All Chapters of She Writes Her Own Heartbeat : Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

"Practice?" I echoed, my brow furrowing. I was still wrapped in his borrowed silk robe, the image of corporate efficiency slightly spoiled by my disheveled state. "We just gave a stellar performance in the boardroom and at the party. What more practice do we need?""We need to look like a couple deeply involved in each other, distracted by romance, not just two people perpetually stressed about corporate secrets," he explained, leaning forward. "Sebastian's intelligence network will be watching our every move until we board that plane. They need to see us being reckless, being in love."He paused, a flicker of something dangerously close to amusement—or genuine craving—in his eyes. "And honestly, Samantha, after the last forty-eight hours, I think we both need a genuine distraction. A calculated risk."He looked at me, a faint, almost predatory smile touching his lips. "We should have a little fun. Go out tonight. Not as Benjamin Hayes, the target, and Samantha Myers, the asset. But a

Pov Samantha **The next six hours were a blur of blinding studio lights, professional makeup artists, and relentless questioning. I was whisked from the publisher’s media hub to three different networks, giving back-to-back interviews. Benjamin was not in the studio; he was a discreet, powerful presence in the control room or just off-set, watching every word and measuring the effect.The moment the first interview aired, the effect was immediate and seismic. I was mesmerizing, but the true brilliance was Benjamin’s strategy: it weaponized my book.When asked about "The Cost of a Promise," I spoke with a quiet, genuine vulnerability that only a writer can truly master. I looked directly into the camera, the massive diamond on my finger glittering, and framed our sudden engagement as the ultimate romantic surrender."True love," I explained earnestly, "isn't about merging bank accounts. It's about acknowledging the immense debt you owe the person who gave you the courage to be your

Pov Samantha ***Benjamin's grip on my back tightened, a silent but unmistakable assertion of possession. He hadn't heard Marcus's confession, but he didn't need to. He saw the genuine, raw pain on Marcus's face, the lingering sadness in my eyes, and the immediate, profound awkwardness that filled the space between us. That was enough for his sharp, suspicious mind.He steered me swiftly away from the corner, his body language making it clear to everyone, including Marcus, that I was his and the conversation was over."Our private life is not up for discussion, Samantha," Benjamin murmured, his voice low and razor-sharp with silent fury and territoriality. "Especially not with a man who thinks he's earned the right to look at you like that. The next man who professes his love for you will be Sebastian, looking for a weakness."We reached the exit, and he pulled open the door without looking back."Did he try to make a professional counter-offer, Samantha?" Benjamin demanded once we

Pov Samantha ***I woke before the sun, the soft, humid light of the tropical morning just beginning to filter through the dusty air vents of the vault. The concrete floor felt cold and hard beneath the discarded tactical gear we had hastily bundled for a makeshift cushion. My limbs were heavy, not with fatigue, but with the profound, exhausting release of the night before.Benjamin was still asleep beside me, his dark hair messy, his face stripped of its usual armor. He looked younger, more vulnerable, and completely broken. The weight of his utter failure in the empty vault was palpable even in his sleep.I gently slid out from under his arm. There was no shame or awkwardness this morning, only a quiet, resolute purpose. The passion of the night had been a desperate surge of life against the threat of death. Now, the danger remained, but the despair had to be fought with action.I quickly climbed out of the vault and locked the door behind me. I wouldn't leave him down there, but

Pov Samantha **The exhaustion from our day of 'reckless fun' was beautifully genuine. We stumbled back into the villa as the sun was setting, our skin sticky with salt and sunblock, our clothes rumpled the perfect picture of a couple thoroughly consumed by passion and carelessness.Benjamin didn't bother with the camera feed anymore; he knew the day's performance was enough to satisfy Sebastian's curiosity for at least twelve hours. We collapsed onto the huge, plush sofa in the living room, the windows open to the sound of the ocean."Masterful work, Samantha," Benjamin murmured, his head resting against mine. "If that doesn't convince him we're too busy for corporate espionage, nothing will."The weariness was a comforting weight, dragging us both down into a semi-conscious state. The failure of the vault, the danger of Sebastian, it all seemed distant, held at bay by the warmth and proximity of our bodies. We didn't move for hours, falling into a deep, heavy sleep right there on t