Chapter 210
Elle’s POV
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I could feel everyone’s eyes on me–hungry, curious stares from the crowd that had gathered around us. Some looked at me with barely concealed envy, others with fascination, as if they were watching some kind of fairy tale unfold in real time. Brad’s hands were still upping my face, his forehead pressed against mine, and I could hear my own heartbeat thundering in my ears.
“Elle, Brad’s voice was rough with emotion, his amber eyes searching mine desperately. “I’ve al
convinced my mother. Victoria won’t stand in our way anymore. No one can–no one will ever separate us
again.”
My breath caught. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying come back to me.” His thumbs brushed away tears I didn’t realize were still falling. “Come back
to my side and let me protect you. Let me take care of you the way I should have from the beginning.”
The raw vulnerability in his voice made my chest ache. “Brad, I-”
“I can’t lose you again, Elle. I can’t fucking do it.” His voice cracked slightly. “I can’t just watch you walk
away. I can’t just let you go. I won’t.”
More tears spilled over. The way he was looking at me, like I was the only thing keeping him anchored to this world–it was too much. “Yesterday,” I whispered. “The shares. The five percent. Was that you?”
Brad’s lips curved into a small smile. “Elizabeth gave those to you in her capacity as chairman. It’s your security, Elle. No one can question the legitimacy of that gift, and no one would dare challenge it.”
“But why-”
“As long as I’m still the Alpha,” he said firmly, “no one will ever hurt you again. You have my word.”
I thought of Mira, of the confrontation on the ship, of all the poison she’d tried to spr
her? What about Mira?”
at about
Brad’s arms tightened around me, pulling me closer. “She’s not a barrier between us anymore! She’s lost any capital she had to compete with you!”
The crowd around us was completely silent, hanging on every word.
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Chapter 210
“How?” I asked.
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Brad’s smile turned calculating. “I used mother’s own priorities against her. Victoria values the family’s interests above everything else. When she realized that keeping you close, securing your position, would
benefit the Rayne legacy…” He shrugged. “She made the smart choice. Now the family has a vested interest in protecting our elationship.”
My eyes widened as the full scope of what he’d done hit me. “You played your own mother.”
“For you,” he said simply. “I’d play anyone for you.”
“Elle,” Brad’s voice was softer now, almost pleading. “Please. Just… say yes. Say you’ll come back.”
I looked up into his eyes, saw the desperation there, the love, the absolute certainty that this was what he wanted. Around us, I could see people leaning in, some of the women dabbing at their eyes.
Slowly, I nodded.
The change in Brad was instant. His face lit up like the sun breaking through storm clouds. “Thank you,” he breathed, crushing me against his chest. “Thank you, thank you…”
He pressed kisses to my forehead, my cheeks, anywhere he could reach.
Brad pulled back just enough to look at me, his hands still framing my face. “I love you, Elle. I should have said it sooner, should have made sure you knew-”
“I know,” I whispered. “I know now.”
Later, in Susan’s cabin, Brad faced my mother with the same earnest intensity he’d shown me.
“Susan, I owe you an apology,” he said, his hands clasped behind his back. “I was the main sponsor of this food festival. I should have told you who I was from the beginning.”
Susan looked startled. “You… you paid for all of this?”
“Every bit of it.” Brad’s jaw tightened. “I used it as a way to get close to Elle without her knowing. That was deceptive, and I’m sorry.”
Susan studied his face for a long moment, then shook her head. “As long as my daughter is happy, I don’t
care about the rest.”
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Chapter 210
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“That was absolutely breathtaking,” Sophia said from her corner, shaking her head in amazement. “I mean, the sheer audacity of orchestrating an entire food festival just to win back your mate…”
“It was completely over the top,” Abigail added with a grin. “Seriously, Brad, that was some next–level romantic gesture shit right there.”
The flight back to Moonshade Bay felt different this time. Brad had arranged three planes–one
and Malcolm, one for Lester and Mira, and ours for me, Abig
and Sophia. As we descended through the
clouds toward familiar territory, I felt a mix of anticipation and nervousness.
The moment we stepped off the plane, the cold air hit me like a slap. I was already shivering when Brad
appeared beside me with a thick coat.
“Here,” he said, wrapping it around my shoulders. “Can’t have you getting sick.”
“I’m fine-”
“We’re going to the medical center first,” Brad said firmly. “Before we do anything else.”
“Brad, I just want to go home-”
“The doctors outside couldn’t have been as thorough as our own people. I need to make sure you and the
baby are completely healthy. That’s non–negotiable.”
Sophia rolled her eyes. “Go on, you two. Show off your reunion somewhere else. Abigail and I are going to my place to recover from this weekend.”
“Yeah,” Abigail laughed. “We don’t need to watch you guys be all lovey–dor. We’ve had enough romance
for one weekend.”
The familiar sight of my–our–villa came into view as Brad’s car turned into the driveway.
In the warm living room, Martha immediately appeared with a steaming mug of something that smelled like heaven. “Mrs. Rayne, you must be chilled through. This will help warm you up.”
I accepted the drink gratefully, sinking into the familiar comfort of home. “Thank you, Martha. God, it’s good to be back.”
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Chapter 210
Then, because i couldn’t help myself, I asked, “When will Lucas be back?”
Brad’s expression shifted slightly, becoming more guarded. “About five days.
Something in his tone made me look at him more carefully, but he was already moving toward the hallway.
“Elle, I need to talk to you privately, he said, extending his hand. “There are some things you need to
know.
I followed him into his study, watching as he carefully closed the door behind us.
“What is it?” I asked.
Brad turned to face me, his expression grave. “You know your position has changed now, right? With the shares, with your place in the family. But Elle, that also means you need to be more careful than ever.”
“Careful of what?”
Brad was quiet for a long moment, studying my face. Then he asked quietly, “Do you know who Lucas
Rayne really is?”
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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.
