Chapter 49: Alyssa Blackwell

Chapter 49: Alyssa Blackwell –Livana– "Alyssa? I bet she’s beautiful—with that jet-black hair and that imperious expression she always wore. I’ve forgotten the details of her face, but I still remember the attitude. Typical Blackwell girl—spoiled. Then again, I heard she’s been bullied and can’t even bring herself to tell her parents. She’s still just a teenager." "So, I was in school, minding my own business," Alyssa began, her voice light, "and I overheard someone say that Tyrona’s cosmetic brand is almost bankrupt." "What’s the name of the brand?" I asked. "Cosmic Skin," she replied. "But honestly, it doesn’t matter. Everything started going downhill when you and Damon announced your marriage. She’s been trolling you non-stop online." "Well," I said dryly, "good thing I’m blind—and couldn’t give less of a damn." Alyssa burst into a loud, unladylike laugh. "I love you!" she giggled. "Her cousin still tries to promote it at school. She even comments about my brother as a cheater—but now they’re trolling her when your marriage with Damon came out." I tilted my head. "Why were you bullied?" She fell silent. "I was bullied, too," I said, not unkindly. "Tyrona and her friends didn’t like me. I fought back, for a while. But I stopped... because your brother didn’t like seeing me get hurt. He’d rather handle it himself. He liked it when he is the only one that pisses me off. He’d provoke me now and then—I’d hit back—but eventually I stopped. He seemed to... enjoy it too much." "Oh," she said, voice small, probably gaping. "My brother teases you? That’s his version of bullying?" "I still think of it as such." "He’s... touchy with you?" "Yes." "Ew," Alyssa cringed. "That’s why he’s so obsessed with you." I sighed softly. "What I’m saying is—you’re a Blackwell. Who would dare bully you?" She hesitated. "Don’t tell Mom or Dad... or anyone," she mumbled. "I won’t," I said gently. "But... How did you fight your bully?" "I know self-defense. Tyrona got shoved more than once. But there’s one thing she did that crossed the line." I paused. "She pushed me into the deep end of the pool—a twelve-foot drop. She used a pool skimmer to poke me off balance... and I had a dumbbell chained to my ankle." "What?" Alyssa gasped. "How did they even—how did they get the chain on you?" "They caught me off guard. I didn’t see it coming. Obviously," I added with a grim smile. "They wrapped the chain quickly. Then they tossed me in." Silence. "That’s not bullying," she said at last. "That’s attempted murder." "You’re right. But Tyrona got away with it. Still, I’ve made sure her life is hell—just like the lives of her little friends." Alyssa’s voice lowered. "That’s why Damon came home soaking wet and ready to kill. Tyrona was at the family dinner, and he nearly went for her if our parents hadn’t intervened." "I wish I’d seen that part," I murmured. "But I was probably still in the hospital." A moment passed. "So... why didn’t you like my brother? He protects you." "It’s not that I don’t like him," I replied coolly, arms folded. "I despise him." She gawked. "But—he’s crazy about you!" "That’s precisely why I let him stay. He’s easy to control when he’s like that. He gets what he wants. I get what I want." "Oh," she said, slowly. "So..." "It’s no secret between us," I said. "Listen to me, Alyssa. You need to find a man who would do everything for you—even when you’re wrong. Someone who would burn the world for you, not play hero in it." She went quiet. "That’s... heavy. How would I even find someone like that?" "Like your brother?" "Ugh! Like my brother?" she asked, horrified. I smirked. "He’s your brother, yes—but is he really as self-centered as you say? Ever ask him for help when you were bullied? Ask him to pick you up from school?" "I never did," she admitted. "He was always busy. Mom and Dad focused on him and Tyrona... The girls in this family don’t get attention." "That’s awful," I said, reaching out. "But that’s why you need to stand for yourself. Be a rebel. Because in the end, the only person you can count on is you." I felt her fingers wrap around mine, soft and trembling. "Will you come to school with me tomorrow?" she asked quietly. "Of course," I smiled. "Wake me early so I can prepare." "Livy," came a knock at the door—my annoying husband’s voice right behind it. "Are you done talking?" I sighed. "I’ll give you something to carry tomorrow," I whispered to Alyssa. "But right now, I have to deal with your brother." "Oh—okay." She helped me to the door. I heard it creak open, and then Damon’s presence enveloped me—his familiar scent, his warmth, the possessive tug on my waist. "Ugh, gross! That’s disgusting, brother!" Alyssa groaned. Damon just laughed as I smacked his chest lightly. "She’s mine," he said as he lifted me effortlessly. I felt the bounce of the bed under us, and heard his breath close to mine. "I’ve had all your lingerie washed," he murmured. "They’ll be here soon." "Perfect," I said, reaching out. He caught my hand, pressing it to his cheek. "It must be exhausting for you," I whispered. "Being my husband." He chuckled. "You’ve been helping me each night, remember?" I did. My hands had offered comfort, release. But for him, it was never the same as truly making love. "What did you and Alyssa talk about?" he asked. "Just girl things." I pulled him toward me and kissed him. He moaned, bracing himself above me. I wrapped my legs around his waist. I could feel it—his hunger, his ache for more. We made love quickly, fervently. But I wasn’t finished. And neither was he. Still... There was a family dinner tonight. I had to look stunning. Damon had already chosen a peach-colored dress—he said it complimented my skin perfectly. He even helped with my hair, gently fixing the jeweled hairpin he’d set aside just for me. "You’re breathtaking, my love," he said, brushing a kiss to my cheek. "Brandon and Damien are here. I’m sure they’ll look at you like predators. Maybe I should gouge out their eyes. What do you think?" I laughed and took his hand from my waist. "Maybe not at dinner?" I teased. "Let’s not start a war... just yet." "Alright," he murmured, pressing his lips to my cheek again. –Laura– I came to dinner almost late—thanks to work, as usual. But hey, I brought all my work with me, including the reason why I was running late in the first place: my man. Not that he wanted to be involved. His tormentors were here, after all. As soon as I stepped in, I spotted Alyssa, practically glued to my sister, chatting away like they were besties. I felt a little pang of jealousy, but I didn’t really mind. What I did mind, though, was Damien’s half-brother gawking at me across the room—like I was some rare insect. Probably thinking I’m pathetic for falling for a "bastard." But honestly, those so-called legitimate sons? More bastardly than the actual one. "Damien!" Alyssa squealed. "You’re here!" "Hello, Princess!" Damien greeted her with a warm hug. "So... did you buy something for me from Korea?" "I sure did!" He held out the shopping bag. She squirmed with excitement, and I had to admit—it must be nice to have a little sister like her. "Thank you!" "I guess he can afford that now that he’s got a sugar mommy," Ion Blackwell blurted out with a smug laugh. Second son of Yohan Blackwell. Half-brother. Full jackass. "Why?" I said in a flat, unimpressed tone, eyeing him like a BUG. "Can’t you afford something for your cousin without grinding your hips on older women?" Ion glared at me, which only made it more satisfying. "That’s actually from Damon’s credit card," Damien added, cool and casual. "And for the record, I don’t have a sugar mommy." "Isn’t Laura your sugar mommy?" Jardin, the firstborn, piped up. Cue the bastard chorus of laughter. Before I could even roll my eyes, Livana stepped in—calm, clear, and lethal. "What’s wrong with Laura being Damien’s sugar mommy?" she said evenly. "At least she’s not old. She’s intelligent, stunning, and lovable." I glanced at Alyssa. The way her expression shifted into a knowing smirk, aimed squarely at her cousins, made me want to high-five her right then and there. "Is she saying something?" Ion chuckled, still pretending not to understand Livana’s quiet power. "I think your sons need to go back to elementary school, Yohan," Livana said, voice sharp as glass. "They haven’t learned a damn thing. No brains in their heads—but it looks like something’s definitely growing below the belt." Damon snorted. Then burst out laughing. However, Uncle Yohan, Damien’s father only shrugged nonchalantly. "Livana," Ameliee chided gently. "I’m so sorry, Mom. And Dad," Livana said, hands raised in mock guilt. "My mouth just slips when I hear someone getting bullied." "That’s understandable," Uncle Hardin said firmly, stepping in. "Let’s stop the insults, boys. You need to learn how to respect your elders." The room fell into an awkward silence. I, of course, smirked. "By the way," I said smoothly, changing the topic. "I brought cheesecakes. All different flavors." Right on cue, Jane and Kai came in carrying the boxes. "Kai!" Alyssa squealed again, practically launching herself at him. "You’re here!" What a cheerful little thing. I walked over to my sister and set the Hermès bag down beside her. "Here’s the bag you asked for." "Thank you." Now I was curious. Why was she even bringing that bag out tonight? "I remember Ines used to have a whole collection of those," I remarked. "We divided her collection," I continued as I took the seat beside my sister. "It’s still being cared for—safe, pristine. We didn’t give everything away. Most of it still reminds us of her. And in her will, she said those were meant for Livana and me anyway. Some were never even used." Ameliee pressed her lips together with that bittersweet smile. She must have been really close to Mom. "Alyssa, I have something for you," Livana said, voice calm and certain. I blinked and stared. Alyssa walked toward us eagerly. Was Livana serious? Was she about to give a million-peso bag to Alyssa?