Chapter 21 Chapter 21 Rosie ! ROSIE ! His desperate cries echoed down the street , raw with anguish and regret . In the car , Alistair glanced at the rearview mirror , watching Dantes diminishing figure running frantically behind them . He turned to Rosalie with a concerned expression . Taking a deep breath , he asked softly , Rosie , can you tell me what happened between you two ? Rosalie looked up , her lips trembling slightly . She began slowly , then the words came faster , like a dam breaking . Each revelation tore open the wounds shed tried so carefully to heal the manipulation , the betrayal , the videos , the setup at the club . With each memory , her voice grew more strained , the pain as fresh as if it had happened yesterday . He was recording us the entire time , she whispered , her voice breaking . Three years of what I thought was love … all for a revenge plot against you . Before she could continue , Alistair pulled her into his arms . Stop , he said gently . You dont need to relive this . As he held her , self recrimination crashed over him . If he had spoken up sooner , if he had confessed his feelings years ago instead of hiding behind brotherly affection , maybe she would have been spared this pain . Maybe Wolf would never have had the chance to hurt her . I should have protected you , he whispered into her hair . Ill never let anyone hurt you again . As Rosalie leaned into his embrace , finally allowing her tears to flow freely , Alistair glanced back at Dantes diminishing figure in the rearview mirror . Cold fury crystallized in his chest . Without hesitation , he spoke to the driver . Turn around . Drive toward him . The driver hesitated momentarily , his eyes widening in the rearview mirror . Sir ? You heard me , Alistair said , his voice unnervingly calm . M ww Married Your Fromy My Stepbrother 11.5 % Chapter 21 Seeing the deadly resolve in Alistairs eyes , the driver complied . When Dante saw the car turning , hope flared in his chest perhaps she had changed her mind . But in the next instant , the vehicle accelerated directly toward him . The impact was devastating . His body arced through the air before crashing violently to the pavement. Dante felt an explosion of pain , coughed up blood , and then darkness consumed him . In the hazy realm of unconsciousness , Dante found himself reliving his first encounter with Rosalie but differently . His friends were pointing her out , laughing . Thats Limas sister . Weve arranged for a car to hit her nothing serious , just enough for you to swoop in and save her . Shell fall for you instantly , and youll have the perfect weapon against Lima . In this dream version , Dantes mind recoiled in horror . Stop it ! he shouted , pushing his friends away . Call it off ! Im done with revenge I dont want to hurt her ! But it was too late . The car was already moving toward her . Dream Dante ran desperately , pushing her out of harms way , taking the impact himself . When she looked at him with frightened eyes , he smiled gently despite his pain . Im Dante . Ive been waiting my whole life to meet you . The dream shifted . They were laughing together at a café . Dancing under stars . Walking hand in hand through Central Park in autumn . Living a life where revenge had never entered the equation , where he had recognized from the start what she meant to him . Stay here , he thought desperately as the dream began to fade . Let me stay in this version . Let me never wake up if it means I can be with her here . But reality pulled at him , dragging him back to consciousness against his will . In the sterile hospital room , Dante jerked awake , his face ashen . 13:09 The Ultimate Payback : When I Married Your Enemy , My Stepbrother 11.7 % 13:09 Chapter 21 His chest was heavily bandaged , blood seeping through the layers , but he seemed oblivious to the pain as he tore back the covers , attempting to get up . His friends , who had been keeping vigil , jumped to their feet . Wolf ! Youre awake ! Dantes mind was still caught between dream and reality , his voice a ragged whisper . Rosie … wheres Rosie ? For one disoriented moment , he believed he was still in that alternate timeline the one where he had made different choices , where he had loved her honestly from the beginning . We were at the café , he mumbled , trying to rise . I need to meet her . Shes waiting for me . His friends exchanged worried glances . Wolf , youve been unconscious for two weeks , Marcus said carefully . The doctors werent sure youd wake up at all . Dantes expression was confused , caught between universes . Two weeks ? No , that cant be right . We just had dinner last night . She was wearing that blue dress she knows I love . After a painful silence , Jason finally spoke the words that would become Dantes totem the brutal truth that would distinguish dream from reality . Rosalie and Limas wedding is today. The words hit Dante like a second car crash , shattering the dream world completely . Reality crashed down on him with merciless clarity . There was no alternate timeline , no world where he had made better choices . There was only this one where he had manipulated and lost the only woman he had ever truly loved . Wedding ? he whispered , his voice breaking as the last fragments of his dream life disintegrated . Theyre getting married … today ? 0 ♡ ( 0 ) The Ultimate Payback : When I Married You Title: ReelTalk EP 40 - Contract Lovers & Heartbreak CrushReel's ongoing romance series, Miss You After Goodbye, continues to captivate on the latest ReelTalk episode. Haley Lohrli dives into her daring new character, while Ben and Josh share insights into their own memorable roles, promising a blend of laughter and heartwarming moments. Exploring themes of love, loss, and unexpected connections, this episode delves deep into the intricate relationships that drive the narrative forward. As the stars reveal their on-screen chemistry and off-screen camaraderie, viewers are in for a treat with each unfolding scene. What sets this episode apart is its ability to balance humor with poignant storytelling, offering a refreshing take on modern romance dynamics. Dive into the world of Contract Lovers & Heartbreak, available to read at CrushReel for a journey that promises both entertainment and emotional resonance.