Chapter 15M
My heart pounded violently in my chest, the echo of Cameron’s embrace still lingering on my skin like a brand.
I stumbled away from him, every instinct inside me screaming to run–to get as far from him as possible.
I had moved on. I had survived.N
I wasn’t that desperate girl anymore who clung to scraps of affection.
All I should feel for him now was hatred. Cold, clean hatred.
And yet- As I looked into his pleading eyes, something old and broken stirred deep inside me.
I hated him for that. I hated myself for that. I turned sharply, ready to disappear back into the glittering sea of strangers, but Cameron grabbed my wrist, his grip desperate.N
“Lily, please,” he rasped, his voice trembling. “I’m sorry. I know the truth now. Please–just listen to me–I was wrong. I was so wrong”
I laughed bitterly, yanking my hand away.N
“Regretting what you did now, Mr. Brown?” I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
He flinched, genuine shock flashing across his face.
“You… knew?” he breathed.N
I stared at him coldly.
“Of course I knew everything,” I said sharply. “Do you think I was a fool? You lied to me. You humiliated me. And now you want a second chance?”
I shook my head slowly, savoring the way his face crumbled.
“You don’t deserve my forgiveness, Cameron. So stop begging. I won’t listen.“}
His hands fisted at his sides.
“No–wait, Lily-” he said quickly, his voice raw. “That was my mistake. I thought… I thought it was Katie who saved me. But it was you. It was always you.“N
I felt my heart crack just a little, hearing the regret in his voice. But it was too late for regret. Way, way too late.
I shook my head, feeling the cold steel of my resolve lock into place.
“It doesn’t matter anymore,” I said. “It’s too late for that.”
I turned, ready to walk away for good this time but suddenly, a strong arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me close.
“There you are, my love,” a deep voice murmured in my ear.”
“Sorry I was late.“}]
Before I could react, warm lips brushed against mine–a firm, claiming kiss that left me stunned.}]
I pulled back sharply, blinking up into the face of a man I didn’t recognize- yet somehow looked strangely familiar.
Tall. Dark hair. Striking gray eyes. An aura of confidence so palpable it made the air heavy.
The man smiled down at me, then turned to Cameron with a look of icy disdain.
“Excuse me,” he said coolly. “Are you harassing my fiancée?”
Fiancée? I stared up at him in shock.
This was… Mr. Reid?!
The mysterious man I was supposed to marry? Before I could even find my voice, Cameron stepped forward, his face twisting in fury.
“No,” Cameron snapped. “There’s no way–she’s mine. Lily is mine!”
The man–Jameson Reid, I realized with a jolt–arched an eyebrow, pulling me even closer to his side.
“Correction,” Jameson said smoothly. “She was never yours. She belongs to me now.”
Cameron looked like he’d been punched in the gut.”
“I’ll take her back,” he said fiercely. “I’ll make this right, Lily. I swear. Please–don’t marry him, Don’t do this.“}
I stared at him.@
At the man who had tossed me aside like garbage when he thought I was nothing. At the man who was only now, after everything, realizing he had loved me all along.
The sadness, the anger, the years of betrayal all bubbled up inside me.
I tightened my hand around Jameson’s arm without hesitation.}
“You’re too late, Cameron,” I said quietly.
And for the first time, it was Cameron’s turn to watch helplessly as I walked away.!!
