Chapter 8
le stopped walking, froze for a few seconds, then looked at me with this mix of shock and joy:
Raven? When’d you find out?”
My finger traced circles on his exposed collarbone.
That’s why I bounced so fast when you dumped me. I needed your money to raise our kid.”
I don’t want our baby growing up trash like me. I wanna raise them right, make them successful. That takes serious cash.”
fou’re not mad, are you?” I smiled sweetly.
lake pressed his forehead to mine, his voice serious:
Raven, do you realize how dangerous this was? You should’ve told me right away.”
How could I tell you? YOU’RE the one who kicked me out!”
glared at him and leaned on his shoulder.
lake took a deep breath, and held me closer.
‘m sorry, Raven. I had my reasons. I’ll explain everything.”
Don’t need to explain. I get it.”
mart cookie like me already figured out the whole situation.
lake chuckled and kept carrying me downstairs.
Oh yeah? Tell me why I did it then.”
Jm…” I looked up at his sharp jawline. “Caleb’s your business enemy, right?”
lake looked impressed and raised his eyebrows.
Good. Keep going.”
You went broke because he screwed you over somehow?”
pushed his face away. “Quit looking at me like I’m some genius. You’re from the Hartwell family, you got backup. Caleb planted Madison next to you ›r some reason, right?”
lake’s eyes crinkled as he smiled bigger and bigger.
le looked at me with total admiration.
That’s my girl.”
lifted my chin proudly. “Two years with you, I picked up a thing or two.”
lake was in such a good mood, carrying me out of the estate to this fountain area.
bunch of guys in matching outfits were standing by some cars.
Boss,” one of them walked up, looking all serious. “Caleb got away, but we got Madison in custody.”
Cool,” Blake nodded. “Let the cops handle the rest. I already gave all my evidence to the lawyers.”
16:13
I’m on the Operating Tabl
Blake got me in the car, then got in next to me.
He leaned close, fingers on the back of my neck, foreheads touching mine.
‘Raven, you’re not trash.”
He took my hand.
You’re brilliant. You just never had anyone to back you up, so you spent all your time just trying to make it.”
I’m never gonna let you struggle like that again.”
lis kiss was hot and wet on my fingers.
I got you. Forever.”
Vithin a month, Caleb got arrested for corporate espionage and fraud.
Madison got off with probation since she cooperated and provided evidence.
eeing the news, I calculated the timeline.
really hadn’t been more than two months since I felt Blake up in that hospital room.
Babe, you don’t know how scared I was,” Blake said that night, holding me tight.
I was terrified that after two months, when your money ran out, someone else would steal you away.”
was half asleep and mumbled: “…I’m not that kind of person…”
le held me tighter, breathing against my neck.
Seeing you with Caleb? Damn near gave me a heart attack.”
Good thing you said all that bitchy stuff to clue me in. I was about to lose my shit and blow everything just to grab you.”
laughed and woke up completely.
uring the day, Blake was this smooth, sophisticated business heir. At night, he turned into a clingy teddy bear.
When I was five months pregnant, me and Blake had this huge, over-the-top wedding.
When he lifted my veil for the kiss, he picked me up and kissed me like his life depended on it.
veryone was like, “Girl, you must’ve done something right in a past life.”
ut Blake? He’d always go, “Nah, I’m the one who got stupid lucky.”
hing is, love isn’t some crazy hard thing to find.
‘s right there. People just don’t see it.
ou put yourself out there, really love someone? Yeah, it comes back to you.
16:13
I’m on the Operating Tal
