Emily let out a piercing scream as Angel's hand connected with her cheek, leaving a burning sensation in its wake. Her rage boiled over as she hurled insults at Angel, her body trembling with fury as she struggled to break free from Leoric's grasp, her eyes fixed on the sleeping figure before her. Despite Leoric's efforts to restrain her, Emily's desire for revenge burned fiercely within her, threatening to consume her entirely.
"That is enough. Please stop causing trouble for Angel and anyone else," Leoric said firmly.
Emily's voice quivered with anger as she faced Leoric. "Are you siding with her, Leoric?" she demanded, her eyes blazing with fury. "Is it because you think that my father and brothers could not reach you that's why you are treating me like this?" In a fit of rage, she lunged forward and tried to scratch Leoric's arm.
Leoric's face darkened as he tightened his grip on Emily's wrists.
"Emily, don't be unreasonable. Don't you know how dangerous our situation is? After today's attacks, I don't know what kind of monster awaits us tomorrow. So please, can you behave? Of course, I promise Dad and your brothers that I will protect you with my life, and I will do just that. But please, don't make things difficult for me." Leoric spoke gently to Emily, and she seemed to hear his words. She cried softly, and then she hooked her arms around Leoric's neck and burrowed her head into his chest.
"Leo, I am so scared." She sobbed pitifully.
"I know. Don't worry. I am here. I will protect you." Leoric patted her back as he continued to whisper comforting words to Emily.
That was the scene that greeted Angel when she opened her eyes. For a moment, her eyes locked with Leoric's dark orbs. Angel smirked then looked away indifferently. She did not feel anything for the man she married seven days ago. The only thing she felt for him was hatred and disgust.
After a grueling four-hour journey, Alec took over driving duties from Gavin. Gavin, in turn, made his way to the rear of the vehicle where the other passengers were seated. He first attended to Leoric, checking his injured leg, and was relieved to find that the swelling had subsided. Gavin then proceeded to examine Angel, taking her temperature and pulse. He was pleased to see that everything appeared to be normal.
Angel's gaze inadvertently fell on Leoric and Emily, who seemed lost in each other's embrace. She felt a sudden urge to move away. She slowly scooted away from them, trying not to interrupt their moment of tenderness.
As Mary and Rose gazed at Angel, their faces expressed empathy for her. However, Angel remained unfazed by their pity and casually shrugged her shoulders. She then proceeded to use her bundle of belongings as a makeshift pillow, in an attempt to find some semblance of comfort amidst a difficult situation.
Angel lay down on the hard floor of the vehicle and closed her eyes, feeling the arid breeze caress her face. As she lay there, certain things puzzled her. Yesterday, when she found herself surrounded by the swirling sand, a strange sensation of power seemed to envelop her. It was as if the sand were alive and responding to her presence. And then, without knowing how or why, she had somehow managed to send the three snakes slithering away into the desert. It was a mystery to her, but also a source of wonder and excitement.
She also thought about the first attack on their vehicle. When it was about to turn over and drop to the ground from a height similar to that of a three-story building, she acted on impulse to save the vehicle. She did not know what she did, but the vehicle wasn't thrown to the ground but suspended for a few seconds, like a pair of huge hands that kept V1 suspended before it was laid on the sand.
Angel felt that she was being watched. She opened her eyes to meet Dr. Gavin Reeves's gaze, which scrutinized her.
"What happened inside the swirling sand? How did you survive?" Gavin Reeves asked with a hint of suspicion. His voice was soft as he intended, and Angel was the only one to hear his voice.
Angel sat down beside Gavin. She was hugging her knees with both of her hands.
"To be honest, everything seemed hazy. Maybe the snakes were also afraid of the swirling sand; hence, they went away by themselves." Angel thought that her explanation was believable, but she was not able to deceive Gavin. However, he did not pursue the matter but he gazed at Angel for a long time.
His action did not escape Leoric. He watched Gavin Reeves with narrowed eyes. Angel was still his wife, and he was possessive of his belongings. He checked on Emily who was already asleep. He laid her down on a makeshift mattress and pillow that he asked Mary to prepare earlier.
"Aren't you going to sleep Angel Hart?" He asked sarcastically.
"Oh, I am not sleepy anymore. I have enough sleep already." Angel replied indifferently.
Leoric pursed his lips. It wasn't how he responded to the doctor earlier.
"Hmm. Isn't it because you are having intimate conversations with the doctor that you cannot sleep?"
Angel turned her head to face Leoric, her eyes locking onto his with intense fury. She couldn't believe he had the nerve to speak to her in such a disrespectful manner, especially after he had been holding another woman in his arms just moments before. Her jaw clenched as she struggled to keep her emotions in check, but the anger bubbling inside her was almost too much to bear.
"Mr. Graystone, if I remember right, just now, another woman was in your arms, so my actions should not be any of your concern. Besides, Dr. Reeves is just taking care of me as his patient." Angel's tone arose with a hint of anger.
Leoric paused. He did not have a retort on that. Alec, who was driving on, chuckled.
"Angel Hart, you are getting bolder by the day. Just wait, and let us see how bold you can get!"