Chapter 174 Should We Call the Police?

Chapter 174 Should We Call the Police?
Jane's POV

"Jane, time to wake up~" David's gentle voice drifted to my ears, the playful tone tickling my eardrums like a soft caress.

I drowsily opened my eyes to find sunlight already sneaking through the curtain gaps, casting dappled patterns of light across the comforter.

Reaching for my phone on the nightstand, I was shocked to see it was already ten o'clock, which made me chuckle softly—ever since David and I got engaged, even sleep had become incredibly peaceful and comfortable, drowsiness clinging to me like it never wanted to let go.

I rolled over toward the sound of his voice, blinking sleepily, my lashes still heavy with lazy moisture, my voice carrying that soft, drowsy rasp of someone just waking up. "Okay~ I'm getting up right now!"

As soon as the words left my mouth, David walked over to the bed with a smile, reaching out to ruffle my hair, his palm radiating warmth. "Breakfast is all ready—your favorite soft-boiled eggs and toast, still warm."

I could barely keep my eyes open, burrowing deeper into the covers with a mumble, "I'm so sleepy..."

His eyes filled with laughter, helplessly fond as he leaned down. "Come on, let me help you."

He picked up the toothbrush he'd already squeezed toothpaste onto, gently supporting my chin, his movements so tender it was as if he was afraid of disturbing my sleepiness.

The minty foam dissolved in my mouth as he thoughtfully handed me mouthwash, patiently staying with me through the entire process, his gaze so soft it could melt.

After he led me to the dining table, sunlight fell perfectly across the plates. The aroma of toasted bread mixed with rich coffee filled the air, and the ring on my finger caught the light with every movement, making my heart feel sweet and syrupy, transforming even my lingering drowsiness into pure happiness.

After breakfast, David picked up my jacket and gently helped me into it, his fingertips naturally finding my hand, his thumb caressing my finger. "We don't have anything this afternoon—how about I take you shopping for some new clothes? We could pick out wedding favors while we're at it."

I nodded with a smile, letting him lead me out the door, the sunlight warming my skin and putting a spring in my step.

We made our way to the downtown mall, and as soon as we walked into a women's clothing store, we ran straight into a familiar and jarring figure—Thomas.

He still had that same cold, harsh look, his eyes sweeping over David's and my clasped hands before catching sight of the ring on my finger. His face instantly darkened like a storm cloud, and vile words came spewing out without warning.

"You little slut! Just like your disgusting mother—born to seduce men wherever you go!" His voice was rough and vicious, dripping with undisguised malice. "Using your looks to get what you want, now shacking up with this random guy. He'll dump your ass sooner or later—mark my words!"

My blood instantly turned to ice, those poisonous words stabbing into my heart like needles. Hurt and anger rushed to my head, my eyes immediately welling up, but I bit my lip hard to keep the tears from falling.

David's face went cold in an instant, pulling me more protectively behind him, his voice filled with barely contained fury。 "Thomas, that's way out of line! Apologize right now—I won't let you slander Jane like that!"

"Apologize? Did I say something wrong?" Thomas's face contorted with rage as he reached out to shove David. "Let me tell you something—this woman's got slut written in her DNA. She'll have you wrapped around her finger before you know what hit you!"

David instinctively stepped sideways to shield me, blocking Thomas's assault with his arm, his voice dangerously low. "I'm telling you one more time—take it back! Or I won't be responsible for what happens next!"

But Thomas seemed to have lost his mind completely, swinging his fist toward David's face while continuing his tirade, "You pathetic loser, you think you deserve to protect her? You're both cut from the same cloth—neither of you worth a damn!"

The two men immediately started grappling, drawing stares and murmurs from everyone around us as store employees rushed over to try to break up the fight.

I was frantic and furious, my whole body shaking as I lunged forward and grabbed Thomas's arm, my nails nearly digging into his flesh as I screamed, "Stop it! Stop fighting!"

My voice was hoarse and trembling, but carried an unprecedented resolve. "What gives you the right to slander me and my mother like that? What gives you the right to hurt David? I won't let you spew this garbage anymore!"

"You think you've upgraded, huh?" he spat, his words dripping with venom. "Found yourself a nice little lapdog who'll put a ring on it? Just like your whore of a mother—always knew how to sink her claws into the next sucker."

The blood drained from my face. Those words hit like physical blows, each one designed to wound. David's entire body went rigid beside me, his jaw clenched so tight I could see the muscle jumping.

But Thomas was beyond reason, his eyes wild with a rage that seemed to have been building for months. "Or what? You'll what, pretty boy? You have no idea what you've gotten yourself into with this piece of—"

"Security!" someone screamed. Hangers clattered to the floor as the two men grappled, David trying to restrain rather than fight, but Thomas was like a man possessed.

"You think you're better than me?" Thomas roared, throwing another wild punch that caught David's shoulder. "She'll cheat on you just like she—"

"Shut up!" The words tore from my throat, raw and desperate. I couldn't stand there and listen to him destroy everything good in my life with his poison. "Just shut up!"

David managed to grab Thomas's wrists, his voice strained but controlled. "This is over. You need to leave."

But Thomas wrenched free and came at him again, this time with his elbow aimed at David's ribs. The sickening thud of contact made me cry out, and suddenly I couldn't just stand there anymore.

"Stop it!" I screamed, tears streaming down my face as I grabbed at Thomas's arm. "Stop hurting him! What is wrong with you?"

Thomas whirled on me, his face flushed and sweating, and for a moment I saw something that made my blood run cold—not just anger, but a deep, festering hatred that went beyond anything rational.

"You want to know what's wrong?" he panted. "You destroyed everything. Everything I had, everything I was—"

"Sir, step back!" Two security guards finally arrived, moving quickly to separate the men. One grabbed Thomas while the other helped steady David, who was favoring his left side where the elbow had connected.

Thomas struggled against the guard's grip, still trying to get at us, his voice hoarse from shouting: "This isn't over! You hear me? This isn't—"

"Get away," David said firmly, wrapping his arm around me as I shook uncontrollably.

As security escorted Thomas away, his parting words echoed through the store. "You'll see! You'll see what she really is!"

The silence that followed was deafening. Other shoppers stared openly, some recording with their phones, others whispering behind their hands. I felt exposed, humiliated, like every ugly thing Thomas had said was now written across my face for everyone to see.

"Ma'am, are you alright?" one of the employees asked gently. "Should we call the police?"

I couldn't speak. The words were stuck in my throat along with all the tears I was trying not to shed. David's hand found mine, squeezing gently.

"We're okay," he said quietly. "Thank you for your help."