Just Before My Wedding: Trapped By My Ruthless Boss novel Chapter 119

Chapter 119

KISAREL

It had already been an overwhelming evening.

Watching Oceans sit beside Moonie while she touched his arm, leaned into him, laughed for him, and performed the kind of affection I could never ask for in public was bitter enough to swallow.

But seeing Jace on one knee in front of me?

That was a different kind of overwhelm I hadn’t prepared for.

His eyes, so innocent and loving, looked into mine, almost nervous, like he was genuinely afraid I might say no.

I tried to smile.

My heart raced as I stared down at him, doing my best to look like the kind of woman who had been waiting for this moment all her life.

Then I heard a loud crack.

Everyone’s attention snapped toward the sound.

Oceans was still seated, but the glass in his hand had split open inside his fist.

Blood ran from his palm down his wrist.

He didn’t flinch.

He didn’t even look at it at first.

His eyes were on me.

For one long, awful second, he held my gaze across the table with Jace still kneeling in front of me and my heart beating like it wanted to break through my ribs and run.

“Oh, my God!” Moon was already standing. “Babe? Are you okay?”

That finally made him look down.

He opened his hand slowly, as if he had only just remembered it belonged to him. Pieces of crystal sat against his skin. red gathering too fast between his fingers.

“Oceans,” Fred said, standing up. “What happened?”

Aunt Freda gasped. “Get a towel. Quickly.”

Jace rose halfway, the ring still in his hand. “And the first aid kit.”

A maid hurried out of the room.

Oceans looked at the broken about it.

“I’m fine, Oceans said, starin

like it had mildly disappointed him. Then his mouth curved, but there was nothing warm

at the broken glass in his palm. “I held it too tight.”

Moonie reached for his wrist, but his eyes found mine before she could pull his hand toward her.

OGG

<

20:18 Mon, Jun 1 MO.

Chapter 119

“My mistake.”

My chest tightened so suddenly I almost forgot where I was.

It didn’t sound like he was talking about the glass.

Moonie took his wrist gently. “You’re bleeding.”

“I noticed.”

“Don’t be stubborn.” Her voice shook a little as the maid returned with a towel and first aid kit. “Let me see,

He let her wrap the towel around his palm. I looked away because the sight hurt in a way that made me feel guilty.

Jace turned back to me, carefully stepping between my line of sight and Oceans.

“Arel,” he said softly, pulling my attention back to himself, and the whole room followed. “I’m still waiting.”

My mouth felt dry, but I still managed to get the words out.

“Yes,” I nodded. “I’ll marry you.”

The ring felt too strange on my finger. It felt more like a weight I wasn’t prepared to carry than an actual symbol of love.

Every time I looked at it, the diamond caught the soft chandelier light and threw it back in small, mocking sparks. It was beautiful, expensive, and everything a ring should be. But…

The room kept getting hotter for every second Moon fussed over Oceans softly, telling him to stop moving, asking if it hurt. or scolding him for being careless.

Jace was still beaming beside me, his arm warm across my shoulders, his thumb tracing small circles on my arm. He kept squeezing me, like he was reassuring himself that I was still there, I had said yes, and that the ring was finally on my finger.

I couldn’t breathe.

“I need some air,” I said immediately, hoping I didn’t sound as ugly as I felt on the inside.

Jace looked

up

immediately. “I’ll come with you.”

“No.” I stood up a little too fast. Everyone looked at me again, and I forced a small smile that felt like it might crack my face open. “I’m fine. I just need a minute. I feel a little dizzy.”

“Poor dear. If you need a doctor, don’t hesitate to tell.” Aunt Freda said as I walked away.

The night air hit my face the moment I pushed the door open.

I moved toward the darker side of the compound, away from anywhere eyes could easily spot me.

And when I found a spot dark enough, I leaned against the wall and pressed my hand flat against my chest. My heart was racing, and my breath kept coming in short, shallow pulls. I took one deep breath, then another, but neither of them seemed to go far enough.

I didn’t know how long I stood there, but it was long enough for the cold to settle on my arms.

Suddenly, fingers wrapped around my wrist.

Before I could gasp, I was pulled sideways, deeper into the dark corner near the side of the building. My back hit something

GG

20:18 Mon, Jun 1 MD.

Chapter 119

solid and warm, and my free hand flew up, catching against a chest.

I looked up, and my breath disappeared.

Oceans.

“What the hell?” I whispered, trying to pull my wrist free, but he didn’t let go. His thumb pressed against my pulse point. feeling my heart race.

His eyes dropped to the ring on my left hand, and his face went terribly still.

“I want to crush this cheap metal off your finger,” he said.

My throat tightened.

His gaze lifted slowly to mine. “And I want to wipe off every bit of you his hands touched tonight.”

His words carried heat.

I yanked my wrist back, and this time he let me go.

“You don’t have the right to say that.”

His jaw flexed. “Don’t I?”

“No.” My voice shook, so I lowered it before it betrayed me further. “Not after you lied to me about your engagement.”

He scoffed. “Kiss…”

“Don’t.” I took one step back, but the wall stopped me. “You looked me in the eyes and told me there was no date. Then I saw the post. The pictures. Next weekend, Oceans. Next weekend.”

s inevitable.” His voice was flat. “The engagement ald

His gaze stayed on my face. ” the date or not. You know that.” He paused, “Lying was wrong. I know that. But the

I laughed softly, but it

“No. That’s the truth.”

ame

broken. “That’s your defense?”

“The truth been saying it when I asked.”

“I didn’t

want to

you in the backseat of that car.”

That honesty… It hit the wrong place.

happened whether I lied about party itself was already set in motion.”

Then I lifted my left hand between us, letting the ring catch what little light reached the corner.

“Well, my wedding is inevitable too,” I said, steeling myself. “You know that, right?”

His eyes dropped to the ring again.

“And my man–my actual fiancé, the one who proposed

he wants.”

to

in

His hand shot up and gripped my jaw, holding me ont of everyone has every right to touch me however

I saw the words enter him and tear through whatever

“Say that again,” he said quietly.

he had dragged out here with him

burned into mine.

O

OGO

20:19 Mon, Jun 1

Chapter 119

MO

I swallowed. “You heard me. Jace has the right to…”

It all happened so fast.

He moved before I could step away or even brace myself.

His hand slid to the back of my neck, and his mouth came down on mine in a hurry.

My words died suddenly.

The kiss wasn’t anywhere near soft.

It felt like punishment, desperation, and possession all sandwiched in one rough claim.

His mouth was hard against mine, his body pressed me against the wall, and I felt him everywhere–his chest against mine his thigh between my legs, the heat of him seeping through the thin fabric of my dress.

I made a sound against him, both shocked and angry, as my hands pushed at his chest.

He didn’t move.

Or maybe I didn’t push hard enough.

His fingers tightened at my nape, tilting my head the way he wanted, and his mouth changed. It slowed and deepened simultaneously.

He kissed me like he was trying to erase Jace’s name from the shape of my lips, or like if he took enough of my breath, there would be no room left inside me for anyone else.

My palms flattened against his shirt.

I meant to shove him away. I swear, I did.

Instead, my fingers curled, and he felt it.

My anger twisted with hot, shameful need, and I hated him for it.

I hated myself even more.

His tongue dragged against mine, slow enough to make my knees weaken, and I turned my face slightly to break the kiss.

He followed.

“Oceans,” I breathed.

“Don’t ever say that again,” he whispered against my mouth.

“What?”

“That he has the right to touch you.”

“He does

His forehead pressed

mine, his breathing rough. “Fuck, no. He doesn’t,” he whispered, his voice coming out broken.

“You don’t get to decide that.”

“I do. Kiss. I fucking do.” 1

eyes opened, and I could see the damage in thein

G G

20:19 Mon, Jun 1 MO

Chapter 119

“I’m trying,” he said, and the words sounded like they were being dragged out of him. “I’m trying not to walk back into that room, take his ring off your finger, and tell every person there exactly who you belong to

My heart lurched.

“You wouldn’t do that.”

His mouth curved, but it wasn’t anything close to a smile. “You keep saying that to a man who keeps proving you wrong

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