Chapter 68
Unknown number after unknown number flashed across the screen as I settled into my business–class seat. But I wasn’t stupid–I knew exactly who it was. Jayson. Probably calling from every number he could find.
I clenched my jaw, hit power off, and tossed the phone into my bag like it burned my fingers. I refused to let him ruin this. Not now. Not when I was finally leaving.
The plane’s engines hummed softly as passengers shuffled to their seats. I pulled out the thick stack of documents–my research project -trying to focus. Pharmaceutical trials, drug efficacy rates, lab protocols.
It should’ve grounded me, pulled me into the world I was desperate to escape into. But the words blurred. All I could see was Jayson’s face, his piercing eyes filled with something between rage and possession the last time we spoke.
I exhaled sharply, burying the ache. This was my fresh start.”
Just as the plane doors closed, someone slid into the seat beside me. I didn’t bother looking up. I could feel his presence–a tall frame, the faint scent of leather mixed with something sharp like citrus. I kept my gaze glued to the pages, pretending to be engrossed.”
Then a low, familiar voice broke the fragile calm.
“I think you owe me an explanation.“}
I froze. Slowly, I turned my head.
A man wearing a cap sat next to me, but it was his smug grin that made my stomach flip. He tugged the cap off, revealing tousled dark hair and bruises. A nasty one on his cheekbone, another just fading along his jaw.
kne
I knew that face.
Ryan.
The same man I’d snapped a photo of at the bar. The same man I’d sent to Jayson with a petty text–Meet my date.}
Ryan’s grin deepened, amusement flickering in his eyes.
“Not sure why you did it, but your dear stepbrother didn’t appreciate the photo. Got himself worked up enough to punch me in the face.” He rubbed his bruised jaw lightly. “I mean, did we sleep together? Because if we did, I must’ve blacked out. And trust me, I wouldn’t forget letting you out of my bed.”}
Heat flooded my face. My mouth opened, closed, then opened again. “I–I’m sorry,” I blurted. “I didn’t mean for that to happen. I just wanted… I wanted Jayson to leave me alone. I didn’t think he’d actually-” I gestured vaguely toward his bruises.}
Ryan laughed softly, leaning back in his seat. “Relax. I got him back. Punched him straight in the mouth. Fair trade.“}
I blinked, unsure whether to feel relieved or guilty. Maybe both.
“But,” Ryan continued, his tone shifting, “you owe me. And I intend to collect.“}
I frowned. “What? I said I was sorry.“}
“Apologies are cheap. I want something better.” His grin was infuriatingly charming.
“What do you want? Dinner?” I offered, half–joking, trying to defuse the tension.}
“Dinner?” He chuckled. “No, sweetheart. I want a bride.”
I choked on air. “I–what?“E
“A bride. Specifically, you.” He grinned. “And, I must say, it has been a while since I saw your beautiful face. I was glad you weren’t wearing that mask anymore.”
I gulped. Beautiful. It has been a while since someone told me that. I was always been scared of going out because people would stare at me because of my scar, but now–I was indeed free.}
I stared at him, convinced he was joking. But there was no humor in his eyes–just sharp calculation.
“That’s ridiculous,” I snapped. “I’m on a three–year research project. I don’t have time for… whatever game you’re playing.“}
Ryan shrugged. “Not a game. See, I’m competing with my brother for my family’s inheritance. Having a wife–and maybe even a kid- would make things easier. And lucky me, you’re the perfect candidate.“}
“Absolutely not.“%
“What if I tell you that you can manage both? Because,” he leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, “I’m actually your boss. Heading to the same place you are.”
My jaw clenched. This couldn’t be happening. He is my boss? I didn’t think of who my boss would be, although I knew their family deals with pharmaceuticals, but there were other companies–and him? I wasn’t sure if that would sound great.
I’m not marrying someone I don’t love,” I shot back. I won’t let anyone fool me again. All I want is peace of mind and finally have control of my life.%
“Fair. But if you say no.” He tapped his chin thoughtfully. “I might just call Jayson. Let him know I’m not your boyfriend after all. Or wait, what about telling your parents that you have a secret relationship with Jayson?“%
My heart skipped. No, that’s not going to happen. I might have hinted my mother about loving Jayson but I didn’t specifically tell her about Jayson and I having sex behind their back.
I also didn’t have the courage to tell them about what the kidnapping accident. Yes, I hated Jayson for doing that. But that would ruined pur family That was something I wouldn’t want them to know. My mother would be deeply hurt–and worst, my stepfather would get mad.
22
3:34 PM .
་པ ་་་དཔ་་་ ་་་་ ་་་པ་་་ཆ
པ་P་
ས་་པ ་་པ་པ་ ་་་་ པཔ་པས་ ་་པས་པ སྤུ་ ་་་པ༦.
Jayson might have ruined me, but I don’t want to ruin our family knowing my mother truly loves Jayson’s father. It was real for them. Thus, I decided to just disappear and forget about it, even if it hurts.
“That’s blackmail.”
“Yep.” He didn’t even deny it. “Your move, sweetheart.“}
I glared at him, torn between punching him and screaming. But I also imagine the idea of Jayson smugly realizing I’d faked everything, which made my stomach twist. I couldn’t give him that satisfaction.
“I’ll think about it,” I muttered, gritting my teeth.”
Ryan just smiled, like he’d already won.}
When the plane finally landed, I turned my phone back on.
Dozens of missed calls. Voicemails. Messages from my mother.
Jayson knows where you are. He’s coming for you.
Panic surged. I couldn’t let him find me. Without thinking, I spun around in the airport, searching. And there he was–Ryan, casually walking ahead like he hadn’t just flipped my life upside down.”
I sprinted after him.
“Wait!” I called, breathless. He turned, eyebrow raised.}
“I’ll do it,” I said, my chest heaving. “I’ll marry you.“}
His grin was slow, satisfied. “Smart choice.”}
Anything, I thought bitterly, to keep Jayson out of my life.
23
