Gillian's whole body tensed as she tried to squeeze her legs shut. "What are you even doing in here? This isn't your place. The real doctor is supposed to show up any minute. How dare you!"

"And why wouldn't I dare?" Luke smirked, easily catching her wrist and letting his touch linger in her private part, only making her more anxious.

It turned out, Gillian's attempt at privacy had backfired. She had no idea the hospital belonged to Luke.

The moment she booked her surgery, he got the news straight from his staff.

Leaning closer, Luke's eyes glinted with mischief. "So, Dr. Brown, are you satisfied with my examination? Should I keep going?"

A wave of dread washed over Gillian, making her skin crawl.

"Just let me go." She fought to keep her voice from cracking. "I don't want this. Not here. Don't lay a finger on me!"

"Oh, you want a change of scenery?" Luke only grinned wider, tightening his hold on her waist before leaning in, his breath hot against her ear. "Tell me where and I'll take you there myself."

Fear and embarrassment left her shaking as she struggled to pull free, but she didn't dare to make too much noise and attract attention.

Suddenly, her phone vibrated.

As Ashton's name flashed on the screen, Gillian froze. Before she could react, Luke grabbed the phone and answered the call.

Ashton's voice crackled through the phone, sounding confused. "What took you so long to pick up? You're supposed to be at the hospital, right? Why are you off the clock?"

Caught off guard, Gillian stared at Luke, who wore a smug look that made her nerves fray.

He kept his hand moving over her skin, each touch making it harder for her to breathe, her heart thumping wildly.

Leaning in, Luke let out a low, taunting whisper. "So, he's never touched you? Why don't we give him a reason to wonder what he's missing?"

Gillian's pulse hammered in her ears.

Just the thought of Ashton finding out about what happened yesterday made her panic. If things spiraled out of control, she knew she'd lose her engagement—and the only person who might help her with her family business.

Desperate to keep things together, she forced out a response, voice trembling. "I, uh, I've got some errands... That's all."

She tried to steady her breathing. "Why all the questions, Ashton?"

Ashton's confusion deepened. "My grandfather's getting checked up at your hospital today, so I thought I'd stop by to see you. Is something wrong? You sound different."

Blood rushed in her ears as Gillian searched for a believable excuse.

Without warning, Luke's fingers pressed harder, sending a jolt of sensation through her. She couldn't stop a strangled moan from slipping out.

The line went silent before Ashton's tone turned ice cold. "Gillian, who's with you right now?"

Gillian recoiled from Luke's smug grin, snatching her phone and shrinking into the farthest corner she could find.

"I tripped and dropped my phone, that's all. Earlier, I was just talking business with some of my dad's old friends," she blurted out, scrambling for any excuse.

Trying to change the subject before Ashton could pry further, she quickly switched to a softer tone. "No one was willing to invest, Ashton. I was hoping maybe you—"

Keeping one wary eye on Luke, she pressed her palm over the receiver, ready to stop him from causing any more trouble.

Ashton, still suspicious, felt something was amiss. But the moment Gillian mentioned investments, his patience wore thin.

"I've already told you, things like this take time. I don't want to talk about it right now," he said with a hint of annoyance. "If you're not actually working today, let's catch up another time. I need to stick with my grandfather for his check-up. I'll talk to you later."

The call ended abruptly. For a moment, Gillian just stood there, barely able to breathe as relief swept over her.

Luke didn't move, his smirk never fading. "All that panic—admit it, the danger is half the fun."

Gillian's grip on the phone tightened, knuckles white. "You're twisted, Luke! No one in their right mind would want their reputation ruined with such a reckless move!"

"I don't have much of a reputation left," said Luke, edging closer with laughter dancing in his eyes. "And I wouldn't mind dragging you down right along with me."

Gillian realized then that Luke was truly unhinged.

She tasted blood from biting her lip, backing away until the cold wall stopped her escape. Fear knotted in her stomach as Luke closed the distance.

His hand was inches from her chin when, out in the hallway, a nervous voice interrupted.

A timid voice called from outside the room, "Mr. Moore, your colleagues are getting ready to leave. Are you done talking with your friend?"

Luke hesitated, and then pulled off his gloves with an indifferent look. "Give me a second," he replied.

He tossed his lab coat onto the edge of the bed, turning to Gillian with a cold glint in his eyes. "If I ever find out you've let Ashton touch you, don't blame me for what comes next. It'd be smart for you to keep your distance and stay on my good side. Don't push me, Gillian."

With that, he strode out, and the oppressive tension in the air finally broke.

The moment he left, Gillian rushed to fix her clothes and slipped out of the exam room before anyone else could show up.

Once she got outside, she hurried to her car and drove straight back to work. No matter how hard she tried to relax, a strange ache in her legs made it impossible to focus. All afternoon, her mind spun with worry.

How much longer could she keep getting tangled up with Luke? Who knew what else he might try to pull?

Her thoughts were still a mess when a knock sounded at her door. A nurse peeked in to tell her that the hospital director wanted to see her.

After climbing the stairs to the director's office, Gillian learned that the hospital was about to host a joint seminar with a team in Khoyver, and she had been chosen to represent her department.

She agreed without hesitation.

The idea of putting some distance between herself and Luke sounded like the best news she had heard all day. She even wondered if she could have the procedure done in Khoyver, somewhere far from his reach.

Since the seminar was set for the next afternoon, Gillian wasted no time booking a flight and rushed home to pack her bags.

Halfway to the airport, her phone rang. It was her closest friend, Nina Foster.

Gillian answered with a puzzled frown, saying, "Nina? Is something wrong?"

"Gillian, where are you?" Nina's words tumbled out in a panic. "I just saw Ashton at a jewelry store with another woman! He spent over five million on a necklace for her, and they looked just like a couple!"

Shock drained all the color from Gillian's face. It was one thing for Ashton to lose interest in her, but stepping out with someone else before they had even called off the engagement? That was something she never expected.

"I'm... I'm at the airport. I'm about to board my flight," she said, her voice tight with nerves. "Maybe it's all a mix-up? I'll talk to him."

Once the call ended, she tried dialing Ashton, hoping for an explanation. He didn't answer.

Her chest tightened. He used to answer on the first ring, no matter how busy he was. What had changed so suddenly?

She stared at her phone, waiting, until his name finally flashed on the screen.

"Sorry, I ended the call by mistake earlier. What is it?" Ashton's voice was short, clipped, and carried an edge of annoyance. "I'm swamped with work right now. If this isn't important, I'll get back to you later."

The background was silent, nothing but his breath on the line. It seemed that he was really working. Maybe Nina had gotten the wrong idea, or seen someone who only looked like him.

Trying to sound steady, Gillian forced a little smile into her tone. "It's nothing. I just wanted you to know I'm flying out to Khoyver for a conference."

She added quietly, "You should focus on your work."

Gillian was about to end the call when a high, sweet voice floated through the phone. "Ashton, who's on the phone with you, baby?"

Before she could react, the call cut off. Gillian's hand went stiff around her phone.

That voice was unmistakable. It sounded just like Meagan Brown—her father's adopted daughter.

Meagan was supposed to be at school. Why was she with Ashton?

Gillian stared at her darkened phone, heart plummeting, unable to make sense of any of it.

The taxi rolled up to the terminal, and Gillian, nerves on edge, made her way through check-in and settled into the first-class lounge. Her phone hovered in her hand, the chat with Ashton still open, but every possible message she thought of died before she could type it.

Should she just ask outright if he was with Meagan? Demand the truth about that necklace, or if he'd really betrayed her?

Despite knowing he no longer had feelings for her, Gillian felt her courage fail her.

She sank into the plush lounge chair, lost in thought. Without warning, the door opened.

Gillian barely glanced up, assuming it was just another traveler, but the scent of tobacco and amber reached her before the footsteps stopped behind her.

"Well, what a scene. Am I interrupting your romantic texting session with your fiancé?" said a low, playful voice as a hand began to caress the back of her neck.

The second Gillian felt that touch, every muscle in her body went rigid.

She twisted around and found herself staring up at Luke's smirk, a chill sliding down her spine. How did he keep appearing out of nowhere?

The answer was right in front of her—Luke was dressed in a sharp pilot's uniform, white shirt crisp, gold stripes gleaming on his sleeves, his tie knotted perfectly.

It hit her then. Of course, Luke was an airline captain. Of all the lounges, of all the days, he had to show up here.

She bit back a groan. Why was Luke always hanging around her?

"Keep your hands off me!" Gillian snapped, shoving at his chest, but Luke only tightened his grip, pulling her right into his lap.

The motion sent a jolt of pain through her already sore legs, and as she landed against him, tears pricked her eyes. Her strength faltered, and for a split second, all she could do was brace herself on his solid thighs.

"Let go of me! This is a public place! Are you out of your mind?" Gillian shoved against his chest, her eyes brimming with angry tears. "What are you up to? Have you ever heard of boundaries?"

Luke just grinned, unfazed by her outrage. "You really want to know what I'm up to?"

He adjusted her easily so she ended up sitting astride his lap, as if she was just another toy for him to arrange. "Since when did you start mouthing off? Someone's gotten awfully bold. Maybe you need a little discipline."

Gillian's whole body went rigid, and she sucked in a sharp breath as his hand slipped beneath the hem of her dress and started tracing up her thigh.

Outside, the constant hum of airport noise drifted in, voices, footsteps, announcements, while the frosted glass hid everything happening inside the lounge.

"Get off me, you creep! If you don't stop, I'll call security right now!" Her voice cracked as she struggled harder, trying to break free.

Luke just gave her a light tap, a lazy smile on his lips. "Go ahead, scream all you want. Draw a crowd. Let everyone see you like this. You want the spotlight? We can give them a real show."

His taunting smirk never faded as his hand continued to roam. "Honestly, I don't care if the whole world's watching. Think of the headlines, Gillian. Our names would be everywhere."

It struck her then—he really was out of his mind.

Her eyes grew even redder, but she lowered her voice, desperate to escape. "Please, let me go. If people find us, it won't end well for you either. What will people talk about your family?"

"The Moore family's reputation isn't my problem." Luke let out a soft laugh. "I'm more interested in how we're going to keep ourselves entertained until your flight leaves. We've got two hours to kill, after all."

Gillian's heart lurched at his words. "How do you even know which flight I'm on?"

His grin only widened. "Simple. I'm the one piloting your flight, and when I checked the manifest, your name jumped right out at me. So here I am, just doing my rounds."

He leaned in and grazed her earlobe with his teeth. "You're the only passenger in first class. Tell me, how do you want your captain to take care of you today?"

Gillian went quiet.

Was the universe really this cruel? How did she always end up tangled up with this man, no matter where she ran?

Biting down hard on her next words, she growled, "I don't need you to serve me. I need you to leave. Is that too much to ask?"

A metallic taste filled Gillian's mouth, and tears burned at the corners of her eyes. "Why won't you just let me go? Someone like you could have anyone—why chase after me?"

"But you're the one I want." Luke nuzzled against her neck, his tone rich and persuasive. "Yesterday, you didn't seem so opposed to being in my arms. Whatever Ashton can offer, I promise I can give you more. Why won't you even give me a chance?"

Gillian's mind rebelled, but unwanted memories of how she had given in to him flashed through her thoughts.

When she forced herself to look at the facts, it was clear—Luke was actually Kenneth's chosen heir, and for the sake of her family's company, did it even matter who stood beside her at the altar?

His breath tickled her collarbone, breaking her train of thought, and she caught herself chewing her lip.

A deep laugh rumbled from his chest as he suddenly drew her into a kiss.

Gillian trembled, and then snapped, biting him hard, "You monster! Get away from me! I told you, don't touch me! I want nothing from you—just stay out of my life for good!"