Page 13 of Depraved Temptation

Alexander

The sleek black car glides through the winding driveway, the headlights piercing through the soft darkness of the evening. Lila's hand rests on mine. The hum of the engine is our soundtrack, punctuated by the sporadic laughter that bubbles up between us.

"You know, I didn't expect that sculpture of intertwined bodies to be so... evocative," she chuckles, her hazel eyes shimmering with mischief.

I smirk, "Oh? I thought you were too engrossed with that abstract painting that looked like a toddler's attempt at finger painting."

She nudges me playfully, "Hey! That was deep. You just didn’t get the layers."

We continue to banter back and forth, recounting our perspectives on each artwork. The weight of the world seems to lift, the two of us cocooned in this shared moment. It's comfortable, natural—and that’s what scares me most. This kind of intimacy, with its promise of deeper connection, is not what I'm used to, but with Lila, it feels right.

As the car comes to a gentle halt in front of my mansion, I get out and go to her side, opening the door and pulling her to her feet. The ambient lighting from the entrance casts a soft glow on her face, emphasizing the gentle curve of her lips. She meets my gaze, and I tug her closer. Our lips meet in a brief but promising kiss. It's a whisper of the passion that simmers below the surface, a hint of what the evening could bring.

Pulling back, I brush a stray strand of hair from her face. "I've been looking forward to tonight, Lila," I admit, my voice low and sincere. The idea of her naked in my bed, of me nestled between her legs, of waking up beside her, of learning how she takes her coffee.

Her lips curve into a soft smile, "Me too.”

The quiet comfort of the night is quickly overshadowed by the aggressive roar of another engine approaching. We both snap our heads in the direction of the sound. My heart sinks even before I spot the familiar sleek lines of the car and the distinctive license plate.

It's Cameron's.

The vehicle skids slightly as he pulls up beside us, the tires screeching. Before the engine even has a chance to die down, he's out of the car, his usually composed face twisted in a mask of rage and disbelief.

"What the hell is this?" Cameron snaps, his gaze darting between Lila and me.

I square my shoulders, readying myself for the confrontation I know is inevitable. "Cameron, this isn't the time or place."

Lila's voice trembles slightly as she steps forward, trying to mediate. "Cameron, please. Let's talk calmly."

He rounds on her, the hurt evident in his eyes. "Talk? You're here, at our family home, with him?" He gestures towards me with a scoff. "Of all people, Lila?"

I can see Lila struggle, her desire to explain battling with her shock at his sudden appearance. "Please, let's just—"

But he cuts her off, stepping closer to me, his voice seething with anger. "You always have to take everything from me, don't you, Dad? Even her."

My temper flares, old resentments bubbling to the surface. "This has nothing to do with you," I growl back. "For once, stop acting like the entire world revolves around your feelings."

Cameron's chest heaves, and for a moment, it's as if all the air has been sucked out of the night. His face contorts in a mix of pain and rage, voice raw as he spits out, "I trusted you, Dad. Even after everything, I wanted to believe that there was still some line you wouldn't cross. But I was wrong. You're just... you're selfish. You've always been."

I take a deep breath, searching for the right words, trying to reign in the maelstrom of emotions whirling inside. "Cam, I'm sorry. Truly. I never wanted things to go this way, to hurt you. I wanted to talk to you, man to man, before things got to this point."

His laugh is bitter, devoid of any real mirth. "Man to man? That ship has sailed. This is how you choose to communicate? By betraying me in the most personal way possible?"

Lila reaches out, touching his arm lightly, trying to bridge the gap. "Cam, please understand—"

He shrugs her off, taking a step back. "I don't want your explanations. Either of you." He shoots a final, piercing look in my direction, the pain unmistakable. "You're not my father. Not anymore."

It's a knife to the heart, a wound so profound I can't find words to counter it. The silence that descends is deafening, the chasm between us all growing deeper and more insurmountable.

Cameron's posture straightens, his demeanor shifting from raw vulnerability to cold determination as he turns his scowl on Lila. “I see right through you, Lila. From me to him?" He laughs, the sound jagged and filled with contempt. "Quite the upgrade, don't you think? But then, you always did have a knack for knowing where the money is."

Her face flushes, wounded by his cruel insinuations. "It was never about that," she murmurs, voice faltering.

"Oh, wasn't it? A dancer in a club like Risqué, now playing house with the biggest fish in the pond. It's all rather convenient." Cameron's eyes dart to me, the fire in them undiminished. "And you," he says, voice low and deadly. "You should know better."

I square my shoulders, unwilling to let him dominate the narrative. "Cameron, this isn't you. Let's sit down and talk this out."

But surprisingly, it’s Lila who speaks up next. "I'm truly sorry for any pain I may have caused you, but you know it wasn't just me. We were both responsible for our relationship's end." Her voice cracks, each word laden with years of suppressed emotion.