Chapter 48 Careful Doesn't Mean Backing Down
Courtney's POV
Airports always had a strange way of slowing time down. I sat in the departure lounge, legs crossed, my good arm resting lightly on my knee while my fingers absentmindedly toyed with the charm bracelet around my wrist. The tiny silver pieces clinked softly together, each one catching the overhead light just enough to draw my attention back to them again and again.
Anna’s gift. From the street market just a few hours ago.
My lips curved faintly at the memory, my thumb brushing over one of the charms—a tiny engraved heart.
“You'd better wear that,” Anna had said, half-teasing, half-serious. “So I know you’re thinking about me when you’re off getting yourself into trouble.”
I had laughed. But now—
Now the weight of those words sat differently. My gaze drifted, unfocused, as the memory pulled me under.
—
We had been walking side by side, weaving through the crowded street market, the scent of fresh pastries and flowers filling the air. Anna had been glowing—still riding the high of the proposal, her hand occasionally lifting just to look at the ring again like she couldn’t quite believe it was real. I had noticed the shift immediately, though. The quiet. The way Anna’s smile would falter just a fraction when she thought I wasn’t looking.
“Okay,” I had said, nudging her gently. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”
Anna had hesitated. Then stopped walking entirely.
“Promise me something,” she said.
I blinked. “That sounds serious.”
“It is.”
That got my full attention. I had softened instantly, reaching out to rub Anna’s arm reassuringly.
“What is it?”
Anna’s eyes searched mine, all warmth but edged with worry.
“The next time Marcus calls home for an update about you guys,” she said, “it doesn’t involve a hospital visit or some life-threatening situation.”
I had let out a nervous chuckle, instinctively brushing it off.
“You know me,” I joked lightly. “Trouble tends to find me.”
But Anna hadn’t laughed. Hadn’t even smiled.
“I’m serious, Court.”
That—
That had made me pause. Really pause. Because Anna didn’t do that tone unless she meant it.
“I know,” I said more gently, squeezing her arm. “I’ll be careful.”
Anna’s gaze lingered.
“You say that,” she replied quietly, “but everything going on with Felicia Ardent…” She trailed off, her expression tightening. “Being this far away,” Anna admitted, “it messes with my head.”
I felt that. Felt the distance. The helplessness.
“And sometimes…” Anna hesitated again.
I frowned slightly. “Sometimes what?”
Anna looked almost reluctant to say it.
“…I’m not one hundred percent sure that Damian is totally invested in—”
“Hey,” I cut in immediately. Firm. Certain. “No.”
Anna blinked.
“Don’t even finish that sentence,” I said, my voice steady but not harsh. “Damian is all in. With everything. Emotionally, physically—he’s not holding back where I’m concerned.”
I believed that. Knew that. Felt it every time he looked at me like I was something he wasn’t willing to lose. Anna studied me for a moment. Then slowly—
She smiled. “I don’t doubt that he loves you,” she said softly.
My breath caught just a little. Anna tilted her head, her smile turning more knowing.
“I also know,” she added, “that you are that man’s ride or die until his last breath.”
I huffed a quiet laugh. “Damn right.”
But Anna’s expression shifted again, that thread of concern still there.
“I just don’t like,” she continued, “that Felicia Ardent has tried to get to him through you more than once.”
That—
That hit. Because it was true.
I pulled her into a hug without hesitation, holding her tightly.
“I’ll be more careful,” I promised into her shoulder.
Anna hugged her back just as tightly.
“You better be.”
I pulled back, grinning slightly.
“And when you’re walking down the aisle,” I added, “I’m going to be the best maid of honor you’ve ever seen.”
Anna laughed.
“Oh please,” she teased. “You might have to fight Peter for that role.”
I gasped dramatically. “I will throw hands.”
Anna grinned. “I’d pay to see that.”
And just like that—
The tension eased. We spent the rest of the afternoon talking about dresses, flowers, venues—things that felt normal. Safe. Like none of the chaos existed.
—
“Miss Courtney Bennet to gate 7 for Flight 247…”
The announcement pulled me back to the present. My eyes blinked open, the noise of the airport rushing back in around me. I exhaled slowly, my fingers still wrapped around the bracelet as I glanced at my watch and pulled out my phone. A message from Damian saying he'll meet me at the gate flashed.
“I’ll be careful,” I murmured under my breath. More to myself than anyone else. Because Anna deserved that. Peace of mind.
And I—
I needed to be smarter. About everything.
A subtle shift beside me broke through my thoughts. The seat next to mine dipped slightly. Occupied. I didn’t look immediately since it was normal for others to occupy the private lounge .
Airports were crowded. People came and went. But then—
Something changed. A feeling. Cold. Sharp. Familiar in the worst possible way. My fingers stilled on the bracelet. My breath caught. Slowly—
Too slowly—
I turned my head. And everything inside me went still. Felicia Ardent. Sitting right next to me. Like this was normal. Like this was casual. Like she hadn’t just inserted herself into my space without warning.
My entire body tensed instantly, my spine straightening as my gaze locked onto her.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I said under my breath.
Felicia didn’t look at me right away. She simply adjusted the sleeve of her coat, smooth and composed as ever.
Then—
She turned. And smiled. That same smile. Polished. Controlled. Infuriating. My fingers itched to reach out and pluck every single tooth out of her mouth.
“Hello, Courtney.”
The way she said my name made my skin crawl.
“Do you make a habit of stalking people now?” I shot back.
Felicia’s smile didn’t waver.
“Such a harsh word,” she replied lightly. “I prefer… timing.”
I glanced around quickly, my instincts kicking in. Crowd. Open space. Too many variables.
And yet—
I knew. Felicia wasn’t alone. She never was. But then again, neither was I. The two bodyguards Damian left with me noticed my uninvited company and shifted from their posts but a subtle shake of my head kept them at bay. My gaze snapped back to bitch beside me.
“What do you want?” I asked, cutting straight through the pretense.
Felicia studied me for a moment. Longer than necessary. Like she was taking me apart piece by piece.
“I wanted to see you,” she said simply.
I let out a short, disbelieving laugh.
“Yeah, I call bullshit.”
Felicia’s head tilted slightly.
“You know,” she said. “You’ve become… quite relevant.”
That sent a chill down my spine.
“I don’t care about your interest,” I replied flatly.
Felicia’s eyes flickered briefly—amusement, maybe.
“I know,” she said. “That’s part of what makes you so interesting.”
I leaned back slightly, putting just a fraction more space between us.
“You’ve got about ten seconds before I get up and walk away,” I said.
Felicia didn’t move. Didn’t react.
“Go ahead,” she said calmly.
I froze. Because that—
That wasn’t a challenge. It was certainty. My eyes narrowed.
“What are you playing at?”
Felicia’s gaze softened just enough to feel wrong.
“I know you were there when I spoke with Damian,” she said.
My stomach tightened instantly.
“And?”
“Did he share what our conversation was about?”
I held her stare.
“Yeah,” I said. “He told me you're a raging psycho who is in way over her head.”
Felicia’s lips curved faintly.
“And yet,” she murmured, “you’re sitting here with me.”
I didn’t respond. Because she wasn’t wrong. Not entirely. Felicia leaned back slightly, crossing one leg over the other.
“He’s predictable,” she said.
I felt my expression harden.
“You don’t know him.”
Felicia’s eyes met hers.
“I know enough.”
Something in me snapped.
“You don’t get to talk about him. You keep his name and anything about him out of your filthy mouth,” I said, my voice low and dangerous.
Felicia didn’t flinch. If anything—
She looked pleased.
“There it is,” she murmured.
I stilled.
“That loyalty,” Felicia continued. “That instinct to defend him.”
Her gaze dropped briefly to the bracelet on my wrist.
“And them. I liked the one with the seashells better,” a wicked smile pulled at the corner of Felicia's face.
My hand instinctively curled into a fist.
“Stay away from my people,” I said.
Felicia looked back up at me.
“That depends,” she replied softly.
“On what?”
Felicia’s smile returned.
“On whether you can stay out of my way.”
Silence. Heavy. Charged. I leaned in slightly, my eyes blazing.
“Last time I checked, you were the one appearing in front of us. Unwanted. Uninvited.”
Felicia held my gaze for a long moment. Then—
She stood. Just like that. Conversation over. Or maybe—
Paused.
“For your sake,” Felicia said calmly, smoothing her coat, “I hope you learn when to step back.”
I stood too. My phone suddenly vibrated in my hand.
“No,” I said firmly. “For your sake, you'd better start realizing we’re not going anywhere.”
Felicia’s smile lingered. Unshaken.
“We’ll see.”
And with that—
She walked away. Blending into the crowd as if she had never been there at all.
I stood frozen for a second, my heart pounding, my mind racing. I looked down at my phone to see two messages. One from Damian saying he was at the gate, and the other from Anna, telling her to have a safe flight. Then slowly—
My fingers found the bracelet again.
“I promised,” I whispered.
Careful didn’t mean backing down. It meant being ready. For whatever came next.