Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Emelia's Pov

“Emelia, what did you do to the Director? Do you want to go to jail for it?!” Liam questioned, his eyes narrowing at me but I shrugged, not at all concerned about his words.

“Aren't you forgetting something, brother? I'm insane, crazy and out of my mind just like you said I was. I can't go to jail.” I tapped on my head.

“You…!”

Ignoring him, I turned to Kaidon, “Brother Kai, are you busy? Can you take me with you?” I placed my hands on his arms, staring into his eyes.

Kaidon tilted his head, his smirk deepening as he regarded me with an amused expression, "For you, sweetheart? Never."  

The tension in the air thickened, my so-called family still processing the horror of what I'd done. Nora, always quick to recover, wiped away her fake tears and clung to Damien’s arm, her voice trembling.

"Kaidon, why are you even here? You shouldn’t associate yourself with someone like her. She’s dangerous!"  

Kaidon barely spared her a glance, his focus locked entirely on me. His eyes glimmered with something unreadable, interest? Amusement? Maybe even admiration.

"Dangerous?" He chuckled, shaking his head, "That’s what makes her interesting.”

Jeremy’s jaw clenched, "Kaidon, this isn't your concern. Emelia needs to be dealt with properly…"  

"Dealt with?" Kaidon interrupted smoothly, stepping forward until he was right in front of me. He tilted my chin up with a gloved hand, his piercing gaze searching mine, "I think she’s been 'dealt with' enough, don’t you?"  

My breath hitched. I wasn’t used to anyone standing up for me, not in this life or the last. But Kaidon… he had always been different. Even when I had been too blind to see it.  

"Let’s go.” He said casually, as if the entire scene of my blood-stained dress, my so-called family, and the chaos I had left behind didn’t bother him in the slightest.  

"She’s not going anywhere!" Liam snapped, stepping forward to grab my wrist.  

Kaidon moved faster.  

With a sharp flick of his hand, he twisted Liam’s arm behind his back and forced him down onto one knee with barely any effort. Liam groaned in pain, his pride shattered along with the illusion of control they thought they had over me.  

"Touch her again." Kaidon murmured, his voice low and lethal, “And I’ll make sure you don’t have hands left to touch anything."  

The threat hung thick in the air, a promise laced with amusement but filled with something far more dangerous underneath.  

Nora gasped, clinging tighter to Damien, "Kaidon, have you lost your mind? She’s crazy! She’s…"  

"Mine." Kaidon cut her off. His voice was final, unwavering, "She’s mine now. If you have a problem with that, take it up with someone who cares."  

I felt my lips part in shock. His?  

Something dark and possessive flickered in his gaze as he looked at me, "You called me ‘brother Kai’ just now, sweetheart. But I think we both know I’m something else entirely."  

My heart pounded, not from fear, but from the realization that for the first time in both my lives, I had someone truly on my side and this time, I wasn't blind to realise it.

Kaidon reached for my hand, "Come on, little wolf. Time to leave the cage.”

“Okay.” Without hesitation, I put my hands in his but instead, he leaned down and carried me in his arms, and I squeaked.

“What are you doing?! Put me down!” I struggled in his arms.

“You want to go home with me, right? Then do as I say. We can't have you walking barefooted, you'll stain my car.” He said without looking at me.

I gasped at his words and lowered my head. Why did it feel like I was being scolded by this man? But before I could retort to his words, I was already out inside the car, at the front seat and driving away. The ride was very quiet, neither of us saying a word. He took me to a hotel, still carrying me out. I didn't notice it previously, but there were glass shards embedded in my foot, and there was dried blood trailing up my legs. No wonder I felt like I was walking on knives earlier.  

Kaidon didn’t comment on my injuries, but his grip was firm as he carried me effortlessly through the entrance of the hotel. The staff barely blinked at the sight, clearly, they were used to his unpredictable ways.  

Once inside the private suite, he walked straight to the bedroom and gently placed me down on the massive bed.  

"Take a shower.” He said, his voice even, almost indifferent, "There’s a first-aid kit in the bathroom. Clean yourself up. I’ll bring you something to wear."  

I blinked up at him, "You’re leaving?"  

Kaidon tilted his head slightly, a ghost of a smirk playing at his lips, "Unless you’d rather I stay and help you bathe?"  

Heat rushed to my face, "Pervert."  

He chuckled, "I’ll be back soon."  

Without another word, he turned and walked out, leaving me alone in the spacious room.  

I stared after him for a moment before dragging myself to the bathroom. My legs screamed in protest with every step, but I forced myself forward. The hot water burned against my wounds, but I bit my lip, refusing to cry out.  

By the time I emerged from the bathroom, wrapped in a towel, there was a knock on the door. Thinking it was Kaidon, I pulled it open, only to find myself face to face with a woman.  

She was stunning in an obvious, overdone way, she had long, wavy hair cascading over her shoulders, makeup flawlessly applied, and a dangerously tight dress that left little to the imagination. Her eyes raked over me, taking in my wet hair and towel-covered body, and her lips curled into a sneer.  

"Who the hell are you?" She demanded.  

I raised an eyebrow, "I should be asking you that."  

Her eyes narrowed, "Where’s Master Kaidon?"  

I leaned against the doorframe, crossing my arms despite the dull ache in my bruised ribs, "Why? You looking for him?"  

She scoffed, "Obviously."  

A smirk tugged at my lips, "Oh, I see. You’re here to throw yourself at him. That explains the dress."  

Her expression darkened, "Excuse me?"  

"You heard me." I said casually, "You put in all this effort just to seduce a man who clearly isn’t interested. Must be exhausting, huh?"  

“You little bitch!” Her face twisted in rage, and before I could react, she raised her hand to slap me.

But before the blow could land, a strong grip caught her wrist mid-air. I glanced over to see Kaidon standing there.

"Get out.”  He said flatly.  

The woman’s eyes widened, " But Master Kaidon, I…”  

"I said, scram!" He repeated, his voice cold as ice. Then, with a sharp flick of his wrist, he threw her back.  

The woman hesitated for a moment, then, with a furious glare in my direction, she turned on her heel and stormed out.  

Kaidon exhaled, running a hand through his hair, "Annoying."  

I watched him, amused, "Social climber?"  

"Something like that.” He muttered. Then, turning to me, he tossed a shopping bag onto the bed, "Here. Get dressed."  

I peeked inside the bag and found a simple but elegant black dress. "Not bad." I murmured, "I was expecting something flashier."  

Kaidon smirked, "I figured you’d look better in something understated."  

I pursed my lips, holding back a smile. Then, his expression shifted, growing serious.  

"You can’t stay here, Emelia."  

I froze, "What?"  

"I’ll have someone take you home." He said, "This isn't a place for you to be. Also, your brother threatened to call the police on me if I continued to keep you."  He smirked.

For a moment, my heart clenched. I didn’t want to go back. That stupid family.

"Can’t I stay with you?" I asked softly, hating how vulnerable I sounded.  

Kaidon’s eyes softened, but his answer remained firm, "No."  

Before I could protest, he pulled a phone from his pocket and pressed it into my hand.  

"My number’s in there." He said, "If you need anything, call me."  

I stared at the phone, then up at him, "That’s it?"  

His jaw tightened, "For now, yes."  

A knock on the suite door signaled the arrival of the driver.  

Kaidon nodded toward the door, "Go. And don’t do anything reckless. I'll be watching you."  

I swallowed hard, fighting the sting of disappointment, then nodded, "Fine."  

As I walked away, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the moment I stepped back into that house. Something terrible was waiting for me. And I was right. The second I walked through the door, a sharp slap cracked across my face.  

I gasped, my head snapping to the side. My mother stood there, eyes blazing with fury.  

"Where the hell have you been, Emelia?" She hissed.