My face drained of color.

Ryder whispered "Think Bran will believe you're loyal?"

"Gag me if you don't want a sound."

I froze.

Then, he opened his mouth, ready to expose us.

Panicked, I yanked him down.

He buried his head in my neck leaving stinging marks.

Just then, Bran's voice boomed, "Baby?" as he turned the handle, my heart thundered.

Huddled in the corner, I clung to Ryder, praying for a miracle.

"I'm here," I croaked.

Bran's voice filtered through the door once again, laced with a tinge of suspicion.

"Why's it taking so long?"

"I think I left my special werewolf - protection charm at the car. Could you go get it for me? It's really important."

Bran was silent for a moment.

"Alright, stay put. I'll be right back."

I let out a sigh of relief, knowing that I had bought myself some time, but also dreading what would happen next with Ryder still in the room.

As soon as Bran left, I summoned all my strength and shoved Ryder away .

"You're really going to stay loyal to him?" he asked.

Then, before I could respond, as if consumed by a fit of jealousy, he blurted out impulsively, "You're not a virgin anymore. What's there to be so protective about?"

"I've had four or five relationships after you, and I treated them all the same."

Ryder's face darkened.

"Leave now. I don't owe you anything. Cut out this crazy act. You say you love me? If you hadn't seen me suddenly, you wouldn't even remember who I am."

Ryder's expression was terrifyingly gloomy.

Ryder suddenly lunged at me wordlessly, tearing at my skirt like a madman.

I clung to his wrists, my nails almost digging into his skin. "Ryder, don't..."

Ryder showed no mercy.

"Ryder!" I was on the verge of tears.

But Ryder was in a frenzy, completely ignoring me.

"Isabelle....." Ryder looked at me, my face as pale as if all the blood had been drained from my body. For a moment, he seemed to be transported back five years.

Back then, he had held me just like this, filled with heart - wrenching tenderness. But now, everything had changed.

Suddenly, Ryder swept me off my feet.

I drove my elbow backwards with all my might.

He winced in pain and loosened his grip, and I stumbled back into the corner.

Just then, a clear voice of a waiter came from outside the restroom.

"Lady, are you okay in there?"

I crouched in the corner, breathing heavily "I'm here..."

The waiter seemed to sense something was wrong. "Are you safe out there. Could you open the door?"

Leaning against the wall, my legs weak, I forced myself to stand up and tried to calm down.

After a few seconds, I reached out to unlock the door.

The door opened slowly, just a crack.

The waiter saw my disheveled hair and terrified eyes, and his face was filled with worry. "Do you need any help? Is someone bullying you?"

"Thank you, I'm fine. Could you get me a glass of hot water?"

"Sure. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call." The waiter left reluctantly, looking back at me several times.

Suddenly, just as the waiter turned the corner of the corridor, he was stopped by Bran .

The waiter told Bran that I looked extremely flustered and was in a very strange state. Upon hearing this, Bran immediately strode quickly in this direction.

At that very moment, Ryder also stepped out of the VIP room.

The two men faced each other on a narrow path, and their eyes met instantly.

Bran sized Ryder up with a wary look in his eyes and said coldly, "What are you doing here? "

A mocking smile curled up on Ryder's lips. "You're meddling too much, aren't you? Do you really think you can control everything about her?"

Bran's face darkened, and he was about to flare up when my voice came from behind. "Bran."

Bran immediately turned around and walked quickly to my side.

Seeing my disheveled state, his heart ached. "What happened to you? Did he bully you?"

I leaned into Bran's arms, my eyes welling up with tears. "I'm okay, just a little scared."

Bran gently patted my back to soothe me, then turned to look at Ryder, his eyes full of warnings. "Stay away from her, or don't blame me for being ruthless."

Ryder let out a cold laugh. "Ruthless? What can you do? "

Ryder's gaze, sharp as that of a hawk, locked onto me firmly.

I forced myself to stay calm.

Before I could open my mouth , Bran, like a protective bull guarding its calf, swiftly stepped to the side and blocked me with his body.

"Stay the hell away from her. You've caused enough trouble already."

Bran gritted teeth. "Once you finish your drink, get the hell out of here. You're not welcome."

Ryder, however, seemed completely unfazed by Bran's fury.

"Oh, come on. I'm not here to cause trouble for you. I just want to get to know your lovely girlfriend better."

With Ryder's blatant teasing, Bran was merely laughing it off.

Back into the private box,

I sat down closely beside Bran, his warm hand clasping mine tightly, as if he was afraid I'd slip away. He turned his head and chatted and laughed heartily with Ryder on his left.

The room was filled with a thick cloud of smoke, and the laughter of the men echoed continuously.

As soon as the waiter left, Ryder suddenly turned his head, his eyes locking onto me.

"Don't sleep with Bran."

"I could sleep with stray dog on the street, and it's none of your business!"

"I know you're still mad at me for leaving without a word. Fine, I'll take your anger. I can even accept that you're with others as a way to vent. But you need to understand, have your fun, but don't get too involved. "

Just as I was about to fire back, Ryder whirled around.

He towered over me. "Six days. Break up with Bran, or I will tell him everything our past."

"Are you out of your mind?"

"I'm giving you a chance. Take it."

Earlier, I'd thought about seducing Bran and confessing my past with Ryder.

Bran, sensing my fear, gripped my hand tightly. "Leave her alone, Ryder."

Ryder sneered. "This isn't over."

Ryder's eyes remained fixed on me as he lit a cigarette.

The sudden flash of the lighter revealed vivid red scratch marks on his hand, and my heart skipped a beat, guilt overwhelming me. I couldn't fathom if he was subtly warning me.

I instinctively tugged at Bran's arm. "I'm really not feeling myself. Can we leave now?"

Bran arranged for a ride, and soon I was home.

Still in my coat, I quickly messaged Bran I was okay, then collapsed on the bed.

After Ryder vanished, our family's world crumbled.

My father had a car accident and passed away.

My brother, framed, languished in prison.

In my darkest moments, I'd think of the money Ryder offered, but self-loathing would quickly follow. I'd given him my all for five years-no thoughts of wealth or status, just pure, unadulterated love.

I'd awaited Bran's call, but it was Ryder's voice that broke the late-night silence.

Sitting in the pitch-black, smoke-hazed living room, I begged, "Ryder, please. Just let me be. Act like I never existed."

Ryder's voice slurred lazily, reeking of alcohol. "I thought I'd just scare you off, but seeing you with Bran? It pissed me off."

"Then leave. If you can't stand it, get lost."

"Ditch Bran. I can give you way more than he ever could."

Silence hung heavy on the line, broken only by my stifled sobs.

"Why are you crying? You don't love Bran," he murmured.

"I want to marry him. If you want me to break up with him, will you marry me?"

"Bran won't marry you either."

That "either" stung.

"Bran will wed an Alpha's daughter or a rich heir. You don't fit his family's mold."

"I'm happy with Bran. He's good to me. Don't push me, Ryder."

Ryder insisted, "With me, Bran won't touch you."

I let out a harsh, bitter laugh. "Another five years then dump me? With Bran, I'm his only. He will never dump me no matter how many years I'm with him"

"At least with you, I never touched another."He said.

I froze, mute.

"Sleep. Bran won't come." Then he hung up, leaving me fuming.

All night, I tossed, sleepless.

I messaged Bran, no reply.

I called before dawn, no answer.

Had Ryder said something?

Finally, at almost one in the afternoon, Bran called, his voice hoarse. "Baby, drank too much, missed your calls."

"I'm okay, just worried."

He drawled, "Scared I was cheating?"

"Would you?"

He groaned, "You tease me, never let me have you. It's torture."

"Just a few more days."

Bran's eagerness seeped through the phone. "How many?"

"Five or six," I whispered.

His longing was thick as he purred, "Call me 'daddy', baby."

I refused.

After his endless coaxing, I said, "Boyfriend's one thing. 'Daddy's' different. We're not married."

Bran didn't miss a beat. "It's inevitable. Who else would you marry?"

Half an hour of chatter later, he asked, "Not going to Vegas?"

"No, you go," I said.

"Not for fun. Business. I'd stay if I could," he explained.

"I'm fine. You have work. " I soothed.

"Wait for me. I'll bring a gift," he promised.

"Don't waste money," I protested.

"Spoiling you is my pleasure," he retorted.

That afternoon, Bran picked me up. His trunk overflowed with luxury bags.

Parting, he kissed me, reluctant. "Take care. Wait for me."

After he left, I blushed and rushed inside. In my room, I opened the gift box.

A dazzling diamond necklace sparkled, each stone worth a fortune.

Ryder said Bran wouldn't marry me. I knew. I needed his power to save my brother Alex.