Chapter 6
“Dad.”
I cut him off calmly.
“The opening ceremony’s about to start. Let’s go.”
I swung onto my horse, the red riding jacket flaring like fire behind me, hair lifting in the wind, my face calm and unreadable.
I rode in the center, with Zone and Julian flanking me on either side.
Adrian took the lead, silent, distant.
I could feel a gaze burning behind me, glued to my back – Lillian. she snuck up behind me, her eyes red as if she’d just cried.
Zone muttered, “Did you guys notice the chairman’s face earlier? It’s like… Blake has to be here.”
Julian shrugged. “Come on. Everyone knows Evelyn would never choose Blake. Who cares if he shows up? Adrian’s the obvious choice.”
I said nothing.
Because what they didn’t know–was that I had chosen Blake Hawthorne.
“Shut up.” Adrian’s voice cut through the air like frost.
Zone glanced at Lillian’s teary–eyed expression and chuckled meaningfully.
“We’re all here for the same reason–trying to win Evelyn over. And she chose you, Adrian. Can’t blame us for being jealous.”
Julian added, “Yeah. Maybe it’s time you let go of Lillian.”
Adrian’s hands clenched tightly around the reins.
“I can’t,” he said through gritted teeth.
The words hit me like a dull blow to the chest.
But before I could speak, a sudden crack split the air.
Pop!
Static flooded the communication channel.
“Alert! Unauthorized intrusion on the west side of the estate. Possible armed hostiles near the event zone. All personnel return to the central plaza immediately!”
“Protect Evelyn!” Zone shouted, already pulling a gun.
Julian leapt off his horse and shielded me.
Adrian blocked the front, eyes scanning the woods like ice blades.
Then–a black SUV burst out from the trees.
The windows rolled down, and masked men inside opened fire with real weapons.
“They’re after Evelyn!” Zone roared.
From behind, Lillian screamed, “Adrian! Help me!”
I turned in time to see her falling off her horse, landing hard in the dirt. Blood streaked her arm.
Adrian froze–then spun his horse around and galloped to her side without hesitation.
12:19
Faked His Death. Married His Enemy. Now He’s Begging
3.7%
Chapter 6
“Adrian!” I shouted.
He didn’t turn back.
In the next second, one of the gunmen spotted me and fired.
Bang!
But the pain never came.
I opened my eyes–just in time to see the man fall, blood spraying from his chest.
His gun dropped to the ground.
I looked up sharply–and froze.
It was Blake Hawthorne.
Wearing a tactical coat, hair tousled, gun raised-
and still with that devil–may–care smirk on his lips.
“Just in time,” he said.
“What are you waiting for?” As soon as he pulled me off the horse and dragged me into the cover of the woods, “I know I looked good rushing over to save you, don’t be moved to tears.”
I clung to his waist, heart pounding against his chest.
He shot down two men in quick succession, then led me into the woods, deeper toward the estate’s back end.
As we ran, he glanced at me.
“Cliff ahead.”
“You’re insane,” I whispered.
He grinned. “Do you trust me?”
I looked into his careless eyes.
And nodded. “I do.”
“Then hold on.”
He wrapped an arm around me-
And leapt.
Wind roared in my ears. The world vanished.
Then–splash.
We hit water. Cold, brutal, but real.
I was alive.
When I opened my eyes again, I was back in the Langford estate’s medical wing.
“Miss Evelyn!”
Amy nearly tackled me in relief. “Thank God you’re awake!”
I sat up too fast. Pain shot through my shoulder, and I gasped.
12:19
Faked His Death. Married His Enemy. Now He’s Begging
3.90
chapter b
“Where’s Blake?”
“He’s fine. Hairline fracture in his arm. Ile’s recovering at home.”
Amy placed a warm cup of tea in my hands, then pointed to a black suitcase in the corner.
“He said to show you that when you woke up.”
I got up and opened it.
Inside were carefully wrapped gifts-
a rare French perfume, a vintage bottle of wine from the vineyard he went to, and a small bag of lemon candies, my favorite.
All neatly tied in brown paper.
On top was a note:
[Today’s ‘program‘ got a little wild. Next time, I’ll show you something a little more romantic. Just picked up a few things for you–don’t get all emotional.]
I laughed out loud.
And then felt something tighten in my chest.
Because I suddenly remembered-
In my past life, Blake always brought me things.
Little gifts, every time he returned from somewhere. He’d pretend it was nothing-
but it was always exactly what I loved.
Even when he left for places I’d never heard of, he’d send things back: a rare mineral, a photograph of a sunset, always with a note.
[Thought I’d show you a piece of the world you don’t usually get to see.]
“Miss…”
Amy spoke hesitantly. “Adrian Whitmore is outside.”
I didn’t look up. “What does he want?”
“Lillian’s condition is bad. Spinal fracture. The doctors aren’t sure she’ll make it.”
My eyelashes lowered.
Amy swallowed. “He came to… beg you. To give him the emergency capsule–the one the old chairman left you.”
The only one of its kind.
An experimental biotech capsule, reserved…. to save my life.
