Chapter 647



“Thank goodness you’re safe,” he said to Belinda, his voice carrying a trace of fear he couldn’t entirely mask.

Belinda lowered her gaze and nodded lightly. Without meeting his eyes, she said softly, “I’m heading inside now. You should leave.”

She turned to go, but Lucas’ voice stopped her.

“Wait.”

Belinda turned to look at him. “Do you want to say anything else?”

Lucas hesitated for a moment and then spoke. “I came in a hurry and forgot to bring anything to drink. Could I trouble you for a glass of water?”

Belinda’s lips tightened as she stared at him. For several seconds, she didn’t say anything. Then, she said, “Follow me.” She turned and walked toward the house.

Lucas’ lips curved into a faint smile as he trailed after her.

But as soon as they reached the house’s entrance, Belinda stopped him.

“Wait here.”

She unlocked the door and went inside, leaving Lucas standing outside.

Three minutes later, she returned with a chilled bottle of mineral water.

Lucas froze as Belinda handed the water to him.

That was it?

She wasn’t even going to invite him in?

Clearing his throat, Lucas attempted another approach. “I didn’t eat much for dinner. I’m feeling a bit hungry. Do you have any food at home? Anything will do.”

Belinda’s expression darkened.

She knew exactly what Lucas was thinking.

Raising her eyes, she shot him a glare. “You should go home and eat on your own!”

Before Lucas could respond, she slammed the door shut.

Standing there in stunned silence, Lucas touched his nose, feeling a bit resigned.

Left with no choice, he turned and left.

The next morning, Kylee sat in the passenger seat of Carola’s car, staring blankly out the window. Carola had dragged her along to the blood bank to donate blood.

For years, Carola had made it a point to donate blood annually, without fail.

As they drove, Carola cast a worried glance at Kylee. “Kylee, you haven’t seemed like yourself lately. Is something wrong?”

Kylee’s chest tightened at her mother’s words, a lump forming in her throat.

How could she possibly tell her mother that she had been raped?

Her first time had been stolen from her, a cruel and degrading act at the hands of a repulsive man. The memory alone was suffocating.

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