The atmosphere within the car abruptly turned stifling.The previously relaxed Brandon was visibly rattled by her statement.
Visions of Natalie falling for another man flashed through his mind.The thought was intolerable.
It was a possibility he absolutely could not endure.Although the probability was slim,it did not equate to impossibility.
Brandon tightened his grip on the steering wheel,his eyes clouded with a myriad of emotions.
The atmosphere between the two of them was dark and heavy.
Natalie’s vigilance heightened upon seeing Brandon like this.
She swallowed hard and tried her best to remain calm so as to hide the fear within her.
“I…I’m nearly three months pregnant.”
Although she had lost her memory,she was still as clever as before.She racked her brains to try and come up with an idea to get rid of Brandon.
She figured it was best to tell him she was pregnant.
Natalie had a hunch that this man held an indescribable feeling for her.Hopefully,he would leave her alone if she convinced him she was pregnant.
She believed that her excuse would make the man in front of her give up.
Brandon narrowed his eyes upon hearing what Natalie had just said.
It had been nearly three months since she had disappeared.
Was she simply fabricating a story to push him away?Or could there truly be a man who had taken advantage of her during her memory loss and gother pregnant?
Anger surged in Brandon’s veins.
If that was the case,he swore to himself he would make that man’s life a living hell!
Seeing that he looked unhappy,Natalie pressed on,her voice trembling with fear and trepidation.”I was supposed to meet my boyfriend.Let me out when we’re finally safe.”
Brandon regained his composure.He inhaled deeply to calm himself down and asked with a tentative tone,”Does your boyfriend happen to be from around here?”
A sense of relief washed over Natalie as she noticed that his expression softened a little.
She nodded and calmly answered,”Yes, we’ve been together for years.We’re gonna get married soon.”
“You’ve been with him for years?”Brandon pursed his lips and added,”Then why didn’t you get married before having a baby?”
Thinking she had tricked him into believing her,Natalie relaxed and started blurting nonsense,”Well,we were supposed to meet to discuss our wedding plans before I give birth.Oh,by the way,since you saved me and my child,I’ll invite you to my wedding.”
Based on Brandon’s appearance and accent, she had concluded that he was not a local and would not be staying for long.To her surprise,he nodded earnestly and spoke with a serious tone.”Alright then.When’s the wedding?I’ll make sure to attend.”
“What?”Natalie uttered in surprise.He had agreed so quickly that she did not have time to process what he had just said.
Brandon could not help smirking when he saw that the smile on her face froze.”What’s the matter?Didn’t you want me to go to your wedding? Since you invited me enthusiastically,I’ll be sure to attend it.”
It took Natalie a moment to regain her composure.And once she did,she smiled awkwardly and reasoned,”Well,uh,our wedding won’t take place soon.You don’t look like you live here.I don’t think you’ll be able to attend it.”
Brandon chuckled and repeated,”When is it?
I’ll come.”
Natalie’s face flushed with embarrassment.She opened her mouth to retort.But before she could do so,Brandon had already shifted his gaze and concentrated on driving.
She could only shut up and lean her head against the car window in resignation.In her heart,she cursed the man next to her for his apparent lack of empathy.
Meanwhile,Brandon glanced at her and chuckled when he saw the scowl on her face.
Now,he was fully convinced that Natalie was only lying.Her feeble attempt at lying made him want to laugh.③
However,her evident effort to distance herself from him left him feeling a sense of injustice and melancholy.
Did he look like a bad guy?
After a long moment of silence,Natalie finally break the ice.”Are we safe now?”
Brandon glanced at the rearview mirror.
Although he did not see anyone suspicious tailing them,he remained vigilant.In response to Natalie’s question,he shook his head and explained,”I need to drive a bit further.”
Natalie’s skepticism grew.She furrowed her brows and looked at him warily.”You’ve been driving for quite a while now.We must’ve already threw them off.Besides,you’re driving slowly.Are you sure you’re really trying to get rid of them?”
“I’m a little tired…”Brandon replied,his thin lips pale and his face haggard.
Natalie noticed that Brandon lacked vitality, and he appeared weak and vulnerable.It suddenly crossed her mind how brave he was for saving her at a critical moment.He did not deserve to be looked at with suspicion.
At this realization,she bit her lip and stopped talking.
Neither of them spoke a world until Brandon drove to a secluded yard.
This was a somewhat antiquated villa, nestled in the city’s outskirts.It was hidden amidst a thicket,with only a meandering dirt road connecting the front gate to the outside world.
Despite Brandon’s commendable driving skills,the vehicle he was operating was a ramshackle taxi.The old taxi jostled along the uneven dirt road,making for an uncomfortable ride.
Just as Natalie felt her stomach churn in motion sickness,Brandon finally arrived at their destination.
He unbuckled his seatbelt and clumsily clambered out of the car.
Watching him sway,on the verge of falling, Natalie couldn’t help but worry.After a few seconds of hesitation,she followed him out of the vehicle.
seconds of hesitation,she followed him out of the vehicle.
The moment she stepped out,she noticed that his white shirt was splotched with blood.
She clenched her fists,gazing worriedly at the blood staining his waist.Her heart ached for him.
Why did his pain stir up such intense feelings of sympathy in her?Why did she wish it was her in pain instead of him?
Under the yard’s soft yellow light,Brandon appeared fragile.He leaned against the car door,visibly drained,and locked his gaze onto her.”You can leave now if you want, but I can’t…ahem…I can’t offer you a ride back.”
His strained speech made her heart twinge even more.
Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates…
Although this mysterious man seemed to harbor some ulterior motive towards her,he had saved her life.Moreover,he was now injured.Wouldn’t it be heartless of her to simply abandon him?
What was more critical was that seeing him most hurt left her unable to turn away Just as she was torn by her predicament,a rustling sound emerged from the house.
Before she could decipher what was happening,she found herself shielding Brandon,her eyes warily fixed on the man and woman stepping out of the house.
The pair looked surprised upon seeing Natalie. However,when their gaze landed on Brandon behind her,their expressions shifted dramatically “Brandon,are you alright?”The man who emerged from the house quickly rushed to Brandon’s side,anxiously inspecting his blood-soaked shirt.”Why are your injuries so severe?”
The woman trailing behind him also hastened forward,her brows furrowed in concern.”Are you okay?”
These two were none other than Garrett and Laney.They had received a message from Brandon and arrived at this secluded villa to meet him.
With Garrett’s assistance,Brandon managed to steady himself.”It’s nothing serious.Don’t worry.”
Yet,as he spoke,his body wavered again,and he toppled towards Natalie.
Just as Natalie was about to assist him,Garrett stepped in and said,”How could it be nothing? You’re so weak that you’re on the verge of fainting.We need to get you to a hospital right away.”
Noting that the two strangers were friends of Brandon’s,Natalie breathed a sigh of relief.She addressed Brandon,”Since your friends are here to take care of you,I’ll be going now.
Thank you for saving me today.Take care.” It was only then that Garrett and Laney fully noticed the woman.Upon seeing her face clearly,a wave of confusion swept over them. She bore a striking resemblance to Natalie.
Before they could make any sense of it,they observed Brandon close his eyes,push Garrett away,and topple towards Natalie.
Caught by surprise,Garrett instinctively slackened his hold,bearing witness to the most astonishing scene of his life.
Brandon,the typically cold and arrogant CEO of the Larson Group,collapsed into Natalie’s arms in a state of vulnerability.He pressed his hand to his forehead,murmuring weakly, “My head hurts.”
Yet again,Natalie’s body moved faster than her mind.She steadied him,asking reflexively, “How are you feeling?”
Brandon,eyes drooping with fatigue, murmured,”Help me inside.”