2025-08-19 16:26:09
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Charles eyed the men. Where the hell did they crawl out from—kennel escapees? He was about to move when one of them collapsed like a sack of potatoes.A low whistle slipped past his lips.Sadie had planted her fist straight into the other guy’s face.The poor bastard wasn’t expecting it from her, which made him go down twice as fast.“Who the hell are you?” she snapped, her glare practically drilling holes through their skulls.Charles leaned back slightly, fascinated.Wow.Again—wow.“If you don’t start talking, I’ll make sure you never talk again,” Sadie barked, scooping up the knife one of them had dropped.She waved it like she’d been born with it. “Look around. If I decide to do anything, you’re all dead.”The men shook like leaves in a storm, clearly ready to sing—but for some reason, they just stood there swallowing their tongues.“I’ll give you two seconds, otherwise—”The screech of tires ripped her threat to shreds.Sadie instinctively moved closer to Charles, knuckles white
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The question caught Charles off guard. He blinked, clearly not expecting that from her. Did he think he was some fairytale prince sweeping her away? Did he think she’d just sit there like a grateful little damsel?“Pull over,” she ordered.Charles frowned. “Why? There’s nothing around here—”“I said stop the car.”Her tone left no room for argument.Confused but wary, Charles eased the car to the shoulder.“You’re not getting out, Sadie,” he warned as she reached for the door handle.“Why not? Because I’ll just screw something else up and you’ll have to swoop in again?” she shot back, voice dripping with venom.Charles’ jaw tightened. “What the hell is wrong with you?”“What the hell isn’t wrong?!” Her voice cracked, rising with every word. “You just ruined my career in front of everyone! You made me look like your pathetic little girlfriend on live broadcast—and you’re asking what’s wrong with me?!”Tears finally burst free, hot and furious.“Did I ask you to do that for me?”Charles
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Sadie clutched her head, the stabbing ache slicing through her skull. Three days without sleep and now this—her body buckled back onto the sofa.“I’m out of patience,” Roger snapped. “Say yes, or I drag you out by your damn veil.”And then—“All microphones working? Mic testing…”The voice echoed through the speakers outside.Roger froze.Hardin burst into the room, halting mid-step. He and Sadie locked eyes, both pale.“…Charles?” they whispered at the same time.“Hello, everyone,” Charles’ voice rolled across the compound like thunder. “Reporters, guests—get your cameras ready. Because I’m not repeating myself.”Sadie’s chest tightened. It was him.“You might recognize this voice, maybe not. My name is Charles Decker. And two weeks ago, some brain-dead bastard thought my fiancée was fair game. My fiancée. Of all the women on earth.”Roger’s fist clenched so hard the veins popped.“But since some people don’t listen, let me spell it out. Tonight, I’m teaching a very public lesson. So
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Sadie’s heart didn’t even ache anymore. It just… sighed. Once upon a time, Lauren was her best friend. They’d shared secrets, sleepovers, even their wedding dreams. Eight years ago, they stayed up all night picking flowers for their bouquets. Now here she was, circling Sadie like a hyena.“The gown looks good on you,” Lauren smirked, trailing her eyes over the fabric as if she’d bought it herself.“Are you not tired of this?” Sadie finally snapped. “When did it all rot between us?”Lauren froze, then tilted her head with a smile that didn’t touch her eyes. “You really don’t remember?”“It’s been so long, Lauren! I forgave you after you screwed Cox behind my back—even when you knew we were getting married!”Lauren scoffed. “Forgave me?” Her lips curled cruelly. “Sleeping with Cox was foreplay, darling. You haven’t even seen the main act. By the time I’m done, you’ll beg for the days when all I did was steal your fiancé.”“What did I ever do to you?”Instead of answering, Lauren grabbed
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Sadie’s eyes burned from lack of sleep—and worse, from the knowledge that she was walking into a marriage she didn’t want, with no real way out.Two hours earlier, she’d been on the phone with her PR team. She told them she wanted out, wanted nothing to do with Cox. Their response? Cold, hard numbers. Two hundred employees relied on her company. More than eighty orphanages and shelters survived on her influence. One “no, I won’t marry Cox” would turn all those lives into collateral damage.Perfect. Just perfect.“You look divine, ma’am,” the head makeup artist beamed as the brushes and powders finished their assault.“Awwnn…” one of the attendants cooed.“Mr. Cox will fall in love all over again when he sees you.”Sadie stared at the mirror. For once, beauty felt like a curse. Yes, she looked flawless, elegant, glowing even—but her reflection looked drained, hollow. She didn't look anything like a bride. Even someone getting sold off looked better than this. And she was getting marri
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It was late in the night, almost early in the morning. Charles had just started drifting off when a voice outside snapped him awake.“Break down the door!”Charles sat up. The voice was familiar.“I’ll show her she messed with the wrong person!” the voice barked again.Charles groaned. Of course. Stella’s idiot ex. Some people’s brains weren’t tools—they were just decorative ornaments they never bothered to use.The pounding started.Charles swung out of bed, crossed the room, and opened the door.Four men stood there, clutching rods. In the middle of them: Stella’s ex, puffed up like a bantam rooster.“You brought those to beat us?” Charles asked, eyebrow raised.“Deal with this idiot first!” Stella’s ex snapped.Charles shut the door behind him, nice and slow. No reason to drag Stella and August into this circus.Two men stepped forward, rods raised. Before they could swing, Charles caught both by their collars and smacked their heads together like coconuts. They collapsed with a sa
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