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I thought he wanted me to drink,but it turned out he just wanted me to watch him drink.
After finishing one bottle,his face flushed,his steps wobbly.
Fearing he’d crash into my furniture,I stood up to stop him.
He pulled me into his arms.
I could feel his heart pounding rapidly, as if it were about to burst out of his chest.
“Emma,can you give me a chance to take care of you?”
I was completely taken aback.
I had always thought his kindness stemmed from pity or sympathy.
Not this.
With my hands gone, I couldn’t believe that he would want to be with me.
Alex was a renowned surgeon,a rising star.
He deserved someone better.
“Alex,we’re not a good match.You’re incredible,but I…”
His expression fell,eyes turned red,like a scolded child.
“I was too hasty.Can we pretend I never said anything?Can we still be friends?”
Before I could respond,he mumbled,“It’s not your fault—it’s me.I should have told you how I felt a long time ago, maybe right after our first study group.”
“What’s wrong with us being together?I’ll change.We’re perfect together…”
He looked up at me,serious.“Tell me,what’s the problem?”
I hesitated,then said,“You know why.I can barely take care of myself,and I have a sick brother.I’d just be a burden to you.”
“Have you ever had any feelings for me at all?”
He collapsed before I could give him an answer.
In school,I’d had a crush on him.
His kindness now,his care—how could I not still have feelings for him?
But I wasn’t worthy of him anymore.
When I woke up,Alex was gone.
He texted,asking if he’d done anything embarrassing while he was drunk.
“Nope,you were fine,”I replied.
That day,he told me that Ethan had been safely transferred to the special ward at City General Hospital.
I was free from Nathan’s control.
No more demanding work.
I felt truly free..
That night,picking up some takeout,I saw Nathan.
He forced his way in as I closed the door.
“Nathan,get out of here!”
He walked towards me,eyes dark.“Emma,you really are something.A cripple,hooking up with the Grayson family?”
“Are you so desperate that you can’t live without a man?”
I remained silent.
He snapped,“What? Did I hit the nail on the head?Did you sleep with him?”
I glared at him, filled with hatred.“Not everyone iss as despicable as you.”
He laughed,mocking.“Despicable?You didn’t seem to mind when you were moaning under me,begging for my love.”
I sneered.“The past is the past.It doesn’t matter anymore.All I feel for you now is hatred.”
He didn’t buy it.“You don’t love me anymore?”
To ask that,after everything.
Who could love the person who had destroyed their life?
My coldness seemed to panic him.
His eyes bloodshot,he snarled“You said you’d love me forever,no matter what.”
He lunged,trying to force a kiss.
I kicked wildly.“Get off!You make me sick!”
“Sick?I’ll show you what real disgust is!”
He pinned my legs,leaning in closer.
I fought back,cursing at him.I would rather die than let him touch me.
I’d written a will—everything to Alex as a way to thank him for saving Ethan.
My parents would understand that I’d done my best.
A frantic knock interrupted.
“Emma,you okay?”
Alex.
I shouted,“Alex,I—”
Nathan quickly covered my mouth.
My door burst open with a crash.
Alex appeared like a knight in shining armor.
He punched Nathan,splitting his lip and drawing blood.
I’d known Alex as gentle,never this fierce.
He pummeled Nathan without mercy,not giving Nathan a chance.
Nathan begged,“Grayson,please stop…”
Alex ignored him,growling,“Do you even know what you did wrong?”
Nathan,mouth swollen,mumbled,“I was wrong…I…”
Another punch silenced him.
It was a one-sided thrashing.
I felt a thrill watching.
When Nathan couldn’t fight back,Alex turned to me.“Emma,take a shot at him.”
“Got it.”
Since I had no hands, I stomped on Nathan’s face instead.
Alex added,“Do whatever you want to him,you have my support.”
I understood.
I shook my head.“I’ve got a better plan.No need to dirty our hands.”
Nathan had passed out cold.
Alex dragged him out and dumping him in the dumpster next door.
That’s where trash belonged.
Back inside,Alex looked at me,pained.“Emma,I was late.Can I give you a hug?”
His entrance had set my heart racing.
I was falling hard.
But I wasn’t ready for him.
As I prepared to deflect,another knock came.
It was Claire.
Not recognizing Alex, she sneered, “Emma, don’t forget about our engagement party.Or your brother…”
Alex opened his mouth,but I nudged him with my foot, signaling for him to stay quiet.
I smiled.“Claire,I’ll be there.Don’t regret it.”
