Countdown to "I Do" novel Chapter 21

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**Midnight Roads Unseen by George Orwell**

**Chapter 21**

At the sound of Isabella’s words, Jared’s eyes widened in astonishment, a mix of disbelief and hope swirling within him. The air around them seemed to thicken with unspoken emotions, and he felt as though the world had momentarily paused, allowing him to absorb the weight of her confession.

Isabella, sensing the surprise etched on his face, let out a soft chuckle, a sound that danced through the tension-filled atmosphere. With a playful determination, she stood on her tiptoes, leaning in to plant a gentle kiss on his lips. The brief contact sent a jolt of warmth coursing through Jared, igniting a spark of joy that he hadn’t realized he was missing.

“Jared,” she murmured, her voice low and earnest, “I stopped loving him a long time ago. I’m trying to fall in love with you, so please, get rid of him for me. He’s becoming an eyesore.”

As her words settled in, Jared instinctively licked his lips, feeling the lingering trace of her lipstick. His heart swelled with a mix of elation and determination, the taste of her kiss igniting a fierce resolve within him.

“Okay, I’ll get rid of him,” he replied, his voice steady and resolute. “I won’t let him appear before you again.”

With that promise hanging in the air, he gently nudged Isabella toward the entrance of the company, his earlier awkwardness evaporating as a new, darker energy enveloped him. His eyes transformed, their warmth replaced by a chilling intensity, and a menacing aura radiated from him, as if he had shed his previous self like an old skin.

With a deliberate stride, Jared made his way toward Adrian, leaving behind the trace of Isabella’s kiss on his lips—a mark of possession. Without hesitation, he swung his fist, landing a powerful punch squarely on Adrian’s jaw.

“Adrian,” he growled, his voice laced with fury, “what are you still doing pestering my wife? She told you herself she would never forgive you. All your efforts are utterly ridiculous!”

Jared’s words cut through the air like a knife, each syllable dripping with disdain. “You didn’t cherish her before; you hurt Isabella time and time again. Now you’re putting on a show, dragging people along to guilt-trip her. Do you really think she’ll forgive you for that? It’s impossible!”

As he spoke, adrenaline surged through him, fueling his movements. His fists flew with increasing speed, each punch and kick aimed to dismantle Adrian, to beat him into submission.

Adrian, though battered, fought back with all the strength he could muster, desperation fueling his struggle. “Jared, the person Isabella truly loves is me! I made mistakes, and I will apologize to her. I’m willing to do whatever she asks, but this has nothing to do with you!”

“You’re just a thief!” Jared spat, his voice rising with indignation. “You took advantage of the situation to steal her away. Don’t think for a second that she’ll fall in love with you again!”

The two men were locked in a brutal brawl, exchanging blows that were more than physical—they were laden with the weight of their shared history and unresolved grievances. Each strike felt like a verbal dagger, aimed at the other’s vulnerabilities.

“Love you?” Jared sneered, his eyes narrowing. “If she loved you, would she have married me? If she loved you, would she kiss me and fulfill her marital duties with me? Adrian, don’t think so highly of yourself.”

“You’re wrong!” Adrian shot back, each word laced with desperation. “She will never love you, and she will never forgive you. You should give up on that idea right now!”