You Threw Away a Diamond Chapter 05

You Threw Away a Diamond Chapter 05

“Who I am to Scarlett is none of your fucking business,” Caleb’s voice was dangerously low, a lethal warning vibrating in the air.

“But if you ask me, a man shouldn’t be so blindly arrogant. Having

someone out of your league by your side and still looking for trash… it’s a pathetic look.”

Caleb’s dark gaze flickered to Cassidy, whose eyes were already welling with tears, and a cold, ruthless smile touched his lips.

“You threw away a diamond. Now step back, because I’m guarding it with my life.”

In a daze, I realized Caleb was so much taller than me now. Looking up, all I could see were his broad, steady shoulders, a solid wall protecting me from the world.

“Scarlett…” Julian stared at me, his arrogant facade finally crumbling. He looked entirely broken, pathetic.

I found it perversely satisfying.

Cassidy, however, seemed oblivious to Julian’s distress. Her heartbroken gaze was fixed entirely on Caleb.

“Caleb, do you really… do you really like her now?” she whispered, playing

the tragic heroine.

“You used to look at me back home.”

Her tear–streaked face was a picture of tragic beauty.

Just kidding. It was incredibly cringeworthy.

Caleb frowned, his disgust palpable.

“I don’t know what delusional world you live in. I have only ever looked at

Scarlett.”

“As for back home–to me, you were just background noise.”

“I suppose I should thank you, though. If you hadn’t spread your legs for him, Scarlett might never have seen Julian for the garbage he truly is. And I would never have gotten this chance.”

He smelled clean and fresh, like a forest after a storm, a scent that instantly calmed the adrenaline racing through my veins.

But he said he liked me? That he’d *always* liked me?

Before I could sort through my tangled thoughts, he laced his long fingers through mine and gently led me out, leaving the two of them stunned in the hallway.

“Can you walk?” he asked softly, the tips of his ears turning a faint pink once we were alone in the parking lot.

“Yes, I can walk,” I said quickly. It wasn’t a serious injury; he was just making me incredibly flustered, the heat of his palm scorching mine.

He led the way. I never imagined that the boy who always followed me would one day be the alpha leading, shielding me from the world.

“You just said…”

“I meant every word,” he murmured, his voice deep and raspy, before I

could even finish.

I still couldn’t quite believe it.

He leaned over to fasten my seatbelt in the car. I was about to wave him off, but he was suddenly *too close*.

The space between us vanished. I could feel the heat radiating from his

body, his minty breath fanning across my lips. I could see my own

reflection in his dark, intense eyes, which dropped immediately to my

mouth.

I quickly looked away, my heart hammering violently against my ribs, my stomach doing a frantic flip.

I heard a soft, ragged sigh. He clicked the belt into place and reluctantly pulled back.

“Scarlett, can’t you choose me?”

He lowered his gaze, his long lashes trembling. When he looked up again, his eyes were burning with a terrifying intensity.

He let out a heavy breath, leaning his head back against the leather seat.

“It’s okay if you aren’t ready… Just… at least see me. Really see me as a

man.”

His eyes were dark, filled with years of suppressed longing.

He was silent for a long moment, then a devastatingly handsome smile touched his lips.

“Forget it. I’m not rushing you. It’s enough that you know how I feel.”

“You don’t have to say yes today, but I’m officially claiming my right to

pursue you.”

He parked the car and walked me to my dorm.

As soon as I got back to the room, my roommates swarmed me like vultures.

“Oh my god, Scarlett! Since when are you hooking up with Caleb Blackwood!”

“Girl, you bagged the elusive billionaire? He’s basically Kingsbridge

royalty! I’m officially your number one fan!”

I was close with my roommates, but I genuinely knew very little about Caleb’s family or why he was causing such a massive commotion.

From their excited, jumbled chatter, I pieced together a wild picture.

The gist was: generational old money, powerful real estate family, devastatingly handsome, and notoriously private.

Apparently, he was already managing part of his family’s vast business empire, had bypassed all introductory courses, and had Ivy League deans vying to mentor him.

And to top it off, he was ridiculously, unfairly gorgeous.

Lying in bed that night, I tried to make sense of the whirlwind of recent

events.

My thoughts spun in circles. Meanwhile, my phone buzzed incessantly.

Julian had created several fake accounts and was relentlessly trying to

message me.

Overwhelmed and disgusted, I just switched my phone off and closed my

eyes.

I thought I’d be up all night, but I fell asleep almost instantly.

I dreamed of high school.

Of Julian bringing me breakfast. Of him defending me.

“Scarlett, let’s go to the Ivy League together!” he’d said, his smile bright. I’d nodded, planning him into my future.

The future. Someday. Words that were the lifeblood of naive teenage

romance.

But in my dream, his bright smile twisted into a grotesque mask as he kissed Cassidy, leaving me standing alone in the dark.

I’m not as brave as I look. I have to be ruthless, decisive, cut my losses.

Because I’m terrified of being an option. The moment I feel like I’m second best, I will burn the bridge myself.

I was lost in the dark, but then Caleb appeared.

His voice was a deep, reassuring rumble. “Can I sit here with you?”

He said, “Scarlett, look at me.”

“I will always choose you. I will burn the world down before I give you up.”

“There’s no second choice. You’re my only choice.”

The warmth of his presence chased away all the lingering shadows.