As I was lost in thought, the door swung open.
A man in a sharp suit hurried inside. His dark eyes looked at me with a mix of amusement and concern.
“Quiet little one, you really got yourself into a mess while I wasn’t around.”
I managed a weak smile. “Marcus…”
So it was Marcus, the same person who had stood up to Carter for my sake.
His eyes lit up with joy. “You can talk!”
He stayed by my side the entire day.
That’s when I learned the truth.
He was the illegitimate child of the Dale family, who were just as powerful as the Hall family.
The only regret was that Mrs. Dale had passed away without leaving behind any children. Marcus’s appearance had solved a
major issue for the Dale family.
“I was waiting for them to come find me, but when you disappeared, I got so worried. I had no choice but to present myself to
them,” he explained, peeling an apple for me.
“Don’t worry. Now that I’ve taken over the Dale family, I can protect you. I won’t let that scumbag hurt you again.”
I took a small bite, the crisp sweetness spreading through me. I looked up at him and asked, “Do you believe me?”
He seemed stunned for a moment, then quickly understood what I meant.
He smiled and gently patted my head.
“I believe you.
The day I was discharged, I saw Carter again. His hair was disheveled, and his face was covered in stubble.
He looked like he had fallen apart overnight.
He tried to rush over and grab me, but Marcus stepped in and blocked him.
All Carter could do was glare at me with bloodshot eyes, demanding that I go home with him.
“Lindsey, we’re not even divorced yet, and you’re already so eager to leave with another guy. How can you be so cheap?”
His cruel words stung.
I instinctively took a step back, my hands trembling imperceptibly.
Marcus noticed my subtle reaction.
2/3
He pulled me behind him and suddenly threw a punch at Carter.
“Get lost!” he growled.
His back, though not particularly broad, gave me an inexplicable sense of security.
