She Called Him Controlling I Called Him My Ticket To Ivy Chapter 08

She Called Him Controlling I Called Him My Ticket To Ivy Chapter 08

We walked for what felt like an eternity, until Josiah stopped in a quiet, empty spot.

His words cut through my muddled thoughts, and I looked up at him.

Josiah was still as gentle as ever, like nothing had happened at all.

My nose stung with emotion, and I hung my head to apologize, “I’m sorry, Mr. Kent.”

Josiah’s brows furrowed instantly.

A sharp ache tugged at my heart, “I know you said all that to save face. I lied to you, I used you to drop out of college and get a Kenilworth residency.”

“I don’t mind if you want to get back at me, just please don’t ruin my chance to go to university. I promise I’ll get into a good one, and I’ll pay you back for everything you’ve done for me.”

My voice shook more with every word, my heart pounding so hard it felt like it was about to leap out of my throat.

Then Josiah spoke suddenly, “Hazel, do you like me?”

I blinked, stunned.

I had no idea why he’d ask that out of the blue.

I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

Josiah seemed to read my silence, and he let out a soft sigh, “You don’t have to pay me back for anything. I didn’t do any of this expecting repayment. Hazel, I wasn’t just saying those things to save face—I meant every word.”

“I knew someone else had taken over that account from the very start. You’re nothing like Stella. She was never obedient, and she only ever replied quickly when I sent her money.”

“I was actually going to break up with her the day she stopped replying. But the second you messaged me, I knew it wasn’t her. I never once thought of you as her.”

“But if you don’t like me, then we’ll go our separate ways. Come with me back to the house to pack your things now.”

A flicker of joy flared in my chest at his words, only to crash down just as fast.

Of course Josiah couldn’t like someone like me.

He was just being kind, saying all this to spare my feelings.

I thought this as I followed silently behind him.

Then the comments flashed before my eyes again.

[Look at Josiah… he’s about to go full possessive mode.]

[Oh, it’s happening. He did all this for her and she still won’t say she likes him? Time for the dark side.]

[Sure, it’s not Stella getting the forced treatment, but forcing the side chick is still forcing, right?]

I froze in my tracks.

A bold thought popped into my head after reading those words.

I called out to Josiah.

He turned to look at me.

I summoned all my courage and said, “You’re not taking me back just to pack my things, are you? You want to lock me up, don’t you?”

Josiah said nothing, but the faint change in his expression told me everything.

Yes.

That was exactly what he was thinking.

In an instant, I understood.

I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around his waist, “If you want to lock me up, just say it. You don’t have to lie to me. I’d let you.”

For the first time, the calm and composed man in front of me looked utterly confused.

I gathered all my bravery and confessed, “I like you too.”

His body tensed up. He stared at me for a few seconds, then pulled me close and kissed me deeply.

Josiah’s possessiveness never faded.

Once everything was out in the open, he took me straight to get married.

He said he didn’t believe in empty promises, that he was scared I’d “pass him off” to someone else like Stella had, and that a marriage certificate was the only thing that would put his mind at ease.

On the very day we got married, my SAT scores came out.

My score was a huge improvement from the first time I’d taken it.

But it still wasn’t high enough for Kenilworth University.

Josiah asked me if I wanted to go to another university instead of retaking the exam.

I’d almost settled for a random top university, but when I met Josiah’s eyes, I swallowed the words back.

“I’d like to try again.”