Chapter 76
My vision goes red.
I grab him by the collar and slam him back against the wall.
“Touch her again,” I growl, my voice low and shaking with rage, “and I swear to God, I’ll kill you.”
Another punch. Harder this time.
Stone drops to the floor, groaning.
I don’t even look at him.
I turn to her.
“Emilia,” I whisper, softer now, stepping close but keeping my distance. “It’s okay. You’re okay.”
She’s still shaking, lips parted like she wants to say something but can’t.
I shrug off my jacket and gently wrap it around her shoulders.
“I’ve got you.”
And I mean it.
“I–I didn’t-” she stammers, her voice small and shaky. Her eyes flick to Stone’s crumpled body on the floor, and all the colour drains from her face. “I didn’t mean to. He just- he-”
“Hey,” I cut her off gently, stepping closer, my voice low but
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firm. “You didn’t do anything wrong, Emilia.”
She looks like she’s about to collapse. Like if I don’t hold her, she might fall apart right here.
I want to hug her. I want to punch that bastard again. I want to do a lot of things.
But I can’t do all that while she’s still shaking like a leaf.
I force myself to take a deep breath, to keep my voice steady even though everything in me is screaming for blood.
“Look at me,” I say, tilting her chin up just enough so her eyes meet mine. “You’re safe now. I swear it.”
Her lower lip trembles.
I brush her hair out of her face and tuck it behind her ear, my fingers barely grazing her cheek.
“I’ve got you,” I whisper.
Stone groans behind us, and my fists clench on instinct — but I don’t move.
Not yet.
He’s not worth taking my eyes off her. Not now.
So I reach out, carefully wrapping my arms around her. She tenses at first, then melts into me like she’s been holding herself together too long.
“I’m not letting anyone touch you again,” I murmur into her hair. “Not him. Not anyone. Ever.”
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She doesn’t answer. But she doesn’t have to.
She just holds on tighter.
That’s all the confirmation I need to lead her out of there..
I’m so busy making sure Emilia is okay, that she doesn’t trip over her own feet, that I don’t think too hard about the weird smell in the air.
Neither do I notice the figure hiding in the shadows, camera in hand, watching as Emilia and I leave.
When we get to our suite, it’s like yesterday all over again, but much worse. I would have preferred it if she broke down again. Anything to that haunted look in her eyes.
It takes me back to that day. Jessica. She’s in my arms. But she‘ s freezing. So, so cold, but smiling while she says-
“I love you, Li,” she whispered. “I’d die for you to prove it.”
Gently, I reach for her shoulders and slide my jacket off her. She doesn’t resist. Doesn’t say a word.
Her skin’s ice.
“Bath?” I ask softly. “Yeah? No?”
She nods, barely.
I brush a strand of hair behind her ear. “Let me help, okay?”
She nods again. Still quiet. Still distant. But she lets me lead her
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toward the bathroom.
I run the bath, letting the water warm up just right. Steam starts to rise, soft and slow, filling the room with calm.
She’s behind me. I can feel her.
Even without looking, I know she’s watching me. And for some reason, that awareness has my heart beating a little faster.
Once the tub is full, I turn the faucet off and straighten up.
“I- uh, it’s ready,” I say quietly, turning to excuse myself and give her privacy.
But when I face her… I freeze.
She’s pulling off her bikini top.
My breath catches.
—
Not because of what she’s doing – but because of the way she‘ s doing it. Quiet. Careful. Vulnerable.
Like she’s offering a piece of trust she doesn’t give easily.
Her eyes meet mine.
There’s no seduction in them. Just raw honesty. Like she’s saying, You can look. You can stay. But don’t break me.
I swallow hard. Every instinct tells me to turn away, to give her space. But another part of me – something deeper – refuses to leave her alone in this moment.
So instead, I step closer.
—
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“Emilia,” I say softly, eyes searching hers. “You don’t have to pretend you’re okay.”
She blinks, like she wasn’t expecting that. Then… slowly nods.
And just like that, I reach out and take her hand.
“I’ll stay. Just until you feel safe again.”
Her fingers tighten around mine.
“You promise?” her voice is small, cracking like glass. “You-” she swallows hard, “promise you’ll stay? No matter what?”
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Chapter 77
