Leo Joyce’s expression was incredibly dark. He let out a self-deprecating laugh. "Are you serious? You want me to help you stop my love rival from getting married?" ’His heart isn’t that big...’

"Yes, you have to help me!" Amelia Avery ordered sharply, her tone imperious.

But this time, Leo Joyce didn’t listen to her like he usually did. Instead, he put his arm around Tiana’s waist and turned to leave. "Impossible. I’m not helping you. Tiana, let’s go. We’ll just pretend we never came to pick her up."

"Huh? We’re leaving now?" Tiana Grayson asked in surprise.

"Yes, right now. Listen, if you’ve got the guts, go stop him yourself. If not, you’ll just have to quietly come with us."

Amelia Avery was livid. She strode in front of Leo Joyce. "Leo Joyce, you bastard! You think I can’t do this without you? Let me tell you, Cassian Jennings isn’t getting married without my say-so!" With that, Amelia angrily and recklessly started rummaging through Leo Joyce’s pockets for his car keys.

Leo Joyce didn’t stop her, simply letting her rummage all over him as she searched.

Watching Amelia’s brazen actions, Tiana’s cheeks flushed. She awkwardly pushed Leo Joyce away, stepping out of his arms.

A complex look flashed in Leo Joyce’s eyes. He arched a handsome brow and gave a wicked smirk. "Looking for the car keys?"

"Duh!"

"No need to search. The keys are in my hand," Leo Joyce said, opening his palm for Amelia to see.

Amelia rose onto her toes to grab them, but Leo Joyce just smirked and clenched his fist tight. "You can have the keys. Kiss me, and they’re yours."

"Leo Joyce, don’t you fucking push it!"

"A cab ride from the airport to the church will take over an hour, at least. By the time you get there, the wedding will probably have started. And that’s assuming there’s no traffic..."

Amelia waved her hand impatiently. "Fine, fine, fine! I’ll do it! It’s just one kiss!" The moment the words were out, Amelia grabbed Leo Joyce by the collar and planted a firm kiss on his cheek with a loud SMOOCH.

"Happy now?"

Leo Joyce’s gaze deepened. "Yeah," he replied coolly. "Go."

Amelia snatched the keys from his hand, called out a "goodbye" to Tiana, and ran off.

Watching Amelia disappear, Tiana was filled with doubt. "Why did you lie to Amelia? Isn’t Cassian’s wedding tomorrow?"

"It’s nothing. Let’s go."

’It was probably because, selfishly, he still hoped Amelia would give up on Cassian Jennings. But...’

*****

Tristan Grayson was driving so fast the car might as well have been flying, but he was still a step too late.

By the time he arrived, he found Mika Summers tied to a car seat, her head and face covered in blood...

He was on the verge of a breakdown. ’How could she do this!?’

’How could she put him through this kind of agony, time and time again...’

"Mika Summers! You listen to me and you listen good! If you dare to die, I’ll die with you! You’ll see me every single moment, and you’ll never be able to shake me off!"

"You want me to save your brother? I’m telling you, if you dare die, I absolutely will not help you!"

But as he spoke, his voice faltered. "Mika! Mika! You can’t die! You have to hold on! I’m about to break the door open! Hold on! Wake up, damn it!"

In a daze, Mika heard someone calling her. She tried to lift her hand, but it felt like it was pinned down, refusing to move.

When Tristan Grayson saw Mika stir, he started smashing with even more force. His hands were raw and bleeding, but he didn’t feel a thing, just clutching a rock with both hands and hammering it against the door handle with all his might.