Chapter 241
“He did no such thing!” Isla shot back, her cheeks turning crimson.
Her indignation faltered when she suddenly felt it–Graham’s hand,
large and possessive, resting firmly on her right cheek. His fingers
pressed against her skin, claiming her in a way that made her heart
pound with a mix of embarrassment and outrage.
“Stop it!” she cried, her voice low but frantic. The room seemed to
spin as she realized they were surrounded by hundreds of people—
guests, colleagues, strangers–all of whom might be watching this
humiliating display.
But Graham didn’t let go. His grip tightened slightly, his lips brushing
her ear as he growled, “Isn’t this what you wanted? A juicy scandal?
Why else wear this scrap of fabric that barely covers anything?” His
words were dripping with anger and frustration, his jealousy cracking
through his usual control.
“Let me go!” she demanded, her voice trembling with both
embarrassment and fury. She pushed at his chest, her small hands no
match for his strength.
But this time, he relented. Graham’s arms loosened, and Isla
stumbled back, her face a vivid mix of red from mortification and
anger. Without another word, she turned and stormed off the dance
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floor, her heels clicking against the marble as she escaped his searing
gaze.
Graham stood frozen for a moment, his fists clenched at his sides. He
watched her retreating figure, the soft sway of her white dress
mocking him as it disappeared into the crowd. The tension in his
chest felt unbearable, a potent mix of jealousy, possessiveness, and
guilt swirling inside him. His gaze flicked to the onlookers–some
whispering, others pretending not to notice–and his jaw tightened.
This was not how he wanted the night to go, but damn it, Isla had a
way of lighting a fire in him that no one else ever had.
The party had been a dream come true for Isla–a glimpse into a
world she had only ever imagined. The grandeur of the event was
intoxicating, with its glittering chandeliers, elegant décor, and the
hum of conversations from fascinating people. Everywhere she
looked, there were women in exquisite gowns and dazzling jewelry,
and men exuding confidence in tailored suits. It was the kind of adult
sophistication she had never experienced before, and she found herself utterly captivated.
This was her first taste of a life she had yearned for, a life far removed
from the sleepy, predictable rhythm of her small–town existence. It felt like stepping into a fairytale, one where the world was alive with
possibilities. But all of it had come crashing down when Graham
appeared on the dance floor.
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She had been enjoying herself–truly enjoying herself–until he
ruined it. His commanding presence, his sharp words, and that
infuriatingly smug attitude reminded her of what this night really
was: his game. She knew his motives. This was another calculated
attempt to make her say yes to his marriage proposal, another way to dangle the world she longed for just out of reach.
“Just say yes, and the world could be yours.” His words from a week
ago rang in her ears, a cruel echo of temptation. God, how she wanted
the world. She wanted it desperately. And because of that, she hated
him a little more.
He was showing her everything she could have–the glamour, the
excitement, the boundless opportunities of a life far removed from
the mundane. Yet he was keeping it just beyond her grasp, making her ache for it in a way that felt both exhilarating and painful.
She thought of New York, the city that had stolen her heart the moment she saw it today. The towering skyscrapers that seemed to touch the sky, the bustling streets alive with people and energy–it was a stark contrast to the quiet, sprawling countryside of Willow Creek. The fast–paced flow of cars and subways, the endless movement of people with purpose and dreams, had left her breathless. It wasn’t just a city; it was a living, breathing entity, pulsating with opportunity and ambition.
For the first time in her life, Isla felt like she could truly be something
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here. Not just a girl from a small town with limited options, but a
person with dreams she could actually chase. New York seemed to
hold the promise of a life where her deafness wouldn’t define her,
where she could train for a career, find independence, and live a life
of meaning.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
