At that moment, I was calmer than I had ever been.”
Chapter 98
With quiet precision, I slipped a small knife from my bag. Since that terrible day, I have never felt safe. Each day, I practiced self–defense, sharpening my skills for a situation just like this.
I knew I could justify it as self–defense, even if it meant going too far and ending up in prison. But at that moment, i was determined to kill them.
The blade flashed in the air, but then, out of nowhere, a hand appeared and grabbed it.}
It was a stranger. He glanced at Salome and the woman froze, her anger instantly dissipating.”
Without a word, he slapped her across the face, his presence radiating an unmistakable force. “Get lost.“}
Salome recoiled, clutching her face and took a few steps back, the fight draining from her.
He turned to the crowd, his voice calm but firm. “Apologies, my friend isn’t well. What just happened was a misunderstanding. If this footage gets out, I’ll take legal action on Miss Amadeo’s behalf.“}
He pulled me away, his grip steady but unexpectedly rough.”
I felt the sting of his hand, noticing the blood seeping from where I’d scratched him.
“Are you from the Amadeo family?” he asked suddenly, his voice colder now. He’d rushed out to save me, but somehow, it seemed he had come to Salome’s rescue instead.
He stopped and looked at me, his eyes filled with an emotion I couldn’t quite decipher.
“My surname is Verlice, my first name is Leo. We were once betrothed.“>
What? I was left completely stunned.
***
I took him to the hospital for stitches.
He winced, the pain clearly sharp, his teeth clenched as he tightened his grip on my hand, almost like he couldn’t bear to let go.”
I tried to pull away, but it was as if once his hand had found mine, it refused to release.}
He attempted to distract me with words, his voice softer now. “When we were kids, I used to carry you around. You always played the bride in our games.“}
“When Uncle Benjamin found you, I immediately canceled a ten–billion–dollar contract and rushed back. I never thought our first meeting
would turn out like this.”
I was too young when I’d been taken away, so the past was little more than a fog to me. “Sorry, I’ve forgotten all of it. Please forget it, too. I’m not planning to get married.“}
Leo grew silent and didn’t say another word until the stitches were finished.}
He suddenly stood up and, with a gentle hand, patted my head. “Can I hug you? Even if we’re not getting married, we can still be friends. It’s a time of marriage freedom; we’re not old–fashioned.”
I nodded, probably because when he looked at me, there was so much tenderness in his eyes.
Leo pulled me into his arms, his voice thick with pity. “You must have had a hard time all these years. I wish I had found you sooner.“>
My nose tingled with emotion. It was the first time I realized someone had been searching for me.§
Suddenly, a burning gaze fell on me.
I looked up and saw Liam, dressed in a hospital gown, staring at me from the end of the hallway.§
Oh, so Salome’s story about him drinking until his stomach bled was true.
Leo finished treating his wound. I suddenly grabbed his arm. “Can you take me to the Amadeo family?“{
Ever since I had provided the DNA sample, I’d buried myself in work, actually trying to avoid confronting the issue of family.
“Sure.” Leo understood that if I was heading to the Amadeo family now, it was likely to deal with Salome.
The Amadeo family.
It was a thousand times more luxurious than I had ever imagined.
No wonder Salome, the adopted daughter, could be so arrogant.
“I’ve called Uncle Benjamin and the others. They’re on their way back from different places.” Leo poured me a cup of coffee.
Lep and I weren’t familiar with each other, so we sat in silence. Then, he suddenly clapped his hands, forgetting his pain. “I’ll go look for the photo albums. There are pictures of us inside.”
He went upstairs, searching for the album, moving through the house as though it were his own. I, on the other hand, felt like a guest.
I lowered my head to sip my coffee, trying to steady my nerves, when suddenly, Salome appeared.
Her face was swollen from the slap Leo had given her. She sat across from me with a victorious air.
“You’re here to apologize, right?” She smirked. “I was thinking of using some tricks to get you fired, but since you’re so sensible, I’ll reluctantly let you off.“}
her be Proposed to Her | Vanished Forever