Bound To Be Yours 🦌

Chapter 14 The Better Plot Twist

"You're running out of places to hide your mess. And if you drag her into it—" his smirk cuts sharper, eyes flicking to me, deliberate, "—I'll make sure you regret every move."

Her smile doesn't crack—it ices over. Her eyes flick to me, sharp, deliberate, like stamping me with warning.

Before she turns, she gives Adrian a hard stare. Then her heels strike marble like dropped death notes.

The silence she leaves behind hums like static.

Hide your mess? What does Adrian Sinclair know about Arabella Kingsley—and why did he sound like he'd enjoy the fallout?

Lily touches my elbow, brows raised. "You good?"

I nod, though my chest buzzes with unease. Whatever it is between them, I can feel it brushing too close to me. The thought that someone might know the secrets I bury deep—that's what scares me.

And yet—underneath the fear—something else twists sharp and hot. The way he said her. The way his eyes cut to me like I was the only one in the hall. It shouldn't feel like protection. It shouldn't feel like a claim. But it does.

His gaze holds, steady, unreadable. For just a moment, there's reassurance there. Then he turns away, leaving only the hush he carved into the corridor... and the question burning hot under my ribs.

✦✦✦

The corridor hasn't even cooled when another voice leaks in—thick with cologne and daddy's-money ego.

"Well, if it isn't my beautiful fiancé."

Edward Teddy Pembroke peels off the wall with a grin that thinks it's charming. Tie loose, fringe so greasy you could deep-fry chips on it.

I sigh. God, please just keep walking. I don't have the energy to babysit a man-child after that Arabella trainwreck.

"Ohhh, you look tired," Teddy drawls, all mock-sympathy, like he's about to tuck me in himself. "Don't worry, daddy's here. Marry me and you'll never have to lift a finger again. Pembroke on your arm, legacy secured, stress-free living." His grin oozes wider, smug enough to stain marble. "Imagine... marrying up and sleeping up. Two birds, one very lucky stone."

My jaw snaps tight. Blood roars in my ears.

He says daddy, and my middle finger twitches like it just got summoned. Congratulations, Teddy—you've made my hand horny for violence.

Lily exhales like she's allergic. "Sleeping up?" she repeats, sweet as sugar. "Teddy, babe, the only thing going up is the oil slick on your head. Seriously, McDonald's called—they want their fryer back."

Oops. Crispy. Somebody just got served extra salty.

Congratulations, Teddy. You've been combo-meal'd.

His grin falters—mouth half-open, probably about to try another line of recycled frat-boy wisdom—

But Lily's already rolling. Head tilt, smile knife-sharp. "God, your personality is so ugly it finally found a face to match. Aurora deserves an upgrade, not a fried-chicken mascot in Gucci loafers."

Colour drains from his cheeks.

"And please—" Lily steps in, arms crossed, voice dripping smug. "If the only thing you bring to the table is money and a surname, I'd be nervous too. Last I checked, a little birdie said the Pembrokes are bleeding cash."

Her brows lift, daring. "Imagine... a Pembroke broke. That's just Teddy Pem-fucking-broke."

I choke on air. Lily Davenport, ladies and gentlemen.