Chapter 19\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 19\u00a0<\/p>\n
DYLAN\u00a0<\/p>\n
I was too stunned to speak. If only I could just disappear this instant, I would. This is the last conversation I want after what happened to me yesterday.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDylan, fancy meeting you here!\u201d Sarah greeted. She was smiling car to ear as if she was telling me she won.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I swallowed hard, trying to push down the wave of bitterness that rose in my throat. I could feel Sarah\u2019s eyes\u00a0<\/p>\n
on me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I forced a smile, even though it felt like my face was made of stone. \u201cI could have said the same, Sarah. But I\u2019m in no mood to put on an act just to please you,\u201d I said, keeping my tone neutral.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The thought of the way Beckett had moved on so easily with her made me want to turn away in disgust, but I didn\u2019t.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDylan, will you please stop acting like that? Sarah didn\u2019t mean anything bad. She was being polite, and that\u2019s how you respond to her? What is your problem?\u201d Beckett instantly acts to defend Sarah.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSeriously, Beckett? You\u2019re going to ask me what my problem is? You\u2019re unbelievable!\u201d I shot back, my voice rising louder than I intended. A few people in the lobby turned their heads, but I was too hurt and too angry to care about the scene I was making.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDylan-\u201d Beckett started, taking a step toward me, but before he could even form another excuse, Sarah reached out and placed a hand on his arm, her touch so soft and comforting it made my stomach churn.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBeckett, calm down,\u201d she said sweetly, like a perfect little actress. Then she turned those wide, innocent eyes toward me. \u201cIt\u2019s not her fault. I understand that our situation wasn\u2019t easy for her. We have to be patient and kind.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I let out a bitter laugh, the kind that tasted sour on my tongue. Was this real? Was Sarah defending me now, acting like she was some kind of saint while Beckett stood there looking at me as if all of this were my fault?\u00a0<\/p>\n
I opened my mouth to say something, anything, but Beckett was already nodding at her words like she\u2019d sprinkled him with some kind of magic dust. He turned back to me with a soft, patronizing look that made\u00a0<\/p>\n
me want to scream.\u00a0<\/p>\n
)\u00a0<\/p>\n
Beckett blew a loud sigh. \u201cSarah\u2019s right, Dylan. Be thankful that despite your attitude, Sarah was trying to make things work between all of us. How about you do the same?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I blinked at him, feeling the heat of a dozen invisible eyes watching us. My cheeks burned with humiliation, my hands curling into fists at my sides.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you serious right now?\u201d I exclaimed, my voice cracking despite my best efforts to sound strong. \u201cYou must be joking, right?\u201d I let out a bitter laugh.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Beckett flinched but didn\u2019t say anything. He just stood there, letting Sarah rub his arm like he needed comfort\u00a0<\/p>\n
from me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
10:27 Thu, Dec 25\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 19\u00a0<\/p>\n
I realized right then that there was no saving whatever pieces of us I thought still existed. Beckett had already picked his side. And it wasn\u2019t mine.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Swallowing the lump of hurt lodged in my throat, I straightened my back and forced a cold, empty smile. onto my face.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re right,\u201d I said, putting up a fake smile, and turned towards Sarah. \u201cThank you for stealing my problem. I wish you both a happy life together,\u201d I said sarcastically.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Without another word, I turned and walked away, but I hadn\u2019t even made a few steps when Beckett grabbed my arm and pulled me back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cQuit this act, and go home, Dylan. This game of yours won\u2019t make me change my mind about Sarah and our child.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not going back there, Beckett. Besides, why would I? Aren\u2019t we divorced?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t file those papers. So, stop threatening me with divorce. We both know you\u2019re just doing that to get my attention.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sarah immediately stepped in. She looks nervous. It seems like she doesn\u2019t like the idea of me going back to that house.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBeckett, why don\u2019t we give Dylan some time to think? It seems like Dylan had already moved on even though your divorce isn\u2019t finalized.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Beckett frowned as he turned to Sarah. \u201cWhat do you mean by that?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2013I don\u2019t want to imply anything. I\u2013I mean, look at her. Her hair was wet, and she looked like she just got out of the shower. So\u2026\u201d she intentionally hung her words to imply, despite her claim, that she wasn\u2019t implying anything.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I scoffed, \u201cWhat I do with my personal life is none of your business.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Beckett smirked confidently. He was shaking his head before letting out a small laugh. \u201cDylan has her only for me. She wouldn\u2019t even dare to do what you\u2019re implying, Sarah. I know she has some kind of explanation for this. Right, Dylan?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
eyes\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAs I said, it\u2019s not your business, Beckett. We\u2019re divorced, so I can date whoever I want, just like you and Sarah.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Beckett\u2019s eyes darkened. I saw his jaw clenched in anger. I\u2019ve never seen him this angry in our entire marriage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re my wife, Dylan. You\u2019re mine!\u201d he said before grabbing my wrist and pulling me. \u201cLet\u2019s go. We\u2019re going\u00a0<\/p>\n
home.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Beckett\u2019s grip tightened painfully around my wrist as he pulled me toward him, his face twisted in something ugly\u2014anger, jealousy, maybe even guilt. I stumbled a step forward, struggling to free myself, but he was too strong, too fueled by whatever madness was burning inside him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLet me go! I\u2019m not coming with you!\u201d I cried out louder this time, my voice echoing in the lobby. We are\u00a0<\/p>\n
10:2\u00a0<\/p>\n
Dec 25\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u0e1c\u0e25\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 19\u00a0<\/p>\n
slowly drawing attention.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I twisted harder, my heart pounding in my chest. Panic started to rise, curling up my throat like a scream I couldn\u2019t release.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Suddenly, I heard that familiar deep baritone voice behind me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s going on here?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
We all turned in his direction at once. And there he was, standing here like a wall made of stone and steel, calm but dangerous, his gray eyes colder than I had ever seen them. His whole body radiated power and quiet threat, the kind that didn\u2019t need to shout to be heard. The same man who had saved me once before\u2026 and now again.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLet her go,\u201d Hunter said, his voice low, deadly calm. A simple command that made the entire room freeze.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Beckett sneered, trying to square his shoulders, but even he wasn\u2019t stupid enough to pick a fight he couldn\u2019t win. He didn\u2019t even flinch as Beckett puffed up his chest like some angry rooster.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is between me and my wife!\u201d Beckett snapped.\u00a0<\/p>\n
His lips curved into something that wasn\u2019t quite a smile. It was more like a silent dare. \u201cEx\u2013wife,\u201d he corrected coolly, \u201cand from the looks of it, she doesn\u2019t want anything to do with you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Beckett\u2019s face turned red with rage and humiliation. Sarah scurried up behind him, tugging at his sleeve and whispering frantically for him to stop. The whole lobby was watching now, the tension so thick you could cut it with a knife.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Slowly, he stepped in front of me, shielding me from Beckett with his body. He didn\u2019t touch me, didn\u2019t even glance back at me, but I felt the silent protection in every inch of his stance.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWalk away,\u201d he said, his voice a quiet warning. \u201cBefore you make this worse for yourself.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t scare me. Step aside and let me talk to my wife,\u201d Beckett responded.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s not your wife,\u201d he corrected. \u201cGo on. Give your lawyer a call. He\u2019ll explain everything to you. Now, leave before I throw you out.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Beckett hesitated for a moment but decided not to back down.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can\u2019t make me. I have every right to be here. Sarah and I will enjoy a nice meal together. So, if you\u2019ll excuse me,\u201d Beckett insisted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It only takes a snap from the man in front of me before the security comes rushing towards us and escorts Beckett and Sarah out of the building.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can\u2019t do this! Who the hell do you think you are?\u201d Beckett shouted, trying to break free from the security guards holding him back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBeckett, please,\u201d Sarah hissed, her face burning with embarrassment. \u201cYou\u2019re making a scene!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
10:27 Thu, Dec 25\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 19\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t care!\u201d Beckett barked, his eyes wild with anger. \u201cWho does he think he is? I swear I\u2019ll ruin him! I\u2019ll burn him to the ground!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cEnough!\u201d Sarah snapped, tugging hard at his arm as the guards started dragging him away. \u201cThat\u2019s Hunter Gage De Marco you\u2019re threatening! If you don\u2019t stop now, you\u2019ll regret this for the rest of your life!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Beckett struggled for another second, but Sarah\u2019s urgent whispers and the tightening grip of the security finally forced him to move. With a furious glare thrown in Hunter\u2019s direction, Beckett allowed himself to be pulled away, leaving a heavy cloud of anger hanging in the air.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The moment they disappeared around the corner, the lobby seemed to breathe again. I let out a shaky breath I didn\u2019t realize I was holding. My legs felt weak, and for a second, I thought I might collapse. Hunter turned around slowly, his sharp gray eyes softening as they met mine.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou okay, bunny?\u201d he asked, his voice gentler now.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I nodded quickly, blinking back the sudden sting of tears. \u201cYeah. I\u2019m okay. Thanks to you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His lips twitched like he wanted to smile but wasn\u2019t sure he should. \u201cCome on. Let\u2019s get you back upstairs.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Without waiting for me to argue, he placed a hand on the small of my back and guided me back to the elevator. His touch was light but firm, reassuring.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Safe.\u00a0<\/p>\n
***********\u00a0<\/p>\n
B\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Alchemist of Broken Dreams by Sienna Rose Blackwell 19 Chapter 19\u00a0 Chapter 19\u00a0 DYLAN\u00a0 I was too stunned to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[69],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24370","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-alphas-golden-cage-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24370","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24370"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24370\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24370"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24370"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24370"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}