The Temporary Boyfriend

Chapter 162: All to yourself

Andrew ran a hand through his hair in frustration.

"That’s not what I meant. You’re twisting my words."

"Really? Because that’s exactly what it sounded like."

"Jasmine..."

"No." She shook her head. "Do you know what the worst part is? I kept making excuses for you. Every missed call. Every canceled date. Every time you disappeared without warning."

She let out a tired laugh.

"I loved you enough to accept scraps."

Andrew’s face softened slightly. "Baby..." free𝑤ebnovel.com

"Don’t call me that."

The sharpness in her voice made him fall silent.

People were beginning to notice now. A few nurses slowed their steps. Someone standing at the reception desk openly stared.

But Jasmine no longer cared.

"You know what I realized?" she asked quietly. "I was more afraid of embarrassing you than I was of losing myself."

"Don’t say that, my love. Let’s just talk things through," Andrew said, reaching out to touch her arm. "When does your shift end?"

​"My shift ends in six hours," she said, her voice steady. "But we are finished right now."

Andrew stared at her like he had misheard.

"No," he said immediately. "No, you’re angry. That’s all this is. Let’s talk when your shift is over."

Jasmine slowly pulled her arm away from him.

"You still don’t get it, do you," she whispered. "It’s over. I’m done."

Andrew held up the engagement ring in his palm.

"What am I supposed to do with this?" he asked.

She looked at the ring for only a second.

"Keep it," she said. "Or maybe give it to Ava."

Andrew’s entire expression changed.

"What did you say?"

She folded her arms across her chest. "You heard me. You really think I’m stupid, don’t you?"

"Look, I can explain. It’s not what you think."

"Tell me exactly what I’m supposed to think then."

Andrew dragged a hand down his face, looking more frustrated.

"It happened only once, and... and it meant nothing."

Jasmine looked at him like he had suddenly grown horns. "Wow."

"It was a mistake, ok. I was going to tell you."

"When? After the wedding? Or after she had the baby?"

Suddenly, her pager beeped loudly against her waist.

She glanced down at it, then back up at him.

"I have to go," she said calmly. Then turned and walked down the bright hospital corridor without looking back.

Andrew stayed there alone, still holding the ring tightly in his hand.

A cold sweat broke out on his neck. How? How in God’s name did she find out about Ava? He had been so careful.

It’s not like he was heartbroken or anything. He had never been dying to marry her anyway. But... she had a massive inheritance. A mountain of money that he needed. Now, that fortune was slipping through his fingers.

His stomach twisted when he thought about his mother. She and Adrian had big plans for that money.

Without that money, she and Adrian wouldn’t be able to fund their campaign against Julian.

​"Mother is going to be furious," he whispered to himself. "I better find a way to fix this.

As he walked out of the hospital, his thoughts drifted to Lyvana. He already had a new plan forming in his head.

He couldn’t help it. He was madly in love with her, and what he wanted the most was to take Lyvana away from Julian.

....

Clarisse arrived in Spain with Susan. Susan felt confident because, in her mind, everything was under control. Before returning home, she left Alex in charge of her.

The next morning, the duo were completely exhausted from a wild and erotic night. As they lay on the bed, naked and snuggled in each other’s arms, a loud knock suddenly echoed through the bedroom.

Alex groaned and slowly opened his eyes.

The clock beside the bed read 9:00AM.

The knocking came again, harder this time.

Alex rubbed a hand over his face and carefully untangled himself from Clarisse.

"Who the hell is knocking this early?" he muttered.

Clarisse pulled the blanket over herself and groaned softly. "Ignore it." freewebnσvel.cѳm

The knocking came again. "Clarisse! Open the door!"

Both of them froze.

Clarisse’s eyes widened instantly. "That sounds like Mark."

Alex cursed under his breath and jumped out of bed. Clothes were scattered everywhere across the floor.

"Why is he back?" Clarisse whispered in panic, clutching the blanket tighter against her chest.

He quickly pulled on a pair of sweatpants and turned toward Clarisse.

"I’m going to the guest bedroom," he said, giving her a quick wink

Clarisse nodded casually and slipped out of bed. She grabbed a silk robe from the chair and wrapped it around herself before walking toward the door.

Mark stood outside looking rugged.

"There you are," he said quietly. "I thought you were still asleep."

"What are you doing here?" Clarisse asked, sounding surprised. "You didn’t tell me you were coming."

Mark smiled faintly, and walked past her. "I wanted to surprise you."

​Clarisse crossed her arms. "What is wrong with you?"

​"Why would you think something is wrong?"

​"Well, maybe because your precious Lyvana is all over social media with her business partner."

​Mark stopped walking and turned to look at her, his expression cold.

"It’s over between Lyvana and I, and it’s all your fault," he said bitterly. "I hope you are happy now."

"My fault?" she scoffed, throwing her head back. "Why are you blaming me?"

Mark shook his head and went to grab a wine bottle.

"Isn’t it too early for wine?" She asked.

"It’s never too early when your life is a disaster," Mark snapped. He didn’t even reach for a glass; he took a long, heavy swallow straight from the bottle.

He let out a cold, hollow laugh.

"You wanted her gone so you could have me all to yourself, didn’t you? Well... here I am. I’m all yours."

​Clarisse opened her mouth to respond, but a voice from the doorway stopped her.

​"Mark?" Alex said, stepping casually into the living room as if he had just woken up. "When did you get here?"

​Mark turned, surprised. "Alex? What are you doing here?"

"Mom left me here last night. Since it was Clarisse’s first night, she didn’t want her staying in this big place alone. I was just heading home this morning."

​Mark nodded slowly. He took another swig from the bottle.

​"Father will be happy to see you," Alex added, watching his brother closely.

​"He’ll strangle me for sure," Mark muttered.

He knew he had failed the family’s expectations as much as he had failed Lyvana.

​Just then, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, frowning at the screen.

It was a message from Catalina.

​Why the hell is she contacting me now? he thought.