Chapter 18
“What is this?” Jerren douted, slamming the oreage of the age returns trembling kround the wedding invitation. “What is the meaning of the
Aurora didn’t flinch.
She took a sip of tes, lifted her eyes to meet his ” is what you see, Go
“She’s alive,” he hissed, his voice oeding “Yow you lied to me! You ate me bele she wa dead that she how could you do this to me
ment
“She asked for freedom, Aurors said simply “I granted. Something you new ad
Jarren’s chest heaved, “Where is she? Where the
“I’m not telling your
But it was too late. His eyes dropped to the envelope, to the revon Robes Banged on the back
He didn’t say another word. He stormed out, already pulling out his phone to book a sivate
beg flight. His hands were shaking as he typed in the destination Scree
typanthe
The moment he boarded, Jarren’s mind ran wild. Ever thought, every memory of Hayley clawed is way to the surface.
Her laughter. Her voice. Her warmth when she used to cook him dinner. The way she’d was fo him by the door with a hopeful smile.
He destroyed all of it. And now she was getting married
To Scott Thompson.
The name alone made Jarren clench his jaw so tight his temples throbbed, soos wesn’t just a nval–he was a threat. A man he’d competed with since college. The perfect contrast to terren calm, collected, charming.
Why him?
Why now?
Why did Scott get the version of Hayley that Jarren had shattered?
Jarren and Scott had been rivals since college. Both heirs to powerful empires–Smith and Thompson–destined to clash. They competed in everything academics, business pitches, social circles, even women. Scott was always the calm storm, the golden boy with the easy smile and quiet intellect, while Jarren led with fire, dominance, and raw ambition
They were always compared. Always measured. But it was Scott who was praised as the future of clean leadership. The better man. The kinder one. And Jarren hated it.
He remembered the charity gala five years ago where Hayley and Scott had first crossed paths. He warned Scott after seeing him wanting Hayley. He even threatened him to stay away from Hayley. He had always been a threat to him when it comes to Hayley.
But now? Scott had her
Not just as a woman–but as the healed version of herself.
The version Jarren couldn’t break anymore. And couldn’t have back.
Meanwhile, Hayley was at a boutique in Geneva, standing on a platform in front of a mirror. Her
7:19 pm G D
dress shimmered under the lights, delicate lace wrapped across her skin like it was made just
for her.
“I can’t believe this is really happening,” she whispered, smiling to herself.
The stylist fluffed the veil. “You’ll be the most beautiful bride Switzerland has ever seen.”
As she stepped down to change, her phone buzzed.
Aurora.
Hayley answered immediately. “Hello?”
“Hayley…” the older woman’s voice was tight. “I’m sorry. He found out.”
Hayley’s chest seized. “Jarren?”
“He saw the invitation. He’s already on a plane.”
Panic wrapped its claws around her heart.
“I have to go,” she breathed, grabbing her bag. “I have to warn Scott.”
But by the time she reached the Thompson estate, it was too late.
She burst through the front doors, running past the butlers, up the polished stairs toward Scott’s
office.
And that’s when she heard it.
The sound of a fist hitting flesh.
She rushed inside.
Scott had blood on his lip. Jarren was seething, his fists balled at his sides, the sleeves of his designer coat wrinkled from grabbing and shoving.
“You don’t deserve her,” Jarren spat. “You’ll never deserve her.”
“And you did?” Scott growled back. “You tried to kill her, Jarren. I was the one who picked her up after you broke her.”
“She’s mine!”
“No,” Scott said coldly, wiping his lip. “She’s herself. And she chose to be with someone who won’t put her through hell just to prove a point.”
Jarren lunged again–but before he could swing, Hayley threw herself in front of Scott.
“Stop!” she cried.
Jarren froze.
And for a moment, the room went silent.
He looked down at her–at her flushed cheeks, the fear in her eyes, the way she held her hands up to shield the man behind her.
His breath caught.
“Hayley…” he whispered, voice shaking.
And then–his knees buckled. He fell forward and wrapped his arms around her, clinging like a man drowning.
“I’m sorry,” he cried into her shoulder. “I didn’t know. I didn’t understand. I thought you were gone.
Chapter 18
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I thought I’d lost you forever…”
