Rachel’s sudden plea pulled me out of my thoughts. She looked up at Harrison, her eyes wide with fear and urgency.
“Harrison,” she called out, her voice trembling. “Please… you have to protect Emma and Ethan.”
Her words made my heart skip a beat. Protect me and Ethan? I leaned closer, a cold chill creeping over me as I sensed the fear in her voice.
Harrison’s expression turned serious, and he squeezed her hand. “Rachel, what do you mean? What’s going on?”
She took a shaky breath, her gaze darting between us. “Victoria… she was shot, Harrison. Mr. Blackwood did it. She tried to protect me, but she…” Rachel’s voice broke, and her face filled with sorrow. “Victoria gave her life for me, but he’s still out there. Mr. Blackwood is still free.”
My stomach twisted. Mr. Blackwood. The name alone sent a chill through me. I had never seen Rachel this afraid, and her fear was starting to sink into me too.
“If you don’t do something about it,” Rachel continued, clutching Harrison’s hand with surprising strength, “he’ll come for us. He won’t stop until he’s finished what he started. This time, he’ll do worse. I know it.”
Harrison’s jaw tightened, and I could see the determination in his eyes. He nodded, his voice low and steady. “Rachel, I promise. I’ll do everything I can to protect you… all of you. I won’t let him get away with this.”
I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, my mind racing with questions. But right now, one thing was clear: we weren’t safe. Not as long as Mr. Blackwood was still out there. The thought of him coming after us filled me with dread.
Harrison turned to me, his gaze intense. “Emma, you and Ethan need to be careful. Don’t go anywhere alone until we’ve figured out how to handle this.”
I nodded, swallowing the fear that had risen in my throat. I wasn’t sure what we’d do, but seeing the determination in Harrison’s eyes gave me a small sense of hope.
“Thank you, Harrison,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. It felt strange to thank him for something as terrifying as protection from a man like Mr. Blackwood, but right now, I was grateful that someone was willing to stand by us.
Rachel leaned back against the pillow, her face pale, but I could see the relief in her eyes. She trusted Harrison, and somehow, that trust was enough to calm me too.