After My Death, My Husband Who Threw Me Into the Hunting Grounds Went Insane novel Chapter 53

LUKE

I threw my fists at someone's face before. He was my cousin, a trusted friend, and we both went to Harvard. I'd almost killed him. He was hospitalized for three days, and his parents loathed me. He had broken ribs, and I fractured his fingers. My father always thought that I did it for fun. He even apologized to my uncle and gave them compensation. He used to think lowly of me. He didn't even know what happened.

Jonas had been throwing rocks behind my back by dating Stacy. He knew I loved her. He knew she was going to be the woman I'd marry. But what did he do? He broke my trust. He ruined our friendship. The day I found out the child wasn't mine was the day I wanted to kill a person.

But I didn't, because it wasn't worth it.

I'd changed. A lot. My father resented having a son like me. But I did not care. He wanted me to take over the company as his only son, but I built my own instead. I helped him, sure, but it's the way of showing him that I hated him for taking Jonas' side and calling me useless. My chest felt as if it had been covered with stone.

I'd never thought of opening my heart to anyone.

Until a broken soul came to me and shaken my world.

How many days had it been? Was it a week? No. It was more than two weeks. I'd known her for such a short time, but she already captured me genuinely.

Gently, I held her arms, feeling the coldness of her sweat against my palm.

"He owns the club, Luke," she murmured, and she wasn't even blinking.

"Do you still remember the name?"

She gulped hard. "I…"

"It's okay." I pulled her close and squeezed her tight. "It's okay… you don't have to remember," I whispered, stroking her hair softly. She was still shaking. "I'm so sorry, Scarlet. I shouldn't have pressured you."

I remembered she'd broken down at Aries' clinic, and I forced her to tell me what happened. It was my fucking fault.

How was I supposed to leave her now? How was I supposed to stop? Two months? Fuck. I don't think I could even bear leaving her alone again. She was feeble and longing for affection. Someone that would cherish her beside her mother. I kept telling myself that it should not be me. I was incapable.

This was fucking frustrating. She was Gene's daughter, and what I was asking was a grave mistake.

I searched for Scarlet's face as she sobbed. This woman got me. She had broken the stone in my heart.

I think I'd fallen for her, and this was a huge problem.

SCARLET

I opened my eyes and found myself in Luke's room. Only, he was holding me in his arms. My head rested on his chest. I shifted my head up to search for his face. I found him looking back at me. Had he been awake all along?

"Hey…"

"Hi."

"What happened to me?" I murmured.

"You fell asleep."

"Did I?" I sat up.

"Don't worry, I got you." He sprang up as well and kissed my temple. "Are you hungry? Do you need anything?"

"No, it's okay. What time is it?"

"It's five in the morning."

"And you didn't sleep?"

He shook his head. "I need to make sure I'm conscious when you wake up." He flashed a reassuring smile. When did he become so sweet?

"But you need a rest too."

"I'll be fine. You can go back to sleep. I will wake you up at seven."

Suddenly, I wished this wasn't only temporary. I remembered what happened last night. He said he was going to help me. He was going to do everything for me. I wanted to appreciate it, but it would only get me more attached.

What's going to happen when this is all over?

"What are you thinking?"

I shook my head, then I laid back on the bed. I shifted to the other side, so I wouldn't be facing him. His sudden care for me was alarming.

"Hey, what's wrong?" He pulled me close—his chest against my back.

I squeezed my eyes shut and let the tears fall. He might be next to me right now, but he would be gone later. He was my stepbrother, and I knew that from the start.

"You know him." He clenched his jaw. "He still treats me like this." Mom rubbed his back fondly.

"Let me check your face before you go."

Luke smiled but didn't touch his eyes. "I'm fine."

After breakfast, Mom brought Thomas's breakfast to the living room. I watched her as she began a conversation with him, gesturing her hand in the air. Her expression was concerned. Thomas put down the newspaper on the table.

"It's the first time I've seen them argue," I said.

"You'll witness that again when you come home after you graduate."

I sighed a deep breath. "That again," I whispered.

"What?"

"My graduation."

"So that's why you have to think about it." He said out of nowhere.

I frowned. "Think of what?"

"When are you going to give me an answer?"

"I don't think I understand…"

"I think you do. I also think that you heard me. I made sure that you heard it."

I blinked. What's he saying?

He rolled his eyes. "I really hate repeating myself."

"Repeat… what?"

"Do you want me to break the two-month agreement? Because I decided to stay…"