The message from Katherine sent Samantha's world spinning out of control. She still couldn't understand her emotions regarding Dave, but she remembered how she felt with Ian.
Her first boyfriend. Her first heartbreak.
They had dated for a year at university, and he had broken up with her on their graduation day. His reason? A job offer in Paris. A life-changing opportunity, and he didn't want to do a long-distance relationship.
Samantha had begged him, falling to her knees, but he didn't listen. Instead, he suggested they sleep together for the first and last time as a goodbye. He had always been the perfect, gentle boyfriend, so hearing those words come out of his mouth shattered her.
She had slept for days, hoping that if she stayed in bed long enough, it would all turn out to be a dream. After a week, she tried to call him, but his number was disconnected, and none of their friends could reach him.
Determined, she had made up her mind to move to Paris to find him, but he had disappeared completely. And when her father saw how broken she was, he told her to start working at the company.
It helped. Work kept her mind occupied, and Ian faded into a memory.
It was hard to forget him, but he was back again!
She didn't know what to feel. Anger? Or something else?
Her emotions were all over the place, but one thing was certain. She wasn't staying in this house all day again. She was losing her mind.
Samantha picked up her phone and dialed a number. The call connected.
"Hello?" came Frederick's voice.
"Dad?"
"Yes, pumpkin?"
"I'm coming back to work tomorrow."
"But your honeymoon—"
"Two weeks is enough. No one will say anything. I did what you wanted. Now, I want to get back to work." Her voice was calm, steady, not a bit loud.
"Okay... you can start. What did Dave say?"
"It's none of his business." Samantha ended the call.
[|]
Samantha's Mercedes stopped in front of Jones Co. She stepped out and walked toward the front revolving doors when—
A car screeched to a stop behind her.
She turned around just as Dave stepped out and strode briskly toward her.
She blinked in shock. "What are you doing here?"
He grabbed her wrist, not too gently, and pulled her to his side, his eyes narrowing as he whispered, "Are you that ready to leave me?"
"I-I-" She yanked her hand back. "I'm starting work. What's your problem? I'm letting you do what you want!"
"I..." His voice softened, realizing. "I thought you were leaving me."
Samantha scoffed. "You're the one in a hurry to get back to your ex!"
"Is there a problem here?"
A familiar voice.
Samantha's head snapped toward the source, her jaw dropping. "Ian?"
"Baby." Ian smiled.
Samantha blinked. Again. And again.
The gentle, simple-looking young man she had dated back at university was gone. The man in front of her was looking fit. Where did those shoulder muscles come from? His brown hair was longer, now hanging over his shoulders, giving him a dangerous, undeniably attractive edge, words she never would have used to describe him before.
She couldn't close her mouth.
"Wait a minute." Dave let out a low, sarcastic laugh, cocking his head. His expression was crazed. "Did you just call my wife 'baby'?"
Ian stepped closer, unflinching. "Yes." His voice was calm. "She's my baby. A ring on her finger doesn't change that."
Dave swung his fist so fast that Ian didn't have a chance to dodge. He doubled over, landing on his ass, then wiped the blood from his lip. And he smirked. The glint in his eyes said he was satisfied, even while bleeding.
"Ian!" Samantha rushed toward him.
Dave yanked her back. "What do you think you're doing?" he asked through gritted teeth.
"I-I-"
"We're going home." His voice was a command. He pulled her toward his car.
"Let me go. Fuck you, Dave! I said, LET ME GO!" She tried to pry her wrist from his grip, but he was too strong.
Dave pushed her against the car door, his hands caging her in on both sides. His eyes burned with something dark.
"You promised."
Her breath hitched. "W-what?"
"You promised," he repeated, his voice thundering as he leaned closer. "Remember, you broke your promise first."
"What... what promise?" She stammered.
His body pressed against hers. Hot.
And then he kissed her.
It wasn't soft. It wasn't gentle. It was hot and commanding. A demand, not a request.
Samantha tried to push him away, but her body betrayed her. Instead of pulling back, she melted into him.
His tongue traced the seam of her lips, licking and sucking, probing, and she opened to him, surrendering to the onslaught. His hands wrapped around her, lifting her, forcing her legs around his waist. He deepened the kiss while pulling her closer, as if he couldn't get enough.
Their breaths turned ragged.
And then he pulled back, panting into her ear.
Samantha's eyes flew open, shocked at what she had just done.
She hated this man. Right? Right?
Then what was she doing?
Her gaze flickered towards Ian. He was glaring at them.
She lowered her gaze.
She tried to push Dave away, but he held her hands with one of his. Without looking at him, he leaned in, his lips brushing her ear.
Sparks shot down her spine. She clenched her teeth.
"Let me go, Dave," she whispered, voice hard. "You have Claire."
"You promised," he said again.
"What the fuck did I promise?"
He pulled back just enough to meet her eyes, his face unreadable.
"You would be a perfect wife," he murmured. "You would be faithful to me during the marriage. And you would help me become CEO."
Samantha's heart pounded. She had said those words when she thought he was just Chris. She had promised to help him. And she had promised to help him with the company on their wedding day.
"Well... well, it doesn't count," she stammered, lifting her chin, forcing confidence into her voice. "You have Claire. Why can't I have someone of my own?"
Dave stepped back, sweeping his gaze over her from head to toe.
His eyes turned ice-cold.
"Because I can still destroy your father," he said simply. "And you."
Her breath caught. "But"
"You really think the contract with your father didn't have a fail-safe for us?" His voice dropped dangerously low. "Do you even know the family you married into?"
Samantha took a step back, but she was already backed against the car.
A chill ran through her.
"Do you really know the family you married into?" he asked again. He looked unimpressed.
She trembled.
"You want to work? Fine." His lips curled into a smirk. "But if I see you near him..." He nodded towards Ian and leaned in again, his breath warm against her ear. "Know who will pay the price. And that person would be your father."
He stepped back, walked to the other side of the car, and opened the car door. His smile was polite. Almost too polite.
"Now. Get. In. The. Car."
Samantha swallowed hard. She wanted to say something, but decided against it. Rather, she lowered her head and slid into the seat.
Dave shut the door, circled the car, and just as he was about to open the door. He glances back at Ian and smiles proudly.
Ian clenched his jaw, his fists tightening.
Dave entered the car and slid in beside Samantha. "Time to go home."
"You will pay," she said, her lips trembling.
"All I hear is... I have no power, but I'll threaten you anyway. THAT is all you are saying," Dave said, his eyes gleaming with a dark smile. "Put on your seatbelt."
He drove out of Jones. Co.