Chapter 13 Chapter 13 I pretended to be close with Hank in front of Ryan, all to buy time and stop him from meeting those informants. I comforted him only to make him waste time on meaningless things, like our month-long engagement and wedding preparations. Ryan returned to Sia's side, but it felt as if he was just completing an obligation. In reality, he devoted all his time to preparing for our wedding. Meanwhile, he sat alon at rehearsal, waiting for a bride who would never come. One day before the wedding, I messaged Ryan for the first time: [The wedding is off. Let's break up.] That day, Ryan called me over and over and texted me countless times, but I just ignored it all. Maybe he could sense it too. My WhatsApp was a wall of his messages, each word carefully chosen, laced with timid attempts to please. Mixed in were also messages from Levi. [Flora, I have no right to persuade you. Ryan messed up badly, but he truly regrets it and really loves you.] I'm partly to blame for Ryan. I pushed him to reveal his secret to you. As his friend, I let him down. He's cut off contact wi Sia and hopes you'll give him another chance.] Yesterday's rehearsal lasted all day. He stayed until his blood sugar dropped, face pale, refusing to leave. He feared you'd come and not find him. He said he's missed too many chances and can't walk away again.] [We're at the bar where it began. He's drunk and won't leave. He keeps calling your name, saying you won't marry him. Please come take him home for all I've done.] When I picked up the phone, Levi sounded both surprised and hopeful. "Flora? Are you on your way? Ryan is right here, you…" Ryan grabbed the phone, his voice slurred and choked from drinking too much: "Flora, it's late. Don't come. I'll get home myself." "Of course, I'm not coming," I cut him off coldly. "Don't call again. I mean it. You're being annoying." Without waiting for Ryan's response, I hung up. In the end, I still went to the bar. 170 Chapter 13 As I passed one of the private rooms, I stopped dead in my tracks. There were just two people inside, Ryan with his head hung low, while Sia crouched before him. "Sia, I made it clear yesterday. We're through. Don't ever contact me again." Sia skillfully feigned helplessness and whispered, "Ryan, I never wanted anything from you. All I want is to be by your side." Ryan's icy sneer cut like a blade. "Don't you see how ridiculous this is? Get out, or I'll take back everything I've given you." "Why? After all Flora has done to you, I'm the only one who truly loves you." Ryan suddenly seized Sia by the throat, his grip merciless. Ryan snarled, "If you dare mention Flora again, or let her find out about us, I'll make your life a living hell." At death's door, Sia sneered weakly, "You think you're smart, but she already knows about us. Still, you delude yourself she'd marry you. Pathetic." Just a month ago, they were star-crossed lovers. Now, their bitter confrontation was so cold it sent shivers down the spine. My phone rang. It was Hank. I answered instinctively. Then his weak voice came through: "Flora, I feel awful…" I snapped out of my daze and left without hesitation. I'd just hung up on Ryan when Hank's frantic call came through. He was in the middle of a business negotiation when he unexpectedly got drugged, and in a haze, he somehow ended up calling me. Hank, it's me, Flora. Open up." The door flew open and powerful hands yanked me inside. Scorching breath seared my neck as I was pinned in the cramped corner, unable to move. My wrists pinned in his grip, I could only endure as he whispered my name over and over in that husky, seductive voice. "Hank, don't kiss me. Let me take you to the hospital." "Flora, I'm burning up. Please help me…" His burning kisses trailed up my neck, hovering achingly close to the corner of my lips. "Flora, have you slipped into my dreams again? Could you be a little gentler with the whip this time? "Tonight I'll your puppy again, Flora. Please spoil me." My eyes widened in shock. What kind of crazy nonsense was he spouting? I turned my head away from his lips. "Snap out of it, Hank. This isn't a dream." For a fleeting moment, he seemed to regain clarity. "Wait, is this not a dream? Has my dream finally come true?" His eyes darkened with unrestrained desire as he captured my lips in a searing kiss, his mouth moving against mine with rough urgency. 2/3 Chapter 13 "Flora, you blind fool. You only care about worthless Ryan and never see how crazy I am about you. You just keep pushing me away." He gripped my jaw, forcing me to meet his burning gaze. "You torment me every night, turning me into trash who'd gladly be your dirty little secret. But you won't even give me that chance. "You're so heartless to me." I was so shocked I froze in place. Apparently, Hank had some masochistic tendencies. I was just competing with him over something, and somehow he actually fell for me. It felt like if I slapped him right now, he'd just look up at me with teary eyes and say, "More, please." "But I've been so obedient. I always listen to you. Won't you reward me? Maybe… with your feet? Please?" The door suddenly rattled with urgent knocking. Suddenly, urgent knocking came at the door. Ryan called out anxiously, "Flora, are you in there?" It's Ryan. Canap In "Coaching His Heart" by CrushReel, the romantic tale unfolds after Kate and Tom experience a fleeting connection that leads to a misunderstanding, causing them to part ways. Fate intervenes when Kate reemerges as the assistant coach for a men's hockey team, bringing her face-to-face with Tom once more. Exploring themes of love, destiny, and second chances, this modern romance delves into the complexities of hidden emotions and the power of rekindled connections. 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