From “Clingy” to Gone My Independence Was His Biggest Regret novel Chapter 19

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In the capital’s elite circles, everyone knew one thing about arms dealer Hades Hawk: the man was a complete psychopath.

Bloodthirsty. Ruthless.

The type who’d press a blood stained knife to your throat mid poker game just for fun.

‘et this maniac had one glaring weakness–curvy women.

ig chest, tiny waist. That was his type.

ecently, he’d set his sights on some bastard daughter from an old–money family. Wedding in one week.

When my fiancé Sebastian Hawk found out, he vanished for three days straight.

finally tracked him down and overheard him talking to Marcus, his right–hand man.

Wedding day, send our guys to intercept the bridal car. Get Natalie into mine, not his.”

can’t watch her get dragged into that psycho’s hands. Every woman he touches comes out broken. If they come out at all.”

Don’t worry, boss. Route’s all set,” Marcus said quietly.

But… what about Miss Rivers? If Hades realizes we switched brides-”

ebastian’s laugh was ice–cold. “So what? He can be as crazy as he wants. You think he’d actually touch MY woman?”

Once this blows over, Natalie and I divorce quietly. Then I’ll throw Gianna an even bigger wedding. Easy.”

stood frozen outside that door, ice flooding my veins.

ne boy I’d loved with everything I had… he’d already fallen for someone else.

> I played along. Followed his plan perfectly.

nd when the switch worked? When I actually married Hades instead?

bastian broke down crying.

fter Sebastian finished, I heard a woman’s soft crying from inside the room.

atalie Chase was in there too. She was curled up on the leather couch, eyes all red and puffy, looking like some scared little rabbit.

Sebastian… you can’t do this for me… Hades will kill you…”

ebastian brushed away her tears with his thumb, voice going soft in a way I’d never heard before. “Babe, I’ve been running these streets for years. When have ever backed down from anything?”

le chuckled, then yanked her onto his lap by the waist. “But if you really wanna make it up to me… give me a couple kids someday. That’ll do.”

he room erupted in laughter and wolf whistles.

Jatalie’s face went crimson as she pressed it against his chest.

But… Miss Rivers…”

Gianna?” Sebastian laughed coldly. “Please. She’s so obsessed with me, even if she figures it out, I’ll say a few sweet things and she’ll roll over.”

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His crew jumped right in.

“Hell yeah! Miss Rivers grew up in this life with us. Girls had guns and knives posted at her and severe blinked. But the second you, brust Star’s sol

doormat!”

For real. You say jump, she asks how high. No way shed throw a fit over this

Exactly. Everyone knows she’s been desperate to marry you since forever.”

Dude, you’ve got it made. The sweet, innocent Natalie in one hand, and the rich, elegant Gianna Kivers waiting on the other to come on, who so do you Ictually love?”

ebastian didn’t answer.

nstead, he reached into his jacket and pulled out a velvet box.

nside was a jade bracelet–absolutely flawless, the kind that catches light like water.

he Hawk family heirloom, Passed down to the eldest son’s wife for generations.

ight there, in front of everyone, he slid it onto Natalie’s slender wrist.

idn’t say a word. Didn’t need to.

atalie jerked back, trying to pull away, but he grabbed her wrist.

You’re the one walking down that aisle, so this is yours now.”

e traced his fingers over the jade, voice dropping low. “Just keep it hidden from Glanna. She does what I say, but she’s sharp. Picks up on everything. Don’t rant her getting suspicious.”

stood outside that door, watching the bracelet glow pale green in the dim light. A silent, bitter laugh escaped me.

hat bracelet. Sebastian’s mom put it in my hands herself on her deathbed. Over a hundred years of Hawk family history.

never wore it–didn’t feel right before the wedding. So I kept it locked in my safe, checking on it every single day like an idiot.

hen three nights ago, Sebastian showed up at my place past midnight. Said he needed it for the ceremony. Some kind of tradition.

opened that safe for him myself.

ever imagining that “tradition” meant legitimizing another woman.

turned and ran, bursting straight into pouring rain.

leavy drops slammed against my skin, dragging me back seven years to another night like this.

My family and the Hawks went way back. Our fathers were sworn brothers.

When the Hawks nearly collapsed, Dad quietly kept them afloat.

he day their enemies came for us, Mom shoved me into the basement.

watched through the crack. Watched them torture and kill my parents.

Dad’s blood dripped onto my face. Everything went red

When Hawk reinforcements finally arrived, Sebastian found me first.

I went feral. Bit him, kicked him, clawed his arms until blood ran down. He didn’t flinch–just held me tight and wouldn’t let go until I passed out.

After everything settled, Old Man Hawk took me in, grateful for what Dad had done, Raised me himself.

From then on Sebastian took me everywhere. Slowly pulled me out of that nightmare,

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And I became completely dependent on him followed him to school, trained with B, fog beside him thing myse

I always thought itd be us forever.

Never imagined someone else would end up in my pare

Fine. I’d give him exactly what he wanted

lebastian walked out of the dub into the pouring rain, I’d been sitting in the lobby

The second he spotted me, he dropped his arm from Natalie’s shoulders and came over, covering my eyes from betwe

Guess who.

yanked his hands down. “Not in the mood.”

le laughed, draping his arm over my shoulders, fingers brushing my cheek

Getting bold on me, huh? What if some creep was actually messing with you?

didn’t answer. Just looked past him at his crew–seven, eight guys–and Natalie.

hey all grinned, calling out “Mrs. Hawk” like nothing was wrong

ecause they knew–when it came to Sebastian, I always gave in.

ebastian shifted to block my view. “You come here looking for me?”

nodded. “Rain got bad. Stopped in to wait it out.”

e grabbed my hand, rubbing warmth back into it.

That limited edition Tiffany bracelet you wanted? Flew out to get it myself. Forgot to tell you I was leaving.”

Where is it?”

is eyes flicked toward Natalie for half a second. “It’s custom. Had them adjust the design, so… won’t be ready till after the wedding.

smiled tightly. Said nothing.

While we waited for the car, Natalie let out a sharp gasp. Her bracelet had caught on a decorative piece.

he yanked it free and the whole thing snapped, hitting the marble floor hard. Diamonds scattered everywhere.

hat bracelet. The exact one I’d been obsessed with. Only three existed in the world. I’d mentioned it to Sebastian so many times over the years

e never gave a shit. Until now–sparkling on someone else’s wrist.

latalie dropped to her knees, frantically scooping up the pieces. Then a jagged fragment sliced right into her finger.

Dw-

dood welled up instantly. Sebastian dropped my hand and rushed over,

Christ, be careful!”

le ripped off his suit jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders, then tore off his tie to bind her bleeding finger.

That tie. My birthday gift to him. His absolute favorite.

He had it professionally cleaned and pressed like it was precious.

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Now it was soaked in her blood.

He caught me staring and guilt flashed across his face for a second

“Babe, I gotta get her stitched up quick. Wait inside, I’ll be back in five

Didn’t wait for an answer. Just helped Natalie into the car and drove off

One of his guys jumped in to smooth things over. “Miss Chase helped bout out sex. Mrs. Henk Svarteto go

shook my head. Told them to go.

just wanted to see if Sebastian would actually come back

he sky went dark.

inally, Old Man Hawk called himself and ordered me home.

ebastian never came back.

lext morning, he burst through the door and visibly relaxed when he saw me at the breedtest selle

God, I’m so sorry. Tire blew out right after we left. Middle of nowhere, no signal that’s why I couldn’t get back to you

didn’t hear a word.

Il I could see was the hickey burning red on his neck

reached out to touch it–needed to tear away the last shred of his act

le jerked back hard and yanked that silk scarf higher up his neck.

Looks weird, right? Gramps says my luck’s been shit lately. Making me wear this thing for protection Wont let me take in off

lis mouth twitches at the corner when he lies.

looked down, nails digging deep into my palms.

he pain pushed back the burning in my eyes.

Doesn’t match your shirt. Just take it off. Il retie it for you.”

No!” He practically jumped. Then quickly changed the subject. “Actually–didn’t you say your vell still needs a center stone? Let’s go pick one out right mons

Ie was already heading for the car before I could respond.

let out a bitter laugh as tears slid down my face.

By the time I changed and came outside, that scarf was wound tight around his neck.

We pulled up to the jewelry store just as shouting erupted from inside.

I looked up at the second floor VIP suite. Through the glass, I saw her again.

Natalie.