Chapter 13 — Roy Becomes Overprotective

Dianne barely slept.

Her mind kept wandering—back to Damian’s cold smirk, Chloe’s fake sweetness, the sting of old memories reopening like fresh wounds… and then to Roy.

The way he defended her.

The way his eyes burned with anger on her behalf.

The way he told her to breathe, like he could feel her panic inside his own chest.

By morning, her eyes were puffy, her head heavy. She dragged herself out of bed, showered, and told herself she was fine—even though she wasn’t.

She had just slipped on her shoes when a knock echoed on the door.

At first, she frowned. She wasn’t expecting anyone. When she opened it, her breath caught.

“Roy?”

He stood there in a black hoodie and jeans, his hair still messy like he’d rushed out of the house. His brows pinched the moment he saw her face.

“You didn’t sleep,” he said quietly.

Dianne blinked. “How do you know?”

“You look…” He paused, jaw tightening. “Like you were crying.”

Her throat closed. She hated being read so easily.

“I’m fine,” she lied, forcing a small smile.

“No, you’re not,” he said, stepping inside as if he couldn’t stop himself. “Dianne… talk to me.”

She shook her head. “It’s nothing. I just need to get to work.”

“Good,” he murmured. “Because I’m driving you.”

She stared at him. “Roy, that’s not necessary—”

“It is to me.”

There was something final in his tone, something full of quiet thunder. She didn’t have the strength to argue.

The drive to work was silent but strangely comforting. He kept glancing at her, fingers tightening on the steering wheel every time she sighed or looked away.

When they entered the building together, whispers erupted instantly.

“Is that Mr. Sinclair?”

“They came together?”

“Are they…?”

Roy ignored everyone. But the second someone stared too long at Dianne, his hand moved subtly to her lower back, guiding her away like he was shielding her from the world.

She felt heat crawl up her neck. She wasn’t used to being… protected.

Not like this.

Throughout the morning, her phone buzzed with short messages.

Are you okay?

Eat something.

If you feel overwhelmed, come to my office.

I’m serious, Dianne.

She shouldn’t have smiled—but she did.

At lunch, he sent another message:

I’m coming by to check on you.

“No, don’t,” she typed quickly.

I’m fine. Really.

He responded almost immediately:

Dianne… I worry. Let me.

Her heart thudded.

By the time work ended, she told herself she’d take a cab home. She didn’t want to seem dependent, or worse—clingy.

But the moment she stepped out of the building, Roy was already there.

Leaning against his car. Waiting.

“Roy…” she breathed.

“I told you I’d take you home.”

“But you’re busy—”

“You’re more important.”

The words hit her like warm sunlight after days of rain. She swallowed hard, unable to speak.

The drive back was quiet, thick with unsaid things. When they reached her door, she turned to thank him, but he stepped closer—too close—gently tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

“You don’t have to fight everything alone,” he whispered.

Her chest tightened.

“I’m… trying to figure things out,” she said softly.

“I know,” he replied, looking at her like she was the only thing that mattered. “Take your time. I’m not going anywhere.”

For a moment, the world stopped. Just his breath, warm against her skin, and the steady thump of her heart.

She stepped inside, closed the door… and leaned against it, breathless.

Was she falling?

Was this real?

Inside the car, Roy sat still for a long moment, staring at her door.

His voice dropped to a whisper no one could hear.

“I’m already gone for her…”

And he drove away, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips—protective, determined, hopelessly drawn to the woman who never planned to steal his heart.

Dianne locked her office door behind her and pressed her phone to her ear, pacing slowly down the corridor. She had held everything in all afternoon, but the moment Maya answered, her voice cracked.

“Maya… everything is just too much,” she whispered.

Maya’s response was sharp, alert — that familiar protective edge. “Dianne. Talk to me. What happened now?”

So Dianne told her.

Everything.

How he stood in front of her like a shield. How he dismissed Damian with a cold command that stunned even her. How his eyes softened only when they landed on her.

When she finished, all she heard on the line was Maya’s loud sigh.

“Oh, hell no. Absolutely not.”

Dianne blinked. “What do you mean?

“I mean no. This—” Maya’s voice rose, fiercer than ever. “—this is how it starts, Dianne. Overprotective, possessive, intense… and then what? You fall for him, and he snaps your heart in half like the others.”

“Maya, it’s not like that…”

“You don’t know that,” Maya cut in. “And I won’t let you go through that again. Not after Damian. Not after the humiliation, the blogs, the dragging, the way you cried like someone died. No man is worth seeing you like that twice.”

Dianne swallowed hard, emotions tightening her throat. “He’s not like Damian.”

“That’s exactly what you said about Damian,” Maya shot back. “Until he slapped you on your wedding day because some arrogant billionaire smirked his way out of your hotel room.”

“Don’t remind me,” Dianne whispered, voice trembling.

“I have to remind you,” Maya insisted. “I’m the only one who will. Dianne, be careful. Be smart. Do not fall for Roy Sinclair. Don’t give him room to break you.”

Dianne dragged a hand through her hair, pacing faster. “I don’t want any heartbreak. But… I don’t know, Maya. The way he looks at me, the way he—”

“Nope. I don’t want to hear it.”

Her sister’s tone snapped like a whip.

“Listen. I’m coming back to Notting Hill tomorrow. My flight lands at 4 p.m. You’ll pick me up. We will talk properly at home.”

Dianne sighed in a defeated exhale. “I’ll be there.”

“Good. And Dianne?”

“Yeah?”

“Keep your heart locked. I’m serious.”

The call ended, and Dianne leaned her forehead against the elevator wall, breathing shakily. Maya was right… but her heart refused to listen.

The next day, she left work early, unable to focus on a single task. She wanted — no, needed — to see Maya. She parked at the Heathrow pickup zone, waited anxiously, and nearly burst into tears when she saw her sister strolling out with her luggage, looking fierce and beautiful as always.

“Maya!”

She ran into her arms.

Maya hugged her tightly, rubbing her back. “My girl. Let’s go home.”

By evening, they were back in Dianne’s apartment. Maya insisted on helping with dinner, and soon the room was filled with warm scents and soft chatter. For a moment, everything felt normal again.

Then Dianne’s phone buzzed.

Roy.

She swallowed and answered. “Hello?”

His voice was smooth, low. “I walked past your desk and you weren’t there. Where did you go?”

“I went to pick up my sister,” Dianne said, glancing at Maya, who narrowed her eyes immediately.

Roy sounded surprised. “Oh. You didn’t tell me she was coming.”

“I didn’t know until yesterday.”

A pause.

Then, softly:

“Are you home?”

“Yes.”

“Are you… busy?”

Dianne hesitated. “We’re having dinner.”

Another pause — as if he was gathering courage.

“Can I come?”

Her stomach tightened. “Roy… I don’t know if—”

“Please,” he added.

One simple word, but it melted her.

She exhaled. “Fine. You can come.”

Maya looked at her like she had just committed a federal crime.

When Roy arrived, Dianne felt her pulse spike.

Dark suit.

Rolled sleeves.

That scent.

That aura.

He stepped into the apartment and froze slightly when he saw Maya.

Dianne smiled nervously. “Roy, this is my sister — Maya Blake.”

Maya didn’t smile.

Didn’t blink.

Just looked him up and down with a sharp, assessing stare.

Roy held out his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

Maya crossed her arms. “Is it?”

Dianne’s soul left her body.

“Maya—” she warned.

Maya ignored her. “Dinner’s getting cold. Sit.”

Roy obeyed — which shocked even Dianne.

They ate in tense silence until Maya finally began her interrogation.

“So, Roy,” she said, sipping water slowly, “what exactly do you want from my sister?”

Dianne nearly choked.

Roy remained calm. “Respect. Safety. A chance to… get close to her.”

Maya scoffed, leaning back. “Men like you don’t want chances. You want convenience and control.”

“That’s not who I am,” Roy replied quietly.

“Are you sure?” Maya asked. “Because every time a rich man says that, a woman ends up in therapy.”

Dianne hid her face. “Maya, stop.”

“No,” Maya said sharply. “He needs to hear this.”

Roy inhaled deeply, gaze steady. “I know I made a terrible first impression. And I know what she went through because of it. I’ll never forgive myself for that. But I’m trying… genuinely trying to make things right.”

Maya stood. “Good. Come with me.”

They stepped aside into the hallway. Dianne leaned forward on her chair, heart pounding.

Maya’s voice was low but sharp. “Stay away from her. I mean it. She’s still healing and you’re dangerous — not because you’re evil but because she’s vulnerable. I don’t want my sister broken again.”

Roy didn’t flinch. “I’m not leaving her.”

“You should.”

“I won’t.”

“You think you won’t hurt her?”

“I’ll tear my own heart out before I hurt her again,” Roy said, voice hoarse for the first time. “I know what I feel for Dianne, and it’s not going away.”

Maya stared at him long and hard.

Finally, she re-entered the dining area, sitting back down with a tight expression.

Roy walked in after her, eyes briefly meeting Dianne’s — soft, almost pleading.

The tension in the room was thick.

Dianne fiddled with her fork, pulse racing.

Maya folded her arms, watching them both like a hawk.

Eventually, Roy stood. “Thank you for dinner. I… I’ll see myself out.”

“Good,” Maya murmured under her breath.

Dianne escorted him to the door.

Roy paused. “I hope your sister warms up to me someday.”

“You didn’t run away,” Dianne whispered. “Most men would.”

“I’m not most men,” he replied, voice low. “And I’m not giving up on you.”

He left, and Dianne remained at the door, hand on her chest, breath shaky.

Behind her, Maya’s voice softened slightly. “Dianne… be careful. Please.”

Dianne nodded — but her heart was already drifting toward Roy Sinclair.