Forbidden Mate- A Step-brother Romance - Chapter 65: Chapter 65

~APOLLO~
What the hell was going on? I had left dinner early, missing out on the rest of my mother's plan for the engagement ceremony, and now I was blindsided by the news that it was just a week away.
How could my mother make such a monumental decision without even consulting me? I could already tell she was angry that I hadn't answered her calls or that I'd walked out of dinner without a word. But this was pushing it way too far.
I wasn't ready to get engaged to Jada—certainly not anytime soon. After what had happened between Lana and me last night, I knew it would be cruel to accept something so serious right now.
I could still picture the look on Lana’s face when she heard the news, like I had ripped her heart out. She must have felt utterly betrayed. She had opened up to me last night, and the last thing she deserved was to be hit with this bombshell.
All of this was my fault. Everything that was happening lay squarely on my shoulders.
I quickly dialed my mother's number, and she picked up on the first ring, as if she had been waiting forever for my call.
"You've finally decided to call your mother after walking out on her and your future wife," she says, her tone dripping with disappointment. "I'm very disappointed in you, Apollo. I was overjoyed that you came all the way here to mend things and plan your engagement to Jada, but you shocked me when you left with our transport or an explanation and then ignored my calls. How could you be so insensitive?"
"Mother," I say, trying to keep my cool. "Why did you call my father and tell him the engagement ceremony would be next week? Nothing about the date was discussed while I was there, and I would never agree to something so soon. You know that."
There was a brief silence before she replied, "You left dinner before we had the chance to run the date by you. Since you so rudely departed without a word, I decided to make that decision for you."
My jaw tightened. "I'm sorry, but that date simply doesn't work for me. It's too soon."
"Is there another woman, Apollo?" she asks, curiosity creeping into her voice.
I froze, shocked that she would even suggest such a thing now.
"What?" I stammer, trying to keep my voice steady. "Why would you ask something like that?"
"Because," she says, her tone growing serious. "You're not the son I've known for all these years. You've changed so much in less than two weeks; the only explanation has to be another woman. Please tell me that's not the case. You know Jada is the only woman I approve of—no one else."
Damn it. I wanted to tell her the truth and just get it over with, but the right words wouldn't come.
"There's no one, mother," I lie.
There was someone, and I'd do anything for her in a heartbeat. Just thinking about how hurt my mate looked earlier was breaking my heart.
"Then there shouldn't be any issue with the engagement being set for next week, should there?" she pressed, her question laced with a warning. If I didn't agree, I knew she would start showing up unannounced, trying to dig into my personal life to find out about the 'mystery girl' who had changed her son.
I couldn't let that happen.
"No," I reply, my voice firm.
"Good," she says, sounding satisfied. "I will forgive you for leaving us without a word, but you need to make it up to me. I expect you to fully engage in the planning. Jada has to believe that you genuinely want to marry her."
I knew that I could never fully commit to this. Jada would never see the side of me that I was willing to give to Lana. Which meant that I was set to have a very miserable life. I could never be happy with anyone else but my mate.
This was turning out to be the worst year of my life. That was saying plenty since I've been through some shitty experiences in the past.
"Okay," I agreed reluctantly before hanging up.
That conversation felt like a total waste of my time. I would have been better off trying to calm my mate and apologizing for everything.
I knew I had messed up. Someone like Lana deserved better than a mate as conflicted as I was.
There was still time to talk to her. I had to do something, anything, to make things right.
But what good would that do if I was getting engaged next week?
I didn't care about that; I had to at least try. I turned the corner, determined to find her. But I was taken aback when I saw her hop into her car outside.
No way.
I didn't want her driving in that state. I knew Lana well—she wasn't the best driver to begin with, and her mood right now put her life in real danger.
"Lana!" I shouted as I rushed through the door and sprinted after her.
But she ignored me completely, slamming on the gas.
"Lana!" I yelled again, jumping into my truck, ready to chase after her.
~LANA~
I didn't understand why Apollo was trying to follow me. If he felt it was fine to mess with my feelings and get engaged to Jada, he shouldn't mind if I hit the club and hooked up with some random guy.
And that was exactly what I planned on doing. After everything that I'd heard, I wanted someone to get my mind off my mate, and quickly. I would do anything to get this pain off my chest. I just wanted it to stop before it drove me insane.
I knew I wasn't thinking straight and acting out of anger. But I didn't care; I wanted to do something to get back at him.
But who was I really hurting with my actions? If Apollo could be so heartless, why did I think that my choices would somehow matter?
I slam down on the accelerator, desperate to shake him off. What am I even trying for? I know Apollo is an excellent driver, and he wouldn't find my speed challenging at all. He proves my thoughts right as he effortlessly stays right on my tail.
My heart races as he zooms past me, forcing me to hit the brakes. I gasp, surprised that he was able to get me to stop despite how fast I’d been driving.
Fuming, I jump out of my car. I watch as he jumps out of his vehicle and sprints towards me.
I'm caught off guard when he slams both hands against the door behind me, pinning me in place.
"What the hell were you thinking, driving like that, Lana?" he demands, his voice firm.
How dare he be angry with me after everything? He was the one who had hurt me, not the other way around.
"Why are you following me?" I shoot back. "Don't you have a fiancée to worry about?"
His expression twists in pain as he replies softly, "I didn't want you to find out this way, Lana. I wanted to tell you in person. I never thought my father would break the news before I had the chance."
I narrow my eyes at him; his words cut deeper into my heart, doing more harm than good.
Was that seriously all he had to say to me?