Obsession His Runaway Bride (Noelle and Adrian) novel Chapter 48

Chapter 48: Bloodshot

+25 BONUS

A shudder tore through Noelle. Her entire body trembled as a wave of panic crashed over her. Before she could stop herself, her fingers twisted into the sheets, gripping them so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

“I–I can’t,” she rasped, shaking her head frantically. “I can’t have this baby.”

Valerian instantly stiffened as he looked at her in shock. “Noelle…” He said her name quietly, almost cautiously.

But she wasn’t listening.

“Take it out,” she choked. “I don’t care how… just get rid of it. Please.”

The plea fell from her lips in a frantic rush as her desperation unraveled like a thread pulled too tight. Weak as she was, she still tried to push herself up, her limbs shaking violently from the effort.

Dr. James stepped forward to stop her. “Ms. McGrath, I need you to calm down-”

But the moment he reached for her, she recoiled as if burned.

“No!” Noelle gasped and breathing almost hysterically. Her hands flew to her stomach, clutching it, pressing against it, rejecting it. “I don’t want it! I can’t have it!”

Her breath came in sharp, ragged sobs, while her entire body convulsed with anguish. “Please–just make it go away!”

Valerian’s heart clenched, a pain he couldn’t name searing through him as he watched her crumble right before his eyes. He had seen people beg for their lives. He had seen men reduced to nothing in the face of death. But she was different. The sight of her suffering, made him feel the brokenness she felt.

Noelle, who was always gentle, always kind in his eyes, was now broken and desperate.

And Valerian couldn’t stand it.

Before he even thought about what he was doing, he reached for her. His arms wrapped around her, pulling her against his chest, caging her in–but there was no force, nor restraint. Just his warmth and a silent promise that he wouldn’t let her fall apart anymore than this.

Noelle stiffened at first while her sobs were ragged and her breath still came in short, panicked gasps. But he didn’t let go.

“Shh…” His voice was low, steady as he murmured against the top of her head. “Enough, Noelle enough.”

His hand cradled the back of her head as he held her, his other arm securely around her trembling body.

She didn’t stop crying, didn’t stop shaking, but she wasn’t fighting anymore.

Her hands clutched weakly at the fabric of his coat, as if trying to hold on to something before she drowned completely.

And it made Valerian hold her tighter.

His lips parted, and before he could stop himself, the words slipped out low, tender, aching.

“Успокойся, моя любовь… Мне больно видеть тебя такой… Пожалуйста…. перестань плакать…” (Calm down, my love… It hurts me to see you like this… Please… stop crying…)

His fingers tangled gently in her hair. His hold was firm but careful, as if she might slip through his grasp if he let

Chapter 48: Bloodshot

go even for a second.

+25 BONUS

Noelle’s sobs didn’t stop, but they grew quieter even if her body was still trembling against his. Valerian closed his eyes as he pressed his lips against her hair. If he could take her pain, if he could erase what had been done to her, he would.

But all he could do was hold her.

Minutes passed and her sobs slowly faded into quiet sniffles, until exhaustion finally took over. Her body went limp against him, her breathing uneven but steady as sleep claimed her.

Valerian carefully laid her back down while keeping his movements gentle despite the storm raging inside him. He reached for a cloth and wiped the tears from her face, his fingers lingering for a second longer than necessary.

Then, without looking up, he spoke.

“When she wakes up and she’s calm, ask her again.” He paused.

“Whatever her decision will be… we’ll go through with it.”

Dr. James nodded as a response.

Valerian said nothing more. Instead, he turned on his heel and strode out of the room. And the moment the door shut behind him, his calm shattered.

His jaw locked, his fists clenched at his sides, and his breath came out sharp and unsteady.

Valerian didn’t hesitate. His fury propelled him forward, his long strides carrying him through the halls with deadly purpose. The storm inside him swelled with every step, fed by the sound of Noelle’s sobs still ringing in his

ears.

Her desperation. Her fear. The way she had begged and pleaded to erase what had been done to her.

By him.

Adrian Blackwood.

The name alone made his blood boil.

It didn’t take long for him to reach the basement. His men stood rigid outside the heavy steel door, their expressions neutral but their eyes knowing.

With a sharp nod, they stepped aside, granting him entry.

Valerian shoved the door open with enough force to make the hinges groan.

And inside, under the dim, flickering light, was Adrian sitting bound to a chair with his wrists tied and ankles shackled. Despite his bruised face, his amber eyes gleamed with arrogance as he looked up at Valerian.

“Came to visit me-”

But he never had the chance to finish those words as Valerian lunged at him.

His fist connected with Adrian’s face with a sickening crack snapping his head to the side. The chair rocked from the sheer force before tipping over completely, sending Adrian crashing to the cold, unforgiving floor.

But Valerian wasn’t done.

Not even close.

Chapter 48: Bloodshot

+25 BONUS

He grabbed Adrian by the collar and hauled him up, only to slam him back down with another devastating punch. Blood sprayed from Adrian’s mouth, smearing the floor beneath them.

There were no words, no threats. Just pure, merciless violence.

Valerian’s knuckles met flesh again. And again. And again.

His men, stationed at the door, remained still while their faces were void of expression. But even they struggled to keep composed at the sight of Valerian’s rage.

Adrian coughed, his breath wheezing from his battered lungs, but Valerian didn’t pause. He grabbed Adrian by the throat, yanked him up like a ragdoll, and drove his fist into his ribs, the impact so forceful it sent a sickening crack echoing through the room.

A strangled gasp tore from Adrian’s lips as he crumpled, but Valerian didn’t let him fall. He held him there, his grip bruising, before slamming him against the wall with such force the very structure seemned to tremble.

Then another punch. And another.

Flesh split. Blood splattered. The air reeked of iron.

Adrian’s body jerked with every hit, his groans turning into strained gasps.

And still, Valerian didn’t stop.

His fists kept moving, his vision clouded with nothing but crimson rage. Every impact was a release, a punishment, a raw, unfiltered hatred poured into every strike.

His men didn’t dare intervene. Even they, hardened killers, felt the weight of the moment.

For the first time, they were afraid.

Fortunately, for Adrian, Valerian finally decided to stop.

His breaths were slow but heavy, his bloodied gloved fists twitching at his sides as he took in the sight before him. Adrian lay in a broken heap on the floor, his face barely recognizable beneath the swelling and blood. His body trembled with each shallow breath, yet somehow, he was still conscious.

Disgusting.

With an exhale, Valerian stepped back, yanking off his coat. He tossed it to one of his men without a word, then peeled off his bloodstained gloves, letting them drop at his feet. His fingers flexed, aching from the repeated impact, but he barely felt it.

Then, rolling his shoulders, he cracked his neck ever so slightly.

“I’ve got good news and bad news for you,” he murmured, his voice eerily calm.

Adrian stirred, a weak, choked laugh bubbling from his bloodied lips. Even in his state, he still had the audacity to smirk.

“Good news for you is…” Valerian continued, tilting his head slightly. “Noelle is pregnant.”

The words instantly had the desired effect.

Even through the pain, Adrian’s bruised lips curled higher. His swollen eyes gleamed with satisfaction, and a hoarse chuckle escaped him. “Hah… Mine then…” he rasped voice laced with pride.

Valerian watched him with an unreadable expression. His fingers twitched at his sides as if restraining himself from lunging again.

Chapter 48: Bloodshot

He rolled his shoulders once more, as if shaking off the tension in his body, and then spoke again. “Bad news for you is…” He let the words hang in the air for second longer than necessary.

“Noelle wants an abortion.”

The smirk that was plastered on his face vanished almost as quick as it came.

Adrian’s bloodshot eyes snapped open and the remnants of his arrogance crumbled in an instant.

“…What?”