Chapter 5

Kate’s POV

Jeremy’s hands were all over me—clumsy, greedy, too much. His lips trailed down my neck as he pressed me harder against the bathroom sink.

“Jeremy—stop.” I squirmed, trying to push him back, but he was already too far gone. His breath was hot and heavy with alcohol, his hands sliding up my thighs beneath the hem of my dress.

“Come on, baby,” he murmured against my ear. “You said you were ready.”

“I said I needed time!” My voice rose, panic threading through it. “Not here. Not like this!”

I pushed at his chest, but he wasn’t listening—wasn’t seeing me.

Then the door slammed open with a bang that echoed like thunder.

In one swift movement, Jeremy was jerked off me, and I stumbled back, catching myself on the edge of the sink.

Mr. William.

His eyes were dark, dangerous. His entire body radiated fury as he grabbed Jeremy by the shirt and shoved him hard against the wall.

“What the hell is your problem?!” William barked.

“Who the fuck are you?” Jeremy slurred, his lip bleeding slightly from the impact. “You got no right barging in—this is none of your business!”

“She said no,” William growled, voice low and full of venom. “That makes it my business.”

“I’m her boyfriend!” Jeremy snapped. “Who the hell are you to step in like some goddamn hero?”

William’s fist tightened, his stance shifting. He was about to punch him again, but I jumped between them.

“Stop! Please,” I said breathlessly, placing a hand on William’s chest. “He’s drunk. He didn’t mean it.”

He looked at me like I’d lost my mind. “You’re defending him?”

“I’m saying… he just had too much to drink. That’s all.” My voice faltered under his gaze, but I held it together. “I had it under control.”

Mr William's jaw clenched, his voice full of disbelief. “Under control? That was assault, Kate. You should be reporting him to the police, not covering for him.”

I hated how his words stung. Hated that he was right.

But the image of him wrapped around that woman from earlier still burned in my mind.

“Why do you even care?” I snapped, my voice sharp with jealousy I didn’t want to admit. “You’re not my father, Mr William. We’re not even related, so stop pretending like it’s your job to protect me!”

His expression froze, like I’d slapped him.

For a second, the fury drained from his eyes, replaced with something else—something wounded. Then, without another word, he stepped back. Cold. Controlled. Distant.

“Fine,” he said. “Have it your way.”

He turned and walked out, slamming the bathroom door behind him.

I stood there, heart pounding in the silence he left behind, instantly regretting every word.

But I didn’t go after him.

Instead, I turned and helped Jeremy up, ignoring the ache in my chest as I whispered to myself,

“What the hell is wrong with me?”

William’s POV

I shouldn’t have gone to that damn club.

But Everett wouldn’t stop pushing—Come out, blow off steam, man. You’re too wound up lately. I didn’t even know why I agreed. Maybe I needed the distraction. Maybe I wanted to feel like I had control over something for once.

Until I saw her.

Kate.

Wearing a dress that no damn college girl had any business wearing. Her skin glowed under the colored lights, her hips moved to the music like temptation made flesh. And the bastard she was dancing with—hands everywhere, mouth too close—it made my jaw clench hard enough to crack teeth.

I’d looked away.

Pretended I didn’t care.

Then I found myself staring again, drink forgotten, the woman hanging off my arm practically invisible. Kate had danced harder, like she wanted me to look. And I had.

God, I had.

But I hadn’t expected to see her rush off with that boy. I hadn’t meant to follow. Not really.

Until I heard her voice in the hallway—tight, afraid.

And then I saw him—hands all over her, pushing, not listening.

The rage had been instant. Primal.

I’d never thrown someone off another person so fast in my life. And when he claimed he was her boyfriend? Claimed she was his? That I had no right?

He was lucky I didn’t break his jaw.

But then she stood between us, breathless and flushed, not from arousal but from fear. And she defended him. Defended that little punk.

“He’s drunk,” she’d said. “He didn’t mean it.”

Bullshit.

I could see the truth plain as day.

And then she said it—“You’re not my father. We’re not even related.”

Those words hit harder than any punch could. Like a slap that burned all the way to my ribs.

No. I wasn’t her father.

I wasn’t anything to her. Not in a way that gave me the right to intervene. Not in a way that would make her choose me over that boy.

Still, I had protected her. I would protect her. Again and again, even if it ruined me.:

But after tonight… I wouldn’t forget how quickly she turned her back on me.

I stepped outside, the music pulsing like a heartbeat behind me. The air was sharp with city noise, but I barely heard it.

My fists ached with restraint. My chest burned with something worse.

I wanted to go back in there, drag her out of that toxic mess, take her somewhere safe—somewhere far from boys who didn’t deserve to breathe the same air as her.

But I couldn’t because she’s not just any girl, she’s David’s daughter— My old friend. My business partner. The man who trusted me enough to send his only child to live under my roof.

And what have I done?

Lusted after her from the moment she stepped into my house in that tight little sweater, with those wide curious eyes and a voice like honey. I’ve imagined things I shouldn’t. Felt things I had no damn right to feel.

So I’ve been a gentleman. Kept my distance. Tried to act like the responsible adult in the room.

But tonight nearly broke that restraint. Seeing her with that kid. Hearing her say I’m not her father. Watching her defend him.

It almost undid me.

I clenched my jaw and shoved my hands into my pockets. This has to stop. It has to. Because if it doesn’t—I’ll cross a line I can’t uncross and ruin everything.

Kate's POV

Jeremy’s car rolled to a stop in front of Mr. William’s mansion. The silence between us had been heavy the entire ride back, and now it just felt like it was choking me.

He leaned forward, elbows on the steering wheel, his voice low and almost pleading.

"Kate… I’m really sorry. I don’t know what came over me back there. That wasn’t me. You know I love you, right?"

I stared out the window at the familiar entrance. My chest felt hollow.

“We’ll talk about it tomorrow, Jeremy,” I muttered. “I just want to sleep.”

He sighed but nodded. “Okay… but I don’t trust that man you’re staying with. Mr. William Carter? I didn’t like the way he was looking at you tonight. He has bad intentions, Kate. I could see it.”

My head snapped toward him.

“You don’t have any right to talk about bad intentions right now,” I hissed, fury bubbling just beneath my skin. “You were the one who cornered me. You didn’t stop when I said no. Mr. William did. He saved me—from you.”

His mouth opened, but no words came out.

“Do you know how messed up that is?” I continued, my voice shaking. “He’s the one I lashed out at, not you… and he’s the one who stepped in to protect me. Do you know how guilty that makes me feel?”

Jeremy looked down, ashamed. “You’re right,” he said quietly. “I’m sorry. I—I just felt jealous, Kate. Like he was trying to take you from me. But I messed up. Just… please be careful. If you ever need anything—if you’re in any trouble—call me. Please.”

I stared at him for a beat, then shook my head, not trusting myself to say anything more. I opened the car door and stepped out.

The front door of the mansion felt heavier than usual. My heart pounded as I walked inside. The house was dark except for the low light from the hallway lamp. Everything was still. Quiet.

But I wasn’t.

I was wired, anxious, nervous to face him. I didn’t know what I’d see in his eyes. Disappointment? Cold indifference? Or worse—nothing at all.

My feet moved slowly, each step echoing in the silence. And all I could think was—How the hell do I face Mr. William after everything that happened tonight?