Chapter 47:
Makenna’s POV:
Bryan did not relent in his assault until it was already dark outside. I was utterly spent, sprawled on the bed, drained of every ounce of energy.
Bryan, in stark contrast, was vibrant and exuberant. At last he unlocked my chains, summoned a servant, and instructed her to prepare a meal for the both of us.
“Unnecessary,” I dismissed coldly.
I had no desire to stay for dinner, nor did I wish to endure Bryan’s presence any longer. He had thoroughly spoiled my appetite.
I managed to dress, suppressing the pain, and made my way toward the door. Bryan, rather than obstructing me, propped his chin on his hand, reclined on the bed, and observed my departure with an unsettling smile.
Using the wall for support, I staggered away from his villa. The discomfort in my body intensified with each step. I felt increasingly wretched; my legs ached, and my intimate areas felt like they had been overstretched. I nearly collapsed several times.
Swallowing my tears, I resisted showing my vulnerability to the world. Yet fate seemed cruel. As I continued forward, my legs suddenly betrayed me, twitching uncontrollably. I lost my balance and tumbled forward.
At that moment, two hands reached out to steady me.
“Are you okay?”
A soothing voice reached my ears. I looked up to find Clayton standing before me. His eyes, as gentle as ever, softened upon seeing the disarray and bruises on me.
“What happened to you?” he asked with concern.
I bit my lip, a surge of humiliation rising within me. The sight of Clayton seeing me in such a pitiful state struck a deep chord of distress. At that moment, I would have preferred to collapse entirely rather than have him witness my degradation.
Silence fell as I struggled to find words. Clayton began to speak again, but my exhaustion overwhelmed me, and my vision started to fade. The next thing I knew, I had lost consciousness.
Read new content at gαlnσνeℓs․com
When I awoke, I found myself in an unfamiliar room, lying in a plush bed.
Still groggy, I tried to sit up and take in my surroundings. The room exuded luxury, and it was a place I had never been before.
I kept asking myself where I was.
My thoughts were a tangled mess. The last memory I had was of Clayton, who had been the last person I saw before everything went dark. Could it be…?
A series of gentle knocks on the door interrupted my thoughts. I turned to see Clayton standing in the doorway.
“You’re awake,” he said, walking over to me. “Are you feeling alright? Is anything wrong?”
Seeing him, I tensed up. Gripping the blanket tightly, I shook my head and stammered, “I-I’m…”
Clayton nodded, his expression one of gentle reassurance. “You fainted because you were too exhausted. I had no choice but to bring you here. I hope you’re not frightened.”
I avoided his gaze, looked down, and replied listlessly, “No, I’m not… Thank you.”
I suspected he had noticed the kiss marks on my body but chose not to mention them, instead glossing over the situation to spare me further embarrassment.
Bitterness mingled with a strange warmth in my heart. His kindness, despite everything, touched me.
Clayton smiled warmly. “It was nothing. Just a small favor.”
His smile quickened my heartbeat. I dared not meet his eyes. I sat up, preparing to leave. “Thank you, Your Highness. I should head back to my place now.”
At that moment, the aroma of food wafted into the room.
I was momentarily taken aback. A servant entered, bearing a tray of dishes, and set them on a table.
“What… What’s this?” I asked, looking at Clayton in confusion.
He gestured toward the dishes. “You should eat before you leave. If you faint on your way back to your house, there will be no one to assist you.”
His light-hearted comment brought a smile to my face and eased some of my tension.
“Okay. Thank you very much, Your Highness,” I said, smiling back at him.
