Chapter 21
There might have been a trace of escape, a trace of exhaustion, a trace of compromise after heartbreak.
He feared I’d soften, feared I hadn’t fully let go of that man.
Afraid that just as my heart began to stir for him, Brynn would drag me back into the abyss.
He couldn’t risk that.
“Mr. Collins,” the assistant knocked softly on the door, “The wedding venue setup is complete. The budget’s doubled the original plan.“@ “Keep going,” Hayden said, his voice smooth. “I said, no cutting corners.”
You only get married once. It shouldn’t be rushed.
The door creaked slightly as I pushed it open.
He immediately turned off his phone and hid it in his hand, standing up with a smile. “Back so soon?“}
I walked to him, meeting those gentle eyes.
“We’re trying on the wedding dress later,” I said, turning away, my cheeks flushed. “Are you coming?”
“How could I not?” Hayden replied before I even finished.
His hand reached for mine, fingers gently entwining.
I froze, trying to pull away, but he held on, his grip firm yet soft.
Without a word, he lowered his gaze, his eyes full of emotions I couldn’t name.
That gentleness overwhelmed me, making my ears burn with warmth.
He held my hand as we stepped out the door.
The driver stood by the car, his gaze fixed ahead, but he couldn’t resist glancing at the rearview mirror. There, our hands, entwined and bathed in sunlight, looked as if they were coated in gold.
Dog food was served without warning.
Inside the car, Hayden lowered his eyes to the hand resting on my lap.
His fingertips gently traced the curve of my knuckles as if studying a precious treasure.
“Natalie…”
“Hmm?“&
“Have you ever thought that I’ve liked you all along since we were kids?”
I froze, turning to look at him.
“When we were little, you were so pretty. I was chubby then, and I always thought you wouldn’t like me.“>
“You weren’t ugly,” I mumbled.”
“But I wanted to be worthy of you. So I lost weight, took care of my skin, started a business, worked like crazy, all for today.“>
“You really, really haven’t dated before?” I couldn’t hide my suspicion.
Hayden chuckled. “Nope.”
He leaned in closer, his voice soft in my ear.
“So, Natalie, will you teach me how to be in love?“}
My breath caught. I was just about to respond when his phone dinged.
I glanced down; it was a news push. “Murphy Corporation stock plunges.“}
I frowned. “Murphy family again?”
Hayden tucked his phone away and said gently, “Don’t look at that. Today’s for trying on your wedding dress; don’t let anything ruin your mood.“E
I didn’t ask further.”
What I didn’t know was that this man, gentle like spring rain, was methodically, relentlessly tearing down the world I had known.
He was using every ounce of his strength to lock me entirely into his world.
A world that belonged only to me, a world named Hayden.!
These past few days, Brynn had been buried in endless meetings with the CFO, dealing with damage control. His brows were drawn tight, his eyes bloodshot
Stacks of reports, risk assessments, and legal letters piled up like a fortress on his desk.!
The evening scandal had hit his company harder than he had expected.
His phone buzzed.
He didn’t intend to check it, but something made him glance at the screen.
It was a message from the private investigator he had hired earlier. [Miss Griffin is currently at Mountain View Wedding Dress Boutique in Willowcrest trying on dresses s
Time froze.
Brynn stared at the message, his knuckles turning white as he clenched the phone
10:58 AM
Time froze.
Brynn stared at the message, his knuckles turning white as he clenched the phone.
His Adam’s apple moved as he swallowed hard–an icy, suffocating feeling gripped his chest.
I was really going to marry someone else.
And he? He was stuck here, cleaning up the mess.\
“I need to make a trip to Willowcrest.” He stood up, his voice cold, leaving no room for argument.”
