Pulling her back to the sofa, he began treating her wounds. He was as gentle as always. After finishing, he kissed her hand. In that moment, Janelle felt her heartbeat slip out of her control. She pressed a hand to her chest.
"What's wrong? Are you uncomfortable somewhere?" Erik asked worriedly. The explosion's blast radius had been wide. Even though he'd shielded her, he couldn't be certain she hadn't been hurt. "Janelle, remember this: if you ever face danger like that again, get yourself far away. What does someone else's life or death have to do with you?" He didn't care about others; he only wanted her safe.
"You have no right to tell me that. Didn't you charge right to the front?"
"That's different. Bryan is my brother." For his brothers, he would walk through fire.
"Regardless, if there's danger in the future, stay away. Don't get involved." He was selfishly forbidding her from intervening.
"Mmm. I suppose if I stay far away from you, I won't run into such things." Could Mr. Lorenz's side ever be safe? How many people at the border wanted his life?
"..." Her words stung. "I won't let anyone hurt you," Erik stated firmly.
Janelle didn't reply. She pulled her hand back. This man, really, holding on for so long and still reluctant to let go? Looking at his now empty hand, Erik felt a hollowness inside. He still preferred holding hers.
Just then, Janelle's phone rang. Seeing it was the sanatorium, she answered immediately, fearing something had happened to her mother. Instead, it was her mother on the line.
"Janelle, it's Mom." Madalyn's voice sounded normal as she sat on her hospital bed.
"Mom, were you good today? Did you listen to the nurse?"
When speaking to her mother, all of Janelle's sharp edges vanished. At this moment, she was just Madalyn's little princess.
"I was good. Janelle, when are you coming back? I miss you." Madalyn had been stable lately. "Janelle, I dreamed of your grandfather. I want to go back to see him."
"Mmm, okay. You be good and listen to the nurses. When I finish things here, I'll take you to see Grandpa, alright?" The former business powerhouse now needed comforting like a child. Yet Janelle answered everything with infinite patience.
Erik's heart ached even more. Many twenty-year-old girls were still rebelling against their parents, or fighting with them over a boyfriend they disapproved of. But his little girl, only twenty, had to shoulder an entire family alone. Those five years on the border must have been incredibly hard. Betrayed by her closest kin, thrown into that harsh place... how had she survived?
"Janelle, Mom really wants to go back. Oh, how is your father? I haven't seen him in so long."
The current Madalyn had excised a chunk of memory – the most disgusting, painful part. In her mind, she still had a loving husband.
Hearing her mention that man, the veins bulged in Janelle's hand. How could Westin possibly remember her mother now? That garbage, breaking his vows, seizing everything her mother had, leaving her shattered. Men. Not a single decent one among them.
Seeing her struggle to control her emotions, Erik pulled her into his embrace, silently offering strength. Janelle tried to push him away, but his arms were like steel bands. She hit him. Erik grunted in pain. His back wounds were severe; they couldn't take her blows.
Madalyn, however, became sharp-eared. "Janelle? What was that sound? Was that a man?"
"..." Janelle stopped struggling. "Mom, no. No man." Janelle lied. Her relationship with Erik was purely physical. Madalyn didn't need to know about him.
"..." "Mom, I'm tired. I want to sleep now. You rest too. I'll come for you soon." Since returning, one thing after another had happened; she hadn't had time to visit her grandparents. She wondered how they were. "Mom, give the phone to Nurse Zhang. I need to speak with her."
"Okay."
Madalyn handed the phone over.
"Sister Zhang, please take good care of my mom. Thank you." Sister Zhang had cared for Madalyn for four years, ever since Janelle could afford a caregiver.
"Janelle, don't worry. I'll take good care of her." Initially, Janelle's pay had been very low. But after learning about the mother and daughter's plight, Sister Zhang had stayed to help. Later, the young girl somehow got her hands on money and paid back everything owed, doubled. Refusing wasn't an option.
Hanging up, Janelle looked at Erik.
"What are you doing?" What did this man want?
"I wasn't trying to do anything. Janelle... let me find a psychological expert for your mother." Her mother's condition seemed psychological. Only a therapist could truly help. And he happened to know an exceptional one.
"No." Her mother was her soft spot and her armor. She wouldn't allow anyone near.
Seeing her defensiveness, Erik pulled her close again. "I know you don't trust easily. But you can trust me. I won't hurt either of you."
"No. Don't touch my mother." She'd consulted many doctors; this was the best outcome. She dared not risk any stimulation. Her mother's psychologist had warned that triggering her could lead to far worse consequences. She couldn't take that risk. Janelle was vehement. She absolutely couldn't bear any risk.
"I'm telling you again, Erik. Don't interfere in my affairs." Janelle warned.
After speaking, Janelle stood up to leave immediately. She didn't want to stay another minute.
"Where are you going?" Erik caught her hand, preventing her from leaving.
"Stay here tonight. Get some proper rest." So much had happened today. "I know. Don't worry. I won't do anything." Since she was unwilling, he'd hold back. Was that acceptable? "Really. I promise." The little girl was truly angry.
Janelle tried to pull away, but then she saw his back – the bandages were soaked through with fresh blood.
"..." He hadn't made a sound.
"Alright. You're tired too tonight. Go to sleep. Remember to lock the door," Erik joked, trying to lighten the mood.
Janelle yanked her hand free. Instead of leaving, she stepped between his legs. Her elegant hands began unbuttoning his shirt.
"Not today."