Chapter 29 CHAPTER 29
CHAPTER 29
Yael’s POV
You would think the world would give me a break after the week I’ve had.
But no. Apparently, it’s “ruin Yael’s peace” season.
I was halfway to my dorm when Aaron appeared out of nowhere, hands tucked in his hoodie, jaw tight.
“Yael, we need to talk.”
I blinked. “What now? Did you come to give me a brotherly lecture about how caffeine ruins my kidneys again?”
His jaw clenched harder. “Stay away from Knox.”
My eyebrows shot up. “What?”
“You heard me. That guy’s bad news. You don’t know him like I do.”
“Oh my God,” I groaned, rubbing my temples. “Aaron, it’s not like I’m marrying him. We just work together.”
“I saw the way he looks at you,” he snapped. “And I know what guys like him do. They use, they destroy, they move on. He’s dangerous, Yael.”
I froze. The look in his eyes wasn’t teasing. It was…real concern. Maybe even fear.
But something inside me still flared — anger, rebellion, whatever it was.
“Thanks for the unsolicited advice,” I muttered. “But I can handle myself.”
“Yael—”
“No, Aaron. I said okay.” I cut him off and walked away before I could see the disappointment in his eyes.
By evening, I needed an escape from my own thoughts.
So I packed my books, tied my hair in a bun, and decided to attend the night class revision. Maybe equations would save me from my brother’s paranoia.
The campus was quieter than usual.
The buildings bathed in silver moonlight, the scent of wet grass heavy in the air.
It was peaceful — or maybe too peaceful.
When class ended around 9:30 p.m., I yawned and decided to take a shortcut through the faculty garden instead of the long road.
Bad idea. The kind that every horror movie warns you about.
Halfway through the path, I felt it — that prickling sensation at the back of my neck.
Someone was watching me.
My steps quickened. The sound of another pair of footsteps echoed mine.
I stopped.
The sound stopped too.
Oh, hell no.
“Who’s there?” I shouted, spinning around. My voice wavered even though I tried to sound fierce.
Nothing. Just shadows and the soft rustle of leaves.
I gripped my bag tighter and started walking faster — then running.
The footsteps followed, louder this time.
My heart slammed against my ribs. I turned a corner, gasping.
Before I could scream, a hand wrapped around my throat, slamming me against the wall.
“Let—let go!” I choked out, kicking and thrashing. My nails clawed at his arm but he was too strong. The air was leaving me fast.
And then—
A blur.
A punch that cracked through the night.
The grip on my throat vanished as the man was thrown to the ground.
Knox.
He was breathing hard, fury radiating off him like heat.
“You touch her again,” his voice was lethal, dark, trembling with rage, “and I’ll end you right here.”
The man spat blood, trying to get up, but Knox kicked him in the stomach.
“Who sent you?” he demanded.
No answer — just groans. Knox didn’t press further; instead, he turned to me.
“Yael.” His voice softened instantly. “Hey, look at me.”
I couldn’t. My knees gave out, and I slid down the wall, shaking, tears spilling before I could stop them.
“I—I couldn’t breathe—he—”
“I know, I know.” He crouched in front of me, hands trembling slightly before he dared to touch me. “You’re safe now.”
I buried my face in my hands, sobbing quietly. The adrenaline, the fear — it was too much.
He exhaled sharply, then scooped me up like I weighed nothing.
“Knox—what are you doing?” I hiccuped.
“Taking you to my place. You’re not staying alone tonight.”
“I can—”
“Yael,” he said, tone low, final. “Don’t argue.”
The world blurred around us. I didn’t even realize we were in his car until I saw the city lights streaking past the window. My breathing slowly calmed, though my fingers still trembled.
“You okay?” he asked quietly.
“I guess,” I whispered. “You came at the right time.”
He snorted softly. “Yeah, well, I was looking for you.”
My head jerked up. “You what?”
“I saw you leave the hall. You didn’t text when you got back. I don’t know—I just had this feeling.”
He gripped the steering wheel tighter. “Guess it wasn’t wrong.”
I stared at him for a long second. The lines on his face, the tension in his jaw — this wasn’t the same teasing Knox from the gala. This was someone…protective.
I whispered, “You could’ve gotten hurt.”
He gave a small grin, eyes still on the road. “You think that guy could hurt me?”
I rolled my eyes weakly. “You’re insufferable.”
“Only for you.”
When we arrived, he carried me again even though I protested halfheartedly.
“Knox, put me down, I can walk.”
“You were almost strangled, Yael. I’m not risking you passing out on me.”
“I’m fine!”
“Shut up,” he said, but there was no bite in his voice. Just that frustrating softness he only ever used with me.
He laid me gently on the couch, crouching beside me.
His fingers brushed my jaw, tracing the faint red mark on my neck.
“Does it hurt?”
“A little,” I whispered.
He cursed under his breath, jaw tightening again. “If I find out who sent him—”
“Knox,” I cu
t in softly, “don’t. Please.”
His gaze lifted to mine — stormy, unreadable.
“I can’t promise that.”
“Just…stay here,” I murmured.