Chapter 13


    ra’s eyelids funtered open, and a familiar face loomed into view, a beacon in the tumultuous sea


    of her


    consciousness


    She clung to him like he was her lifeline. Her fingers gripped the fabric of the man’s shirt as she


    whispered with a frail voice, “Anders, get me out of here.”


    Thest thing she wanted was forn to witness her in such disamay. She couldn’t bear his pitying


    gaze. She didn’t want anything from him. She just needed to escape this ce as quickly as


    possible


    Anders watched her, his eyes betraying a hint of anxiety. How can you leave in this state? I should


    take you to a doctor


    No, Anders! I just donated blood, that’s all I’m just a bit drained. Please, just take me home,” she


    implored


    A gentle look in Anders eyes despened into concem. He bent down and lifted ra in his arms,


    holding her securely against his chest. Don’t be afraid, I’ve got you” he soothed as he carried her


    away.


    Asn burst out of the building he caught the sight of re being cradled into a car by another man,


    a man who gazed upon her with an expression filled with tenderness andpassion.


    When ra awoke again, it was the following morning


    After having no food for a whole day and night and having lost so much blood, she felt an emptiness


    gnawing at her stomach


    As she stepped out of the bedroom, a delicious aroma grested her nostrils, drawing her gaze


    toward the


    kitchen.


    A tall, imposing figure approached her


    Anders, holding a bowl of nourishing soup, had tied a pink apron adorned with cartoon pigs around


    his waist and watched her with a smile


    7 spoke to the doctorst night, and she said you need to replenish your strength. I’ve made you


    some chicken soup. Come and try it,” he said, his voice warm and inviting.


    ra chuckled awkwardly, “Anders, you’ve been such a help. I owe you dinner.‘


    Both were talents from Ivywood University Law School Anders was two years her senior, and both


    were protégés of the legal luminary, Mr. Marco.


    Three years ago, their professional paths diverged. Anders had graduated with his master’s and


    moved abroad to build his career, while ra becamen’s secretary


    Còntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    Anders gave a light–heartedugh. Td like that, and Mr. Marco has been saying he misses you.


    Once you’re feeling better, we should invite him along.”


    ra rubbed her head sheepishly “Mr. Marco was always so good to me, and I feel guilty for not


    following in his footsteps. I’m too embarrassed to face him.”


    She had been Mr. Marco’s most promising student, and he had high hopes for her openly iming


    she would make waves in the legal world once she graduated. Yet, she had turned her back on a


    law career to stay withn, a decision that had left Mr. Marcomenting for quite some time.


    Anders pulled out a chair for her with gentlemanly grace. “Everyone has their own path, and Marco


    never med you for choosing yours.”


    A bittersweet feeling washed over ra. She looked up at Anders and asked, “You’ve be a


    renowned fawyer in Scandinavia with an ie that’s off the charts. What brings you back home?”


    A sh of light sparked in Anders‘ eyes, quickly fading to a soft glow. “I never got used to the food


    there, so I decided toe back,” he replied, his voice even.


    He handed ra a spoon, casually changing the subject. “What happened between you and him?”


    ra forced a smile, her voice light. “We broke up.”


    Anders‘ gaze intensified, resting on her face for a moment before he casually shrugged off the


    heaviness, “Don’t worry, you’ve got me. I won’t let him bully you.”


    He reached out, hisrge hand gently patting her head in aforting gesture. He knew all too well


    how much she had suffered in that rtionship. Last night, even in her sleep, she had cried.


    However, before his hand could retreat, the room’s door swung open.