I could feel their worry radiating through the messages, and a pang of warmth seeped through the pain.
Despite everything, despite how shaken I felt, there was a comfort in knowing they would be by my side soon.
Drawing in a shaky breath, I set my phone down and asked the driver to take me to the hospital.
The journey there was blurred, almost surreal, as I clutched the blood-soaked cloth against my shoulder.
At the hospital, the doctor carefully cleaned and wrapped the wound in fresh gauze, his hands gentle yet efficient.
I winced as he finished, the antiseptic sting a brutal reminder of what had just happened.
Gathering myself, I thanked him and headed for the exit.
But as I stepped out of the consultation room, I collided with a figure. I barely had time to register the impact when a familiar voice, cold and fierce, spoke my name.
“Sophia!”
Standing before me was Lirian. His sharp, winter-like eyes bore into mine, and for a moment, he seemed to freeze.
His gaze dropped to the blood that had seeped through the gauze on my shoulder, and his expression twisted with anger and something else—something raw and protective.
“I saw your message,” he said, his voice hard, but with a hint of worry beneath the icy surface. “What happened? Tell me everything.”
I faltered, realizing that I must have sent the message to him as well by accident. His concern made my heart squeeze, and for the first time, I felt my eyes begin to burn.
The tears that had been threatening to fall finally broke free, slipping down my cheeks in a steady stream.
“It’s… it’s Arman,” I choked out, my voice thick and shaky. “He… he was going to kill me.” The last words left me in a whisper, and my vision blurred as I struggled to hold back a sob.
Lirian’s jaw clenched, and he took a step back, his entire stance taut with anger.
He looked like a storm personified, his expression dark and unyielding.
The blood-red stain on my shoulder seemed to ignite something fierce within him.
“I’m going to kill him,” he muttered, each word dripping with cold fury as he turned to leave.
“No, don’t go,” I gasped, reaching out to grab his arm. The movement tugged painfully at my wound, making me wince.
But I couldn’t let him walk away like that, fueled by vengeance. “Someone like Arman isn’t worth the blood on your hands.”
Lirian’s harsh expression softened, and he placed his hand over mine, squeezing gently. “I’m here. Trust me, Sophia. With me, you’ll be safe.”
He led me to his car, and exhaustion weighed down my eyelids as we drove.
The gentle hum of the engine, combined with the soothing presence of Lirian beside me, eventually lulled me to sleep.
When I opened my eyes, I found myself in unfamiliar surroundings.
I blinked, realizing we had arrived at the Ironclaw Pack’s main estate.
Rain was still pouring outside, and I noticed a butler waiting at the door, umbrella in hand.
Lirian got out and walked over to my side, opening the door and carefully lifting me out of the car.
My face warmed as he carried me, and I murmured, “Lirian, you can put me down. It’s only a small injury…”
The butler’s eyes widened when he saw me, his face a mixture of shock and worry.
“Miss Sophia! Who would do such a thing?”
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