The Love I Begged For Was Never Real novel Chapter 246

Gideon’s fingers slowly uncurled, releasing their iron grip.

Julian stepped back, clearing his throat a few times as he casually smoothed out the rumpled collar of his jacket.

Seeing Gideon finally let him go, Giselle immediately rushed forward.

She brushed right past Gideon, stirring a faint breeze, without sparing him a single glance before throwing herself straight into Julian’s arms.

"Julian, are you okay? Where are you hurt? Does it hurt much?"

Giselle’s voice broke with a heavy sob. She reached out carefully, wanting to touch the dark bruise forming at the corner of Julian's mouth, but her fingers hovered hesitantly in the air, terrified of causing him more pain.

She looked him up and down, her eyes overflowing with undisguised heartache and panic.

"Don't cry, Giselle. I’m fine, it's just a scratch. It doesn't hurt."

Julian coaxed her in a low, gentle voice, but his predatory gaze drifted over Giselle’s head to shoot a mocking, triumphant glare at Gideon.

Gideon stood completely alone.

He looked down at his right hand hanging limply by his side. The skin over his knuckles was torn, oozing bright red drops of blood.

A cut on his lip throbbed, the blood tracing a slow, hot path down his jawline before dripping onto his pristine white collar, blossoming into a glaring crimson stain.

From beginning to end, his beloved sister—the girl he had cherished and protected for over a decade—had not offered him a single shred of concern.

Her entire world revolved around the outsider who had taken a few hits. She completely ignored Gideon's bleeding knuckles, his disheveled clothes, and the fragile, desperate hope shattering in his eyes.

A suffocating wave of despair crashed through Gideon's chest. Breathing became agonizing, every rise and fall of his ribs bringing a dull, tearing ache.

That was his sister.

Hearing his voice, Giselle yanked herself backward, hiding most of her body behind Julian.

"I'm not going back!"

She shrieked, her piercing voice echoing across the equestrian club. "Why would you hit him? Julian was nice enough to bring me out riding to clear my head. You have no right to just attack people! Are you out of your mind?"

Gideon's outstretched hand froze mid-air.

He stared at her tear-stained face, seeing nothing but utter defensiveness, and a bone-deep chill settled over his heart.

"He has ulterior motives."

Gideon ground his teeth, his dark gaze freezing over. "Giselle, listen to me. Get away from him and come here."