Clara thought the driver had come for her—But then a tall,broad-shouldered figure emerged.
Jonathan was wearing a well-tailored charcoal gray suit and had obviously just attended an important event.
His handsome face was etched with worry and urgency.His sharp gaze swept the squalid surroundings before locking onto Clara,huddled in the corner.
His pupils contracted violently.
He strode forward in long,decisive steps and,without hesitation,shrugged off his expensive jacket,wrapping it gently around Clara’s near-bare frame.His touch was achingly careful.
“Clara.”
His voice was low,almost terrifying in its restraint.“Don’t be afraid.I’m here now.”
At that,Clara lifted her head.All the terror,humiliation,and despair she had bottled up through the night broke loose.She collapsed into his arms,sobbing uncontrollably.
Jonathan held her tightly.His gaze cut icy and murderous toward the villa in the distance,rage burning beneath his calm.He patted her back,murmuring over and over:
“It’s alright now,Clara.It’s alright.I’m here.”
That night,Clara burned with a fever that raged so fiercely she was rushed to a private hospital.