crying, asking for help.

Clara POV

I couldn’t believe what Emilia Cole just said… the man who brought me home was her brother.

I approached him and hugged him warmly, but he didn’t return it. He just stared straight ahead, cold and distant.

The witch smiled happily. "When did you get here, Adrian?"

I looked at my dad. His expression was calm… I think he knew him.

I released my dad from the hug. He went to greet this Adrian.

"My pleasure, Adrian," my dad said with a smile as he shook his hand.

Then he looked at me and asked, "Did you two come together?"

I didn’t answer. I was still trying to process that this handsome man was the brother of that wretched woman.

Adrian replied coldly, "I went out to take care of something, but she ran into me, crying, asking for help."

My dad glanced at me while the witch raised her lip in disgust.

I muttered hesitantly, "I got lost… and couldn’t find anyone… so I asked him for help."

My dad knelt down in front of me. "Sweetheart… your foot is bleeding."

I looked at it. "Don’t worry, Dad… it’s just a small scratch."

But he didn’t listen. I gasped as he lifted me.

"It’s not a small scratch."

Before taking me inside, he turned to Adrian. "This is your home, Adrian… come in."

We all went inside. My dad placed me on the couch.

The dark-eyed man sat across from me, legs spread in a provocative way, leaning back casually.

His sister went to get him some water, but he never stopped staring at me.

Emilia said as she handed him the glass, talking to my dad, "What’s all the fuss, dear? It’s just a tiny scratch."

My dad replied sharply, "It’s not just a scratch, Emilia… even if it were, it would pierce my heart like a knife."

I smiled softly and placed my hand on his back. "Dad, I’m fine… you don’t need all this."

But he ignored me and started cleaning my wound.

Emilia sat beside her brother, who still devoured me with his eyes… especially my bare feet.

She asked, "Adrian, what’s with this sudden visit?"

He answered coldly, "I just came back from Las Vegas today… I’ll be staying here a few months for some business."

His sister added, "Don’t tell me you’re going to stay in a hotel?"

He nodded, but I immediately objected, "Adrian, this is your home… you can’t stay in a hotel for months while I’m here."

My dad agreed instantly. "You can’t stay in a hotel while I’m here… stay as long as you like."

But Adrian said coldly, "I don’t want to be a burden, Mr. James."

My dad replied firmly, "Burden? Adrian, you’re like a brother to me… and you’ll stay here whether you like it or not. I won’t let you leave… not after saving my daughter."

He looked at me and smiled softly, playing with my hair. "How was your day, little one?"

"Good… I didn’t make friends as usual, except for one student who stuck to me all day," I replied.

Dad chuckled lightly.

The snake, Emilia, snapped sharply, "You caused trouble again, as usual."

She glared venomously. I stood up.

"I’m going to bed now… it’s late, and I have school tomorrow."

"Sleep well, little one," my dad said.

I kissed his forehead, then bowed to Adrian respectfully. "Thank you for your help, uncle. Goodnight."

He raised an eyebrow in surprise when I called him "uncle."

I left him behind and went upstairs to my room, leaning against the door.

"What a perverted bastard… he was devouring my feet with his eyes."

I placed my hand on my chest, breathing out. "I need to be careful around him."

I lay on the bed, thinking about his gaze… and how he suddenly appeared as Emilia’s brother!

---

I opened my eyes slowly… grabbed my phone.

"Oh my God! It’s three o’clock! I missed school!"

My hair was a mess, my face chaotic. I got out of bed, washed my face quickly, and went downstairs.

The house was quiet… it seemed the witch wasn’t here. No one was home… not even Adrian.

I went to the kitchen. I was thirsty. I grabbed a bottle of water and raised it to my lips…

But when I turned, I choked and water came out of my nose!

Adrian Cole was standing behind me… shirtless, wearing brown cotton pants.

I coughed hard, embarrassed. He moved slowly, reaching out toward me.

"Move your head."

He held my head briefly… just to grab another bottle from the fridge.

Oh, the shame.

"Yo… you could’ve told me you wanted water!" I muttered, blushing.

He looked at me as he drank… I noticed his Adam’s apple moving… then his sculpted chest… abs… tattooed arm… and his neck.

He raised an eyebrow and said sarcastically, "Were you in a fight?"

He pointed at my messy hair… I stood on my toes, placing my hands over his eyes.

"Don’t look!"

He raised both eyebrows in surprise.

"Keep your eyes closed!"

I ran to my room. Closed the door, my cheeks burning with embarrassment.

"Oh my God… I’m so dumb!"

I washed my hair and put on a pink Tom & Jerry shirt… this time no short shorts… just slightly longer pants.

I stood by the door. "Should I go down… or not?"

I was hungry… but I didn’t want him to see me in my awful state.

"To hell with him… this is my home!"

I went down. He was sitting in the living room, wearing a shirt. I ignored him completely and went to the kitchen, preparing spicy noodles in a spot where I could see him.

I watched him scrolling on his phone. "The bastard acts like he owns the place… I won’t let him relax."

I turned on the song "Hay Daddy" and cranked the volume up.

He frowned and looked at me. I turned to the side, pretending to be innocent… and started singing, "and you say daddy home, home for me…"

He walked over and took my phone. "What do you think you’re doing?"

"My music annoys me… I want to rest. I don’t want to hear anything."

He turned off the song and put my phone in his pocket.

"Give me my phone now!" I shouted, walking after him.

He sat on the couch, ignoring me. I stood in front of him, blocking the TV.

"I said, give me my phone, you old man!"

He glared at me sharply… but I hid my fear.

"What are you looking at?" I said, trembling.

He stood in front of me…

"Old man?!"

I swallowed hard. "Y… yes… you’re old! Can’t you see that?"

Before I could continue… he grabbed my hand firmly and pulled me toward him roughly.