Sweet Revenge: Taming The Amnesiac Billionaire CEO

Aurora clutched the journal to her chest like a shield, backing away from the man she no longer recognized.

"I have nothing more to say to you," she said, her voice flat. She turned and walked towards the door. "My lawyer will contact you again at nine tomorrow morning."

Julian didn't move to stop her. His dark gaze followed her every step. "Where are you going?" he asked, his voice devoid of any warmth.

"Somewhere without you!"

She pulled the heavy apartment door open and slammed it shut behind her. The sound echoed in the marble foyer.

She rushed into the private elevator, her reflection pale and furious in the mirrored walls. She would stay with her agent, Leo, tonight. Right now, she just needed to get away from him.

The elevator reached the underground garage. Aurora walked towards her white Maserati, her heels clicking angrily on the concrete. As she reached for the handle, a hand shot out and clamped down on the door, blocking her.

Julian.

He had followed her down, not even bothering with a jacket. In the dim garage light, his face was a terrifying mask of fury.

"You're tracking me!" she gasped.

"Get in the car," he commanded, ignoring her accusation. "We're going to settle this right now."

"I don't need a ride from you! Let go!" She tried to push him away, but he was an immovable wall.

After a brief, silent struggle, he yanked open the passenger door, bundled her inside, and slid into the driver's seat. The locks clicked shut with a sound of finality.

"Julian, you're insane!" she screamed, clawing at the door handle, but the central lock was under his control.

He ignored her, jamming the key into the ignition. The engine roared to life, an angry snarl that filled the enclosed space.

"Where are you taking me?" she cried, gripping the armrest in terror.

He didn't answer. He just floored the accelerator. The sports car shot out of the parking spot like an arrow released from a bow.

The Maserati tore out of the garage and into the flow of late-night Manhattan traffic. The air inside the car was so thick with tension it felt hard to breathe.

"Let me out, Julian!" she yelled, but her words were lost to the wind.

She saw the hard line of his jaw, the bloodshot fury in his eyes. He had lost the icy calm he always wore.

He weaved recklessly through traffic, cutting off other cars, the speedometer climbing steadily. Horns blared around them.

"You're crazy! Stop the car!" she screamed.

"Crazy?" A bitter laugh escaped him, his grip on the wheel tightening. "Maybe we should just die together. A fitting end for your pathetic little crush, don't you think?"

In that split second of distraction, his eyes wild with rage, he missed the red light.

A massive truck, its horn blaring, barreled through the intersection from the side.

Time seemed to stretch, to slow down.

Julian's pupils contracted. He slammed on the brakes, but it was too late.

In the last moment before impact, she felt a powerful force slam into her from the side.

Julian had unbuckled his seatbelt. He threw his body over hers, shielding her completely, crushing her between his chest and the leather seat.

His chest was so solid, his scent so familiar, a scent she both loved and hated. The last thing she heard was her name, a desperate whisper against her ear.

"Aurora..."

Then came the sickening crunch of metal, the explosive shatter of glass. The world spun violently.

She was held so tightly in his embrace that she felt only the violent judder of the impact, a dull knock to her head. He took the full force of the collision.

The sounds faded. The smell of gasoline and blood filled the air.

Aurora struggled to lift her head. Julian was a dead weight on top of her. His head was limp against her shoulder, and blood was pouring from a gash on his temple, staining her white coat a horrifying crimson.

"Julian?" she whispered, her fingers trembling as she reached for his face. She felt for his breath. It was faint, almost non-existent.

Sirens wailed in the distance. People were shouting.

She looked at the man in her arms, the husband who had just threatened her, the man who had just saved her life, and her mind went completely blank.