Page 26 of Stuck with My Billionaire Protector

The corridor leading to our room feels endless as the anticipation builds with every step. Once we reach the door, a flicker of surprise ignites within me. I sense something is amiss, a shift in the air that sets my heart racing.

Pushing the door open, we step inside and are bathed in the soft glow of candlelight. The scene takes my breath away. The room has been transformed into an intimate oasis with rose petals scattered across the floor, delicate bouquets adorning the surfaces, the scent of romance hanging in the air, and a woman lying naked on the bed.

Dylan’s eyes widen, mirroring my astonishment.

“Mr. Chase? What... What is going on?”

My heart lurches within me as the woman stands and makes her way toward Dylan. She exudes an air of confidence and seduction as she completely ignores my presence.

Her eyes lock onto Dylan’s, and a hint of mischief dances within them. “Well, well, well, if it isn’t Dylan Chase,” she purrs. Her voice is laced with familiarity and a touch of arrogance. “Fancy meeting you here.”

The tension in the room thickens. There is an invisible barrier separating Dylan, this woman, and me. As I stand there, my pulse quickens. I am caught between a rush of conflicting emotions—doubt, insecurity, and an unspoken need to defend my place in Dylan’s life.

With measured calmness, Dylan turns his attention toward the woman. “Erica, what are you doing here?” His voice carries a mix of surprise and apprehension, an undercurrent of unresolved history woven into his words.

She steps closer to him before her gaze sweeps dismissively over me. “Oh, Dylan. I couldn’t resist the opportunity to see you again,” she says, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “You can tell your secretary she’s dismissed. We have some unfinished business to attend to.”

Her words hang in the air, and it is a calculated jab at the connection Dylan and I have been desperately trying to navigate. My heart clenches, wounded by the blatant disregard for my presence. However, amidst the sting, a fire ignites within me—a resolve to assert my worth and refusal to be cast aside.

“Mr. Chase,” I interject, my voice steady and determined. “Who is this woman?”

“Oh, Dylan, don’t tell me you haven’t told her about us?” She approaches me, still buck naked, and extends her hand. “I’m Erica Kinney, Dylan’s once and future fiancée. And now that we’ve been introduced, you can go. We’ll call you if we need you to take notes or whatever else you do.”

“Fiancée? Mr. Chase, you never told me you were engaged! After what’s happened between us, I think you should have at least mentioned it.“ I have no idea what to make of this turn of events. As if his dismissive behavior isn’t bad enough, now I find out that he is, in fact, capable of committing to a relationship!

Dylan’s face darkens. “Jocelyn, Erica isn’t here at my request or with my prior knowledge. I certainly didn’t invite her. That being said, I don’t owe you any explanations. We’re not in a real relationship, are we? Faking it for Mr. Shin’s benefit was your idea, remember? And you told me to keep my hands to myself or have you conveniently forgotten that too?”

“That’s right, sweetheart. He’s only faking it with you. Now run along and close the door on your way out,” Erica says venomously.

“I don’t believe this! I can’t believe I ever thought you were anything but an asshole! I am so out of here!” I grab my purse, leaving my suitcase behind and with little thought as to where I will go, I walk out the door.

Chapter 15

Dylan

“Iamsooutof here!” Jocelyn exclaims. She then walks out and slams the door behind her. I feel immediate remorse for my harsh words, and I desperately want to go after her. However, I need to deal with the situation in front of me first.

“Put your clothes on and get the fuck out of here, Erica. I don’t know how you got in here in the first place, but I want you gone now!”

“Dylan, don’t be like this. We were so good together.”

“Yeah, we were, until I found out you’re nothing but a gold-digging tramp! What happened? Did your current mark see your true colors? Or realize he can do better than a slut willing to spread her legs for any man with more than two nickels to rub together? Or is it because I’m richer and more successful now? That must be it! You sure as hell dumped me fast enough when you found someone richer than me at the time. Now, I repeat,put your clothes on and get the fuck out of here. If I have to, I’ll throw you out, naked or not!”

I seem to have hit a nerve. My eyes are fixed on her as she stands there shaking in anger. Tears are streaming down her face, and she slowly starts to get dressed. The room feels suffocating as the memories of my past love for her mingles with the tension of the present. A battle of wills ensues as Erica continues her attempt to reignite a flame that has long since been extinguished.

She takes a step closer, her voice laced with a hint of seduction. “I’m sorry, Dylan. I never meant to hurt you. Darling, I’ve missed you. Can’t we just forget the past and start anew? We were meant to be together.”

My gaze hardens and my tone is biting. “Meant to be? Don’t make me laugh! Erica, you left me for another man, someone wealthier and more successful. Now that I’ve achieved my own success, you suddenly want to come crawling back? You expect me to believe that you actually care about me and that you’re not just in it for the money?”

A flicker of anger flashes across Erica’s face, but it is quickly masked by a feigned innocence. “Dylan, you know I was young and naive back then. I made a mistake, but I’ve realized the error of my ways.”

“This would be funny if it wasn’t so sad, and if you weren’t so fucking pathetic. You think I haven’t seen your picture a hundred times in the society pages and gossip columns? You are always on the arm of a different rich guy.”

“Well, a girl’s gotta eat. But Dylan, you’re theonlyone I ever really wanted and now we can have it all. The wealth, the success, everything we ever dreamed of.”

I scoff, my voice dripping with scorn. “Is that what this is about, Erica? Is it the money and the status that entice you? Because I won’t be a fool twice. I’ve worked hard to build my life, and I won’t let you use me as a means to fulfill your selfish desires.”

Her eyes narrow as a hint of triumph flickers within them. “Oh, Dylan, you’re so predictable. You always think everyone has an ulterior motive, just like your precious secretary, Jocelyn. I saw the way she looked at you, the way you two interacted. There’s more than a professional relationship between you.”

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