Chapter 5
His fingers tightened, knuckles whitening. But just as fast, he relaxed and offered her a soft smile.
“I let go a long time ago. We cut contact after the breakup and we won’t be seeing each other again.”
A bitter taste filled Caroline’s mouth. He lied so smoothly, without even a flicker of hesitation.
When he reached out to touch her face, she instinctively pulled away.
The movement made his brow furrow.
This wasn’t the first time she’d rejected his touch lately.
“Who told you about this?” His tone suddenly turned serious. “Is that why you’ve been off lately?”
Caroline was about to speak when his phone rang.
Aiden checked the caller ID and hesitated for a few seconds, then answered.
Elise’s tearful voice came through: “Aiden! Some guys have been following me. I’m scared…”
His expression darkened in an instant. “Send me your location.”
Grabbing his jacket, he headed for the door without even looking at Caroline. “Babe, something urgent came up at work. Take a Uber home, okay?”
Caroline didn’t go home. Instead, she hailed a Uber and followed him.
In a dimly lit alley, she watched as Aiden positioned Elise behind him, facing off against four or five hugs with bats.
Gone was the calm and collected Aiden she knew. In his place was a vicious and brutal man.
Then one of the thug pulled out a knife and lunged for Elise.
‘Elise!”
Without hesitation, Aiden threw himself forward and shield her with his body.
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Chapter 5
The blade sank into his chest, instantly staining his white shirt crimson.
“Aiden!” Elise cradled him as he fell, her cries gut–wrenching.
“Don’t be scared…” he whispered in her arms, his voice weak but tender. “I promised… I’d protect you forever… I keep my promises…”
Caroline stood at the alley entrance, feeling as if someone had carved out her heart.
Outside the operating room, Elise sobbed uncontrollably. “He’s always been like this… once raced cars for me and nearly killed himself… when I had that accident, he gave me so much blood he passed out…”
Caroline leaned against the wall and listened in silence.
So Aiden–this mature and controlled man could be reckless enough to risk his life for love.
Just never for her.
“The knife missed his heart by millimeters,” a nurse stepped out. “Is Ms. Elise Versta here? We need a family member to sign these forms.”
Elise shook her head through tears. “I’m not family… his wife is right there.”
The nurse looked at Caroline in surprise. “But the patient keeps calling for ‘Elise.‘ He even just dictated a will leaving everything to Ms. Elise Versta…”
Realizing her mistake, she stopped awkwardly.
Caroline smiled. She signed the forms under the nurse’s pitying gaze, then turned to leave.
“Wait!” Elise called after her. “Don’t you love him? He’s still in danger–aren’t you going to stay and
take care of him?”
Caroline paused but didn’t look back.
“I did love him. Very much,” she replied with terrifying calmness. “But I’ve let go now. Since he never got over you, I’ll step aside for you both.”
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Chapter 6
