Under The Billionaire's Control ✔

39 | Ryan's Right

N O A H

I wake up with a sense of peace I haven't felt in days. For the first time, everything feels...right. Sarah and I are back to where we belong, together.

I stretch, the sunlight streaming through the window, and head to the bathroom to freshen up. By the time I'm dressed, the familiar scent of coffee fills the air.

Sarah's working from home today, which means she's probably sitting at the kitchen table, typing away on her laptop with that adorable look of focus she always has. I smile at the thought as I grab my car keys.

On a whim, I decide to stop by the florist on my way to the office. Something simple yet thoughtful. A gesture to remind her how much she means to me. I pick a bouquet of her favourite flower, Tulips, their fragrance light and sweet, just like her.

When I walk back into the house to hand her the flowers, my good mood evaporates instantly. Ryan is sitting in the living room, his arms crossed, his expression colder than I've ever seen. Nayla is beside him, looking uneasy but determined.

My jaw tightens. "What's going on?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.

Nayla clears her throat. "Ryan knows," she says cautiously.

"Knows what?" I ask, though I already feel the pit forming in my stomach.

Ryan stands, his towering presence radiating fury. "About the kiss. About everything."

I tense, my grip tightening around the bouquet. "This is none of your business, Ryan."

He takes a step closer, his eyes narrowing. "None of my business? Sarah is my business. You think you can just walk into her life, mess with her emotions, and get away with it? If she sheds one more tear because of you, I'll personally break your neck."

I feel a surge of anger rise within me. "And what about you, huh? Acting like you're some knight in shining armor? Sarah doesn't need you to fight her battles."

Ryan's voice drops, low and dangerous. "Maybe not. But someone has to protect her from you."

The air is thick with tension, my fists itching to land a punch. But then Nayla steps between us, her hands raised. "Stop it. Both of you."

Ryan glares at me one last time before stepping back. "This is your last warning, Noah. Don't make her cry again."

I clench my jaw, biting back the retort I want to throw at him. Instead, I turn and head toward Sarah's workspace, gripping the bouquet so hard I nearly crush the stems.

When I enter the room, she looks up from her laptop, her eyes lighting up as she sees me. The anger simmering in my chest fades slightly at the sight of her smile.

"Hey," she says softly. "What's that?"

"Flowers," I say, forcing a smile and handing them to her. "For you."

Her face lights up, and she stands to take them, inhaling their scent. "They're beautiful. Thank you."

I lean down and press a kiss to her forehead, trying to push Ryan's words out of my mind. But the truth is, they linger, gnawing at me.

I hate how he thinks he has a right to Sarah, like she's some prize to be fought over. I hate that he saved her when I couldn't.

But most of all, I hate how he makes me feel like I'm not good enough for her. Like I'll never be able to protect her the way she deserves.

Sarah's touch pulls me out of my thoughts. She places a hand on my arm, concern flickering in her eyes. "Are you okay?"

I force a smile, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Yeah, just a long morning already."