LOGINMONIQUEMarcus's expression changed instantly. His face turned into something sharper, protective.“That's not going to happen,” he said firmly. He caught my face in his hands, forcing me to look at him. “Listen to me, Monique. You're not going anywhere alone, okay? From now on, you're not going anywhere alone. The driver will take you straight to Mrs Smith's office and wait for you there. He will not leave. If Ryan so much as breathes in your direction, you call me immediately, okay?”I swallowed. “But what if.... the driver will be down there, you don't know Ryan. The last time, I thought I was getting rid of him. And then what happened? I don't think that if he takes me this time, I'll be able to survive it.”“There is no what if,” Marcus cut in. “Ryan will not get access to you anymore. Not physically, not emotionally, and not legally. That ended the moment you walked into my house.”“You know what,” he said, taking his phone from his pocket. “I'm going to assign a bodyguard for
MONIQUEHe laughed this time. “I can’t imagine your aunt walking into your bedroom and finding me in there. She will lose it.”I couldn’t help myself, I laughed too.Without waiting for him to answer, I turned and started walking toward his bedroom, holding his hand. Of course, he had to follow.When we reached his bedroom, I went to use the bathroom first and took a shower. I came back wrapped in a towel while he excused himself and went in after me. I went to his closet, chose a T-shirt, and put it on. It reached my thighs, almost like a dress. I walked back into the bedroom and pulled the blankets over me, intending to wait for Marcus to come back from the bathroom.But I guess I was too tired. Because when I woke up in the morning, I was by myself. For a second, I thought Marcus hadn’t slept in the bed at all. But then I noticed his side, rumpled sheets, disturbed pillows. And then I heard the water running in the bathroom.I sighed and took a deep breath. Because if he had left a
MONIQUEI lifted my glass slowly, “To life,” I said quietly.“To us being here,” he echoed. “And to having you here,” he added again, softer this time.Our glasses touched with a gentle clink.I took a sip, letting the wine settle me, letting the warmth spread through my chest. Marcus leaned back in his chair, one arm resting along the railing, the other holding his glass loosely, as if he wasn’t trying to impress me or rush anything, just be here with me.“Stop overthinking everything,” he said after a moment.I exhaled slowly. “I feel like I am expected to have Answers. Make Decisions and Explanations. And I don’t even know where to begin.”“You don’t have to begin tonight,” he said calmly. “Tonight can just be… this.”I pulled the blanket closer around myself like a shield before I opened my mouth again.“My aunt thinks I’m rushing,” I admitted. “She thinks I’m running from one thing straight into another.”Marcus didn’t react defensively. He never did. He just listened.“And what
MONIQUEI swallowed, trying to gather whatever patience I had left, but my aunt’s eyes were sharp, unblinking, already drilling into me like she was two seconds away from exploding.“Auntie…” I began, but she lifted her hand, stopping me.“No. Don’t ‘Auntie’ me.” Her voice had that tight, trembling edge, “Yesterday you disappeared for hours, today you slept the entire afternoon, and now you’re wandering around the estate in the dark like a ghost. You don’t answer me, you don’t sit with me, you don’t tell me anything anymore. I’m your aunt, Monique. I’m supposed to know what’s going on with you.”I sighed. “Nothing is going on with me. I just....”“Don’t lie.” She stepped forward. “You’ve been....distant. And now you are glued to Marcus....”“I’m not glued to Marcus.” My voice rose, before I could help it.Her eyebrows shot up. “Really? Because the way you follow him around, the way you two disappear....”“We don’t disappear,” I said, frustrated.“—and the way you’ve suddenly forgotten
MONIQUEMarcus smiles.“Well, not exactly a gift. But something I think you need.” He held out a box.“You… bought me a phone?” I ask, surprise filled in my tone.“Yes. A brand-new one. You didn’t have a phone, and there was no way to reach you unless I called the house. I just thought you should have something of your own.”“Thank you.” I hugged him, fully, gratefully. “Thank you so much.”“You’re welcome.”But as I opened the box, a cold memory of Ryan poured over me.“So… is it new?” I asked.“Yes—why?”“No reason.”“There’s a reason,” he pushed gently. “Tell me.”“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “Ryan gave me a phone before after he kidnapped me and… he used it to listen to me. Track me. I just....”“It’s fine,” Marcus said immediately. “One second.”He suddenly reached out and took the phone from me.“What are you doing?” I asked.“We’ll go tomorrow and buy you the phone you choose. Whatever brand you want, whatever it costs. Or the driver can take you. You don’t even have to come with
MONIQUEI sighed before I continued,“He told me about you accusing him of trying to get me to divorce Ryan,” I said firmly. “I already told you, I do not want to be with Ryan. I do not want to be married to him a second longer. It wasn’t Marcus’s decision, and you still went and confronted him.”“Is that what he told you?” she asked, narrowing her eyes.“He didn’t tell me the exact words you used,” I admitted. “But he told me you used some big words.”I took a breath and steadied myself. I didn't want to upset her but I was also really upset at her.“Look… I know just because Marcus saved our lives doesn’t mean we owe him everything or that he’s entitled to know every detail about us. But I would really like it if you didn’t shove it in his face that we didn’t trust him....because honestly? He’s the only one who has our back right now.”“If you’re looking for someone to have our back, there’s Mr Smith,” she countered. “He’s a lawyer. I’m sure, with that worth of yours...he can give u







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