Chapter 4: Rivals and Regrets

by Roxanne Rene

Jewel had exactly three thoughts as she climbed into Lucian’s car.

1. Griffin Royce was alive. (Good.)
2. Camilla was taking all the credit. (Not good.)
3. She was sitting in a car with the world’s most annoying backseat driver. (Objectively terrible.)

Lucian, for all his skills as an editor, drove like he was personally offended by traffic laws.

“You know,” Jewel muttered, gripping the handle as Lucian barely avoided sideswiping a cab, “I’d really prefer to arrive at the hospital without needing medical attention myself.”

Lucian grinned, unfazed. “Relax, Mari. I’m getting you there, aren’t I?”

“Yeah, but I’d like to arrive with all my limbs intact.”

He rolled his eyes. “Dramatic, much?”

Jewel exhaled, her frustration palpable as she stared out the window at the city blurring past. “I can’t believe Camilla is getting credit for saving him.”

Lucian whistled low. “Yeah, that was some A-plus PR spin. She’ll be the golden child for at least a month.”

Jewel crossed her arms, irritation prickling beneath her skin.

She wasn’t mad about not being in the spotlight. That wasn’t her.

But watching someone take credit for something they didn’t do?

That burned.

Lucian glanced at her. “So… why aren’t you calling her out?”

Jewel hesitated. “Because… I don’t know. Maybe because it doesn’t matter? He’s alive. That’s the only thing that should matter.”

Lucian made a noncommittal noise. “Right. Sure. That’s definitely why you look like you wanna punch something.”

Jewel slumped further in her seat.

Maybe it wasn’t just about Camilla.

Maybe it was because Griffin nearly died.

Because for one awful, terrifying moment, she thought she’d lost him. And that feeling? That wasn’t normal.

Not for a man she was supposed to see as a rival.

Lucian pulled into the hospital parking lot, giving her a side glance as she unclipped her seatbelt. “Mari?”

She looked at him.

His voice was uncharacteristically gentle. “Are you okay?”

Jewel’s fingers tightened around the door handle.

She forced a slight smirk. “You mean besides the near-death experience, my fake-nice coworker stealing my moment, and the fact that I’m way too invested in a man I’m not supposed to care about?”

Lucian grinned, his teasing tone only adding to the tension. “Exactly.”

Jewel exhaled. “Then yeah. Totally fine.”

Lies.

Griffin

Waking up in a hospital was never a good sign.

Griffin Royce had two main conclusions when his brain finally caught up to reality.

1. He wasn’t dead. (Cool.)
2. His chest felt like he’d been hit by a truck of regret. (Less cool.)

He cracked one eye open, only to find Jewel Marino standing at his bedside, arms crossed, looking more exasperated than concerned.

Griffin groaned. “Great. You’re the first face I see. I must be in hell.”

Jewel snorted. “And here I was, considering being nice.”

She plopped into the chair beside his bed, her sharp brown eyes scanning him critically. “You look like death warmed over.”

He smirked, his voice rough. “And yet, I still look better than you.”

Jewel gasped, clutching her chest dramatically. “The audacity of this

man. Someone nearly drowns saving your life, and this is how you repay them?”

Griffin’s brain short-circuited.

Wait.

“Saving my life?” he echoed, blinking at her. “I thought Camilla—”

Something flickered across Jewel’s face. “Oh, yeah. Right. Camilla.”

Griffin frowned. “Jewel—”

But before he could push further, she suddenly stood.

She hesitated for half a second, then reached out—fingers brushing against his forehead, pushing back a stray lock of damp hair.

Griffin froze.

It was such a small thing. Barely a touch.

And yet, his pulse jumped.

“Try not to drown again, Royce,” she murmured, voice softer now.

She turned to leave when the door suddenly swung open. Camilla entered, looking impeccably polished and radiating an air of smugness.

Jewel stiffened at her presence.

Camilla offered Jewel a slow, satisfied smile before turning to Griffin, her voice dripping with insincere sweetness.

“Griffin! Thank goodness you’re okay. I was so worried about you.”

Griffin blinked in surprise. “Thanks?”

Camilla perched on the bed, a little too close, setting a perfectly manicured hand over his. “I don’t want to brag, but… the doctors say I did a fantastic job saving you.”

Jewel’s jaw locked.

Still feeling like he’d been run over by fate, Griffin could only stare.

Then Camilla’s words clicked.

Wait.

She saved him?

That didn’t feel right.

His memory was hazy, but something felt off. The touch, the movement—he swore he remembered something different.

Someone different.

Before he could figure things out, Camilla turned back to Jewel, her voice dripping with sweetness.

“By the way, Jewel,” she said, “we need to talk. I have a business proposition for you.”

Jewel’s entire body tensed at the words.

Griffin narrowed his eyes, sensing something was off.

Something was happening, and he was determined to get to the bottom of it.

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