Chapter 128
Sheldon staggered back from the blow, a thin trickle of blood trailing from the corner of his mouth. Jared pressed forward, landing another punch squarely on his cheekbone. Sheldon cursed under his breath, his body swaying before he retaliated with equal force.}]
Months of pent–up rage, coupled with the sting of rejection after his failed attempt at reconciliation, fueled his fury. The fight was brutal. Every hit landed with force, leaving marks. Neither man gained the upper hand. Briella’s head was about to explode. “Stop it! Enough! Sheldon, I said stop!”
Sheldon seemed deaf to her pleas, landing a vicious kick in Jared’s gut. Jared stumbled back. Briella seized the moment. She stepped between them with both arms spread wide in a protective stance. “Sheldon, have you had enough?“}
Sheldon froze, disbelief flashing in his eyes. “Briella, you’re protecting him?” She was shielding another man from him right before his eyes. His expression twisted in rage. “Who is he? Briella, tell me! What’s your relationship with him?“}
Briella’s voice was icy. “It’s none of your business. If you don’t want me to call the police, you’d better leave right now.” Without another word, she turned, opened her apartment door and pushed Jared inside as if afraid Sheldon might attack him again.
Jared stood in the doorway, a smug smile playing on his lips. “Briella, come on in.” Briella indeed went into the house.
The door slammed shut and Sheldon snapped. “Come back here! This isn’t your home! Briella, open this door and explain what’s going on. Who is that random guy? Are you two living together? I won’t allow it! Open the door…“}]
He pounded on the door so hard it echoed through the hallway, but Briella never responded. Changing tactics, he softened his voice. “Briella, I’m hurt. My whole body aches. Can you patch me up?“}
He went on like this for nearly ten minutes. Finally, the door opened. Sheldon’s heart lifted. “Briella, I knew you still care about … ”
His words died in his throat. It wasn’t Briella, but Jared. His face was bruised and cut, but the wounds had clearly been treated. He tossed a band–aid at Sheldon. “Briella is busy taking care of my injuries. She felt sorry for you, so here, take this and leave.”
Sheldon’s gaze darted past him, searching for her. Inside, he saw Briella carefully dabbing antiseptic onto Jared’s injuries, her voice gentle. “Jared, hurry, or it’ll hurt more later.”
Sheldon felt like he had been struck by lightning. She hadn’t even spared him a glance. Instead, all her tenderness was directed at another man. It wasn’t real. It couldn’t be real. Jared smirked. “Did you hear that? Briella cares about me. As for you, get lost.“}
The door slammed shut, separating the three of them. Sheldon, consumed by disbelief, pounded on the door until his knuckles bled. He didn’t stop until the building’s security guards arrived and forcibly dragged him away. Inside, Briella finished treating Jared’s wounds. Her expression was apologetic. “I’m so sorry, I got you involved in this.“}
Jared shook his head. “It’s just a scratch, no big deal. But who was that guy?“}
Briella chose her words carefully. “My ex.“>
Jared raised an eyebrow. “An ex who acts like a deranged stalker? Sounds like a psycho.“>
Briella kept silent, avoiding the topic. Jared sensed her reluctance and changed the subject.
That night, after days of clear skies, rain finally poured down. Briella got up to close the window, only to see a shadow moving outside. She nearly screamed, but upon closer inspection, she recognized the figure and cursed, “Sheldon, are you out of your mind?”
