บททั้งหมดของ Claimed By My Ex's Rival Hockey Captain: บทที่ 1 - บทที่ 10

Bailey The flight back to Michigan felt endless. My body was in the seat, but my mind was stuck in that bedroom in Chicago, replaying the sounds, the smirk, the way Nolan had looked at me as if I were nothing.After seven years of dating and giving it all in our relationship, I was slapped with betrayal and mockery.I had grabbed my hand bag, booked a flight to Michigan with trembling hands. I didn't look back. I had nothing to look back to. Nolan was the reason I moved to Chicago to begin with and with our relationship shattered, I couldn't stay there.Three years of devotion were reduced to an ugly joke by his betrayal. The man who has vowed to always love me looked me in the eye and said that my love was suffocating him, that I couldn't offer him anything. By the time the plane landed, it was already morning. I shuffle down the aisle with nothing but the bag I had grabbed in my rush to escape the bitter reality my life has unraveled into.Stepping out into the cool Michigan air,

Bailey POV A week later. The hospital doesn’t feel so heavy anymore like it did that day when the doctor informed me about my grandmother’s urgent surgery. Grandma looks stronger with each passing day, her smile returning bit by bit. Watching her talk to the nurses and tease them about their uniforms almost makes me forget the panic of last week. I almost lost her. The surgery had gone well, better than we hoped actually. For the first time after that call, I feel like I can breathe with ease. “You should go back to Chicago,” she says, adjusting the blanket around her shoulders. Her voice is soft with that warmth that always makes me melt. “Don’t let me hold you back, I am doing better. You have your boyfriend waiting for you. I don’t want you neglecting him because of me.” Her words slice through me, reminding me of that painful heartbreak I had almost forgotten. I stare at her, trying to find the courage to tell her the truth — that there is no boyfriend anymore, th

Bailey’s POVTalia is already awake when I walk into the kitchen the next morning.She is sitting at the counter, sipping coffee and scrolling through her phone. The smell of pancakes fills the air.“Morning,” I mumble, rubbing my eyes. I slept like a baby last night after I arrived from the event. I didn't even realise when Talia came home.She looks up and gives me a smile.“Good morning, beautiful. You are glowing today. If I didn't know any better, I'd think you've fallen in love.” Talia teases me.I roll my eyes and reach for a mug. “ Fallen in a ditch maybe.” I snicker and Talia chuckles.“So, are you going to tell me what exactly happened yesterday? Or do I have to check social media for it?” I almost groan at that question.I sigh and lean against the counter. “ What's there to tell? Orion took me to one of those events they always attending.We came across Nolan. No, I should say, Orion dragged my ass there because he knew Nolan would be there.”Now that I think of it, I re

Bailey POV I sneer at his blatant try to deny the truth “Don’t play dumb, Nolan. You live across town and have no business coming to this part of the city. Besides, you want me to believe you just happened to be walking down this alley at this hour and just bumped into me?” I scoff.“ Even a fool would not believe such bullshit.”Nolan scoffs, but it sounds forced. “You think too highly of yourself, Bailey. Not everything’s about you.”“Really?” I arch a brow. “Because the last time I checked, you were the one who couldn’t stand seeing me move on with life.”I say, reminding him of the casual remark he made that day at the event.He might have said those words with a smile on his face but I didn't miss the emotions that lingered in his eyes afterwards.His jaw tightens. “Move on?” He repeats the words like it's some joke.“You mean that little act with Orion?”My pulse kicks up but I keep my expression cool. Does he know something? He can't possibly know shit, right? I mean, only O

Bailey POVBy the time Orion pulls into a parking spot and kills the engine, my legs feel like jelly and my heart is still racing in my chest.I'm not sure if it's from the ride itself or from spending the last fifteen minutes wrapped around him like a second skin.Probably both.He helps me off the bike first, steadying me with a hand on my elbow when I wobble slightly.My dress is definitely more wrinkled than it was and I am pretty sure my hair is a disaster under this helmet.However, Orion doesn't seem to notice,or if he does, he is kind enough not to say anything.He removes my helmet with the same careful attention he used putting it on, his fingers brushing against my cheek as he loosens the strap. "See? It's not so bad," he says with that easy smile of his."Speak for yourself," I mutter, trying to smooth down my hair. "I probably look like I was racing against time lol."His eyes sweep over me, something warm flickering in their depths. "You look beautiful."The compliment