Chapter 20

By the time Lucian was done with his callous act, I was already tired. Sweat seeped from every pore in my body, intensifying the hotness I was in. The painful lines were still vivid, fresh, and agonizing. I couldn’t gather myself to go take a shower, I just lay there like a wounded cat. I felt Niamh whimpering sadly. Her mate was cheating on her. Lucian was hurting the both of us.

“Muriel?” Russell’s voice caught my ears. Not again. He appeared in front and crouched to my level, staring at me. I could see the pain in his eyes. He was hurting because of me. “Why?” his tender voice pulled my heart into my stomach. “Why would you allow anyone to hurt you badly? Why don’t you want me to help you?” he queried. I sniffed and wiped off my tears. I stared bloodshot at him.

“Why don’t you leave me alone, Russell?” I uttered with a broken and shaky voice.

“How can I?” he expressed, lifting his hand and stroking my cheek. “I love you, Muriel. It hurt me to see you in pain like this.”

I stared un