As Selena and Alex approached the grand Whitlock manor, she felt the tension within her rise. Her brother was home, was he going to start throwing a tantrum again?
She glanced at Alex, who dismounted the horse first before helping her down with surprising gentleness for a man so... Big. She always gets surprised by how he was taller and more muscular than literally every man around her!
"Ready?" he asked, his voice low and calm.
Selena let out a weary sigh. "Not really, but let's get this over with."
Together, they made their way up the steps and into the manor. The air inside was heavy, and Selena immediately sensed the presence of someone waiting for her. Sure enough, as they entered the grand foyer, Lucien was standing at the top of the staircase, his piercing gaze fixed on them like a hawk.
Selena braced herself for the onslaught. Lucien, her eldest brother, always had a knack for making his disapproval known, especially when it came to her behaviour. She could practically see the words forming in his mind, ready to tumble out in a barrage of scolding.
"What in the world were you thinking, Selena?" he began, "You-"
But before he could finish, Alex stepped forward, his expression darkening. "Now is not the time to behave like an ass. Leave her alone."
Lucien froze, his mouth slightly agape, clearly stunned by the interruption. His eyes narrowed as he regarded Alex, as though deciding whether to respond with indignation or shock.
Selena, for her part, could only blink in surprise. She did not expect Alex to intervene so forcefully, and she certainly did not expect him to silence Lucien so effectively.
Lucien finally managed to find his voice, though it was less commanding than before. "Excuse me? Who do you think you are to speak to me like that?"
Alex didn't flinch. "I amsomeone who cares about her well-being. And if you paid attention for half a second, you would see she's exhausted. Now is not the time for a lecture."
Lucien's jaw tightened, but he didn't reply. Instead, his gaze shifted back to Selena, who was already halfway up the stairs, eager to escape the confrontation. She couldn't help but feel a wave of gratitude toward Alex. She did not have the energy to deal with Lucien's criticisms, not after everything that had happened.
Her maids were already waiting for her at the top of the staircase, their faces etched with concern. They had clearly noticed her pale complexion and unsteady movements.
"My lady," one of them said softly, stepping forward to offer her arm for support. "You look unwell. Let us help you to your chambers."
To Lucien's credit, he did not push further, he understood that something was wrong and let it go this time... He was not going to hold that wild man responsible for his incredibly rude behaviour and uncouth language! He kept telling himself this but he was clearly sulking.
Selena nodded silently, allowing them to guide her. She didn't even spare Lucien another glance as she passed him, which seemed to frustrate him further. But for once, she didn't care.
As she disappeared down the hall, Alex turned back to Lucien, his expression unreadable.
"You might want to rethink how you approach her," Alex said evenly. "She is not as fragile as you think, but that does not mean she doesn't need support."
Without waiting for a reply, Alex turned and walked out of the manor, heading back to the stables to return the horse.
Selena sank into the plush armchair in her chambers as her maids bustled around her, removing her shoes and bringing a cool cloth for her forehead. She closed her eyes, letting herself relax for the first time since leaving the manor that morning.
She couldn't stop replaying the events in her mind—Zhiyuan's words, his touch, the way he had torn up the annulment papers. Her chest tightened at the thought, and she forced herself to take deep breaths.
"My lady," one of the maids said hesitantly, drawing her attention. "Is there anything else we can do for you? Perhaps some tea to help you relax?"
Selena shook her head. "No, thank you. Just... Just some time alone, please."
The maids exchanged worried glances but nodded, bowing slightly before leaving the room.
As soon as the door clicked shut, Selena leaned back in her chair, her head resting against the cushion. She felt utterly drained, both physically and emotionally.
Her thoughts drifted to Alex. He had come for her, defended her, and even taken the time to return the horse to the stables. For someone who had no obligation to her, he certainly acted like he did.
A faint smile tugged at her lips as she remembered his words to Lucien. It was rare for anyone to stand up to her eldest brother, let alone on her behalf. She found herself feeling unexpectedly grateful for Alex's presence in her life, even if their arrangement had started as a means to an end.
Meanwhile, Alex was in the stables, brushing down the horse he had ridden. The stablehands had offered to take over, but he had waved them off, preferring to do it himself.
He worked in silence, his mind replaying the events of the morning. The sight of Selena and Nicholas—or whatever the man's name truly was—had ignited a protective instinct in him he hadn't expected.
He had seen the fear in Selena's eyes, the way her body tensed when Nicholas approached her. It was a look he had seen before, in people who had been pushed too far, who had endured more than they should have.
Alex's jaw tightened as he thought about it. Whatever Selena's past entailed, it was clear that Nicholas—or Zhiyuan, as he called himself—was a part of it. And not pleasant, judging by her reaction.
He did not understand everything that was going on, but one thing was clear: Selena needed someone in her corner.