4| Who Makes the Rules?

ZARA

I blinked, my heart thundering against my chest.

My entire body was consumed by the desperate need to be fucked by him. But he was Ryan’s uncle, and crossing that line would be taboo.

"Your lips... they're like ripe cherries. I've always longed to kiss them," he murmured as he ran his thumb across my lips.

His eyes dropped to the swell of my breasts, and my nipples hardened even more.

"Having a feel of these beauties would be a pleasure."

My breath hitched.

He leaned even closer, his hot breath fanning my skin.

"I would give anything to know what you taste like down there."

My stomach tightened.

I could feel my body betraying me.

"You're Ryan’s uncle," I managed to whisper, swallowing hard.

"And so?" He tilted his head, completely unbothered by the fact. "He had you. But he was stupid enough to lose you."

My chest continued to rise and fall rapidly.

"That doesn't make it right," I murmured.

He brushed the strand of hair that had fallen across my face behind my ear.

"And who makes the rules?"

I stood still, not knowing what to say or what to do with the roaring fire of desire inside me.

Lord help me, because my control could snap at any moment.

I had never been attracted to anyone like this before.

He made me feel desired.

As though I were the most beautiful woman on earth.

He leaned closer still, his warm breath grazing the skin of my neck as his fingers settled against the curve of my waist.

My back arched instinctively.

A dangerous wave of longing swept through me.

But I had morals, and I couldn't allow my reckless fantasies to destroy them.

I had to do something.

Something that would push him away forever.

Because Heaven knew I wouldn't be able to resist much longer.

"I love him!" I blurted out, my voice trembling. "I can't leave him. I cannot betray him. I don't want this. I don't want you."

Placing both hands against his chest, I pushed him away before I lost my last shred of control.

"And I don't ever want to see you again." I growled.

His eyes darkened dangerously, sending chills down my spine. Then his jaw tightened.

I could see the rage he was trying so hard to suppress. Yet beneath that rage, the desire was still palpable.

For a moment, I thought he might close the distance between us and completely destroy my resolve.

Instead, he suddenly stepped back and straightened his shirt.

Without saying a word, he turned and walked out of the bathroom. Leaving me hot, breathless, and horny.

He hadn't pushed and even tried to convince me otherwise. He had simply accepted my rejection and walked away.

A strange sense of disappointment settled inside me. Because a wild Part of me wished he had fought harder.

I hadn't even recovered from what had just happened when the door opened again.

Ryan appeared before me, a storm of fury darkened his features.

"What did you say back there?" he growled as he stormed toward me. "When did you get your tubes tied?"

"I didn't realize I needed your permission before making decisions about my own body," I snapped.

"I am your future husband, so I have every right to know about decisions involving your body because it will also be mine!" he growled, pointing a warning finger at me.

"We're going to the hospital tomorrow, and you're going to have it reversed."

As I stared at him, a wave of self-loathing slammed into my chest.

The realization hit me hard.

This controlling behaviour hadn't appeared out of nowhere. He had been displaying it in subtle ways all along, and I missed all the red flags because I was too blinded by love.

Everything was becoming clear now. How had I ever allowed myself to end up in this situation?

And now that I finally saw the truth, I couldn't leave because doing so would mean abandoning my father.

I had sacrificed everything for Ryan. Even my career as a scientist. All so I could become the perfect wife for him, only to be treated like this.

Like I was nothing.

It was high time I called Roman, my former boss and find out whether he still had an opening at his company. I couldn't continue subjecting myself to such filth all because of money.

Before I could respond, Ryan’s phone rang.

He answered it immediately and pressed it tightly against his ear so I wouldn't see the caller.

But I already had.

Bianca.

He remained silent for a moment before muttering into the phone.

"I'll be on my way now."

Then he ended the call.

When he looked back at me, his expression had shifted into one of apology.

"I'm sorry, baby, but there's something I need to attend to. Work calls."

Something tightened painfully inside my chest, but I refused to show it.

As much as I didn't want him anymore, I still mourned the time we had spent together. The years I believed he was mine. Not knowing I had been living in an illusion.

Not having the strength in me to argue anymore, I simply nodded,"Okay."

"Order an Uber or something to get home. I'll join you as soon as I'm done."

With that, he turned around and rushed out of the restroom.

So eager to get to her, Leaving me behind to find my own way home.

The moment I was alone, I pulled out my phone and called Roman.

"Dear Zara, I am so glad to hear from you again. I've been hoping you would call soon," Roman said enthusiastically from the other end of the line.

"Nice to hear your voice again. Please I’d like to ask. Do you peherps still have a job opening at the company?" I asked hopefully.

"We'll always have an opening for you, dear Zara. You're one of our best researchers. Do you finally want to come back to us?"

"Yes. Please."

"Perfect! Great!" He chuckled excitedly. "We're currently working on a new drug, and your input would be highly appreciated. The details will be given to you in person for confidentiality reasons. But..."

He sighed.

"We're collaborating with Helixor Pharmaceuticals, so you'll be working directly under the company. If you agree, I'll call the CEO right now and inform him."

"That would be great," I replied.

As long as I was getting paid to do something I loved and was treated with respect, I didn't care where I worked.

I made a mental note to look up the company’s CEO when I got home.

Unfortunately, I never got the chance.

By the time I arrived home, I was so exhausted that I fell asleep almost instantly.

The following morning, I woke up late and got dressed in record time before rushing to the company.

"The CEO is currently in a meeting with the research team, but he asked me to bring you upstairs to join them," Jacob, the employee assigned to receive me, explained as he led me toward the elevator.

I offered him a tight smile.

"Okay. Thank you."

We arrived on the thirty-second floor of the fifty-story building.

Jacob guided me through a maze of hallways until we finally stopped in front of a door.

ROOM 304.

CONFERENCE ROOM.

The words were boldly inscribed across the surface.

"Are you ready?" Jacob asked as he placed a hand on the doorknob.

I drew in a deep breath.

"Yes."

With that, he opened the door and gestured for me to enter first.

The moment I stepped inside, a striking figure seated at the head of the table caught my attention.

I froze, blinking in rapid successions.

No. It couldn't be.

Uncle Xavier.

His face remained rigid as his intense gaze settled on me. "Have a seat, Ms. Zara," he said calmly. "The meeting is just getting started."