Ryder’s pov.
I was filled with terror when I couldn't locate her. But witnessing her in tears like that shattered me.
"Babe, what happened? Why are you crying? Please, tell me what happened," I pleaded anxiously, alarmed to see her in such distress.
"Ryder!" she sobbed, jumping into my arms and burying her face in my chest.
I held her tightly, enveloping her in a protective embrace, aiming to provide comfort and reassurance.
As she remained silent, my concern deepened. I furrowed my brow and asked once more, "What's wrong?"
"I don't know... I was having a good time with a handsome stranger, and after a couple of drinks, I started feeling strange. My body felt like it was burning, and my head was spinning. I couldn't see clearly... ahhhh..." She clutched her head, unable to continue speaking. Her body was drenched in sweat, and her eyes struggled to stay open, as if she fought against closing them.
"Shh... I've got you. Don't worry. I'm here now," I whispered, attempting to console her by gently rubbing her back. In truth, I sought solace as well. At least she was safe, and I had managed to arrive in time.
"Ryder, please, get me out of this place. I feel suffocated here," she pleaded, her voice barely audible. Her body trembled from crying, and she appeared incredibly fragile and vulnerable. My heart ached for her.
I felt a surge of anger welling up inside me. If I ever found the person responsible for putting Bella in this condition, I would make them pay. Seeing my innocent and pure Bella caught in such a situation made me want to unleash my fury. I had an urge to set the whole club on fire. But I quickly regained control.
This was not the time to lose my temper. Right now, I needed to take care of my baby girl. I had to be level-headed because she needed me more than ever. I closed my eyes and took deep breaths, trying to calm myself down. When I opened my eyes, I saw Bella leaning on my chest, wiping her tear-stained eyes.
"It's alright, baby girl. Let's get out of here," I said gently, taking her hand in mine. Together, we left the club.
I helped Bella into the passenger seat of my car and took my place behind the wheel. As I started the car, she spoke, her voice filled with discomfort, "Ryder, why do I feel so hot? Ahhh!" She rubbed her neck. "Can you please turn up the air conditioning?"
Without hesitation, I cranked the air conditioning to its maximum setting. I glanced at Bella. Her face was flushed, and her eyes struggled to stay open. She rubbed her neck and arms uncomfortably.
Reality hit me hard as I realized what was happening. She had been drugged.
Shit!
My eyes widened, and I slammed on the brakes, bringing the car to a sudden stop. Bella had started to unbutton her blouse, seemingly unaware of her actions, in an attempt to relieve the burning heat consuming her.
Quickly, I reached out and pulled her blouse back into place, confusion evident in my voice as I asked, "What are you doing, Bella? We're in the middle of the road!"
She was dressed in a crop top and jeans, and the heat seemed to be bothering her.
"It's... so... hot, Ryder. I can't stand wearing these clothes," Bella stuttered, visibly uncomfortable.
I muttered a curse under my breath. "Just bear with it, Bella. We're almost there, baby girl."
She started rubbing her hands on her legs while nervously biting her bottom lip. "Um, Ryder... Ahh... it's hurting inside."
"We're nearly there, sweetheart. Just stay in your seat, okay?" I tried to comfort her once again.
"I can't... I can't take it anymore. Why do I feel so strange? Ahh!" Bella moaned, tugging at her clothes as if wanting to tear them off.
"Have some water and try to rest, baby girl. We'll arrive soon," I handed her a bottle of water and pressed hard on the accelerator.
"No... I can't sleep. Do something to make this burning sensation go away. Hmm... Ahh, Ryder... Do something," Bella continued to moan, and I found it difficult to respond.
I cursed again. This was going to be a challenging night. How was I going to handle this visibly aroused and attractive girl who also looked adorable at the same time? Her moans and expressions were making it hard for me to concentrate on the road.
She was so innocent and pure, yet right now, she was making these sounds and giving me those sexy and enticing looks. God help me. How could I resist the growing tension in the car? I wished I could magically transport us home in an instant.
I glanced at her, closed my eyes for a moment, and started driving. Keeping my focus on the road, I prayed that we would reach home quickly, even though it seemed impossible with a seductive Bella sitting next to me. Her actions and sounds made it challenging for me to drive safely.
But I had to do it, for both our sakes. We needed to reach home without any incidents. She was my responsibility, and she meant the world to me. Despite the temptation, I had to control myself as she writhed and moaned beside me, sensually rubbing her hands over her delicate body.
Logan's pov.As I slowly opened my eyes, the harsh, sterile lights of the hospital room greeted me. Disoriented and weak, I blinked several times until the blurry figures around me came into focus. There was Mia, her eyes filled with worry and relief, and my family standing by her side, their faces etched with concern."Mia..." I whispered, my voice barely audible.Her eyes lit up with tears of joy as she took my hand in hers. "Thank goodness you're awake," she said, her voice trembling with emotion.My family wore expressions of both happiness and concern. My mother's eyes were red from crying, while my father's stern facade tried to hide his fear. It was then that I knew I had to be honest with them about how I felt."I can't go through with the marriage," I admitted, my voice stronger now. "I love Mia, and I can't marry someone else."My father's face turned stern, and he scolded me, "You're being impractical! You have responsibilities, and this is no time for childish whims!"Befor
Logan’s pov. Amidst the busy preparations for my upcoming wedding, I couldn't shake off the lingering unease in my heart. Mia's sudden resignation from my company had left me bewildered and bruised my ego. I had made it clear to her that our relationship would remain strictly professional, yet she chose to leave. "Why does it bother me so much?" I wondered aloud as I paced in my luxurious penthouse. Alex, who had been helping me with the wedding arrangements, noticed my distress. "Hey, man, what's bothering you? You should be on cloud nine with your marriage just around the corner," Alex said, concern evident in his voice. "I don't know, Alex. It's just that Mia's resignation hit me harder than I expected," I admitted with a sigh. "Even though I told myself I didn't care about her rejecting me, there's this nagging feeling inside me." "Why do you bother? It is not like you feel something for her, do you?" Alex inquired. "Remember, you have a stunning fiancée, a glamorous weddi
Alex's Pov. We all gathered at Ryder's wedding, witnessing the heartfelt exchange of vows between Ryder and Bella. Their hurried marriage brought back memories of my own wedding day, where I had first laid eyes on Sarah. But after she left, things took a painful turn. I tried countless times to meet her, to explain myself, but she refused to hear me out. Her parents, adamant in their disapproval, forbade me from entering their home. It was absurd – I was her husband, not some boyfriend they could simply cast aside. I pleaded with them, insisting that I had changed, that I wanted to be with her, but they turned a deaf ear. Unbeknownst to me, Ryder had invited Sarah to the wedding as well. My heart filled with both hope and trepidation, praying that she would show up so I could finally talk to her. And then, there she was, entering the venue in a stunning peach-colored gown. Something about her appearance was different, and it left me bewildered. Her face was radiant, and I couldn't he
Bella's pov. The sound of my phone jolted me awake from my slumber, disturbing the peaceful moment I had been sharing with Ryder. Gently, I disentangled myself from his embrace, aware that I was still unclothed, and hurriedly pulled the sheet to cover myself before answering the call. "Mum!" I greeted cheerfully, my heart still elated from Ryder's heartfelt confession of love. "Bella, what is going on?" Her voice carried a tone of anger. Confused by her question, I asked, "What do you mean, mum?" "You and Ryder are all over the news, and your father is furious," she complained. My mind raced, trying to comprehend the situation. "What? I don't understand, mum. What's happening?" "Where are you right now, Bella?" Her concern was evident. "I am... I am..." I hesitated, unable to come up with a lie. "Are you with Ryder?" She guessed, and I fell silent, confirming her suspicion. "Why did you do this, Bella?" Her disappointment in me was palpable. Suddenly, the phone was snatched
Ryder's pov. My futile attempts to incite jealousy in Bella by meeting other girls left me feeling disheartened. No matter who I interacted with, she remained composed and collected, as if her emotions were impervious to my antics. Undeterred, I had to switch to plan B. I smirked as I thought about it because it was foolproof, and Ryder never failed to get what he wanted. "Bella, I have planned a vacation for us," I called her while she was in school. I smiled as I could imagine her eyes widened in surprise. "What? No, Ryder, I can't go on vacation, and, most of all, I have some assignments to complete," she replied, her voice tinged with reluctance. "Come on, Bella. Mum is persistent about my marriage, so it will be our last vacation together. I am sending my secretary. Give her your passport. We are going to Switzerland for a week. Just me and you. I want to spend some time with you alone," I insisted, hoping she would agree. "Abroad trip? You will get clicked by the media, a
Ryder's pov. At 9:00 a.m. on a lazy Sunday morning, my peaceful slumber was abruptly interrupted by the incessant ringing of my phone. I groggily reached for it, wondering who could possibly be disturbing me at this ungodly hour. To my delight, Bella stirred in my arms, her tiny meows adding a touch of charm to the waking chaos. I carefully placed Bella on the pillow, ensuring her continued comfort, before reluctantly sitting up to answer the call. The screen displayed my mother's face, which meant it was likely to be something important. I swiped the answer button and, slipping my feet into slippers, made my way to the balcony, hoping to maintain some tranquility around Bella's sleeping form. "Hey mum! What's up? Why did you have to call so early on a Sunday morning?" I questioned, attempting to sound both concerned and slightly annoyed. "Ryder, I've sent some pictures of the daughters from reputable families to your number. Take a look and choose one of them. I'll set up a date f