Page 27 of Stuck with My Billionaire Protector

My jaw tightens, a mixture of anger and protectiveness rising within me. “Don’t you dare bring Jocelyn into this. Our relationship is strictly professional, and I won’t let you tarnish her name with baseless insinuations.”

Erica smirks, a taunting glimmer in her eyes. “You can deny it all you want, Dylan, but the truth will reveal itself eventually. I know how to get under your skin, how to rattle you. And once I’ve done that, you’ll come running back to me.”

My eyes blaze with fury, and my voice cuts through the air like a knife. “You couldn’t be more wrong, Erica. I’ve moved on, and I’m not the same man you left behind. You may have once held a place in my heart but that place has long since been filled by someone who sees me for who I truly am. You’re dead to me. Now get the fuck out of here!”

Erica’s façade cracks, and I can see her confidence waning. “You’ll regret this, Dylan. You’ll see that I’m the one who truly belongs by your side.”

My voice, cold and resolute, leaves no room for doubt. “No, Erica. The only regret I have is wasting precious time on someone like you. Our past is where it belongs—behind us, and I suggest you leave it there.”

With that final dismissal, I grab her arm, push her toward the door, open it, and shove her through. After Erica’s departure, I sink down onto the bed, my mind still reeling. I had thought Erica was gone forever, but I suppose the combined power of money and sex could change things. She knows my weak spot, and once she sets her sights on it, she won’t let go. Still, I am not going to give up easily. Erica will pay dearly if she tries to interfere in my life again.

However, I can’t afford to dwell on thoughts of Erica any longer. I have to find Jocelyn. I have to explain. I honestly never even thought to tell Jocelyn about Erica. I never thought I would see her again. I certainly couldn’t have predicted she would show up here, in Fiji, naked in my hotel room.

I was angry at Erica’s sudden appearance, and I took it out on Jocelyn. It’s true that my history with Erica has no bearing on my present with Jocelyn, but I still had no right to talk to her that way. I realize now that I’ve been harboring some simmering resentment toward Jocelyn for rejecting me as a lover… even though she had every right to do so after I walked out on her.

I only hope Jocelyn will forgive me… again. Even if she won’t accept me in her personal life, I’d like to maintain our working relationship. I’ve truly come to admire her professionalism, her insights, and her devotion to her job.

I take a deep breath as a mixture of relief and determination courses through my veins. The encounter with Erica, though painful, has affirmed my commitment to the present and the future that lies before me.

I leave the hotel room, on a mission to find Jocelyn and try to make her understand.

Chapter 16

Jocelyn

Theworldblursaroundme as I step out of the hotel room, leaving behind a swirling vortex of conflicting emotions. Mindlessly wandering, I find myself walking on the beach. With each step, I find solace in the rhythm of my footsteps. The sand beneath my feet offers a sense of grounding amidst the chaos that consumes my heart and mind.

As I wander along the shoreline, the sound of crashing waves lulls me into a daze. The ebb and flow mirror the tumultuous journey that has brought me here. The weight of the past few weeks presses heavily upon me, a tapestry of intertwined moments that I struggle to comprehend.

The memory of being fired from my previous job, the fateful car accident that entwined my life with Dylan’s, the unexpected turn of events that led me to his employment, and the delicate dance of the fake relationship we constructed collide within me, creating a whirlwind of confusion and longing.

Then there was the intimacy we shared, a moment of vulnerability and connection that transcended the boundaries we had carefully erected. However, it was a fleeting encounter, shattered by his sudden departure. It left me feeling exposed and abandoned.

And now, Erica’s unexpected arrival is casting doubt and shadows upon the fragile foundation we had built. Her presence stirs the embers of insecurity and forces me to question the nature of my connection with Dylan. Was it all just a game, a charade played for the world to see?

The evening sun casts a golden glow upon the horizon as a reflection of the tumultuous thoughts swirls within me. As I continue to walk, the vastness of the beach stretches out before me. It is almost like a metaphor for the uncertain path I find myself on.

My mind races, trying to make sense of it all, but the answers remain elusive. The emotions that simmer beneath the surface—fear, desire, and a longing for something more—threaten to consume me. I’m lost in a sea of doubts and uncertainties, struggling to find my footing in a world that seems determined to upend my every expectation.

The crashing waves, the soft caress of the sea breeze against my skin, and the crunch of sand beneath my feet become my companions as I tread along the shore. With each passing moment, I feel a glimmer of clarity emerging from the chaos, a realization that I must confront the truth buried deep within my heart.

Though battered and uncertain, a fire still burns within me—a determination to find my path and separate from the webs of deception and uncertainty that have entangled my life. I must rediscover my sense of self and untangle the threads of the past while forging a future that aligns with my desires and aspirations.

As the sun sets, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, I find a moment of peace within the chaos. The beach, an eternal witness to the ebb and flow of lives intertwined, offers solace and the promise of new beginnings.

With each step I take, I leave behind fragments of doubt and confusion and embrace the unknown with a renewed sense of purpose. The journey ahead may be uncertain, but I am determined to navigate its treacherous waters and be guided by the whispers of my heart and the promise of finding my truth amidst the shifting sands of fate.

I have no idea how long I’ve been walking. The sun has set. The only light comes from the distant moon and the hotels that line the shore. Reality is sinking in. I don’t know where I’m going to sleep tonight.

I left my suitcase in the room I share with Dylan. I have no clothes or toiletries, not even a toothbrush. However, I do have my purse with a little cash and my credit card. I could try to get a room for the night at another hotel. That seems to be the best option. If I return to the resort, will Dylan even want to see me? Will Erica still be there?

As I contemplate my options, a sudden jolt of fear courses through me, sending shivers down my spine. I freeze, feeling a presence behind me—a man who materializes like a specter from the shadows.

Before I can react, his rough hands grab hold of me. His vice-like grip leaves me breathless and defenseless. Panic surges within me as a desperate plea for safety echoes in my mind.

He demands my purse and other valuables, and his voice drips with menace.

“No!” I cry out, struggling against him. “Let go! No!”

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