Third Person's POV
"Don't get involved in this for me. Those people—they're dangerous, the kind you don't want to cross," Sunny said, recalling the woman's agility and menace.
She was highly skilled and didn't look like a good person either.
Such individuals were reckless and terrifying. They were desperate people. Getting involved with them would really end in mutual destruction.
She didn't want Leo to seek revenge for her. She just hoped not to get him entangled.
"You think too little of our people." Leo snorted.
Sunny stared at Leo's focused, handsome face as he tended to her wounds.
His brow was dotted with sweat despite the spring chill. Was it worry for her or tension from touching her injuries?
"Leo, I'm not doubting your abilities. I just don't want you to get dragged into danger with me. Promise me you'll stay out of this," Sunny said gravely.
Leo narrowed his eyes. "A man who can't protect his own woman—what kind of man would that make me?"
Sunny's heart raced as she locked eyes with him. "Leo, I'm already grateful beyond words that you don't care about my background. I must have done something good in a past life to deserve you. But I just want you to live safely. If anything happens to you because of me, I'd be terrified… I could die, but I couldn't bear to lose you!" She suddenly grasped his hand, her grip tight as if etching her words into his soul.
"What's the point of holding me like that?" Leo frowned.
"Promise me, Leo. This isn't a joke—I need your word!" Sunny's determination was clear.
Leo met her gaze, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I never promise anything to anyone."
"Leo…" Sunny's heart sank, her voice tinged with pleading.
Leo raised an eyebrow, his eyes deep.
"If you won't promise, then we're done," Sunny threatened, panic and fear driving her to extreme measures.
"Say that again," Leo suddenly gripped her wrist tightly.
Sunny cried out in pain, and he immediately released her.
"Sunny, I'm not a coward," Leo said softly but firmly.
"I'm not calling you a coward! I just can't bear the thought of you getting hurt." Sunny persisted stubbornly, the recent kidnappings making her acutely aware of the world's dangers.
"Enough talk. Lie down. I'll rub some medicinal wine on your chest wound," Leo shifted the topic, unwilling to argue further.
Sunny still wouldn't let go, saying, "Are you even listening? I don't want you to seek revenge for me!" She clung tightly to his arm.
"Lie down!" Leo's tone brooked no argument.
Sunny reluctantly complied. Leo poured the medicinal liquid into his palm and applied it to her swollen injury. The skin was a shocking bruise of purple and blue.
"You should get this checked at the hospital. I'm worried about internal injuries," Leo's heart ached with each glance.
"No need. Having you here is enough," Sunny shook her head, wishing only to curl up by his side, enduring the pain gladly.
Leo pressed firmly, and Sunny trembled in agony. This was where Bianca had kicked her last night. After a night of swelling, each touch felt like electric shocks.
"Besides beating you up… did they…?" Leo stopped himself, unable to voice the fear.
"No! Absolutely not!" Sunny instantly understood his concern and reassured him quickly.
Leo's Adam's apple bobbed. He dropped the subject but didn't ease his touch. The bruise needed to be dispersed to prevent chronic issues. Sunny's face drained of color, cold sweat drenching the sheets.
"Stay still. I'll make you some food," Leo said, his heart aching with empathy.
"Mmm…" Sunny, drained of strength, curled up in the blankets filled with his scent and fell into a deep sleep plagued by nightmares. She dreamed of Olivia bleeding out, Leo being hit by a car, and herself drowning in a freezing lake, the suffocation relentless.
"Ah!" Sunny bolted upright, the sky outside overcast and foreboding.
"What's wrong?" Leo rushed in.
"How long was I asleep?" Sunny rubbed her stiff neck.
"It's past two in the afternoon. Eat something," Leo had his assistant bring light meals—his own cooking attempts were inedible.
Sunny wiped the cold sweat from her brow, her voice trembling. "Any news about... Olivia?"
Leo's expression darkened. "She's in custody. She's safe for now."
"Thank you," Sunny whispered.
"I intend to convict her soon," Leo's tone was laced with sarcasm. "But with insufficient evidence, being locked up is safer than being out, don't you think?"
"She once said she'd rather be locked up…" Sunny lowered her eyelashes, sorrow filling her eyes.
"She's protecting you," Leo said, unable to bear her despondent look.
"I never thought she was my mother…" Sunny still struggled to accept this harsh reality.
"Who would have thought?" Leo snorted.
Sunny felt her life had spun out of control. "Leo, if your mom finds out about us… she won't accept me. Then we'll…"
"Ready to give up so easily?" Leo suddenly snapped.
"Of course, I don't want to!" Sunny shook her head frantically, her heart torn between desire and fear.