Chapter 38

Liam felt the sting burning against his cheek. Kayla threw open the car door and stepped out without a second glance.

He tightened his jaw. "You sure about this?"

Kayla shot him a glare, her voice cold. "Just get lost."

Fuming, Liam slammed the gas pedal and sped off, tires screeching.

Left alone by the roadside, Kayla suddenly doubled over as a sharp pain stabbed her stomnach. She crouched down, clutching her abdomen, breath shallow with agony.

In the rearview mirror, Liam caught a glimpse of her pained expression. He scoffed, assuming it was a ploy to guilt-trip him. His anger flared."Kayla, quit trying to get under my skin," he muttered,pressing harder on the gas.

From the back seat, Tricia watched the drama with a smirk. Once they were far enough away, she chimed in,"This is in the middle of nowhere. Forecast says a big storm's rolling in. You sure it's okay to leave Kayla out there by herself?"

Liam didn't answer.

The car disappeared around a bend.

A flash of lightning lit up the sky, followed by a deafening boom of thunder. Then the rain came, torrential and unrelenting.

Kayla stood soaked and shivering on the empty road, with no shelter in sight.

A few cars zipped past, none slowing down.

In that moment, whatever lingering affection she'd had for Liam vanished. Then, headlights pierced the downpour, blinding her. She raised her hand to shield her eyes.

A sleek car pulled up beside her. The window rolled down.

Through the downpour, she saw a strikingly handsome man, his features sharp even in the dim light.

"Get in," Jeremy said coolly from the back seat.

The rain was falling too hard for hesitation. Kayla climbed in without a word.

Warm air from the car's heater wrapped around her like a blanket, melting the chill in her bones.

From the passenger seat, Edwin turned and handed her a towel. "Please, dry off."

"Thanks," Kayla replied, dabbing her wet hair carefully, not wanting to drip on the upholstery.

Jeremy sat silently beside her, his presence intense and charged with something unspoken.

After a moment, Kayla spoke softly. "Thank you for letting me in."

Jeremy looked over at her. "Liam really left you out there?"

Kayla nodded and turned to the window. The road they were on led straight to the Cooper family's estate.Jeremy must've just dropped Zoe off; or he wouldn't have been passing through.

"Can you drop me at the next intersection? I'll wait out the rain and call an Uber," she said.

Jeremy didn't respond. When she glanced at him, his eyes were closed-either resting or asleep.

Edwin's phone buzzed. He took the call, then turned to Jeremy."Sir, there's been a landslide ahead. The road's blocked. We'll need to wait it out."

Jeremy opened his eyes, unfazed. "Find a hotęl nearby. We'll stay the night and head back once the road's clear."

"Understood."

They pulled into a nearby hotel, where Edwin went inside to check in. He returned a few minutes later with a keycard.′′MrA.Graham, your room's ready, but..."

"But what?" Jeremy asked, raising an eyebrow.

Edwin looked at Kayla with a hint of regret. "The road closure brought a crowd. All other rooms are taken.I couldn't get one for Kayla."

Kayla shrugged. "It's fine. I'll call an Uber and take a different route."

Jeremy interjected, "No one's coming out in this weather. Unless you're planning on hiking, that's not happening."

Kayla fell silent. Walking wasn't an option. But staying?

"There's space in my room," Jeremy said, already moving toward the elevator.

Kayla froze.His room?

Edwin smirked as he leaned toward her. "Most people would kill for a chance to bunk with Mr. Graham.Count yourself lucky."

Kayla's stomach twisted. Sharing a room with Jeremy? That felt dangerous.

She followed them hesitantly. But when they entered a two-bedroom suite, she exhaled in quiet relief.

Discreetly, she wiped sweat from her brow.

Jeremy turned to her, voice smooth and teasing."You look nervous. What, thought I'd make you share a bed?"