Chapter 17
My heart jolted violently.
I turned back to look at Raine, who stood hunched and defeated.
I walked straight upstairs, though my hand on the elevator button trembled inexplicably.
I wouldn’t ask Raine–he’d lost my trust.
Recalling Maddox’s warning to stay away from Julian, I called him.
Maddox hemmed and hawed on the phone, and despite my persistence, he concluded with: “Just keep your distance
from him.”
I decided to let it go. After all, I’d only told Raine I liked Julian to provoke him–it wasn’t true.
Afterward, I ignored Julian’s occasional messages.
I avoided him during weekend visits home and even declined Jade’s dinner invitations.
Our next meeting came in early spring.
Despite my strong objections, my parents insisted on throwing an elaborate birthday celebration for me, which I couldn’t very well skip.
Julian arrived late, dressed in a crisp, distinguished suit–clearly coming straight from the office.
Jade immediately lifted her skirt and ran to greet him.
I stood on the spiral staircase, looking down at him.
My mind involuntarily recalled him gently treating my burned foot.
Such a man… I couldn’t even imagine him with blood on his hands. Could he really have tried to kill someone?
He seemed to sense my gaze and looked up.
Just before our eyes met, Raine’s voice came from behind me: “Lyra, happy birthday.”
He presented an elegantly wrapped gift. I thanked him perfunctorily and instructed a servant to take it away.
His eyes shone with expectation: “Aren’t you going to open it? I’m sure you’ll love this one.”
“Raine, Jade’s downstairs waiting for you,” I replied.
Hearing my response, a flash of surprise crossed his face before his expression dimmed.
I turned back, but Julian had disappeared.
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Secretly Dating My Brother’s BFF… Until His Hotter Rival Stole the Spotlight
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Chapter 17
“I’ve been thinking a lot lately. I was such a fool before…”
I impatiently cut him off: “Everyone’s watching. Are you sure you want to have this conversation here?”
His face fell, and he finally didn’t continue.
Oddly, a hint of disappointment washed over me.
I seemed to be changing too–almost like I’d been looking forward to seeing Julian.
Maddox settled me in a quiet corner, understanding my discomfort: “I know you hate these functions. Find somewhere comfortable and lay low–I’ll handle the socializing.”
He greeted guests and exchanged pleasantries, the sight making me tired just watching.
Nearly dozing off, I was jolted awake by Maddox’s voice, thick with barely contained rage: “How the fuck dare you show your face here?”
My drowsiness vanished instantly. Maddox never cursed in public.
I stood up and, looking past Maddox’s shoulder, saw the man at the entrance–he leaned to one side, his weight entirely supported by a cane. His face, covered in horrific scars, was the nightmare I’d spent my life trying to forget.
Memories flooded back to that cold, damp, rainy night.
The man’s ragged breathing, revolting sounds, snake–like touches crawling up my skin.
The bright lights of the present merged with the darkness of those memories, my ears filling with the sound of rain.
As the room spun, a pair of hands steadied my arms.
I instinctively tried to push away, but he gripped my trembling hand firmly.
“Don’t be afraid. I’ll take you somewhere to rest.”
I staggered, leaning heavily against Julian as we left.
Behind us, a taunting voice called out:
“Happy birthday, Lyra. Remember me? I’ve thought about you every moment these past years.”
“Victor Pierce, you motherfucker!” Maddox roared.
Chaos erupted–objects crashing, voices shouting.
The air seemed to vanish from the room that I couldn’t breathe.
Until Julian’s hand moved to my back, gently stroking from top to bottom.
“Deep breaths. Don’t be afraid.”
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Secretly Dating My Brother’s BFF… Until His Hotter Rival Stole the Spotlight
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Chapter 17
But I couldn’t hold on. My vision darkened as consciousness slipped away.
t
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.