Chapter 7N
D
I never planned to see Jayson again. But fate had other plans.
As Ryan and I made our way through the airport, weaving through the bustling crowd, I forced myself to focus on the future. On leaving Jayson behind. On embracing this reckless, impulsive decision.
But then–W
A firm hand grabbed my wrist, yanking me to a sudden stop.
I didn’t have to look to know who it was.
The warmth, the electric pull–I hated how familiar it felt.
Jayson.
I turned, heart slamming against my ribs. He was standing there, breathless, disheveled, eyes burning with something raw and desperate. He looked like he hadn’t slept in days. How did he even find me? But that wasn’t what important.
For a moment, he just stared, his gaze sweeping over me like he was seeing a ghost. “You’re… you’re okay,” he murmured, voice hoarse. “You’re really okay. The scar… it was gone now.“N
A bitter smile curled my lips. “Disappointed?“N
His jaw clenched. “No. I thought–I thought something happened to you. Kylie, I–You’re beautiful.”
“Save it,” I snapped, yanking my wrist free. “You don’t get to act like you care.”
“I do care!” His voice rose, eyes blazing. “I was wrong about everything. I know the truth now. My mother… she wasn’t the victim. She was the one who was cheating. That night–she wasn’t heartbroken. She was running away from us.“N
I’stilled.
Jayson swallowed hard, his hands trembling. “I blamed you for years. I thought your mother destroyed my family, but it was my own. And I took it out on you. ! hurt you. I betrayed you. And now, I-“N
“Now you want my forgiveness?” I laughed coldly, shaking my head. “You destroyed me, Jayson. You played with my heart, used me for revenge, let me believe you loved me. And now, because you realized you were wrong, you think that changes everything?“N
Pain flashed in his eyes. “I don’t expect you to forgive me. I just… I just don’t want to lose you.”
I scoffed. “You lost me the moment you chose to hurt me. There’s nothing left.”
His hands curled into fists. “Then why are you doing this? Why him?” His gaze flickered past me, landing on Ryan.
I smirked, turning to Ryan, who had been watching the scene unfold with an amused expression. “We’re getting married.” Jayson’s entire body went rigid. “No.“N
“Yes.”
His voice dropped, low and sharp. “I won’t allow it.“8
I raised a brow. “You don’t get to allow anything. You’re not my father.”
His nostrils flared. “Our parents won’t agree-”
“Oh, really?” I pulled out my phone, dialing my mother without hesitation. She answered on the second ring.
“Sweetheart! Are you okay? Jayson’s been looking for you all day,” she said, voice laced with concern.
“I’m great, Mom,” I said, eyes locked on Jayson’s. “I just wanted to tell you—I’m getting married.”
A pause. Then an excited squeal. “Oh my God! To who? Is this for real? I didn’t expect this.”
“Ryan Smith.”
“Oh! That’s wonderful! The Smith Family? They’re great. We should have a family dinner to celebrate. I’ll arrange everything! But what about the research project? What’s happening?”
“I’ll explain later, Mom. Bye!” I ended the call and slowly turned to Jayson, savoring the disbelief etched into his face.N
Ryan chuckled. “Maybe we should have a double wedding. What do you think, Jayson?”
Jayson lunged at him, fury darkening his features, but Ryan sidestepped smoothly, laughing. “Touchy, aren’t we?”
I narrowed my eyes. “Why are you so obsessed with me? Don’t you want me to be happy?“>
Jayson’s hands trembled at his sides. “You’re happy with me.”
Something inside me snapped.
I slapped him. Hard.
The sound echoed
His head snapped to the side, but he didn’t move.
Tears burned in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. “I was never happy being your secret,” I whispered. “And I will never be yours again.” Jayson turned back to me, his face pale, his voice hollow “I love you, Kylie.”
My breath hitched
But I couldn’t let myself waver Not now
I exhaled shakily, my next words cutting like a knife. “I don’t love you anymore.“%
His body tensed. His eyes, once so full of confidence, now looked… broken.
3:34 PM
And then I twisted the blade deeper.”
“You let me suffer for years. You ruined my life. And if you even think about stopping me, I’ll tell your father everything.“}
His face drained of color.”
D
I leaned in, my voice barely a whisper. “I’ll tell him the truth, Jayson. That you were the one behind my kidnapping. That you ordered those men to hurt me. That you left me scarred, traumatized, ruined.“}
His breath came in sharp, shallow bursts. “You wouldn’t.”}
I smiled cruelly. “I would.“}
We both knew what that meant.”
His father would kill him.
Jayson’s entire body trembled. He sucked in a deep breath, as if trying to steady himself. Then, finally, he stepped back.
Defeated.”
I turned on my heel, grabbing Ryan’s hand as we walked toward the exit.}
Ryan smirked. “That went well.“}
I forced a smile. “Never better.“}
But my hands wouldn’t stop shaking. My heart still ached. It would take time to heal. But at least, for now, I was free.
To make things worse–or maybe better–Ryan suggested,”
“Let’s announce our engagement. Make it official, so he wouldn’t say that we’re just playing with him.“}
I nodded. “Sure. Let’s do it.” Anything to drown out the echoes of Jayson’s voice in my head.}
Later, at Ryan’s place, the news blared on the TV. There we were–breaking news: Billionaire Ryan announces surprise engagement to pharmaceutical researcher Kylie Gray.”
I watched, numb. This was my new life. I had to embrace it.”
I wasn’t sure what would happen, but it was better than staying in our house watching Jayson marry someone else. And I had already accepted the fact that we couldn’t be together. He will always be my stepbrother.
I busied myself unpacking, determined to ignore the hollow ache in my chest. But then a wave of nausea hit me out of nowhere. I rushed to the bathroom, vomiting until my knees felt weak.}
And then it hit me.
I hadn’t had my period.”
Panic surged as I grabbed my bag, rushing to the nearest pharmacy. Moments later, I was back in the bathroom, staring at the pregnancy test
Two lines.
Positive.&
I sank to the floor, the world spinning around me.}
I was pregnant with Jayson’s child.
