When Venom Blossoms

In just a few years, with the resources of my family, the Hoffmans grew from a small outfit to a globally recognized brand.

I gave my all to him, sometimes feeling it was never enough.

I never saw it coming. Wren just had to show up, and I was beaten, utterly and completely.

"You want to call it off? Fine! Since Wren's back, I can finally chase after my own slice of happiness! Yara Lawrence, you've only got yourself to blame for this mess!"

…

He tried to intimidate me with his gaze, yet I could not help but laugh.

Did he really think I would still be at his beck and call after everything that has happened?

He was about to storm off when the phone cut through the silence, sharp and demanding.

"Yes, I'm Wren's partner. What's going on now?"

Whatever the voice on the other end said, it knocked the color right out of Trevin's face, sending him stumbling backwards.

"Get the treatment started, the best there is, I'm calling the shots here!"

Once he hung up, his eyes darted to mine, a flicker of guilt betraying him.

"Wren's taken a turn for the worse. She needs this special serum to kick her immune system into gear, and the one you've been waiting on just got here. Give it to her!"

I could not help but scoff, my words deliberate and biting. "Is she even worth it?"

That serum was worth a fortune. It was not something just anyone could buy. It had been reserved for my granddad five years ago, and I had called in more than a few favors to secure it.

Did he expect me to just hand it over on his say-so? The nerve of this guy!

Trevin went pale, but then an icy laugh escaped him.

"Yara, isn't all this just your way of trying to trap me into marrying you? Alright, I'll bite. Once Wren's better, we'll have our wedding. Happy now? Just give up the serum."

He acted like he was doing me a huge favor, barely hiding his annoyance.

When I did not budge, Trevin spat out his next words with venom.

"If not, you can go ahead and have the wedding by yourself tomorrow! Imagine that, no groom, and the Lawrence family being the talk of the town!"

I stared into his eyes, wild with a kind of do-or-die craziness, and could not help but snort at the absurdity.

Turn the Lawrences into the town's joke?

As if he had the right!

I spun on my heel to leave when my assistant's message buzzed in with urgency.

Trevin had gone behind my back, using my name to send a concoction to Wren, and then it was in transit, pending my sign-off.

Trevin raced to me, his grip tight on my arm.

"Please, just sign it. Wren can't wait. Can't you just do this for me? It's already on its way. Wren will be grateful that you saved her. And your stubborn old man, it wouldn't make a difference to him with or without the serum…"

I cut him off with a slap that sent him reeling. His hand flew to his cheek, his eyes wide with shock.

"You hit me? Yara! You…"

I tuned out his swearing and floored it to the hospital.

My phone was relentless, ringing off the hook. I was about to shut it down when a new call stopped me cold.

I took a deep breath to steady myself.

Picking up, I was greeted by Edward Graham's taunting tone.

"Ms. Lawrence, are you sure about the wedding tomorrow?"

I let out a weary sigh. "I'm not one to flip-flop on something as serious as marriage."

"Really?" He tutted softly. "Seems to me you've been flip-flopping for years when it comes to men."

I massaged my temples at a red light, my voice steady.

"When it counts, I've always kept my head in the game. Plus, I need the Grahams' medical expertise, and you need new markets. Marrying into each other's families is just smart business."

After a brief silence, Edward's voice took on a more serious tone as he spoke.

"I have no intention of marrying you. Imagine the mess when that guy starts bawling, and you rush to his side. Splitting the companies would be a nightmare."