Chapter 3

I knew my dad had always been Langston's personal bodyguard.

In the end, he gave his life for Langston.

Everyone in Harbor City knew about it.

They all said my dad was loyal to the core.

People would show me respect just because I was his daughter.

Ethan had never told anyone about my background before.

So... was he backing me up now?

Suddenly, I felt a little happy and couldn't help but smile.

"Ethan..." I said, my voice soft and hopeful.

"Alright, Kaylee, we've got things to do. You should head back," he said, brushing me off like it was nothing.

It sent me crashing right back down.

I just stood there, stunned, as Ethan gave Melissa another gentle smile.

Without thinking, I nodded. "Oh... okay."

Before I could even finish, the big, bright ceiling light above Melissa suddenly started shaking.

Dust began to drift down from it.

It was about to fall.

Without a second thought, I dashed forward.

"Ethan, look out!" I yelled.

My fingertips were just about to brush his arm when Ethan sensed the danger too.

He whirled around and shielded Melissa in his arms, holding her protectively.

But his arm shoved me aside, knocking me off balance and sending me stumbling away.

The massive light fixture came crashing down.

It slammed right onto Ethan's back.

There was a loud bang.

Ethan grimaced, his brows furrowed in pain, and his face turned pale.

But his eyes were fixed on Melissa in his arms, worry written all over his face. "Mel, are you okay?"

The hallway was suddenly filled with noise.

Everyone crowded around.

I silently got to my feet and made my way out, step by step.

A tear quietly slid down my cheek.

Dad always told me I should protect Ethan.

But... he didn't need me to protect him anymore.

Now, he was the one protecting Melissa.

*****

"Hey, Kaylee, sweetie," someone called out teasingly.

I turned around, surprised.

There was a black sedan parked by the curb.

Someone leaned out, showing half a smiling face.

"Been wandering by the river all night, huh? Aren't you tired?" he asked.

I looked at him, not really getting what he meant.

Who was this guy?

Wait, how did he know I had been out all night?

Was he following me the whole time?

Before I could even react, a man in a suit got out of the car, gently lifted the guy who'd just called out to me, and helped him into a wheelchair.

He slowly wheeled him over to me.

I bit my lip.

So it was him, Ryan Powell.

I'd heard Ethan mention him before.

He used to be one of those privileged heirs from the city's elite circles.

But a few years back, a car accident put him in a wheelchair.

He got booted from the running for family heir by his own brothers.

So he moved to Harbor City to get away from it all.

I'd only ever seen his photos before.

Now that I was seeing him in person, he wasn't nearly as pale and frail as the rumors made him out to be.

His hair was a shade lighter than Ethan's.

It was kind of fluffy, like a squirrel's fur, and it would ruffle a little whenever the wind blew.

He was wearing a simple black shirt, the top two buttons undone like he didn't care.

That metal pendant around his neck looked oddly familiar, like I'd seen it somewhere before.

The way his chest showed through the open collar... honestly, he looked even stronger than Ethan.

I quickly lowered my head.

And then he spoke up, "Hey, cutie, Ethan promised to marry you, but you're already twenty and he still hasn't made good on that.

"Plus, he can't seem to stay away from other women. Getting all heartbroken over a guy like him just isn't worth it.

"How about you think about finding yourself a new fiancé?"

I blinked in confusion. "What... what do you mean?"

Ryan gave me a subtle, almost imperceptible smile.

Then he pointed at himself. "Look at me. Not exactly husband material, am I? Not many girls would want to marry a guy like this, but I can't just let my marriage plans hang forever.

"And honestly, Ethan's not worth waiting around for. So, how about we give it a try and get married?"

Before he could finish, I bolted, running off as fast as I could.

My face turned as red as a beet.

How could this guy be so shameless?

I didn't even know him, and he was already talking about us getting married.

Was this guy nuts?

I kept my head down and ran all the way back to the entrance of my apartment complex.

Suddenly, someone stepped right in front of me, blocking my way.

"Kaylee, where have you been? I've been calling you!"