Chapter 88
Chapter 88:
Too late. Helena realized her slip of the tongue.
This was Alden’s secret, and it wasn’t something that should’ve been mentioned in front of Rylan.
“Alden spent nearly a decade trying to find her. Grandma has kept this bottle of wine sealed, saving it for the day Nyno returns. Everyone knows, even if they don’t say it out loud—she is the one Alden is truly meant to be with p>
That hit Helena like a punch to the chest. The way Rylan said it made it worse.
With a crooked grin, he stared at the wine bottle as if admiring a trophy. “Even after putting a ring on your finger, he didn’t stop looking for her. If she ever returns, you’re done. You’ll vanish like you were never there p>
“What exactly are you trying to say?” Helena asked, her jaw tight.
Grinning wider, Rylan extended the bottle, his tone turning flirtatious as he said, “I’m saying don’t be stupid. Why wait to get tossed aside by a deaf man? Come over to my side. I promise, you’ll get a lot more out of it p>
Helena didn’t even raise her head when she answered. Her voice was low but unshakable. “Not happening p>
Then she looked up, her eyes calm but scathing. “You and your mother really are alike. But don’t expect me to entertain this crap twice p>
Suddenly, glass shattered. The wine bottle hit the floor with a thunderous crash.
Red liquid spilled out like blood, shards flying in every direction.
Helena jumped back in alarm, her heart racing.
“Helena, I guess trying to reason with you is a waste of time.” Rylan’s face contorted with fury as he seized her arm and shoved her hard into the corner.
Helena fought back and screamed, “Shelley p>
Rylan slapped a hand over her mouth, his voice dropping to a chilling growl. “I heard you’ve been talking to a therapist. Even Alden went there with you. So why don’t we find out what’s really broken inside that head of yours, hmm p>
He leaned closer, breathing her in like a predator.
Helena’s stomach turned. A heavy dread settled over her like a storm cloud. She couldn’t move. Panic froze her in place.
gⲁ𝗅𝓝𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀.𝗰0𝗺; 𝓤𝓹𝗅𝗼𝗮𝓭 𝗦𝓞𝓤𝗍𝗍
She tried to scream again, but nothing came out.
Rylan squinted, confused for a second by her sudden stillness. But his lips curled into a satisfied grin.
To Rylan, her lack of resistance was all the confirmation he needed—proof that she’d wanted this from the beginning.
With a smirk, Rylan yanked off her coat and forced his hand beneath it.
A crushing sense of hopelessness swept over Helena. Tears spilled down her cheeks, clouding her vision. She couldn’t catch her breath. The man in front of her morphed into the same twisted silhouette that haunted her darkest dreams.
That laugh—the same cruel one—bounced around in her skull. Just like Rylan, that man had clawed at her clothes, spat foul words at her, and dragged her into a nightmare she had never escaped.
Before the memory could tighten its grip, the door to the cellar burst open with a deafening crack.
A shadow swept in like a storm, full of fury and frost, and his fist connected with Rylan’s jaw before anyone could react. “Have you completely lost your mind, Rylan p>
A familiar voice broke through the fog in Helena’s mind. It sounded like Alden.
That crushing sense of helplessness disappeared in an instant. Helena’s knees buckled, and she fell forward, straight into Alden’s arms.
Alden pulled her close, his voice raw and trembling. “It’s okay. I’ve got you now p>
Every breath came out jagged as Helena struggled for air, her body quivering with fear.
Somewhere inside, she understood that Alden had come for her. But the terror hadn’t let go.
She fought him with wild panic, screaming and pushing as if her life depended on it.
Alden didn’t move. “It’s me, Helena. You’re safe now. It’s Alden.” But no recognition flickered in her eyes.
The darkness hadn’t left her. A faceless shadow still lingered in her head, dragging her into something twisted and unfamiliar.
Alden tried to scoop her up, but Helena ducked down and sank her teeth deep into his wrist.
A sharp grunt escaped him. Blood surfaced right away, warm and red beneath her lips.
But no matter how hard Helena bit or hit him, Alden refused to loosen his grip.
“Helena, don’t be scared. I’ve got you p>
He pressed a kiss to her forehead and ran a soothing hand along her back, anchoring her.
No emotion showed in Helena’s eyes at first. But as the metallic taste of blood filled her mouth, reality began to bleed back in.
Her grip loosened. She let go of Alden’s arm.
Slowly, she lifted her gaze. Her voice came out small, barely above a whisper. “I’m sorry p>
Alden gave a soft smile and reached up to wipe away the tears streaking her cheeks. “I’m okay. Let’s get out of here p>
Without another word, he scooped her into his arms and turned toward the door.
Behind them, Rylan pushed himself off the floor, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth.
With a sneer on his lips, he said, “Well, damn, Alden. Didn’t think your wife was this broken, huh p>