Self

Chapter 52

Yale pinned her down on the couch, Ignoring her struggles as he reached for her clothes. Yara clung to the fabric, pleading. “Stop, don’t do this-”

Her voice cracked with a rough edge, trembling with fear like a startled bird, beautiful in its desperation.

Yale’s body temperature rose, his patience thinning as he pushed aside her top, his hand slipping under her skirt’s edge.

Yara’s heart raced, “Yale, isn’t there any other girl you want? Why force yourself on me, your ex, who’s already walked away from you?!

“If you’re so eager, I can call Xandra for you right now. No! Please, don’t!”

Yale saw her trying to dodge him, her eyes red with stubborn defiance, and he felt a twisted spark of

anger:

“What’s the matter? A few days apart, and you act like we’re strangers? It’s not like you haven’t been with me before. Why the act of innocence?”

Yara shook with fury. “You’re despicable!”

He let out a cold, mocking laugh, gripping her chin. “You think you’re worth something after leaving me? A woman who’s been with others is worth nothing to anyone else.”

Tears streamed uncontrollably, and Yara saw the man she had loved for six years as if, for the first time, a stranger.

“Why are you staring?” Yale taunted with a low laugh, eyeing her quivering lips, and then he kissed her, hard and unyielding.

Slowly, he forced her hands apart, cruelly ripping her top.

She cried, and he laughed.

At that moment, Yara felt the stark difference in their strength.

She thought it might as well be a dog bite.

However, just as despair nearly swallowed her, the weight on her vanished.

A sudden, strong force threw Yale off her.

Caught off balance, Yale stumbled backward, crashing into a cabinet before regaining his footing.

Having waited too long for Yara, Wade suspected the book might be too heavy and causing her trouble. He left his car and knocked on the villa’s door, ready to help.

As soon as Mary cracked open the door, the uproar from upstairs hit Wade like a wave. Without hesitating, he bolted up the stairs.

He burst through the door and froze. Yale was pinning Yara to the couch, ignoring her kicks and screams, ready to hurt her.

Yara’s skirt was hiked up; her shirt ripped to shreds. She was fighting back, but it was no use. Her eyes were huge with fear, tears streaming down her face.

Wade’s cool was gone.

How could he?!

Chapter 52

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“You okay?” Wade whipped off his jacket, covered Yara with it, and helped her sit up.

Yara was shaking like a leaf, tear tracks all over her face. Her sparkly eyes were dim and distant, as if she were still stuck in some horrible dream.

“Yara!” Wade’s voice was steady and reassuring. “It’s okay now; it’s over. Talk to me. Are you hurt?

“Yara!”

It took calling her name three times before Yara started returning to herself, her eyes focusing on him. Wade… Professor Shelton…”

She was shivering.

Wade’s hand was warm as he gently rubbed her back. It’s okay, you’re safe now.”

“Uh–huh!” Yara nodded hard, tears pouring out.

Yale watched them, his face darkening. He recognized Wade as the guy from the restaurant and sneered, Look who it is. What are you? Yara’s backup boyfriend? Trying to play the knight in shining armor-”

Crack!

Wade’s fist connected with Yale’s face before he could finish.