“Yes... I... I’m okay,” Luisa stammered, which made Alden finally realize the strangeness of his behavior.
He instantly let go of her face, took a few steps back, and cleared his throat. “I’m sorry. I know you don’t want me getting close to you. I shouldn’t have touched you like that.”
An awkward silence ensued as they both stared down at the ground before Luisa mustered the courage to speak. “I... Thank you. For saving me from Victor.”
“I did not ‘save’ you. I just helped you out with the bastard. No need to thank me,” he said, trying to downplay the magnitude of the help he’d given her.
Luisa shook her head. “No, I have to thank you. If you hadn’t arrived, he would’ve probably taken me away because I’m so weak and–“
“Hey, no. Don’t say that,” Alden quickly cut her off. He felt an ov
