Chapter 9
I guessed August must have promised Hailey he would save her child. That was probably why she had fought so desperately for
him.
I was well aware of Ryder’s methods. After swallowing so many gemstones and being tortured to the brink of death, Hailey surely wouldn’t live much longer. But she must have wanted her pup to survive.
To outsiders, Ryder seemed cold and ruthless, but I knew he would never allow Darren or me to be hurt in any way. My injury this time must have made him feel terribly guilty.
Anna had described Ryder and Darren as devils, but I didn’t find them frightening at all. Everything that had happened was simply August and the others reaping what they had sown.
I had given them a chance. They were the ones who had thrown it away.
Still, I couldn’t help but worry. Darren was so young. I pondered whether being raised with such a mindset would have a psychological effect on him.
I was about to say something more to Anna when the treatment room suddenly burst open. Ryder and Darren appeared instantly, both of their faces lighting up with relief.
Darren didn’t hesitate for a second. He squeezed past Anna and grabbed my hand tightly. “Mommy, how are you feeling? Are you better now?”
Ryder stepped closer, his voice gentle with concern. “Is there anywhere you’re still hurting? Don’t worry, I’ve already taken care of everyone who dared to hurt you.”
Looking at the bloodshot redness in Ryder’s eyes and the deep shadows beneath them, my heart ached. He must have stayed up all night, sick with worry.
“I’m okay now. Don’t worry anymore.”
I then turned to look at Darren and asked gently, “Sweetheart, did your dad scold you?”
Darren froze for a moment. His lips pouted, and tears welled up in his eyes from the injustice he felt. But he still shook his head lightly. “No… Daddy didn’t scold me.”
“Liar.”
I didn’t like the idea of Darren picking up the habit of lying, even to protect someone. But Darren stubbornly refused to admit that Ryder had scolded him.
Knowing Ryder as I did, I was certain that he must’ve taken out his anger on Darren. After all, I’d gotten hurt while protecting him.
So I gently pulled Darren into my arms to comfort him, then shot Ryder a sharp glare. He had better not take his temper out on Darren again.
Ryder guiltily scratched his nose and lowered his head in embarrassment, clearly at a loss for how to respond.
“Mommy, I’ll never let you get hurt again. This was all my fault. I’m sorry, Mommy.”
Looking at Darren, so sweet and sensible, my heart melted completely. “Protecting you is something I should do. I don’t blame you at all. You’re the bravest pup I know.”
After comforting Darren, I told Anna to take him out of the room, leaving me alone with Ryder.
Ryder stubbornly insisted on removing my clothes to check my wound. He had been too busy dealing with August and the others to see how badly I was hurt himself. Unless he saw it with his own eyes, he couldn’t rest easy.
Chapter 9
+15 Bonus
I didn’t think it was necessary, but Ryder started pouting like Darren, trying to act cute. “Fine, have it your way. If you really want to look, go ahead.”
His face was full of heartache as he examined my injury. He kissed my forehead and promised softly, “Honey, I swear. This won’t ever happen again. I’ll protect you with everything I have.”
I knew deep down, he was someone who lacked a sense of security. So I held his hand tightly and nodded firmly.
“I believe you. From now on, I’ll take good care of myself, too. The four of us will be together forever. Ryder, I love you.” I gently placed my hand over my belly and made that quiet promise.
Ryder’s eyes lit up with a smile, like a child who had just been given candy.
Technically, my injuries didn’t require a stay in the treatment room, but Ryder and Darren insisted, saying they wouldn’t let me go home until I was completely healed.
They even went so far as to hire a renowned healer. I couldn’t help but wonder if the healer would feel it was overkill after seeing how minor my wounds really were.
It was all a bit ridiculous, and I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Eventually, once my injuries had fully healed, I was packing up to leave. Just as I was gathering my belongings, the door to the treatment room suddenly swung open.
My back was turned, and assuming it was Darren, I said softly, “Sweetheart, can you grab my hair clip?”
“Sophia, it’s me.”
My hand froze. I turned around, and there was August.
