ian had come together flashe

ck then, Tracy had left him for anothe

air, he had drowned his pain in alcohol, losi

and trembled beneath him, but he hadn't stopped. Driven by a desperate, almost primal ne

g between them, Brian turned to her with a somber expressi

just like that, their relationship began, not out of

wondered if he felt anything for her at all, if there was even the faintest trace of affectio

firm. "Our wedding is just around the corner. Soon,

lips, halting his words. "Brian, please," she murmured, "I already understand. You've been up al

s she turned, tears began

d devotion. Yet, all she could feel was the emptiness behind them. His

single, honest word would have been enough. The more he tried to convince her, the m

ear any more. She turned away, unable to listen

m behind, pulling her close. Brian's chin rested softly on her head, and he held her h

wn with an unspoken ache. She struggled to find the right

turned her around, his

aze stirred something deep within him. Unable to resist, he cupped her face and kiss

lushed, and her breathing became erratic, caught between the rush of emotions and the in

mate exchanges did Brian show her any sign of wild passion.

ed, her voice trembling a

shift in demeanor. His words, heavy with desire, were thick with r

eeping through her. She gave him a gentle push as if trying to escape th

His gaze didn't waver as he looked at her with unwavering resolve.

he looked down and saw a stunning bracelet, its ruby centerpiece catching the light and

achel asked, her voice

laying at the corners of his

bracelet back to his face. "

le on his lips. "I thought i

"I really love it. Thank you." She leaned forward,

and pointed to his lips. His playful yet earnest

gered in her heart. She wasn't accustomed to being the o

you don't kiss me, I'll walk out the door." He

st in the rush of emotions. Without thinking, she

deepened the kiss, his fervor leaving no room for hesitation. It wasn't until

er pale, tired face. "Stay home for a few days. You can visit my grandparents when you

her mind still hazy from t

joined White Group and quickly rose to become the department manager of the design divis

of nausea were her body's way of demanding a break. Had it not been for these signs, she would have never taken time off. But she

eight of the moment hanging between them. "

aint, amused smile. "I know.

he company about us? Everyone knows I'm getting married, but no one knows to whom. They've been teasing me

igid, his jaw tightening as he avoided her gaze. "Rachel," he

m, trying to process his

r marriage public yet. And I've told my family about it. For now, we'r

ords sank in. So, everyone else already knew? She was the last to find out? If s

lt suffocating. A marriage, a vow to share

sink in. Tracy was the reason. He still hadn't let go of her,

ick to breathe. Her eyes burned, the sting of unshed tears threa

t public in an instant. He would have broadcasted it to the world

eyes glistening with unshed tears as she posed the question with

e her, and it left him momentarily speechless. After a brief pause, he reached for her hand, his touch firm but not unkind. "Rachel," he said, his

el's voice was soft, almost resigned. S

lt clouding his expression.

p breath, forcing her emotions into check, and finally spoke again, her