Chapter 28

**Sarah**

"Is it true? Are you suffering from depression?" Philip inquired, his concern palpable in his voice.

Caught off guard, I grappled with how to respond. What aspect of his question should I address first? Yes, I had battled depression, a struggle exacerbated by the profound loss of my baby-a loss for which I held the Cornell Family responsible. Yet, the medical diagnosis I received was heart failure.

"See? I told you she's unstable! Ending your relationship with Sarah was the right decision, Philip. Your presidential aspirations can't afford such complications," Madam Cornell interjected, her tone laced with disdain.

Anger trembled within me as I turned to meet Madam Cornell's gaze, then Philip's.

"Mr. Cornell, it's better to heed your mother's advice. Ms. Mitchell appears to be in an unstable state," the doctor interjected, fueling the already tense situation.

Philip's response was curt and dismissive, further igniting my resolve. "Am I asking for your opinion?" he snapped. "Sarah, tell me right now-"

"There's no need for explanation. Our relationship, if there ever was one, is over," I interjected firmly, turning my back to them and striding towards the door.

I resolved to confront Madam Cornell. Her relentless interference demanded a response, and I was determined to show her my strength. She may perceive me as weak, but it was time to prove her wrong.

"Sarah!" Philip's voice echoed through the hallway.

"Philip!" Madam Cornell's voice quickly followed.

Startled, I felt Philip's grip tighten on my arm. "What do you mean by that?"

"Let me go!" I struggled to break free from his hold.

But he paid no heed, hoisting me onto his shoulder effortlessly.

"Philip!" I yelled, my body contorting uncomfortably on his shoulder as we made our way through the hospital corridor. Josh trailed behind us.

"Josh, help me!" I pleaded, hoping for some intervention.

"I'm sorry, Madam Sarah. I can only assist when the Boss isn't present," Josh replied apologetically.

Philip shot Josh a warning glance before delivering a stinging slap to my buttocks, eliciting a sharp cry from me.

"Aw! Aw! Ouch! You're despicable, you shameless brute! Let me down! Philip!" I continued to hurl insults at my ex-husband.

"Quit acting like a brat! We're causing a scene among the patients and staff!" Philip snapped back at me.

That's enough to silence me. I clenched my teeth and surrendered to his will, allowing him to lead me wherever I pleased. He deposited me onto the plush seat of the car before positioning himself to block any escape from the other door.

With a steely gaze, Philip cracked open the car window, exchanging a tense glance with Josh, who dutifully passed my belongings to his employer.

"You'll be relocated to the Luminary Productions security building. Await Alex's directive for your next assignment," Philip declared, his tone brooking no argument.

Josh remained stoic, seemingly unfazed by his Boss's amusing behavior.

"But Josh did everything right! His task was to safeguard me, and he fulfilled it admirably! Why move him?" I interjected.

"Because I find it irksome when you two are in close proximity," Philip retorted bluntly, his annoyance thinly veiled.

At that moment, I couldn't help but ponder Josh's invaluable assistance to me, realizing it likely grated on Philip's nerves.

"What does that have to do with anything? The two of us won't be crossing paths anyway," I countered, knowing full well that avoiding Philip meant avoiding Josh.

"Let's proceed," Philip commanded, brushing off my objection. It was then that I noticed Alex in the driver's seat.

Annoyance tightened my chest, heightened by the audible rasp of Philip's controlled anger. I instinctively distanced myself from his presence, gravitating toward the window, where I leaned and observed the shifting scenery of Highland Hills unfurling along the familiar road.

Exhaustion gradually overwhelmed me, coaxing my eyelids to droop as I sank into the plush comfort of the back seat.

As I awoke, darkness surrounded me, but the familiar scent of sandalwood air freshener filled the room, mingling with the soft fragrance of the bed and the presence of the man whose arm enveloped me. Despite the lack of light, I recognized the confines of our shared space at Serenity Pines Estate, with Philip beside me.

My fingers gently intertwined with Philip's brown locks, triggering a rush of memories from when our connection was distant. Even the simple act of touching him like this felt like an unattainable dream.

"Sarah" His voice, a tender whisper, brushed against my skin as his lips traced the curve of my delicate neck. He had never called my name intimately like this.

I surrendered to the sensation, closing my eyes as he inhaled my essence, the warmth of his breath sending a shiver through me. A gasp escaped my lips as I felt the heat radiating from Philip's body, his touch igniting a wildfire of desire within me. That's when I noticed that both of us were naked.

Philip was meticulous about maintaining the cleanliness of the bed. He believed the body could potentially carry bacteria or viruses from the outside world, prompting us to clean or be naked before laying on the bed.

"I want you, please I need to convince myself that you're real," he whispered, a hint of sadness coloring his words.

Oh, how I yearned for our hearts to beat in harmony. Yet, it was Philip who revealed that our connection was bound solely to sexual feelings and nothing more.

He didn't love me!

Before I could even protest, his mouth enveloped my sensitive nipple, rendering my mind blank as my femininity reacted eagerly to his touch. The sensation of his wet tongue flicking against my crown sent shivers coursing through my nerves, igniting ecstasy in every fiber of my being.

Philip loomed over me, his body pressing against mine as my palm eagerly explored every inch of him. His arms, chest, and back melded seamlessly with mine, intensifying the heat inside me.

His breath, hot against my skin, sent delicious shivers down my spine, spreading pleasure as he parted my legs, causing them to hook around his arms. At the same time, his grip tightened on my chest, sending my body into a curl of vulnerability.

"Shit!" I cursed as our lips parted; his attention now focused elsewhere on my body. His wet tongue traced over my shoulders while his hips swayed against my slick flesh.

"Fvcking wet!" he remarked, the friction of his arousal against my moistened center eliciting a moan from me.

"Oh, fvck!" I exclaimed, feeling his hard manhood pulsating against my delicate flesh. "Yes!"

"It fvcking feels good, Sarah!" he murmured in a low voice.

Damn him for delivering such incredible sex, for being the ultimate sexual partner, and fvck him as my ex-husband! Just like before, my thoughts were clouded by Philip; he consumed my mind, leaving little room for anything else.

"Fvck me now, Philip!" I exclaimed.

"What?" His voice carried a note of seriousness like it was near me.

Suddenly, my eyes snapped open, and I surveyed the room. It was dimly lit, and Philip remained fully dressed in the tuxedo he wore at the hospital. I was still in my black dress, lying on the lover's couch in our bedroom, far from the scenario I had imagined.

It's just a dream! Damn!

Philip began unbuttoning his shirt methodically; his expression puzzled as he looked at me.

My cheeks burned with embarrassment, my libido pulsing through my veins. I couldn't tear my gaze away from his toned abs, and the outline of his arousal only fueled my longing. Swallowing hard, I was consumed by the desire to be with him.

A smirk played on Philip's lips as our eyes met once again.

"Do you truly desire me to bed you? I won't decline," he pondered aloud.

"W-who said that?"

"You did. You screamed, 'Fvck me now, Philip!'"

"What I said is, 'Release me now!'" I stood up and headed towards the door after seeing the amusement played on his handsome lips.

This brute! What was meant to be a dangerous paradise turned into hell! I was on the verge of turning the doorknob when he grabbed the hem of my black dress and pulled me back.

"Where do you think you're off to, woman?" he inquired.

"Home! I only came to see Dr. Morgan here at Highland Hills, and I intend to return straightaway to Henderson!"

The corner of his lips curled. "That's not going to happen, babe!"

"Babe? Don't call me babe! And what do you mean, 'That's not going to happen?' What shouldn't have happened is me being here in Serenity Pines!"

"Hmm... But we agreed that I would take you to Serenity Pines after the gala event. You agreed to accompany me for a month. You made my task simpler by arriving at Highland Hills ahead of time. Admit it, Sarah. You truly desire to return here by my side-you want to be my wife..."

I'm speechless. My mouth hangs open, utterly stunned.

"I don't know where you muster your self-confidence from," I said. But as his lips met mine, his mouth silenced any words I had left to say.

This insane, despicable, asshole jerk!

"I'll demand payment for each stolen kiss you've taken from me, or maybe I'll consider legal action for s*xual harassment!"

"But you're the one who begged me to fvck you, babe."

I'm annoyed and extremely embarrassed.

I never fathomed that Madam Cornel and Megan would be incited to harm me simply because Philip brought me back to Serenity Pines Estate.

Philip dragged me to his company the next day. To my dismay, I encountered his secretary flaunting her swollen belly in the lobby.

There she stood, pregnant as can be, a sight that sliced through me like a dagger, plunging into my already wounded heart.