Chapter 9
Ben stood motionless, eyes fixed on the departing plane as it climbed higher and higher until it vanished from sight.
His knuckles turned white from how tightly he clenched his fists.
But he hadn’t forgotten Summer’s final instruction.
He erased every trace of their route–cleared security logs, wiped surveillance, deleted communications. Nothing was left behind.
Then, he tossed Summer’s phone out the window. It hit the pavement and was crushed beneath the wheels.
Back at the villa, Wilder sat with Grace resting her head on his lap, feeling strangely unsettled.
She noticed his discomfort and tried to ease it with a massage.
He brushed her off, annoyed, and stepped onto the balcony with his phone.
He’d assumed Summer hadn’t called because his battery died.
But when he unlocked the screen and saw it was fully charged, his heart sank.
He stared at the frame, thumb brushing its edges.
He didn’t get it. He really thought he was doing what was best for her.
This wasn’t like back home. Being impulsive here could get someone killed.
Just because he was there now didn’t mean he’d always be there.
If he died first–who would protect a firecracker like her?
She didn’t understand. She was too stubborn.
The more he thought about it, the more infuriated he became. He wasn’t sure if he was angry at her silence or at her ingratitude.
Suddenly, soft hands crept around his waist and started sliding lower.
Grace knew exactly what to do. She found the right spot, the tension beneath his clothes already rising.
As he started to react, she smiled.
But then he grabbed her hand and pulled her upright.
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“We’ve done it too often these past few days. It’s not safe for the baby.”
Grace pouted, nestling into his chest.
“So what’s more important? Me or the baby?”
Wilder sighed, “You are.”
She smiled slyly. “What about me… or Summer?”
Silence fell like ice.
Grace’s heart stuttered as she glanced up at him-
Only to see the frost in his eyes. Cold. Distant. Piercing.
She had crossed the line.
Lowering her gaze, she quickly wiped the jealousy from her face and leaned into him like nothing had happened.
“I’m sorry, I won’t joke about that again,” she murmured. “Don’t be mad, you’re scaring me… and the baby.”
Wilder’s gaze sharpened.
His tone was low, clipped.
“Grace Caldwell. Don’t forget what I told you before. No one will ever replace Summer in my heart. You have everything you wanted. But don’t forget what I want.
His words made her tremble.
Forget? How could she?
But she didn’t believe it. Not really.
He was addicted to her body. Obsessed. There was no way Summer mattered more.
Summer just had a few more years of history, that’s all.
Once she gave birth, both his body and heart would belong to her completely.
With that in mind, Grace slipped her leg between his and pressed in closer.
She saw his eyes begin to darken, and pushed a little further-
Wilder scooped her up and headed for the stairs.
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Just then, someone knocked at the front door.
“Boss? There’s a package at the gate. Is it yours?”
Chapter 9
