Chapter 4

"Don't even think about that," Cullen's voice turned gentle as it rang through Amelia's ears. She was so lost staring at the sea, that she did not even notice he was behind her.

Embarrassment washed over her. She timidly turned to him and tried to act coy about what he was saying.

"I_"

"You can hold my hand if you want," Cullen interrupted her. He gave her that suggestion to prevent himself from holding her hard as he did previously.

Inside him, he felt his emotions about to explode. He read her whole body language and took a step closer to her. She reminded him of someone.

He raised his hand to drop on her shoulder to comfort her. But on second thought, he returned his hand to himself and asked, "Was there something I said to make you feel like a burden?"

Amelia let out a sharp gasp when she heard him. How would he ask her such a question? There would be nothing wrong if he said something like that. Whereas, he would have been right, because she was just a burden to everyone.

She shook her head and hesitantly met his snow-blue eyes. She blinked speechlessly at how good-looking he was. His dark inkjet hair was silky, well-trimmed, and beautiful, and so was everything about him. Tall, slender, and toned, he would pass off as a beautiful masterpiece. She watched his small plump pink lips and could not help the small smile that crept its way to her lips. He would be 6'7 feet tall if she wasn't mistaken. Everything about him screams sensuality.

Cullen became confused when he saw her smiling. It wasn't like her previous fake smile but a genuine one.

He felt the smile was to trick him into believing she was alright. So he went on to say, "Don't be mistaken, I'm not an overly nice person. My heart is extremely dark, but I can't let you die after crossing paths with you," his voice was heavy with seriousness.

The smile on Amelia's face was forcefully wiped off. The place turned silent again and the night scent filled the air.

After several failed attempts to say something, where she just kept on parting her lips and shutting them again, she managed to ask, "Am I worth it?"

"Yes you are," Cullen answered without wasting a breath, "Now hold my hand and forget about suicide or any other thing. Just focus on me,"

He used the words 'focus on me' because he can't ask her to focus on herself. That's as if asking her to continue thinking about her condition, to push her more to commit suicide. He was the closest thing to distract her mind and he hoped it would work.

Amelia's mouth hung open and she gaped at Cullen. Thinking back at all the times this man has saved her, she realized this was the first time she was holding a conversation with him. Also, was this man her physical guidance angel?

Smiling softly in agreement, Amelia took his hand and squeezed it as her life depended on it. The stranger's lips curled into a small smile, exposing his beautiful dimple.

Amelia's heart fluttered when she felt comforted by just holding his long soft hand. Her mind went back to Daniel and she wondered if he would ever accept to hold her this way. Even if just once.

A few minutes later, following his lead, they arrived before a black Range Rover that almost camouflaged itself into the thick night.

Not having a second thought about the stranger, Amelia opened the backseat door and entered after he had taken his position in the driver's seat.

Her mind trembled with negative thoughts but she pushed them to the back of her mind and comforted herself. She would still need to find a way out of Daniel and her mother's claws.

He wouldn't save her so patiently just to harm her, would he? Could he be one of those psychopaths roaming freely?

Cullen turned and faced Amelia behind him. He fixed a piercing gaze on Amelia, so piercing that Amelia's blood froze the moment she met his eyes.

The swift, piercing look he gave to her, made her assume he might have read her mind. How could she think of such in the first place? Amelia looked at the floor.

Well, he won't throw her out of his car now, would he? She thought.

"To the front seat," his voice came out stern, a direct order. He left no room for her to object.

Amelia was taken aback when he said those words. Was this a trick to drive her out? Daniel had always hurt her hard whenever she made the mistake of sitting in the front seat. He always said she was trying to be equal with him by taking the seat beside him. But here, a stranger asked her to sit in that position. It confused her.

"No, I'm good here," she declined the offer.

Cullen stared at her for a short period and turned away. Playing a calming playlist that might calm her down, he zoomed off into the road.

He drove like he owned the city and his whole confident aura made it so hard for Amelia to look straight. She bent her head throughout the journey.

And when she finally raised her face because her neck was sore, tears stood in her eyes. She unconsciously rubbed her deflated stomach, trying hard not to let out her sobs.

In the past, whenever she felt fed up with life, all she had to do was to feel her baby. But now, she had nothing to feel and hold on to.

She felt like a bad mother for letting her child leave without a fight. She should have fought for her child better. She should have been stronger.

An Apple tree would never bear a pear fruit. What if she turns out to be like her mother towards her children?

Could that be the reason why her baby left without a second thought? Was her baby afraid of the monster she would become?