“Really? Is that honestly the impression you have of me?” he asked, his voice deep and enticing as he made his way toward me, each step deliberate and full of confidence. The way he carried himself was magnetic, drawing attention effortlessly. With every footfall, my heart raced in my chest, threatening to burst out from the intensity of the moment. I could feel my pulse quickening, a response I had come to expect whenever Blake was near. There was something about him—his mere presence sent shivers coursing down my spine. “Don’t read too much into what happened last night, Blake,” I cautioned, my voice steady, betraying none of the turmoil churning within me. “It was nothing significant at all. Besides, I have no intention of becoming involved with a man who seems to be attracted to every skirt that crosses his path.” I emphasized my words, hoping he would understand the seriousness behind them. Blake’s smirk deepened, and he stepped closer, his intensity palpable. “You really think I’m going to let you walk away, Phiona Derek? If you believe that you can just dream of escaping me, you need to reconsider your options.” His posture was relaxed, yet there was a steeliness behind his gaze that made it clear he wasn’t going to take ‘no’ for an answer. I crossed my arms defiantly. “You don’t own me, Blake Anderson. I’m my own person, and I won’t be treated like some possession you can claim.” My voice held a measure of steadiness, but deep down, I could feel the walls I had built around my heart beginning to tremble. “That’s where you’re wrong,” he replied, his tone low and seductive, as he closed the distance between us. “You are my addiction, which means you are inherently mine, whether you like it or not. There’s nothing you can do to change that.” As he spoke, his fingers brushed lightly against my cheek, trailing down toward the nape of my neck with such a feather-light touch that I had to bite my lip to suppress an involuntary moan. It was a sensation no one else had ever evoked in me—an electric current that flowed between us, undeniable and intoxicating. In that moment, I was acutely aware that there was really only one person capable of igniting such passionate feelings within me, and that was Blake Anderson. Just as the tension in the air intensified, a voice suddenly broke through the charged silence. “Mummy… we’re getting late!” Jaime called out innocently, shattering the spell that had enveloped us. My heart sank at the sound of his voice, an ever-present reminder of the fabric of my reality. Oh no, how was I supposed to conceal the truth from Blake when he and Jaime bore such a striking resemblance to one another? The resemblance was uncanny, and the thought of Blake discovering the truth about Jaime sent a fresh wave of anxiety coursing through me. I couldn’t afford to let Blake’s charm distract me from the path I had chosen for myself, yet the pull I felt toward him was undeniably strong. What would happen if he put the pieces together? My mind raced with the potential consequences, and I knew I had to tread carefully.

"I don't want to be looked after all the time, being popular with people pretending to be friendly to me