Chapter 4: Between Hate and Longing

The man pointed at Tessa with a smirk. “Nath, she’s your ex-wife, right?”

Tessa froze, her chest tightening as panic shot through her. Nathan didn’t even glance at her. His eyes were locked on the man’s hand gripping hers, his stare sharp enough to kill.

“Yeah, yeah! You’re Tessa Caldwell!” the man burst out laughing. “The daughter of that criminal.”

Tessa yanked her hand free, spilling the drink she’d been holding all over his pants. Without looking back, she bolted.

“You filthy bitch!” the man shouted after her.

She rushed into the bathroom and locked the door. Her whole body shook, and the nausea she’d been fighting finally ripped through her. The yogurt she’d eaten hours ago came up, burning her throat on the way out.

Gasping, she slid down against the wall, clutching her stomach. “I need medicine,” she whispered. She forced herself back out, dug through her purse with trembling hands, and searched desperately. But the painkillers she needed were gone.

The throbbing in her head grew worse with every second. She had no choice but to leave and find a pharmacy.

“I’ll be back in a minute,” she muttered to the bartender on her way out.

He didn’t answer. His eyes were fixed on the corner of the room. Tessa followed his gaze and saw Nathan’s table flipped over. The man who had humiliated her was nowhere in sight. Nathan too had vanished, but something in the air made her skin prickle.

The pain in her stomach cut sharper as she stepped outside. The night air bit against her skin, but she pushed herself forward along the empty sidewalk, each step making her wince. The dim streetlights stretched the shadows of the buildings until they loomed like monsters.

Out of nowhere, two young men staggered from the corner. Their grins were mean, their eyes wild. One of them spotted her right away.

He sauntered forward, kicking an empty bottle out of his path.

Tessa held her breath and tried to ignore them, but her hurried steps only drew their attention.

Both of them whistled. “Well, look at that. Jackpot,” one of them sneered.

“Back off, idiots!” Tessa snapped, her voice hoarse.

She tried to sidestep, but the other blocked her path. One grabbed her collar and yanked her close. Regret hit her instantly.

“Stuck-up bitch,” he hissed, his breath reeking of alcohol. “But damn, you’re pretty.” His eyes dropped down her chest without shame.

She turned toward the second one, praying for a trace of decency, but his eyes were bloodshot, filled with lust and rage. He ripped her purse away and dumped its contents onto the ground.

“Well, what’s this? Drugs?” he taunted, waving her pill bottle.

“Give it back... I have to go,” Tessa pleaded, her voice cracking.

She shoved them, but her body was too weak, her strength drained by the stabbing pain in her gut. Instead of breaking free, she was slammed against the storefront wall.

The first guy pressed against her, pinning her shoulders, lowering his face to her neck. His hot breath reeked of beer and smoke.

The second just laughed. “Keep fighting. Makes it more fun to watch.”

“No! Stop!” Tessa screamed, tears spilling as terror closed in on her chest. “Help!”

Their hands clamped around her wrists and waist. She kicked and struggled, but they shoved her tighter against the wall. Her whole body shook uncontrollably, trapped between panic and pain.

Then a sharp crack split the air. The man kissing her neck crumpled to the ground, blood gushing from his nose.

Tessa saw Nathan’s fist slam into his face again and again, each hit crunching like breaking wood. His knuckles reddened, but he didn’t stop. His breath was ragged, his eyes pitch-dark, as if he wasn’t fighting a man but a demon inside himself.

The other thug stumbled back, terror twisting his face. “Holy shit! He’s crazy!” He bolted, leaving his friend sprawled in the blood.

Nathan only paused long enough to spit on the ground before yanking his jacket straight. His chest still heaved with rage. “Seems like everyone’s trying to turn me into a murderer tonight,” he growled, brushing himself off as if the bloody body at his feet didn’t exist.

When he turned, his eyes locked on Tessa’s. The look froze her in place. He was a predator who had just torn apart his prey, and now he was deciding whether to pounce again.

Tessa tried to step back, but the wall pinned her. Her throat went dry as Nathan strode toward her.

“Stay away...” she whispered, trembling. She didn’t want him near.

His hand rose, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek, the smell of blood making her stomach twist.

“Why can’t you stop dragging me into trouble?” His voice was low and heavy.

Tessa jerked her face away. “I never asked you to save me!” she shot back, even though her legs wouldn’t move.

“Oh yeah?” His eyes narrowed. “So I should’ve just let them have you?”

She swallowed hard, the burn in her throat rising higher. “This isn’t your business anymore. We’re divorced. You don’t have to care about me.” Her eyes blazed. “And I’d rather die in their hands than be saved by you.”

The words cut sharp, but her defiance didn’t last. Her body suddenly gave out beneath her.

Nathan caught her before she hit the ground, his arm locking around her back.

“Tessa!” His voice snapped, the panic beneath it breaking through.

She writhed in his hold, the stabbing pain twisting her stomach, her breath ragged.

“What’s wrong with you?” His voice dropped lower, thick with something rare for him. Genuine worry.