Rescued Me Novel – Chapter 10
Cole didn’t say a word. He didn’t ask why I was crying. He didn’t demand an explanation or try to fix it. He just knew. Just like he always had. And so, he held me.
For the first time in years, I let someone be there for me. I let myself break without pretending to be strong. The weight of everything–Amara’s death, Dominic’s betrayal, Julienne’s lies, the years of being the family’s disgrace–came crashing down, and I sobbed.§
Cole let me. No rushed words of comfort, no empty promises. Just quiet understanding. His arms around me, steady and warm, anchoring me when I felt like I was about to drown.
And somehow, against all logic, it helped.”
I had spent so long believing I had no one. That everyone I loved would eventually betray me.
But Cole–he was still here. And maybe that shouldn’t have meant anything. But it did. It meant everything.”
When my tears finally stopped, I pulled away, embarrassed. “I-” I swallowed, wiping my face. “I’m sorry.”
Cole shook his head, lifting his hand to brush the last tear from my cheek. His touch was gentle, careful, like he knew I was on the verge of breaking again. “Don’t be.”
His gaze locked onto mine, steady, unwavering.
should be the one apologizing.”
I frowned. “Cole>”
“No,” he cut me off. “I should have fought harder for you.” His voice was firm, tinged with regret. “When they took you from me, when they forced me into a marriage I never wanted–I should have done something. But I didn’t. I let them control me.” His jaw clenched. “I let them take you away.“”
I shook my head. “It wasn’t your fault.”
But he wasn’t done.
“Not anymore.” His expression darkened, determination hardening his features. “I have everything now. Power. Control. My parents can’t dictate my choices anymore. And I swear to you, Evelyne-” his voice lowered, turning razor–sharp, “-I won’t let anyone hurt you again.“}
I sucked in a breath.”
“You don’t have to fight alone anymore,” he murmured. “Not this time.”
My chest tightened. For years, I had been alone. I had told myself I didn’t need anyone, that trusting people only led to pain.[
But standing here, looking at Cole–the man who once loved me, the man who had been ripped away from me because of them–I realized something.
I didn’t have to do this alone anymore. And for the first time in years, I believed that.”
But before I could answer–The front door slammed open.”
The sound crashed through the room like a gunshot. My head snapped toward the entrance.
And there she was. Julienne.
She stood in the doorway, her face flushed with rage, her breath coming in uneven gasps. Her manicured nails dug into her palms, her entire body shaking as she took us in–me, standing so close to Cole, and Cole, looking completely unbothered by her presence.
“What the hell is this?” she demanded.
Cole straightened but didn’t step away from me. “What are you doing here, Julienne?” His voice was cold, emotionless.§
She let out a bitter laugh, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “You’re seriously asking me that?”
She marched toward him, shoving her phone in his face. The screen was still lit with the latest headlines.
“Cole LAURENT FILES FOR DIVORCE FROM Julienne LAURENT!”
“I MARRIED THE WRONG TWIN–I WAS ALWAYS IN LOVE WITH Evelyne.”
“You’re divorcing me?!” she screamed.}
Cole’s expression didn’t change. “Yes.“”
She blinked rapidly, her breath stuttering. “You didn’t even talk to me about this! You just–“>
There was nothing to talk about,” Cole cut in sharply. “Our marriage was a business transaction. It always has been.“”
Julienne’s face twisted with fury. “You never cared about me?”
Cole let out a humorless laugh. “Did you?“”
Julienne opened her mouth, but no words came out.”
“You never loved me, Julienne.” His voice was eerily calm. “You married me because you were told to. And I married you for the same reason.” His gaze turned sharp. “So don’t stand here and act like I’m betraying you when we both know exactly what this marriage was.“>
Her hands trembled. “But we–we were fine–“>
Cole scoffed. “You were sleeping with Dominic.“}
Julienne flinched.
“You thought I didn’t know?” He shook his head. “You were never careful. You were never smart about it. I knew for a long time, Julienne. I just didn’t care enough to stop you.”}]
Her lower lip quivered.
“And John?” Cole continued, his voice laced with cold amusement. “Don’t pretend to be surprised that I know he isn’t mine.”
Julienne’s face paled. I watched the entire exchange in silence, my arms crossed, waiting for the moment Julienne would turn her rage toward me.
And she did.
Her furious gaze snapped to me. “You ruined everything,” she spat. “I thought we were sisters.”
Met out a slow breath, shaking my head. “That’s funny,” I said softly. “Because I thought the same thing years ago–until you blamed me for Ethan’s death.”
Her lips parted.
I took a step forward. “I thought we were sisters when I was tied up in a warehouse, waiting for our parents to save me. But they saved you instead.”}
Her jaw clenched.
“I thought we were sisters when you married Cole. I tilted my head. “And when you slept with my husband.““]
Julienne trembled, but I saw the flicker of guilt of something that looked suspiciously like fear.”
For the first time in her life, she wasn’t winning. And she knew it.”
Before she could respond, another voice cut through the room.”
“You ungrateful child!”
The slap came so fast I barely saw it coming. Pain exploded across my cheek as my head snapped to the side. I stumbled back, my fingers touching my burning skin.
And standing there, hand still raised, was my mother.”