Chapter 411
Austin’s sharp brows drew together in a tight knot. It was as if the knife was stabbing into his own heart.
He could pretty much guess what Emily was about to do, so he didn’t try to stop her. Still, he wished it were his own body taking the blade instead.
It didn’t take long before Emily pulled out a tiny, blood-soaked chip, no bigger than a quarter of a fingernail.
“This is what they’ve been looking for,” Emily gasped. “If we want to destroy St. Gabriel Reform Academy, this might be the key.” With that, she held out the chip toward Austin.
Austin knew how important this chip was, but he didn’t reach out to take it. He didn’t even look at it. Instead, he turned and grabbed the first aid kit, starting to tend to Emily’s wound.
Emily’s gaze softened. “Really, I’m okay. It wasn’t hidden deep, I swear I’m not hurting.”
“There’s no way that doesn’t hurt,” Austin muttered.
The cut was about one inch deep, and it was on the inside of her thigh, the most delicate spot. No way that didn’t hurt.
He worked carefully, his movements gentle and cautious, as if he were handling the most fragile treasure in the world.
The wound was in a private, sensitive place, but Austin’s touch was nothing but pure and respectful. There wasn’t the slightest trace of desire, only a kind of sacred care.
Once he finished tending to the wound, he looked up at Emily, his face serious. “Emily, from now on, you can let go of all that pain from before.
“When it hurts like this, it’s okay to scream, and it’s okay to cry. You never have to bottle it up again. They risked everything to get you out, because they wanted you to leave all that behind and have a new beginning.”
His words were like a tiny mallet, tapping on Emily’s heart, making it ache and sting all at once. Her nose prickled, and her eyes grew misty with tears again. Emily choked out, “Yeah, it hurts. It really hurts…”
She wasn’t made of stone. She just never had anyone she could be vulnerable with, no one to run to for comfort, so she kept telling herself it didn’t hurt.
Seeing Emily so fragile, Austin felt like something was stabbing straight into his heart. He reached out and gently wiped away her tears, his voice soft and tender. “From now on, Emily, I’ll never let you get hurt again.”
As he spoke, he slowly leaned in and pressed a reverent, sincere kiss to Emily’s forehead. She didn’t pull away. She never disliked Austin because he was always so genuine with her.
And she never shut people out just because of those two years at St. Gabriel Reform Academy. Jackson and the others had taught her how to accept real kindness when she saw it.
She would never let down a sincere heart. No matter if it was Austin’s or her own.
Austin was happy that she didn’t shy away. A bright, sweet smile lit up his face, and his eyes sparkled with joy. “Emily, do you believe I’ll make it pay with my own hands?”
Emily didn’t say a word. She just nodded.
Austin squeezed her hand tighter. “Then just leave everything about St. Gabriel Reform Academy to me, Emily. You can pretend you don’t know a thing, just live your own life.” That way, even if he lost, Emily would still have a backup plan.
Chapter 411
Emily wasn’t stupid. She understood the words he left unsaid. But she didn’t refuse. She knew her own limits.
Emily had been pampered for eighteen years. Even if she had a few tricks up her sleeve, she was nowhere near capable of going up against the academy. The best way she could help Austin was by not getting in his way.
