Chapter 47
I grip the towel tighter with one hand while the other stretches forward tentatively, inching ahead with painstaking caution.
Another terrifying crack of thunder splits the air!
The sound penetrates everything—like some monstrous beast roaring—enough to freeze the blood in your veins.
I don't dare move. Instinctively, I call out Leopold's name.
But even after calling twice, there's no response.
Panic and fear tangle together as my voice grows louder and louder.
"Leopold!"
"Leopold, I'm scared..."
No matter how much I shout, Leopold gives me nothing back.
I'm too frightened. In the darkness, I've lost all sense of direction.
After wandering in circles for what feels like forever, my fingers finally find a doorknob. Thinking it's the guest bedroom, I yank it open without hesitation.
In that instant, a blinding flash of lightning tears through the black sky.
Every corner of the room floods with that stark white light.
On the plush king bed in the center, Leopold braces both hands on either side of Sophia's body, pinning her seamlessly beneath him.
And Sophia—head tilted back, arms hooked around his neck—smiles with her face flushed in coy pleasure.
My heart feels like someone just drove a knife straight through it. The pain steals my breath.
When I needed him most, he's here getting cozy with Sophia.
Even though I knew full well this wasn't their first time together.
But seeing it with my own eyes—I can't help the ache.
The lightning's white glare flickers out.
Darkness crashes back, mercifully covering that unbearable scene.
But the image is already burned into my mind.
Can't forget it.
Can't erase it.
Without a second thought, I turn and walk back.
The pain in my chest drowns out my fear of the thunder.
Back in the bathroom, I change into my pajamas. Drawing on my familiarity with this villa, I make it to the front door. My fingertips just graze the handle—
A powerful force suddenly clamps around my waist, dragging me bodily backward.
"In this downpour, where exactly do you think you're going?"
Leopold's voice burrows into my ear.
Thinking of how his hands just touched Sophia before touching me makes my stomach turn.
"Go manage your precious Sophia. Leave me alone!"
Leopold's arm tightens, the pressure nearly suffocating.
"Still haven't learned your lesson? Don't push me to actually lock you up."
The anger I've been suppressing ignites in an instant.
"Leopold, you're going too far!"
I sink my teeth into his forearm.
Leopold hisses in pain, reflexively loosening his grip.
Still seething, I fumble for something—anything—and hurl it in his direction.
But it's not enough. I keep searching.
Whatever my hands find, I throw at that spot without thinking.
After several heavy thuds of objects hitting the floor, my fingers close around a vase. Muscle memory kicks in—I launch it.
Just then, the beam of a phone flashlight illuminates the living room.
Sophia appears in my line of sight.
The next second, the crash of shattering porcelain erupts alongside her scream.
Leopold, who'd already dodged to the side, sees Sophia get hit and rushes over.
"Sophia, where are you hurt?"
"Leo, my hand... it hurts so much." Sophia cradles her bleeding wrist, face twisted in agony.
My hands clench in fear as I try to explain. "I wasn't trying to hit her just now."
Leopold helps her to her feet, casting me a glacial glance. "I know. You were just trying to kill me."
My brow furrows. I want to explain further.
But Leopold doesn't give me the chance.
"Bringing you back here tonight was a mistake."
I feel like I've been clubbed over the head. I freeze in place.
I watch helplessly as he carries Sophia through the pouring rain to the car, then drives away.
I can't form a single word.
He finally admitted it—being with me is a mistake.
My legs give out. I sink down, covering my face with my hands.
Suddenly, I notice a dark patch on my palm. My heart seizes.
I stand and walk over to the phone's flashlight, opening my hands again under the beam.
The dark stain on my palm is blood.
There's more on my right hand than my left.
Thinking I'm injured, I examine both hands carefully. No wounds.
So where did this blood come from?
Abruptly, my gaze stills.
Just now, when Leopold grabbed me from behind around the waist, I clawed at his arm, trying to break free.
But... I distinctly remember checking—his arm wasn't injured.
My heartbeat quickens. Heat blooms in my chest.
Even though I know it could be from an injury Leopold got in the past couple days, I can't stop myself from wondering.
I pick up the phone from the floor. A simple swipe unlocks the screen.
What fills my vision is a photo of Leopold and Sophia together.
In the picture, they're wearing school uniforms, young and fresh-faced, gazing at each other with unmistakable affection.
I understand immediately—this is Sophia's phone.
But she left it without a password, deliberately pulled up this photo. She wanted me to see it.
I don't care.
I use her phone to dial Leo's number.
The call rings for half a minute before someone picks up.
"Hello?"
"Leo."
As soon as I speak, my voice catches.
"Can... can you come pick me up?"
Leo's voice carries a certain weight.
"Where are you?"
I give him the address.
Thirty minutes later, a Mercedes G-Wagon slices through the rain, pulling up at the entrance.
I walk slowly outside.
Through the curtain of rain, I see Leo coming toward me with an umbrella.
I don't know why, but something about Leo tonight feels... different.
"Let's get you in the car."
His voice hasn't changed, his features haven't changed, but the aura around him feels off.
Once inside, I can't help but say quietly, "Leo, I want to check if your injury's healing."
Leo sets the umbrella behind the seat without hesitation, extending his arm. "Sure, go ahead."
Still so open, so straightforward.
I reach over and lift the edge of his sleeve. The bandage is tightly wrapped, the smell of medicine strong—clearly just changed.
The person's right, the attitude's right, so why do I still feel like something's wrong?
"The rain's pretty bad out there. Should I take you straight home?"
"No, let's go to the hospital."
Leo sounds puzzled. "Are you feeling unwell somewhere?"
Then it clicks—what's been bothering me. "Leo, why are you being so formal tonight?"
Leo stiffens slightly before replying gently, "Probably spent too long at the bar today. Haven't adjusted back yet."
"Okay. But you don't need to be so polite with me. Just take me to the hospital."
His explanation makes sense, but a sliver of doubt still lingers.
I need to verify this myself.
Hospital.
After checking with the duty nurse, I quickly locate Leopold.
He's still wearing the clothes he left in, sitting outside the treatment room, every inch of him radiating that familiar cold aloofness.
He keeps glancing inside—probably worried about Sophia's injury.
I gather my courage and approach.
The moment I get close, Leopold notices me. His expression darkens instantly.
"What are you doing here?"
I hold out my palm, showing the bloodstains.
"Leopold, this is your blood, isn't it?"
Leopold's gaze sweeps coldly over my hand. "What's your point?"
I close my palm. "Let me see your wound, and I'll tell you."
Leopold's eyes narrow sharply as he demands, "Why the hell should I listen to you?"
I take another step forward, speaking slowly and deliberately.
"Because you're Leo."