Weston Vale dragged his battered body once more to Jewel Whitmore's side . In his arms he carried a massive bouquet of roses , and a stock transfer agreement . Years ago , he had dreamed of giving her half his fortune . But after tasting even a fraction of the agony she had endured , he realized money meant nothing . He would give her everything . Whatever she wanted , whatever he had , it was hers . He waited for her outside her office with trembling anticipation , rehearsing in his mind the moment she might forgive him . But the sight that greeted him shattered his fantasy . A man stood at Jewel's side , close enough to make Weston's chest constrict . " Weston . What are you doing here ? " Jewel's voice was cold , her eyes colder still . The disgust in her gaze pierced him deeper than any knife . He forced himself to smile . "Jewel ... you used to love roses the most . I've atoned , I've paid for everything . Please , give me one more chance . " Her expression didn't soften . Before he could say more , the man beside her snatched the bouquet and tossed it straight into a trash bin . " You call this love ? " he sneered . " You've paraded roses for years , and never once realized she's allergic to them ? " The fallen roses scattered like blood at Weston's feet . His vision went hot . He fixed his eyes on the stranger , rage trembling through him . " Don't you dare interfere between us . Jewel loves roses ! " The man , Preston Hale , laughed with open contempt . " No , Vale . That was your fantasy . " The tension between them crackled , seconds away from exploding . Jewel stepped forward , her voice cutting through . " Enough . He's right . I've always been allergic . " She tugged up her sleeve , revealing the faint rash , tiny red welts dotted along her pale skin . " I never loved roses . You did . I only told you I liked them ... because it made you happy . " The words gutted him . Weston froze , heart pounding so hard it felt like it would tear free . He thought back to every bouquet she had accepted , every smile she had forced through the itch and pain , just to please him . 15.00 % " Jewel ... " His vision blurred , tears burning his eyes before he even knew they'd fallen . He tried to speak again , but Preston stepped between them , voice hard . " You heard her . Leave . Jewel is with me now . We're getting married . You're not welcome here . " The finality in his tone was a blow . Weston's world tilted . " Lies , " he rasped . " She's mine . She's Jewel , not ' Whitmore ,' not your bride ! " He lunged forward to seize her wrist , Preston's fist struck his jaw with a brutal crack , sending him sprawling . " I've tolerated you long enough . Touch her again , and you won't walk away next time . " Straightening his suit , Preston pulled Jewel protectively to his side . Weston lay on the pavement , winded , the fabric of his shirt pulling back to reveal the patchwork of scars across his ribs and abdomen . For one desperate moment , he looked up, begging silently for Jewel to glance at him , to see him . But she never turned . Her entire focus was on Preston , her hands gently brushing over him to check for injury . That tenderness , that devotion , it was a blade driven straight through Weston's chest . Chapter19 Now known as Jewel Whitmore , she let go of Preston Hale's hand as they turned the corner . " Preston ... thank you for stepping in , " she said softly . The warmth in her eyes had faded , leaving only the calm affection of friendship . " But I need to be honest . Right now , I don't want marriage , I don't want romance . I just want to build something of my own . " After a marriage that had cut her to the bone , Jewel no longer believed in tying her future to anyone else . She would place her hope in herself , her time , her energy , her ambition . She would fight for her career , embrace life fully and on her own terms . If love came , she would cherish it . If not , she would never force it again . Preston's face faltered for a moment , but then he smiled , gentle and steady . "That's fine , Jewel . I'll wait . However long it takes , I'll wait . " The days that followed proved his words . She immersed herself in jewelry design ; Preston scoured the world for masterworks , placing rare pieces in her hands to study and admire . She mentioned , offhand , a wish to see the whales in the Arctic . The next day , he canceled a multibillion - dollar deal and took her there himself . When she woke one night doubled over with stomach pain , he stayed at her side until dawn , warming her hands as the family doctor guided him over the phone . When she said she wanted nothing more to do with Weston Vale and Grayson Sloane , Preston didn't argue . He aligned with the Whitmores and quietly moved against the Vale and Sloane empires , driving both dynasties to the brink , until Weston and Grayson were reduced to disgraced shadows , unable to come within reach of Jewel again . She loathed Ivy Sloane , so Preston went personally to Southeast Asia to see to her punishment . He ordered half her organs cut out , then abandoned her in the foulest red - light district to rot , her fate sealed . His relentless devotion won not only Evelyn and Hunter Whitmore's approval but , little by little , Jewel's guarded heart as well . On a bright , sunlit morning , they took their vows . The day before the wedding , word reached Harbor City . Weston Vale and Grayson Sloane sold their Chapter19 15.83 % own blood on the black market , eight hundred milliliters each , to afford Weston's ticket to A Country , along with a rented suit that could hide his ruin . Despite the weakness hollowing him out , Weston cleaned himself up , boarded the plane , and staggered into the city where Jewel was about to wed another man . The ceremony glittered with grandeur . Jewel , radiant in a hand - stitched Italian gown , crown of her own design , jewels worth hundreds of millions . On her arm was Hunter Whitmore , leading her down the aisle step by step toward Preston Hale . Preston's eyes were luminous , his smile unshakable . His voice trembled with emotion as the minister turned to him . " Do you , Preston Hale , take this woman to be your wife ? To love , respect , and protect her , in sickness and in health , through good times and bad , for as long as you both shall live ? " " I do . " The words rang out crisp and loud enough for every guest to hear . Applause and laughter erupted through the chapel . Only one man did not cheer . Weston Vale , disheveled from his journey , lifted his eyes and met Jewel's for a fleeting instant . Then he broke . Covering his face , he wept like a man who had finally understood what it meant to lose everything . He knew , with devastating clarity , This time , he had truly lost her . Forever . Title: Addicted to You Author: CrushReel Genre: Romance, Billionaire, CEO, Modern, Romantic, Hidden Feelings, Mansion, Office, Meet Again Status: ongoing In "Addicted to You," a captivating romance unfolds between Audrey and Floyd. Despite Floyd's arranged marriage and family struggles, he continually comes to Audrey's rescue after their one-night stand that has left her secretly pining for him for eight years. As their paths intertwine in unexpected ways within the backdrop of a luxurious mansion and high-stakes office dynamics, hidden feelings resurface, igniting a tale of love, loyalty, and second chances. This modern romantic narrative by CrushReel delves deep into themes of forbidden love, self-discovery, and the complexities of relationships in the world of billionaires and CEOs. What sets "Addicted to You" apart is its deft exploration of the characters' internal conflicts and the magnetic pull drawing them together despite external obstacles. Experience the emotional rollercoaster as Audrey and Floyd navigate their undeniable connection amidst societal expectations and personal dilemmas. Available to read online at CrushReel for those seeking a story that goes beyond conventional romance tropes with its rich character development and intricate plot twists.