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Chapter 10
Chapter 10
Alan strolled up in laid–back clothes, a sleek little box in hand–like he’d just walked out of some fancy auction. He paused at the front door, brow furrowing as muffled screams echoed from inside the house. Before he could go in, Lena floated over with a sweet smile and slipped her arm through his.
“Alan, you’re here? Didn’t you have a work dinner tonight?” she asked, tilting her head.
Something flickered in Alan’s eyes–annoyance, maybe–but he still reached out and gently patted her head, handing her the box. “Dinner got canceled. And this is for you–remember the ring I promised? See if you like it.“@
Lena lit up, kissed his cheek, and popped open the box. She slid on the diamond ring, its facets sparkling in the sunlight. “I love it! Thank you, Alan!”
Her friends immediately clustered around, gushing with excitement.
“Oh wow, Lena, that ring is gorgeous!”
“Seriously, Mr. Clark spoils you so much!”
Alan watched them, looking increasingly impatient. Suddenly, he grabbed Lena’s hand and cut through the noise. “Didn’t I say nobody comes in here without my permission?”
Lena tensed, shooting a quick look at her friends. One of them jumped in to cover for her. “It’s not what it looks like, Mr. Clark. We weren’t trying to trespass. We were just nearby, and suddenly we saw this woman sneaking in, dressed up to look like Lena. She literally climbed the fence–maybe trying to steal your attention or something. We just-”
She trailed off, glancing nervously at Alan like she wasn’t sure if she should keep going.
Alan tumed on the security team, his voice sharp. “How did someone get in here without you noticing? If you can’t do your jobs, I’ll find people who can!”
Lena tugged his sleeve, her voice soft and pleading. “Don’t blame them, Alan. This place is huge. It’s easy to miss things. Besides, I already set that woman straight for you.”
Alan finally let go of her hand, but his smile was icy. “Really? I always thought you were too delicate for that. Didn’t expect you to be so feisty.”
Lena grinned, proud. “Of course! Anyone who tries to mess with you, I’ll handle them.”
A friend chimed in, “Mr. Clark, Lena’s been running herself ragged for you while you’ve been gone–even though she’s pregnant! She never stops. It’s honestly really moving.”
Lena blushed, stamping her foot. “I told you not to tell Alan!”
Her friend just laughed. “Why are you embarrassed? I’m just telling the truth!”
Lena turned even redder, about to snuggle into Alan’s arms. But he subtly sidestepped her and signaled for the butler.
“You shouldn’t be here long if you’re pregnant. It’s not good for the baby. I’ll have the butler take you home,” he said, already turning toward the house.
“Alan!” Lena called after him, her face suddenly going pale as she clutched her stomach. “I–my stomach hurts…”
Alan’s expression shifted to concern, and he caught her by the waist. “What’s wrong? Why does it hurt all of a sudden?”
She just shook her head, clinging to his shirt, her face twisted in pain.
Her friends crowded around, anxious. “Mr. Clark, maybe you should take her to the hospital–just in case!”
“Yeah, what if something happens?“%
Alan was just about to lift Lena into his arms when a blood–curdling scream exploded from inside the house. “Alan!“%
He froze, a look of horror flashing across his face. In that moment, he forgot everything else–shoving Lena aside, he bolted into the mansion. The scene inside would haunt him forever.2
There, on the floor, was the woman he loved most. The one he’d promised never to hurt. She was pinned down by a gang of men, their hands all over her. Her clothes were ripped away, angry red marks streaked across her bare skin.
The more she struggled, the more brutal they became–one man yanked off his own clothes, ready to force himself on her again.
The face Alan had kissed so many times was now a bloody, broken mess, gashes spilling fresh blood. The eyes that once looked at him with so much love now stared back, empty and lifeless.
“Summer“2
