Chapter 99: Obey and Heal
Xiaoluo's senses slowly stirred, dragged back into the world of the living. The soft warmth of a blanket pressed against her skin, and the faint scent of lavender teased her nose. Her eyes fluttered open to see an unfamiliar ceiling.
"You're awake," a gentle male voice said, tinged with relief.
She turned her head, meeting the gaze of a man whose striking features felt otherworldly. His sea-green hair shimmered in the faint light, and his amber eyes seemed to pierce through her very soul.
"Who...who are you?" she stammered, clutching the blanket close to her chest. Her body trembled involuntarily as the traumatic events at the river flooded back to her.
"I'm someone who happened to be at the right place at the right time," the man said. His voice was calm but carried a tinge of mystery.
Before she could press further, the door opened, and an older man entered the room with a tray of warm porridge and tea. His demeanor was both respectful and insistent.
"Miss, you must eat something to regain your strength," he said, placing the tray on the bedside table.
A Fragile Trust
At first, Liang Xiaoluo hesitated, but her rumbling stomach betrayed her. The porridge was simple yet comforting, and she allowed herself to take a few tentative bites.
"Where am I?" she finally asked between spoonfuls.
The man with the sea-green hair—introduced as Xiluo—leaned back in his chair. "A safe place. For now, that's all you need to know."
His cryptic response did little to ease her nerves. "Why did you save me?"
"I don't make it a habit to let people drown," he said, his lips curving into a slight smile.
Liang Xiaoluo lowered her gaze, gripping the spoon tightly. "Thank you."
An Unexpected Revelation
As the older man—introduced as Laien—returned with fresh linens, he muttered under his breath, "Such a young girl, already suffering so much."
"What do you mean?" Xiluo asked sharply.
Laien hesitated but ultimately shared what the doctor had told him. "She was pregnant. The trauma caused her to lose the baby."
The room fell silent. Liang Xiaoluo's spoon clattered against the bowl, her hands shaking. Her chest tightened, and tears welled up in her eyes.
"It's gone?" she whispered, the words barely audible.
Laien looked away, regret etched across his face. "I'm sorry, miss. The doctor said there was nothing that could be done."
Liang Xiaoluo's world crumbled anew. The baby, which had been her sole glimmer of hope amidst the chaos of her life, was no more.
A Determined Protector
Xiluo's expression darkened as he watched her crumble. He had saved her life, but clearly, she carried scars far deeper than he had anticipated.
"You'll rest here until you're strong enough to leave," he said firmly, cutting through the suffocating silence. "And while you're under my roof, no one will harm you. That's a promise."
Liang Xiaoluo looked up at him, her tear-streaked face etched with gratitude and doubt. "Why do you care? You don't even know me."
Xiluo leaned forward, his intense gaze locking with hers. "Because no one deserves to suffer alone."
In the Shadows
Unbeknownst to either of them, the events of Liang Xiaoluo's escape and rescue had not gone unnoticed.
In the opulent mansion she had fled from, Ye Tianlin stood before a monitor, replaying security footage of her sneaking through the hidden exit. His jaw tightened as he watched her disappear into the night.
"Where is she?" he demanded, his voice a dangerous growl.
A subordinate bowed deeply. "Our men tracked her to the river but lost her trail. Someone else intervened."
"Find her," Tianlin ordered, his eyes blazing with fury. "And find out who dared to take what belongs to me."
A New Beginning?
For now, Liang Xiaoluo remained unaware of the storm brewing behind her. All she knew was the sanctuary provided by a stranger who seemed determined to shield her from the pain of her past.
As she lay back down, exhausted by grief and the day's events, she whispered into the quiet room, "Maybe I can start over."
But could she ever truly escape the chains of her past?