Andres didn't seem to hear her. He urgently pulled her along. "Kaelyn, don't worry. You just need to apologize to Madelynn. I won't let her make things difficult for you."

Kaelyn was weak physically and couldn't break free from his grip.

He dragged her all the way to the garage. He hesitated when he opened the passenger door. His eyes flickered, and he said in a low voice, "Kaelyn, you'd better sit in the back. Madelynn says the passenger seat of my car is her exclusive one. If she finds out you've sat there, she'll definitely be upset again. Just bear with it a little longer. Once the trial is over, I promise I won't let you suffer anymore."

Kaelyn knew well that it was pointless for her to argue and silently opened the back door.

Andres followed her and leaned over to fasten her seatbelt. Then he gently placed his jacket over her legs and said in a tender tone, "Kaelyn, I knew you'd understand me."

Kaelyn turned her face away, not responding.

Andres's expression froze. Then he went to the driver's seat and turned up the car's air conditioning slightly. "Don't catch a cold during your period. If you feel unwell, let me know anytime."

Kaelyn leaned back in the backseat and said nothing. Her period hadn't come for a long time now.

Andres was oblivious to it, as he had always stayed with Madelynn.

On their way, Andres drove slowly. He frequently glanced at her through the rearview mirror and attempted to start conversations, but Kaelyn just gazed out of the window in silence.

She was aware of Madelynn's behavior in the past.

Madelynn had ruined Andres's past relationships, and Kaelyn had heard of her tactics.

Yet, Andres loved Kaelyn so unwaveringly that she couldn't bring herself to run away and break up with him.

So when Madelynn stormed in with her so-called trial, Kaelyn agreed without hesitation. She never realized that it would be her nightmare.

Madelynn used every trick to torment Kaelyn, while Andres never truly stood up for Kaelyn.

After she was injured every time, Andres would stay by her bedside and caress her wounds gently, whispering, "Kaelyn, all that matters is that you're fine. Madelynn doesn't intend to hurt you. I've indulged her too much. Let's not hold it against her."

When Andres and Kaelyn arrived at the police station, they saw Madelynn.

Andres looked at Madelynn's frail figure, and his eyes were full of pity. "Madelynn, stop it. I've brought Kaelyn here to apologize to you. You've gotten so thin. What am I supposed to tell your parents when they see you like this?"

Madelynn turned her head away in a huff and said in a voice tinged with sobs, "From the day you dated her, you couldn't explain anything to my parents. You promised that you'd take care of me forever."

Andres coaxed her softly and apologized to her repeatedly.

Kaelyn watched the scene expressionlessly. Andres and Madelynn looked more like quarreling lovers.

Madelynn didn't change her mind. Andres was at a loss when he noticed her reddened eyes. He understood what she wanted then.

He pulled Kaelyn in front of Madelynn and whispered, "Kaelyn, just apologize to Madelynn. And this matter will be over."

Kaelyn shook off his hand fiercely and said, "Why should I apologize? What did I do wrong?"

Andres suppressed his anger and said, "Didn't I explain it to you before we came here? Does it matter who's right or wrong? Is it really difficult for you to apologize?"

Madelynn wiped her tears. Andres finally lost his patience. His tone turned stern as he said, "Kaelyn, don't forget that your father is still under my care. If you don't apologize now, you know the consequences."

Kaelyn looked at him in disbelief. "Are you crazy? That's my father. How can you use him to threaten me?"

Andres's gaze was cold. "Apologize now. Don't force me to say it again."

Kaelyn thought of her father, who was lifeless on the hospital bed. She felt her heart being squeezed tightly.

With a hoarse voice, she forced herself to say, "I'm sorry."

Madelynn suddenly changed her aggrieved expression and wore a cold smile. "What did you say? I didn't hear you."

Kaelyn raised her voice and repeated, "I'm sorry."

Madelynn pressed her lips. "That's your attitude when apologizing? There's no sincerity in that. I don't accept it. You must get down on your knees and apologize to me."

Before Kaelyn could respond, Andres frowned and said, "Madelynn, that's enough. Kaelyn's leg injury hasn't healed yet. It is too much for her to get down on her knees."

"You still care about her the most." Madelynn broke down, pulling a utility knife from her pocket and pressing it to her neck. "Fine. Then just leave me alone. I just want to end my life when I watch you with her."

Andres's face suddenly turned pale. He rushed forward to grab the knife, but Madelynn stepped back, and the blade left a cut on her neck.

Seeing Madelynn injured, Andres was utterly panicked.

He turned to Kaelyn and said urgently, "Kaelyn, please bear with it this time. I'll make it up to you after we get back."

Before Kaelyn could react, he and the bodyguards beside him pressed her shoulders down and forced her to get down on her knees on the floor.

Then, a hand firmly pressed the back of her neck and pushed her forehead harshly against the cold floor.

Chapter 2

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