Her legs felt like jelly,pletely drained of strength. Riding a bike was out of the question, let alone squeezing onto a crowded bus. Rain drummed against the car windows, creating a symphony of its own. As the downpour intensified, the car fell into a deep silence, broken only by the steady swipe of the windshield wipers.


    A bolt of lightning tore through the night sky, followed by a thunderous roar. Morwenna shuddered, feeling an inexplicable tightness in her heart. Stuart, thinking she was frightened, covered her ears with his hands. But Morwenna wasn''t afraid of thunder. Back in the countryside, she had faced storms alone, fearless and unyielding. Yet, she didn''t push Stuart''s hands away. Instead, she clutched the hem of his jacket, finding a strangefort in the gesture.


    The storm slowed their drive to a crawl. By the time they reached the university, it waste, and the gates were closed, the campus deserted due to the rain. It was Stuart who called the university, getting the gates opened for them.


    "Just a moment," Stuart said, as Morwenna made to get out of the car. He stepped out first, grabbing arge ck umbre, then opened her door and scooped her up in his arms before she could protest.


    "Stuart, this is a university. Put me down," she whispered, aware of their surroundings. But Stuart didn''t set her down. "Don''t worry, no one''s around to see in this rain. I''ve got you, don''t want you soaking your shoes," he said calmly.


    Morwenna felt a daze wash over her. Once, not a single soul would have cared if she was hurt or needed help, her life a solitary journey. And now, someone was worried about her getting her shoes wet?


    Quietly, she let Stuart carry her. The tall figure, with Morwenna in his arms and an umbre in his hand, made a picture against the rainy backdrop as they walked to her dorm building, unseen. Stuart set her down once they were under cover. "There, go rest up. Call me if you need anything," he said softly.


    Morwenna nodded obediently, looking back at him three times as she went upstairs. Stuart didn''t leave until she was safely inside.


    Nearby, the principal paced back and forth, his shoes soaking wet, rushing up to Stuart as he saw him. "Mr. Hetfield, let me escort you."


    "No need. Just keep an eye on my


    person at Rosefrost University. No specia treatment needed, juste


    Youre no one bullies her..


    my wife."Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.


    The principal, taken aback, quickly wiped his forehead. "Of course, of course, I''ll personally see to Mrs. Hetfield''s well-being."


    "Understood,pletely clear."