Chapter 21
Nolan had always believed Genesis treated him differently.
She was always the composed, collected class president around everyone else, but only with him would she lose her cool and blush.
That vibrant side of her–he thought it was proof she liked him.
So on graduation day, he worked up the courage to
confess.
But Genesis just looked at him with confusion in her eyes.
“Why?” he asked urgently, his voice trembling. “You don’t like me?“[]
Seventeen–year–old Genesis frowned like she was looking at some strange creature: “No, I don’t. You, these flowers, and your gang of troublemaker friends–I don’t like any of it.”
His first confession had failed, but Nolan wasn’t ready to give up: “What don’t you like about me? Because I confiscated your models? Or do you think I’m ugly?”
Genesis turned to leave but stopped when she saw tears welling up in his eyes.]
She stared into his eyes and spoke each word seriously: “It’s none of that I like gentle people, but you‘
‘re always acting superior, like nobody’s
good enough for you.”
“Don’t take it to heart though. We’re both just kids–when we’re older, we’ll see this was no big deal“||
She thought she was being comforting, but Nolan’s eyes reddened
He sniffled, his voice tearful but unusually firm: “I don’t think this is just playing house. I know what I’m feeling, and this is real. But since you don’t feel the same, I won’t force it.”
“I’ll make you a bet,” he suddenly looked up, his eyes gleaming with stubborn determination
“You’ll never meet anyone better than me in your whole life. If I’m wrong. I never bother you again. But if you admit I’m right, call this number–I won’t change it, and I won’t make fun of you.”
Genesis was so stunned by his declaration that she nodded in a daze: “Okay.”
Nolan figured it would take two months max before she saw what losers the college guys were and came back to hum
But all he got was news that she’d completely disappeared.]
The next time he heard her name, it was on a wedding invitation
On her wedding day, he rented a truck and sent a whole eload of limited edition racing car models, using the Whitaker family name for the first time just to send a message to everyone:]
This bride was under Nolan Whitaker’s protection.
He thought that would be it for the rest of his life–watching from afar
far was enough
Until that day she called him, her voice shaking and tearful through the phone. From just one syllable, he know: someone had hurt her.
“I’m coming to pick you up,” he said.
Caper 21
That night, Nolan investigated everything about Isaiah and Sadie, drafting a detailed plan before dawn.]
He could have just taken her by force, but Genesis said: “He’d never stop coming after me then.”
So he forced himself to be patient and play the long game]
That’s when he learned the Merrick family had deeper roots than he’d imagined.
He pretended to pursue a marriage alliance with Sadie to distract the Merrick family while secretly arranging to help Genesis escape
But he was still too late
When he found Genesis, her legs were severely damaged from the car accident. She could never race again, and she seemed like a hollow shell. her eyes frighteningly empty.
At least he’d pulled her back from the brink of death.]
He took her to the best rehabilitation centers, stayed with her as she got behind the wheel again, watched her slowly find her spark–except that spark never included him.
Three years now, and she’d poured all her energy into training female racers, blind to his advances and dear to his hints.[]
Nolan leaned against his car door in frustration, his cigarette burning down to his fingers and jolting him back to reality
He stubbed out the cigarette and looked up toward the winding road at the training center exit[]
Then he froze completely.
Standing at the far end of the road was a tall man in a simple black T–shirt, looking in his direction.[]
It was Isaiah !]
What the hell was he doing here?
