Page 129 of My Damaged Protector

I don't know how long we remain seated in silence for, probably long enough to catch a nap, but there isn't any awkwardness.

She's growing to become family.

The thought comes from nowhere, and although a new discovery, it's a welcome one.

She's a good woman.

The sound of a car stopping in front of the house has us both standing up. I'm at the door before her. Yanking it open, I almost bump into Sarah, who's trying to come inside.

“What are you doing here? I thought you'd be asleep by now?” she asks in surprise.

Looking away, I try to not let my irritation at the question show. She leaves the estate against my wishes and expects me to go into the mansion and be able to sleep well?

“How was your outing? Got what you needed?” I ask, switching the topic. She nods and motions for me to step out of the way. I do, and she steps inside. I close the door and turn to watch her.

“Actually, yes, I did. I've changed my mind. I'm going to help save my father.”

“What?” Sheila and I both bark at the same time.

“Sarah, you can't!” Sheila says, moving close to her with a horrified look on her face.

“Auntie, don't worry, I'll be fine.” She tries to appease her aunt. From her demeanor though, I know she doesn't believe a word of what she said.

What's going on with her?

“But what about?—”

“I said, I'll be fine. Don't worry. Just go inside. Get some rest. I'll need you to stay here with Olivia till I'm back. I'm leaving in a few hours.”

Bullshit, she's leaving.

“You're not going anywhere until you tell me what's really going on here,” I inform her.

Her eyes snap at me, defiance clear as daylight in them. I don't care how stubborn she plans on being, she's not leaving.

“You're not in any capacity to tell me what I can or can't do,” she scoffs.

“Bullshit. You came to me for help, and I've been tiptoeing around you, not wanting to piss you off. But this ends now because I'm starting to realize there's nothing I do that doesn't piss you off anyway, so I might as well start setting you straight instead of kissing your ass and letting you continue to make stupid decisions.”

“Don't talk to me like that!”

“I'll talk to you however I want!”

“Both of you, calm down,” Sheila says, trying to get in the middle since we're now almost in each other's face.

I've just had it up to my neck with her.

“Sheila, stay out of this,” I warn.

“Auntie, please don't interfere. Go inside your room.”

Sheila remains in the middle, not budging at both of our words. She wants to stay? She can be my guest.

“You're not leaving this house until you tell me what's going on,” I address Sarah.

She rolls her eyes, a taunting smile on her lips. “You can't do anything to stop me, Ian.”

She's right, I can't.

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