or soul which belonged to Valentino Estates now belongs to Xavier Knight which implies to you as well, Mrs. Rosaline Valentino."

Xavier said while eyeing me up and down. I kept hearing him in shock.

'How can I forget that? I did sign it.'

Oh No! I am trapped.'

His lips curved up into a satisfactory smile. The spark in his eyes clearly showed that he got me this time but I won't back down so easily.

"So what? I do remember each and every condition, you don't need to throw light on it. But it seems like you are forgetting something. There was no such condition in your damn contract that I can't resign. In fact, you made me your personal secretary, right? This has nothing to do with Valentino Estates. I am currently an employee of Knight Empire and I think all employees do have the right to resign whenever they want, wherever they want. It's the right of every employee. So, I am resigning from this post. It's as simple as that."

I spoke while smiling bitterly. Xavier seemed unfazed by words. He kept staring me silently. Unknowingly my insides started shivering in trepidation because his silence is always, is fucking always a harbinger of an upcoming storm. I know he is definitely planning something in his sick mind.

"You're resigning?"

His tone was calm.

"Yes."

I spoke while maintaining my glare.

"Are you sure?"

He again asked.

"Yes."

I answered in a monotonous tone. Even if he asks this question thousands of times, my answer will be the same.

All of a sudden Xavier took a step back, his eyes were fixed on mine.

"Alright."

'Huh?'

I looked at him confused. What's happ-

"NOAH!!"

Xavier yelled all of a sudden making me jump on my spot. Suddenly the door burst open revealing Noah and....

'Cops?'

'What's going on?'

I looked at Xavier only to find him already staring at me. Unknowingly my palms turned sweaty and my heart started palpitating wildly inside my chest. He then tore his gaze away from me and walked towards the officer. I looked at Noah only to see him flashing me his famous diabolical smirk.

'Oh Lord, help me!'

I kept staring him when suddenly I heard something which snatched the ground beneath my feet.

"Arrest her."

'WHAT THE HELL!!!'

My eyes widened in shock.

"WHAT ARE YOU SAYING? HOW CAN YOU GET ME ARRESTED? I DID NO CRIME!!"

I screamed on top of my lungs. Xavier looked at me. I marched towards him angrily as I shouted again in pure rage.

"I REFUSE TO WORK FOR YOU AND YOU'LL GET ME BEHIND THE BARS FOR THAT? THERE IS NO SUCH LAW, MR. KNIGHT!! HOW DARE YOU? HOW DARE YOU INSULT ME THIS WAY?"

I shouted ferociously. I was literally out of my mind. I was mad enough to chew nails. I couldn't think straight. I literally want to strangle him to death right now. But still Xavier didn't say anything making me more infuriated.

Noah shot me a glare. He huffed in annoyance.

"Stop throwing fits like a mad woman. You broke the rules of the contract."

He scowled. I shot him a death glare.

"What rules? I simply asked for resignation, I didn't break any rule."

"Oh, you did."

Xavier immediately butts in. I glared him.

"Maybe our little doltish kitty forgot again"

I heard a bitchy voice from behind Xavier and I immediately knew to whom it belonged to.

Katherine entered the room along with her assistant Sophia.

"Shut the fuck u-"

I couldn't complete my sentence as Xavier raised a palm right in front of my face startling me. I looked up; his face was as black as thunder which clearly meant that he was hella angry.

"Enough of this nonsense. Mrs. Valentino, it's not our fault that you forgot the rules but still I'll help you refresh your memory. Firstly, rule number 1 was that you'll never disrespect me. Rule number 2 was that you'll follow my each and every command as I hate recalcitrance. Rule number 3 was that the level of your devotion towards me and my company should be laudable. And most importantly rule number 4 was that you are bound to follow my orders otherwise you'll have to deal with the consequences. Your father-in-law Mr. Luca had already agreed to all our condition before handing me his company and it was clearly told to him that you have absolutely no right to vituperate or denounce me or my men as long as you work for me."

He stated all the rules in one single breath while I stared him in shock.

"And as far as I remember, you broke every single rule. You insulted me, you dissed my members and badmouthed about them as well. You weren't even loyal to my company and didn't follow any order. Moral of the story is that you broke all the rules, you breached the contract and now you have to face the consequences."

"And that's why you're getting arrested."

Noah continued his words while flashing me a smug smirk. I was livid. I finally lost my cool. I marched towards him and grabbed his collar.

"SHUT THE FUCK UP!! YOU CAN'T PUT SOMEONE IN JAIL JUST BECAUSE THEY INSULTED YOU! STOP TALKING RUBBISH AND THROWING MUDSLINGS AT ME! Moreover, I was FORCED! I WAS FORCED TO SIGN THIS CONTRACT BY YOU ALL! YOU USED HENRY TO MAKE ME SIGN THAT CONTRACT!"

I yelled fiercely while Noah just smirked in return.

"Stop spewing shits. We did no such thing."

He replied casually while shrugging his shoulders.

"SHITS? DON'T LIE MILLER! HOW DARE YOU! Whatever I had said is the bloody truth. STOP TALKING NONSENSE ABOUT ME!! YOU FORCED ME TO SIGN THE CONTRACT AND IT IS THE TRUTH!"

"Do you have any proof?"

Noah sneered. My eyes widened in shock. He scoffed and yanked his hands away from my grip.

"Do you Mrs. Valentino?"

He again asked me in a mocking tone. I looked down in defeat.

He is right. I don't have any proof. I looked at Elijah for help only to see him staring me with his cold eyes. I know they won't help me but still I had a slight hope that he could be my lifeline in this lethal storm but again he put me down. I shifted my eyes to his left and looked at Sebastian but before I could build my castle of hope from him, he smashed it down with his heart piercing words.

"Outlaws do deserved to be punished. Am I right Rosaline?"

He rasped. Tears filled in my eyes. I could hear my heart shattering into pieces.

"And if you think you can betray us and just walk away then let me tell you, our Boss shows no mercy to traitors."

Sophia jeered me. Katherine smirked and supported her.

"It was so foolish for you to think that you can get away so easily after messing with us."

I looked at them in disbelief. They all are framing me. Tears of anger and helplessness rolled down my cheeks. I scanned the room and found Antonio, Emily and Jennie staring me sadly. Without wasting a second, I ran to them.

"You are my friends, right? You trust me, right? Tell the cops. Tell them that it is all a trap, tell them that they forced me to sign the contract. Tell them please."

I cried while holding Antonio's hands. He averted his gaze down. I looked at Jennie and grabbed her shoulders.

"Jennie, please. You know everything. I trust you, don't do this to me. At least you don't do this to me. I beg you. Say the truth, please. SAY SOMETHING!!"

I shook her violently. She kept her gaze down, tears rolled down her eyes as well.

"NO!!! YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME!! I AM INNOCENT. EM, YOU TOLD ME TO FIGHT RIGHT? TO NOT LOSE HOPE. YOU SAID THAT YOU WILL ALWAYS SUPPORT ME, THEN WHY AREN'T YOU SAYING ANYTHING NOW?"

I screamed like a deranged woman. I was frenzied. Why aren't they saying anything? I will be doomed if they don't help me. After sometime Emily finally looked at me. I became shocked to see the apathy in her eyes.

"We don't trust a snake in the grass. It's useless to ask them for help. Stop wasting our time."

I froze.

'How could they?'

Everyone is evil here. Even my own friends instead of supporting me they are standing for him, for the wrong.

I always thought Xavier will change. I tolerated all his shits even his abusive behaviour as I was blind, blind in his love. I trusted Sebastian, I respected Noah and Elijah like my own brothers but what I got in return. Humiliation, embarrassment, disparagement and what not. I wanted them to speak for me but all they did was advocating Xavier, I wanted them to at least hear me out once but they only listened to his orders, I wanted them to understand me once but they just stomped over my feelings and forced his opinions on me. If I betrayed him, can't they see what he has done to me? I lost my self-confidence, my self-respect, my everything and still they are favouring him, taking his side? How can they do this to me?

'Is this how it feels to get deceived by your loved ones?'

'The pain which I am feeling right now..'

'Is this called...

The pain of betrayal?'

End of Rosaline's P.O.V.

Antonio looked up and saw Rosaline watching them sadly. Her eyed held a lot of pain and hurt. He couldn't look at her anymore and slowly shifted his gaze to Xavier only to see him staring Rosaline with murky eyes. A triumphant smirk was plastered on his face but he could easily tell that it was a fake one. Xavier was masking his emotions well but deep down his heart was bleeding for her every tear drop. He could easily see the pain in his eyes.

Suddenly a female officer walked towards Rosaline. Xavier noticed her frozen figure. She was still standing like a mannequin as if she was struck by a lightning bolt. Her eyes were glistening with the clouds of mixed emotions which was slowly seeping through her hazel orbs like a rainfall. Her eyes had turned red due to all crying. Pain, hurt, betrayal, anger, helplessness, frustration, sadness, he could see everything clearly. His gaze eventually dropped to her hands and all of a sudden, his eyes darkened in rage.

"STOP!!!"

Xavier blared in a raucous voice as soon he saw the female officer cuffing Rosaline's delicate wrists. She was still frozen. She was looking like a vulnerable broken doll while crying silently. His growl immediately made everyone jump on their spot. The officer turned back only to see his red-rimmed eyes glaring her ferociously.

Noah looked at Xavier confused but before he could speak Xavier marched towards Rosaline and pulled her away from that officer making everyone shocked. Rosaline was herself surprised to see his sudden change in demeanour. Xavier pulled her closer to his chest and wrapped his right arm around her waist possessively. Katherine agape at the scene in front of her while Sophia clenched her jaw in anger.

Rosaline shot her eyes up but her body jolted in fear as soon as Xavier yelled in a thunderous growl making her heart lurch in her throat.

"DID I TOLD YOU TO DO ANYTHING? WHAT MADE YOU THINK THAT YOU CAN TOUCH MY WIFE?"

~~~💗~~~