A few cruel words aimed at Linsey had been enough to trigger Collin’s fury. The sheer intensity of his reaction was infuriating.
Though frustration burned within him, Huntley forced himself to keep apologizing, his voice laced with unsteady fear.
Collin held his gaze for a lingering moment before suddenly letting go.
Another pained cry escaped Huntley as he crumpled to the floor, unable to even push himself upright.
Fernanda rushed to his side, her hands trembling as she carefully inspected his injury.
The angry swelling and deep redness on his wrist spoke volumes about Collin’s strength.
“Have you completely lost your mind?” Fernanda shouted, her composure shattered. The sight of her son in pain erased any restraint, her voice raw with emotion. “You’ve always envied Huntley. Is this your pathetic way of getting back at him?”
Collin didn’t even blink at her accusations, his tone cutting and laced with mockery. “Since you refuse to discipline him, I suppose it falls to me-as his elder brother-to set him straight.”
Disbelief spread across Fernanda’s face as she stared at Collin, her mind struggling to process the scene before her.
For years, she had kept a firm grip on him, convinced he was nothing more than a docile, powerless inconvenience.
Lacking influence, lacking fortune, and burdened by his condition, he had always seemed incapable of posing any real threat.
Her wariness had been purely superficial, an instinct to keep him in check. The most she had ever feared was the possibility of him securing a marriage alliance with some influential family.
Linsey remained an enigma to Fernanda. She had yet to uncover the woman’s origins or the family she belonged to.
Yet, as her eyes locked onto Collin’s unwavering, icy demeanor, a deep and unshakable unease crept into her chest.
This looming dread had nothing to do with Linsey or anyone connected to her.
It was Collin alone who sent a chill down her spine.
But that made no sense. Wasn’t he just a cripple?
Fernanda had barely grasped the unfolding events when Huntley, gripping his arm, screamed in pain. “Mom! My arm hurts so much! Is it broken? Am I going to be crippled? Help me!”
The question echoed in the guests’ minds. “Could it be true? Did Huntley really break his arm?”
“This is just too much.”
Nearly drowned out by the surrounding murmurs, Fernanda called out urgently, “Doctor! Someone call a doctor!”
The birthday banquet devolved into complete chaos. Guests collided in their haste, adding to the frantic atmosphere.
Amidst the turmoil, Collin took Linsey’s hand gently, urging her to lean in. He whispered, “Let’s go.”
Linsey paused, her surprise evident. Were they actually leaving now? The celebration had just begun.
Observing her hesitation, Collin chuckled. “Clearly, neither Huntley nor Fernanda wants us here. They were just curious about you. Now that they’ve seen you, there’s no reason for us to stay.”
He smirked playfully. “Unless you’re dying to chat with them? But I doubt they have time for us right now.”
Fernanda, preoccupied with Huntley’s distress, didn’t even notice them slip away.
Linsey nodded. “Okay, let’s go.”
They quietly exited the chaotic scene.
Once they were in their car, the evening’s events replayed in Linsey’s mind. She remembered how Collin had shielded her, sending a shiver down her spine.
“That was really dangerous,” she remarked, her concern clear. “You didn’t have to risk yourself for me.”
Despite Huntley’s rude actions, Linsey didn’t want Collin to get into trouble because of her.
Fernanda was fiercely protective of her son. She was yet to make a move because she was distracted by Huntley’s injury.
Yet, Linsey knew that Fernanda would likely plot some form of retaliation.
Linsey thought Huntley was exaggerating. She had seen everything-Collin had been forceful, sure, but not enough to break any bones. Yet there was Huntley, screaming about being crippled, feigning agony while still hurling insults at Collin. It was exasperating.
Noticing Linsey’s concerned expression, Collin chuckled. “If I can’t protect my wife, what kind of man am I?”
He raised an eyebrow, his smile teasing. “Besides, didn’t you jump in to defend me earlier without thinking twice about the danger?”
Linsey paused, meeting Collin’s meaningful gaze.
Collin’s laughter was gentle. “Who would’ve thought? My wife can protect me too! I definitely underestimated you. You’re braver than I realized.”
Caught off guard and a bit flustered, Linsey found herself unable to meet his eyes.
“I wasn’t really thinking…” she admitted softly. “I knew about your family’s reputation, but witnessing their behavior firsthand tonight-I just couldn’t hold back.”
Taking a deep breath, she added under her breath, “If I knew we could’ve gotten away with it, I would’ve slapped Huntley twice while I had the chance!”
Collin chuckled softly, his gaze lingering on Linsey, warmth flickering behind his usually indifferent eyes.
“You don’t need to bother with people like that anymore,” he murmured. “Huntley and Fernanda are not worth your time. And honestly, they’re not worth dirtying your hands over. No matter what happens, I’ll always protect you.”
But Linsey met his gaze, unwavering. “It shouldn’t just be you,” she said, her voice steady, conviction clear. “We’re in this together. That’s what marriage is, right?”
A playful glint danced in her eyes as she arched a brow. “And besides, do you really think I was scared of them? Please. Not even a little.” She smirked. “I stood up for you. Put them in their place. Bet that drove those bullies mad.”
Collin blinked, momentarily caught off guard.
Never in his life had he expected to be the one protected-let alone by a woman.
Something unfamiliar stirred inside him, warmth slipping through the cracks of a heart he had long believed was immune to such things. He couldn’t explain it, but today, again and again, Linsey had reignited something in him, something he thought had burned out long ago.
He drew in a slow breath, pushing down the emotion threatening to surface. Instead, he simply said, “Alright.”
But deep down, he made a silent vow-no matter what it took, no matter the cost, he would shield Linsey from harm. She would never have to fight alone.
After Linsey and Collin left, the once-lively birthday banquet unraveled into an awkward, hasty conclusion. Conversations fizzled out, guests exchanged uneasy glances, and tension hung in the air like an unshakable chill.
Meanwhile, Huntley’s groans and wails echoed through the now-empty hall. Fernanda, however, remained unimpressed.
How much damage could Collin-a man bound by his disability-possibly inflict?
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.