Chapter 17
Chapter 17
Justin’s first instinct was to rush to Nadine’s side and drag her out of the path of the truck.
Elena froze in place. She knew she should dodge, but the scene before her instantly brought back memories of the car accident two years ago. For a moment, she couldn’t move at all.
“Lena!” Justin’s terrified shout rang in her ears.
In a split second, a figure barreled toward her, cutting through the wind with incredible speed and scooping her into his arms.
His grip was so tight it felt as if his arms had fused with her bones. He wrenched her aside as they
stumbled just enough to avoid the out-of-control truck.
Screams erupted around them as the truck screeched to a stop just short of hitting the hospital building.
The driver scrambled out of the truck. In a panic, he stammered apologies. “I’m so sorry! The brakes failed
-I swear… I didn’t mean this! I’m sorry!”
By now, Elena couldn’t even hear the driver’s frantic apologies. The shadow of that old car accident.
crashed over her mind in an instant.
Pain ripped through her legs.
Her legs were useless. She would never dance again.
She thought, “Mom, are you looking down on me from heaven? Will you be disappointed that I can’t dance
anymore?”
“Ms. Miller? Ms. Miller?”
She could hear someone calling her name, and the voice pulled her back to awareness. Her face was pale
as she raised her head and realized the one holding her was Alexander.
It had been him all along.
Her mind was still foggy. She wanted to thank him, but no sound would come out, and her lips trembled
violently.
Alexander frowned. A rare hint of panic flashed in his eyes. “Are you okay, Ms. Miller? Elena, speak to me!”
“Lena!” Just then, Justin came running over.
“What happened, Lena? Don’t scare me like that!”
A sudden chill ran down his spine. When he looked up, Alexander’s gaze locked on him. It was sharp as a knife. He couldn’t understand why they had crossed paths again.
Under Alexander’s piercing stare, Justin felt a cold shiver run through him, yet he struggled to maintain
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his composure. “Thank you, Mr. Golden, for saving Lena. She seems frightened. You should hand her over to me now.”
With that, he reached out as if to grab her from Alexander’s arms.
Before he could touch her, Alexander seized his wrist. His strength was immense. He twisted Justin’s hand until his features contorted in pain.
“Mr. Golden, what is the meaning of this?”
“Step back.”
A wave of overwhelming hostility surged with his command. Alexander let go of Justin’s wrist harshly, as if flinging aside a piece of trash.
Then, without another word, he scooped Elena up in his arms and strode toward the hospital.
Justin’s eyes widened in anger. The thought of another man holding Elena like that made his blood boil.
“Alexander! Put Lena down!” he shouted, stepping forward to chase after them, but Nadine suddenly grabbed his shirt.
“Jus, are you going to leave me all alone?” Her eyes were red and brimming with tears.
“I… I’m so scared. That truck just came out of nowhere, and it terrified me… My wrist is hurting again. Please don’t leave. Stay with me.”
“Nadi, you… but…” Justin glanced at Alexander’s back while gritting his teeth.
“Ms. Miller is fine. She wasn’t even hit by the truck,” Nadine sobbed.
“Jus, I’m falling apart over losing the project to her. If you abandon me again, I don’t know if I can handle it
“Don’t do anything reckless, Nadi,” Justin said, holding her tightly. “I understand. I’ll stay with you.”
She was right. Elena hadn’t been hit by the truck. At most, she had just been scared, and she would
recover soon.
And Elena loved him so much that even if Alexander had been holding her, there was no way she would ever fall for him.
Meanwhile, Alexander carried Elena back to her hospital room.
Noah paused, stunned, at the sight of him entering with her in his arms.
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