Uncle Zack staggered back and almost fell to the ground, but he was quickly restrained by one of the nearby police officers. I seethed with anger, wanting to confront him further, but my mom held me back, her grip firm and determined."How dare you slap my mom?" I seethed, my voice trembling with fury and disbelief."Do you want to kill your uncle because of that slut, Charlotte... I can't believe this. What drugs has she used on you?" Grandma Adaline's voice rose in frustration.I felt a surge of emotions welling up inside me. All the pent-up frustration and anger I had harbored for Uncle Zack came rushing to the surface. He had caused so much pain and suffering, and I had suppressed my feelings for far too long. Now, I stood there, my body trembling with rage as I glared at Uncle Zack. the situation pressed down on me, and I knew I had reached a breaking point. I was no longer willing to turn a blind eye to the harm he had caused the family. I was ready to confront the truth and fac
"Put me down!" I exclaimed, my voice echoing through the room as I writhed in the unexpected grip, trying to free myself from the unseen force."I said put me down!" I repeated, my frustration mounting as the unseen force carried me outside the door and then abruptly dropped me to the ground on my feet. I turned to see who had manhandled me, only to be met by the imposing figure of a huge guard."What the fuck...is this huh, do you all rare guards here?" I demanded, my anger simmering. "I need to go in.""Sorry, you can't," the guard replied firmly."Why not?" I pressed, my worry for Charlotte fueling my impatience."Miss Charlotte is the one who said so," the guard explained, his expression unreadable.As I processed the guard's words, a voice from inside the hospital room shattered the tense silence. "I said so! Leave, Dylan. I don't want to see you ever!" Charlotte's voice rang out, laced with anger and finality.Her words struck me like a blow, leaving me reeling with confusion a
Charlotte POVShocked, I felt Aaron's hand being abruptly pulled away from me, and as I turned, I was bewildered to find Dylan standing there. He swiftly grasped my hand and insisted, "We need to talk." Ignoring the curious gazes of onlookers, he led me away from my seat. "Dylan, let me go," I protested, attempting to free myself from his grip, but he was resolute as he guided me to a quieter corner of the party in the park."What do you want?" I demanded, my frustration shown in my voice and on my face as I glared at Dylan."I want you, Charlotte. We need to talk. I know it hurt. All that happened." Dylan began, but I interrupted him sharply. "That's enough, Dylan. I don't want to hear it from you. Just let me forget my past, okay?" I glared at him in anger, my frustration boiling over."Charlotte, listen up." Dylan said as he took a step closer, but I instinctively moved backward. "I know you went through a lot, and I believe we could..." His words were cut off as Aaron rushed over
I froze in my seat, feeling all eyes turn toward me. "What is Dylan trying to do...?" I wondered silently."Not her," Dylan announced, breaking the tension. "The little lady at the next table." As the attention shifted away from me, I followed the gazes of the others to the neighboring table, where a beautiful young girl sat, clutching her toy with a sunny smile. "That's my wife!" Dylan declared, and the room erupted into laughter."Thank goodness," I muttered, releasing a relieved sigh as the tension dissipated.Dylan POVFrom my vantage point on the stage, I observed Charlotte's nervous reaction as all eyes turned toward her. I couldn't help but smile as she visibly relaxed, relieved to have escaped the spotlight. I knew all too well that thrusting her into the public eye would only drive us further apart and jeopardize any chance of winning her back. That was not a risk I could afford to take at this critical moment.Locking eyes with Charlotte, I noticed her fleeting glance in my
"D-Davidson?!" I stammered in shock, the music fading into the background.His expression was unreadable as he held me, surprise and something else flickering in his eyes."Charlotte, I didn't mean to startle you," he said softly, his voice barely audible over the music.My heart raced as I tried to make sense of the unexpected events. The dance continued, with the shifting dynamics between Dylan, Aaron, and now Davidson adding an unforeseen layer of tension within me.I glanced back at Aaron, who stood there with a shocked expression, and then turned to face Davidson, who still wore a smile on his face."Charlotte, I didn't expect to run into you here," Davidson said, his tone friendly as he held me in the midst of the dance.Memories of our time in college flooded back, as did his persistent requests for a date and my decision to focus on my studies instead of romance at that time. Now, as I looked at him, I couldn't deny the change in him. He seemed more confident and put together,
"She isn't leaving with anyone," the voice declared, drawing our attention.Startled, I turned to see Dylan stepping forward in slow, cool steps, his expression resolute.Davidson and Aaron turned toward the source of the voice, and I felt a knot of anxiety tighten in my stomach as the tension between Dylan and Davidson escalated. Davidson let out a smirk and spoke, "You must be joking, man," as he moved forward, his confidence shown.Dylan's response was firm as he stepped closer to Davidson, his expression unyielding. "You think so? Well, I don't," he retorted, positioning himself in close proximity to Davidson."You can't just come here and start talking nonsense, man. Just move away. I'm already dealing with enough competition," Davidson countered, his tone edged with frustration.Dylan chuckled in response, his stance unwavering. "I think it's about to get a lot tougher with me here," he added, his words with determination."I don't think so," Davidson shot back, his eyes shootin
"What the hell are you doing?" Dylan erupted, rising from his seat in a fit of anger as he glared at Allison. I looked up at Allison again to be sure, and then I looked down at my wine-drenched clothes, feeling shock and embarrassment at the same time as what had just happened. "What have I done to deserve this?" I asked silently, bewildered by the sudden turn of events.Allison recoiled as Dylan advanced toward her; she moved much away from him, then, out of nowhere, she exploded, her voice ringing out through the restaurant as she yelled in anger."What the hell am I doing here?" she exclaimed, her words laced with fury, drawing the attention of everyone in the vicinity."Why are you here with this slut of a woman?" She continued, her voice rising. "You've hardly been home since you got back with her, Dylan. Am I not good enough for you? Can't you have me and be at peace, huh?" She shouted, her accusations reverberating through the space.Amidst the commotion, murmurs and whispers r
"Ah!" I screamed in terror, my heart pounding in my chest as the unexpected sound reverberated around us.The bustling hotel fell into a stunned silence, and a wave of panic rippled through everyone as people stopped in their tracks, their expressions mirroring the shock and fear that had gripped me.Dylan rushed to my side and enveloped me in his arms, providing protection in the midst of the chaos. Instinctively, I drew even closer, seeking comfort in his embrace."Everyone, get inside!" the hotel manager urgently called out, attempting to restore order. However, before we could react, another gunshot shattered the air, freezing me in place with fear."Charlotte, let's go!" Dylan urged, his voice filled with urgency, but the shock had left me paralyzed, unable to move.Realizing the urgency of the situation, Dylan swiftly scooped me up in a bridal-style carry, his swift and decisive actions carrying me back into the safety of the hotel lobby. Amid the chaos, I clung to him tightly.