Asking her to stay away from Ron

Valerie’s POV

“She’s pregnant!” Jasmine suddenly exclaimed, stepping in front of me as my heart threatened to burst.

“For joy! She is just so happy for the newlyweds, she couldn’t hold it in. I was just telling her she needed to tell Drake how she felt, pregnant with joy, to get it off her chest,” Jasmine lied so fluently that I had to cast her a look. Ron, on the other hand, didn’t seem to buy any of it. His gaze remained fixed on me, piercing and expectant.

“For the record, I think Charlotte is also a nasty little icy devil,” he said, a smile spreading on his face as I unconsciously released a sigh of relief.

“That doesn’t mean—” I placed a hand on Jasmine’s shoulder, stopping her from saying yet another lie. Ron’s mischievous eyes made me feel oddly safe.

Ron walked past Jasmine and drew me into a hug. At first, my body was shocked, but then I melted into his embrace. His warmth comforted me as his big hands wrapped around my shoulders and his chin rested on my head, offering me a haven.

I hadn’t realized how much I needed to be held, yet Ron—Drake’s estranged stepbrother whom he never talked about—realized it in minutes.

“This must be hard for you,” he said, and I found myself sniffing and nodding, emotions I had kept bottled inside surfacing from nowhere.

“I understand how you feel,” he continued, and I felt it was true, or maybe I was just desperate for some relief.

“And I know you still love Drake, despite everything,” he added. I pulled away slowly, while Jasmine crossed her arms and scoffed.

“She isn’t in love with him, genius. She hates his guts! Did you see what he did to her? He dragged her name through the mud and still made sure he sent her an invite. I thought I was going to be talking down a possible wedding crasher, but honestly, I don’t see why the hell not,” Jasmine ranted, her anger comforting me, knowing she was furious on my behalf.

“How about this? I am also trying to rekindle an old relationship with my airhead brother. Perhaps we can rekindle yours along the way?” he suggested, his British accent and beautiful gray eyes looking into mine.

“Valerie doesn’t want him back, right?” Jasmine argued, but the way Ron was looking at me felt compelling, safe, and sure.

“Yes. Yes, I would love that,” I said, swallowing hard. Jasmine scoffed in shock. I looked at her, my face betraying every curse we had ever laid on Drake for what he had done to me. The icy fingers of betrayal seemed to dig into me as she stared daggers at me.

“I’ll be waiting for you in the car. I guess our business is done here, and you are so going to regret this,” she spat and left. I knew she had every right to be angry. I was doing something exceptionally stupid, but I wanted to try. I didn’t want to try on my own. I wanted help, and if I could get help, maybe all would be well. I wouldn’t have to face any of this parenting stuff alone because I was sure I wanted this baby, and a baby needed its father.

Ron smiled at me as he walked me back to my car, not caring about the dozens of media personalities watching us. He held my hand and helped me to my car. Just before I got to the driver’s side, he suddenly took my hand and kissed it. Warm feelings fluttered inside me, my body lapping up the sensation like a pup.

“For the element of surprise, let’s keep this a secret. Safe travels,” he said and, like the gentleman he was, opened the door for me and closed it. I could hear Jasmine scoff while my brain instantly wished Drake could be just like Ron. Despite how cold the Chase family was, Ron was the apple that fell far from the tree.

It was early evening. The effects of crying and a rise in body temperature caused a severe headache. My body craved an instant soak in a warm, scented bath. I clicked the lamp near the door of the penthouse on and shrieked in sheer horror.

Drake was seated on my sofa, cradling a glass of my whiskey. His hair was disheveled, and he was still clad in his groom suit, reminding me what a shitty day today had been.

“What the hell are you doing here?” I asked, placing my hands firmly on my chest as I walked into the penthouse completely, my body spiking with adrenaline as I crossed the threshold.

“I own this house, remember?” he replied, and I grew quiet. Whatever had driven him here at this time would drive him back out. I went to fix myself a glass of water when Drake materialized beside me, making me jump. Anger burned bright in my eyes as I whipped my head toward him.

“What is your problem? Aren’t you supposed to be at your wedding? What the hell do you want now?” I demanded. He looked at me, a sneer in his eyes, his face dark as the midnight sky.

“I see you move on quickly,” he said, and I frowned.

“Coming from you, that’s a compliment,” I sneered back. He moved closer to me, the air between us sparking.

“Fucking my brother? You couldn’t have gone lower,” he spat, and anger made my eyes glaze over.

“Unlike you, you’re rock bottom,” I spat back, and he growled softly, his eyes roaming my face and lips.

“You would do well to stay away from him. Ron isn’t the angel you think he is,” he said, his breath almost fanning my face, our chests nearly touching.

“The angel I know, right?” I challenged. He immediately pinned my hands against the wall, our breaths ragged.

“You don’t know him,” he said through gritted teeth, pressing me against the wall. He exuded a dangerous aura, yet instead of feeling threatened, I wanted to pull him in for a kiss.

“You would have to prove that,” I said, and before I knew it, he growled and smashed our lips together in a hot, welcoming kiss.