Chapter Seven In His Arms
750 Words
Elena ran out of the ballroom without looking back.
She ran and ran, not even knowing where she was going, her legs carrying her through the long, silent corridors of the hotel. Finally, her knees gave out and she collapsed to the ground.
There was no one around.
Only the sound of the wind outside against the glass.
Tears blurred her vision as she reached up, frantically wiping her lips, trying to scrub away any trace of Victor’s disgusting touch.
She didn’t stop until her lips felt raw.
Catching sight of a restroom down the hall, Elena stumbled toward it. Leaning over the sink, she turned the faucet on full blast and splashed water on her face, scrubbing at her lips again and again. Her reflection in the mirror looked pale, her lips swollen and reddened from her frantic attempts to erase what had happened.
"That bastard… disgusting… filthy old bastard…"
The curses slipped from her lips in a furious whisper, her shoulders trembling as anger and humiliation warred inside her.
She didn’t know how long she stayed there. By the time she finally stepped out of the bathroom, her elegant evening dress was damp and clung to her skin in places. Strands of hair stuck to her face.
And then she heard footsteps.
Elena froze, her heart sinking when she saw who it was — Adrian.
What’s he doing here?
Is he here to scold me? Because I offended his important client?
. . .
A few minutes earlier…
While Adrian was dancing with Vivienne, his gaze had unintentionally lifted — and right at that moment, he saw Victor’s disgusting lips press against Elena’s.
His face darkened instantly.
That woman!
Flirting with anyone she can, even an old man like Victor?
But then he saw the way she immediately shoved Victor away, saw the fury in her eyes, and for a moment, the storm inside him eased.
It wasn’t her fault.
Adrian’s gaze turned sharp and dangerous as it locked on Victor. This bastard actually dared to touch someone under my protection? He’ll pay for that.
When Victor grabbed Elena and dragged her away, Adrian found himself… anxious. His eyes never left her figure.
And when Elena slapped Victor — a clean, resounding slap — Adrian felt an almost savage satisfaction. Damn, that was satisfying.
If it hadn’t been for the fact that this was a public event, and Harrington Group still had dealings with Sovereign, he would’ve gladly gone over and punched Victor himself.
When he saw Victor about to lose his temper, Adrian quickly stepped in, using a polite excuse to pull Victor aside, giving Elena the chance to escape.
He barely exchanged a few meaningless words before leaving the ballroom in search of her.
At the far end of the corridor, he finally found her.
Soaked dress.
Red, swollen lips.
Disheveled hair.
And an expression of absolute misery.
Adrian felt a strange ache in his chest.
Elena didn’t look up, pretending not to see him, as if by ignoring him, he might disappear.
She didn’t have the strength for another blow, not tonight.
If Adrian was here to reprimand her, she honestly wasn’t sure she could endure it.
All she wanted was to be alone.
So she waited.
Still, silent, hoping he’d leave.
But he didn’t.
He just stood there.
Finally, tears escaped her eyes, falling silently down her cheeks.
At the sound of her soft sob, Adrian’s restraint snapped. He stepped forward and pulled her into his arms.
Elena froze.
She wanted to push him away, but his firm grip stilled her.
"Don’t," he murmured.
And she didn’t.
She was so tired.
For once, she just wanted a solid shoulder to lean on.
They stood like that for what felt like forever.
When she finally lifted her face, her makeup was a ruined mess.
Her eyes were red, her lips still trembling.
Adrian reached out, cupping her face gently between his hands, and then his lips brushed hers.
A kiss.
So different from Victor’s.
This one was soft. Gentle.
There was no force, no demand — only quiet, unspoken tenderness.
Elena’s breath caught.
Her heart thudded wildly in her chest.
And for the first time in so long, she didn’t feel afraid.
When he finally pulled back, Adrian’s voice was low and steady.
"Forget everything unpleasant tonight. Forget them all. Just… remember this moment."
Elena’s eyes widened.
What did he mean?
Did that mean he’d seen everything?
Had he witnessed what happened in the ballroom?
- Writer
