Chapter 21
Julian attempted to stand, but I pushed him firmly back onto the sofa.
His expression turned somewhat sulky as I patted his cheek reassuringly before limping to the door.
Raine’s pounding was deafening, irritating my ears.
The moment I opened the door, he gripped my shoulders and spun me around, frantically checking for injuries before finally relaxing:
“Did something happen just now?”
I wanted nothing more than to send him away quickly: “Nothing’s wrong. You can go now.”
He continued staring worriedly: “Why is your face so flushed? And you’re not even wearing socks?”
Just as I was about to push him out, I noticed his gaze shift upward, his expression darkening.
Julian brushed aside Raine’s hands, his chest nearly touching my back.
Raine’s face turned stormy as he silently stared at me.
من
Before I could formulate a response, he had already turned and walked away. As if he didn’t want me to see the redness forming at the corners of his eyes.
O
I stared at his retreating figure, my mouth opening and closing, but no words came out.
Julian forcefully closed the door, cutting off my view.
He leaned close to my ear and whispered:
“Are your eyeballs surgically attached to his back?”
I turned and pushed Julian out too.
Life continued routinely.
I never saw Raine again. Occasionally, I’d receive calls from unknown numbers. On the other end, he seemed drunk, rambling incoherently.
“You have the wrong number. I’m not Jade.”
In truth, I heard him repeatedly calling my name.
Julian sometimes picked me up after work. He seemed strangely unburdened lately, often bringing me late–night snacks. I gained nearly ten pounds in a month.
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Secretly Dating My Brother’s BFF… Until His Hotter Rival Stole the Spotlight
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Chapter 21
One evening after work, he mentioned an online video conference and said he’d come by later to watch a movie
with me.
The bodyguards escorted me to my door, watching until I entered.
Feeling bored, I browsed for movies to watch later–a romantic film? Or perhaps something horror? Maybe I should choose a family movie about uncles–that would definitely annoy Julian.
As I browsed, the lights suddenly went out. I realized the circuit breaker had tripped.
Just as I was about to check the hallway breaker, my hand froze on the doorknob.
A high–end apartment complex shouldn’t have electrical issues like this.
I called Julian, but he didn’t answer–likely still in his meeting.
Then I texted my nearby bodyguards to come help, estimating they’d take about ten minutes.
I was searching for a flashlight when the door began to shake.
Uncontrollable trembling started in my hands, and my phone slipped from my palm.
After several moments, the movement outside stopped.
The lights suddenly came back on.
I took a deep breath and checked the peephole. Outside was pitch black–someone had deliberately covered the
camera.
The door began shaking again, accompanied by a sickening voice:
“Lyra, I know you’re in there. Ahahahahaha.”
I desperately covered my mouth, backing away.
The lock made subtle clicking sounds, and moments later, the door opened, revealing that revolting face.
Victor Pierce fixed me with a predatory stare: “Thanks to you, I learned many lock–picking techniques from those lowlifes in prison.”
I stepped backward, inching toward my purse on the sofa, which contained Maddox’s self–defense tools.
But Victor closed the door behind him, advancing toward me.
“Why are you running from me? Didn’t I tell you I like you?
“You said that wasn’t liking. But I’ve thought about you for four years. It took considerable effort to find you my release. Why are you afraid?
after
“Don’t you like me too? When Trisha introduced us, you were the one who extended your hand first!”
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Secretly Dating My Brother’s BFF… Until His Hotter Rival Stole the Spotlight
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Chapter 21
Trisha had brought him to our house once. That was my first meeting with him–I politely greeted him with a
handshake.
But I never imagined that in his twisted mind, this simple courtesy constituted reciprocal interest.
I struggled to steady myself, though my voice still trembled:
“Let’s talk calmly. Don’t come any closer.”
He laughed as if I’d told a hilarious joke, leaning on his cane as he inched forward.
Pounding started at the door, and I heard Julian’s frantic voice:
“Lyra! Open the door!”
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.