Chapter 4
Evan ignored Megan completely. He only looked down at Joselyn and said softly, “Wait for me in the car. I’ll take care of this and be right there.”
Joselyn didn’t say a word. She let him help her up and walked toward the door.
Her mind was blank, and her ears were ringing. It wasn’t until she sat inside the car that her thoughts slowly started to clear.
Not long after, Evan’s friends came out first. One of them knocked on the car window.
“Don’t take it the wrong way, Joselyn. This whole engagement thing is Evan’s family’s arrangement. He didn’t tell you because he wanted to handle it himself. He didn’t expect Megan to pull a stunt like this. Evan’s crazy about you. There’s no way he’d be with anyone else.”
Crazy about her?
Joselyn found it laughable, yet she kept her gaze lowered, her face devoid of any expression. She simply sat there in silence, like a lifeless statue.
A few moments later, Evan stepped out of the cafe. Megan was sobbing as she ran off, looking downright pathetic.
Evan dismissed his friends, then got into the car. He carefully tended to Joselyn’s wounds with a look of quiet concern.
His touch was so light, it was as if he feared she might break. His voice was low as he said, “The marriage alliance was arranged by my family. I’m not going to marry her. I’ll explain to my family soon. Don’t overthink it.”
Joselyn said nothing. She just kept staring straight ahead. “I get it. Let’s go, Evan.”
Evan looked at her, wanting to say more, but in the end, he just started the car. The silence inside the vehicle was suffocating. Joselyn closed her eyes, her thoughts a tangled mess.
Suddenly, the sharp screech of tires filled the air. Joselyn’s eyes flew open, just in time to see a truck barreling straight toward them.
Her pupils constricted in shock. Before she could react, Evan lunged toward her and wrapped her tightly in his arms.
With a loud bang, her world spun. Joselyn lost consciousness and collapsed into a pool of blood.
…
When she woke up again, she was lying in a hospital bed. The harsh white lights above made her eyes sting.
Evan sat beside her. His face was pale, but his eyes were filled with overwhelming relief. “Josie, you’re finally awake. You scared the hell out of me.”
When Joselyn parted her lips, her voice came out hoarse and weak. “Are you hurt?”
Evan ruffled her hair and replied casually, “It’s nothing serious. Just a broken bone. I should’ve protected you better.” After saying that, he got up. “Stay put. I’ll get the doctor.”
The moment he stepped out, her phone buzzed.
She glanced at the screen and saw a video from Megan.
The footage showed the very scene from the cafe not long ago. Inside, Evan’s friends were talking animatedly.
“Ms. Barr, how many times do we have to tell you? Evan’s whole relationship with Joselyn was planned from the start. He’s just pretending to love her to mess with her brother.
“Now that your families have agreed on a marriage alliance, obviously, he’ll be marrying you. When has Evan ever backed out of a deal in business? Please don’t ruin his plan.”
Megan turned to Evan and asked in a shaky voice, “Is it true, Evan? You really don’t like Joselyn? Is it all just revenge?”
One of the guys quickly chimed in, saying, “Of course! Do you think Evan would actually fall for the sister of his sworn rival? That’s not his style at all. If he actually falls for her, it won’t be Evan humiliating Jarrett. It’ll be Jarrett crushing Evan under his boot. Damn, I can’t even begin to imagine that scene.”
“I just want to hear from Evan!” Megan’s eyes were red as she stared at Evan. “Tell me, Evan.”
Evan’s expression was complicated as he kept his gaze fixed on his car, where Joselyn sat.
After a long pause, he finally gave a nod.
Megan collapsed into his arms, sobbing. “I still feel so insecure. We’re about to get married, yet you’re still putting on a show with another woman. How about this?
“When you’re driving later, fake a brake failure. Turn the wheel toward the passenger side and make sure Joselyn gets into an accident. Do that, and I’ll believe you. Okay?”
Evan was quiet for a long time. Then, in a low voice, he replied, “Okay.”
The video was cut off there.
