Chapter 4%
I sat on the edge of my bed, carefully dabbing at the scrape on my elbow. The door burst open, slamming against the wall with a force that made me flinch.
Jayson stormed in, his face a storm cloud of fury. “Apologize to Fiona.” His voice was sharp, cutting through the silence like a blade. I froze, the cotton swab slipping from my fingers. “What?“}
He stepped closer, his eyes dark and hard. “You heard me. Apologize. You hurt her ankle–she can’t walk properly. You know she’s a model. You could’ve ruined her career!“}
I stood, the anger bubbling inside me. “I’m not apologizing because I didn’t do anything wrong. She slipped. That’s on her, not me.“@ His jaw clenched, fists curling at his sides. “You’re being unreasonable.“>
That was it. The final crack that shattered whatever was left of my restraint.}
“Unreasonable?” I snapped, stepping closer, the space between us crackling with tension. “You’re the one marrying her, Jayson. What about me? What about us? What about all the promises you made?“>
For a moment, he looked caught–trapped between the truth and the lies he’d woven so effortlessly. Then his face hardened again.§ “I’m doing this for us,” he hissed. “Don’t you get it? If I don’t marry her, they might get suspicious of us. Fiona is just… a distraction. Good for business, good for appearances. That’s it. It’s still you.”
I stared at him, disbelief washing over me. “A distraction?” My voice trembled, not with fear, but rage.}
He must’ve seen it because his expression softened, and he reached for me, pulling me into his arms. His warmth, his scent–familiar and comforting–only fueled my fury.”
“I’m sorry,” he whispered against my hair. “I didn’t mean to yell. I just don’t want us to get caught. Even if I marry her, it doesn’t change anything between us.“}
I pushed against his chest, my heart screaming to believe him, but my mind refusing to be fooled again. I heard everything. It was too late.&
“Just apologize to her,” he said gently. “Fake it. For us.”
I sighed, exhausted from the emotional whiplash he put me through. “Fine.” The word tasted bitter on my tongue.>>
His face lit up with a smile, as if he’d won some twisted game. “Good. I promise we’ll go out later, just the two of us.”}
I shook my head, suddenly fueled by a reckless impulse. “That’s not necessary. I have a date.“}]
It was a lie, but I wanted to hurt him the way he’d hurt me.”
His smile vanished. “No, you don’t.“}
I crossed my arms, smirking. “Oh, but I do. I’ve moved on. Unlike you, I don’t need to hide behind fake marriages and business deals.“}
He stepped forward, his face inches from mine, his jaw tight with fury. “You’re not allowed to date.“}
I laughed, the sound hollow and sharp. “Oh, I’m not allowed? But you’re allowed to get married? That’s not just hypocritical–it’s pathetic.“}
His hands gripped my arms, not gently this time. “You’re mine, Kylie. You always have been.“}
I yanked myself free, my pulse pounding. “If that’s what you think, then choose. Me or her.”
His face twisted in frustration. “That’s ridiculous.”
I took a deep breath, my heart racing as I delivered the final blow.
“I’m not yours, Jayson. Not anymore. From now on, I’ll do whatever I want.“>
Without another word, I turned on my heel and walked out, slamming the door behind me.
And this time, I didn’t look back.
The city lights blurred through the rain–speckled cab window, casting streaks of neon across my face. I stared blankly, my mind replaying Jayson’s furious expression, his possessive words echoing in my head like a broken record.
The words felt like chains, tightening around my chest. I needed to breathe. I needed to forget. My phone buzzed on my lap, lighting up with his name–Jayson. Again.
I ignored it. The buzzing continued, relentless. A call. Then another. Followed by a stream of messages lighting up the screen.
Where are you??
Come home. Now.%
I’m serious, Kylie. Answer me.
Whoever that man is, he’s dead if he touches you. Only I can.”
I stared at the last message, my chest tightening. And then–I laughed. A bitter, hollow laugh. The irony was suffocating. He wanted me to be his while he was marrying someone else? Asshole!
The cab pulled up in front of a bar bathed in red neon lights. I paid the driver, stepped out, and was immediately swallowed by the pulse of music and the murmur of late–night chatter. The bass thrummed under my skin, a welcome distraction from the storm inside my head!!
Inside, the bar was crowded, the air thick with the scent of liquor, sweat, and broken promises. I made my way through the sea of strangers, craving the anonymity their presence provided.
And then–I saw him.
Ryan.E
PPPTS
3:33 PM
d
Inside, the bar was crowded, the air thick with the scent of liquor, sweat, and broken promises. I made my way through the sea of strangers, craving the anonymity their presence provided.
And then–I saw him.
Ryan.
Sitting at the far end of the bar, his dark hair slightly tousled, a glass of whiskey in hand, and that familiar, smug grin tugging at the corner of his lips. Jayson’s former best friend turned sworn rival. The man Jayson hated more than anyone else.}
A wicked idea sparked in my mind.
I couldn’t approach him–not yet. But I didn’t have to.
I pulled out my phone, angled it just right, and snapped a photo of Ryan leaning casually against the bar, unaware of my presence. The image was perfect.
Without overthinking, I typed a message to Jayson:
“Meet my date.“N
I hit send. The screen stayed lit for a second before the message was delivered.}
2/2
