Chapter 4
Bran gritted teeth. “Once you finish your drink, get the hell out of here. You’re not welcome.”
Ryder, however, seemed completely unfazed by Bran’s fury.
“Oh, come on. I’m not here to cause trouble for you. I just want to get to know your lovely girlfriend better.”
With Ryder’s blatant teasing, Bran was merely laughing it off.
Back into the private box,
I sat down closely beside Bran, his warm hand clasping mine tightly, as if he was afraid I’d slip away. He turned his head and
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chatted and laughed heartily with Ryder on his left.
The room was filled with a thick cloud of smoke, and the laughter of the men echoed continuously.
As soon as the waiter left, Ryder suddenly turned his head, his eyes locking onto me.
“Don’t sleep with Bran.”
“I could sleep with stray dog on the street, and it’s none of your business!”
“I know you’re still mad at me for leaving without a word. Fine, I’ll take your anger. I can even accept that you’re with others as a way to vent. But you need to understand, have your fun, but don’t get too involved. ”
Just as I was about to fire back, Ryder
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whirled around.
He towered over me. “Six days. Break up with Bran, or I will tell him everything our past.”
“Are you out of your mind?”
“I’m giving you a chance. Take it.”
Earlier, I’d thought about seducing Bran and confessing my past with Ryder.
Bran, sensing my fear, gripped my hand tightly. “Leave her alone, Ryder.”
Ryder sneered. “This isn’t over.”
Ryder’s eyes remained fixed on me as he lit a cigarette.
The sudden flash of the lighter revealed vivid red scratch marks on his hand, and my heart
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skipped a beat, guilt overwhelming me. I couldn’t fathom if he was subtly warning me.
I instinctively tugged at Bran’s arm. “I’m really not feeling myself. Can we leave now?”
Bran arranged for a ride, and soon I was home.
Still in my coat, I quickly messaged Bran I was okay, then collapsed on the bed.
After Ryder vanished, our family’s world. crumbled.
My father had a car accident and passed
away.
My brother, framed, languished in prison.
In my darkest moments, I’d think of the money Ryder offered, but self–loathing would
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quickly follow. I’d given him my all for five years–no thoughts of wealth or status, just pure, unadulterated love.
I’d awaited Bran’s call, but it was Ryder’s voice that broke the late–night silence.
Sitting in the pitch–black, smoke–hazed living room, I begged, “Ryder, please. Just let me be. Act like I never existed.”
Ryder’s voice slurred lazily, reeking of alcohol. “I thought I’d just scare you off, but seeing you with Bran? It pissed me off.”
“Then leave. If you can’t stand it, get lost.”
“Ditch Bran. I can give you way more than he ever could.”
Silence hung heavy on the line, broken only by my stifled sobs.
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“Why are you crying? You don’t love Bran,” he murmured.
“I want to marry him. If you want me to break up with him, will you marry me?”
“Bran won’t marry you either.”
That “either” stung.
“Bran will wed an Alpha’s daughter or a rich heir. You don’t fit his family’s mold.”
“I’m happy with Bran. He’s good to me. Don’t push me, Ryder.”
Ryder insisted, “With me, Bran won’t touch you!”
I let out a harsh, bitter laugh. “Another five years then dump me? With Bran, I’m his only.
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He will never dump me no matter how many years I’m with him”
“At least with you, I never touched another.“He said.
I froze, mute.
“Sleep. Bran won’t come.” Then he hung up, leaving me fuming.
All night, I tossed, sleepless.
I messaged Bran, no reply.
I called before dawn, no answer.
Had Ryder said something?
Finally, at almost one in the afternoon, Bran called, his voice hoarse. “Baby, drank too much, missed your calls.”
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“I’m okay, just worried.”
He drawled, “Scared I was cheating?”
“Would you?”
He groaned, “You tease me, never let me have you. It’s torture.”
“Just a few more days.”
Bran’s eagerness seeped through the phone. “How many?”
“Five or six,” I whispered.
His longing was thick as he purred, “Call me ‘daddy‘, baby.”
I refused.
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After his endless coaxing, I said, “Boyfriend’s one thing. ‘Daddy’s‘ different. We’re not married.”
Bran didn’t miss a beat. “It’s inevitable. Who else would you marry?”
Half an hour of chatter later, he asked, “Not going to Vegas?”
“No, you go,” I said.
“Not for fun. Business. I’d stay if I could,” he explained.
“I’m fine. You have work. “I soothed.
“Wait for me. I’ll bring a gift,” he promised.
“Don’t waste money,” I protested.
“Spoiling you is my pleasure,” he retorted.
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That afternoon, Bran picked me up. His trunk overflowed with luxury bags.
Parting, he kissed me, reluctant. “Take care. Wait for me.”
After he left, I blushed and rushed inside. In my room, I opened the gift box.
A dazzling diamond necklace sparkled, each stone worth a fortune.
Ryder said Bran wouldn’t marry me. I knew. I needed his power to save my brother Alex.
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