Now They Want My Forgiveness - Chapter 66: Chapter 66

The man yanked Stella out of the cage, his face twisted in disgust as he looked at her emaciated body. He spat, "Nothing but skin and bones. Revolting."
Stella furtively grabbed a handful of sand from the ground. As the man leaned in, she flung it straight into his eyes.
"You goddamn bitch!" the man shrieked. He barked at the man beside him, "Beat her."
The other man rushed toward Stella.
Stella tried to throw more sand at him, but it was useless. He was already prepared. She tried to get up, but she was too weak. She could only endure as the man sat on her and beat her brutally.
Then, the man unbuckled his belt, clearly intending to violate her.
Stella desperately tried to push him off, but it was futile. She thought, 'Death seems the only escape.'
At that very moment, Jordan burst through the door, kicked the man aside, and pulled Stella up from the ground. He called, "Stella."
"Who are you?" Stella asked, her voice weak. She couldn't see who it was. She could only hear a voice as rich and deep as cello music.
"I am Jordan," Jordan replied.
Stella froze. Hours had passed, and she'd given up hope Jordan would come.
Stella had no recollection of what happened next. All she knew was being placed in the backseat of a car. Her body wracked with pain—she couldn't even sit up properly.
"Can you hold on?" Jordan asked.
"Yes," Stella whispered.
Stella had come close to death several times. She thought, 'They say that those who survive great disasters are destined for good fortune.
'After so many brushes with death, I could only hope that maybe, just maybe, things would finally get better for me this time.'
"We're almost at the hospital," Jordan said.
"I've dirtied your cushion," Stella murmured weakly, her voice tinged with guilt.
"Don't worry about it," Jordan replied gently.
Stella felt a bit of relief wash over her.
Jordan said, "Sorry, I was in another city for work, so I'm a bit late."
Stella asked, "Business trip?"
Jordan said, "You are right."
Stella couldn't quite put my finger on what she was feeling. Even though her vision was blurred, she could sense Jordan's gaze lingering on her from time to time, as if he genuinely cared.
She thought, 'Maybe it is just because we are business partners, nothing more.'
Stella was wheeled into the hospital.
A doctor exclaimed, "What happened? How did she end up like this again?"
Jordan asked, "What do you mean, 'again'?"
The doctor glanced at Jordan. Even though she was married, she couldn't help staring at Jordan. She thought, 'He is so handsome, broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist, his chiseled profile straight out of a fashion magazine.'
The doctor asked Jordan, "Sir, who are you to Ms. Hayes?"
"What did you mean by 'again'?" Jordan pressed.
"She was brought in like this just a few days ago, but it wasn't as bad as this time," the doctor explained.
Jordan frowned slightly.
When Stella came to, she saw Lionel by her bedside. His eyes, filled with concern, were fixed on her.
"Are you feeling any better?" Lionel asked softly.
Stella looked around the room but saw no others.
Lionel seemed to know who she was searching for. "The man who rescued you has already left," he said gently.
Stella remained silent, refusing to even look at Lionel.
Lionel said, "I've already contacted your family. Stella, what exactly happened to you? Please, tell me. I want to help."
Stella didn't respond.
Lionel said, "Alright, if you don't want to talk, that's fine. I won't push you. You'll need to stay in the hospital for a few more days. I have work to do, so I'll be leaving now.
"If you need anything, just ask the medical staff. They can always reach me."