Chapter Twenty-Five

Aurora’s Pov

The restaurant was quiet, the only sound coming from the faint hum of conversations in the background. I kept my focus on my laptop, scrolling through emails and checking tasks I hadn’t finished. There was so much to do, and I didn’t want Ryan thinking I was slacking.

But as I worked, a cold sensation washed over me. It wasn’t the temperature of the room, it was deeper, bone-chilling, like the shadow of something I’d spent years trying to escape.

I forced myself to keep looking at the screen. It’s nothing, I told myself. It’s just your imagination. You’re safe.

But then the feeling intensified, like ice creeping up my spine. The hair on the back of my neck stood up, and my fingers froze mid-typing. Slowly, hesitantly, I looked up.

No.

No, it couldn’t be.

I blinked, shaking my head as if trying to wake from a nightmare. My heart pounded, and I prayed I was wrong. But then someone stepped closer, and my worst fears were confirmed.

“Greg,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

He was standing right there, his face twisted into a smirk that sent a wave of nausea through me.

“Well, well,” he said, his voice dripping with mockery. “Look who we have here.”

I shot up from my seat instinctively, panic coursing through me. My chair scraped loudly against the floor, drawing attention, but I didn’t care. “Greg…” I managed to say again, my voice trembling.

He tilted his head, his smirk widening. “Aren’t you happy to see your big brother?”

I couldn’t speak. Words refused to form. I just stood there, staring at him, horror coursing through my veins. My mind raced. Why is he here? How did he find me? Was he following me all this time?

Greg chuckled, a sound that sent chills through me. “So, this is where you’ve been hiding. Clever. Very clever.”

Before I could respond, Ryan’s calm but firm voice cut through the tension like a knife. “Who are you?”

Greg turned to him, his expression shifting to something smug and condescending. “You don’t need to know who I am,” he said dismissively. Then, with a mocking grin, he added, “But if you insist… I’m her loving stepbrother. And I’m here to take her home.”

He turned his attention back to me, his gaze predatory. “Aurora,” he said, his tone dripping with false sweetness, “don’t you miss us? Mom and Dad are so worried about you.” He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a sinister whisper. “And I… I can’t wait to have a taste of you again.”

I gasped, the words stabbing through me like a blade.

Ryan shot to his feet, his chair scraping loudly as he stood. His eyes were cold, dangerous. “You won’t dare,” he said, his voice low and full of warning.

Greg chuckled darkly. “Oh, is this your new boyfriend?” he sneered, looking Ryan up and down. “You’ve been whoring around again, haven’t you, Aurora? And you’ve landed yourself a fine one this time.” He took a step closer, his eyes narrowing. “But you’re coming home with me. Now.”

He reached out, his hand moving toward my wrist.

Before he could touch me, Ryan was faster. His hand shot out, gripping Greg’s wrist with enough force to make him wince.

“Don’t you dare touch her,” Ryan growled, his voice a deadly promise. “Or you’ll regret it.”

Greg tried to pull his hand back, but Ryan didn’t budge. The tension between them crackled like electricity.

I stood frozen, unable to move or speak. When Greg had reached for me, I’d gasped audibly, the sound betraying my fear. But now… now I could only watch as Ryan stared at him down, his presence like a shield between me and the man who haunted my nightmares.

My heart raced as Greg’s hand hovered near mine, but Ryan’s grip on his wrist stopped him cold.

“Let me go,” Greg hissed through gritted teeth, trying to shake free. “Let me go right now!”

The words seemed to ignite something in Ryan, something raw and dangerous. Without a word, Ryan yanked him toward the exit. The restaurant fell into hushed whispers, all eyes following them as Ryan dragged Greg out like a predator dragging its prey.

I sat frozen in my seat, trembling. My hands gripped the table to stop them from shaking, but the effort was futile. My mind was a whirlwind of memories—Greg’s sneering face, the stinging slap of his hand, the venom in his voice. It all came rushing back, like a tidal wave I couldn’t escape.

I felt so small, so powerless.

Minutes felt like hours until Ryan returned, his face a mask of calm, though his jaw was tense. He stopped in front of me, his voice firm yet soft. “He’s gone.”

I looked up at him, my voice barely above a whisper. “Where is he?”

Ryan didn’t answer directly. Instead, he leaned forward slightly, his eyes locking onto mine. “Don’t worry about Greg. He won’t dare come near you again.”

I wanted to believe him, but my body betrayed me. I was still trembling, my hands ice-cold.

Ryan crouched beside me, his hand reaching out but stopping just short of mine. “Aurora,” he said softly, “look at me. You’re safe. I promise you.”

His words were a balm I didn’t know I needed. Slowly, I nodded. “Thank you,” I whispered.

“Let’s get you home,” he said, his voice steady. “You need to rest. I’ll grab something for you to eat on the way.”

Home. The thought made me shudder. What if Greg came back? What if he was waiting? I didn't want to go home, but there was no other place for me to go.

“I…” I hesitated, unsure of how to voice my fears without sounding weak.

Ryan didn’t wait for me to explain. “If you’re scared, you can stay at my place tonight,” he said simply.

My head shot up, panic mingling with surprise. “No, that’s… inappropriate,” I stammered.

“Inappropriate for who?” His brow arched, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Are we doing something that would make it inappropriate?”

“Please, not now,” I muttered, my cheeks heating. “It’s just… you’re my boss.”

He leaned back slightly, crossing his arms. “And as your boss, I’m telling you it’s fine. You’ll be safe. That’s what matters.”

I hesitated, chewing on my bottom lip. His place. With him. The idea made my stomach twist in ways I couldn’t describe.

“Let’s do this,” Ryan said, cutting through my thoughts. “We’ll go grab your things for the trip, and then you can decide. Deal?”

I nodded, grateful for the compromise. “Deal.”