Chapter 348
Summer’s POV
Lyanna’s face was ashen white as she stared at me, her composed facade crumbling. She’d completely underestimated me, thinking I’d fall apart while she swooped in to reclaim Brandon.
“Brandon…” she whispered, tears welling in her eyes. “Please tell Summer that I really… really didn’t mean any harm.”
Brandon’s hand tightened around mine, his grip almost painful.
“Say something,” Lyanna pleaded. “After all, if your relationship with her was truly solid, it wouldn’t be so easily threatened by me, would it?”
Brandon’s expression remained glacial as he cut her off. “I, Brandon Stark, have never loved you, and I have never made any engagement promises to you…”
The room fell completely silent. You could have heard a pin drop.
“Timothy is not my child, Brandon continued firmly. “I have never fathered a child with you or anyone else. My child, when I have one, will only be born to my wife, and my wife…” he paused, his grip on my hand softening, “is only Summer. No one else.”
I felt something twist in my chest as he continued.
“If she dies, I will remain alone for the rest of my life; if I l die, she will forever be known only as Brandon Stark’s wife.”
I looked up at him, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes.
“Tsk, tsk, Brandon…” a familiar voice broke the tension. “Showing off your love in front of all these people? Not very gentlemanly of
you!
Dr. Sean stepped forward, his usual mischievous grin in place. He winked at me before turning to Brandon.
“Summer,” Dr. Sean said, placing a friendly hand on my shoulder, “if this guy ever mistreats you, just tell us, okay? The boys and I
will sort him out for you.”
Behind him, Michael Sullivan nodded in agreement.
I felt a genuine smile tug at my lips. “Thanks, Sean. I appreciate that
I turned to Brandon with a playful glint in my eye. “You hear that? No one gets to bully me, not even you. If you do, I’ll call Ethan-
and the others for backup!”
Brandon’s expression softened slightly. “If I ever mistreat you, you won’t need Ethan to step in. handle the punishment myself.”
The tension in the room began to dissipate. I felt exhaustion washing over me.
“I’m tired,” I murmured to Brandon. “Can we go home now?”
He nodded immediately. “Of course.”
The moment we stepped outside, I wrenched my hand from his grip. walked quickly toward the waiting car, putting distance between us.
I stopped when I reached his Bentley, turning to face him with a deliberately blank expression. When he reached out to touch my
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Chapter 348
arm, I stepped back.
His arm froze mid–ait, confusion flashing across his face.
“The keys,” I said flatly.
Brandon didn’t move. “Summer-
“The keys!” I repeated louder. “Since you don’t want to leave, give me the keys. I want to go home.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Brandon unlocked the door. Igot in and pulled it shut, effectively shutting him out.
When he got into the driver’s seat, I turned away, staring out the passenger window. The silence between us was suffocating.
“Summer-“he began.
“Drive,” I cut him off I don’t want to stay here anymore.”
We drove slowly through the city, neither of us speaking. I kept my body angled away from him, refusing to meet his eyes.
When we finally reached The Hamptons, I got out before he’d fully stopped the car. I heard him sigh, followed by the sound of his phone ringing.
By the time Brandon came upstairs, I was standing outside our bedroom door with a pillow and blanket in my arms. I thrust them at
his chest.
“You go to the guest room,” I said firmly.
Brandon looked surprised. “I thought you would have questions.”
“I thought you would have told me the truth,” I countered. “But Brandon, you didn’t.”
His eyes searched mine. “Summer-”
“I don’t want to talk to you right now,” I interrupted. “I don’t even want to be in the same room as you.”
Brandon took the bedding, his expression unreadable. “Alright,” he said quietly.
As soon as he was gone, I sagged against the wall. Eventually, I pushed myself away and went into the bedroom, closing the door
behind me.
With shaking fingers, I pulled out my phone and dialed Sean’s number.
“Well, Summer, what’s up with calling me so late?” Sean’s voice was relaxed, but understanding.
“Sean, I… need to ask you about Lyanna.”
“Whatever you want to know, I’ll tell you everything I can.”
I took a deep breath What was her relationship with Brandon?”
“Three years ago, Lyanna presented herself as Brandon’s fiancée. Brandon neither confirmed nor denied it,” Sean explained. “William Stark had chosen her, but there was never any official engagement. Brandon allowed the rumors because Lyanna served two purposes–she kept other women away, and she helped him deal with family pressure.”
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“Why didn’t he just deny it?” asked quietly.
“Two reasons, Sean said. ‘First, having Lyanna around kept things sple. Second… Lyanna once took a risk to save him.”
My chest tightened. “What happened?”
“That’s something you should ask Brandon directly, Sean replied gently. “After a certain incident three years ago, Lyanna left New York. Brandon protected her by keeping the whole thing quiet.”
“Protected her?” The words felt bitter.
*Summer, sometimes what we see and hear isn’t the full fruth.”
“Then what should I use to know the truth?” I asked frustratedly. “I can’t bear that I gave him opportunities to tell me everything,
but he didn’t.”
“Has Brandon been good to you?” Sean asked suddenly.
I fell silent, memories flashing through my mind.
“Brandon has changed a lot since meeting you,” Sean continued. “The way he looks at you, talks about you, protects you… we’ve all noticed. Brandon has never been like this with anyone else. He’s really serious about you and you’re so special to him, Summer.”
I gripped the phone tighter. “Then why didn’t he tell me everything?
“Maybe he was afraid of losing you,” Sean suggested. “Brandon, believe it or not, has his own insecurities.”
After hanging up, I lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Sean’s words echoed in my mind, mingling with the events of the evening.
I needed answers, but I also needed time. Tomorrow would be soon enough to confront Brandon.
For now, I just needed to breathe.
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