The Road to Rebirth Her Fresh Start and His Late Sorrow by Helena R. Bates

Chapter 12

"It's not like you wanted to be at someone's mercy. It's not like you chose to drink that spiked milk. If you could, you'd wish this never happened more than anyone else.

"The one at fault is the jerk who took advantage of you! Nancy, why would you even think I'd be too scared to marry you just because you're repulsed by what happened? I'm not that weak. I don't mind. If I could, I'd want to protect you for the rest of my life."

Nancy felt a wave of dizziness, and large tears that she could no longer hold back began streaming down her face. The once firm and confident Cyrus in her mind suddenly became unrecognizable.

'Cyrus, you broke your promise.' Nancy thought bitterly, 'You did mind. You minded it from the beginning to the end.'

Nancy felt like her heart had been torn out and crushed repeatedly.

Suddenly, Nancy found herself in a warm embrace.

Instinctively, Nancy struggled, but then a gentle voice reached her ears. "Nancy, don't waste your tears on someone who doesn't deserve them. I'm here for you; lean on me."

Nancy paused, looking up to see Baldrick's face full of sympathy.

But she saw the bruise under Baldrick's right eye, and his lip split.

get into a fight?" Nancy

nasty things, and I couldn't hold back, so we fought." Baldrick looked at his empty hand, a hint of sorrow flashing through

couldn't help but find it amusing, so even an outsider knew how

is nearby. Let's go sit inside, away from

he pulled Nancy into the car, shutting the door with

did Nancy feel the cold leaving her body, warmed

towel. "Dry off.

silent, her face only showing self-mockery. Home? Whose home?

rental after the wedding, and Cyrus' house

Nancy's pale, distressed face, Baldrick felt a sharp pang in his heart, his fist clenching tightly. "Nancy, if you don't want to go back there, I can take you to a hotel. I'll book it under my

couldn't finish

see Cyrus and Hayley flaunting their

words, Baldrick

drinking with Hayley and Norton these past six months." Baldrick paused, "I saw Cyrus and Hayley coming out of a hotel in Ironbridge about six months ago but

was sharp enough to understand what that meant, even

for a long while, her expression indifferent,