15 Chapter 15 Chapter 15 : The Price of Impulse Mr. Hughes wasn't as sentimental as Madam Hughes . After a lifetime of running a company and navigating the cutthroat business world , he wasn't easy to fool . Telling us to kiss was a test - both a confirmation and a trap . " Mr. Hughes ... " " Aubrey- " Julian , who had been silent until now , suddenly spoke up . " He's just looking out for you , worried about you . So let's just kiss . It's not like anyone else is here . " I was stunned . What did that have to do with anything ? Julian walked over and gently put his arm around my shoulder , turning me to face him . Then , he slowly lowered his head , leaning in . My mind went completely blank . Julian whispered in my ear , " Don't worry , I - won't actually touch you . We'll just fake it . " I nodded . " Sorry about this . I didn't expect them to add a kissing scene . Uh ... I'll pay you extra . " Julian let out a short , breathy laugh . " You're the one in the tough spot here . No extra pay needed . " He kept a hand on my shoulder and shifted his body slightly , using his frame to block Mr. Hughes's line of sight before slowly leaning down . I slowly closed my eyes . " What do you think you're doing ?! " Suddenly , a blur of motion rushed past from behind me , followed by the sickening thud of a fist hitting flesh . Hayden's punch sent Julian stumbling back several steps until he slammed hard against the wall . * Thump . * The entire hospital room seemed to vibrate from the impact . When I snapped out of my daze , Hayden had Julian by the collar with one hand , the other cocked back into a fist , ready to strike again . " Hayden ! Hayden , stop it ! Calm down ! " 1/4 Chapter 15 Isabelle was terrified , too , trying desperately to pull him back . But Hayden was like a man possessed , completely out of his mind . He shook her off , and she stumbled and fell to the floor , looking stunned and helpless . I scrambled to help her up . " Isabelle , are you okay ? " Still a little dazed . Isabelle shook her head . " I'm fine , but Hayden ... Aubrey , you have to stop him ! " I didn't know why Hayden was even here when just moments ago he thought this was all a scam . And I had no idea why he was losing it this badly . The two men were about the same height , but Julian , still a college kid , was clearly thinner . Taken by surprise , he was knocked to the ground by Hayden's assault , pathetically shielding his head with his hands . I was furious . I stormed over and tried to grab Hayden's arm . " Hayden , stop it ! What are you doing ?! " Hayden froze for a second and turned to look at me , his eyes filled with a hatred I had never seen before . " I should be asking you that . What were the two of you just doing ? " I steeled myself . " I was about to kiss my boyfriend . Why are you hitting him ?! " Hayden sneered . " Your taste is terrible . This lightweight can't even protect himself , so how is he supposed to protect you ? " " That's my choice to - Hayden , stop hitting him ! Just stop ! " Hayden completely ignored the last part of my sentence and started throwing punches again . Seeing blood trickling from the corner of Julian's forehead , I gritted my teeth , dove forward , and shielded him with my own body . I squeezed my eyes shut , bracing for the pain . But after waiting for a moment , the punch I was expecting never came . I opened my eyes and saw Hayden staring at me in utter disbelief , his expression a volatile mix of shock , confusion , and above all , rage . Mr. Hughes was struggling to get out of bed . " Aubrey ! Aubrey , are you okay ? Where did he hit you ? " I pulled my gaze away and pretended everything was fine . " I'm okay , Mr. Hughes . Hayden didn't hit me . Please , le back down . The doctor said you absolutely can't get worked up again . " Hearing that my voice was steady , he must have figured I was all right . He stopped trying to get up but was still worried . " You foolish girl ! Why would you do something so reckless ? You know how strong he is ! What if he'd actually hit you ? " I managed a weak laugh . Then I'd just have to lie in here with you . We could ask the nurse to put a little cot next to your bed , and I could keep you company . " 214 Chapter 15 " If he dared to lay a hand on you , I'd kill him ! " I looked down at Julian . One of the arms of his glasses was broken , and a lens was cracked . There was blood on his forehead and at the corner of his mouth . I helped him to his feet . " Are you okay ? " Julian gave a wry smile . Tm fine . Hayden was just worried about you . " I sighed . " Let me take you to get those cuts looked at ." " Okay . " I supported Julian as we slowly walked toward the door . As we passed Hayden , I said in a low voice , " Hayden , you need to apologize to him . " Hayden scoffed . " How long have you even known this guy ? And you're already protecting him like this ? " " Because you were in the wrong . Whatever your reason , there's no excuse for attacking someone out of the blue . " Julian tugged on my sleeve . " Just let it go . Don't fight with your brother because of me . " " Shut up ! * Hayden gritted his teeth , his fist flying up again . 1 reacted faster this time , stepping directly in front of Julian . " If you're going to hit him , you'll have to go through me first ! " Hayden's fist froze in mid - air . Seeing her chance , Isabelle rushed over and grabbed his suspended arm . " Hayden , what are you doing ? This is a hospital .... With Isabelle's intervention , some of Hayden's reason finally seemed to return . isabelle said . " Aubrey , you should take your boyfriend to get patched up . I've got this . I'll hold onto him . " Inodded gratefully . " Thank you . " " Don't mention it . We're all going to be family soon anyway . " I gave a small nod and helped Julian out of the hospital room . Behind me , I could hear them talking " Hayden , what got into you today ? You scared me to death . " Chapter 15 Hayden's voice was still laced with irritation . " I don't know . I just ... when I saw they were about to kiss in front of my dad , I got so damn angry . " " Well , Mr. Hughes did just wake up , so it probably wasn't the best look . But they're in their honeymoon phase , so it's normal for them to be a little handsy . " " Honeymoon phase , my ass . That Coleman guy is so obviously not her type . " " Huh ? You think so ? But Aubrey seems to really care about him . She even jumped in to protect him . " " That's just how she is . She'd do the same for some random guy off the street . She loves standing up for the underdog and sticking her nose where it doesn't belong . " " How do you know that ? Did you remember something from before ? " Hayden froze . " ... No . " " Then how do you know all that ?" His anger still simmering , Hayden snapped , " It was a guess . " 474