Chapter 106
“Kristin!” Bill bolted down the alley, his eyes darting desperately from shadow to shadow.
Where could she be?
“Kristin!”
The alley echoed his calls, a lonely silence that offered no clues. He ran and searched, but Kristin was nowhere to be found.
He didn’t know Kristin had a habit of seeking a corner to hide in when spooked.
Terrified, she curled up beside a dumpster, her body shaking uncontrollably.
Six years ago, she had too many drinks at a party and was led, her mind foggy, Into a room.
Fear gripped her as she struggled internally, screaming silently, her body not responding to her commands.
Desperate to escape, she fought to keep her mind alert, but it was futile.
Pounding on the door, she cried for help, thrashing against her invisible restraints, but nobody came to her rescue.
She might have considered jumping to escape the horror if not for the hotel’s sealed panoramic windows.
She huddled in the corner, slowly losing hope in humanity.
“Slut, shameless.”
“Look at the marks on her body. She’s not even dressed properly.”
“See, there’s blood on the bed. How could this woman be so disgraceful?”
Before she woke up the following morning, Ruby and Vincent burst into the room with reporters
in tow.
She opened her eyes dazedly, then wrapped herself tightly in the blanket as terror surpassed her fright from the night before.
Like a fish thrown ashore to die of thirst, she was in her final throes.
Helplessly crying, she begged Vincent to help her, but Vincent’s gaze was cold, malicious, and alien, filled with disgust. Each look cast her deeper into hell.
What was her fault? The fault lay with those who hurt her.
But no one believed her. Everyone wanted to crush her into the mud beyond redemption.
In her fear, even breathing became a struggle.
Huddled in her corner, Kristin wept silently until her body trembled.
11:52
Chapter 106
A few drunks staggered down the alley, and Kristin curled up tighter, biting her tinger to silence
her sobs.
She bit her finger through the taste of blood spreading through her mouth.
It felt like she had lost control over her breathing.
Just like the day she was locked in the FitzGerald family’s warehouse by Vincent and Ruby, her terror peaked, and her anxiety manifested physicality, making even her breath feel numb
“Kristin.” At her moment of utmost fear, a familiar figure appeared before her.
Stiffly, she looked up to see Rhett
It must be a dream. He was supposed to be on a business trip in Capital City. How could he be there in Crescendo Town? That was impossible.
It must be a dream.
Rhett was breathing heavily. Seeing Kristin in such a state, he slowly crouched before her. “Give me your hand.”
Kristin was biting her hand, blood already visible. She bit deep.
With trembling eyes and fingers, she lifted her hand, wanting to hand it over, yet feeling too filthy, she froze in hesitation.
Rhett grabbed Kristin’s wrist, pulling her into his arms, relief in his voice. “Let’s go home.”
He had found her.
York claimed he didn’t care about Kristin, yet he floored the gas pedal and made it to the hospital in just over an hour.
Harriet said James had taken Kristin away and that he seemed off.
Rhett rushed downstairs and seeing James car still in the parking lot, knew Kristin had to be nearby.
He knew that when scared. Kristin liked to hide in corners, places she deemed safe.
“Mr. FitzGerald!” York followed and breathed a sigh of relief after seeing Rhett with Kristin. “James‘ assistant has been looking for Kristin, too. James rushed back to the Bryce family. They say Carter’s having heart trouble.”
Rhett draped his coat over Kristin, his voice deep. “We’re heading back to Silvergrove City.”
“What?” York was shocked. “Mr. FitzGerald, it’s over four hours from here to Silvergrove City and then back to Capital City for your afternoon meeting… You won’t have any time to rest. It’s too exhausting.”
Rhett didn’t care. He held Kristin and got into the car.
Chapter 1800
It took a while for Kristin to realize the person beside her was real, not a hallucination.
She tried to speak but couldn’t make a sound.
“Have some water.” Rhett handed her a bottle of water.
Kristin’s hands shook as she took it.
Rhett didn’t ask what had happened. He just sat quietly, waiting for Kristin to recover before speaking. “If you’re in trouble, you can tell me. I can arrange a driver for you.”
Kristin opened her mouth and whispered, looking down. “Thank you.”
Rhett said nothing, slowly closing his eyes.
Holding the water bottle, Kristin said hoarsely. “Mr. FitzGerald, why were you here… in Crescendo Town?”
Just passing through,” Rhett said casually.
Kristin looked down, staying silent.
Rhett probably didn’t want her to get the wrong idea.
Throughout the journey, Rhett said not another word.
Kristin glanced at him secretly. He was strikingly handsome even with his eyes closed, his features still exuded an aristocratic charm.
Her frantic heart gradually calmed down. Kristin leaned against the car window, watching Rhett rest. Simply watching him appeared to bring her heart a sense of peace.
“Hungry?” Perhaps sensing her gaze, Rhett slowly opened his eyes, his voice husky and pleasant.
Startled, Kristin sat up sharply, instinctively trying to stand, and bumped her head on the car roof, the water bottle nearly tumbling from her grip.
Rhett caught the bottle, smiling. “Next time, we’ll take a bigger car.”
Kristin’s ears turned red, and she lowered her head, too embarrassed to speak.
Rhett brought over a bag of snacks and placed it beside Kristin.
These treats were for Summer.
Since Summer had a hypoglycemic episode, Rhett had instructed York to keep a stash of snacks in the car.
Kristin stared blankly at the assortment of goodies, then lifted her gaze to Rhett.
She shouldn’t be treated so kindly.
Flowers growing in darkness tended to wither when suddenly exposed to sunlight.
Chapter 106
Tentatively, she reached out to grab a chocolate bar, tearing it open and taking a bite.
It was sweet.
After eating the bar, the gnawing in her stomach subsided significantly.
The silence in the car was overwhelming, and leaning against the window, Kristin drifted off to
sleep.
“Mr. FitzGerald, we’ve arrived.”
“Shh!” Rhett glanced at the time. It was 3:30 AM.
With a motion for silence, he gently lifted Kristin from the car.
Kristin was a light sleeper, a habit formed during her time in prison when any movement would jolt her awake. But for some reason, she was sleeping deeply.
York grunted softly, then spoke in a low voice. “Mr. FitzGerald, why don’t you catch some sleep at home, too? We’ll head out at 8 in the morning.”
Rhett nodded, carrying Kristin into the bedroom.
He laid her down on the bed and intended to leave, but Kristin’s fingers clung tightly to his shirt cuff.
Standing by the bed in silence, Rhett’s thoughts grew complex.
His dealings with Kristin were indeed getting overly personal, which might not bode well for her. It seemed necessary to maintain some distance unless he wanted to take full responsibility for
her.
