From Ashes of Scandals to His Embrace novel Chapter 338

Laurinda stretched out on the bed, her hair still damp from the shower. Adolphus came in, carrying a first-aid kit. He sat down next to her and started checking her bruises, his touch gentle but his eyes cold and sharp, focused completely on the marks left on her skin.

She caught his hand, quietly moving the ointment aside, and then wriggled into his arms, nuzzling him like a cat wanting attention. “Didn’t you say all those people have been dealt with? Then why do you look so serious?” She let her shirt slip a little, grinning up at him. “Isn’t this tempting enough for you? Or is your mind somewhere else?”

Adolphus looked down at her, then pulled the covers up to shield her from the cool air. His voice was soft. “Don’t tease.” He brushed a gentle kiss on the corner of her mouth, lingering for a moment before speaking again. “Back on Mistfall Atoll... was it them too?”

Laurinda froze for a second, surprised he knew about that, but she just nodded.

“It wasn’t just Baily behind that hit. Some of the other families got involved too. There were four groups, actually, but I managed to slip away in the end. Don’t worry about me. I’m like a cat with nine lives. They’re not getting rid of me that easily.”

Adolphus listened, his heart twisting at the thought of everything she’d been through. He ran his fingers gently over the bruises on her shoulder. “You have me now. Let me handle it, okay? This time, leave it to me.”

Laurinda watched him, warmth spreading through her chest at how serious he looked. She hugged him tight, not wanting to drag him into her mess, and snuggled closer, her voice soft and playful. “I’m sleepy... Let’s just go to bed.”

He tucked her in, put the first-aid kit away, then washed his hands before lying down beside her. Pulling her into his arms, he stayed right there until she drifted off.

But Laurinda didn’t sleep well. She kept tossing and turning, caught halfway between dreams and waking, her mind restless. Only when the daylight poured through the windows did she finally sink into a deep, peaceful sleep.

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