Chapter 54 I Just Want You to Live Well

Claire’s POV

I forced my heavy eyelids open, feeling as if every bone in my body had been taken apart and reassembled, the pain almost unbearable.

I saw white walls all around, and the scent of disinfectant lingered at the tip of my nose, while my body and face were wrapped in bandages.

Even more absurd was that one of my legs was suspended high above me.

I was dazed for a moment before a large hand took hold of mine, the warmth from his palm seeping into my heart.
I turned my face and met the man’s deep, profound eyes. Colin was quietly looking at me, a complex mix of emotions swirling in his gaze.

Worry, annoyance, concern, pity and guilt.

He managed a smile, gently stroked my hair, and with a husky voice said, “You’re finally awake.”

I moved slightly, my head buzzing, and aside from pain, I felt nothing else throughout my body.

“What happened to me?”

“Don’t remember?” Colin held my hand in his, softly caressing it.

My lips were dry, and my throat felt as if it was on fire. As my consciousness gradually returned, I remembered everything about that night.

Jayden and Peter had schemed to get me drunk, pushing me onto Kevin, and then Kevin took me into the car. I wouldn’t stand being bullied, so I unstrapped my bag and used it to choke the driver.

I suddenly got agitated, clenched my fist tightly.

“It’s alright now,” Colin soothed me gently, “it’s all in the past. You being okay is what matters.”

“Colin.” I looked at him, softly called his name, and reached out for his embrace.

He smiled, sat beside me, and with tender movements helped me sit up and carefully enveloped me in his embrace.

Once again, I leaned against this warm, solid chest, hearing the familiar heartbeat, and all the long-suppressed grievances and fears finally cascaded down with my tears.

Colin's heart tightened as he gently patted my head.
"I'm sorry, I'm late," he uttered softly.

"Actually, your colleague Anne messaged me right after work about what happened to you. Then you sent me several messages, but I didn't see them."

"It's not your fault," I responded with a slight pursing of my lips. "I should've been more cautious."

"But in the workplace, deception is common, and it's hard to guard against everything."

I fell silent for a moment, feeling a dull ache in my lower leg. Gritting my teeth and my face turning pale, I looked at my leg that was suspended.

"Minor fracture," Colin informed me. "Apart from that, you've got some bruises, but you're lucky—that's the worst of it."

"So, I won't be able to walk for a while?" I asked, surprised.

"Yes," he said with a light chuckle. "I'll take care of you during this time."

I paused, taken aback. Him, take care of me? I had tasted his cooking; if he was looking after me, I'd be eating vegetable salads every day.

With a resigned smile, I wrapped my arms tightly around his waist. Colin looked down at me, his expression growing serious.

After a long silence, he asked in a deep voice, "Why did you do it?"

"Hmm?"

"Why did you jump from the car?"

I took a deep breath and told him everything.

"I had drunk quite a bit, and if I hadn't overheard Jayden and Peter’s conversation early on, I might have been..." My voice trailed off as my eyes brimmed with tears. "In that situation, jumping from the car was my only option to save myself. I couldn't just wait to be killed or be taken to a hotel by Kevin."

"But do you realize how dangerous it was to strangle the driver from behind and then jump out? What if you had actually died?" My heart skipped a beat; I raised my eyes to see his stern and serious face, his dark eyes radiating a chill.

He's not usually one for jokes, but this level of sternness was rare from him. I felt a bit wronged. Was it possible that I had made a mistake?
I pouted at Colin and mumbled, "Did you really want me taken to a hotel by another man?"

Colin's voice was deep and low. "I just wanted you to stay alive!"

I quieted down, my heart pounding wildly.

"No matter what happens, I just want you to live," Colin declared seriously once more.

A wave of warmth flooded through me, my hands softly reaching for him.
"Fool," I detected a hint of reproach in his tone. "Nothing is more important than your life."

Without hesitation, I nodded vigorously, yet I offered him a naive and pure smile.

He seemed at a loss with me, letting out a heavy sigh after a long while. Then he looked me in the eyes and said with deliberate emphasis, "Remember, I’m not the type to care about things when it comes to taking risks."

He held my hand, his voice soft yet each word echoing in my heart.

Although I didn't agree, I nodded with a smile to give Colin peace of mind.

"It's a stroke of luck that nothing serious happened this time," he remarked with a meaningful look at me, "but as for those two bosses of yours, do you really intend to let them off so easily?"

"Of course not!" I said, my voice bristling with resentment. But despite the festering anger, it was mostly a momentary emotional release.

Jayden is one of the company's shareholders, and Peter is the boyfriend of his niece. What can I, a mere employee, really do to them?