After the auction,Lennon brought Winona back to the villa.
She kicked off her heels with a laugh and tossed her sunglasses onto the vanity,flopping onto the king-sized bed with a sigh of satisfaction.
"Finally,I don’t have to pretend to be blind anymore.Babe,Meredith just ran off like that—you didn’t even chase after her?"
Lennon climbed into bed behind her,wrapping an arm around her waist as he pulled her close.
"Let her run,"he said with a sneer."You know how she is—give her a couple of days and she’ll come crawling back,begging for forgiveness.This time,she’s the one in the wrong.I’m done bending over backwards for her.She’s gone now and that means it’s just us."
Winona turned around with a smug smile and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"But what if she doesn’t come back?"she teased.
Lennon scoffed,his voice laced with disdain."She’s tainted—used up by random guy and disgraced in front of the entire city.Who would want her now,besides me?"
Then he leaned in and kissed her.
When I woke up,Lucan took me to the hospital for a full medical exam.
The process was long and draining.I sat quietly,legs swinging from the exam table,while the doctor reviewed the results.His expression darkened as he read.
"Ms.Evans condition is concerning,"he said,voice serious."Aside from the expected post-abortion weakness,she’s severely malnourished.There are early signs of anemia."
As he spoke,Lucan’s face hardened with every word.His hands clenched into fists,knuckles turning bone-white.
"What about past injuries?"he asked tightly.
The doctor paused,hesitating as his eyes flicked to me for permission.
I lowered my gaze in silence.
Lucan’s voice dropped into a dangerous calm."Say it."
The doctor let out a slow breath,then said carefully,"There are signs of previous trauma—injuries consistent with long-term physical abuse."
The room fell still.Thick.Suffocating.
Lucan’s jaw flexed,his breathing shallow and sharp.A storm brewed in his eyes.
Without another word,he turned abruptly,storming for the door.
I reached out instinctively and grabbed his wrist."Lucan!"
He stopped in his tracks,his back still facing me.His entire body was tense,his rage barely contained—and I knew it was not directed at me,but at Lennon.
"Don’t…"I whispered,my voice cracking."He’s not worth it."
Slowly,he turned and pulled me into his arms with such urgency that I could hardly breathe.
"Meredith,"he ground out my name,his voice trembling with emotion he was trying so hard to suppress."How am I supposed to just endure this?"
I pressed my face against his chest.My tears soaked into his shirt as he held me tighter.
He took a long,shaky breath.Then,gently,he ran his hand along my back and whispered,"All right.I won’t go."
After a moment,he added quietly,"But promise me this—starting today,you’re mine.And I swear,I’ll never let anyone hurt you again."
I closed my eyes and nodded.
"Edith..."he said,voice breaking from steel to tenderness,"Marry me,will you?"
I nodded again,this time without hesitation and wrapped my arms around him even tighter.
***
Meanwhile,back at the Shepherd Family villa…
Lennon lounged on the couch,scrolling through his phone.His expression twisted into annoyance.
"She’s still not back?"he muttered."Tsk.Meredith’s really milking this tantrum."
Winona curled against his side,head resting on his shoulder.She giggled softly.
"What’s the matter—starting to miss her?"
"Miss her?"Lennon scoffed."She’s damaged goods.I only ever took her in because I pitied her."
He tilted Winona’s chin with one hand.
"You,look at you here,you’re perfect—obedient,pure."
Winona beamed and planted a kiss on his cheek."Obviously.I’m nothing like her."
Lennon smirked and pulled her into his arms,full of lazy confidence.
Where else could Meredith possibly go?She had no one,nowhere to run.No one else would take her in.Just two days and she would come crawling back.
And then,maybe,he would consider taking her back.
