Chapter 172
Olivia
You’re embarrassing yourself,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “Walk away before you do something you really regret.”
“Too late for that.” Ryan laughed bitterly. “I already let you go. Biggest mistake of my life, apparently. Should’ve known you were just waiting to trade up.”
I spotted a bouncer from O’Malley’s stepping outside, clearly having heard the commotion. Relief washed over me as the burly man started walking in our direction, his expression grim.
Ryan noticed him too, but seemed determined to finish what he’d started. “I’m not done talking to you,” he said, grabbing my wrist again.
“Let go of me,” I hissed, trying to pull away.
“Not until you admit what this marriage really is. Everyone knows you’re just-”
“The lady asked you to let her go.”
The deep voice came from behind Ryan. We both turned to see a tall figure approaching from the parking lot. The street lights illuminated his face as he drew closer, James Westbrook.
Ryan’s grip loosened slightly, but he didn’t release me. “This is a private conversation.”
James stepped closer, his expression hard. “Doesn’t look private to me. Looks like harassment.”
your own business,” Ryan snapped, turning back
speed, grabbing Ryan’s arm and twisting until he released my wrist.
face contorting with anger. “Who the hell do
men manhandle women in parking lots.” James
despite being several inches shorter than James.
corrected, rubbing
clearly married,” James
finally reached us. “Everything alright here?”
I said firmly. “This man was
face flushed red. “I was just talking
arm?” James challenged. “That’s not how conversations work where
crossed his arms, biceps bulging. “Sir, I need you to leave
toward me.
only joke here is you,” James replied
venomous look before turning on his heel. “This isn’t
intervention,” I said,
nodded. “No problem. Want me to
“Please,” I replied.
bouncer followed Ryan’s retreating figure, I turned to James. “Seriously,
expression softening. “Happy to help. Are you okay? Your
fingers had left. “I’ll be fine. Just an ex who can’t take
was heading in for a
rushed toward us, her face pinched with concern. “I saw Ryan from the
make a scene,” I explained, gesturing vaguely.
marks on my wrist. “He grabbed you? That bastard.” She turned to James with a grateful smile. “Thank you
couldn’t stand
here?” Emilia asked, linking her arm with mine
me about my marriage.” I sighed. “He seems convinced it’s all fake
Emilia rolled her eyes. “Can’t believe you found happiness,
I’m glad
buy you a drink to say thank you? We were
like that,” James replied with
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
The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!