Chapter 17
Derrick’s stare was fixed on Jessica as he slowly wiped the spit from his face. He didn’t even voice a single complaint.
At that moment, he noticed Jessica’s phone. The call had just gone through when he snatched
it from her hand.
Jessica couldn’t move and was forced to scream hysterically, “Give it back! Derrick!”
“You’re still hoping he’ll save you? Please, the moment he finds out you’re carrying his child, he’ll figure out a way to make you get rid of it by tomorrow!” Derrick’s voice dripped with mockery as he ended the call and flung the phone aside.
Jessica retorted, “He won’t. Not everyone is like you!”
“I did all this for you, Jessica! I love you! I love you so much!” Derrick shouted. The stench of alcohol kept coming from his mouth.
“Derrick, I believe that you love me. Just let me go first, we can talk about this properly…” Jessica pleaded, terrified of provoking him.
But Derrick’s bloodshot eyes made it clear that he had lost all reason.
Leaning over her, Derrick suddenly yanked at her torn clothes, ripping them further.
Jessica felt her whole body go cold as it was bared to the air. A long, red scratch marked her shoulder where he had pulled too hard. “Derrick, you’re insane!”
“Yes, for you, I’m insane!” Derrick roared.
Just then, a heavy crash sounded outside the door..
“Help! Help…” Jessica shouted, but Derrick quickly clamped his hand over her mouth and nose.
Jessica couldn’t breathe, and she suddenly felt dizzy.
“Shut up!” Derrick pushed down on her face, causing her nose to hurt.
Jessica’s world gradually went dark… but suddenly, her body felt lighter. Air rushed in, and she could breathe again.
She coughed as she gasped for air.
It seemed that Derrick had been dragged off her. Heavy thuds and pained groans rang in the air. She heard groan after groan.
When she managed to push herself up from the couch, she saw Zachary standing in the living
room.
His face was twisted with fury, and his frameless glasses were speckled with drops of blood. His white shirt was stained red as he calmly wiped the blood from his hands with a tissue.
Derrick groaned as he writhed on the floor. His blood pooled on the ground, filling the room with the stench of iron.
“Zachary?” Jessica called out, realizing that it wasn’t a dream. It was really him.
“Yes.” Zachary turned his head and glanced at her.
Jessica’s long-dried tears spilled again unwillingly.
At that moment, Joshua rushed in, and his shoes clattered over the broken door.
“Call the police and an ambulance. Notify the Quinton family as well,” Zachary ordered.
“Okay…” Joshua rasped, out of breath. He fumbled for his phone, pale and trembling, and called the police.
Zachary let out the faintest sigh before he picked up the suit jacket tossed on the couch and
walked toward her.
Kneeling on one knee on the couch, his icy eyes locked onto her. He roughly draped the jacket over her shoulders and pulled her closer. “I’ll ask you one last time. Are you coming with me
or not?”
His hands gripped her collar, trapping her frame within his coat. His tone was unyielding, as if he would walk away immediately if she shook her head.
“I’m coming.” Jessica looked straight at him with her tear-filled eyes. The broken words tore out of her throat without hesitation. She sounded fragile, but resolute.
Zachary’s Adam’s apple bobbed. For a moment, he thought he had misheard her. He briefly froze before he asked, “Are you certain?”
Jessica didn’t answer as she rose to her knees. Her eyelashes trembled, and her cold lips brushed against his, faintly tasting of blood.
Heat flared between them for a moment, only for her to break from him instantly,
Zachary’s eyes darkened. He cupped her face with his hand and pulled her into his arms.
Soon, the police arrived, and the questioning proceeded smoothly. Then, the paramedics carried Derrick away.
“I’ll take her back first, Get someone to move her belongings.” Zachary’s arms were still wrapped tightly around Jessica. He stroked her sweat – damp hair before carefully lifting her into a bridal carry and heading for the door.
“Understood,” Joshua replied.
Jessica peeked up at him, quietly taking in his unique scent.
