Page 124 of My Damaged Protector

If she's dropping her offense, then I'm not going to make her pick it back up.

“Okay.”

I walk toward the door and pull it open. Just when I'm about to step out, she calls my name.

Can't say I didn't see that one coming.

Sighing, I wait a few seconds to draw in a deep breath before I turn around to address her.

“Yes, Auntie?”

“If anyone has ever judged you, it's certainly not me. All I've done is try to guide and support you to the best of my capacity. Now, if somehow you've started feeling judged, then maybe it's not me you should be pointing a finger at. Maybe it's you. So, you go out there, have your walk, ensure that asshole gets nowhere close to you, but while you're at it, take some time to think if I'm who you should be angry at right now.”

She gets on her feet and walks away, leaving me feeling a thousand times worse.

Crap.

She's right. Goodness. I've been the one judging myself all this while, projecting it on her.

Banging my head against the door a couple of times, muttering how stupid I am, I finally pull myself together and step out.

Ian is on his porch when I glance at the mansion. Our eyes meet, and he instantly stands up, walking to meet me in front of the bungalow.

Shit.

He's going to try to talk me out of this, too.

“Do you need something?” he asks when he's in front of me.

I shake my head in a negative way. “No, I… I just need to take a stroll.”

“Okay, I'll come with you,” he immediately offers.

“No, Ian. I need some time alone.”

He nods, pushes his hand into his pockets, and takes a step back. “Alright, just don't leave the estate.”

Yeah, that's the thing.

“Ian… I'm going to the bar.”

“No way, Sarah. He could still be in town.”

I'm actually counting on it.

“I know, but I promise you I'll be fine. I'll stay in the open, and he won't be able to do anything. I just need to clear my head.”

“Staying in the open will not change anything. You want to clear your head? Well, do it within the estate. Take a walk round the acres of the properties as many times as you can. I'll have Salem fetch you a bottle of wine while you’re at it, but you're not leaving the safety of this place.”

“It's not up to you.”

“What do you mean it's not up to me? You came to me for help, and that's what I'm doing right now: helping you.”

“If you really want to help me, you'll stop telling me what to do and start realizing that I'm not a child and I can take care of myself!”

“Sarah, I?—”

“Good night, Ian.” I cut him off and start to walk away from him.

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