Chapter 10%
Jeron was persistent. No matter how much I tried to keep my distance, he found ways to break through.
Small things at first–pulling out my chair at dinner, placing a hand on the small of my back when we walked, teasing me about the way I scrunched my nose when I was annoyed.N
Then the bigger things–cancelling meetings just to take me out for coffee, whisking me away on spontaneous trips, memorizing my favorite foods and having the chef prepare them without me asking.
And damn it, it was working. I wasn’t supposed to feel anything. Not after Keith. Not after the betrayal, the humiliation, the years I wasted believing in a love that never existed.
But Jeron–he wasn’t giving me a choice.
“You’re staring,” he mused one evening, stretching his arms behind his head as we lounged in the estate’s garden.
I snapped out of my thoughts, scoffing. “No, I wasn’t.”
He smirked. “You were. I’m breathtaking, I get it.“}
I rolled my eyes. “I was wondering how your ego fits in this garden.“N
He leaned in, his voice low, teasing. “Careful, Katherine. You might just fall for me.“})
I scoffed. “Not happening.“}
He chuckled, but the way he looked at me–it was dangerous. Because for the first time in a long time, I felt something warm beneath my ribs.
And that terrified me.§
The wedding preparations went by in a blur. I never thought I would get married again. But when I looked at myself in the mirror, standing in a white gown, I wanted this.
I wanted to believe that this time would be different. That this marriage wouldn’t end in heartbreak.
That Jeron wouldn’t betray me. A soft knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts.
“Sweetheart, it’s time.” My mother smiled at me from the doorway, eyes glistening. “You look beautiful.”
I forced a small smile. “I hope I’m making the right choice.”}]
She cupped my face, brushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “You deserve happiness, Katherine. Don’t be afraid to take it.”
I nodded, inhaling deeply. I was ready. Or so I thought.
The car ride to the church was silent.
I watched the streets blur past the window, my heart hammering against my chest. In just a few minutes, I would walk down the aisle. In just a few minutes, I would start a new life.}
Then–my phone vibrated.
I blinked, glancing at the screen.
An unknown number.>
I hesitated, then opened the message.
One photo.
The breath left my lungs.”
Jeron.}
Inside a hotel room.
With another woman.}
She was in his arms. Their faces were too close. The sheets were a mess.
The walls I had slowly let down–shattered.}]
No.
No, this couldn’t be happening.
My hands shook as I scrolled down. More photos. Different angles. Proof that this wasn’t fake.N
A fresh wave of pain crashed over me.
I was such a fool.
I thought he was different.
I thought this time would be different.
Tears blurred my vision as I stared at the screen, my mind spiraling.
Keith.
The lies. The affairs. The betrayal.
And now Jeron.§
My heart clenched. I couldn’t do this. I refused to be humiliated again. I refused to be played for a fool again. I refused to walk into another loveless marriage.
I clenched my jaw, wiping my tears with the back of my hand.
Than with a union colder than inn I told tha driscar “Ton the AAAM”
Then, with a voice colder than ice, I told the driver, “Turn the car around.“@
Jeron adjusted his cufflinks, exhaling as he stood at the altar.
The church was packed–business elites, socialites, the whole world waiting to witness the marriage of Katherine Covey and Jeron Kavinsky.
And yet, all he cared about was her. He glanced at his watch.N
She should be here any second now. He exhaled, smoothing his suit. He had waited for this moment for so long.
Everything was perfect.
Until-
The grand doors remained closed.N
Murmurs rippled through the guests.
Jeron frowned, looking toward his staff.
One of them rushed up to him, whispering something in his ear.
The words sent his world crashing down.
“Miss Katherine… ran away.”Î
12:04 PM
Jeron’s POV
