Chapter 5
"Please... stay back," Rose pleaded, her voice barely above a whisper as she struggled to break free from the man's pheromones.
"Are you sure you want me to stay back?" Dylan asked, his voice low and husky. His lips hovered dangerously close to Rose's neck, every warm breath he exhaled sending another wave of heat coursing through her body. "We're a match. My family chooses their spouses through genetic matching."
"I have no business with your family," Rose replied, trying desperately to keep her voice steady despite the overwhelming warmth spreading through her body. "I only came here to break off the engagement."
"Are you really sure you want to break off the engagement?" Dylan asked once more, his tone carrying a hint of reluctance. "You haven't even gotten to know me yet."
His warm breath brushed against the sensitive skin of her neck again, causing Rose's knees to weaken. Her legs felt as soft as tofu beneath her, and the pheromones surrounding him only made it harder for her to think rationally.
Fuck...
Rose bit down on her lower lip, fighting every instinct screaming at her to throw caution to the wind. She clenched her fists tightly, trying with everything she had to suppress the burning desire threatening to consume her.
"I'll marry you," Dylan pleaded earnestly, his voice filled with desperation. "I'll take responsibility for everything, so please... help me, okay? I'll explain why I suddenly entered my heat later, but right now... please."
His pleading eyes met hers, making it difficult for Rose to look away.
You know what? Whatever!
He can't force me to marry him if I don't want to anyway. We can settle everything else afterward.
.
Finally giving in to the overwhelming tension between them, Rose slowly wrapped both arms around Dylan's neck and pressed her lips against Dylan's before he knew it.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of Dylan's lips.
Unable to restrain himself any longer, he pulled her closer to himself, kissing her like his life depends on it.
Meanwhile, back at the Hart family residence...
The front door swung open as a young man dressed in an elegant black business suit strode confidently into the Hart family's luxurious living room. His neatly styled curly black hair complemented his handsome features, while his emerald-green eyes sparkled with excitement. A bright smile spread across his face, revealing the deep dimples that had always been one of his most charming features.
"Bryce! You're finally back!" Mrs. Hart exclaimed excitedly.
The moment she saw her eldest son, she hurried over without hesitation and threw herself into his embrace, wrapping both arms tightly around him.
Bryce chuckled softly before returning the hug.
"I'm back, Mother," he said warmly. "How have you been?"
After gently pulling away, he shifted his attention toward the dignified middle-aged man seated comfortably on one of the sofas.
"And how are you doing, Father?"
Mr. Hart looked up from the document he had been reading. Although he wasn't a man who expressed his emotions openly, a small yet genuine smile appeared on his face as he nodded at his eldest son.
"I'm doing well."
Mrs. Hart's smile widened.
"I'm glad you're finally home," she said affectionately. "It's been such a long business trip. You must be exhausted after all that traveling. Go upstairs, freshen up, and get some rest. I'll have the servants serve dinner right away."
Bryce smiled gratefully before nodding.
"Welcome home, Brother," Ava greeted warmly, a gentle smile spreading across her face as she threw herself into Bryce arm too and soon pulled away.
"Thank you, Sister," Bryce replied with a faint nod before his sharp gaze slowly swept across the spacious living room.
Almost immediately, a crease formed between his brows.
On a normal day, the moment Rose heard the sound of Bryce's car pulling into the driveway, she would come running downstairs with the brightest smile on her face to welcome him home.
She never missed it.
Whether she was studying, drawing, or even asleep, she somehow always knew when he had returned.
But today...
There was no sign of her.
"Where's Rose?" Bryce asked, curiosity laced with growing concern.
Ever since Ava had returned to the Hart family, he had witnessed how difficult life had become for Rose. He had seen the subtle changes in the household, the cold treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Hart, and the constant emotional pressure Rose endured.
Although Rose rarely complained, Bryce wasn't blind.
He knew she was suffering.
And because of that, he found himself worrying about her now more than ever before.
Just then, his eyes landed on a laptop lying on one of the couches.
It was Rose's laptop. The one he specifically gifted her recently.
The screen was still on.
The moment Ava noticed where Bryce was looking, her heart skipped a beat.
Without hesitation, she hurried toward the couch, intending to pick it up before Bryce could see what was displayed on the screen.
"Don't!"
Bryce's voice rang through the living room.
Before Ava could even touch it, Bryce strode over, reached out, and grabbed the laptop first.
His eyes immediately scanned the page that was open.
His expression froze.
"Central Hub?" he read aloud before his eyes shifted lower.
"'Matched Partner?'"
His brows furrowed deeply.
"What the actual heck is this?"
Ava secretly clenched her fists before forcing herself to remain calm.
"Oh... yeah," she began as though she had just remembered something. "Mother and Father were actually planning to tell you."
She lowered her gaze and sighed softly.
"Rose submitted an application to the Central Hub to search for a genetic match."
