Chapter 5 The shattering glass cut Alden off mid-sentence.
Vivian jerked back from his arms like a startled rabbit.
Willow, youre awake! She rushed to the hospital bed.
Tears were already welling in her eyes.
How do you feel? Are you still in pain? This is all my fault… Willows pale lips curled into a sneer.
How could I get better with you in my sight? Vivians tears fell harder.
Her shoulders trembled as if the words had struck bone.
She bit her lip, threw Alden a glance, and ran out.
Alden took a half-step after her, then forced himself to stop.
He turned to Willow.
His voice was low.
Ms.
Willow, it was a tense situation.
I didnt have time to react… Willow didnt answer.
She just turned away and stared out the window.
She didnt want to hear it.
For three days, Alden stood guard outside her hospital room like some dutiful sentry.

Not once had she spoken to him, not until the day they discharged her.
Willow walked straight to the study.
Her legs were still unsteady from her injuries.
She yanked open the mahogany drawer and pulled out a gleaming black leather whip.
This was the Rooney familys traditional method of discipline.
One strike could split flesh.
Send for Alden, she told the butler.
Alden pushed the door open to find Willow meticulously cleaning her whip.
Sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows, carving shadows beneath her lashes.
Youre my bodyguard, Alden.
And you failed to protect me, she said, lifting her gaze to meet his.
You dont object to being punished, do you? Alden stood motionless.
His eyes widened just a fraction, but Willow didnt miss it.
This Blythera scion had probably never imagined a day when someone would dare to discipline him.
He was the renowned sole heir of the Wilders.
How many people groveled for his favor every day? Who in their right mind would even think of laying a hand on him? And yet, here she was, whip in hand.
Willow studied his expression, then suddenly laughed.

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He was actually hesitating.
He could resign and walk away, but he didnt.
Was it Vivian holding him back? Was he staying close because he hoped it would bring him closer to Vivian? Willows eyes burned.
Her laughter was hovering dangerously close to tears.
Alden gritted his teeth and finally muttered, No.
The moment the word left his lips, Willows heart wrenched violently.
Her grip hardened on the whip, and she raised her arm.
Stop! A slender figure suddenly threw itself in front of Alden, desperately shielding him.
Tears welled in Vivians eyes, and her voice was shaking.
Willow, if you need to punish someone, punish me! Den has nothing to do with this! Move.
Willows voice was icy.
No! Vivian shook her head as tears streamed down her face.
Im the one who got you hurt.
Take it out on me Alden tried to pull her back.
Ms.
Vivian, this isnt your fault.
But she planted herself, refusing to give an inch.

Fury burned through Willow at the sight of her.
Her whip lashed out.
The crack split the air, sharp and piercing.
Shed aimed for Alden, but Vivian threw herself in front of him, taking the full force of the strike.
A cry tore from her lips as her body shuddered, then folded.
Alden caught her before she hit the ground.
His gaze fell on the wound.
When he looked up again, Willow found herself staring into eyes so cold they burned.
There was murder in them.
It was as if, in the next breath, hed tear out her throat.
A frozen dread seized her, locking her in place.
Get out.
Her voice trembled.
Alden swept Vivians unconscious body into his arms and strode away.
The study door slammed behind him with a deafening crash.
Willow stood rooted in place.
Her hands were trembling too violently to clutch the whip.