The Dark Side Of Fate by Karima Sa'ad Usman novel Chapter 225

~Susan~

Devin did not return to the bedroom until one in the morning. I wondered what he stayed up discussing with Leo. He also did not seem too happy when he entered the room, so I was concerned too.

I did not know if it were safe for me to ask him, so I remained silent.

He sat down on the bed and sighed heavily.

"Is everything all right?" I asked him, and he sighed and then looked back at me.

"I hope you have been honest with me, Susan," he stated, and my heart began to beat fast from confusion. That was a very odd question to ask me. His words made me sit up immediately.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked him, and he sighed.

"What you told me about your parents being missing and not knowing where they are: Is it true?" he asked. I did not understand why he would think I would lie about something that serious.

"I swear to you, Devin, I do not know where they are. I don't," I said, not knowing if I needed to convince him.

"Where were you when we broke up?" he asked.

"I was hiding in Pridewood," I told him, and he sighed.

"Who were you staying with in Pridewood? I know your uncle's home was in Pridewood, the very Pridewood where the massacre occurred, the very night you came to Greenville," he said, and I became worried. Had someone set me up?

"Why are you asking this?" I asked him, and he looked at me. His eyes were teary.

"Because I feel it was odd you returned the very night Pridewood was destroyed. I then learn that your parents aren't missing but members of a cult that wants to help its leaders take over the south and east. I am not a fool, Susan. What is your real mission here?" he asked me, and I was utterly shocked.

I had just heard that my parents, who I believed were dead, were alive somewhere and did not bother to contact me. Then, at the same time, he was accusing me of treason.

"Are you accusing me of treason?" I asked him quietly, and he was silent.

"I know it is easy to believe that I am a bad person because of what my uncle and cousin did and maybe what you heard about my parents, but I swear to you, Devin, I am hearing of them for the first time.

What happened in Pridewood was a coincidence.

I did not know they would wipe out that place. I swear, Devin. I did not know. I know it looks like I came here to save myself from annihilation and maybe keep your trust, but I swear I did not know. I would have died there. I was just lucky," I said, tears streaming down my face because I knew I looked guilty.

It was weird that I left Pridewood the very night it was attacked and its residents killed by a cult my missing parents are now rumoured to be a part of. It looked suspicious.

I waited for Devin to say something, but he remained quiet, and I became scared. Had he discussed this with Leo, or had Leo told Sylvester? Was the council aware? Will I be tried for treason like Glenda and uncle Nickolas? Will I be hung in public like they did Glkenda and uncle Nikolas? Scenarios of what might happen played in my head.

I did not know what to do. I was afraid.

If there was an issue and my loyalty was questioned, and Devin did not trust me, I was genuinely fucked because he was all I had.

"I swear to you, Devin, I have no hand in the death of the people in Pridewood," I said in tears.

I was terrified. I did not want to die.

"Devin, tell me you believe me," I said, and he was silent. His hands were shaking, and I knew he was conflicted.

"What will happen to me, Devin?" I asked quietly because I knew I was guilty in his eyes.

"It isn't a serious matter yet, but a fleeing member of the cult has confirmed that your folks were involved in the massacre in Pridewood, and to think you left there that very night seems suspicious. I do not know, Susan, but I will have it investigated…" he said, trailing off the rest of his words.

We had made love when we got to the east and promised each other so much. His words cut me deep. His inability to take my word for it broke my heart completely.

"You mean you do not believe me?" I asked him, and he sighed.

"It isn't about what I believe. It is about what I can prove. I am the head Alpha of the south, and that massacre happened under my watch. Your parent's involvement with the cult that perpetrated the crime casts a huge shadow of doubt on your person. The fact that you were there and left the place to my house the night the people were killed…" he said, and I did not need him to finish. I knew where it was heading.

"Everything says I have a hand in it…." I completed it for him.

"My family's track record also leaves little to be desired," I added, and he was silent.

"So, will I be arrested and detained pending the investigation?" I asked him with a breathy voice, and he shook his head.

"If it comes to that, I won't let that happen, Susan, but I need you to be honest with me," he said, looking at me.

"I will go against everyone for your sake, but I need you to be honest with me," he said, and I believed that was too much to ask of him. Going against everyone meant him losing his status and good name, and maybe his life. I could not have that.