The Ceo's Runaway Bride

Episode:13The Pier

The pier was empty. Just black water, crashing waves, and fog so thick I could barely see 2 feet in front of me.

She was already waiting.

A woman in her late 30s. She had Adrian’s sharp jaw and Daniel’s sad eyes. She was hugging herself, shivering in a thin coat.

"You're Daniel's fiancée," I said. My voice sounded small.

"I'm his fiancée," she snapped, and stepped closer. "And Adrian let him die. Then he took the money to keep quiet about it."

My stomach dropped. "That's not true."

"Isn't it?" She threw a manila folder at my feet. Papers scattered in the wind.

I bent down and picked them up. Photos of Adrian and my dad. Shaking hands. Smiling.

Dated 2 days after Daniel’s accident.

And a bank statement. 2 million dollars transferred into Adrian Carter’s personal account.

"He sold out your brother for cash," she whispered. "Just like he's using you now. You're just his next transaction."

My chest felt like someone was squeezing it. "No. He hates my dad. He told me he bought the company to destroy it—"

"He told you what you needed to hear," she cut me off. "Men like Adrian don't feel guilt. They feel opportunity."

My phone vibrated. Adrian.

"Where are you?" His voice was panicked. I could hear him running. "Get away from her. Now."

"The pier," I whispered.

"Don’t believe anything she says. I'm 2 minutes away."

The woman grabbed my arm so hard it hurt. Her nails dug in. "If you love him, you'll end up like Daniel. In a wooden box 6 feet under."

Headlights. A black SUV came flying off the road, straight at us. No brakes.

I closed my eyes.

Strong arms wrapped around me and pulled me down. Adrian tackled me to the wet wooden planks. We hit hard.

The SUV swerved at the last second and crashed through the railing. It splashed into the water with a huge boom.

Silence. Then just the sound of waves and us breathing.

Adrian was on top of me, protecting me with his body. His heart was pounding against mine.

"I told you to run," he whispered in my ear. His voice was shaking.

"I can't run from the truth," I whispered back.

He looked at the papers scattered on the ground. His face went completely pale. "That's not what it looks like. I can explain."mpty. ."