Your life had always been unlucky when it came to love.

You were engaged to Matthew Harper, a billionaire CEO admired by everyone. To the public, you looked like the perfect power couple. In reality, he was cheating on you with his personal secretary, a woman he had only recently hired.

When you confronted him, your hands were shaking.

“I saw the messages, Matthew,” you said. “Stop pretending.”

He looked annoyed instead of guilty. “You are overreacting.”

“You slept with her,” you said. “That is not overreacting.”

He stood up and grabbed his jacket. “I do not have time for this.”

After that night, he ignored you for an entire week.

Feeling unwanted and humiliated, you went to a club just to drown your thoughts. You drank more than you should have. The music was loud, the lights were dizzying, and you barely remembered how you got home.

The next day, you forced yourself to get ready for your friend’s birthday party. You stood in front of the mirror, fixing your earrings with slow hands. Your reflection looked tired.

You sighed. “I look like I gained weight. Maybe that is why Matthew does not want me anymore.”

You let out another sigh.

“You did not gain weight.”

You froze.

A familiar figure appeared behind you in the mirror. Before you could turn around, his hands reached out and gently pulled up the zipper of your dress.

“Well, sweetheart,” he said calmly, “I carried you from the tenth floor yesterday because the elevator was under maintenance. And you were drunk.”

Your heart skipped.

He leaned closer to your ear. “Guess what.”

You swallowed. “What.”

“No back pain for me,” he whispered.

Your heartbeat went wild.

Jonathan William.

Your personal bodyguard. Your childhood friend. The man your family hired years ago and the same man who stayed close even after Matthew entered your life.

“You carried me?” you asked quietly.

“You could not even stand,” he replied. “You kept apologizing.”

Heat rushed to your face. “That is embarrassing.”

He placed his hands on your waist and pulled you back gently until your back rested against his chest.

“You never had to beg for love,” he said softly. “He made you feel small.”

Your voice cracked. “I thought it was my fault.”

Jonathan tightened his hold just a little. “It was never your fault.”

You closed your eyes, feeling his steady breathing behind you.

“I am supposed to protect your body,” he continued.

“But I have been protecting your heart too. Even when you did not notice.”