Page 5

And even then, when she stepped out of the car, her legs felt weak, nearly giving out beneath her. She caught herself, straightening before she could fall.
Grabbing her purse and phone, she took a deep breath and walked inside.
It had been five years. She had only interned at his company for three months.
That wasn’t even a long time. That wasn’t enough time for him to remember her.
He had probably forgotten about her by now.
It was clear from his eyes—he didn’t even glance at her when she walked right past him.
She repeated the thought over and over, convincing herself.
He didn’t remember me.
He didn’t care.
It was just three months.
The outside lights illuminated her home, casting a soft glow in the darkness of the night.
She reached for her keys, unlocking the door. But just as she was about to twist the handle, a presence behind her made her freeze.
She turned around, her breath catching.
A coat. A jacket.
And then—those intense eyes.
Before she could take another breath, Christian grabbed her shoulders and shoved her against the wall, stepping in close until there was no space between them.
Her voice caught in her throat, her breathing sharp and uneven as she stared at him.
But then she found her voice.
"What are you doing? Get off me." she demanded, her voice sharp.
His dark gaze bore into hers. "You’re just going to ignore me?"
Her lips parted, and then she said coldly, "I don’t know who you are."
There was no tremor in her voice.
Yet, that only made him smirk.
His hand slid to the back of her head, fingers tangling in her hair as he pulled her closer. His head dipped, his breath warm against her ear.
"I told you to run, Ivy," he murmured, his voice rasping against her skin. "I told you to run and never get caught. I told you that if I caught you again, you will be mine."
He pulled back just enough to meet her gaze, his dark eyes searing into hers.
"But you," he whispered, "you fell right into my arms this time."
Ivy’s expression hardened, tension lining her face.
Christian’s gaze never wavered, as if memorizing every detail of her features. His eyes locked onto hers, his head lowering, his lips reaching for hers—his breaths heavy, desperate.
She turned her head away abruptly, dodging his kiss.