Not want her
The door burst open with a deafening bang, sending shock waves through the room. There was a sudden drop in temperature as Jayden charged inside the room with a frosty look on his face.
Without uttering a word, he seized Keith by his hair and yanked him off the bed with brutal force. Keith’s body was thrown over Jayden’s shoulder, causing him to roll across the room.
As Keith lay sprawled on the floor, Jayden approached him. Without a hint of mercy, he sat on Keith’s stomach and delivered a series of merciless punches to his face.
The force in Jayden’s fists was lethal, evidence of the emotions that had surged within him since the moment he realized Nina was in danger. His punches rained down with an intensity that left no room for escape.
As the tumultuous confrontation unfolded in the room, Nora and Stefan arrived behind Jayden.
Stefan immediately averted his gaze and turned around when he saw Nina’s disheveled state. He instructed his men to stand guard outside while he stood facing the door.
Meanwhile, Nora rushed to Nina’s side, her heart aching for her friend. She helped Nina up and straightened her disheveled clothes.
As Nora helped Nina regain her composure, she noticed that the latter was having a panic attack. Her breathing was rapid and shallow, as her body quivered with anxiety.
Alarmed, Nora immediately called out to Jayden. “Jayden, Nina’s having a panic attack.”
However, it was as though Jayden was under a spell. As his fury coursed through him, there was only one thing on his mind – to kill this bastard who dared to touch his woman.
Instead, hearing Nora’s cry, Stefan hurriedly entered the room.
Realizing that the situation had escalated, he rushed towards Jayden to stop him. Despite his efforts, Jayden continued his relentless assault on Keith, his fists driven by a deep well of anger.
“Enough, Jayden! You will kill him!” Stefan’s voice was authoritative, but the storm of emotions raging within Jayden was insurmountable.
His relentless blows continued, inflicting significant damage on Keith, who was now bruised and battered.
Nora knew they needed to calm and stabilize Nina amid the chaos that had ensued.
She guided Nina to a nearby chair and knelt beside her, placing a reassuring hand on her back.
“It’s okay, Nina,” Nora whispered. “You’re safe now. Just take slow, deep breaths. In through your nose, out through your mouth, okay?”
Still overwhelmed by fear, Nina tried to follow Nora’s guidance. She closed her eyes and focused on her breath, attempting to regain control over her racing pulse.
Realizing that he couldn’t stop Jayden alone, Stefan immediately called for the guards to intervene. Four of the men rushed inside the room and finally managed to restrain Jayden, pulling him away from Keith.
Keith lay half-dead on the floor, his body bruised and bloodied. While Jayden, now held back by the guards, seethed with anger. He was breathing heavily, his chest heaving as he glared at Keith with a lingering fire in his eyes.
As Jayden’s fury subsided, he turned to see the anguish Nina was experiencing. Her vulnerability and fear struck at his core, and it was as if a knife had pierced his heart.
Without a second thought, he moved to her side and gently pulled her into his arms. He cradled her like a precious gem, offering her the comfort and safety she so desperately needed.
“It’s okay. I’m here.” The world outside the room faded into insignificance as Jayden held her close, whispering words of reassurance.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.
Nestled in his arms, Jayden nodded at Stefan and Nora before carrying Nina out of the room.
—
A group of elite doctors was summoned to the Meadow Residence.
As they arrived, Jayden made his way to the bedroom and placed Nina on the bed. With extreme care and tenderness, he proceeded to change her clothes.
Once Nina was comfortable, the team of doctors assessed her condition. They concluded that other than the psychological trauma, there was nothing to worry about.
It was only when they assured him she was fine did Jayden relaxed.
After settling Nina down, Jayden received a call from his assistant. He stepped out and answered the call on the balcony.
Rick immediately reported, “Master, we’ve sent Keith to the hospital. His injuries are serious but the doctors are doing their best to keep him alive.”
“Good.”
“But Master… I’m afraid that this incident has already reached Old Madam.”
“It’s all right. Leave that to me.”
After hanging up the call, a heavy silence descended over the room.
Jayden drew a cigarette from its box. With a flick of his lighter, the tip ignited, casting a warm orange glow, and took a drag.
It was unknown what he was thinking, but whatever it was, no one would have it easy.
“Ahhh!”
Suddenly a faint scream pierced the air.
Jayden’s heart leaped in alarm, and without a second thought, he dashed toward the source of the sound.
As he entered the bathroom, the scene that greeted him caused his heart to twitch in pain.
Nina, still in her nightgown, was sitting inside the bathtub. Her hands moved as she scrubbed at her skin, trying to wash away the marks that left her feeling tainted. Soon, bright, ruddy streaks started appearing on her body.
So dirty…
Nina looked at the kiss marks and colored bruises that marred her body. Feeling disgusted by her own self, she started scrubbing her skin with even greater force.
Jayden found her body trembling from the cold water. Without a moment’s hesitation, he reached for the shower’s controls and turned it off.
Then he strode over to her side and knelt beside her in the bathtub. Reaching for her wrist, he gently but firmly prevented her from continuing her frantic scrubbing. “Have you lost your mind?”
With her cheeks stained with a film of tears, Nina raised her head to look at him and held on to his collar tightly. “Why are you late?” she screamed.
Her words were both a forlorn accusation and an unhappy complaint, revealing the profound loneliness and fear she had experienced during her ordeal.
“Why did you only come?”
Jayden clenched his fists and drew her closer to him. Nina’s words were like a sharp blade that tore at his heart, causing it to throb with pain. He felt a deep sense of regret for not having been there sooner.
With extreme tenderness in his eyes, he cupped her cheeks and dropped a gentle kiss on her cheek. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.
Although he knew no amount of apology could make up for the torment she had experienced.
“I feel so dirty… He-he kissed me on the neck, my cheeks… a-and… it’s so dirty…” Nina’s voice faltered as she continued, “What do I do, Jayden?” She stared at him forlornly. “I don’t find myself clean enough.”
Jayden’s heart ached as he listened to her anguish.
He carefully lifted her out of the bathtub and wrapped her in a large, plush towel. Holding her close, he rubbed her arms, trying to provide her a sense of security.
“Where are you dirty?” he asked as he carried her out of the bathroom,
Nina tugged at the towel, her eyes filled with despair. “Everywhere,” she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. “It’s dirty everywhere.”
Hearing Nina’s cries of distress, Jayden placed her on the bed.
He bent forward, his thin lips landing on her forehead, cheeks, and then her shoulders with tender pecks. It was as if he were leaving a mark on her. With each kiss, he whispered to her, “See, it’s not dirty anymore, right?”
Stunned by his affectionate gestures, Nina sniffed, her eyes shimmering with tears as Jayden’s lips moved across every spot of her body.
It was as if he was using his touch to dispel the ‘dirt’ that had plagued her.
Nina’s mood gradually calmed down under his coaxing. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and let Jayden wipe her body.
But as her eyes squeezed shut, her breathing became rapid. That man’s sinister face, a face she wished she could erase from her mind, continued floating before her eyes,
“Jayden…” She opened her eyes and spoke, but her words faltered.
“Hmm?”
“What if you came any later?” she whispered, her voice heavy with anxiety. “What if he had been successful in violating me…”
Jayden’s expression hardened as he interrupted her. “I’ll never allow it!”
“What if it happens one day?” Nina insisted. “Would you not want me anymore?” Pain flashed across her eyes as she thought about it.
Nina’s eyes remained locked onto Jayden’s as she waited for his response.
The room was suddenly filled with a tense silence.
“You are already my woman. So it does not matter to me, alright?” Jayden’s voice was low and filled with sincerity.
After a pause, he continued to hold her gaze, and proclaimed, “And I’ll never leave you out of my sight again.”
With a doting touch, Jayden rubbed Nina’s hair before rising from his seat. Just as he turned around, Nina frantically reached out to grab his arm.
“W-Where are you going?” she whispered, her voice filled with vulnerability.
Startled by her sudden touch, Jayden turned around and lightly patted her hand. “Let me grab my night robe, okay?”
Only then did she notice that he was still wearing his clothes from the banquet. She reluctantly let go of his arm, watching as he moved to change into his nightwear.
After he slept next to her, she finally relaxed when his familiar scent wafted into her nose, and felt at peace.