Begged All You Want, But You Will Never Have Me Back - Chapter 9

Days passed in a blur. Nathan was still trying to get my attention. Messages. Calls. Attempts to see me. But he didn’t matter anymore. I had bigger things to focus on.”

Becoming the heir to the Johansen empire wasn’t just a title. It was a challenge. A test.

Not everyone welcomed me with open arms. Some executives doubted me, whispered behind my back. They thought I was unfit. That I was nothing more than a woman who had been pitied and placed in a position of power.

They were wrong. I worked harder than ever–studied every aspect of our business, attended high–stakes meetings, spoke with clients, learned everything I needed to know.

And through it all, Xavier was there. At first, I didn’t care about him. Our engagement was nothing more than business. A power move.

But lately… I was starting to see him differently. I hated to admit it, but I was drawn to him in a way I never expected. And maybe, deep down, I already had been.

I first met Xavier years ago. Before Nathan. Before everything. He had always been Nathan’s rival, even back in school. They competed in everything–grades, sports, social standing.

I had known of him, of course. It was impossible not to. But I never paid him any attention. I had been too focused on Nathan. Too blinded by my feelings for a man who never truly saw me.

The first time Xavier and I actually spoke, it had been during a debate competition. Nathan and Amelia had been together back then. I was just another girl in the background, unnoticed.

Xavier, on the other hand, had been impossible to ignore. His confidence, his sharp tongue, the way he never let Nathan win without a fight–it had intrigued me, even if I hadn’t realized it at the time.

Now, years later, I was engaged to the very man Nathan had always hated. I smirked at the irony.

“Here.“

A yogurt drink landed in front of me, breaking me out of my thoughts.”

I blinked, looking up. Xavier was leaning against my desk, watching me with that infuriating smirk.

I stared at the drink, then back at him. “How did you know this was my favorite?“

Nathan had never known. No one had.”

Xavier shrugged. “I pay attention.“

Something in his tone made my heart skip a beat. I didn’t respond. I couldn’t. What would I say to him? Should I ask about the tension between us? There was–I just never wanted to acknowledge it. I’ve been hurt before. I won’t allow that to happen again.”

This is just merely a business. After all, I didn’t think he liked me. He was known to be a playboy. I didn’t want to deal with a man with that reputation.

For a moment, we just stared at each other. His eyes held something unreadable, something that made my pulse quicken. But before I could say anything, a staff member entered the room.”

“Ma’am, the car is ready. It’s time for the trial.“

Just like that, the moment was gone. I grabbed my coat, my focus shifting back to the real reason I was here.”

Amelia’s trial. I would make sure she got exactly what she deserved. After everything, she needed to pay for what she had done to

The courthouse was packed when we arrived. Cameras flashed as we arrived, reporters eager for the next scandal. Inside, Amelia was already there, flanked by guards, her wrists bound in cuffs.

Her eyes locked onto mine the moment I stepped in. It was full of rage and desperation. I looked around but there was no sign of Nathan. He was probably hiding right now.

Then, before anyone could react, she lunged at me. Her hands reached for my hair, wild and reckless-

But I didn’t move. I didn’t even flinch. She missed and fell. Pathetic! Her knees slammed against the ground, her palms scraping the floor.

The entire courtroom went silent. I laughed. A slow, amused chuckle that only made her fury burn brighter. She used to laugh at me before. It was my turn now.”

“You-” Amelia seethed, her face red with humiliation. “You’ll pay for this.”

I tilted my head, lips curling. “No, Amelia.“

I stepped forward, looking down at her.”

“You will because this ends now.”

She was about to lunge again but then we were cut off when the trial started. Witnesses were called. Evidence was presented. Amelia denied everything at first. She played the victim, twisted the truth.

But the facts were undeniable. And when the final verdict was announced–Guilty.

That was when she broke because there was no way out of this. I had made sure of it.M

Tears welled in her eyes as reality sank in. “No, please. No. This can’t happen to me! This is not right! Nathan! Nathan! He should also be here! Not only me.”

Right. Nathan! He will be soon…

Amelia turned to me, her expression no longer one of arrogance or malice. It was desperation.

“Entice, please,” she begged. “You can’t let them do this. Please. Have mercy.”

I stared at her, unmoved. Mercy? Where was her mercy when she ruined my life? When she stole, manipulated, and destroyed everything in her path?

I picked up a water bottle from the table. Then, without a word, I poured it over her head. Gasps filled the room.

Amelia shrieked, her drenched hair clinging to her face. I leaned down, my voice a whisper only she could hear.” “Enjoy your jail time.“

The cameras flashed. The headlines wrote themselves.”