Chapter 6
From that day on. I stopped asking Samuel to do anything for me. I didn’t even call his name.
He used to complain that I was too clingy–always calling for him, even just to hand me a fruit platter that was within arm’s reach
Now that I no longer bothered him, he seemed annoyed
When I was about to head out without telling him, he finally snapped.
His hand gripped the armrest of my wheelchair, eyes dark and burning, like molten lava was churning beneath the surface. “Half a month. That’s all that’s left”
“Fine.” I replied without hesitation.
He seemed to ease at once, tension melting off his face. He leaned down and gently picked me up, placing me into the car.
That familiar scent clung to him.
It was the same one I’d breathed in every time he carried me away from danger, smelling warm, safe, and grounding.
I had once leaned into him countless times, clinging to that scent like it was the only thing keeping me steady,
But now? Now, the smell made me sick. It reminded me of how foolish I’d once been. It reminded me of the pitch–black room I’d been locked in, the bone–deep despair. It reminded me of shattered hands and legs, of how I’d never hold anything the same way again.
My body began to tremble, instinctively. I turned my head away, desperate to get as far from him as possible.
Samuel noticed the change. A strange feeling bubbled up in his chest.
He thought I still couldn’t let him go.
I was still the same, still trembled whenever they got close.
The corner of his mouth lified ever so slightly, the hint of a smirk tugging at his lips.
“Where to today?” he asked.
“The bank,” I said flatly. “Didn’t you say I should apologize to her? I figure I should at least bring a proper gift.”
His eyes flicked up to the rearview mirror, landing on me. His mood lifted a little more, clearly pleased by my action.
I stared out the window, never once glancing his way.
The moment I arrived at the bank, I spotted a familiar car.
Last year on my birthday, I won a major jewelry design award. I had my eye on that limited–edition sports car, made specifically for women. There was only one in the country.
But Matthew had snatched it up before I could, gifting it to Celia as some grand gesture.
From then on, that car became just another one of Celia’s trophies–one more thing she’d stolen to assert her dominance of
Ale.
Whatever I liked, Celia would take, like the car, Samuel, and everything.
When I finished my business in the VIP private room and stepped out, I saw Celia
Celia was in the next room over, cradling a box of jewelry while soaking in the praise of the staff. Her tone was sweet, modest on the surface, but every word was laced with smugness.
“Tomorrow’s my birthday,” she beamed. “Matthew said I could pick out a few pieces to wear. What do you all think? Does this one look more elegant, or this one!”
152PM ↑ ċ2 +
Chapter 6
The jewelry had been part of my mother’s inheritance, originally passed to Matthew. And now, it was being paraded around to impress the very person who’d helped destroy her.
That rage, thick and suffocating, surged in my chest.
Samuel’s gaze drifted toward her, too, soft and familiar.
I sneered, “Aren’t you going over there?”
His expression turned serious. “I said I’d stay with you and protect you.”
I didn’t respond.
At the bank’s entrance, we crossed paths with Celia
“Hi, Sammy,” she chirped the moment she saw him, voice sticky–sweet
And then, a screech of tires sounded and a car spun out of control, barreling straight toward me.
“Watch out,” a voice sounded at once.
Samuel’s face changed in an instant. And just like that, he let go of me, rushed past me, and flung himself toward Celia, wrapping her in his arms and pulling her out of danger.
Meanwhile, I sat there, completely helpless, strapped to my wheelchair. There was no time to move or react. The full force of the speeding car’s steel and glass hurtled toward me.
Everyone screamed and panicked. But I didn’t feel fear. I only looked at Samuel, the same man who had promised, not ten minutes earlier, that he would protect me. What a joke.
In the last second, Samuel finally remembered I existed. He turned his head, our eyes locked.
And in that one look, panic gripped him.
Raw, paralyzing fear, he ran toward me, but it was too late.
“Vivian?” a voice shouted.
A powerful force yanked me to the side.
The car missed me by inches, just grazing the edge of my footrest.
Lucas was pale. His lips trembled. He couldn’t even speak.
Samuel finally reached me. His hands were even shaking.
I stared coldly into his eyes. “You said you’d protect me,” I said flatly. “What a joke.”
His fists were slowly clenched, as if he wanted to say something. But I didn’t want to hear it.
I told Lucas to take me home.
For the first time, I left Samuel standing there alone.
And for the first time, Samuel had to catch a cab to follow me home.
It had started to rain.
I sat by the floor–to–ceiling window, watching the downpour paint streaks across the glass.
He stood downstairs in the rain, looking up at me.
His eyes, stubborn and unyielding, were exactly like they had been the day I brought him home years ago.
It had rained that day, too.
2/3
Chapter 6
I turned away. “Close the curtains,” I said.
The caregiver obeyed immediately
Heavy drapes fell into place, cutting off my world from his completely.
3/3
