Chapter 5

Just then, Natalie arrived. Seeing Ryan's intense gaze fixed on me, a flash of jealousy passed through her eyes. She grabbed his hand, her voice turning plaintive as she fell back on the same coquettish tricks she'd always used. "If she wants to leave, just let her be. You don't even like her, anyway. Good riddance to an eyesore." As she spoke, a coy blush spread across her face. She deliberately tilted her neck to show me the red marks there. "I'm already yours. Why won't you look my way? All these years, I've been hoping I'd be the one to marry you…" Before she could finish, Ryan had already yanked her hand away. "Don't say that, Nat. I only see you as a sister." Natalie's face froze, the public rejection leaving her humiliated. "What are you talking about? But we already—" Ryan cut her off without even looking at her, "I said that what happened today was a mistake. I'm sorry. I'll compensate you with any amount you want." Natalie's face turned deathly pale. She clearly hadn't