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From heartbreak to healing she found peace at last.
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Chapter 17
Justin’s eyes widened, but Aaron’s shock hit harder.
“Boyfriend? You’ve known him for what, five minutes? Rachel, don’t play games with
your life!”
“Alpha Aaron, time doesn’t always mean trust.”
Her words cut deep, and Aaron knew exactly what she meant.
He forced a slow breath, trying to keep his cool. “Rachel, can we just talk? Please?”
“There’s nothing left to say.”
“Your mate’s waiting back at the pack. I’m doing fine here in Milan–got a job, got people who care. Thanks for everything you’ve done for me over the years. I’ll pay you
back, you and the pack.”
“I don’t want your damn gratitude!”
“Then what do you want?”
Aaron froze.
He wanted her.
But her cold, distant stare choked the words in his throat.
“Alpha Aaron, go home. You’ve already let one woman down. Don’t make it two.”
“Sierra’s not my mate, Rachel. Just give me ten minutes to explain, please.”
“My boyfriend and I have plans. Maybe another time.”
Rachel gave Justin’s arm a light tug, and he followed her lead, walking away.
They’d gone a good distance when Justin glanced back. “Your brother’s still there. He
Chapter 17
GoodShort
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From heartbreak to healing she found peace at last.
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hasn’t moved.”
“Don’t worry about him. Let’s check out some furniture.”
“You sure? He looks… kinda broken.”
Rachel let out a dry laugh. “Broken? He just got married. Got a hot new wife waiting for him. He’s fine.”
The rest of the afternoon, Justin tagged along as Rachel hit up every corner of the mall.
She loaded up on stuff she loved–cute mugs, artsy wall prints, and a massive teddy bear that was somehow bigger than Justin.
As he lugged the giant bear through the mall, heads turned, and he caught every single
stare.
“Am I ridiculous right now?” he asked, half–laughing, half–embarrassed.
Rachel didn’t answer, but two girls passing by giggled and chimed in. “Nah, you just look like a guy who’s head over heels for his girlfriend.”
Justin’s face went beet red.
“I–I’m just hot, okay? This bear’s like a furnace,” he stammered.
Rachel couldn’t help but crack up.
Maybe having a sweet, straightforward guy like Justin wasn’t such a bad deal.
At least she didn’t have to spend every second guessing whether he cared. His actions
screamed it loud and clear: I’m into you.
When Justin dropped her off at her new place, the sky was already dark.
Ever the gentleman, he didn’t step inside, just set her bags down outside the door.
Rachel tilted her head. “What’re you doing just standing out there? Come in.”
Chapter 17
GoodShort
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From heartbreak to healing she found peace at last.
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Justin hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. “Rachel… what you said earlier. About me being your boyfriend. Was that… for real?”
She paused, then gave a firm nod. “I meant it. I’m saying yes to your confession, and I respect your courage. I’m not, like, head–over–heels yet, but I’m open to seeing where this goes. If you’re cool with taking it slow.”
Justin’s face lit up like a kid on Christmas. “Seriously?”
Rachel smiled, nodding. “Yup.”
“I thought…”
“Thought what?”
“I thought you only said that to piss your brother off,” Justin said, eyeing her
cautiously.
Rachel sighed. “A while back? Yeah, maybe I would’ve.”
“But not anymore?”
She nodded slowly, her voice steadier this time. “Not anymore. I genuinely want a fresh
start.
Justin was quiet for a beat before asking, “Rachel… you were in love with him, weren’t you? I mean–back then.”
Rachel didn’t dodge it. She nodded.
“Yeah. I was.”
冷
She thought he’d press her for more. Or maybe flinch at the idea of her having feelings for someone like… her brother. Even if not by blood, it was messy. Complicated.
But instead, Justin just grunted as he dragged the giant teddy bear into her apartment, his shirt damp with sweat and breath coming hard.
Rachel glanced at him, then burst out laughing.
Chapter 17
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“What?” he asked, confused.
“I thought you were gonna ask if I still loved him.”
He paused, wiping sweat off his brow with the back of his hand. “Didn’t need to. You
said it yourself — it was in the past. And I believe you.”
Rachel blinked, caught off guard by how simple he made it.
No judgment. No jealousy. Just… trust.
Since that day in the mall, Aaron hadn’t shown up again. Not once.
And strangely enough, Rachel didn’t find herself thinking about him much anymore.
新
Justin wasn’t the clingy type–he didn’t bombard her with gifts or constantly ask where they stood. He just… showed up. Fixed the squeaky cabinet door. Remembered how she
liked her coffee. Walked her home when it rained.
It wasn’t passionate or explosive.
It was steady. Warm.
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And Rachel found herself settling into it more and more.
That morning, her phone rang just past sunrise.
It was Sam, the editor–in–chief at Milan Style Weekly.
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“Rachel, I need a favor,” he said. “A friend of mine, Shane–he’s a host–has a high–profile celebrity shoot today. The photographer bailed last minute. You free?”
“Yeah, I can help out. When and where?”
“Right now, if possible. I’ll text you the address and Shane’s contact.’
Rachel didn’t waste a second. She threw on a hoodie, grabbed her gear, and hailed a cab
straight to the studio.
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By the time she arrived, the crew was already in place. Lights. Mics. Set design.
Everything was ready–except the photographer.
She scanned the room, looking for Shane, the host Sam mentioned.
But her eyes landed on someone else first.
Aaron.
–
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From heartbreak to healing she found peace at
