Chapter 17
By now, Shelby was still spouting this crap. Henry let out a sigh in despair. “Shelby, you’re hopeless and stubborn. I couldn’t care less if you live or die!”
After storming out of Shelby’s room, Henry turned into the interview room where Irene was. Seeing her red–eyed and disoriented, a twinge of shame and pity crept over him.
Henry sat down beside her, instinctively reaching for her hand–but Irene jerked it away like it had been burned. That reaction only stung Henry deeper.
“Irene, Henry began sheepishly. “Your mom was out of line tonight. I already laid into her, so don’t worry–I’ll make sure she gives you an explanation.”
Irene stayed silent, not even acknowledging him. Henry felt awkward carrying on the one–sided conversation.
He slid off the chair and knelt at her feet, his voice taking on a pleading tone. “Trene, please don’t press charges against your mom. If she goes to jail, it’ll affect both you and Lucas”
Worried she might refuse, he added quickly, “We’ll make it up you, I promise. You like money, right? I can give you-
“Money?” Irene cut him off in a flat voice. “I almost got raped tonight. Do you understand what happens to a woman who’s been violated around here?”
Her control snapped. Irene turned on him, a hysterical shriek tearing from her throat. “Forget marrying Dorian! I’d be damaged goods, the laughing stock of all Eldraeth!
“My life would be over. Ruined! You wanna compensate me? How could you possibly compensate for that?”
Henry was speechless. After a long pause, he choked out, “B–But it didn’t go all the way. You can still marry Dorian.”
Hurt by Henry and Shelby time and time again, Irene’s heart had long been torn to shreds.
Irene thought she’d gone numb to the pain, but his words still sent an icy chill crashing through her.
“I won’t sign a pardon,” Irene said flatly. “I want her in jail. With that, Irene stood up and walked out without another glance.
Irene had just nailed the role of a gold digger desperate to marry into money, furious at almost getting raped. A performance so good she wanted to give herself an Oscar.
A silver–black car parked under a tree in the police station courtyard. Doriansat in the driver’s seat, his left hand holding a cigarette resting on the open window.
In the night, the cherry tip of the cigarette glowed menacingly, like a clawing shadow,
The rearview mirror gave him a clear view of the station’s entrance. Dorian smoked casually, his eyes fixed in the mirror.
The moment Irene appeared in the reflection, he instinctively squinted, eyeing her critically.
She wore a light–colored cardigan, a silver sequined skirt, and flat loafers. Her legs below the skirt were slender and shapely.
Her clothes looked tidy, showing no obvious signs of assault. Dorian breathed an almost imperceptible sigh of relief.
Irene kept her head down, walking slowly–every step exuded defeat. She was so lost in her own sadness that she didn’t notice Dorian’s car.
When Dorian saw she hadn’t seen him, he pushed open the car door and called out from beside the car, “Irene.”
At the sound of his voice, Irene froze a little. She lifted her head slowly, and when she saw Dorian, all her defenses crumbled.
Irene flung herself into his arms, dissolving into heart–wrenching sobs. “Dorian. My mom really doesn’t love me at all. Not one
bit
Chapter 17
Even though he’d only been using her as a pawn to save Amaris, the raw pain in her voice–hearing her say Shelby didn’t love her–made Dorian’s chest ache.
He gently rubbed her back, murmuring softly, “Not every parent is capable of love, sweetheart. Seeing it clearly now, it’s a kind of freedom. From now on, I’ll love you twice as much.”
Irene cried even harder against his chest. The sight twisted something in Dorian. He cupped her face, tilting it up, intending to
kiss her.
But Irene instinctively jerked her head away. Dorian stiffened. “What are you pulling away for?”
Irene bit her lower lip so hard it nearly bled. She kept her eyes downcast, voice thick with shame. “Dorian, I feel so dirty.”
To Irene, Dorian was the dirty one. Every time he got close, the revolting image of Dorian kissing Amaris flooded her mind, making her stomach churn.
Thinking about what Irene had been through tonight, Dorian naturally thought she was talking about herself. His face darkened. “Did that bastard touch you?”
Irene wiped her tears and shook her head. “No. I stabbed him, actually–he’s hurt.”
Dorian exhaled in relief ‘Good, she hadn’t been touched, he thought.
He had a cleanliness fetish and couldn’t stand a ‘tainted” Irene–even as a pawn, she had to be a clean one.
Watching Dorian’s reaction, Irene sneered inwardly, That rotten tool of yours has been ridden by Amaris till it’s falling off Who the hell are you to judge me?
Fidgeting with the hem of her cardigan, Irene whispered, “Dorian, I–I get freaked out around guys now. If I pull away from you, can you not take it personally?”
Dorian felt bad for her torture tonight and understood her fear. “How could I blame her now?‘ he thought.
“Of course not,” Dorian soothed. “You’ve been through hell, babe. I’m just worried about you–no way I’d be mad. Want me to get you a shrink?”
Irene declined softly. I just need some alone time. Can you drive me home??
“Of course. Wait in the car. I just need a quick word inside,” he said.
“Okay,” I replied.
Dorian stepped into the lobby and spotted Henry right away. Henry’s eyes darted around, guilt written all over his face. “Dorian, about tonight-
Henry barely got a word out before Dorian cut him off, “Mr. Jackson, what you and Mrs. Jackson pulled tonight is beyond belief.
“Irene’s got the worst luck in the world to have parents like you. She told me she’s not willing to drop this.
“Since her parents can’t love her, I will. And since she won’t sign that pardon, I’ll make sure this gets handled well.”
His voice hardened. “Mrs. Jackson can get comfortable behind bars.”
‘Perfect, Dorian thought. The ideal chance to sever her family ties once and for all and earn her trust completely
After delivering his warning to Henry, Dorian went upstairs to have a chat with the police chief.
Only after ensuring everything was arranged did he walk out of the station, leaving Henry pacing anxiously in the lobby.
Back in the car, Dorian turned to Irene, his voice dripping with reassurance. “Irene, I’m always on your side. I’ll be your backbone.
He tenderly stroked her hair, his gaze intense. “You can trust me, honey. From now
now on, you
you can always trust me.”
Chapter 17
Go screw yourself. You lying bastard, Irene raged silently.
Externally, her eyes welled up with tears of profound gratitude. Irene gazed at him with adoration. “Dorian, you’re so sweet.”
‘Who says I can’t play the allergic bitch game? I’m a pro at this, she thought.
Dorian chuckled softly, tapping her forehead affectionately. “Ungrateful little thing–took you this long to figure that out?” ‘Oh yeah, so good, she thought sarcastically. ‘So good you’ll probably carve my heart out.”
