Chapter 445

"You wanted to see me, brother?" Alex said as he walked into the study.

"Yes come in. As you know, I'm getting married."

"'As you know' of course I know! Haha. Always so formal. Yes. You're engaged to Nora and she is lovely." Alex said, sitting back in a chair, crossing his leg.

"Yes. Well. I know we haven't been the closest over the last few years, but I'd like you to be my best mate, I'd be honored if you'd stand next to me." Alex looked up at him and didn't respond.

"At the wedding. At my, at my wedding." Christian clarified, waiting for a response.

Alex stood up and walked over to Christian and hugged him, tightly.

"I'd love to." He said as he hugged and rocked him. Christian shook his head. His eccentric brother was always the entertainer. Always the showman. But he wondered wondered what really went on in his head, behind closed doors. What his incredibly private, private life was like.

"Lovely. Erik will discuss the details with you."

Alex released him from his embrace and patted his arm.

"Lovely indeed." He said.

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The jet landed and a car was waiting for her to arrive on the tarmac.

"Where's Dylan?" She asked the driver.

"There's been issues with the heating in the barn. He's called a guy out and wanted to make sure he was home when he came."

"Ah alright." Pearl said.

They arrived at the ranch and Dylan was in the driveway, waving to greet her.

"Pearl. Welcome home." He said as he gave her a big hug. Her heart sank to her stomach as she nodded and smiled.

"How's the wedding planning?" He asked.

"Good. It's going well." She said, walking into the kitchen and making coffee.

"Yeah the jet lag never gets easier does it?" He asked.

"No." She said.

"Dylan… we need to talk." She couldn't wait. It had to come out.

"Alright. Let's plan on doing that after dinner. I've got some work to do and I want to give you my undivided attention." He said with a smile.

I don't deserve it, she thought. She nodded and walked into the living room, curling up with a blanket and falling asleep.

"Pearl! Pearl wake up!" She startled awake. What time was it? Who was screaming at her?

She got up and looked outside. It was dark now. How long had she been asleep?

"Pearl! Get out of the house!" She realized it was a ranch hand.

She ran out and saw what was going on. A huge fire had engulfed the main horse barn not far from the house.

"Dylan!" She cried out. People and horses were scattered everywhere.

"Dylan!"

"He's run to the barn to save the horses." A man called out behind her. She ran to the barn.

"No ma'am! Stay back!" He called out again. But she didn't listen. She ran as close as she could but the heat was too much. She saw a horse run out from the barn and Dylan following.

"Dylan!" She cried out again. He waved her to get back.

"One more horse!" he yelled and went back in.

"Dylan no!" The men were pulling her back. After less than a minute, she saw a white horse run out of the barn and was relieved, knowing he had rescued it and would be out now. She saw his hat through the smoke as he breeched the door.

"Dylan!" She cried out, waving to him. But just as he walked through the threshold, a large supporting beam gave way and collapsed the front of the building.

Fire trucks blared sirens in the distance as Pearl broke free from the clutches of the ranch hand holding her. She ran to the front of the building but she couldn't see anything but smoke and fire.