Brandon just stared at me, arms crossed over his chest, clearly waiting for an answer.
“Marry you?” I scoffed, shaking my head. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
He leaned against the counter, looking too amused. “Why not?”
I rolled my eyes. “Because I have no reason to.”
Brandon smirked. “Sure you do.”
I raised a brow. “And what’s that?”
He shrugged casually. “I’m hot, I’m handsome, and you like me.”
I let out another laugh, louder this time. “God, your ego is massive.”
Brandon grinned. “And yet, you haven’t denied it.”
I huffed, crossing my arms. “For your information, you’re not my type.”
His smirk didn’t waver. “Hmmm. That’s funny. Because when you were younger, you seeme pretty into me.”
I stiffened. My mouth opened–then closed again.
Brandon saw my reaction, and his smirk widened. “Oh, come on, Veronica. You think I didn’t notice?”
I snapped out of my daze, scoffing. “Notice what?”
He tilted his head slightly. “That you used to stalk me.”
My face burned. “I did not!”
But the second I said it, a memory surfaced-
I was sixteen. Jasmine and I were in her backyard, supposedly studying, but I couldn’t concentrate. Because Brandon was there.
He was eighteen at the time, already tall, already sharp–jawed, already the kind of guy who made girls whisper in hallways. He had just come back from a workout, wearing nothing but sweatpants and a towel slung around his shoulders.
I tried not to look. I really did.
But teenage me had absolutely zero self–control.
I nudged Jasmine, whispering, “Your brother is so hot.”
Jasmine made a gagging sound. “Ew, Veronica. That’s Brandon. He’s disgusting.”
I ignored her, watching as Brandon chugged a bottle of water.
He caught me staring. I panicked–hard. I grabbed my book and shoved it over my face, pretending to read.
Jasmine snorted. “You’re being obvious, dumbass.”
Brandon smirked. “You know I can see you, right?”
I nearly died from embarrassment.
The Moment He Chose Her Over Me and Our Baby
1/3
49.1%
I snapped back to reality with a jolt, realizing- I was staring at Brandon again.
And worse? Brandon was smirking.
Shit. I quickly looked away, only to realize something else-
He was close. Way too close. His face was inches from mine, his body leaning slightly forward like he knew exactly what he was doing.
The air shifted. The playful banter was gone, replaced by something else.
Something charged. I could see the flecks of silver in his blue eyes. The way his lips curved–jus slightly.
I inhaled sharply. His eyes flickered down to my mouth.
Oh, hell no. I shoved him back.
Brandon let out a genuine laugh, running a hand through his hair. “That was cute, sweetheart.” “Go die,” I muttered, turning away.
But my heart was still pounding. And I hated that he knew it.
Before I could compose myself, a loud knock echoed through the house.
I stiffened.
Brandon immediately turned serious, eyes sharp. “Expecting someone?”
I shook my head. We both moved toward the door cautiously.
For a split second, I feared the worst–Elias, his men, the police- But when I opened the door, my breath rushed out in relief.
Jasmine.
She stood there, holding up a bag of groceries, looking me over with an arched brow. “You look flustered. What happened?”
“Nothing,” I said a little too quickly.
Jasmine’s gaze flickered behind me–where Brandon was standing, shirtless and very amused.
Her lips curled. “Oh.”
I groaned. “Shut up.”
She smirked but didn’t press. Instead, she stepped inside, setting the bag down on the counter.” have news.”
”
I frowned. “Good or bad?”
“Depends,” she said, crossing her arms. “Do you want to hear how Sabrina is screaming tc everyone that you kidnapped Patty?”
I froze. My stomach twisted. Well, it was expected but then I couldn’t believe she would resort tc that.
Jasmine exhaled, rubbing her temple. “It’s all over the news. Sabrina is playing the victim. Crying. Telling everyone how you were jealous. How you stole Patty because you couldn’t accept Elias moving on.”
Rage bubbled up inside me. That bitch. Of all the reasons? They should include the fact that they killed my unborn child!
Chapter 10
5:30 pm
DDD.
“And,” Jasmine added, voice grim, “there’s a warrant out for your arrest.”
I felt the ground shift beneath me.
A warrant. That meant this wasn’t just Elias’s personal hunt anymore.
This was public. This was dangerous.
clenched my fists, inhaling through my nose, forcing the rising panic down.
Brandon, who had been silent the whole time, finally spoke.
Well,” he said, stepping beside me, his tone eerily calm. “Looks like you really need me now,
Sweetheart.”
