The man was already bruised and swollen as he lay on the ground lifelessly. He was dying and had no strength to fight back.
Weston was undoubtedly terrifying in this state. Soon, a sweet and fishy smell filled the air.
Stella felt nauseous and subconsciously heaved. Her body tensed and kept trembling uncontrollably.
She bit her lower lip tightly and could not help but dry heave a few times.
She did not even have the strength to stand, and her face was as pale as a sheet.
Weston heard her voice and stopped. He gave the man in front of him a cold glance, then slammed him to the ground and walked toward Stella.
âStella, come here.â His voice had a hint of urgency. The sound of his breath was like a whistle.
He picked Stella into his arms and held her tightly.
Weston hugged her tightly in his arms, as if trying to make her one with him.
His hostile eyes were so red and bloodshot but filled with other deeper feelings as well. Strong reluctance, regret, and anger⦠But more than anything else was the heartache for the woman in his arms.
Weston was at his breaking point, but he restrained himself and gently held Stella in his arms. He brushed her hair gently and tried to ease her fears. âItâs okay now.â
He looked down at her with endless tenderness for her in his eyes. âDonât be afraid. Iâm here.â
Stella looked up at him and met his gaze. Her eyes were red. She pursed her lips in silence and was still trembling.
She could not deny it. The moment she saw him, her tension had eased. Although she rejected him and wanted to run away from him, she could not help but feel safe in his presence.
The nightâs fear swept over her and drowned her like a tidal wave over her body.
Stella moved a little and could not hold back her tears anymore. At last, tears streamed down her cheek. She did not cry loudly. She only let out two choked sobs. Her restrained sobbing was more heartbreaking than anything Weston was devastated to see her being hurt. He hugged her, lowered his head, and kissed away the tears from her face little by little. He was heartbroken. He held her incredibly gently, as if he was holding a fragile doll. âIâm here.â He kept emphasizing and repeating, âIâm right here.â
Stella trembled more. She slowly grabbed his shirt and buried her face in his arms. As she wet his shirt with her tears, all her cries were silenced in his arms.
âIâm here. Donât be afraidâ¦â Weston held her and soothed her patiently. His voice was low as he whispered in her ear to calm her, âStella, donât be afraid.â
The harsh yet familiar voice soothed her deepest fears. She cried in silence as Weston murmured, âIâm here. Youâre safe now. No one will hurt you.â
Stella did not cry when the kidnappers got her. She did not cry when they locked her in the room. The man almost took advantage of her, but she did not cry either.
She knew she was safe in Westonâs arms now. She knew she was finally safe from the humiliation and pain, but she could not help but cry.
She could not shut off the raging storm of grievance, sadness, and despair in her. She had been under so much stress dealing with Weston. With all the things she had been throughâ¦
Stella could not think of anything else. She wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face deeper into his chest âWeston â¦â Her voice trembled. Her reliance on him conveyed her intentions. She wanted him to hold her closer.
Weston understood her message. He looked down, kissed her hair, and held her tighter. âYeah.â