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    <Chapter 49 The Past Unv


    +15 Points


    Chapter 49: The Past Unveiled, The Heart Softened–2


    “I was terrified,” I.confessed, my voice dropping. “I could barely restrain Connor or


    avoid being identally struck myself in the frenzy.”


    The table had fallenpletely silent, everyone hanging on my words.


    “When it was over, Connor’s hands dripped blood, sttered on his face. His ice–blue


    eyes burned with fury.” I shuddered slightly at the memory. “He looked like an


    avenging predator rather than the controlled man we all know.”


    I continued, exining the aftermath. “Liam was hospitalized for months with injuries


    and subsequently expelled from school. His family’s business copsed due to the


    scandal and pressure from the Rivers family, forcing them to flee Riverdale in


    disgrace.”


    “Connor spent a few days in detention but was released after his father, William


    Rivers, negotiated with the local authorities and paid heftypensation to maintain


    peace.”


    I added with meaningful emphasis, my eyes twinkling as I looked between Connor


    and Olivia. “Back then, I stupidly thought he was just protecting a vulnerable young woman, but recently I realized he’d always had his eye on you as someone special.”


    (Olivia’s POV)


    My heart clenched withplex emotions–shock, fear, gratitude, guilt. My slender fingers tightened around my wine ss, knuckles white.


    I never imagined <i>Connor </i>had risked everything, even nearly killing another person and


    facing punishment, on my behalf when we barely knew each other.


    The rest of the evening passed in a blur. I barely registered the conversations around


    me, my mind reying Ethan’s story over and over.


    Returning to my luxury apartment across from Riverdale University in the dead of


    night, under a cold moon and sharp wind, I remained silent and walked ahead, lost in


    emotional turmoil.


    Connor followed anxiously, murmuring softly behind me, his normallymanding voice gentle with concern. “Livvy, please don’t be angry.”


    |||


    Chapter 49 The Past Uny


    When I still ignored him, he slipped inside before I could shut the door, his expression wounded. “Livvy, are you afraid of me now?”


    His voice trembled slightly as he pleaded, “Don’t be scared. I’m not a violent person, I’d never hurt you. That day… it was just… what he said about you triggered something in me. I couldn’t stand anyone saying those filthy things about you…”


    Looking up at him with misty amber eyes, I sighed deeply, my voice tinged with helpless concern. “I’m not afraid of you. I’m just worried about you…”


    My voice caught as I continued. “If you had really killed him, your whole future would be ruined… The authorities might have demanded severe punishment… It’s not worth


    it, not for me…”


    (Connor’s POV)


    I gently pulled her into my embrace, my hand soothingly caressing her back like I wasforting a distressed child.


    “It’s over now, it’s all in the past,” I murmured against her hair, breathing in her familiar


    scent.


    (Olivia’s POV)


    My voice choked, tears welling again. “How many days were you in detention?”


    (Connor’s POV)


    “Not many,” I reassured gently, my thumb wiping away a tear that had escaped down


    her cheek.


    I hated seeing her cry, especially over something I’d done years ago without a second


    thought. I would do it again in a heartbeat to protect her.


    (Olivia’s POV)


    “Did you suffer? I heard the food they serve detained people is just in meat with


    herbs. You can’t stand that nd diet, right?” My voice revealed concern, knowing his


    preference for rich, vorful meals.


    (Connor’s POV)


    I chuckled softly, feeling my ice–blue eyes warming at her concern. “Couldn’t stand it.


    |||


    O


    Chapter 49 The Past Unv


    Considered it a cleansing diet.”


    Myrger form enveloped her protectively, wanting to shield her from even these


    painful memories.


    (Olivia’s POV)


    15 Prints >


    Despite my tears, I let out a shakyugh and punched his chest lightly. “You’re not fat


    at all. Just trying to annoy me, aren’t you?”


    My amber eyes sparkled despite the moisture still clinging to myshes. Something


    warm and tender was blooming in my chest, pushing aside the shock and worry.


    (Connor’s POV)


    I coaxed gently, my voice a low rumble. “Alright, let’s not talk about this anymore,


    okay?”


    My hands stroked her honey–brown hair with tender reverence. I’d waited so long to


    be able to touch her like this, tofort her, to be the one she turned to.


    <i>(</i>Olivia’s POV)


    Red–eyed, I gazed up at him, my curiosity still not fully satisfied. “Why didn’t you


    me before?”


    (Connor’s <i>POV</i>)


    tell


    “I didn’t want <i>you </i><i>to </i>carry any guilt. I chose to protect you. It had nothing to do with


    you.”


    My ice–blue eyes held absolute certainty, no regret visible for the actions I’d taken. I


    would do anything <i>to </i>keep her safe, to protect her smile.


    (Olivia’s POV)


    Tears spilled uncontrobly down my cheeks as the full weight of his long–standing


    protection settled in my heart. All these years, he had been watching over me, caring


    for me, even when I had no idea.


    Tenderly, Connor cupped my face and wiped my tears with his thumbs, his touch gentle despite his strength. “Why are you crying again? Don’t cry, or my heart will


    ache too.”


    |||


    O


    Chapter 49 The Past Unv..


    +15 Points <b>> </b>


    Leaning down, he softly kissed away the glittering tears <i>on </i>my cheeks, his lips warm against my skin.


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