Chapter 342: Aurora

“Dane?” I called, jolting to my feet. I never expected him to be here. I didn’t want him to hear this, not like this.

Dane walked into the office slowly, his usual strength and composure gone. He looked weak, broken; his eyes revealed his devastation.

Evelyn rose from her chair. “Fix this,” she told me, then turned to Dane. “I’ll take my leave now.”

Dane approached the desk, placing his hands on it, his gaze unwavering.

I swallowed as he opened his lips to speak, then closed them, gritting his teeth and shutting his eyes.

“All these years… you still don’t know your Dane?”

I looked away. “I’m asking myself the same question… did I really know you all these years, when I thought I did?”

Dane circled the desk and stood beside me. “I would never hurt you… not physically or emotionally.”

I looked up at him, rolling my eyes. “Then what were you doing with Kaida in the dungeon? She was butt naked and touching you… yet you stood there tolerating it… if I were in that state, would you accept it?”

He shut his eyes and looked away. Yeah… I guessed right.

“Why did you raise your hands to me when I slapped you this morning? You were going to hit me back, weren’t you?”

Dane shook his head, raising his hands. I flinched, but he didn’t hit me; he held my arms and pulled me close.

“There,” he said, eyes locked on mine.

I gulped. “Was this what you wanted to do this morning, too?”

Dane nodded, and I closed my eyes as my chest heaved. I felt relieved. My Dane wasn’t turning into a monster.

Dane kissed my forehead, and I pushed him away. “Not yet… I need an explanation as to why you were down there late at night.”

Dane breathed sharply. “I know I shouldn’t have gone, but I went to the kitchen for water. I was thirsty. I happened to hear her screaming for water, and there was no guard around, so I went and gave her mine.”

I furrowed my brows. “Then why was she naked?”

Dane sighed. “The water spilled on her dress, and she took advantage of that to take it off. She held my chest, and as I was removing her hand, you walked in.”

I stared at Dane, unfazed. I knew it was the truth; I saw it in his eyes. I messed up. I should have listened to him earlier.

“Believe me, babe… I would never lie to your face,” Dane said, squeezing my arm.

“Where is she now?” I asked.

“State prison,” he blurted, and my jaw dropped.

The state prison holds notorious criminals. Kaida is tough, but she won’t last a week there.

“Why?” I managed to ask.

“She caused you pain… I had to punish her.”

My eyes watered as I looked up at him. And here I was, punishing you and myself because of a misunderstanding.

“I love you… I don’t want you to think of me like that,” Dane said.

I wrapped my arms around him, crying on his shoulder. “I am so sorry, babe… I’m sorry.”

He patted my back and rubbed my head. “I wasn’t offended. If I were in your shoes, I might have done worse out of jealousy… I…”