I Dumped a Scumbag and Married A Boxer Star

Chapter 1: Dear Stranger, Marry Me!

"Please… faster… a little bit more…"

"You will not hide from me, Ines!"

The night's air burned in Ines Jackson's lungs as she ran. 

Her heart was pounding so violently, it threatened to break through her ribs.

Her breath was short and rushed. 

Her bare feet felt so bruised and bloodied, it barely touched the asphalt before she forced herself forward.

The streets looked nearly empty, it was so quiet…

Behind her, Trevor's drunken voice slurred like a haunting ghost.

"Ines! Get back here, you ungrateful bitch!"

His steps stumbled unevenly, but his rage was like an exploded lava, pushing him forward.

Tears blurred Ines's eyes as she risked a glance over her shoulder.

"N-no! N-no-no!" 

He was still coming… and she had to keep running.

Her white satin slip dress clung to her body, torn at the hem where he had grabbed her earlier.

Her skin stung from the blows he had landed.

Her wrist throbbed, her cheek burned, but none of it compared to the fear sinking deep, like a ship into the ocean's waves.

Two days. Two days until she was supposed to marry this monster…

The thought sent bile rising in her throat.

Her father had arranged the engagement with Trevor Harrington, the son of a wealthy politician—a match that was supposed to solidify a business alliance.

But behind closed doors, Trevor was a monster.

She had known it for months now… felt it every time his fingers dug into her skin, every time his words cut stronger than any blade would.

Tonight was the worst.

He had been drinking, and when she had refused to let him touch her, he had accused her of cheating.

Trevor had dragged her through their penthouse, thrown her against walls, and finally—when she had managed to break free—she had run.

Now, Ines had nowhere to go.

Her heart lurched as she turned a corner too soon and collided into something solid… no, it was someone.

A strong arm stabilised her, and she looked up to see a man…

He looked at least 6'3", broad-shouldered, dressed in dark jeans and a fitted black shirt that clung to his muscular body.

His messy black hair gave way to a chiseled jawline, and when his eyes met hers, she sucked in a breath.

They were blue… river blue…

"Help me," she gasped, clutching onto his shirt. "Please."

The stranger's sharp eyes glanced past her, immediately landing on Trevor, who had rounded the corner, stumbling forward like a predator who had finally found his prey.

Trevor laughed when he saw them.

"Who the fuck is this?"

The stranger didn't speak.

Instead, he put his duffel bag down on the pavement and stepped in front of Ines, shielding her.

"Move," Trevor snarled. "She's mine."

The man didn't move.

"She doesn't look like she wants to go with you."

Trevor scoffed. "You have no idea who I am."

"I don't need to."

Trevor swung first. Drunken, sloppy, full of arrogance.

The stranger dodged easily and struck back. One easy hit to Trevor's jaw, and it sent him sprawling onto the ground.

"Urgh!" Trevor groaned, clutching his face. Blood dripped from his nose.

"You bastard!" he hissed, scrambling to his feet. He charged again.

The man landed a second blow to his ribs.

The wine whooshed out of Trevor, and this time, he stayed down, groaning in pain.

"Stay there," the stranger warned.

Trevor spat blood onto the sidewalk, his drunken self dimming as he finally registered the fact that he had lost.

His glare landed on Ines.

"You'll regret this," he slurred before staggering to his feet and stumbling away into the darkness.

Ines was standing frozen, her breath turned to slow, uneven gasps.

The stranger turned to her. "Are you alright?"

She nodded quickly, though the tremble in her body said something else.

"You're bleeding," he said, dropping his eyes to her scraped feet and bruised arms.

She swallowed. "It's nothing."

He exhaled, running a hand through his dark hair before he bent down and grabbed his duffel bag.

The man looked at her for a long moment, and something traveled like a light in his eyes—he recognised her!

She frowned. "Do I know you?"

"No," he said too quickly. Then he hesitated. "But I know you."

She stiffened.

"You're Ines Jackson."

The statement of her name pushed her soul down. Ines didn't like when people could easily tell who she was.

This meant that they knew too much about her, and she was someone who valued her privacy more than any money.

But she wasn't just Ines.

She was the daughter of the CEO of Jackson Healthcare, one of the wealthiest families in the country.

A woman whose entire life had been dictated by privilege, reputation, and expectations.

And yet, here she was—standing barefoot on the street, running from the man she was supposed to marry.

The man in front of her, however, was a mystery.

He didn't look like the people in her world.

He was rougher, hardened—like someone who had seen the worst of life and fought through it.

"Who are you?" she asked softly.

His lips twitched, almost like he wanted to smirk but didn't. "No one important."

Ines had no reason to trust him. But he had saved her. And she needed saving now more than ever.

A sudden thought struck her.

It was a reckless, desperate thought.

"Marry me," she said.

He blinked. "What?"

She straightened, wiping at her tear-streaked face.

"Tomorrow. Marry me tomorrow."

His brows furrowed. "That's a hell of a request."

"I don't have a choice," she admitted.

"So?"

"If I don't marry someone else, I'll be forced to marry Trevor. And you saw what he's like."

She swallowed hard. "I can't go back."

He was looking at her, silently…

Then, finally, he asked, "You don't even know my name."

She held his gaze. "I don't care."

For a second, there was no sound around them.

Then he exhaled dramatically, shaking his head like he couldn't believe what he was about to say.

"Alright," he mumbled. "I'll marry you."