No Return After Goodbye

I was dragged into the restroom like dead weight, my whole body reeking of urine.

Alanna let out a cold laugh beside me, then tilted my chin up with a mocking look.

"Every time I see your face, it makes me want to throw up."

I glared at her, but the next second, her hand cracked across my face. The sting burned hot, my cheek instantly flushing red.

She leaned in closer, voice low and cruel.

"What do you think would happen if Brandon walked in and saw you messing around with other men in here? Do you think he'd feel disgusted every time he saw your face after that?"

Fear shot through me. Looking at the expression on her face, I knew she meant every word.

I collapsed to the floor, my voice breaking as I begged, "I'm already engaged to the eldest son of the Elledges. I don't love Brandon anymore."

She ignored me completely, her smile bright as she gestured behind her. Two large men stepped forward.

"Only if you're truly ruined will Brandon finally give up on you. Oh, and I forgot to tell you… I was never terminally ill. When you rushed over to see Brandon's so-called body, I had someone give you a little push. Otherwise, maybe your baby would've been born after all."

She turned and walked out, shutting the door behind her. Her laughter echoed harshly through the restroom.

My body shook uncontrollably as I begged again and again.

The two men didn't care. They just laughed.

"Nice figure," one of them said. "Wonder how it feels."

His hand reached toward me, and a wave of humiliation crashed over me.

I forced myself to stay conscious and focused.

Behind me, I spotted a mop. I grabbed it with everything I had, gripping it tight.

Dwayne had said he would come pick me up after the meeting.

If I timed it right, he had to be nearby.

Tears mixed with sweat as they slid down my face. I used all my strength to slam the mop against the restroom door, again and again.

The men's expressions changed instantly. They rushed forward and slammed me to the ground.

My abdomen was already injured. The impact knocked the air out of me, and I couldn't stand back up.

One of them spat at me, grinning. "Damn, you almost pulled one over on us."

"Don't worry. We'll take our time with you."

My throat tightened. Even as blood rose in my mouth, I didn't stop struggling.

They didn't care. One of them clamped a hand over my mouth while the other yanked at my clothes.

"Still got some fight in you. Let's see how long that lasts."

Despair swallowed everything. The light in my eyes started to fade.

Just as they were about to strip off the last piece of my clothing, the door burst open with a deafening crash.

"Jocelyn!"

Dwayne's expression was something I had never seen before. He kicked the man in front of me to the ground, his eyes cold enough to tear them apart.

"Who did this? Who the hell thought they could touch her?!"

His bodyguards moved fast, pinning both men down in seconds.

Dwayne grabbed the mop handle and brought it down on them again and again, not stopping even when they were already a bloody mess.

Only after venting his rage did he finally stop. His whole demeanor shifted as he pulled me gently into his arms.

"I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have let you go through this today."

A tear slipped from my eye.

Just then, Alanna's voice came from the doorway. "Brandon! Jocelyn was just in here with two men! I tried to stop her, but I couldn't!"

Brandon rushed in immediately. The moment he saw Dwayne holding me, his jaw tightened.

"Wh-what did you do with Jocelyn…"

Before he could finish, Dwayne's fist slammed into his face. "So these animals were sent by you?"

Brandon staggered, stunned from the blow. "Who the hell are you? Why are you holding my wife?"

Dwayne's gaze turned icy. He glanced at the investment proposal in Brandon's hand and let out a faint, mocking chuckle.

"Mr. Adkins. You want my investment, and this is how you treat my fiancée?"