Chapter 4
Austin’s
strikingly handsome face came into full view as the car window rolled down.
Suzanne stepped closer, surprise flickering in her eyes. “You didn’t leave?”
He got out of the car without a word, opened the trunk, and carefully placed her suitcase inside.
For a moment, she froze. She couldn’t remember the last time someone had done something for her without being asked. Her eyes stung as she lowered her gaze and murmured softly, “Thank you.”
Austin’s sharp eyes fell on her swollen cheek, and his expression darkened instantly. “Who hit you?”
Suzanne’s lashes–fluttered as she hesitated. She didn’t want to talk about it. “It’s nothing. I’m fine.”
But Austin’s demeanor grew colder, the sharp pressure he gave off curting through the air as he turned and started walking toward the Yates residence
Startled, Suzanne grabbed his arm. “Austin, no…
П
“I’ll kill anyone who hurts you!” His voice was icy, his words chilling enough to send a shiver down her spine.
Suzanne clung to his arm, her face full of exhaustion and quiet desperation. “I’m so tired. Let’s.. Let’s just go, okay
One side of her face was swollen while the other side was pale
Austin’s gaze softened briefly. After a moment, he relented, saying nothing as he turned back toward the car.
The ride was sent.
An hour later, they arrived at Starview Villa
As they stepped inside, Suzanne was met with the sight of several people standing in the grand living room. The moment they entered, the staff stepped forward and greeted them respectfully, “Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Hall!“*
Suzanne froze, her eyes widening as she instinctively glanced at Austin. He had already made all the arrangements.
Austin looked at her briefly. “You can inform them if you need anything. They won’t speak a word outside these walls.”
Her lashes fluttered as a wave of emotion washed over her. Quietly, she said, “Thank you”
Austin dismissed the staff with a single nod before taking Suzanne’s hand and leading her upstairs
Once they reached the bedroom, Austin went to a cabinet, pulled out a first aid it, and walked over to her.
Suzanne blinked, caught off guard. “You”
“Let’s deal with the swelling first.”
For a moment, she was stunned. She never would have imagined someone as aloof and untouchable as Austin would personally tend to her injuries.
Austin began to ask, “What happened back there?”
As he spoke, his cool fingers pressed the soothing balm against her cheek. The cold touch brought her back to reality.
Panicked, Suzanne tried to take the medication from his hands: “I can do it myself!”
“Don’t move.”
His tone left no room for argument, and Suzanne instinctively froze, letting him continue.
The two of them were so close she could feel his breath. Her heart raced uncontrollably. She felt so nervous because of their close distance.
Austin noticed her flushed cheeks, and his gaze sharpened slightly. “Henry did this?”
Suzanne pressed her lips together and forced a faint smile, saying nothing. The look in her eyes was enough for Austin to know he was right.
“Why did he hit you?” His voice was cold
After a brief hesitation, Suzanne replied softly, “The reason doesn’t matter. They’ve already kicked me out.
H
“Kicked you out?”
Austin let out a disdainful scoff. He lifted her chin and locked his cool gaze e with hers. “From now on, no one will ever be able to kick you out of anywhere,
Suzanne was stunned. She stared at him, her lips parting slightly as if to respond, but no words came. She was at a complete loss
Before Suzanne could process what had just happened, Austin stepped back, calmly closed the first aid kit, and said in a cool tone, “As my woman, never let anyone bully you again. If they do, it’s my reputation on the line.”
Suzanne’s heart skipped a beat.
His cold gaze locked onto hers. “You need to remember this–I’m your husband. And not just in name”
Her chest tightened. What did he mean by that?
“Suzanne, I’ll give you time. But don’t tankemalto lon Without waiting for her response. Austin stood and walled out, not spering the code.
glance
Suzanne sac or
on the couch, stoned Woroninck the door old ber back to reality. She procldy got up and opened the bedroom door. Standing there was a woman utter dressssunderer bouscront. Her face was warm and kind as she led at Stanne.
“Hello, Mrs. Hall I’rata, the housebreper
Suzanne had heard of her. She was a trusted member ofte dallanitz staff for decades. The fact that she was here meant Austin had arranged everything, even down to the details of the hoosegnul.
Suzanne stepped aside, and greeted, “Hello, Ribat
Rita Sandoval chuckled warmly, stepping inside and one scenes over with a leased expression. “Mr. Hall certainly has good taste!”
Suzanne’s face flushed slightly, and the couched awkwarciu
Rita laughed again. “No need to be shy. Mr. Hui Lasaizade reclamed 1everything to. If you need anything, just let me know direct
Suzanne nodded, still feeling overwhelmed. “Thanks OK. ÁISA.
“Mr. Hall isn’t one for words and tends to keep to hard. Ive overcere simetrioso my woman bedore, but this tune, ha specially asked me to beep you company and make sure you’re comfortable. That i seen on a peut range pann vun,
Suzanne’s checks turned pink at the memory of Westin c calins
Rita noticed her reaction and quickly reassured her. “Due overthink bebattement esiness, He’ll be away for a week. It’s got that he doesn’t want to stay with you.”
“Jimdorstand,” Suzanne replied quickly, worried Bita might misunderstand.
In truth, with everything that had happened Linely, she felt more stare poc to set through he thoughts and emotions.
Suzanne round herself unexpectedly or peace a doustn’s pace
Every detail of her stay was carefully managed from her cols to the xmas comore att ner company, cotering gentle anrice and
conversation.
By the end of the week, Suzanne felt more like hersed. She had found city–demon—and was to focus mu moving forward
That morning, she tidied up, had a quick breakfast, and beaded cut. Se vas overhouted silma
moodon steel the car she was driving belonged to
stin as well. He had truly raken care of recything.
Pressing her hips Together, she made a mental note to repay this indness comedora che even the streets, trofee was ight as it wasn’t pealt hours yet. But then, there was a loud bang
Her eyes widened as her car collided with the car in front. She couldn’t belee her fuck. She mucciolo saatest stepening out to assess the damage.
The cover of the other car, a buy man, got out quickly, his race resting to tritation. The moment besanne, dus metade i buded ever
Another woman driver? Are you kidding me? Stay off the road If you don’t know how to dere!!!
Suzanne’s expression hardened. “Bad driving isn’t exclusive to women. And you summed on your brakes
“There was a pothole! What was I supposed to do? Drive hato ir? Ever heard of keeping a sale dissince” theanan Larkredi has vince rough and moponent.
Suzanne’s
tightened, but before she could respond, the rear window of the man’s car rolled down couches remppes inside. A low, familiar voice came from within.
“re, we’re in a hurry. Handle it quickly.”
uzanne froze and glanced at the car window, but she couldn’t see the man’s face. However, she was certain thariseesan.
