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“Did your mother do this, too?” he said, lowering his voice.
I nodded.
“With what?”
“Her stiletto.”
I looked down. I couldn’t stand even the idea of having him pity me.
“Okay.”
“Okay?” I looked back up at him. I expected pity or anger. Instead, I saw resolve.
He buttoned his jacket over me, covering me from shoulders to mid-thigh. Then he scooped me up in his arms. I immediately grabbed his shoulder with my good hand, and he carried me out of the room.
CHAPTER 27
AMELIA
My mother was waiting on the other side of the door. He went right past her without even sparing her a look and only stopped in front of our fathers.
“Amelia isn’t safe in this house. She’s moving in with me, effective immediately.”
“No, that isn’t proper. You can’t! I won’t allow it,” Mother sputtered.
“I wasn’t asking. I was informing. Amelia needs to see a doctor about the wound on her hand. Then she will move into my penthouse. All wedding arrangements will be made by her from there.”
“I will not allow my daughter to live in sin!” Mother shrieked, and I ducked my head, burying it in Luc’s neck.
His arms tightened around me, and he made me feel safe.
“Then I’ll call a judge now, and we can be married tonight. Either way, she is not staying in this house with that drunk, abusive bitch another night. She is mine, and no one”—he turned to glare at my mother— “and I mean no one, touches what’s mine.”
“The wedding will go on as planned,” his father said. “If the young couple wants to cohabitate before the wedding, I think it’s a fine idea. This isn’t the 1800s. Let the kids play house for a while.”
“No!” my mother shrieked. “Why would he buy the cow if he is getting the milk for free?”
“Madam, the only cow in this house is you. I said I was going to marry her, and I will, either in the church in a few months, or tonight with a judge. I really don’t care which. All things considered, I don’t think you are the best person to opine on who does, or doesn’t, pay for milk.”
I had no idea what that meant, but it shut my mother up. She just glared, her face turning crimson as she glowered.
“Amelia, do you want to leave with Mr. Manwarring?” my father asked.
“Of course she doesn’t,” Mother started.
“Yes,” I answered my father, keeping my voice low but loud enough I know he heard.
“Okay, then. The wedding will proceed as scheduled. So, please try to keep this out of the papers, and I’ll have the staff get your things packed and delivered.”
I nodded as my fiancé carried me out of my childhood home.
The second the front door closed, I could hear Mother screaming again, but it was no longer my problem.
I looked up to see Rose in her window, gazing down at us. She raised her hand to wave, and I did the same, relieved she was safe in her studio.
“Where are we going?” I asked as we got into the car.
“First, I am taking you to my private doctor. I would have him just meet me at home, but I think your hand will need X-rays.”
