Eclipse turned her head in surprise when she saw a really handsome face, but it had an intense expression.
"How did you end up here?" she asked.
Alastor had his arm wrapped around her waist, and his dark eyes were locked on her face. His fingers brushed gently over her eyelids. "Are you upset?" he asked.
Eclipse knew he misunderstood, but she just stayed calm and shook her head. "It's not because of those two people."
She grabbed his hand, looking at his long fingers that were so strong and kind of cool. She tilted her head and smiled a bit.
He was really good-looking.
This man was perfect, even down to his bones.
Alastor kept staring at her, not prying, but his tone sounded serious. "If you tell me, I can make the Jade Family and the Rocelyn Family disappear from Star City."
That way, she wouldn't have to keep doing stuff she didn't want to do.
Eclipse squinted slightly. "No need."
She looked at Alastor's beautiful and noble face and knew he came here because he was worried about her.
He was here to help her. A warm feeling spread through her chest.
Her eyebrows lifted as she smiled softly. "I won't let anyone bully me again."
Seeing him frown, she added, "If I need help, I'll definitely let you know."
Alastor stared at her for a while, like he made up his mind about something.
He let go of her waist, and his voice and actions were super polite. "If you need anything, just call my name. I'll be there."
Eclipse looked up at him, and all her anger faded. She smiled sweetly. "Okay."
He was here.
He had always been here.
He was everywhere.
So, don't be afraid anymore.
No matter what happens, he's always there behind her, giving her strength.
This was the man who would always be there for her.
Eclipse wasn't used to love, and she was used to people helping her out.
Plus, Alastor's actions seemed totally normal, so she didn't notice the deeper meaning right now.
What she didn't know was that some people's feelings are scarier the more normal they seem.
Because when they've been bottled up too long, they explode like a flood—way more intense than deep love—filled with obsession.
---
On the other side of the house…
Jessica was led into the guest room by Mrs. Rocelyn.
Once the door closed, Jessica's soft, delicate expression turned mean and sharp.
Mrs. Rocelyn helped her sit down on the bed and looked at all the little cuts all over Jessica's body.
They were from the glass. They wouldn't scar, but there were too many. And her feet were bruised badly, too, which must've hurt a lot.
Mrs. Rocelyn was so angry, she trembled. When Jessica took off her shoes, revealing the big bruise on her foot, Mrs. Rocelyn gasped, "That awful girl!"
"Mom, shh!" Jessica was hurting, but she cared more about something else.
Eclipse's sudden change made sense since she lost everything, but the way Mrs. Jade and Robert suddenly defended Eclipse made Jessica really nervous.
Mrs. Jade usually only thought about herself, so she must've seen something valuable in Eclipse.
Jessica thought it had to be Eclipse's family.
Maybe they didn't want her to be homeless anymore, so they decided to take her back.
That could explain why Mrs. Jade and Robert were acting weird.
Jessica's soft and sweet face was now filled with jealousy and anger.
She had worked so hard to ruin Eclipse and kick her out of the Rocelyn family, and now she had everything. She wasn't about to let Eclipse take it away.
Jessica looked at her mom, her eyes darkening. She whispered, "Mom, come help me with something…"
---
Meanwhile, Mrs. Jade was scolding Robert, warning him that if he upset Eclipse before he could get her shares, he'd be kicked out of the family. Robert's face turned pale as he thought about the humiliation Eclipse put him through earlier. He was so mad he could barely keep calm.
He pulled out a cigarette to cool down but overheard two maids talking.
"Miss Jessica's foot is badly hurt. The doctor said it was close—almost cut her tendons."
"And there are cuts all over her body…"
"But even though Second Miss Rocelyn was the one who hurt her, Jessica kept saying it wasn't on purpose."
"She's skipping the banquet tonight because she's too hurt."
Hearing this, Robert clenched his fists, feeling guilty. He ignored his mom's warnings and headed straight for Jessica's room.