Chapter 71

What the hell just happened? Why would anyone threaten me like that? Who would want—oh God, of course it’s her. She made it clear last night, but she said she wasn’t going to hurt me, so why send that man now?With my whole body shaking, I dragged myself to the car, got in, and drove away. I didn’t want her to scare me. It was just Jane. She didn’t seem truly dangerous, but I was a little shaken.It didn’t take long to get to the apartment, and apparently I was alone. I quickly got inside and fetched my phone, dialing Sandra.“I’m almost there. You know my favourite, just order it,” she said as soon as she picked up.“I changed my mind. I’m… a little cold. Could you come here instead?”“Yes, sure. Do you want me to pick up food? It must be the antibiotics.”“I guess, and no. Just come now.” I wanted her near. I didn’t want to be alone, and I knew calling Harvey now wouldn’t be a great idea, especially after escaping the friendship lunch.“Alright, I’m on my way,” Sandra said, ending t

Last Updated : 2025-09-06

Chapter 72

I didn't move. I held my breath, my eyes on him as he still had his head down, then I remembered earlier, Gia… he had no right!I almost got to my feet when he did, instinctively my heart skipped a beat just by the sound of his boots meeting the floor.“What's up with the gifts?” He asked. Me? Wrong person as I'm not the one sending the gifts. “Are you doing this to make me jealous? Because if you are, it's working...” His steps halted, as if he didn't mean to say that out loud.Well, that gave me just enough courage as I stood up, my scales growing back.“What are you talking about?” I asked, my eyes searching for eye contact.“Okay listen, I'm not the type of guy to get you flowers, gifts, or any of the silly stuff. I'm not a relationship type of guy.”“I know that, that's why your behavior is confusing me.”“You know what?” He chuckled, then reached into his jean pockets and pulled out a card holder.I carefully watched as he flipped through. They were all unlimited cards. I wonder

Last Updated : 2025-09-06

Chapter 73

***‘I never intended to betray you, Lex.’‘But you did. You hurt my feelings.’‘I know, and I’m sorry. I really am. I used you, manipulated you, and I’m sorry I didn’t say sooner how I felt, but–’‘You don’t have to marry her. You can’t marry her. Do you… do you even love her?’‘Lex.’‘Answer me, Elliot. Do you love her?’‘I will. Yes, Lex, I will marry your sister and fall in love with her. That’s what I want you to know. That’s what I need you to think about and move on.’The whole conversation I had with Elliot nights ago replayed in my head like it had been doing for the past days.He was marrying her.He was marrying my sister.That night when he took us for a ride, it was to ask me to move on, that the little obsession I had with him had to be over so his relationship with Paris, with my sister, could not be affected.Yes, he didn’t want her to know that he slept with me, that he told me he loved me. He wanted her to believe we were friends and nothing more, most importantly th

Last Updated : 2025-09-09

Chapter 74

When Ray said he had my friends waiting I thought he meant Harvey and Sandra, I didn’t expect Jake, Phoebe, Chloe, Elliot, and even my damn stepsister, Paris here.“Surprise!” They all shouted and I faked a smile then looked back at Ray who was smiling proudly.“So?”“Thank you.” Was all I could say, he kissed my lips before leading us to the second row seats.“For a minute I thought he lied to us.” Sandra said, loud enough, she was in the same row with Harvey which was a little new as she normally despised him.“Drinks, let’s get some drinks here.” Ray ordered while I quietly sat.The bus was huge, there were still seats unoccupied, and the front had a space which had a cooler.A man whom I didn’t notice earlier opened the cooler, took out bottles of beer, and handed them to everyone.“I’m not drinking.” I refused, speaking low so no one else could hear.“Are you okay?” Again he sounded concerned.“These are not my friends, only three of them are.”“They insisted, could only come if

Last Updated : 2025-09-09

Chapter 75

Shit, this was trickier than expected.I signed a contract, but Ray was giving me an option.I had suffered enough with not only love but family. My mom was sane now, all because of him.But still Dylan, I… I can’t, I– “Ray, I appreciate you, what you’ve done for me and my family. I know it’s going to be hard for you to believe me but–”“Lex.”“Let me finish.” I said as he cut me. “Like I was saying, it's hard for you to believe me, but I love you.”“You do?” He sounded surprised. I nodded, well, I didn't completely lie. I had so much love for him.“I do, and I want to marry you.”“So…?”“Yes, Ray, let's go in there and get engaged. Trust me, I'm a good actor, so you can count on my surprise look.” I said, which sounded funny as he chuckled while I smiled.Then he slammed his lips against mine, and we kissed, hard.The kind of kiss that leaves you with bruises on the lips. Well, it was going too far.Ray started using his hand to trail down my back, trying to get me in the mood, and I

Last Updated : 2025-09-18

Chapter 76

“Alright, so unfortunately this is the biggest apartment of all on this ship,” Ray announced, and I shook out of my thoughts. “Four bedrooms, the master suite and three guest rooms.”“We know, the lady told us,” Elliot answered, his tone off, but everyone ignored that as Ray continued.“Obviously I’m going for the master suite with my girlfriend. Each room has a king-size bed, five people can fit there, so you are going to figure it out,” Ray firmly said as he came to me and placed his hand over my waist.“So you’re saying we are all going to stay in this one apartment?” Paris finally asked, sounding a little irritated. I knew she was—she always wanted to be the main person.“Yes, now here is my idea. I heard Phoebe and Harvey are not together anymore?” Ray asked, and Harvey looked at me. Yeah, I’m the one who told Ray that.“He's my boyfriend, Harv. I had to tell him,” I said out loud, and it seemed my voice made people sick as both Chloe, Phoebe, and Paris gave me the look that if l

Last Updated : 2025-10-01