She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 1034

"Okay, deal!"

Melanie beamed at him.

They stood shoulder to shoulder by the crackling bonfire, watching the couples move in perfect harmony beneath The Statue of Amora.

A long while passed. Night had fully settled in, but the current set of dancers showed no signs of stopping.

Melanie's throat felt a little dry, and she let out a soft cough.

"Let me go grab you some water."

Preston offered immediately.

She didn't bother being falsely polite. Smiling, she pointed at two women walking past with tropical drinks.

"I want whatever coconut water they're having."

"You got it."

He turned and strode off into the crowd to find the vendor.

Left alone, Melanie stayed by the statue, patiently waiting.

The nearest drink stand was completely sold out, forcing Preston to trek further down the beach.

The new spot was entirely out of sight from where he had left her.

A faint frown touched his lips.

The specific coconut drink she wanted was apparently a local specialty, and the line wrapped around the shack.

He waited a painfully long time before finally getting his turn.

Halfway back with the cold drinks in hand, he suddenly stopped dead in his tracks.

He heard something.

A noise coming from behind the massive reef to his right.

"No!"

It was a woman.

"I told you I don't want to do it out here! If you have no shame, I do!"

At first, it was just the sound of panicked protests.

But then, the tone shifted violently.

The sharp sound of a heavy blow echoed, followed by a man's vicious cursing.

"Help! Somebody help me! Please... anyone..."

Elara felt like she was actually going to die under Alistair's fists.

It had been a while since he had laid his hands on her like this.

But they always said abuse never truly stopped; it just paused.

At least death would be an escape...

"Stop."

Just as she gave up all hope of rescue, a cold, commanding voice cut through the air, sending a jolt straight through her battered body.

Alistair, blinded by rage, whipped around to see who had the nerve to interrupt him.

He looked up and instantly froze, met with a pair of predatory, merciless eyes.

Preston stood there casually holding two coconut drinks, stripped of his usual intimidating black suit.

Even so, the sheer, crushing weight of his presence alone was enough to make Alistair's blood run cold.

The coward didn't dare say a single word. He clamped his mouth shut, tucked his tail between his legs, and scrambled away.

Elara weakly pushed herself up from the sand, looking up at him with tear-filled eyes.

Given the choice, she would have never let him see her in such a pathetic state.

But...

She was overwhelmingly grateful that he was the one who had stepped in.

She knew she had to look like a complete wreck—bruised, battered, and utterly miserable.

Surely, seeing her this broken would spark at least a sliver of sympathy in him.

Yet she waited in agonizing silence, and he never once reached out a hand to help her up.