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Chapter 20

Author: Tory June
last update Last Updated: 2025-12-10 17:57:39

Ryan’s POV

I had barely gotten to the top of the stairs when my phone rang in my pocket.

The sharp, cold ringtone echoed off the walls like it knew exactly how much I didn’t want to answer it.

I pulled it out.

Grandfather.

My heart skipped.

That old man never calls for fun.

My thumb hovered over the screen for half a second before I answered. “Hello.. ”

“Report to the office, NOW.” he said. No greeting. No explanation.

“Wait.. what.. ”

The line went dead.

I stared at the phone.

No text. No follow-up. Just silence.

My stomach tightened.

Something was wrong. Very wrong.

I moved quickly to the closet, yanked open the doors and pulled out the first clean shirt and blazer I saw.. navy blue, pressed, no frills. I didn’t bother with a tie, just fastened the top buttons, dragged a hand through my hair, and headed for the door.

I passed by the living room. Caught a glimpse of Lucia.. sitting there, still frozen in front of the TV.

Her eyes were wide. Face pale.

She looked lost.

It nearly made
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  • The CEO'S Unexpected Bride   Chapter 27

    First Person POV – LuciaThe first thing I heard was the sound of water running.It was faint at first, like it was miles away. But the steady rhythm grew louder as I blinked my eyes open, squinting against the soft morning light streaming in from the open blinds.The bathroom light was on.The shower was on.And then it hit me.Last night.I pulled the blanket tighter around me, suddenly too aware of the silence, the mess, the storm that hadn’t just happened outside, but inside me. My body ached in that unmistakable way—my legs sore, skin hypersensitive, lips still tingling from how his had moved against them.I wasn’t just tired.I was completely… stripped.Emotionally.Mentally.Physically.I’d let Ryan in.Willingly.And not just into my body.The thought alone made my chest pull tight.I lay there for a second longer, still trying to process it all. My heart was somewhere between confused and embarrassed—nostalgic and stupid.And it made everything worse that I couldn’t stop thin

  • The CEO'S Unexpected Bride   Chapter 26

    Third Person POVLucia had barely stepped into the room behind Ryan when his voice came, sharp and waiting.“You think I didn’t see it?”She stopped near the door, her chest rising too fast. Her hands clenched at her sides.Ryan turned slowly, his jaw tight, the light from the overhead fixture catching in the sharp lines of his face.“You think I didn’t see him touch you?”Lucia swallowed, her throat suddenly dry.“It wasn’t—”“I’m not asking for explanations.” He took a slow step toward her. “I’m telling you: don’t let him do it again.”Her chest rose. “You don’t get to tell me that.”“Like hell I don’t.”“This isn’t—” her voice cracked, but she pushed through. “This isn’t real, remember? You said it. Over and over. This is an act. So why the hell do you care who talks to me or touches me?”Ryan stared at her, unmoving.When he spoke again, his voice was lower. Controlled. But the edge had sharpened. “Because I don’t want Carl in your ear. I don’t want you playing into whatever game

  • The CEO'S Unexpected Bride   Chapter 25

    First Person POV – LuciaFor some reason, the air felt even more tense the second Ryan’s eyes locked with mine.I stepped back from Carl almost instinctively. Just a few inches, but it was enough to make everything feel awkward and exposed. My back brushed the wall gently, grounding me.I didn’t even know what I expected.Ryan to lash out?To smirk and pretend he didn’t care?To walk away like he usually does, cold and unreadable?I stood there, frozen, still caught in the feeling of Carl’s fingers on my cheek, but even more caught in the weight of Ryan’s stare. I didn’t dare speak first. My mind was racing through a thousand things.. none of them helpful.. when Carl’s voice broke the silence.“Well, that’s one way to make an entrance.”Ryan didn’t blink. “Don’t touch her again.”Carl tilted his head like he hadn’t heard him right. “You’re acting like I did something wrong.”“You know exactly what you’re doing Carl,” Ryan said. His voice was low and even, but I could see the tight

  • The CEO'S Unexpected Bride   Chapter 24

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  • The CEO'S Unexpected Bride   Chapter 23

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  • The CEO'S Unexpected Bride   Chapter 22

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