The drive to Linford Enterprise was fast. Her driver stayed silent, sensing the storm.The bodyguard kept close behind, but even he looked uncertain when Briella charged past the reception desk without slowing down.“Ma’am, you can’t go in there..!” the secretary protested.Briella pushed open the door without knocking.Hayden was behind his desk, his shirt sleeves rolled, tie loosened. His brows lifted the moment he saw her.She didn’t give him time to speak.“What is your problem, Mr. Hayden Linford?” she snapped, her voice was sharp, barely holding back the venom.His mouth parted. “Briella..”“No. Don’t Briella me.”She stormed toward the desk, eyes blazing. “Did you have me followed?”He stood slowly. “You were in danger.”“And that gives you the right to spy on me?”“I was trying to see if you are safe.”Briella chuckled bitterly.“You don’t get to protect me anymore. You lost that right the moment you divorced me.”They stared at each other. Breathing hard. The air between them
Jaylen stared at the bracelet on the table. His eyes were without warmthHow did it get into his car, he had this exact design when he was young and he had somehow lost it. But now this seeing it felt strange. Something wasn’t adding up.He looked over at the surveillance monitor, fast forwarding the footage in silence, his eyes narrowed. He didn't see anyone around slip it in his car. But that was not his major concern. He could tell from the way Briella’s tone had shifted during her last visit and their last call that she was pulling away from him. She hadn’t said anything directly, but he knew it.And just maybe… he deserved it.Jaylen leaned back in the chair.He’d gotten used to being the one in control. The one who knew things before they happened. But with the people after Briella, he couldn’t predict.He closed his eyes and let his head fall back against the chair.She mattered so much to him. he wasn’t just trying to protect her, he didn't want to lose her.A knock came at
After David left, Briella was left alone inside.She stood for a second, then let herself sink into the couch. Her hands cupped her face, her mind was going haywire.She had no enemies, none she should know about. Apart from Hilda who was dating Hayden now. No one was a threat to her. But then again, the intruder was looking for something specific and how was this even linked to Jaylen. Or could it be a competitor? She thought.She couldn't bring herself to confront Jayden.Not until she figured out what the hell was going on.Her fingers moved on the keypads of her phone for a moment. David had initially told her to keep things quiet. But she didn’t have to carry the burden alone. She needed to talk to someone. And her girlfriends were a phone call away.She dialed Kristen. Then added Crystal to the call.Briella shut her eyes. She didn’t even know where to start. By the time she explained everything about what David had discovered, the missing bracelet, and telling them about Jayl
“I just need some air,” Briella muttered.Jaylen stepped in front of the door, blocking her path with a little firmness.“You can’t go out right now Briella.”She blinked slightly, her hands folding around her chest. “Why not?”Jaylen’s eyes didn’t leave hers. “It’s not safe to walk alone in this neighbourhood. The people trailing you may still be out there, we can't risk it.”Briella breathed out in relief. He's just been extremely protective.“Okay,” she said, her tone softening.Jaylen nodded and stepped aside.“If you really have to leave,” he added, “we’ll take the back route. Just in case and I’ll go with you.”“Ok then, I’ll go freshen up first,” she said, heading toward his room. “I should go back to my villa and check it out.”The truth was, she had to see if the bracelet Grandma Linford left for her was still there.“I'll drive you.” Jaylen’s voice echoed as she disappeared.***Like Jaylen said, they went through the back to leave the house. And David was already waiting in
As the call with Briella ended, David sighed. He was just calling to see that she was okay, hence giving her that update. Dalton’s instructions to him had been clear: Stay with her but Briella insisted on staying with Jaylen alone, so what more could he do?Something about tonight felt off. This wasn’t a random burglary. This was something personal.And Jaylen? There was something about him David couldn’t place. David drove back to Briella's villa.After searching Briella’s apartment for the hidden Camera he found it. But it wasn’t any use. Earlier he had dug into traffic camera footage near Briella’s apartment at least the person couldn't hack into that.He watched closely from the moment she left to work that morning. On the traffic camera, there was a figure in a dark hoodie loitering near her building but the face wasn't visible.And now the hidden camera still didn't capture his face. Just his figure, he was tall and muscular. This wasn’t some nervous thief. This was someone
Briella closed from work that day. And drove home.The streetlights shone above as Briella turned onto yet another road. Her grip on the steering wheel tightened. She had noticed a particular car, it had been behind her since she left the office.She squinted at her rearview mirror again. It was still there.Maybe she was just being paranoid and maybe it was just a coincidence.But then again… it had made every turn she made, kept the same distance, followed her every lane change. Her stomach sank. But if the person was following her, he or she wouldn't make it that obvious right?She made another random right.The car followed.Damn it.A lump formed in Briella’s throat. She swallowed her fear and pulled out her phone with one shaky hand.She dialed the number she should’ve saved long ago.“Mr. Dalton,” she said the moment he picked up, her voice low and laced with unease. “Can you arrange for a bodyguard for me?”Dalton’s voice was instantly alert. “Are you alright, Miss Milton?”“I