Chapter 15 Don’t Worry, I’m Here

Claire's POV:

"This pretty new bride, can she make sugar cookies?"

A few men gathered in front of my house, wearing malicious smiles. There were quite a few onlookers as well, but these neighborhood toughs had a reputation, and nobody wanted to step in to help me. People watched on with indifference; the spectacle was their entertainment.

"If she’s to blame, it’s only for being beautiful. Colin is really careless too, leaving such a pretty woman alone at home—it's like he's inviting trouble!" My heart pounded and my face turned pale, but I managed to stay composed.

"Is the new bride also a miss from a wealthy family?"

"No wonder. Daughters from rich families never step foot in the kitchen. How would she know how to make sugar cookies!"

"Miss bride, you might not be familiar with our customs here, are you?" The hooligans eyes, seemed glued to me.

"Here, a woman who’s married in has to personally make sugar cookies and deliver them to every household! You've been married here for a while now, yet we haven't tasted any."

"Sorry, I wasn't aware of this custom." I struggled to make my voice sound steady, "I'll make sure to deliver some to everyone once it’s done. My husband will be back very soon, so please can you leave?"

As I was about to close the courtyard door, a man suddenly thrust his knee against it, followed by the raucous jeering of two others. Panic overtook me, my hand shook, and they burst the door open. The three of them charging into the yard, with greedy desire in their eyes.

"Who would have thought that little stinker Colin, could have such luck!" Their eyes gleamed at the sight of me, their expressions lecherous, filling me with an inexplicable disgust.

Instinctively, I crossed my arms over my chest, warily eyeing them. "This is my house, get out now!" I raised my voice deliberately. "My husband will be back any minute! You know perfectly well what kind of man he is!"

The men exchanged glances, sniggering wickedly. "Of course, we know! The kind who gets nervous in a fight, the weakling! My dear, you probably don't realize, but Colin was quite the pushover back in the day,”

He sneered, “always taking the rap for us during brawls! We really shouldn’t have missed your wedding. Since we didn’t celebrate your nuptials back then, why not make up for it today?"

They surrounded me, beginning to get handsy. I screamed loudly, but amidst fear, the image of Colin hitting the punching bag in the yard flashed through my mind.

I had never fought, but I had watched. In that moment, courage struck me from nowhere, and emulating Colin, I treated these thugs as punching bags, lashing out fiercely with my fists.

The men were taken aback, yet my resistance only fanned their vile thoughts. "Oh, so the little lady knows Taekwondo?"

I clenched my fists and stood my ground, "Get out, get out!"

"It’s no use, sweetheart!" one sneered maliciously, "Don’t flail your fists about recklessly, you might hurt yourself. Let us show you how to use them properly!"

Tears welled up in my eyes, as fear, dread, and helplessness coiled into a tight knot in my chest, leaving me breathless. The ruffians grew bolder, even attempting to drag me into the house.

But just then, a thunderous bang resounded from the gate. Before they could react, they were struck hard on the head. Frozen in shock, I watched as the once arrogant men now writhed on the ground, cradling their heads, and crying in pain.

Colin’s tall silhouette stood against the backlight of the doorway, his features chilly and his gaze piercing, exuding an aura of calm authority without a hint of anger.

Finally seeing Colin, I could hold back my tears no longer. I threw myself into his arms, and he tenderly stroked my hair.

"It’s all right now, I’m here." Colin gestured for me to go inside and lock the door.

I complied obediently, but Colin stayed outside. From within the house, I heard sounds reminiscent of a wolf's howl, followed by the wretched screams of those men. I didn’t understand how there could be wolves in broad daylight?

Peering out the window, there were no wolves to be seen, only the men kneeling on the ground, pleading for Colin to spare them, the mud in the yard stained with blood. And yet, Colin seemed unsatisfied, picking up the stick I had wielded earlier and striking it viciously on one man’s leg.

"If you dare trouble my wife again, next time it won't just be a broken leg!" Colin's voice was deep, each word infused with a fierce intensity.

The gang of men scrambled away, tripping over themselves in panic. I hid behind the door, struggling to control my wildly racing heart, my breathing ragged. When Colin came in, I saw the blood on him. I tried to move my lips but couldn't utter a word.

"Were you scared just now?" Colin stepped forward, his large hand gently resting on my shoulder. I shook my head and wrapped my arms around him, leaning my face against his chest.

"You're stronger than I thought," Colin chuckled lightly. "You even picked up a stick to chase them off when they troubled you."

"What else could I have done?" I looked up at him. "There was no one to help me, and you weren't home. I had to do something, to try and protect myself."

"It's my fault. I should have been at home with you," Colin murmured regretfully. "But I don't think they will dare to come back anymore."

I buried my face in his chest, laughing softly. My hand inadvertently touched his brick-like chest, his taut and muscular physique accelerating my heartbeat. To think he was so adept in a fight, disposing of those men with a few punches and kicks. But why did they call him a coward before?

"You should go wash up and change your clothes," I said, eyeing his disheveled attire. "I'll go start on dinner."

Colin nodded, his green eyes lingering on me. I paused. "Is there something on my face?"

"No," he smiled slightly, "it's just that you're different from how they described you."

"What do you mean?"

"Before we were married, people said you were a pampered and spoiled miss of the Watson family, with a hot temper, unable to manage anything. But now you keep the house in great order, you cook delicious meals, and when things come up, you handle them calmly..."

Colin teased with a half-smile, leaning in, "I'm starting to doubt if you're really Hailey."

My face went pale, and I stared at him blankly, my lips twitching into a forced, awkward smile. "I... I am Hailey, of course," I said, my gaze shifting as I tucked my hair behind my ear.

"Rumors, well, they never match reality. Don't listen to their nonsense. I am the Watson family's heir, you didn't marry the wrong person!"

Colin just smiled without responding, but just then a rapid knocking sounded at the door. "Colin, are you home?"