From Left Behind to Living Lavish

Chapter 5

I managed a weak smile. "Marcus…"

It was really him, the same man who'd stepped up to Carter for my sake.

His eyes lit up with relief. "You can talk!"

He stayed by my side all day, never leaving for a second.

That's when the truth came out.

Marcus was the illegitimate son of the Dale family, just as powerful as the Hall family.

His arrival had solved a huge issue for them. Mrs. Dale had passed away without leaving any children, and Marcus's birth had filled that void.

"I was waiting for them to come find me, but when you disappeared, I couldn't sit around doing nothing. So, I stepped in," he explained, peeling an apple for me with an easy smile.

"Don't worry. Now that I've taken control of the Dale family, I'm here to protect you. I won't let that bastard hurt you again."

I took a bite of the apple, the crisp sweetness spreading in my mouth. Looking up at him, I asked quietly, "Do you believe me?"

He hesitated for a moment, his expression softening as he realized what I meant.

A smile tugged at his lips, and he gently patted my head.

"I believe you."

The day I was discharged, I ran into Carter again. His hair was messy, his face scruffy. He looked like he'd gone through hell overnight.

He tried to rush toward me, but Marcus was already there, stepping in front of me to block his path.

Carter's bloodshot eyes locked onto mine as he glared at me, fury lacing his voice. "Lindsey, we're not even divorced yet, and you're already leaving with another guy? How pathetic can you be?"

His words hit me like a punch to the gut.

I flinched, instinctively stepping back, my hands trembling at my sides.

Marcus saw it. Without a second thought, he yanked me behind him, throwing a punch at Carter with a snarl.

"Get lost!" he growled.

His back wasn't broad, but there was something about him standing there that made me feel safe. Protected. Like no one could touch me while he was in front of me.