He rushed to me, tearing away the restraints and pulling me into his arms.
"Don't be afraid! I'm here now—it's over."
Terror and humiliation surged up all at once, and I broke down sobbing against his chest.
He scooped me up, wrapping his jacket carefully around me, and headed for the door.
As we passed by Lorraine, he stopped.
His gaze turned cold—so cold it could kill.
"Lorraine! I've tolerated your tantrums and reckless behavior for years out of respect for your parents—but this time, you've crossed the line!"
"If anything happens to Danica today, I swear I won't let you walk away alive!"
The raw fury in Renald's eyes made Lorraine stumble back, her face pale. Then, as if something inside her snapped, she shrieked, "What are you going to do—send me to prison?"
She gave a twisted laugh, tears glinting at the corners of her eyes.
"Fine! Renald, since you want my life so badly—take it!"
Before anyone could react, she suddenly lunged toward the open floor-to-ceiling window and hurled herself out.
"Lorraine—!"
Renald's face turned deathly white.
Without a second's hesitation, he dropped me to the floor and bolted toward the window.