Chased by My Possessive Ex (Dylan) novel Chapter 43

DYLAN

The night air was cool when we stepped out of the mansion, the soft hum of the city just starting to come alive. I expected Hunter to lead me toward one of his expensive cars and take me to the restaurant he’d mentioned–but instead, the car rolled to a stop in front of an upscale jewelry store, its crystal–lit windows gleaming like stars in the dark.

I frowned, turning to him. “This doesn’t look like dinner to me.”

Hunter smirked, unbuckling his seatbelt. “Dinner can wait. I have something more important to take care of first.”

I raised an eyebrow, suspicion tugging at me. “Important? Or extravagant?”

He only grinned. “Can’t it be both?”

Before I could argue, he was already opening my door, offering his hand like a gentleman. His fingers brushed mine–warm, firm, familiar. “Come on, Mrs. De Marco,” he teased. “You’ll like this.”

The sound of that name still made my heart skip for reasons I refused to acknowledge. I followed him inside anyway.

The store was luxurious to the point of being intimidating–marble floors gleaming, chandeliers dripping crystals, and glass cases filled with jewels that probably cost more than my entire life’s savings. The saleswoman recognized Hunter immediately and straightened, her polite smile turning into a nervous one. Clearly, his reputation preceded him.

Hunter’s arm brushed mine as he leaned closer. “Pick one,” he said simply.

I blinked. “What?”

He nodded toward the rows of engagement rings and diamond necklaces. “A wife deserves something to show off. Don’t you think?”

I almost laughed. “You can’t be serious-”

But before I could finish, his phone buzzed. His gaze darkened slightly when he saw the caller ID. “Business,” he muttered. “Stay here. Don’t wander off.”

And just like that, he turned and walked outside, leaving me surrounded by glittering diamonds and curious stares from the

store staff.

I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. “Stay here,” he says, I muttered under my breath. “As if I’m a child.”

I turned toward one of the display counters, pretending to study a set of earrings–until a familiar voice behind me froze me in place.

“Dylan?”

My entire body went rigid. Slowly, I turned.

And there they were.

Beckett and Sarah. Standing hand in hand.

Beckett’s expression shifted instantly–shock flickering into disbelief, then something softer, something that made my chest tighten painfully. Sarah, meanwhile, looked like she’d seen a ghost–her smile faltering for a heartbeat before she forced it

back.

“Beckett,” I breathed out, my voice barely above a whisper.

Chapter 43

He took a hesitant step toward me, his gaze traveling down to the glittering jewelry around us, then back to my face. “What are you doing here?”

Before I could answer, Sarah looped her arm tighter around his. “I think the better question is—what are you doing here, Dylan? Shopping?” Her tone was sweet, but the smile didn’t reach her

eyes.

I straightened, forcing my lips into something that almost looked like confidence. “Just checking,” I replied.

“In this store?” she said, raising her eyebrows suspiciously. “Is that a good idea, Dylan? I heard about what happened to your family. Don’t get me wrong, but I’m worried that you’re being too reckless because of what happened to you and your family. You’re not getting yourself into some kind of trouble, are you?” Sarah said her words were laced with fake concerns.

I arched a brow, crossing my arms as I met Sarah’s too–sweet smile with a glare. “What exactly are you trying to imply, Sarah?” I asked, my tone sharp enough to slice through the thick tension hanging between us.

She feigned innocence, her perfectly painted lips curling in a mock pout, “Oh, no. I’m not implying anything,” she said in that sugary voice that made my teeth ache. “I’m just… worried, you know? I’d hate to think you’d get yourself into trouble just to keep up with your old lifestyle.”

Her hand brushed a lock of her hair behind her ear, her diamond ring catching the light deliberately–showing off, twisting the knife. “But then again,” she continued with a soft laugh, “I know you, Dylan. You’d never do something desperate… like, say, selling your body for money.”

Her words hit like a slap.

For a moment, I couldn’t breathe. My pulse stuttered, and a cold wave of panic rippled through me. Did she know? Was she just guessing–or had someone told her about those nights when I had no choice but to dance, when every smile I faked under the dim lights felt like another piece of me breaking apart?

I forced my lips into a brittle smile, refusing to let her voice trembling only slightly. “I’m doing just fine.”

see me flinch. “You don’t have

worry about me, Sarah,” I said, my

Then, I tilted my head, letting sarcasm coat every word. “Maybe you Beckett?”

should

all that concern for your own family. Right,

Beckett’s expression darkened, his jaw tightening as his eyes darted between us. He looked like he wanted to say something -but Sarah, of course, beat him to it.

“Oh, Dylan,” she said with a false laugh, clutching Beckett’s arm. “You always had such a sharp tongue. It’s nice to see you. haven’t changed.”

I forced a smile, though every muscle in my body screamed for me to turn around and walk away. My heart was thundering against my ribs, the sound loud in my ears, warning me that if I stayed any longer, I’d say something I couldn’t take back.

But before I could even take a step, Beckett spoke–his tone clipped, the faintest trace of mockery lacing his words. “Why don’t you go ahead and pick something for yourself, Dylan?” he said, gesturing toward the rows of glittering jewelry behind the glass. “Let’s just call it a…. parting gift.”

A parting gift. The words dripped with condescension, a twisted reminder of the past we once shared. He said it like I was a charity case, like I should be grateful he even acknowledged me.

I felt

my throat tighten, but I refused to let him see me break.

Sarah’s giggle followed, light and sugary, but her eyes were sharp–predatory. “Oh, Beckett,” she cooed, looping her arm through his. “You’re too kind.”

My lips twitched, ready to throw another jab his way–but then, before I could speak, a deep baritone voice rolled through

the room like a low rumble of thunder.

Chapter 40

“You don’t have to,” came the voice from behind me, smooth and commanding, every syllable dripping with confidence. “It’s my job to buy everything my wife wants.”

The air in the jewelry store shifted instantly.

We all turned at once.

And there he was–Hunter–striding toward us with that effortless dominance that seemed to make the whole world tilt in his favor. The soft lighting of the store reflected off his dark suit, outlining the sharp cut of his shoulders and the confident set of his jaw.

His piercing blue eyes were locked on me, and even though his expression was calm, there was a dangerous glint beneath the surface–possessive, warning, as if daring anyone to challenge him.

Sarah’s smile faltered, just slightly, before she masked it with another laugh. Beckett, on the other hand, stiffened, his jaw clenching as his eyes darted between me and Hunter.

Hunter stopped right beside me, his hand sliding casually to my waist, claiming me without words. His thumb brushed against my hip–a simple gesture, but it sent a wave of heat through me.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify