Freya had always been resilient and strong-willed. Even when she felt wronged, she would not show it openly, unlike Hannah. Though she felt disappointed and hurt by the rejection, she forced a smile. “Alright then, I don’t know what else to say. Andrew, I wish you a safe journey!”
After saying this, she turned and ran away.
Andrew shook his head and sighed. He could not come up with a perfect solution for this kind of situation. After all, he could not just accept every woman who came his way. Even if he could afford it financially, it would not be proper.
With that, he quickly left the Keller family compound, feeling like he was making an escape. He was afraid that Hannah and Emily might come out and pester him next. These days, his ties with the Keller family were deep. George had come out of retirement just to help him manage affairs, so Andrew did not want to sour things by being cold to his daughters. But truth be told, he had no interest in either of them. If he had to choose, Freya was the one he would have taken with him.
What Andrew had not expected was that while he escaped potential entanglements from the Keller family, he could not escape another beauty’s pursuit: Yara. He had no idea where she had gotten wind of his departure from Blumedale.
“Daddy, you were just going to leave without even telling me?” she accused.
Andrew rubbed his temples. “I’ve told you already, I’m not your ‘Daddy’.”
Yara huffed. “I don’t care. You and my father were sworn brothers, so calling you that isn’t wrong. Besides, I want to be your goddaughter… The kind that calls you ‘Daddy’ in bed.”
Her boldness made Andrew feel completely overwhelmed.
“When are you leaving?” Yara demanded aggressively.
“Tomorrow morning,” he admitted with a helpless shrug.
Yara immediately looped her arm through his. “Good, then there’s still time! Come on, let’s get a room. I need to have your child before you leave.”
Andrew pulled his hand back, exasperated. “Stop it. People are staring.”
Yara pouted. “Do you think I care what anyone thinks? Andrew, what am I supposed to do once you’re gone?”
Andrew chuckled. “You’re the head of the Wright family now, one of the Five Apex Families. That makes you a big shot in Gabo Creek.”
Yara’s eyes watered as she whispered bitterly, “Do you really think I believe that? Maybe to others I’m untouchable, but compared to you, I’d give it all up in a second. Between us, I’ve always been the one to pursue you while you kept your distance. I told myself it was half-business, half-friendship, half-flirtation… but now that you’re leaving, I can’t deny how my heart races. Don’t ask me if I love you. I only know that if I became your woman, I would never regret it.”
Andrew raised his hand. “It wouldn’t be right. You’ll meet someone better than me.”
Yara gave a self-mocking smile. “Do you really think that’s possible? The truth is, what ruins us is that we don’t have a real foundation. If we did, I’d be confident competing with Lauren, Francesca, and the others. But fate wasn’t kind. They met you first.”
Andrew did not know how to respond.
“Then let me ask for one last thing,” Yara said softly, stepping closer, her lips tilted upward.
Andrew sighed. “Tell me, and I’ll listen.”
“Just kiss me once. Then I’ll let you go.”
Andrew shook his head. “No. That wouldn’t be right.”
“Then at least let me kiss you,” she insisted.
Again, he refused. “No. It’ll only hurt you more.”
Tears welled in her eyes as she rose on tiptoe, trembling. Yet Andrew did not move, only looking down at her quietly.
“Fine,” she whispered, forcing a laugh through her tears. “I hate you, Andrew.”
With that, she swung her purse, got in her car, and sped away.
Andrew exhaled deeply. In the face of temptation, especially when it threw itself at him, it took everything he had not to falter. Fortunately, he had stuck to his principles.