A Devastating Truth

"Trust is like a glass,

once broken

it will never be the same again"

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HER THIS TIME XAVIER"

James huffed in anger while glaring Xavier who was himself glaring him back.

"I didn't do anything, okay? She fainted on her own."

Xavier shrugged and looked away from him. He sounded like a grumpy kid who was getting scolded by his parents for his wrongdoings. James shook his head in disappointment.

As soon as Rosaline fainted, Xavier immediately called James. He covered her unconscious figure with a duvet and called the others. Jennifer, Emily and Antonio were horrified when they saw Rosaline lying on a bed like a corpse. Her breathing had turned too shallow and her skin had turned deadly pale. Noah was also shocked by her state while Katherine and Sophia were silently enjoying the show. Sebastian was watching Rosaline with pity while Elijah was fuming in anger when he found her in this state. He understood it was all Xavier's deeds but again, he was helpless.

"I am tired of you Xavier, what the hell do you want? The girl got discharged from the hospital just a few days ago and again she ended up in this state. You never used to hurt Rosaline this often when she was married to you even. I visited her only once the time when you couldn't control your demons but after that I haven't seen Rosaline in this pain where she needed to be admitted in the hospital. Then why are you hurting her again and again? Do you want to kill her?"

James spat while glaring Xavier in disgust. Xavier looked at him with burning eyes but then let out a throaty chuckle.

"Why will I kill her? Can't you see she is still breathing? And I didn't call you to give me a lecture, I called you to treat her. So, stop chastising me and concentrate on your work."

He snapped at him and rolled his eyes.

"I DID, OKAY. YOU DON'T NEED TO TELL ME MY JOB!!"

James screamed at him as he lost his temper watching Xavier offending him in front of everyone.

"THEN BUZZ OFF, DON'T STAND ON MY HEAD!!"

Xavier yelled in frustration. James glared him and smacked him hard. His face got turned to the right due to the impact. Xavier tilted his head and shot him a death glare.

"WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE, hmm? You are so full of yourself Xavier and I am sure you definitely did something that made Rosaline unconscious. You're only responsible for her state."

James growled but his eyes widened when Xavier flashed him a smug smirk.

"Oh, come on Brother, stop portraying me as the bad guy and this vixen as the damsel in distress. You wanna know what I did, alright I will tell you today. I showed her the mirror, Jamie. Your innocent Rosaline couldn't manage to look at her cruel, heartless self and fainted. You yourself said that she is now out of danger, right? then why the hell are you overreacting as if she is on the death bed. Just prescribe her some medicines, I'll tell Jennifer to feed those tablets to her and she'll be fine. Stop worrying about her unnecessarily."

He spoke in a boring tone. Noah nodded in approval.

"Exactly, moreover we did all this just to scare her. Now she will think twice before double-crossing us."

He smirked. Katherine quickly nodded her head like a loyal dog.

"Yes, this bitch and her agent husband has played enough with us. Now the tables have turned. Our kitty won't be able to leave us now as per the contract, she is tied to us till death. Our pussycat surely doesn't have anywhere to hide now because wherever she'll go, she'll be kicked out."

She snorted while crossing her arms over her chest.

"She is way too pathetic. Couldn't even deal with the consequences of her own wrongdoings and was picking a bone with us? Hey Xavier, I have an idea. If this time your cry-baby throws such a tantrum, we will shoot her poor parents in front of her eyes. What say?"

Sophia looked at Xavier with hopeful eyes. He scoffed and looked at her.

"Not a bad idea."

He rasped and soon the room boomed with laughter.

To say that James was shocked would be an understatement. He looked at Xavier in disbelief. He couldn't believe it that the man who wouldn't blink his eyes if he is not able to see his Rosebud even for a second, who would become so restless if he is not able to hear her voice, who would literally won't even hesitate to cause a bloodshed if someone even dares to think about hurting her was today laughing with others while they were insulting and mocking her, that too right in front of his eyes. The poor thing had just been snatched from the jaws of death and he, Xavier Knight, the boy who lived all his life loving her was acting so indifferent, so coldly as if...

He never even loved her?

"Xavier is right Jamie. She is fine now. I think she took the whole drama way too seriously."

Sebastian snickered. James clenched his jaw.

"You both jerks-"

"Rose, you're awake?"

Elijah spoke softly cutting off their heated argument in between. Everyone immediately zipped their mouths and shifted their gaze towards the bed. Xavier also turned his gaze to the right only to see Rosaline staring at them back blankly. Her eyes were hollow and her face was stoic.

Rosaline looked away, she rested her elbows on the mattress and tried to sit. Jennifer immediately rushed to help her but Rosaline ignored her and sat up. She removed the duvet and tried to get up when James ran to her and grabbed her arm.

"No Rosaline, what are you doing. You're too weak. You should lie do-"

"I am fine."

Rosaline replied curtly and removed his hands.

"No, you're not. You had barely survived that fatal shock. You need to rest."

James scowled at her but she completely ignored his words and stood up. She then started removing the drip from her hands.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING ROSALINE? I SAID YOU TO LIE DOWN!!"

James held her arms tightly and shouted.

"And I said I am fine."

Rosaline again replied impassively and with one jerk, she pulled the cannula away and threw it. Xavier kept staring her silently, his face held an unfathomable expression but his gaze was scrutinizing, boring holes in her body.

Everyone became stunned as they darted their eyes at Rosaline and then at Xavier. They could feel the tension between them but no one dared to say anything but ignoring all their stares, Rosaline weaved her way and eventually left the room.

*****

Next morning

9:00 a.m.

Rosaline was inside her room getting ready for the office. She picked up the brush from the dressing table and started combing her hair when all of a sudden, her eyes met with her own reflection in the mirror. Her movements seized. She stared at the girl in front of her who was looking no less than a broken doll. Hollow eyes, pale face, no emotions, nothing. Rosaline immediately combed her hair and wore some makeup. She tried her best to look perfect and lively. She again checked herself in the mirror. She was looking extremely gorgeous but....

Only from outside.

The makeup couldn't bring back the spark in her eyes, the glow on her face, the smile of her lips, the happiness of her life...

Tears stung in the corner of her eyes as she remembered the scornful remarks which was showered on her by everyone not even caring how much it would have hurt her.

"I thought you were innocent, you were naive but no, you are a wolf in disguise. A black sheep, a bloody slut who just deceives men with her innocent looks just to get in their pants, isn't it you whore?"

"If this time your cry-baby throws such a tantrum, we will shoot her poor parents in front of her eyes."

"Did you got successful in arousing that bastard's libido or not? Because the way you two looked at each other it's clear that you both weren't friends at all. Or shall I say friends with benefits?"

"I am sure he must have taken you on bed multiple times. How was he? Good? Did he pleasure you well my Doll?"

"P-Please stop."

Rosaline clutched the edge of the vanity with her fingers tightly. Her head started pounding wildly as all the voices started ringing inside her ears like a broken record.

"I am just showing you a mirror, my cheater wife."

"Our pussycat surely doesn't have anywhere to hide now because wherever she'll go, she'll be kicked out."

"So, if that is the case then you won't even mind if he one day if he puts a condition for you to become the CEO of his company and in return wants you to give him an heir? You will for sure do that in fact you slut, you'll happily agree to it. Because Doll the cheap slattern you are, I am sure you'll ask Taehyung no, beg him to fuck you hard and raw so that you can give his Dad a child and then spend the rest of your life in gold and diamonds."

Her knees buckled up and she couldn't bear the pain anymore. Rosaline tripped over her heels and was about to kiss the floor when all of a sudden someone grabbed her shoulders from behind.

"ROSE?"

Rosaline stiffened on her spot and looked over her shoulder only to see a worried Elijah holding her protectively.

"Are you okay?"

He spoke softly and helped her in standing up. Elijah then made her sit on the chair and immediately rushed towards the drawer kept beside the bed. He quickly grabbed her pills and poured a glass of water for her. Elijah then walked towards her. Rosaline was sitting while holding her head tightly. Her eyes were closed and her lips were pursed in a thin line as she was trying her best to endure the pain. Elijah looked at her in pity, he immediately gave her the medicine.

"Here take it."

Rosaline quickly took the pills from his hand and swallowed them. She gulped down the water while he kept caressing her back gently.

"Feeling better?"

Elijah said while flashing her a soft smile. Rosaline didn't reply him and placed the glass on the table. All of a sudden, she stood up making him startled. Elijah stared her with confusion but his eyes widened when he saw her walking towards the door.

"ROSE!! WHERE ARE YOU GOING?"

He yelled from behind and quickly grabbed her left forearm from behind.

"Office."

Rosaline replied without turning back, her tone was mundane.

"No, you aren't going anywhere. Stay at home and rest."

Elijah said sternly as he walked in front of her.

"Why? So that you can kill my parents?"

Rosaline spoke in a bitter tone as she finally met his gaze. Elijah looked at her in shock and stared in her eyes which used to be so vivacious were now dead and devoid of any emotion.

He gulped when Rosaline stared him blankly maybe waiting for his response. He quietly shook his head.

"N-No, X-Xavier didn't mean t-that. He was just..I m-mean of course he won't do a-anythi-"

Elijah couldn't frame the sentence as he himself wasn't able to gather the courage to face her. He looked down in shame. Rosaline smiled bitterly.

"Your silence gave me the answer I want. I should take my leave now."

She spoke coldly and turned around to leave. She grabbed the door handle and was about to exit the room when his next words halted her steps.

"I am sorry Rose."

Elijah mumbled in an inaudible voice, his voice was laced with guilt and sadness.

"I am very sorr-"

"Save it."

Rosaline cut him off in between. Elijah raised her head and stared at her back as he started speaking in a remorseful tone.

"You're taking it wrong Rose. Xavier must have said all this in anger. He would never hurt your parents. He does love them like his own-"

"Tell him not to."

Rosaline gritted as she cut him off harshly. Elijah frowned and stared her in confusion.

"What?"

Rosaline sighed. She then turned around and looked at him.

"Your Boss have never even loved his own parents but I do. He never cared about his Dad's opinions but I do. He never respected his father but I do."

She spoke in one go, her tone was laced with anger and sarcasm. Elijah clenched his jaw. He marched towards her with heavy steps.

"What.do.you.mean. HUH? You don't know how Xavier had always craved for mother's love? Mrs. Knight died when Xavier was just five-year-old but his Dad never let him miss her. He performed both the duties of a father and a mother. He loved Xavier a lot. We all have seen it. Xavier grew up right in front of our eyes. We have always loved and pampered him like our own child especially Noah and Sebastian."

Elijah barked on her face while breathing heavily in anger.

"That's why they both despised me from their core because I snatched their brother from them."

Rosaline scoffed and crossed her arms over her chest. Elijah huffed in frustration and glared her.

"When Xavier told us about you, you don't know how much we were angry with him. Yes, we didn't want this marriage but it was not because we hated you, it was because we were trying to protect you. You were just a simple innocent girl while Xavier belonged from a Mafia background. You both are like our kids but our brother was adamant to make you, his wife. He even went against us. We didn't want to put your life in danger that's why we were against this marriage but-"

"But?"

Rosaline cut him off and started chuckling.

"But your Xavier married me by blackmailing me. He abused me, tortured me, scared me. He made my life a living hell still I forgave your little brother. I kept giving him chances despite of the fact that he kept me in a lie thinking that it was one of his obligations. Still, what he did? He didn't tell me that he had murdered Rebecca, my best friend?"

She snapped at him. Elijah looked at him with an annoyed expression. That was the last straw. Finally, he lost his cool and blasted on her.

"GOD ROSALINE!! YOUR SO-CALLED BEST FRIEND WAS NO SAINT TOO!! WHAT DO YOU THINK? ON ONE HAND SHE WAS TRYING TO PROTECT YOU AND ON THE OTHER HAND SHE WAS HELL ON BEND TO CAPTURE XAVIER? CAN'T YOU FUCKING DECODE HER TRICKS? It was all because Rebecca was on a FUCKING MISSION!! Her whole mission was Xavier Knight since the very beginning and YOU were her biggest hurdle. That's why she tried to set you up with her friend Michael but Xavier always foiled her plans. Rebecca and all your friends were trying to separate you because they wanted to capture Xavier. They weren't worried about you nor they even cared about you."

Elijah yelled on her face. Rosaline looked at him in shock. She took a step back and leaned on the door for support as she stared him with wide eyes.

"N-No, you're l-lying. They have been my friends since childhood. They didn't even know about Xavier then?"

She cried. Elijah scoffed.

"That's what you think. You don't know anything Rosaline. We started having doubts on Rebecca when she used to keep staring at Xavier and always used to linger around him like a honeybee. Soon Noah told us about Rebecca, Nick and Mark being secret agents and also about their mission. He told us that your friends have found about Xavier's obsession that was none other than you. Only you were unaware about it. Being your friends gave them a golden opportunity to know more about Xavier, his gang which means about us. Xavier had even tried to tell you about this many times but he didn't have the courage to break your heart. He had seen the love for them in your eyes. You would have been torn if you would have come to know this. We didn't have any ounce bit of soft corner for you because you were a stranger for us. You can call us selfish but yes, we were trying to protect Xavier from your agent friends. That's why we always tried to break you apart."

He gritted. Rosaline was deeply hurt by his words. She was completely stunned after facing the cruel reality. Still, she tried to put two and two together.

"But wasn't Noah the one who betrayed you too? He also wanted to capture Xavier then why does he hate me? If what you're saying is right then he himself must have helped Rebecca and others? He deceived you too."

Her answer left Elijah tongue-tied. She was right though because Noah indeed was the one who had told Rosaline's friends about Xavier and his madness. He was the one who planned everything.

Elijah looked down, he closed his eyes and clenched his fists.

"Yes, Noah betrayed us. He was initially working as a spy for Black Swan in CIA but soon he started playing with us only. His main motto was to be the head of CIA, to be the supreme power so he started playing from both sides. His original plan was never to capture Xavier but to destroy Black Swan. Xavier respected him a lot and Noah was planning to involve him in his plan but after your arrival everything got changed. Xavier stopped listening to him, obeying him, respecting him and that made him frustrated. That's why he told your friends about you and Xavier so that they could help him in separating you both. It was a completely win-win situation for him. You would have been thrown out of Xavier's life and he would have achieved what he wanted to without even harming a bug. But all his plans kept falling apart because of Xavier still he kept trying till the end. Noah's continuous efforts to throw you out of Xavier's life was indirectly increasing Xavier's obsession and madness for you day by day. And finally, we all saw what his psycho love led us to."

He spoke in a guilty voice. Rosaline kept listening him silently.

"Noah was the one who helped Nick to escape from Xavier so that he can stop your wedding. He also ordered Mark to help you in escape on the day of your wedding which unfortunately led Xavier to unleash his wrath on you. Noah did everything to make you disappear from Xavier's life but Xavier was always one step ahead of him. He knew about your locations beforehand; he kept your tracks and records like a psycho stalker. He always used to show us that he hates you, doesn't care about you and pretended all cool and calm. But it was because he already knew where were you the whole time. You thought you have escaped him but you couldn't escape his shadow which always used to lurk around you. Noah's desperation to push you away from his path and Xavier's madness to bring you back in his life finally clashed and that day we all finally came to know about Noah's real game. When Noah thought that he had finally won the game, Xavier twisted the plot at the climax. He is always one step ahead of us. He already knew that Noah was the Judas in our gang and it was all because of his Ace. Eventually Xavier and his Ace captured Noah. His Ace was the one who helped him in tracking your location and reported your each and every detail to him. Xavier thought that his Ace was his jewel, his best friend, his true buddy but the truth was that he was nothing but a wolf in sheep's clothing."

Elijah snarled with gritted teeth. Rosaline was totally shattered after knowing all this. She was completely broken by now. There was nothing left to say. Her eyes were continuously shedding tears but still the curiosity to know the whole truth was irking her.

What's left to lose more? What more can break her already broken heart?

Rosaline straightened herself up and looked at him.

"Who was that Ace?"

She spoke in a hoarse voice, her bloodshot eyes stared at Elijah hopelessly. Elijah looked at her, he knew this would happen. He knew the truth would leave her heartbroken. He always thought to tell her everything but he feared the consequences. But for how long he would keep this riddle hidden? One day she will definitely come to know about everything so why not today? Elijah understood that he was slowly killing her but for once in your life, you need to have a thick skin. You have to prepare yourself to hear the bitter truth only to get broken at the last.

Elijah took a deep breath and finally dropped the bomb.

"That Ace was none other than your husband Vincent Valentino"

~~~💗~~~