22 That deep, magnetic voice echoed in my ear again after such a long time. Before I could react, Alec surged forward and punched Clint squarely between the brows. 3lood instantly gushed from a wound on Clint's forehead; he lost his balance and slumped to the loor. Clint, haven't you done enough evil already?" Alec snapped. "I've called the cops. Stop struggling. It's useless." le shielded me tightly in his arms. "I'm sorry, Soleil. I'm late." widened my eyes, stunned, as I watched him stand up for me. 1 that instant, a complex tide of feelings swelled inside me-surprise, gratitude, and above all, a uiet, inexplicable relief. Alec... how are you here?" I asked, my voice trembling, confusion and disbelief flickering in my yes. le wiped the tears from the corner of my eye. "You little crybaby. I'm sorry for scaring you. I've ctually been by your side all along; you just didn't notice. No matter when or where, I'll protect วน." stared into his steady, deep gaze, and warmth rose in my chest as if all my fear had been oothed. lint sat slumped on the floor, his face ashen, his mouth twitching, unable to accept what was appening. Bastard... how can you beat me..." Clint stammered. Because of what you did," Alec replied, clear-headed and calm. "There are no winners in this irce, man, only losers. You only see that Soleil has become better, but you never saw the blood nd sweat she shed behind the scenes. When you drowned yourself in the past and gave up, when you kept drowning your sorrows in rink, Soleil was gritting her teeth through excruciating rehabilitation training, working day and ight, sleepless, to cram business knowledge so she could take over the company. f you hadn't locked her in your narrow world as your wife, she would have had these things ten ears ago-things that were rightfully hers." ntil the police led him away, Clint fixed his stunned gaze on me. efore he climbed into the squad car, I said one last thing to him. Clint, you wanted everyone who hurt me to pay the price, right?" I asked. learing that I would still speak to him, hope flared in his eyes; he nodded mutely, too agitated to orm words. But the person who hurt me the most.... was you," I told him. "Now, the one who should pay the rice is you."