One Night, His Unseen Legacy

dler

as coming straight for my face. But before it connected, a blur of motion from behind him. A heavy

li

d, blazing with an unfamiliar fury. He didn't even glance at me. His gaze was fixed on Davidson's unconscious

oice low and dangerous, a sound

from him, didn't hesitate. They scrambled out of th

wly turned, his eyes finally landing on me, then on Gale, who was slowly picking he

d, his voice still rough, but re

he said, rubbing her

at me, his eyes searchi

ger at his past actions, and a strange fear of this new, feroci

merged from the elevator. Her eyes scanned the chaotic scene, then la

n." Her voice was soft, fragile. She clutc

harsh features softening. "It's nothing,

found about the Evans Corporation's takeover bid? The one I accidentally stumbled upon while looking for your research papers, Julian? I was just trying

He put his arm around her, pulling her close. "No, Hayden. It's not yo

sage: He' s mine. He always will be. She squeezed Julian' s arm, then allowed him to lead her back to the safety of her apartment, leaving me

se of despair settling over me. H

king and entering and assault, Gale helped me clean up. The adrenali

ale said quietly, tryin

ness returning. "He can't let anything happen to

ion" she "accidentally stumbled upon." It reeked of manipulation. She

glass. A cold, hard resolve solidi

th unshed tears, "I'm coming hom

brother, was immediately concerned.

g hollow. "But I need to be there. I need

own future. The Evans Corporation was under siege, a hostile takeover orchestrated by rivals capitalizing on my father' s

back to New York was filled with a grim determination. The triviality of my person

miliar hum of activity a stark contrast to my internal turmoil. Charlton met me

ling me into a tight hug

with concern. My father, a titan of i

.. not good. The doctors say the stress is taking

ds hit me like a physical blow. The hostile

ton continued, his voice heavy. "Bu

n's unexpected appearance. I had been so consumed by my own pain, so desperate to ignore the

," I said, my voic

Jude's. I'l

ne rang. His face paled as he listened, his grip tig

"Chan, I have to go to this meeting. It's critical

y voice flat. "

tood there, feeling utterly alone, the city' s roar suddenly deafe

one, desperate to reach someone, anyone, to simply hear a comforting voice. My fingers hovered over Julian' s

y phone rang

alled me. He said it' s bad, Chan. Really bad." Her voice was laced with panic.

e trembling. "Traffic is insane. I fe

al too. For Hayden. She had another 'academic emergency' apparently. He asked for my car,

d needed a ride. And he ha

u on the street, trying to hail a cab. He said... he said he tried to offer you a

my father, my vision blurred with unshed tears. He had offered me a ride? And I had dismissed

s finally starting to fall. "I was so worri

t before she could finish, a harsh b

y ribs, a frantic, terrifie

oken. "I'm so sorry. Dad... he's gone. He j

horns – it all faded into a meaningless hum. My father

o the floor. Tears streamed down my face, hot and st

of traffic. Because of

t Julian's anymore. It was mine. My forced night of passion, my desperate pursuit, my inability to let g

echoing grief and a simmering rage. I woul