Pampered After Divorce - Chapter 158: Chapter 158

Hank’s POV
After Nora refused to vacate her apartment, I discreetly kept an eye on her ever since I spotted Carter in the elevator.
Despite the events at Molly and Gio’s wedding, where I respected Nora’s desire to take things slow, I refrained from inviting her to my place and instead ensured her safety in her own apartment.
I had been monitoring Carter and confirmed his departure on the day we went to the Island, causing my surveillance on Nora to lapse.
As I neared my house, I almost ignored the message beep from my phone but a strong feeling compelled me to check, suspecting it was Nora.
However, the call abruptly ended after two rings, signaling a problem.
Instinctively, I made a U-turn, realizing that Carter’s sudden presence and the phone going dead were red flags.
I didn’t anticipate Carter causing trouble without a contract, ruling out the possibility of him being hired to target Nora. It dawned on me that his actions might be driven by his feelings for her.
Upon reaching Nora’s apartment, the chaos was evident. Stealthily intervening, I arrived just in time to prevent Carter from harming her.
I swiftly disarmed him and subdued him before confronting him, outraged by his actions.
“How dare you lay a hand on her?” I demanded.
Carter, visibly enraged, retorted, “It’s just business. She’s a target.”
The situation was tense, but I was determined to protect Nora at all costs. I hesitated for a moment. Who would target Nora? She didn’t have any friends, much like Molly.
“I’ll double the payment for the identity of your contractor,” I offered, but he declined.
“You know how it works. We don’t disclose our client’s identity.”
Since he wasn’t willing to negotiate, I decided to use force. “Then you should also know that I can’t let you live another day. Tell me, or face the consequences.”
“You think you can kill me?” he scoffed, his hand bleeding. “My girl did a good job, but I’ll train her better,” I taunted. Nora seized the opportunity to stab him, yet he still believed he could defeat me.
“And she will pay for it. I will eliminate you first, and then deal with her,” Carter threatened, my anger rising as I kicked him in the stomach.
He tried to reach for the fallen knife, but I prevented him from using it on Nora, anticipating his move.
As he attempted to stab me with the knife, I grabbed his hand and twisted his fingers backward, causing him to scream in pain as the knife slipped from his grasp before I broke his arm.
He tried to strike me with his other arm, but I swiftly immobilized it as well, the sound of bones cracking mingling with his cries.
“You despicable bastard,” he cursed, and I delivered a punch to his face before restraining his legs under my foot. Will you tell me or not?"
He screamed in pain as I stepped on his injured hand. His screams grew louder until he finally confessed.
"I was paid to kidnap her, but a woman paid me more to kill her."
"What?" Nora asked, shocked and shivering from the news, while Carter pleaded, "Trust me, I don't know who they are."
It wasn't difficult to investigate the rest of the information since he didn’t have it, so I twisted his neck, draining the life out of him. This was to ensure Nora's safety.
If the person who hired him found out he failed, they would hire someone else.
Nora trembled until I covered her with my jacket, and she wrapped her arms around me.
"Hank, I can't stay here alone. Will you stay with me?"
Surveying the small apartment, I wondered how I could stay there. "Gather your essentials and let's go to my place," I suggested.
She nodded and asked, "Should I call the cops?" What are you going to tell them?" I asked. She shook her head. "You know what, forget it."
By the time she finished packing, I had already arranged for special cleaners to remove the mess, surprising her when she emerged from the bedroom.
"Hank, where..."
"Let's go," I said, taking the luggage from her. When we arrived at my house, she headed to the shower, and I made her some tea.
After showering in a separate room where I planned to spend the night, she thanked me and expressed gratitude for saving her earlier.
"Thank you, and thanks for saving me back there," she said, emerging from the shower with a towel wrapped around her chest.
Her hair was still damp, and although I was tempted to dry it for her, I hesitated, fearing I might overstep boundaries and take advantage of her.
"It's nothing," I replied with a smile, feeling the discomfort of desire creeping in.
Then I remembered I had a spare phone. I quickly retrieved and gave it to her. Gratitude shone in here eyes. “Thank you very much.”
As she sipped her tea, she suddenly asked, "I heard what he said. Who wants me dead?"
That question weighed heavily on my mind, and I was determined to uncover the truth.
"Don't worry, I will get to the bottom of it." The atmosphere became awkward and uncomfortably charged with desire, so I excused myself.
"I will sleep in the next bedroom. Just call me if you need anything, and don't worry, I will leave the door open."
Taking the empty tea cup with me, I started to leave, but she called me back, her gaze filled with uncertainty.
"It's not as if we haven't shared a bed before.” She took the tea cup from me and set it on the night stand.
Indeed, we had shared a bed before but if she only knew how difficult it was. "I understand, but I want you to relax." As I approached the door, she hugged me from behind.
"Please don't leave," she pleaded.
Turning to face her, I spoke candidly. "Nora, I'm not perfect."
Her hand encircled me, intensifying the desires stirring within me as she stood there with only a towel draped around her chest. "Neither am I," she confessed, letting the towel slip away.