You're Not Hurting Me This Time

Just then, a stranger suddenly lunged at me with a knife. I screamed and stumbled back in terror.

Harry reacted instantly. Drawing on years of muscle memory, he sprinted forward and positioned himself in front of me. He kicked the knife out of the attacker's hand before subduing him.

Before I could catch my breath, Ember shrieked and collapsed, writhing in pain. Another stranger, wielding a knife, had slashed her leg.

Harry hesitated for a split second before abandoning me. He rushed to her side and shielded her protectively.

My heart grew colder with each passing moment as I watched the scene unfold before me.

Seeing that no one was guarding me, the other attacker picked up his knife and charged forward. Just as the blade was about to pierce my chest, someone appeared out of nowhere and kicked the man to the ground.

I opened my eyes and saw it was Jeffrey.

The two assassins, realizing their plan had failed, fled in panic.

Jeffrey's face went dark with fury as he turned to Harry and roared, "Have you forgotten your mission? If anything had happened to Ms. Webb, could you even handle the consequences?"

Harry flinched, panic flashing in his eyes. Still, he quickly brushed it off. "Nothing happened, right? Besides, Ember only got hurt because of Victoria. I couldn't just ignore her."

Jeffrey's expression grew even colder. He stormed forward and punched Harry square in the face. "So you're just going to ignore Ms. Webb's safety? Have you forgotten why Mr. Webb took us in all those years ago?

"He treated us like his own children. And now, you're willing to betray that debt of gratitude just because of one woman?"

Though Harry felt a twinge of guilt, he couldn't take Jeffrey's fists and harsh accusations any longer. The two of them broke into a fight.

I hurried to break them apart, but before I could, Ember let out another pitiful wail. "Harry, it hurts so much!"

Harry stopped fighting at once. He scooped her up into his arms and rushed off without a backward glance.

Jeffrey's face went cold as he turned to look at me, his eyes flashing with anger.

"Why did you stop me? After everything Harry's done, how can you still protect him?" His eyes reddened as he asked me.

"I didn't—"

"Enough," Jeffrey cut me off sharply. "There's no need to explain. Since you've already chosen him, live with the consequences."

Panic surged through me. "I didn't choose him!"

At my words, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, but it quickly faded into a shadow of disappointment. "You've loved Harry since you were a child. Everyone knows it. If not him, who else would you choose?"

Jeffrey gave a bitter laugh. "Forget it. Choose whoever you want."

After saying that, he walked away, heavy with disappointment.

An ache spread through my chest as I watched him leave.

What would he think if Jeffrey knew he was the one I had chosen? The thought left me unexpectedly hopeful.

...

The next day, Dad sent over dozens of gowns for me to pick from for the engagement banquet.

I had just settled on one when Harry appeared, supporting the limping Ember as they walked in. Her eyes lit up the moment she saw the dress. She gasped, "It's beautiful!"

But just as quickly, Ember's expression dimmed. "Too bad… Someone like me, who's born into poverty, could never wear something so lovely."

Harry's heart ached instantly. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and said tenderly, "Don't say that, Ember. I'll buy whatever you want for you."