Chapter 0536, She takes a shuddering breath.,

"I managed to kick him off for a second, and that's when he pulled out a knife and made this cut, telling me he would mutilate me so badly no one would want me. I was ok with that. And as we were struggling with the knife, me trying to take it from him and him continuing to hit me as he tried to get me to cooperate, that's when Zade, who heard my screams, showed up and he realised what was happening and began fighting him. They were already on bad terms at this point.

",

"And did he do nothing to him? He should have killed him,

" I say, my voice trembling., Her tears are falling, and she isn't stopping them anymore.,

"Zade had already lost his sight from one eye for refusing to attack a defenceless woman in her apartment. And I knew if he did anything to Gaultier they would only hurt him more, so I told him nothing happened and that I was fine. That he came in time...

" she whispers., I stare down at her, my mind spinning. She held this secret to protect him.,

"So, he didn't know...

",

"He knows he tried to rape me, he saw my torn clothes... but no, he doesn't know that he succeeded and I will never tell him, or he won't forgive himself. He was going to kill him that day.

" Her voice breaks and she pulls her legs up, curling into a foetal position., I turn her and tug the bed sheet off; wrapping it around her, I pull her against me protectively.,

"He should have killed him,

" I say coldly.

"Did you not tell anyone else?

",

"I told Gerard and Lawrence, but they only made me feel worse. In short, they didn't care and saw nothing wrong with what Gaultier had done, and said I was too weak and maybe that's all I was good for.

", Anger rips through me, and I wish they were alive just so I could kill them again.,

"I still feel disgusting at times, still feel his disgusting touch. Some might consider it weak, but when someone robs you of the right over your own body, there's something that breaks inside... A part of me was stolen.

" Her voice breaks, and I kiss the top of her head softly.,

"I'm sorry I wasn't there,

" I whisper, truly meaning it.

"But 1 know my words will change nothing. But I promise you, I will never let anyone hurt you again.

", She is silent, and I take the chance to try to compose my own emotions, the pain I feel for her is immeasurable. We are both, silent until she speaks.,

"Does it disgust you?

", 1

/2, 20 BONUS, Her words are quiet, but they send a sliver of irritation through me, and I reach down, curling my fingers under her chin and forcing her to look up at me.,

"Is that what you think of me? I feel anything but disgust. What that bastard did - I just wish I could rip him to **ing, shreds one **ing inch at a time. To cause him so much **ing pain that he would scream for **in mercy.

" My eyes are, blazing as they look into hers.

"You are precious, you are **ing pure, and you are perfect. Nothing can change my, perception of you. You are brave, intelligent and so damn strong that I feel truly blessed that you are made for me. I just, wish I could take all your pain away...

", She smiles softly, a smile that is full of pain yet hope. Her eyes are glowing grey as she looks up at me.

"Has anyone ever told you that you're good with words? Even if they're not true... a sign of a good businessman, I guess,

" she whispers.,

"No, everything I said is the truth,

" I reply as I lean in and kiss her deeply. 'If not my words, I hope you can feel what I truly think and feel for you.', She touches my cheek, and slowly she begins to kiss me back. I vow that I will always take her feelings and trauma into, consideration. I will always be patient, and I will help heal the wounds that he left on her. Wounds that hurt her until this very day and wounds that I know will never truly go away. But I will help her cope with them., We part, breaking the kiss that felt so different from all the others we've shared. This one is full of vulnerability, pain and sadness, yet wrapped in warmth, comfort and a promise to always love and cherish her., I cup her face, kissing her cheek before gazing into her eyes. She has laid her heart bare for me and I will do the very same.,

"I love you, Adriana Hidalgo, more than I could ever express.

" My voice is earnest and thick with emotions as I kiss her forehead softly.

"I truly love you, my beautiful Luna.

", Moonlight Muse, Author, Thankyou for reading, we are nearing the end of this novela which I hope everyone enjoyed, please do leave a gem if you are enjoying the novel. Please also leave a review❤❤❤, Search the website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.