River's POV

As soon as I moved back and opened my mouth to scream for help, his hand shot forward again and covered it tightly, silencing me before any sound could leave my lips. 

"I swear I'm not here to hurt you." He said.

I struggled hard, hitting and twisting my body, trying to get free, but his grip was too strong. He was much bigger than me, and even though I fought with everything I had, it felt like trying to fight a wall. 

My chest burned from the effort, and my heart was beating so fast it felt like it would break out of my body. I should have trusted my gut. Something about him had felt off from the beginning. 

And now here he was, in my home, in the middle of the night, holding me like this. His eyes were too calm for someone who just broke into a woman's house.

"Be silent, River," he whispered into my ear, his voice low but firm. "I'll only let you go if you don't shout." I nodded slowly, fear tightening around my throat like a rope.

He waited for a moment, then finally let me go. I stepped back quickly, coughing as I tried to catch my breath. The way he'd held me had made it hard to breathe, and my chest ached with every breath I pulled in.

"What are you doing here?" I said, my voice hoarse. "We need to leave now, River. I think someone is after your life," he said, his words barely louder than a whisper.

I stared at him in disbelief. "Why should I believe you?" I asked, my voice sharp with anger and fear.

"You broke into my house. How do you even know where I live? Did you follow me?" He looked frustrated but tried to stay calm.

"I'll explain everything later. There's no time right now."

"Well, I'm not going anywhere with you," I snapped. My whole body was shaking, not just from fear but from how wrong all of this felt. He was saying all the right words, but everything he was doing screamed danger.

"What if you are the one behind it all?" I said, taking another step back. He opened his mouth, but he stuttered, "Me... why would I...?" His voice trailed off, and for a second, something like guilt flashed across his face.

But then he stepped forward again and said, "Please, just trust me. We need to go now." Before I could respond, the sound of glass shattering exploded through the house.

I froze in place, my heart leaping to my throat. It came from the living room. Someone had broken in. "What's happening?" I asked, my voice trembling, the panic fully sinking into my bones now.

Killian's eyes widened, and this time there was no calm in them. Only urgency. "They're here," he said. "We need to leave now, River. Now." He didn't wait for me to respond.

He ran past me into the room and reached for my baby, wrapping her in a blanket and holding her carefully. Immediately I entered, I locked the room door.

I hesitated only for a second, then grabbed the bag I had packed earlier, my hands fumbling with the straps as the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from the hallway. I followed Killian to the bedroom window.

He pushed it open and helped me climb out first. I could barely breathe, my hands shaking so badly I almost dropped the bag. He handed the baby to me once he was out too, and without looking back, we ran into the streets to his car.

I didn't know who was chasing us. I didn't even know if I could trust the man beside me. I just knew one thing for sure-someone wanted me dead. Killian drove so fast I could barely think straight. 

And then all of a sudden he noticed the men were already following us. The tyres screeched as he turned from one street to another, trying to lose the car chasing us.

I sat in the back seat, holding my baby so tight against my chest that I was afraid I might wake her, but somehow, she stayed asleep through it all. My thoughts were all over the place.

Who were those men? What did they want from me? And why was this stranger-this man I barely knew...risking so much to help me? 

We kept driving, and the city lights slowly faded behind us until all I could see were trees and darkness. After what felt like forever, Killian looked into the rearview mirror, then finally let out a long breath.

"Finally," he muttered like he'd been holding it in for miles. I looked behind us too. The road was empty. No headlights, no sign of the car that had been chasing us. He didn't say much after that.

We drove a little farther, then turned off onto a dirt path deep in the woods. A small cabin came into view, hidden between tall trees. It looked like something from an old movie-quiet, far from everything. It felt like a hideout.

Killian got out of the car and opened my door. I stepped out slowly, my legs still weak, and followed him inside. The place was simple, dusty, and cold, but it was safe...or at least I hoped it was.

I sat down on the sofa while he locked the door behind us. My baby was still asleep in my arms, peaceful in a way that made me wish I could be too. I didn't even know what to say to Killian.

He had saved me again. And all I had done was accuse him, doubt him, and push him away. I felt so guilty. But why was he helping me? How did he know I was in danger?

I opened my mouth to speak, but he beat me to it. "Oh-you go first," he said, noticing I was about to talk. "No, you go," I replied, too tired to argue.

"We'll be leaving for New York first thing in the morning," he said, like it was already decided.

"We?" I asked, confused. "Why us?"

"You were already planning to leave, right?" he said. "Well, I've booked a flight for both of us. I'm the only one who can keep you safe right now." I stared at him, not even bothering to hide my confusion. 

"I don't understand anything you've been saying. Who are you, really? And why are you helping me?"

"You really want to know?" He asked, with this strange look in his eyes, almost like he was mocking me.

"Yes," I said and nodded. "I want to know." He leaned back against the wall and crossed his arms.

"Well, like, you know, I'm Killian. But what you don't know is my full name...killian Kane. I'm the first son of the Kane's family, the real heir to the Chitox company. I'm also Rowan's elder brother."

My whole body went still.

I froze, unable to even blink. Rowan? No. That couldn't be true. I dated Rowan for years. I knew everything about him...or I thought I did. He never once mentioned a brother.

Not even by accident. Had he been hiding him from me this whole time? But before I could ask, Killian continued. "I know you're wondering why I'm helping you. So I'll tell you." 

"I used to be a drug addict. My father locked me away in rehab for years, said I was a disgrace and made sure I couldn't come back. That's how Rowan took everything. But he's not clean either."

"I've been gathering proof for years. He's been running illegal businesses behind the company's name. And now I have one shot to expose him and take back what's mine. But I need a wife to do that. That's where you come in."

"A wife?" I said, shocked. "There's no way I'm marrying my ex's brother." He held his hands up, like he expected me to say that. 

"Calm down. I'm not asking for love. My father's will states that I have to settle down and have a family before I can take over. So I'm offering a contract marriage. Two years."

"I will protect you and your baby. I will help you get revenge. When it's over, we go our separate ways."

"Why me?" I know he could get any woman he wanted. "You know everything about Rowan and the company, and you're already tied to him in the media. If we do this, we both win." He replied.

"And who sent those men?" I asked, even though deep down, I already knew the answer.

"Rowan", he said. Just that one word. And suddenly, it was too much. The tears came fast. I didn't try to stop them. I had trusted Rowan. I gave him everything.

And now... now he wanted me dead. Because I knew too much. "I know about the prison," Killian said gently. "I know he set you up. I know what he did. But this is your chance to fight back."

I wiped my face with my sleeve, trying to steady my breath. "Can I think about it? I'm really exhausted."

He nodded. "Fine. But we don't have much time."

Then he led me down a short hallway and showed me a small room with a bed. I walked in and sat down, too tired to even undress. I heard him go back to the living room and shut the door behind him.

I placed my baby on the bed and lay beside her, finally letting my body rest. Sleep took me fast...I didn't even have the strength to think, because deep down, I already knew what I wanted.

When I woke, the cabin was quiet. I stepped into the living room and saw Killian sitting there, like he hadn't moved all night.

"Good morning, River," he said.

"Good morning," I replied, my voice calm. And then I looked him straight in the eye. "When are we getting married?"

He smiled. "When we get to New York",

"Then let's go. I'm ready to burn it all down."

River's POV

~One Year Later~

I woke up again, breathless, my skin warm and tingling, my heart racing like I had just run a mile. The dream was the same one I'd been having all week-Killian, close to me, his voice low and soft in my ear.

His hands on my waist, his lips brushing against mine. It was so vivid that I could almost feel it, like a memory instead of a dream. I turned my face into the pillow and groaned.

This was getting ridiculous. I was beginning to see him even when I closed my eyes. I couldn't explain it...this constant heat that followed me everywhere, creeping into my thoughts, making it impossible to think of anything else.

But today wasn't the day to get lost in daydreams. Today was important. I had a big meeting at the firm...my chance to pitch a proposal that could shift our entire strategy.

I needed to stay focused and grounded. I slipped out of bed, trying to shake the fog out of my mind, and headed downstairs to get a cup of coffee, hoping it would steady my nerves.

But the moment I stepped into the kitchen, I froze.

Killian was standing by the counter, a towel wrapped low around his waist, water still dripping from his hair, sliding down his chest. 

His back was half-turned, muscles shifting with every small movement. His body was all smooth strength...broad shoulders, firm chest, and toned arms. I'd seen him dressed up, casual, or even in gym clothes, but never like this.

Never just skin, fresh from a shower, steam still curling around him like mist. I stared before I could stop myself, my breath catching in my throat. My cheeks burnt, and my whole body felt warm.

I didn't mean to look, but I couldn't tear my eyes away. My gaze dropped to the line of his hip, where the towel barely hung on, and I felt something stir deep inside me. I imagined what it would feel like to touch him, to feel his skin against mine.

A sudden shiver ran through me, uninvited and unstoppable.

And then he turned.

Our eyes met, and I froze like a deer caught in headlights. "Do you need anything?" he asked, voice calm, low, and kind...but there was something behind it, a quiet knowing, like maybe he had seen me looking.

I swallowed hard and forced myself to speak. "I came to get a cup... of coffee," I said, stumbling over the words like I had suddenly forgotten how to form them.

"I know how tense you are. Big day," he said gently, walking toward the machine. "Just sit. I'll make you one."

I nodded and walked stiffly to the dining table, lowering myself into the chair like I didn't trust my knees to hold me. It had been a year and 6 months with Killian now, and everything about him had been steady and safe.

He never crossed the line. Never made me feel uncomfortable. We had boundaries, clear ones. Separate rooms. Respect. Space. But he was there when I needed him. Always. He took Alora out with us on weekends.

He kept every promise in the contract. But now I couldn't stop wondering what it would feel like if we ever stepped outside those lines, maybe just a one-time thing.

"Don't be tense, River. You can do this. We've come a long way, and this is the time to take back what we've always wanted," Killian said, his voice calm and steady, like it always was when I needed it most.

He placed the cup of coffee in front of me, and as he leaned in, his body came so close I could feel the warmth from his skin and the faint scent of his cologne mixed with soap still clinging to him.

For a moment, I wanted nothing more than to wrap my arms around him, to stay there and forget everything else. Sometimes I felt like he did it on purpose...getting too close, being too gentle...like he wanted to see how much I could take before I gave in.

I let out a small laugh before I could stop myself. "What is it?" he asked, raising a brow like he had no idea what he was doing.

"It's nothing, Killian," I said, trying to hold back the smile tugging at my lips. He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead, and then just like that, he turned and left the room.

I stared after him, letting out a quiet breath. "He only made things worse by doing that," I muttered, then drank up my coffee and headed upstairs. After a warm shower, I stepped into the new red dress I had picked out for today.

It was sleek and form-fitting, with a high neckline and long sleeves, the fabric smooth and rich against my skin. It hugged my waist and flared slightly at the knees, elegant but bold...exactly how I needed to feel today.

Standing in front of the mirror, I packed my red hair into a bun and then I took a deep breath. "You can do this, River," I whispered, then left the room. I stopped by Alora's room. The nanny was already with her, and I leaned down to kiss her soft cheek.

"Mommy will be back soon," I whispered. As I walked out, I glanced back at the life I'd rebuilt-brick by quiet brick, with Killian by my side.

I didn't know what the day would bring, but I knew this much: I wasn't the woman they left behind.

Not anymore.

Through a close friend, Killian secured me the position at Derma's Groups, one of New York's top firms, and I'd climbed fast, proving myself again and again. Now, I was one of the board representatives for major strategic decisions.

Today, we were pitching for a high-value global merger...one that could change everything. And what made it even more thrilling was that Chitox Groups, Rowan's firm, was also in the running.

This wasn't just business. This was the beginning of the end for him. And the beginning of everything for me. I stepped out of the house and walked straight to my black SUV car.

I opened the door, slid into the driver's seat, and shut it behind me with a sharp thud. One glance in the mirror, one long breath, and I hit the gas. The city rushed by, but my mind was already at the office.

A few minutes later, I pulled into the office lot and stepped out. I stood still for a second, my chest rising slowly as I tried to breathe the nerves away.

I straightened my shoulders and walked in. Inside, the receptionist gave me a bright smile. "Good morning, Mrs River." I gave a small nod and kept walking, barely hearing the greetings around me.

My eyes locked on the elevator doors ahead like they were the only thing that mattered. I stepped inside, and right then, my phone buzzed. I looked down. 'Board meeting starts in 10 minutes.'

Perfect. Just enough time to remind myself why I couldn't afford to lose. My mind drifted where it always went when I didn't want it to...Rowan. I hadn't seen him in a year and 6 months, and I was sure he'd send someone.

He never faced his messes. "Rowan! The son of a bitch," I muttered, half-laughing to myself. "Too dumb to pitch his idea himself." Just before the elevator doors closed, I caught a shadow in my periphery. Then a voice, sharp as a blade.

"Who did you just call a son of a bitch?" My whole body locked up. My breath stopped.

No. It couldn't be.

Slowly, I looked up-and there he was.

Rowan.

The man who betrayed me. The man who watched me fall and never looked back. His eyes met mine, and for a second, something flickered in them. Shock? Regret? I couldn't tell.

He took off his sunglasses slowly, like he couldn't believe it either. My throat was dry, but I forced the words out. He stepped inside just as the elevator doors closed behind him.

I didn't blink. I didn't flinch.

"Do I... know you?" I asked, voice calm and cold. He stared at me, completely still. Like I had slapped him without lifting a hand. And as the elevator climbed, so did the silence.

Rowan stood beside me, a little too close, like he wanted to make sure I felt the weight of his presence. He hadn't changed much...still sharp in his suit, still smug in that quiet, arrogant way.

"Well," he said, finally breaking the silence, his voice low and thick with mockery. "I have to admit, I didn't expect to see you here... not after everything that happened." 

I kept my eyes forward, jaw tight, refusing to give him the reaction he wanted. He chuckled under his breath. "Still pretending to be strong, huh? Still trying to act like you belong in this world."

I turned my head slightly. "I do belong here. Just like you. Maybe even more." Rowan scoffed. "You think one little board seat makes you powerful? Please, River."

"You were nothing before me, and you're even less now. You're just trying to stay afloat in a game you don't understand." I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palm.

"You ruined me," I said quietly. "You left me to rot while you moved on like it meant nothing." He leaned in closer, voice dripping with venom.

"Because it meant nothing. You were the weak link."

"I did what I had to do, and you... well, you got what you deserved." I blinked, forcing the tears back. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

"You really think you'll win this deal?" He went on, laughing. "You think they'll give that contract to a woman fresh out of a scandal, one with a prison record and a broken reputation?"

"You're a joke, River. You always were." The elevator dinged, and the doors slowly slid open. I straightened my back, stepped out, and turned to look at him one last time.

"We'll see who's laughing when this is over."

River's POV

I sat at the far end of the long glass table, facing Rowan across the room. The boardroom was filled with quiet tension, the kind that settled deep in your chest.

Around us, the other representatives and board members murmured softly, flipping through notes and tapping on tablets. Rowan kept glancing at me, his jaw tight, his eyes sharp with that familiar sternness I once mistook for passion.

But I wasn't afraid of him anymore. Whatever power he once had over me had shattered the day I chose myself. I sat still, my fingers loosely laced together on the table, my back straight, my heart steady.

I wasn't here to crumble. I was here to win.

A voice cut through the quiet, pulling me from my thoughts. "Rowan Rune, you have the floor now to present your pitch for us," the president announced.

Rowan stood, smooth and confident, the way he always did when he believed the world belonged to him. He walked to the podium, his designer suit pressed to perfection, the projector lighting up beside him.

I watched him speak, watched his practiced smile and polished words fill the room. There was nothing wrong with the pitch, but there was nothing exceptional about it either.

He hadn't come prepared...not for this kind of deal. He was only here because he found out I was leading this presentation. I looked at the man I once thought I'd marry and wondered how I hadn't seen it before.

How I had missed the quiet cruelty in his voice, the way he made me feel small when no one else was watching. He returned to his seat, and then I heard my name.

I walked to the front of the boardroom with my head held high. I had gone over this pitch so many times I could say it in my sleep, but this moment-this room-was different.

It wasn't just about business for me. It was about standing tall in front of the man who once tried to break me and proving that I wasn't the woman he used to control. As I began to speak, the room shifted.

All eyes were on me, and I could feel the weight of their attention, but instead of making me nervous, it fuelled me. I spoke with purpose, with clarity, and with the quiet strength that had always been mine.

I explained the strategy behind my proposal, broke down the numbers, and painted the future I saw for their company if they partnered with us. I spoke like someone who believed in what she was offering, because I did.

When I finished, I bowed my head slightly in thanks, then walked back to my seat, my chest rising with a deep breath. Finally, the president cleared his throat. 

"We'll proceed with the vote now." Hands were raised for the first presenter...only a few. Then came Rowan. A handful more. And then mine. Almost every hand in the room went up. 

The applause came slowly at first, then louder, as people stood to shake my hand and congratulate me. I smiled, not just from relief but from joy...deep, undeniable joy. 

Rowan didn't move. He just sat there, silent, his face tight and unreadable. I met his eyes, and for once, I didn't look away. He didn't clap. He didn't smile.

I could see the bitterness in his face, the kind of defeat he wasn't used to tasting. Eventually, the room began to clear out. I returned to my seat, gathering my notes and slipping them into my bag, ready to leave, when I heard footsteps approach.

"Congratulations, River Hayes," Rowan said, his voice laced with mockery. I turned slightly, watching his eyes flicker to my hand.

"Oh," he said, nodding toward the ring on my finger, "you're married, I see."

"Yes," I answered with a calm smile. "To the most handsome and most supportive man ever." Rowan laughed under his breath, but there was no real humour in it.

"You used to say you couldn't live without me. And now you're suddenly with another man?" I zipped my bag and turned to face him fully.

"People grow, Rowan. Some of us grow out of toxicity."

He took a step closer, voice low and sharp. "Don't think winning this deal means you've got everything," he added. "You just got lucky." 

"At least I have some luck left in me. Where did you drop yours?" He didn't answer. I could tell it stung. That proud look he always wore was cracking. He hated losing.

"Well", I said as I lifted my bag over my shoulder, "this is just the beginning, Rowan. I have more surprises for you. And I promise, you'll be shocked."

I turned to leave, but his hand gripped my arm tightly, stopping me in place. "You don't walk out on me, River," he said low, almost through gritted teeth. "I'm not done talking."

I turned slowly, my eyes hard. "Get your filthy hands off me, Rowan. You don't touch a married woman like that. Where are your manners?" He released me, but his eyes burnt with anger.

"And let me remind you," I added, my voice sharp, "I don't belong to you anymore. You hear me?" And with that, I walked out, the door clicking shut behind me.

As soon as I stepped into my office, the sound of cheering filled the air. My team rushed toward me, their faces glowing with pride and excitement. They clapped, shouted my name, and pulled me into warm hugs, one after the other.

I looked around at the people who had worked beside me, believed in me, and supported me, and my heart filled with gratitude. When the room finally settled down, I returned to my chair, sinking into it slowly.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes for a moment, silently thanking God for guiding me through today. The high from the win hadn't worn off, but work still waited, and I had no plans of slowing down.

I opened my laptop again and got to work, making sure everything was in place for the next day. By the time I glanced at the clock, it was almost 7pm.

My shoulders ached slightly, and my eyes were heavy, but I kept going. Killian always told me to take breaks and reminded me that I didn't have to push so hard, but I couldn't help it.

I had goals and dreams I needed to reach, and to do that, I had to stay moving. Eventually, I packed up my things and headed home, knowing he'd probably seen the news already.

But I still wanted to tell him myself. I always did. Around Killian, I turned into someone softer, sillier-like a child with too many stories to tell.

I loved the way he listened to everything, even the little things that didn't matter, and never made me feel like I was talking too much. As I walked into the house, there he was. Killian.

Sitting on the couch in a white shirt that clung to his chest, sleeves pushed up, his eyes soft but intense as they met mine. He stood up the second he saw me, his smile slow and warm, and I couldn't hold back.

I dropped my bag and rushed into his arms, burying my face into his chest. "Thank you," I whispered. "Thank you for helping me do this."

He held me close, his arms firm around me, and the scent of his cologne filled my lungs, pulling me in deeper. I looked up at him, and something shifted in the air.

The way he was looking at me, the way my heart was pounding-I couldn't stop myself. I leaned in and kissed him deeply, fully, like I'd been waiting all day for this.

He didn't hesitate. His hands gripped my waist, pulling me closer, and his mouth moved with mine, slow at first, then with a growing hunger. His hands traced the sides of my body, soft but firm.

The tension built so quickly I could hardly breathe. His touch sparked something dangerous in me...a craving I hadn't let myself feel in years and if I didn't stop, I knew we wouldn't. I pulled away, breathless, my cheeks warm.

"I'm sorry, Killian... I shouldn't have done that; I was just too excited," I said, covering my face with a shy smile. He looked down at me, his thumb brushing my cheek. "It's fine, River."

But the way his eyes stayed on my lips told me he didn't want me to stop. "We should celebrate," I said, breaking the silence between us, the words slipping out before I could think them through.

"Yeah, we should," Killian replied with a soft smile that reached his eyes. "But we don't have drinks," he added, checking the time. 

"Why don't you freshen up while I grab something quick from down the road?" Then, just like that, he leaned in and pressed a warm kiss to my forehead. 

It wasn't rushed-it lingered, tender and intimate...and by the time he pulled away and walked out, my whole body felt like it had been set on fire.

I ran upstairs, heart racing, closing the door behind me as if I could lock in all the feelings rising like a wave. I laughed softly to myself and buried my face in my hands.

"I shouldn't have done that," I whispered, my voice shaky with a thrill I didn't want to admit out loud. I undressed slowly before stepping into the shower and letting the water run hot over my body.

But even as the steam surrounded me, I couldn't wash away the ache in my core. I hadn't had sex since Rowan. But with Killian, the hunger felt sharp, like it had been sleeping and was suddenly wide awake.

When I stepped out, my red hair clung to my shoulders, dripping water onto the floor as I wrapped myself in a towel. I stood still for a moment, letting the steam fade, but then I heard the doorbell ring.

Killian wouldn't ring the bell. So I quickly slipped into my red lace nightgown, which hugged my skin, soft and light, with nothing underneath. I felt almost too bare, too vulnerable.

But I told myself it might just be the delivery guy because I had ordered something earlier. I rushed downstairs barefoot, not wanting to keep the person waiting. I opened the door with a quick smile already on my lips.

But it fell.

And the air froze in my lungs.

There, standing in front of me, was the last person I ever expected to see on my doorstep.

Rowan.

His eyes swept over my body slowly, dark and unreadable, then settled on my face. His lips curled into a smirk, sharp and familiar.

"Well, looks like I came at the perfect time."