Chapter 26 – Her Mystery Man
Olivia’s Povi
Warmth X
That was the first thing I felt when I woke up
A heavy arm was draped around my waist, pulling me close.
I shifted a little and a soft groan escaped from behind me.
“Don’t move,” a deep voice whispered against my earl
1 froze.
Chase.
Everything from last night rushed back into my head
Chase bursting into the room, saving me… And then away. »
I closed my eyes tightly, feeling heat rise to my checks.
What have I done?!
Jason, the drink, the dizziness.||
the way he touched me, the way he kissed me, the way he made the burning pain go
Slowly, I turned around to face him. His eyes were already open, watching me.
“Moming,” he said, his voice low and husky.
I bit my lip nervously. “Chase about last night. I–7
“You don’t have to say anything,” he interrupted gently.
“But I wasn’t thinking straight,” I said quickly, quilt knotting my stomach. “I was drugged. I-“X
“You didn’t do anything wrong,” he said firmly. “You needed me. And I was there.”
Tears stung my eyes. “You could’ve… you could’ve left me. You didn’t have to stay.”
Chase sat up, pulling me with him. He cupped my face with both hands.
“I wanted to stay,” he said quietly. “I’ll always stay, Olivia. Always“)
His words broke something inside me. I threw my arms around him and sobbed into his chest!
He held me tightly, letting me cry it all out.
After a long moment, he pulled back slightly and wiped my tears with his thumb.
“There’s something you need to know,” he said, reaching for the bedside drawer.)
He pulled out a small velvet box and opened it.
Inside was a necklace a silver mask charm, just like the one I had given my mystery man almost four years ago.
My heart stopped.
“I’ve been looking for
or you,” Chase said, his voice rough with emotion. “All these years. I didn’t know it was you, Olivia, But deep down think I always felt it.“I
I stared at the necklace, my fingers trembling as I touched it
“You’re… you’re the man from that night?” I whispered.
He nodded. “And you’re the woman I never forgot”
I pressed a hand against my mouth, trying to hold back a sob.
All this time :
All the searching
All the wondering.X
It was him. It had been Chase all along.
“I can’t believe this, I breathed.)
u wore
the necklace… I just knew
“I didn’t know either,” he said softly. “Not until last night. When I saw you…. when I saw how you
Tears slipped down my cheeks again, but this time they were happy tears
“Fate” I whispered
He smiled and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “Yeah Fate.”
For a long moment, we just sat there, staring at each other, wrapped in silence and something deeper. something real.
But reality wasn’t far behind 1
I pulled away slightly “Jason said Clena and Ross were behind everything. I said, my voice shaking. “They planned to ruin me
Chase’s face hardened instantly. “They won’t succeed,” he growled. “I promise you that.”
I nodded, trusting him completely
“But Chase.” I said hesitantly. “This changes everything Us… you
Hebited his head “Does it scare you??
Iswallowed “It terrifies mei
He smiled nently “Me ton
1224 PM & D
I nodded, trusting him completely.
“But Chase.” I said hesitantly. “This changes everything Us……… you and me
He tilted his head. “Does it scare you?“%
I swallowed “It temfies me.”
He smiled gently. “Me too.
I laughed weakly, the sound half a sob.:
“What’s going to happen now? We’re already in this contract marriage and now we’re finding out that there’s history between us —” I rambled
Chase leaned in and kissed my forehead, interupting me “Whatever happens next, he whispered, “we face it together.”
I nodded against his chest, feeling safer than I ever had.}
I realized that was why the kiss had felt familiar Chase was the one I was looking for all these while.
But a lot of things didn’t make sense. If he could afford to attend the masquerade ball party then how did he become homeless now?
“Let’s go home. I know you have a lot of questions and I intend to answer them,” Chase said almost like he was reading my mind
He helped me get dressed carefully, making sure I was steady on my feet.
My legs were still weak, but his strong arm around my waist kept me upright.
As we walked toward the hotel door, I looked up at him.X
“Chase“” I said.
Yeah?
“I’m glad it was you,” I whispered.X
He smiled – a real, raw smile- and kissed the top of my head.
