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Novel Catalog
Chapter 38
Victor, taken by surprise, instinctively reached out to steady Eden as she pressed against him. The sudden closeness caught him off guard, and his heart skipped a beat. He hadn’t expected her to react this way. But, seeing the distress in her eyes, he felt a wave of protectiveness rise within him.
“Eden,” Victor murmured softly, his voice unusually gentle as he placed a hand on her shoulder, trying to calm her. “It’s okay. You’re safe here.”
Eden, still trembling, didn’t pull away. She needed this moment of comfort, even if she wasn’t entirely sure why she had sought it from him. It was instinctive, a reaction to the overwhelming rush of emotions that seeing Myra and Bethany had triggered. The pain from seven years ago, the years of silence, all of it came crashing back.
Victor looked at her for a long moment, the tension between them palpable. There was something undeniably familiar about the way she sought solace, something he couldn’t ignore. Yet, he was aware of the delicate nature of the situation, of how easily this could be misinterpreted. The last thing he wanted was to make her feel more uncomfortable than she already did.
After a brief pause, he spoke, his tone low and reassuring. “You don’t need to explain anything. I’ll make sure they don’t approach you.”
Just as he finished speaking, the door to the restroom opened, and Myra and Bethany appeared, oblivious to the moment unfolding just a few steps away. Myra’s sharp eyes quickly flicked toward Eden, and a smirk danced across her lips as she recognized the situation.
Bethany, ever the composed figure, followed her daughter’s gaze, her eyes narrowing when she saw Eden standing close to Victor.
Eden quickly pulled back from Victor’s arms, but the damage was already done. Myra’s smile widened knowingly, and her voice was laced with a mocking sweetness.
“Eden, what a pleasant surprise,” Myra said, her eyes gleaming with a hint of malicious delight. “I didn’t expect to run into you here, especially not with Mr. Alwynn.”
Victor straightened up, his expression turning colder. He didn’t speak immediately, but the tension in the air was unmistakable. Eden, still shaken, stood there silently, unsure of how to navigate this encounter.
Bethany stepped forward, her gaze assessing. “It’s been a long time, Eden. You’ve certainly… changed.” Her voice was smooth, but there was an underlying edge, like a threat wrapped in politeness.
Eden’s heart raced, but she kept her composure. Her eyes flicked to Victor for a moment, silently pleading for him to intervene.
Victor didn’t hesitate. He stepped forward, positioning himself slightly in front of Eden, his voice firm and unyielding.
“Let’s not make this an unpleasant encounter,” Victor said, his tone colder than it had been earlier. “I suggest we all move along. I’m sure Eden would prefer some privacy.”
The tension between the two women and the man in the room was thick, but Myra’s smirk faded slightly as she gauged the situation. With a fleeting glance at Eden, she turned on her heel and walked away with her mother, their footsteps echoing down the hall.
Victor exhaled slowly, turning to face Eden. “Are you alright?” he asked, his voice softer now.
Eden nodded slowly, though she still felt a knot in her stomach. “Thank you… for helping me,” she whispered, grateful for his presence.
Victor didn’t say anything else. Instead, he gave her a reassuring look before adding, “Let’s get out of here. You don’t have to deal with them any longer.”
Eden, still shaken but now with a sense of relief, nodded again. She couldn’t help but feel that her past was slowly creeping up on her, but at least for now, she wasn’t alone in facing it.