Chapter 5
Logan hand gripped mine so tightly that it hurt. He didn’t say a word at first, but his jaw was clenched, his anger radiating off him like heat.
“Elaine,” he said, his tone low and biting. “Did you go to the bar to drink? Is this your idea of revenge? Acting out just because of something I said?”
I blinked, stunned. Revenge? Was that really what he thought?
His jaw tightened, and his eyes burned with an intensity I rarely saw. The raw emotion in his face–anger, frustration–momentarily silenced me.
It was almost….. possessive.
For a brief moment, the bitterness in my chest eased. Maybe, just maybe, he cared. If he only saw me as a sister or a friend, he wouldn’t care so much about what happened.
“No,” I repeated firmly. “I didn’t-”
Before Logan could respond, Kian swaggered out of the building, wearing his trademark smirk. He whistled as if he hadn’t just caused chaos. “Hooligan,” he called out, his voice dripping with mockery. “What are you trying to do now? Seduce my brother–in–law?”
I bit back a groan. Some people were born to test your patience, and Kian Vaughn was one of them.
As he walked toward me, his cocky grin widened, and I couldn’t help but glance at Selene. She stood nearby, her expression carefully composed, the perfect picture of innocence. But I couldn’t forget the way she’d touched Logan earlier–light, casual, intimate.
The memory burned in my mind.
Acting on impulse, I reached out and took Logan‘ arm. His muscles tensed under my touch, but he didn’t pull away.
“You’re talking nonsense again,” Selene said, her voice soft as she stepped forward and pinched Kian’s arm. Her chastising tone came with a faint
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smile, like she was used to handling his antics.
She turned to me with an apologetic look. “Elaine, I’m so sorry.”
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“It’s not your fault,” Logan said before I could respond. His voice was firm, his eyes locked on Kian. “And you,” he added, his tone sharp, “this is your last warning. Cause trouble again, and no one will save you.”
Kian, defiant as ever, glared up at him. “Who do you think you are? You’re not my dad. I’ll only listen to you if you marry my sister and actually become my brother–in–law.”
“Kian!” Selene hissed, her face flushing with embarrassment. She smacked his arm harder this time, but he dodged her, laughing.
“Don’t act like you don’t know,” Kian taunted, his voice loud and obnoxious. “He likes you, Selene. Why else would he spend all his time with you? Day and night, taking care of you like you’re the only person in the world?”
My grip on Logan‘ arm tightened involuntarily.
Day and night.
The words struck a nerve. Logan had barely been home these past weeks, disappearing for hours on end without notice. I’d tried to dismiss it, telling myself he was busy with work. But now, hearing Kian’s words, the truth felt
undeniable.
He’d been with Selene.
Of course, I knew why. She was his late best friend’s widow. It made sense for him to take care of her after her husband’s tragic death.
But every day? To the point where her own brother saw it as something
more?
“What are you even talking about?” Selene snapped, her voice trembling as she hit Kian again, harder this time.
He raised his hand instinctively to block her, but the motion caught her off balance. Selene staggered, her heels slipping on the pavement.
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“Watch out!” Logan shouted.
I felt a shove, and before I could steady myself, I stumbled backward. By the time I regained my footing, Logan was already by Selene’s side. He knelt on one knee, holding her as if she were made of glass.
“Selene, are you okay?” His voice was frantic, his hands steadying her. “Where does it hurt?”
Her face twisted in pain as she clutched his arm. “My stomach,” she whimpered. “It hurts, Logan.”
“Don’t worry,” he said, his voice trembling. “I’ll take you to the hospital. You’re going to be okay.”
I stood frozen, watching the scene unfold like an outsider. I’d seen Logan in countless situations–calm, composed, in control. But now? He was panicking. For her.
Not once in ten years had I ever seen him look at me like that.
“Elaine!” Logan barked, snapping me out of my daze. “Get in the car. You’re driving.”
For a moment, I couldn’t move.
“Hurry up!” Kian shouted, storming over to me. He grabbed my arm roughly, and something inside me snapped.
Without thinking, I raised my hand and slapped him.
The sharp crack echoed in the air.
Kian stumbled back, his cheek already reddening with the imprint of my fingers. He touched his face, stunned, before his expression twisted in
anger.
“You-” he hissed, lifting his hand as if to strike me back.
“Kian!” Logan‘ voice cut through the tension like a blade. “If you touch her, I’ll make sure you go back inside.”
Kian froze, his hand hovering mid–air. After a moment, he lowered it, glaring
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at both Logan and me before stomping off.
(*) *Mary
“Kian!” Selene called after him weakly, but her voice gave way to a pained cry as she clutched her stomach again.
“Logan… It hurts,” she whimpered, “Please, take me to the hospital.”
Logan didn’t hesitate. “Elaine!” he barked again.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and climbed into the driver’s seat. Selene groaned in pain as Logan helped her into the backseat, his voice low and soothing as he reassured her.
“Doctor!” Logan shouted the moment we arrived at the hospital. “She’s pregnant, and she just fell. She’s in a lot of pain!”
Pregnant?
The word echoed in my mind, heavy and disorienting. My legs felt like they were weighed down with lead as I stood there, unable to move. My chest tightened, and a sinking feeling settled in my stomach.
Selene’s husband was dead. How could she be pregnant?
My gaze drifted to Logan. His face was taut with panic, his eyes fixed on the door to the emergency room. He looked so anxious, so desperate.
Was he… was he worried because the baby was his?
