She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 445

Before she could even finish her sentence, Preston grabbed her by the waist and pulled her down with him.

He sat on the edge of the hospital bed, and Melanie landed squarely on his lap.

As their eyes met, the tension in the room instantly shifted into something thick and magnetic.

They were lovers now, completely comfortable with each other, but the position was still incredibly intimate, making a hot flush of embarrassment creep up Melanie’s neck.

Up close, Preston’s features looked like they had been sculpted by a master artist—so strikingly handsome it was almost unfair.

Melanie deliberately reached out, pinching his cheeks and forcing him to tilt his head up.

"What? Are you trying to seduce me?"

Melanie teased with a smile.

Even though she was the one holding his chin, she felt entirely like the one being seduced.

The man was just too unfairly attractive.

Melanie had never considered herself the type to be easily swayed by a pretty face.

But when it came to Preston, her defenses crumbled effortlessly.

"I guess with a face like that, the crazy admirers are unavoidable!"

Melanie sighed in mock defeat.

In reality, she knew perfectly well that neither Elara nor Aria had anything to do with Preston.

He had never encouraged them, nor had he ever given them the time of day.

Being targeted by them was entirely a one-sided headache for him.

Staring into Melanie’s bright, expressive eyes, Preston’s gaze intensified, burning with a heavy, hooded hunger.

"Honey, do you like my face?"

The question caught her off guard.

"Is there anyone on this planet who wouldn't like your face?"

Melanie fired back without thinking.

Preston held her gaze, searching the absolute honesty in her eyes, his own expression shifting into something unreadable and complex.

"If... my face wasn't good-looking, would you still like me?"

Melanie tilted her head, completely confused by this sudden wave of insecurity.

Humans were visual creatures; initial attraction was always physical.

"Preston—what are you doing... We can't do this in a hospital..."

The rest of her words were swallowed by his fiery, desperate kiss.

Their lips met in a bruising, desperate clash as their breaths tangled and he consumed her with a frantic hunger.

Preston gave her no room to breathe.

He entirely ignored her weak resistance.

Melanie realized it then—

Preston was losing control.

But this wasn't just physical lust taking over.

It felt like something much deeper.

A suffocating, deep-seated panic and insecurity.

He was kissing her like he was terrified he would lose her if he didn't stake his claim right this second.

Melanie couldn't understand it...

What exactly was Preston so afraid of?