"Ivan!"

A woman's delighted voice shattered Elodie's thoughts. She brushed past Elodie and threw herself straight into Ivan's arms. Ivan instinctively caught her, letting her cling to him as if it were the most natural thing in the world.-

"Do you know how long I've waited for you?" she exclaimed, her voice full of giddy affection. "If you hadn't come out soon, I swear my dad would've dragged me off to marry someone else!"

Ivan's gaze lingered on her face as she pressed a kiss to his lips. He smirked. "That desperate, huh? Well, tell your driver to wait outside later—I'll send your father a little thank-you note myself."

She giggled and clung to him, refusing to let go. "You're terrible! My dad wants you to come over, says he's dying to meet you, and wants to throw you a welcome dinner..."

Elodie was rooted to the spot, staring at the scene in a daze.

A slow, creeping embarrassment and helplessness washed over her.

The Ivan who'd once been gentle and attentive, who used to make her the center of his world-had he ever really existed, or was it all just a decade-long dream?

A dull ache started to throb in her stomach.

It felt as if a knife had sliced through time and stabbed her all over again.

"Elodie, I don't want to be registered as a Harcourt. I don't want to be your brother."

"When you're an adult... will you marry me?"

his gentle voice lingered in her mind, leaving her

"Watch out!"

turned just in time to see a motorcycle

hesitation, Ivan pulled the woman back, shielding her with his

out of the way on her own, stumbling as she covered her

his eyes dark and searching, a flicker of worry and

Elodie managed, turning away before tears could fall.

watched her go, curiosity sparking. "Who

hesitated, then lowered his head, brushing her lips with a kiss as he

used to

he'd spent years growing up with.

doubled over the steering wheel, pressing a hand to her aching stomach. Cold sweat broke out across her skin. She couldn't tell what hurt more-the bitterness in her chest or

snapped

her phone:

Silverstein Group Headquarters.

through the documents Elodie

the same company-what kind of stunt was she

allowed near the executive floor, did she really think this would grab Mr.

Childish.

headed straight

hadn't shown up

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255