<h4>Chapter 316: Hurt</h4>


    Two Hours Later, Isted Ind.


    A man stood by the tall ss windows of his remote cliffside mansion, his sharp eyes fixed on the pale sky above the sea. The light outside had begun to shift-thest rays of afternoon slipping behind heavy clouds-but he stood motionless, hands in his pockets, a faint, unreadable smile tugging at his lips.


    It had been two hours since the message hade through. The ’package’ had been secured. Noplications. No problems. Just as he had ordered.


    And now, he waited. For his package. He had thought about this moment for a long time. Not obsessively—he was far too disciplined for that. But thoroughly. It had taken him so long to bring her back... His lips lifted as he heard the sound of the approaching helicopter and he walked away from the window, towards his roof. He could hardly wait anymore.


    He climbed the narrow staircase to the rooftop, his pace unhurried while the roar of the approaching helicopter grew louder with every step.


    The moment the aircraft touched down, two men jumped out. One signaled with a sharp nod while the other helped guide down a metal gurney, strapped securely, a figure lying motionless on top.


    The man approached slowly, the hem of his dark coat ring slightly with the wind. His eyes never left the woman on the stretcher. Her hair was windswept, her skin unnaturally pale beneath the rotor wash, but it was her face that made him stop walking for half a second.


    There was a faint bruise along her cheekbone. Her lip looked slightly split. Her right temple was reddened, maybe even a little swollen.


    His jaw tensed.


    The nearest operative stepped forward to speak, but before he could open his mouth, the man’s voice cut through the noise as he coldly questioned,"


    "How did she get hurt?"


    The question was simple. But it froze both men on the spot.


    The first man nced at his colleague, then stepped forward. "There was an airbag deployment during the collision. She hit the side pir when the car spun. She was unconscious by the time we reached her. No oneid a hand on her, Sir."


    The man’s pale eyes narrowed as he examined her face again, as if trying to decide if he believed them. A long pause followed as the wind continued to howl.


    "Call the doctore,I want a medical report. Every mark ounted for," he said finally, his tone t but leaving no room for argument. "And if I find out anyone touched her..."


    He didn’t finish the sentence as the two operatives almost shuddered due to the warning and started to take the gurney towards the elevator.


    The elevator doors slid open. The gurney was wheeled out without a word, the sound of its wheels echoing down the corridor. They moved quickly, efficiently, toward the room he had prepared.


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    At the end of the hallway, the double doors opened, revealing arge, dimly lit bedroom. No one spoke. The men pushed the gurney inside and moved toward the bed ready to pick up the woman and ce her on the bed. But before he could, a cold voice stopped him,"Leave her.."


    The two men stopped at once. Not even daring to make a single move.


    The tall man stepped forward, gaze locked on the unconscious woman. At his nod, both men retreated from the room, closing the doors behind them.


    He stood there for a moment, silent. Then he moved, unstrapping her arms and legs with slow, controlled precision. Nothing rushed. Nothing careless.


    He lifted her in his arms, holding her as though she was made of something delicate and irreceable. Her head lolled against his chest, her face still showing the bruise on her cheek and the swelling near her temple.


    He didn’t speak until he hadid her down and tucked the nket over her, smoothing it with one hand. Then he sat on the edge of the bed and looked at her for a long moment.


    His fingers brushed her hair back, gently. Then he cupped her face, thumb resting on her cheek.


    "Wee home, Melody," he said softly.


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    "I promised you I’de for you, didn’t I?" A pause. "Here I am."


    He watched her, eyes unreadable. "Now we can be together. No interference. No distractions. Just you and me."


    He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her forehead, breathing in her scent.


    Then he stood, walked to the far wall, and pressed a switch. The window shutters began to close with a soft mechanical hum, sealing the room.


    She didn’t move.


    He stood there for a moment longer, watching her, as ifmitting every detail of her sleeping form to memory and then smiled, whispering, "You should have never left. But it’s fine now. You’re back. And this time... I’m not letting you go. After all, Melody and Cadence are always meant to be together. Cadence always controls Melody,¹</anno> doesn’t it?"


    Then he turned and walked toward the adjoining study. The door clicked shut behind him as he walked into his study, waiting for the doctor to arrive.


    Inside, the room was dark, save for the glow of a singlemp over a desk. He reached for the half-empty ss he had left earlier and took a slow sip, his fingers drumming once against the crystal. His attention had been snagged by the multitude of pictures on his table. Of him and Cadence. Looking into the camera as they hugged and held each other, their cheeks touching closely.


    He picked up the picture and caressed it carefully, a smile on his face,"Look how happy we were when we were together. Before you got silly ideas in your head about your indepence and freedom. Its not like I would have kept you captured here on this ind. Now you’ve left me no choice though. Soon, we will make new memories so that I can fill this entire room with us. Wake up fast, my dear Melody. I am waiting for us. We need to re start where we left off."