The Wedding That Never Was Chapter 18

[Ilara’s POV]

Two years later.

The morning frost still clung to the wings of the plane as we touched down at LAX. I struggled with my suitcase, trying to heave it down the steps.

Suddenly, a hand reached out from behind me and gripped the handle effortlessly. I turned back and flashed a bright smile at Leo Vance.

Leo smiled back.

He wore a long black trench coat that made his tall frame look dignified and imposing.

I stared at him for a moment, dazed.

As if he could read my mind, his smile widened, revealing his canines.

"What? Mesmerized by me? I told you ages ago you should just be with me..."

Hearing him start on that same old tune, I hurriedly turned and ran down the ramp to escape the conversation.

But I forgot I was wearing heels.

Leo tried to warn me, but the luggage slowed him down. He moved to drop it and catch me—

But he was a split second too late. I slipped violently. My heart lurched.

Luckily, someone caught me. I was about to step forward to thank the stranger, but then I froze.

The man holding me was frozen too.

Leo rushed over, sensing something wrong, and pulled us apart.

Sure enough. It was him. The ghost I thought I’d left behind. Adrian Hayes.

Leo suppressed his annoyance, grabbing my wrist to pull me back to his side. But for some reason, I couldn't move.

I looked down. An arm was wrapped tightly around my waist.

Adrian looked like he’d seen a ghost. He probably didn't expect it to actually be me.

He had just gotten off a plane, seen a profile that looked like mine, and followed like a lost soul, assuming I was just another hallucination he was willing to indulge in.

Now, even hallucinations were a luxury for him.

I looked at him.

Two years of decadence hadn't completely crushed this man, but he looked different. There was a cold, sinister aura about him now. When he looked at people, it felt chilly.

Yet, facing me, he forced a stiff smile onto a face so pale it didn't look alive.

Compared to the high-spirited Leo behind me, Adrian looked aged and weathered.

Even in this heat, he wore long sleeves, likely hiding the scars on his wrists I caught a glimpse of.

I shook my head, tossing any thoughts of concern out of my mind.

In the past, seeing him like this would have broken my heart. Now, I only felt annoyed at my arm being gripped so tightly.

I noticed he was hiding his right hand. I thought for a moment and said, "If you want to talk, let's go outside. It's not convenient here."

"We have other things to do," I added.

"That's right, Mr. Hayes. Holding onto someone else's girlfriend isn't appropriate, is it?"

Leo forcibly pulled him off me, shielding me with his body. He turned back and smiled at me. "You okay?"

I shook my head quickly.

Adrian watched our interaction, his eyes stinging.

If this was a dream where I visited him again, it had turned into a nightmare.

He followed us without leaving a step.

I walked ahead to find an open space. When I turned around, both of them were close behind me. Leo was holding my suitcase.

I looked at Adrian first. The glance seemed to make him nervous.

"Sorry," I said, my voice calm. "I was abroad, so I didn't get a chance to wish you a happy marriage."

As soon as I spoke, I brought up the past he was desperately trying to escape.