There was a beat of silence on the other end of the line—followed by a low,steady voice.
"Give me five minutes."
I ended the call,wiped the tears from my cheeks and walked back into the auction room.
Lennon’s face had soured,clearly had not expected my firm resistance.
"Meredith,do you really think a phone call can save you?"he sneered."Tonight,you're destined to become the whole city’s biggest joke."
Laughter flickered around the room.The crowd’s faces glowed with smug delight.
"Look at her face,crying like a baby.The Evans Family can’t even afford a decent dinner,so how could she afford something as extravagant in an auction?You should just accept your fate.”
Even Winona joined in with a condescending smile.
“Why don’t you beg Lennon for forgiveness?Maybe he’ll be kind enough to pretend none of this ever happened.”
I did not answer.I just stood there—silent,composed—waiting for fate to turn.
Exactly five minutes later,the grand doors of the auction hall burst open.
Gasps rippled across the room as a team of men in sleek black suits entered with practiced precision.Their shoes tapped crisply on the marble floor as they made their way toward me.Without hesitation,they bowed.
“Ms.Evans,”one of them said,“our boss sent us to ensure your safety.He also asked me to deliver this message:all his assets have been transferred to your name.You may use them however you wish.”
I gave a small,composed smile and raised my hand slightly toward the auctioneer.“Please verify the funds.”
The auctioneer took my bank card with trembling hands and slid it through the machine.
Moments later,his expression shifted sharply.His expression drained of color and his hands began to shake violently.
“Verification complete…the liquid assets exceed one billion dollars.”
The room gasped as one.Stunned silence engulfed them.
I did not spare Lennon a single glance.I just picked up my bag,turned to the bodyguards and said calmly,“Handle the rest.I’m tired.I’m going home to rest.”
I took a cab straight to the hospital.Today was the day of my abortion.
When I woke up after the procedure,I instinctively placed a hand over my flat stomach and my eyes stung with tears.
Two months ago,when I first found out I was pregnant,I was overjoyed.I thought this child was a blessing from heaven—meant for me and Lennon.
Yet,everything changed when I learned the child was not even his.And he…had never even touched me.
Lying on the hospital bed,I stared blankly at the night sky through the window.The anesthesia was wearing off,leaving a dull ache in my lower belly.Yet,it was not nearly as hollow as the ache in my heart.
The door creaked open.I turned my head slowly.Lucan Shepherd,Lennon’s older brother,stood there.
That was the same man I had called earlier at the auction.
He held a lunch box,still cool from the breeze outside.
“I’m sorry,”he said gently.“I had someone track your location.You didn’t sound right on the phone.I was worried.”
He placed the lunch box on the table beside me.“I had them make chicken soup with red dates.It’s good for your recovery.Drink it while it’s hot.”
I managed a faint smile.“It’s fine.Thank you…really.”
He sat at the edge of the bed,poured the warm soup into the lunch box with practiced ease,then brought a spoonful to my lips after gently blowing on it to cool.
Instinctively,I reached for the spoon,wanting to feed myself,but he pulled it slightly back.
“Don’t.Let me.”
His tone left no room for argument,but his eyes were incredibly gentle.
No one had ever treated me like this before—not even Lennon.
The soup was just the right temperature,so warm and comforting.I sipped it slowly,but soon,without warning,tears welled up in my eyes and fell silently into the bowl.
Lucan set the spoon down and reached out,wiping the tears from my cheeks with soft fingers.
“Why are you crying?”he asked gently.
“Because this isn’t fair for you,”I whispered hoarsely.“You being this kind to me…I don’t deserve it.”
My chest tightened.I took a breath and forced the words out.“I’m sorry.I should tell you the truth.I…I was violated.By random homeless guy.I’m not…clean.”
His expression darkened.His voice dropped to a firm,unshakable tone.“Meredith,do you think that’s something I’d care about?”
He leaned in,cupped my face in both hands and made me look at him gently but firmly.
There was no trace of disgust,only genuine pain and fury.
“I care that you were hurt.I care that Lennon—that bastard—ever let this happen to you.”
My lips trembled.More tears spilled,this time uncontrollably.
And then he pulled me into his arms.
His embrace was warm and strong.For the first time in what felt like forever,I felt safe.
“Whether it’s fair or not,that’s for me to decide,”he murmured,stroking my hair with aching tenderness,“And from now on,Meredith Evans,your tears—if you ever cry again—will only be for me.But I’ll do everything I can to make sure you never have to.”
I rested against him,listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.At that moment,I felt like I could finally breathe again.
He pressed a soft kiss to the top of my head.
“Sleep,”he whispered.“I’m here.I’m not going anywhere.”
