Hunter had staked out Jared's place all night.
He had gone to great lengths for Sam.
He had to admit, Amanda was highly effective. She truly lived up to the reputation of a New York party girl; her methods for handling men were ruthless and efficient. He hadn't expected her to conquer Jared quite so easily.
After waiting through the night, Hunter watched the payoff unfold at dawn.
He saw Sam enter Jared's house. Moments later, she burst out, her face a mask of heartbreak, anger, and absolute devastation.
She practically threw herself onto her bicycle and began pedaling frantically away from the beach, heading toward the main road.
Seeing this, Hunter immediately pulled his motorcycle from his Inventory, fired it up, and took off.
He guessed Sam was heading to Paradise Island, likely to seek refuge at her job at the Atlantis water park.
He didn't care what Jared was doing right now. Hunter's time in the Bahamas was coming to an end.
Today was the day. While Sam's emotional state was shattered and the sting of betrayal was fresh, he would move in and secure her.
Hunter beat Sam to Paradise Island.
He found a secluded corner, stowed the motorcycle back into his Inventory, and quickly changed into a set of jogging clothes.
Then, he began a slow, measured run along the coastal road—the exact route Sam had to take to reach the resort.
He didn't have to wait long.
About seven or eight minutes later, Hunter spotted Sam. She was pedaling mechanically, wiping tears from her cheeks as she rode.
Hunter quickly adjusted his facial muscles, dialing in his [Acting] skill. His expression shifted into one of profound, unexpected joy.
"Sam!" he called out warmly.
Lost in the crushing reality of Jared's betrayal, Sam was crying silently as she rode. Startled by her name, she looked up.
She saw the handsome Asian man jogging toward her, his face lit up with genuine delight at seeing her.
Seeing that familiar face, Sam was suddenly struck by the memory of the five days she had spent guiding him. Those days had been peaceful, easy, and filled with a gentle respect she hadn't felt in a long time.
She opened her mouth, but no words came out.
For some reason, she felt a sudden urge to flee. Looking at him, she felt a pang of guilt, fearing that entertaining even a thought about him would make her a betrayer, just like Jared.
"Sam!"
Seeing her slow down but continue rolling forward, Hunter sprinted and positioned himself directly in her path.
Sam snapped back to reality. Her eyes widened in panic, and she squeezed the brakes hard.
Screeech!
The tires skidded on the pavement, stopping just inches from Hunter.
"Sam, what's wrong?"
Hunter didn't hide his concern. His smile faded, replaced by a deep, protective frown.
"You're crying. Did someone hurt you?"
He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a low, serious register. "Tell me, Sam. Who did this? I'll make them pay."
Women are emotional creatures.
To have been repeatedly betrayed by the man she loved, only to have this handsome, attentive, and fiercely protective man appear at her absolute lowest moment...
Even someone as principled as Sam couldn't help but feel a rush of warmth.
Involuntarily, she compared the man standing in front of her—a man she had known for barely a week—to Jared.
The comparison broke her.
Her nose tingled, and a fresh wave of tears spilled down her cheeks.
"What is it, Sam? Why are you crying again?"
Hunter's voice was incredibly gentle. "Did someone really hurt you?"
"Tell me."
"We're friends, aren't we? Let me help you."
Sam's lips trembled. She wanted to tell him. She wanted to scream that Jared had slept with Amanda.
But the words stuck in her throat. How could she tell this man—the man she had rejected just days ago by using her "loyal relationship" as an excuse—that her relationship was a lie?
Overwhelmed by shame and sorrow, she didn't even notice when Hunter gently took her hand.
In the past, Sam had strictly avoided physical contact with other men, keeping a firm boundary.
"Come sit down at my place," Hunter said softly. "You look terrible. You need to rest."
"Let's go."
Before Sam could figure out how to respond, Hunter smoothly stepped forward, wrapped his arms around her waist, and lifted her off the bicycle.
Enveloped in his strong, masculine scent, Sam's instinct was to resist.
But for some reason, the fight had left her. She couldn't muster the will to push him away.
He didn't take advantage of the moment. He simply set her down gently on the sidewalk.
Keeping hold of one of her hands, Hunter used his other hand to push her bicycle, guiding her toward his seaside villa just down the road.
Sam tried weakly to pull her hand back, but his grip was firm and warm.
She gave up and let him lead her.
They walked in silence.
Soon, they arrived at the villa.
Hunter parked the bike in the courtyard, unlocked the door, and led Sam into the familiar living room.
"Sit," he urged, gently pressing her down onto the plush sofa.
He disappeared into the kitchen for a minute and returned with a mug.
"I only had alcohol and ice water in the fridge, so I heated up some milk for you."
"Thank you," Sam rasped, her voice thick and hoarse. She took the mug, her eyes still red and swollen.
Hunter sat down adjacent to her, letting out a soft sigh.
"I really thought I wouldn't see you again before I left," he admitted softly.
"I actually went looking for you a few times over the last few days."
"I even asked some of your colleagues where you lived and went to your house."
"But you were never there."
Sam remained silent, staring into her mug.
She knew where she had been. She had been out on Bryce's yacht with Jared and Amanda. The memory of the yacht brought back the image of the bedroom this morning.
Jared and Amanda.
The pain flared in her chest again.
But Sam wasn't the type to air her dirty laundry or badmouth others. Even though Jared had destroyed them, she just wanted to end it quietly. She didn't want to expose his sins to anyone else.
Hunter, of course, knew exactly what she was thinking.
He reached into his pocket.
He pulled out a small, velvet jewelry box and held it out to her.
"Sam, I've actually been trying to find you because I wanted to give you this."
"Since I couldn't find you, I was worried I'd have to leave the Bahamas without putting it directly into your hands."
He smiled warmly. "But I finally found you today. I can finally return this to you."
Sam, still wiping her eyes, frowned in confusion at the box.
She opened her mouth, ready to refuse whatever expensive gift he had bought her this time.
But Hunter just smiled, reached over, and gently popped the lid open himself.
Resting on the black velvet was a dull, tarnished, old-fashioned gold necklace.
The moment Sam saw it, she froze.
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