Chapter 50

**Philip**

"Marcus Blackwood is..." Sarah started.

"The man my mother had an affair with," Amir continued, his voice strained with tension. "He's dangerous!"

But his words only left me more perplexed.

"What connection does he have to Sarah? And why would Jessica claim Marcus poses a threat to her life?"

Sarah and Amir exchanged significant glances.

"He's my biological father!" Sarah revealed, her expression tight. "I don't understand why you confided in Jessica about Marcus," she probed, directing her statement at Amir.

As I pieced together the puzzle, my brow furrowed. Could it be that the bond between Amir and Sarah stemmed from their intertwined family histories-Amir's mother's involvement with Marcus Blackwood, who happened to be Sarah's father?

"I'm sorry. I confided in Jess because I thought she'd be my wife. I thought she'd become part of the Benner Family," Amir explained.

Sarah trembled with fury, her emotions palpable.

"All of you, just leave!" she commanded, striding into the apartment.

"Sarah!" Amir called after her.

"Go home, Amir! Your office has enough to contend with after last night's scandal. I've had my fill of drama!" Sarah retorted.

I trailed after her, only to be halted by Bronn, who stood in my path, his hand halting my progress. Irritation flashed across my face as I brushed his hand aside.

"She said everyone should leave!" Bronn warned.

"Mr. Martin, I live here! I share this apartment with Sarah," I asserted firmly.

"What?" Amir interjected.

"You heard me correctly. I understand we have our differences, but Sarah is my wife! I will protect her. Your focus should be ensuring that your ex-fiancée doesn't do anything foolish to harm Sarah!" I insisted.

Amir's expression contorted with anger. "Coming from someone who hurt Sarah last year! I witnessed her devastation! I saw how broken she was, so spare me the lectures, Cornell. We both have faults, but I'll ensure Sarah won't be drawn back to your side!"

I clenched my jaw, grappling with the truth in Amir's words. I had indeed hurt Sarah, and my family had played a part in her pain.

Amir's gaze narrowed as he went back to his vehicle. I turned to Bronn, but he remained silent, heading to the car without another word. I quickly checked on Trey to ensure he was okay before leaving.

**Sarah**

As I disregarded the three men outside the apartment, the exhaustion that started from the previous night's heated argument with Philip weighed heavily on me. Fear crept in, but all I craved at that moment was a soothing, steaming bath to ease my nerves.

The thoughts of Marcus Blackwood's past attempt on my life would have to wait for another time.

After a long shower and a change into comfortable pajamas, I gathered my belongings for the trip to Highland Hills. Fatigue weighed heavily on me already! That's when Philip entered my bedroom, and I realized I couldn't evade his question any longer.

"I'll protect you," he murmured, his concern evident.

"You can't," I replied, my hands still busy with my belongings. He hadn't shielded me from his mother's evil deeds; how could I expect him to safeguard me from Marcus?

"Sarah, Trey told me about Marcus's dark reputation-he's a notorious killer! Authorities are still hunting him down. Why does he want you dead?"

"Because I'm his daughter, Philip! That's the sick truth of it." It was the driving force behind my decision to shed my identity as a Benner princess, relinquish custody of Grandpa Mitchell, and marry Philip aside my deep affection for him. It also explained the sudden withdrawal of Mr. Benner's affection, my father's abandonment, and the stark dissimilarity between Amir and me.

Amir, with his brunet hair and Germanic features, bore no resemblance to me. Even our eye colors differed; he was blue, mine gray. No one would mistake us for siblings, which fueled Philip's irrational jealousy.

Our shared bloodline with Grandpa Mitchell was the only tie that bound us.

Philip intently gazed at me, catching me off guard as he stole another kiss.

"What's that for?" I inquired once he released me, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks.

"Because you were thinking about another man and because you let that crazy woman get under your skin," he retorted. "She's obviously jealous, yet you keep getting closer to Amir."

I rolled my eyes, not wanting to entertain thoughts of Amir just yet. Despite managing a major automotive company, he let a woman worm her way into his confidence, even divulging secrets about my identity to her. It infuriated me.

"Anyway, I'm exhausted. Leave the room! You're giving me another headache!" I declared, finishing my work before jumping and collapsing onto the bed. "Hmmm" I moaned, relishing its softness.

My body still ached, longing for proper rest after Philip and I had spent the night on the couch. Before I could fully register it, the space beside me shifted. Philip slipped in beside me, enveloping me in his arms. He nestled his head in the crook of my arm, his comforting embrace encircling my waist. It was as if he were a clingy koala finding solace in his tree.

"Get out of my room! I need to sleep!" I protested.

"Me too!" the brute replied. "Don't you have any pity for me? My back and arms ache from that couch. Let me get some proper rest, too."

"But that's my boob, Philip! You're practically snuggling into my chest!" I exclaimed, resisting the urge to smack him for invading my personal space.

"You don't have boobs. It's so flat that I couldn't feel anything," he reasoned.

My eyebrow twitched. "Now you're criticizing my small boobs? I never even brought up-"

"What, Sarah? My dick is fine. I know it's a perfect size, especially when he's inside your body."

"Enough already." My face flushed with embarrassment. Whatever! I just wanted to sleep!

Eventually, I drifted off, soothed by Philip's presence and scent-a truth I couldn't deny.

After a few days, I returned to Highland Hills. However, I opted to stay at Amir's villa this time instead of returning to Serenity Pines.

Despite Philip's vigorous protests, staying at Amir's villa was the right choice for me.

I saw a message from my brother.

***Amir:*** *The authorities have approved for Jessica to stay away from you and refrain from any contact. She has been strictly prohibited from approaching you. Unfortunately, her actions led to her father disowning her due to the reputation she had brought upon herself. I'm sincerely sorry, Sarah.  She won't be allowed to come near me either.*

I decided not to reply. His past relationship with a crazy ex-fiancée had me feeling annoyed. I took immediate measures to enhance security around the villa, implementing various surveillance and safety protocols.

But my plans were thrown into disarray when Megan unexpectedly arrived, her car pulling up in front of the villa.

What on earth could Megan possibly want now?