CH004: Dangerous Solution

[ SYDNEY ]

“I don’t know, Sydney,” Josephine’s voice is heavy on the phone. “But I overheard the board director telling the matron they might revoke your medical license permanently. You need to leave whatever you’re doing and come back immediately. Or it’ll look like you’re hiding.”

My insides collapse, and the phone nearly slips from my fingers. 

I’m so fucking screwed. This nightmare keeps getting worse.

Before I can respond, commotion erupts in the background.

“I gotta go, Syd. Emergency patient just came in.” Josephine’s voice is urgent.

The call ends abruptly.

I stand there frozen, staring into space. My chest feels tight, like someone is squeezing the air out of me.

“I’m so fucked.” I whisper through trembling lips.

I take a deep breath, trying to pull myself together so I can return to the party before anyone notices I’m gone. But the tears come anyway.

I sniff them back and turn to head back outside, but I stiffen just then.

Hunter is standing right behind me.

“Are you okay?” He asks, concern written all over his face.

Fuck.

Why do the Hart brothers always show up when I’m falling apart?

“I’m fine.” I manage, forcing a thin smile and nodding.

When I try to walk past him, he steps in front of me, blocking my path. 

“I know you, Syd,” he says softly, reaching for my arm. “I know that look. We might not be in a good place right now, but you can talk to me.”

“Hunter, please…” I try to pull my hand away, but he holds on firmly.

My throat tightens. If he doesn’t let go soon, I’m going to break down right in front of him.

“I’m here for you,” he insists. “If something’s weighing on you, you’re not alone…”

“Just fucking let go of me!” I finally snap, yanking my hand free with all my strength. Tears finally spill down my face. Just GREAT!

“Stop acting like you care! You never did. You never cared when shit happened to me, and now you’re playing the caring guy? What do you think I am? Still that naive seventeen-three-year-old girl you took advantage of and ruined?”

Hunter’s face twists with guilt and hurt.

I stop myself from apologizing. I’ve held everything in for so long. I deserve to let some of it out.

“Just leave me alone, Hunter.” I say, my voice weak and exhausted as I try to brush past him.

But he grabs my wrist and pulls me into a tight hug, slamming my body against his.

My breath seizes.

“I’m sorry.” He whispers against my neck, his warm breath brushing my skin. His arms wrap low around my waist, holding me close.

“I never meant to hurt you that much. I’ve lived with regret every day since then. Seeing you again after all these years… I’m so sorry, Syd. I deserve every bit of your anger.”

For a moment, I stand stunned, blinking against his chest.

This isn’t right. If anyone sees us like this, I’m finished.

“That’s enough, Hunter…” I say, trying to push him away. But he holds tighter, his hand sliding even lower down my waist.

Panic surges through me.

“Hate me all you want,” he murmurs. “Hit me. Curse at me. I deserve it all.”

“Hunter…” I warn through clenched teeth.

But the words die in my throat as I spot a pair of furious, wide eyes glaring at us from behind him.

“You cunt!”

Cassie.

Shit!

I shove Hunter away with all my strength just as he turns and sees her storming up the stairs toward us.

“You desperate, hungry bitch!” Cassie screams at the top of her lungs, pushing past Hunter. “What the hell are you trying to do? Steal my boyfriend?”

Before I can back away, she reaches me and lunges.

I scream in pain as she grabs a fistful of my hair and yanks it violently, tossing my head around in rage.

“You think I didn’t see you two? Huh?” Cassie screams, shoving me hard against the wall. My back hits it with a crack. “You tricked my boyfriend into following you up here and thought I wouldn’t notice?!”

“What the fuck are you talking about?!” I yell, grabbing at her hair to push her off me. “I came up here alone!”

“Fucking liar!” She slams my head against the wall. Pain explodes behind my eyes. I almost black out.

“Hey! That’s enough, Cass!” Hunter tries to pull her off, but Cassie fights like a wild animal. I don’t know where she gets this kind of strength from.

Finally, someone yanks her away and pushes her into a corner. I shove my messy hair out of my face, panting hard.

My lower lip is split, and I can taste blood.

When I glance down, I see the neckline of my dress is torn, exposing more than half of my breast.

Shit.

I quickly try to adjust it, but when I look up, I freeze.

A small crowd has gathered. The commotion must have drawn them. Faces stare at me with curiosity and judgment.

Heat rushes to my face. I want the ground to open up and swallow me whole.

That’s when I notice Raven standing a little away, holding Cassie back.

He was the one who pushed her off me.

Cassie’s still struggling like a madwoman. Raven leans in and says something to her, his jaw tight, and eyes cold with warning.

Whatever he says works, as she stops fighting and just glares at him with murder in her eyes.

He releases her, and she steps back.

Then he turns to me.

I look down immediately, trying to pull myself together. But before I can take two steps in my bid to escape, he blocks my path.

Without a word, he drapes his tuxedo jacket over my shoulders, covering the torn dress. The warm fabric carries his lemon cologne and smoke smell.

I look up at him slowly and my throat tightens.

All the toughness I’ve been holding onto crumbles, and my lips quiver, tears spilling down my cheeks before I can stop them.

Quietly, Raven simply places a hand on my back and leads me away from the staring crowd.

We walk in silence until we reach the rooftop. The same spot where we argued yesterday.

“Here, sit.” He pulls a chair over and guides me into it. I sit without protest, eyes downcast.

“I have a handkerchief,” he says, pulling one out. He brings it to my split lip and gently cleans the blood. “I’ll ask my assistant to bring a first aid kit, okay?”

I nod silently. Words feel too heavy right now.

My mind is spinning, replaying how fast my life has turned into a complete mess, wondering if there'll ever be an escape route out of this. A solution.

A solution…

My eyes drift to Raven. He’s on one knee in front of me, focused on cleaning my lip with careful, gentle movements.

Hunter’s warning from last night echoes in my head.

A psychopath. That’s what he called Raven. Someone who cannot feel emotions like a normal person. A dysfunction he’s carried ever since he was a boy.

“That’ll do for now.” Raven says quietly. He sets the handkerchief down and adjusts his jacket around me, making sure it covers me properly.

“I need to check your ankle. Need to be sure there’s no sprain.” He adds, leaning down.

He slips off one of my heels and lifts my foot gently. His fingers brush my skin lightly like a feather, surprisingly soothing.

“Raven…” I finally whisper, my voice shaky. He lifts his gaze to meet mine.

I swallow hard, my decision made even though it feels stupidly insane.

“I accept your proposal,” I say. “Let’s get married.”