Begged All You Want, But You Will Never Have Me Back - Chapter 11

Life had become… easy. For the first time in years, I wasn’t fighting to be heard, to be loved, to be enough. I was Entice Johansen, CEO of Johansen Industries. And I was engaged to Xavier Esralde.

Since taking over the company, my days were filled with meetings, negotiations, and decisions that affected an empire. It was overwhelming at times, but I handled it.

Xavier had been by my side through it all, proving time and time again that he was serious about us.

But I still kept a cautious distance.

I wasn’t ready to make this real. Not yet. Like he said, he has to prove himself to me. I just couldn’t allow myself to trust someone again, then get betrayed.

I just wanted peace. A life free of betrayal and heartbreak. Whatever happened beyond that–happened.

But the world had its eyes on us.

The announcement of our engagement had sparked a frenzy. My mother, ever the strategist, was quick to push for an early wedding.

“It will be good for the company,” she told me over breakfast. “Stabilizing stocks, securing alliances–this isn’t just about love, Entice. You know this was also planned, so we have to do it as soon as possible. ”

I had sighed but agreed. I didn’t have much choice, but this is something better than being controlled by someone. At least in here, I still have a say. And so, the planning began.

Wedding coordinators, stylists, and designers flooded the estate, presenting endless choices. Venues. Dresses. Invitations.

Xavier was hands–on with every decision. It surprised me.

Nathan had barely been involved in our wedding before. He had rushed it, making sure everything was done fast. At the time, I thought it was because he couldn’t wait to marry me.

Now I knew the truth. It wasn’t love. It was control, and certainly just wanted to hide the truth.”

But Xavier? He took his time. He listened. He cared.

When we sat down to discuss the guest list, he leaned toward me, smirking. “You know, normally, the bride is the one obsessing over these things, but I think I might be more invested than you.“

I raised a brow. “You like weddings?“

“I like this wedding,” he corrected. “Because it’s ours.”

His words sent a warmth through me I wasn’t ready to acknowledge. I was starting to believe him. Starting to believe that maybe- just maybe–this wasn’t just business for him.”

That maybe, for the first time, I had chosen right. And maybe this could work? If it did, then how nice would it be to fall in love… for real this time?

The night before our engagement party, we were finalizing the venue details.

Xavier stood beside me as we overlooked the city from the estate’s balcony. The view was breathtaking, but all I could focus on was him. He was different from Nathan in every way.”

And maybe that was why I was scared.”

I turned to him, my voice softer than I intended. “Xavier… is this real?“

He looked at me, eyes unreadable. “What do you mean?“

I swallowed. “Do you… really love me? Or is this just another business move?”

For the first time since I had met him, his smirk faded.”

Then, he told me the truth. One I hadn’t expected.

“I’ve loved you since the first time I saw you,” he admitted. “But you were with Nathan. And I respected that.”

I sucked in a breath. He had never shown it. Never hinted at it.”

“But now,” he continued, his gaze locking onto mine, “I won’t let you go.”

There was something final in the way he said it, something that sent my heart racing.

For the first time in years, I felt safe.

Maybe I could trust again. Maybe I could fall in love without getting hurt.”

The tension between us thickened. His hand reached for mine, fingers brushing against my skin.”

I tilted my head slightly, my breath hitching as he leaned in. And then-

A knock at the door. We turned, startled.

A staff member rushed in, her face pale.

“Sir, ma’am,” she said breathlessly. “Something’s happened.“

A sinking feeling settled in my stomach. “What is it?”

She hesitated before speaking.”

“There was an accident while transporting Amelia.“”

Silence. I stiffened. “What kind of accident?”

The staff member swallowed hard.

“She escaped.”

A chill ran down my spine.

Amelia was missing.

And I knew, without a doubt-

She was coming for me.